Architecture, ritual and identity in the cathedral of Saint-Etienne and the abbey of Saint-Germain in Auxerre, France

This study, under the direction of Sheila Bonde, explores the history of the cathedral of Saint-Etienne and the church of Saint-Germain. By looking at the social contexts in which the cathedral and abbey were built, I consider how these monuments functioned as expressions of identity for the communities who inhabited them. I contend that the buildings functioned as manifestations of the individual identity of the bishop of Auxerre, as well as the communal identities of the cathedral chapter and monastic community of Saint-Germain. As such, the cathedral and the abbey played prominent roles in the rituals that took place in Auxerre. The goal of this study is to reveal the dynamic role medieval architecture played in shaping people's perceptions of their environment.; The first part focuses on the development of the identity of the bishop, cathedral chapter and monastic community in terms of how these identities are manifested in the buildings. In chapters one through three, I look at the vitae that were written about the local saints, and I show that such legends contributed to the development of the sites on which the cathedral and abbey are located. In chapters four through six, I explore how the buildings shaped people's social relationships during ritual performance. I analyze the procession of Palm Sunday, and I show that the performance of this liturgy in Auxerre in 1537 was imbued with a local significance at a time when episcopal authority was being challenged. I also examine the local celebration of the feast days of saint Germain. All three groups---the bishop, chapter, and monastic community---linked themselves to Germain, but each appropriated different aspects of his legend that addressed the social and political needs of each community. The final case study considers the liturgy of the installation of the bishop. I explain how the abbey and the cathedral were used in this ritual to solidify the authority of the bishop over the count of Auxerre and community of Saint-Germain.