The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem [Schweich Lectures of the British Academy - 1972]

Author	Charles Coüasnon
ISBN	9780197259382
Publisher	Oxford University Press
Manufacturer	Oxford University Press

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem has a long and tumultuous history, with multiple destructions and reconstructions. It was respected by Saladin during his conquest, but suffered a major fire in 1808 and damage from an earthquake in 1927. Father Couasnon, who was involved in the restoration plan for the church, gave a detailed account of its history in his 1972 "Schweich Lectures" at the British Academy, including new discoveries that have helped with the restoration process.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem has suffered many vicissitudes. A Constantinian foundation, it was twice destroyed and rebuilt before the Crusaders took it in hand. Respected by Saladin at his conquest, the church remained much as the Crusaders left it, until in 1808, a fire broke out and spread through the whole building. In 1927 a severe earthquake shook Jerusalem causing widespread damage to the structure, so that for forty years afterwards the southern facade was supported by steel scaffolding. No one has probably had such a close knowledge of the church, from foundation to roof top, as Father Couasnon, who, among others, was instrumental in drawing up the restoration plan agreed upon in 1959 by the various churches owning different parts of the complex of buildings. In his "Schweich Lectures" delivered at the British Academy in 1972, Father Couasnon describes the history of the church in detail, revealing the fresh discoveries which have enabled the site to be planned with a new authority.