Cantiga 7 of the Cantigas de Santa Maria of Alfonso X

The Pregnant Abbess
An abbess became pregnant by her Bolognese steward.
The nuns in her charge discovered her indiscretion and were vindictive.
They accused the abbess to their bishop, who travelled from Cologne.
He summoned her.
After meeting with the bishop, the abbess prayed to the Virgin. Mary appeared to her, as if in a dream, and had the baby delivered and sent to Soissons to be raised.
The abbess appeared before the bishop and he made her undress. He declared her innocent and berated the nuns.

Click for larger details of the panels.


Full Pages from the Cantigas de Santa Maria
Cantigas de Santa Maria Main Page



Free Web Hosting