The south porch of Chartres Cathedral contains a series of sculptures, that were made between 1194 and 1230, on the subject of the martyrdom of saints.
Index of Medieval Sculpture
In addition to the martyrs, the south porch contains a sequence of images of those that had proclaimed Christian beliefs during periods of suppression (confessors).
The western façade of the cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, with its twin towers, was built between 1200 and 1240. With its three portals containing scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, the Last Judgment, and scenes from the life of St. Anne, it is considered one of the finest examples of early Gothic architecture.
Tomb of Richard I of England (d1199). This is one of three tombs to Richard I, this one is said to contain his heart, his entrails were buried in Châlus (where he died), and the rest of his body was buried at the feet of his father, Henry II, at Fontevraud Abbey in Anjou.
The portal of St Anne on the right of the western façade was built in 1200 and is the earliest of the three portals to be built. The tympanum is actually dated to about 1150 and was once part of the earlier cathedral of St. Stephen whose western façade was once 40 metres to the west of the present Cathedral.
Tomb of Henry the Young King (d1183) son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, brother of King Richard I of England and King John.
This portal of the Virgin, at Notre Dame Paris, was sculpted between 1210 and 1220. The main scene show the Coronation of the Virgin, where Mary is being crowned Queen of heaven by an angel, whilst she sits on the same throne as Jesus. In the lintel below is Mary on her death bed surrounded by Jesus and the twelve aposles, two angels are about to lift her to heaven. In the lower lintel the old testament prophets are holding scrolls prophesying Christ.
Tomb of King John the youngest son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Made from Purbeck marble the sarcophagus dates from about 1230 and is the earliest effigy in the country to an English king. Originally the effigy would have lain on the floor, but as more elaborate tombs were installed in later years, John's effigy was raised up to rest on a tomb chest that was made in about 1540.
The western facade of the cathedral of Notre-Dame in Amiens contains 3 doorways. A central portal that opens into the nave, and two portals beneath the north and south towers that open into the cathedral's aisles. Above each portal is a tympanum the central one depicting the last Judgement, the northern one the transfer of the relics of St Firmin, and the south portal depicts the Virgin Mary.
