Building Name

:

Eglise Saint-Savinien, Melle  

Location

:

Transept

Capital

:

3

Subject

:

Passion of Saint Savininen of Troyes

Description

:

The capital is located atop an engaged column at the northeast angle of the crossing. The inscription is engraved on the capital's south face. (Ht. of corbeille: approx. 35cm). Figure holds the left arm of executioner.

Reference

:

The author of the inscription was inspired by the Passions of St. Savinien of Troyes, who is the only Savinien who was beheaded (cephalore=head-carrier). Not one of the three vitae can be considered historically accurate, but the inscription does place Savinien's martyrdom under the reign of Aurelian and it mentions how he was killed. S. Savinianus, apprehendens caput suum, portavit illud pedes quadraginta novem. The success of the Passions of St. Savinien of Troyes ast the end of the eleventh century resulted in its inclusion in the Golden Legend.

Corpus Ref.

:

vol. 3, Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres, 138