Most people when they gaze up at old cathedrals, houses or churches will notice a gargoyle or two peering down from lofty heights. Usually any ugly, carved stone creature is labelled a gargoyle but you need a water spout to be an official gargoyle. If it hasn’t got a water hole then it’s a grotesque.
Grotesque at York Minster
Although gargoyles have been around since Egyptian times, the French have a long standing relationship with gargoyles. The word ‘gargoyle’ originates from the French word gargouille which means throat or gullet. We’ve borrowed the word and modified it too – we gargle and gurgle in English!!
It’s said that St. Romain, the bishop of Rouen, encountered the colossal monster ‘Gargouille’ or ‘Garguiem’ in the Seine around 631 A.D. This water serpent, with a long neck and eyes gleaming like moonstones, was happily saturating the land with water through it’s slender snout and terrorising passing boats. St. Romain only had one volunteer to help him capture the monster and this was a prisoner awaiting execution. So the bishop used the prisoner as bait to lure the monster towards him and then, at the crucial moment (at least for the prisoner) he made the sign of the cross. This immediately tamed the Garguiem who was led back to Rouen and burned to death.
The prisoner luckily didn’t share the same fate as the Garguiem. He was freed from his sentence and in honour of his bravery the Archbishops of Rouen were allowed to set a prisoner free each year on the anniversary of the slaying of the monster.
Little stone chaps at York Minster
It wasn’t long before stone images of Garguiem started to appear on buildings spouting water. Although gargoyles started off as grotesque creatures they have morphed into various animals, demons and even monks! There is a church near to where I live which actually has a grotesque witch, called Kit Knox, on it. Some of the most elaborate gargoyles can be seen today at Notre Dame in Paris.
It’s widely thought that gargoyles were used from the middle ages onwards to ward off any evil spirits lurking around churches, cathedrals and other important buildings as well as provide plumbing. But there are other theories as to why these monsters sprung up. They could possibly be:
- A reminder to parishioners that evil is on the outside and the good stuff is inside.
- Pagan symbols to attract local, non-Christians into coming to church.
- An insurance policy to stop the building collapsing because only evil things make buildings crumble and that can’t possibly happen if you’ve got a gargoyle on watch.
- A cunning advertising bluff to let demons know not to bother calling because demonic work is already being done inside.
If you have the opportunity to go gargoyle spotting on old buildings look out for the less conventional gargoyles. You might be able to spot nose picking gargoyles, gargoyles with glasses, mooning gargoyles and there’s even the odd defecating gargoyle or two!!
For more ‘G’s – go to ABC Wednesday!
Thanks for the history lesson, always fascinated by Gargoyles, but wasn't quite sure of their origins, or the difference between Grotesques & Gargoyles, now I know!
Really interesting post about some of my fave. creatures too! I love those photo's. Whenever I think of Gargoyle's I remember Charles Laughton in the movie of "Hunchback of Notre Dame" sitting besides a gargoyle sadly desiring Esmerelda. Great post, Lyn : )
A lovely read. My daughter's school, here in California is a little over 100 years old (which here is like saying 500 in England), It features gargoyles and grotesques on the outer walls.
This is a delightful slice of history with a seasoning of humor!
I love seeing them on old buildings. Good narrative.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Fascinating! I never knew the difference between gargoyles and grotesques before. And I'll never gargle again without thinking of the origin of that word. Thanks!
I love gargoyles, and was thrilled to have the chance to see the ones at Notre Dame earlier this year, though apparently most of those are actually chimeras, as you say, "gargoyle" has become the colloquial term for them.
They remain among my favourite monsters.
wow- I did not know the history nor the difference between the two! I have been calling grotesques gargoyles. I loved this, Lyn, thank you!
I've always wished for gargoyles or just creepy statues to keep watch outside my house (big ones on my roof). I guess I'll just go with the little statues in my front yard. I love your witchy blog!
Yes, very interesting and informative…but I must say a little greepy for me.
This is a lovely and very interesting post. anyway, i like your blog
Great! Love all the information – I've always just called them all gargoyles. Thanks! A fun post!
wow,
they look creepy to me,
unique and funny choice.
well done!
Sweet one… funny choice…
G is for Gamidolatry
–Someone Is Special–
I love gargoyles and grotesques, although I am a bit weary of them since I saw Doctor Who one night having to conquer those stone statues that weren't!