Evgeny Danilov
P. G. Demidov Yaroslavl State University, Russia
The thirteenth-century Chartres cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. It is known primarily for its towers, stained-glass windows and sculptural decor. Notre-Dame de Chartres has nine portals. Let us pay attention to the northern facade of the cathedral. There are fourteen figures representing public and private virtues on the sixth arch of the left portal. Securitas is among them. Personalized Safety is represented as a young woman. The paper offers an attempt to define the semantics of its attributes and the place of this allegory in the ethical concepts of the Western European Middle Ages.
It is widely believed that a source for the creation of fourteen “Chartres virtues” was “Liber de sancti Anselmi similitudinibus”. Edmer of Canterbury, the alleged author of this book, gives the following list: “Partes enim beatitudinis sunt pulchritudo, agilitas, fortitudo, libertas, sanitas, voluptas, longaevitas, sapientia, amicitia, concordia, honor, potestas, securitas, gaudium” (cap. XLVIII). Edmer’s list is identical to the inscriptions made by an unknown sculptor, with one exception — there is “agilitas” instead of “velocitas” in the work of St. Anselm’s disciple.
Moving on to Securitas, let us note that the statue has almost no pronounced distinguishing features. Faint smile, wavy hair flowing over her shoulders, a crown, a dress with drapery, a banner and a shield make her look similar to some other abstractions of the Cathedral. The difference is in one detail only — a shield emblem. Securitas’ shield is ornated with a depiction of a castle. Since the statue is a part of a Christian church, it can be assumed that a chateau symbolizes New Jerusalem. In the Bible the Holy City is described as an impregnable fortress where the rescued mankind will live safely and happily (Rev. 21).
Security as a divine gift has a demonic antipode in Timor (Fear), tormenting sinners. The motive of confrontation of Securitas and Timor exists not only in Edmer’s writings (De similitudinibus, LXIX). It is carefully described in the work of William of Conches (Moralium dogma philosophorum, I. C. 3), a representative of the Chartres school of philosophy.
Securitas from Chartres Cathedral is ascetic. However, it is unique in comparison with other images of Safety. Securitas together with the other deified concepts is a guardian of the holy place and reminds the congregation that the Church protects their souls from the fears of the Earthly City.