The Church and the Love of Christ

Abstract

In 1199, John, the new king of England, and his bishop of Lincoln, Hugh of Avalon, visited together the tombs of Henry II and Richard I at the monastery of Fontevrault in Anjou. Before entering the church, they paused beneath the great sculpture above the west doorway. It depicted Christ, sitting in judgement. On Christ’s left, those, including kings, who had led sinful lives were being dragged off by devils to the torments of hell fire. On Christ’s right, those who had followed his teachings were being conducted to heaven by smiling angels. Bishop Hugh, as a warning to the new king, pointed to the sculpture and urged John to heed its message. John replied at once that he fully intended to be amongst those admitted to the joys of paradise.¹