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Ecclesiastical: Suger

In the twelfth century the jewellers' and goldsmiths' art was fostered in France by Suger, Archbishop of St. Denis. He proposed always, as models, the works of St. Eloi. He made a retable of gold, enriched with precious stones, and a golden crucifix of great value, radiant with enamels and precious stones, for the Abbey of St. Denis. Workmen from Lorraine, to the number of five or seven, worked alternately two years on this costly object; but jewels became scarce, and Suger began to fear that the work would not be finished, when three monks offered to sell him a quantity of magnificent jewels, which had formerly adorned the gold table-service of Henry I. of England, that Thibaut, Count of Champagne, nephew of the king, had given to various convents to purchase indulgences and prayers. Suger, at a trifling cost, purchased these precious stones, which were of enormous value. It is supposed that the magnificent crucifix was broken up by the Leaguers in 1590. During the Norman period, the ornaments used by the ecclesiastics were so costly and extravagant, that sumptuary laws were made to repress them. From illuminations we see that the chasuble was richly bordered with precious stones, as were also other portions of the dress.