Hart
104. Case Studies in Ancient
and Medieval Architecture
Fall
Semester 2004
Lecture
9. The Abbey of Saint-Denis and
the Capetian Kings
St.
Denis, first bishop of Paris, martyred mid 3rd century
religious
community established by Dagobert in 7th century
dedicated
in presence of Charlemagne in 775
867
became royal abbey under Charles the Bald
996
became royal burial abbey under Hugh Capet (the first Capetian king)
Abbot
Suger of Saint Denis, 1122-1151 (advisor to Louis VI and Louis VII)
1140
west façade dedicated
1144
choir dedicated
regnum
et sacerdotium (secular
and spiritual realms)
Pseudo-Dionysius
the Aeropagite, Celestial Hierarchies, 6th century