|
 Was
Notre-Dame really created by the hands of men? Certain doubted and still do
because this seems to them (and us) an absolutely sublime masterpiece. And
that’s how the legend of the “diable serrurier” (devil locksmith) was
born, where it is told that the locks, hand-guards and hinges figuring on the
leafs of the lateral doors should be the work of Satan! It’s a locksmith
called Biscornet who had the charge to realize these ornaments. But since the
order was too big for him and he couldn’t handle it, he had the unfortunate
idea to invoke the help of the devil (didn’t we hear that already with a
certain Mephisto?).
He locked himself up in his forge and nobody saw him again until the day the
locks were posed.
People went to look what kept Biscornet away and found him unconscious. Next to
him, on the floor: his work. Superb iron bindings and ironworks. When he woke
up, the locksmith looked at them in inexpressible horror, claiming he never
realized that but the Evil did it. Nobody believed him and that the poor man, having worked so
hard was juts a little overworked. But as soon the locks were put on the doors,
it seemed impossible to open them. So the religious tricks did it. Sprinkled
with holy water and after numerous cross signs and crucifix prayers the doors
finally opened. But Biscornet, terror-stricken by the scene, died soon after.
There were certain saw demons, other saw angels. The speed of Notre Dame
construction having astonished more than one, the intervention of very high (in
the sky) placed servants is regularly evoked. Beautiful young men, as skilful as
gracious, knowing al the secrets of using the utensils, should have helped the
artisans, craftsmen and workers without ever demanding any salary or reward. The
day the cathedral was finished they disappeared as smoke in the airs. And always
according to the same rumours, on 11th May 1182, during the
consecration mass of the master-altar, Monseigneur de Sully had a vision, seeing
the same young men, all dressed in white and whirling and flying around like
angels.
|
Paris
main page
Secrets Notre Dame
Paris
|
