The Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Sainte-Croix) of Orleans in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France, was first built in the 13th century CE on the site of a series of older churches dating back to the 4th century CE. The cathedral, which hosted the coronations of several French kings, was added to over the centuries and is a splendid example of both the Gothic and Classical styles of architecture. It is very similar in both design and dimensions to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. In many ways, the cathedral is a monument to the city's great heroine, Saint Joan of Arc (c. 1412-1431 CE) who saved Orleans during the Hundred Years' War (1337 - 1453 CE) between France and England. A chapel in the apse is dedicated to the saint, and her life story is told in ten of the cathedral's stained glass windows.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 375 CESaint Euverte, the Bishop of Orleans, oversees the construction of the first church on the site of Orleans Cathedral.
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848 CECharles the Bald, king of West Francia, is crowned in Orleans Cathedral.
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888 CEOdo of West Francia is crowned in Orleans Cathedral.
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989 CEA fire destroys part of Orleans Cathedral.
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c. 1000 CEOrlean Cathedral is rebuilt in the Romanesque style.
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c. 1087 CEThe apse of Orleans Cathedral is extended.
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1107 CEA two-towered western facade is added to Orleans Cathedral.
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1107 CELouis VI the Fat, King of the Franks, is crowned in Orleans Cathedral.
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1278 CEPart of the north aisle of Orleans Cathedral collapses due to subsidence.
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1286 CEAnother portion of Orlean Cathedral's nave collapses due to subsidence.
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11 Sep 1287 CEWork begins on reconstructing Orleans Cathedral in the Gothic style.
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29 Apr 1429 CEJoan of Arc prays in Orleans Cathedral during the Hundred Years' War.
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1568 CEThe Huguenots partially destroy Orleans Cathedral but it is later restored.
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1679 CEThe stained glass rose windows of the transepts of Orleans Cathedral are completed.
