Abstract
The relics of the ancient Cistercian abbey of Grandselve. On the site of the ancient Cistercian abbey of Grandselve (Grandissilva) one no longer finds any archaeological remains as a result of the destruction of the monastic buildings, (abbey church, cloisters...). Only seven gilded reliquaries, dating from the 1250s, have been preserved, and this goldsmith’s treasure has been protected for two centuries in the parish church of Bouillac (canton of Verdun-sur-Garonne, Tam-et-Garonne). On the basis of inventories drawn up in the XIXth century, one can get an idea of the contents of the four reliquary chests in the form of churches. Three reliquaries, called “phylacteries”, in the form of a tower (reliquary of the Holy Thom), the tables of the Law (the True Cross) and in discoidal form are ornamented with metal plaques (silver, copper). One of these is engraved, in beautiful, uncial writing, with the list of relics that it contains. Inside the wooden caskets covered with enamelled copper, are also found papyri allowing one to identify wrapped fragments of precious material. In addition to the bones are vegetable matter (sacred trees), minerals (stones, earth containing liquid (water, blood, oil) and numerous textiles (liturgical vestments). From this heteroclite collection is released the impression that the abbey wanted to assert its spiritual authority, by developing the cult of Cistercian saints (St. Bernard and other celebrated abbots). The shrine of St. Livrade offers a trace of a popular cult linked to the religious history of Gascony.
Published Version
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