Exchanging Medieval Material Culture Studies on archaeology and ...

Ename and the Ottonian west border policy in the middle Scheldt region 239
Fig. 14 Ename, St. Lawrence’s Church. Ground plan of the basilical building with an east and a west choir.
covered by a layer of dark humus soil (a horticultural layer?)117
(fi g. 9: B).
Th e St. Lawrence’s Church is the only Ottonian monument
that has been preserved (fi g. 16). During the consolidation of
the tower the Institute for the Archaeological Patrimony made
a few control trenches. Th is was the beginning of a thorough
investigation in which archaeological, historical, architecturalhistorical
and iconological research was combined with scientifi
c analysis and material study118. Th e church was built in
limestone from Tournai on the highest point of the present
village centre on a plot that was used as a fi eld during the
Roman period. First the foundations were laid for a hall
church with an eastern and western square choir (fi g. 14).
Th en the building activities were interrupted, the plans were
changed and a basilical church with two choirs was built using
the existing foundations. Such a building does not fi t into the
architectural landscape of church tradition in Flanders.
Indeed, it is a basilical church with an east and a west choir.
Especially the east choir is remarkable with its two altar fl oors
and rich incidence of light (fi g. 15). Th e architectural ornaments
inside are dominated by blind arches that add a strong
rhythm to the walls of both choirs. Blind arches also adorn the
outside of the east choir (fi g. 16). Th e entrances were in the
0 5 m
aisles. Th e original mortar fl oor was preserved fragmentarily.
Th e preserved interior elements such as the graffi ti and the
murals are of exceptional value, especially the fresco of the
Majestas Domini, inspired by Byzantine examples. According to
the 14C-analysis the painting dates from the fi rst quarter of the
11th century. Th e church was made on top of an older occupation
layer, radiocarbon dated in the 10th century. Combined
with the historical data we can place the building at the end of
the 10th or the beginning of the 11th century. We also have to
mention that the church was fully plastered on the outside.
Indeed, important remnants of white-beige plasterwork were
found under the present roofs of the aisles. Just like around the
Saint Martin’s church in Velzeke ditches were cut into around
the St. Lawrence’s church, which probably marked out the
church area. Th e oldest section may date back to the building
of the church around the turn of the century119.
Th e iconological study of the church throws a light on the
motives of Herman of Verdun who commissioned the building.
He opted for a building program that had to refl ect a direct
bond of the patron with the imperial authority, just as in the
church of Velzeke. Hence the two choirs, which can also be
found in the large imperial churches, and the pronounced presence
of blind arches. Th is motive can be described as ’from
117 De Groote 2008, 44-45, fi g. 14: C. 118 Callebaut et al. 2001, 23-25. 119 De Groote 2008, 58-62, fi g. 36-42.