A cathedral without canonical burial (1200–1500): Notre-Dame de Chartres

A unique burial practice at Chartres Cathedral (1200–1500) challenges the assumption that canons and bishops were traditionally interred within their cathedrals. Analysis of wills reveals no desire for burial among the canons, with remains scattered across Chartres and its suburbs, including no bishop buried in his own cathedral. This deviation is attributed to a ban on bodies, justified by the belief that Notre-Dame was founded before the Incarnation, preserving the purity of its soil. Comparative study with other cathedrals shows similar bans existed in Besançon and Le Puy, suggesting this practice was more widespread than previously thought. The research underscores the need to reconsider the role of cathedrals as primary burial sites during this period.

Jourd’heuil, J.-V. (2019). Des cathédrales sans sépulture canoniale (1200–1500) : le cas de Chartres et de quelques autres. Le Moyen Age, Tome CXXIV(3), 581–614. https://doi.org/10.3917/rma.243.0581