On 8 May 2026, Pontorson, the gateway to Mont-Saint-Michel and a town linked to the Mont and the passage of pilgrims, will be the venue for a day of historical meetings featuring original papers on the relationship between Saint Michael and death, in sacred texts, in worship and in iconography. Protector of the Evil One, leader of the Celestial Militia, the archangel is also the one who weighs souls on Judgement Day and the one who carries souls. These functions are closely associated with the depictions of the Last Day that enliven the medieval world, from Romanesque tympanums to the Books of Hours of the late Middle Ages, and are undoubtedly one of the main motivations of medieval pilgrims.
Programme :
9 a.m. - Welcome to participants
9.20 - Henry DECAËNS, Chairman of the Scientific Committee and Chair of the meeting, Opening.
9:30 - Ilona HANS-COLLAS, Chairman, and Pierre BOUET, Vice-Chairman, Introduction.
9.40 - Romain DOUCET (PhD in modern history), «Saint Michael and death in written sources, from the Bible to Jacques de Voragine».»
10.20 - Stéphane GALLON (Doctor of Letters), «Saint Michael, bringer of death, a saint with a «cruel» face".»
11.20 - Esther DEHOUX (senior lecturer in medieval history - University of Lille - UMR 9028 HARTIS), «[...] ‘garde l'ennemy de venir à mon doulent trespassement‘ Prier saint Michel à la fin du Moyen Âge».
12 h - Huguette LEGROS (Professor Emeritus, University of Caen-Normandie), «Saint Michael: the fight for the soul in a few books of hours from the late Middle Ages».
1 p.m. - Lunch in the restaurant (for those registered)
3 pm - Ilona HANS-COLLAS (PhD in art history), «Saint Michael and death in medieval images: judge, saviour, protector».
3.40pm - Marco PICCAT (Professor Emeritus, University of Trieste), »Saint Michael, the Dead and the Books of Life». Saint Michael, the dead and the Books of Life".
16 h 20 - Romain DOUCET (PhD in modern history), «Saint Michael and death in Tridentine spirituality. Some characteristics».
5 p.m. - Vincent JUHEL (Chemins du Mont-Saint-Michel), «Saint Michel and death, some perspectives».
5.30 pm - Conclusions
Programme :
9 a.m. - Welcome to participants
9.20 - Henry DECAËNS, Chairman of the Scientific Committee and Chair of the meeting, Opening.
9:30 - Ilona HANS-COLLAS, Chairman, and Pierre BOUET, Vice-Chairman, Introduction.
9.40 - Romain DOUCET (PhD in modern history), «Saint Michael and death in written sources, from the Bible to Jacques de Voragine».»
10.20 - Stéphane GALLON (Doctor of Letters), «Saint Michael, bringer of death, a saint with a «cruel» face".»
11.20 - Esther DEHOUX (senior lecturer in medieval history - University of Lille - UMR 9028 HARTIS), «[...] ‘garde l'ennemy de venir à mon doulent trespassement‘ Prier saint Michel à la fin du Moyen Âge».
12 h - Huguette LEGROS (Professor Emeritus, University of Caen-Normandie), «Saint Michael: the fight for the soul in a few books of hours from the late Middle Ages».
1 p.m. - Lunch in the restaurant (for those registered)
3 pm - Ilona HANS-COLLAS (PhD in art history), «Saint Michael and death in medieval images: judge, saviour, protector».
3.40pm - Marco PICCAT (Professor Emeritus, University of Trieste), »Saint Michael, the Dead and the Books of Life». Saint Michael, the dead and the Books of Life".
16 h 20 - Romain DOUCET (PhD in modern history), «Saint Michael and death in Tridentine spirituality. Some characteristics».
5 p.m. - Vincent JUHEL (Chemins du Mont-Saint-Michel), «Saint Michel and death, some perspectives».
5.30 pm - Conclusions
Registration: €10 for association members, €16 for non-members, lunch at the restaurant: €25 (with drinks and coffee)
Illustration: Weighing of souls, detail from the Last Judgement in Coutances Cathedral, stained glass window, 15th century