The essential women of the Sainte-Chapelle

Their names are Blanche, Esther, Judith and Marie, they are major heroines of the Sainte-Chapelle.

Blanche of Castile, the regent

Because she is the mother of the king and because she was twice regent of the kingdom, Blanche of Castile is an essential figure of the Sainte-Chapelle, her coat of arms constellates the upper and lower chapel and also all the windows of the Sainte-Chapelle.

The story of Judith and Esther, two powerful women who in the biblical story saved their people from certain extermination, are represented just above the alcove dedicated to Blanche de Castille, are they here by chance?

For Françoise Perrot, a leading specialist in the stained glass windows of the Sainte-Chapelle, the story of Esther placed above Blanche's alcove is a vibrant tribute from a son to his mother. Indeed, her action was decisive during the king's childhood and his absence during his crusade in 1248.

Sainte-Chapelle de Paris, oratoire de la reine Blanche de Castille
CR - Centre des monuments nationaux

Esther, the brave patriot

In the Sainte-Chapelle, the story of Esther, a historical book from the Old Testament of the Bible, is detailed on 120 panels. Esther was the wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus.

When the kingdom decides to exterminate all the Jews, Esther pleads with her husband in favour of her people to avoid a massacre.

In the Bible, she appears as a woman of great piety, characterized by her faith and her courage. This heroine is immortalized by Racine in one of his tragedies.

Sainte-Chapelle de Paris, Esther demande à Assuérus la révocation des édits, détail d'un vitrail
Bernard Acloque - Centre des monuments nationaux

Judith, warrior heroine of the Old Testament

Judith is a beautiful Jewish widow. To save her people, under attack by the Assyrians, she decides to assassinate their leader, the general Holofernes. During a feast, Judith seduces Holofernes and follows him to his tent, then takes advantage of his drunken sleep to behead him. The following day, the Assyrian army, thus deprived of command, is massacred by the Hebrews.

Sainte-Chapelle de Paris - vitrail - Mort d'Holopherne — Bernard Acloque - Centre des monuments nationaux

Mary

Mary is also an important figure in the Sainte-Chapelle. The lower chapel is dedicated to her. She is represented on the trumeau (central column) of the portal of the lower chapel, she carries the child Jesus and the face sculpted by Geoffroy de Chaume moves us by its serenity and its meekness.