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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture

Can anyone in the group help me better identify the stained glass image of
an unusual *Sedes Sapientia* figure shown here:
http://www.astrologie-et-christianisme.fr/? The image is the first one to
appear in the slide show at the top of the *Accueil* page.

Christian Fages, the author of the web-site on which the image is posted,
identifies it as being from the “Basilica of Châlons-en-Champagne.”  However,
it is unclear to me whether this means the basilique Notre-Dame de l'Épine,
situated in the little village of L'Épine, in the Marne, near
Châlons-en-Champagne, or else the cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Châlons
situated in Châlons-en-Champagne and dedicated to Saint Étienne. I’m also
curious as to the date of the work. Mr. Fages has yet to respond to my
queries.
A *sedes sapientia* figure without a Christ Child seems sufficiently
unusual to make me wonder whether this labeling is original or the result
of some unfortunately misguided restoration. The astronomical imagery, an
astrolabe and nine celestial bodies also seems a bit odd. If the intent was
to allude to the seven naked-eye planets, then there are two bodies too
many. In medieval astronomy the Sun and the Moon are part of the seven.
It would be good to know what imagery is in the larger context of the other
panes in the larger window of which the image in question is only one
element.

I’d be grateful to anyone in the Group would could provide more facts or
commentary about this image.

Richard J Legault

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