At St. Bertrand de Comminges, in the
department of Var, France, are preserved two
copes, evidently of English workmanship.
They are reputed to have been the gift of
Bertrand de Goth, at one time bishop of the
diocese, later transferred to Bordeaux, and
finally elevated to the papacy in 1300, taking
the name of Clement V. The gift is said to
have been made on the occasion of a visit
by him to his old cathedral in 1309. One
of the copes is covered with small circles
and ovals linked together, and having quaint
reptiles at the intersections. The circles
enclose figures of prophets, and within the
ovals are birds. The larger intervening
spaces are filled with scenes in the Passion
of our Lord. On the hood is our Lord
enthroned, with , the Virgin Mary seated
beside him.*
The copes of Syon, Daroca, Anagni,
Ascoli, and St. Bertrand de Comminges, all
agree in having their entire surface broken
up into formal spaces quatrefoils, circles,
or ovals.
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