CHAPELLE DU TORTICOLIS

This chapel dates back to 1080 and is closely linked to the history of the town of Evron.

The history of this chapel is linked to the following legend taken from the History of Evron by M. Géraud: "...Of this number was Guy III of Laval, nicknamed the Young and the Bald. At the instigation of his wife Denise de Mortain, niece of William the Conqueror, he had already demanded a sum of money from the Ronceray nuns for the church of Avesnières which his father had given them. In 1080, he wanted to take back the land of Ste Marie and several other estates granted to Evron by its authors.

He went to the monastery and threatened the abbot into handing over the properties he wanted. On leaving the monastery, he passed by the church and uttered some indecent words against the Blessed Virgin, patron saint of the monastery. At the same time, he was seized by a violent torticollis that put his chin on his shoulder. This punishment inspired him to repent; he returned to the abbot, gave him back what he had just taken from his house, and asked him to intercede with God for his recovery. The abbot immediately began praying and gave him some relief, but it was later observed that whenever the lord of Laval added the names of God, the Blessed Virgin or the saints to his judgements, he immediately felt great pain in his neck. It is said around Evron that Guy built the Hermaudières chapel in thanksgiving for his cure. The people now call it the Chapel of Torticollis.