Introduction
The Chartres Cathedral is the best preserved, representative, and most complete of all Gothic cathedrals in the country. It has a high spiritual and aesthetic value, and it has remained the biggest French sanctuary that was dedicated to Virgin Mary. The cathedral dominates the plain of the Beauce and city of Chartres. Furthermore, in 1979, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site ( Jones, 1999) . The oldest section in the cathedral is found in the crypt and known as the Celtic well. It is about 34m deep. It is also known as the "well of Saint-Fort." It was believed that the water in the well has miraculous virtues during the middle Ages. It was rediscovered during the early 20 th century by Rene Merlet after it had been filled in and hidden during the 17 th century. The paper will contextualize the social, political, and religious importance of Chartres Cathedral and its history in France.
The monumental faced on the western sides of the cathedral is impressive because of its height and the two high towers that are beside it. It is a vital piece of art that dates back to the 12 th century, and it exhibits the transition between gothic and Romanesque art. Also, it shows the Byzantine influence that was driven by the Crusaders. It has three large stained glass windows that overhang the royal portal and separated by modillions that represent human heads ( Jones, 1999) . It has a rose window topped by the Gallery of Kings and a gable showing a virgin with child and at the top there is Jesus. All these artistic features were inspired by Romanesque art. The left, right, and central portal have sculptures that indicate their faith in Christ and other beings such as angels.
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The cathedral has two towers. The North tower is about 115 meters high and contains a gothic base. The spire was set up in the 16 th century and has Gothic styles. The South Tower has a typical gothic base, and the spire is about 106 meters high. The tower used to have six bells including the three great bells that were removed during the French Revolution. However, the North Tower has seven bells named Fulbert, Mary, Piat, the Bell, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Anne. The town of Chartres has been an area of religious significance since ancient times. It was the region where druid ceremonies were held around the well that was later rediscovered in the cathedral crypt ( Jones, 1999) . After some years, a Gallo Roman temple was erected in the same place. In the 4 th century, the early Christians built a basilica. In 1146, St. Bernard proclaimed the 2 nd crusade in the Basilica. Moreover, in 1594, it was the coronation basilica of Henry IV.
The Cathedral was dedicated to Notre Dame or Our Lady, and it possesses strong associations with the cult of the Virgin. It was alleged that Christianity was introduced to Chartres in the first century AD and it was bound with the local legends who were focused on the cult. It is believed that during the Druidical era, Chartres was the focus of a prophetic cult that was devoted to a "virgin who would give birth" and there was a statue to prove their claims. According to Jones, (1999), other sections of the legend where the well that was in the crypt of the cathedral, the well is alleged to be sanctified by the remains of saints and martyrs who were thrown into it and the presence of a tunic that is believed to belong to the Virgin. The stories about the virgin were elaborated over the years, and they flourished in the Baroque period and late Medieval Ages.
The interior of the cathedral has great architecture. There are ambulatory lamps in the sanctuary and choir. The Chartres labyrinth is a stone floor that was used during meditation by monks, and it is still used by pilgrims for meditation. Additionally, the stained glass windows of the Chartres date back to the early 13 th century. There are vivid color splashes on the floor of the cathedral that emanate from the stained glass windows. The West Rose window represents the last judgment where Christ will judge in the presence of angels and the four evangelists. The North Rose was a gift from Queen Blanche, and it dates back to 1230 ( Jones, 1999) . It represents the glorification of the Virgin in the presence of angels and doves and Old Testament kings and prophets. The South Rose represents the glorification of Christ in the presence elders of the Apocalypse, angels, and the four evangelists.
Conclusion
The Chartres Cathedral may be described as a triple masterpiece because of its architecture; it has survived two major fires, and numerous wars and revolutions. The Cathedral represents a lot of social, political, and religious history of France that may date back to the druids’ era. It is the first cathedral to utilize flying buttresses, and when it was built, it may have had the tallest roof in Europe. The original stained glass windows may be one of a complete array of stained glass in the world, and they date back to the medieval age ( Jones, 1999) . The town of Chartres was one of the main centers of medieval learning before the advent of universities. It is one of the important sites in Catholic pilgrimage after they acquired the biblical "veil" believed to have been put on by the Virgin while she was giving birth to Christ.
References
Jones, C. (1999). The Cambridge illustrated history of France Cambridge University Press.
