La croix à la dame

Around 1820, like ten other churches in the canton of Clères, the church of Gouville was destroyed. The column of the churchyard cross was transferred to Saint André to be integrated into the monument already in place. This sandstone column is helical in shape and carved on its eight sides. It dates from the 16th century. It is decorated with flowers, crosses and shells. For M. de Duranville (1) these shells make us think of the fragility of human things: "The flow of time brings them to the shore where soon after they are broken". For other authors (2), the shells it contains are an evocation of the Way of Saint Jacques de Compostela.  This column was located on a pilgrimage course via Dieppe, Cottévrard and Rouen. André Pilet believes that Cottévrard welcomed pilgrims in the premises of the former 12th century priory.

The pedestal of the original monument, made of limestone, is carved on its eight sides. Its faces represent, clockwise:

• On the front, Saint Andrew holding the X-shaped cross that was used for his torture (Saint Andrew's cross).

• On the next side, the three nails used for the crucifixion of Christ.

• Then a lantern, evoking the arrest of Christ which took place at night.

• A column surmounted by a rooster and carrying a whip and rods, instruments of flogging.

• The head of Judas Iscariot with his purse around his neck and the thirty silver coins of treason represented on two lines.

• A hand over an open tomb, with a shroud.

• A cross with a crown of thorns hanging from the cross.

• An ear, perhaps that of Malchus, which Peter (Saint Andrew’s brother) cut off to prevent the arrest of Christ.

A cord is located above these eight faces. On top of the pedestal sculptures represent a bowl (perhaps that of the Mount of Olives), crisscrossed bones and skulls.

This monument represents Saint Andrew, dedication of the parish, but dwells upon the instruments of Passion.

(1)   Historian of the 19th century.

(2)   André Pilet: Norman pilgrims to Compostela. (ed.  Bertout)