41 – The Knights’ Chamber…

Still In the marvel…     

Beyond the Guests' Chamber on the north side of the middle tier of the Marvel lies a second and larger hall known as the Knights’ Chamber, or the Salle des Chevaliers, so named after King Louis XI of France had founded the chivalrous order of the Knights of St Michel in 1469. Originally used as the scriptorium it was here that in these pre-printing press days the monks would copy and produce illuminated texts and religious manuscripts, giving the Mont its erstwhile name of The City of Books. The order founded by Louis was primarily a response to the Order of the Golden Fleece founded by Philip of Burgundy, a rival claimant to the allegiances of other notable houses of French nobility. Early members were amongst the most powerful noblemen in France, and mostly close relatives of Louis’, and it remained the highest Order in the realm for a century until the founding of the French Order of the Holy Spirit. It was abolished in 1830, but has seen two revivals in the twentieth century. The large fireplaces also gave rise its reference as the calefactory, and it was almost certainly divided into numerous smaller workrooms by tapestry screens. Despite its naming, and Louis’ plans for annual meetings at the Mont, due to its remote and impractical location it is not recorded that any gathering of the members of the order ever took place within its walls.

Built later than the Guests’ Chamber, the architecture here represents a distinctly Norman style, solid rather than elegant - with the ogival vaulting pronouncedly outlined in contrasting stone. The pillar capitals have varying foliar and floral carvings. Altogether not a bad place to spend another day at the office!