medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
> You're probably looking for the Miraculous Chapel (Chapelle Miraculeuse).
> My Michelin Guide seems to think that the Miraculous Virgin statue there (a
> wooden reliquary statue) may date from the 9th C.
Notre-Dame de Rocamadour is generally regarded as a Black Virgin. As to its date,
the 9th century is undoubtedly far too early (and a bit puzzling). The earliest
miracle collection from Rocamadour, dating from the late 12th century, makes no
reference to this statue (see Marcus Bull, The Miracles of Our Lady of Rocamadour,
Boydell, 1999); presumably it either did not yet exist or had not yet achieved a
miraculous reputation. It was common, however, for legends to develop concerning
miraculous images that they are far older than the actually are. In this case, legend
has it that the statue was carved by a 3rd century hermit, sometimes identified as St
Amadour (after whom the site was named), who himself came to be identified with
the biblical Zachaeus, supposedly the husband of St Veronica. Other legends
attribute the statue to St Luke himself. The earliest documentary reference to
Notre-Dame de Rocamadour, I believe, is from 1235, and it is generally dated to the
very late 12th century, although the style of the statue is daunting to place in any
very precise context.
Cheers,
Jim Bugslag
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