Villevenard

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http://chalons-en-champagne.cef.fr/

Apart from the transept, the edifice dates from the mid-12th century; it is surmounted by an exceptional octogonal tower pierced with gemelled windows and columns adorned with foliated capitals. The west door is surmounted by a saddlebag lintel and an uncarved tympanum. The east parts of the church and the arms of the transept underwent alterations in the 15th or 16th century. The rectangular, barrel-vaulted chancel and its lunettes, was restored in the 18th century.

THE 15th-century WALL PAINTINGS

Jacob's Dream

11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed

Saint Nicholas and the three chidren in the salting tub

The earliest versions of the lament of the children in the salting tub originate from Champagne. St. Nicholas, patron saint of Lorraine, was also honoured in Champagne. It is therefore likely that the lament is of Champenoise origin. Judging by the style, it probably dates from the late 17th century. Choirboys used to recite or sing it in the evening in the streets or inns during the month preceding Saint Nicholas's Day (December 6th) until the mid-19th century.

COMPLAINTE DES

ENFANTS AU SALOIR

LAMENT OF THE CHILDREN

IN THE SALTING TUB

Three little children they were,

In the fields three little gleaners.

They gleaned and gleaned

Until the sun disappeared.

They knocked at the door of a butcher

“Butcher, will you give us shelter?”

“Not here my little darlings

We can offer no lodging.”

His wife, standing behind him

Slyly whispered to him.

« They have, she said, gold and silver,

You will become a wealthy trader.”

“Do come in my little darlings

For sure you can have lodgings.

You can have a good supper,

And sleep under a warm cover.”

No sooner did they enter

Than were slaughtered by the butcher,

Who cut them up and threw their

Into a salting tub like mere porkers.

Seven full years had passed,

When St. Nicholas visited these parts.

As he was tired he went to the butcher:

“Butcher, would you give me shelter?”

“”Pray, come in Saint Nicholas

I will not leave a holy man homeless.”

No sooner did he enter,

Than he asked for some supper.

“D’you wants a slice of ham? »

“I won’t eat this ham no matter how hungry I am.”

“D’you want a nice piece of veal?”

“Now, butcher, why all this zeal?”

« What about this salted meat in this tub?

This I would gladly eat.”

As the butcher heard the Saint speaking

He took to his heels and started running.

“Butcher, butcher, don’t try to flee

Repent and God will forgive thee.”

Then, Saint Nicholas placed three fingers

On the rim of the salting tub.

The first child said:”I had a good sleep!

The second said: “mine was so deep!”

The youngest one opened his eyes:

“I thought I was in Paradise!”

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