Poussy-la-Campagne (canton of Bourguébus, Calvados) Church of Saint-Vaast

    This church, which was a dependency of the Cistercian abbey of Barberie from the 12th century onwards, was rebuilt at the end of the 18th century, with the exception of its tower (which is from the second half of the 12th century).
Some architectural fragments re-used in the facing of the west end and in the exterior of the north wall betray the existence of one or more older buildings: typically Romanesque elements (zigzag moulding, fret carvings, arch fragments, etc.) and others bearing a striking resemblance to those of Ecrecy (decorative motifs including octagons surrounded by a sunken line, a fragment of a cross or rose, a fragment of interlace, plant motifs, etc).
The most important element to contribute to knowledge of the origins of this little-known church, and its main feature of interest, is an inscription (0.72 x 0.30 m) which could be a copy of an older text of uncertain date (9th to early 11th century.). This is set in the inner face of the north wall of the nave, and reads :

In nomine patris et filii et spiritv(s) sancti amen
O fratres sacerdos qvi istas literas legis, fac ora
re pro Adso et pro vxore sva Alberga qvi is
tvm monasterivm habent factvm in honore Deo et
Sancto Vedasto Sanctvs Vedastvs intercedat pro eis a(d) Dominvm
vt animas eorvm habeant vitam eternam Amen
Orate frater pater noster pro eis qvi in istvm monasterivm
adivtorivm dedervnt Adcardvs sa(cer)dos istas lite
ras fecit et ricardvs istvm locvm hedificavit

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen. O brothers, and priest (or: O brother priest) who may read these words, pray for Adso and for his wife Alberga who created this church (or this monastery?) to the honour of God and St Vaast. St Vaast has interceded for them with God so that their souls shall obtain eternal life. Amen. Brother(s) say a pater noster, for those who have given their assistance to this church (or monastery ?) : father Adcardus wrote this text and Ricardus built this place.

Bibliography

- Baylé, Maylis. - Les origines et les premiers développements de la sculpture romane en Normandie, Art de Basse-Normandie, n° 100 bis, Caen, 1992, p. 50-51
- Béziers, M. - Mémoires pour servir à l’état géographique et historique du diocèse de Bayeux, G. Le Hardi éd., III, 1894, p. 141 (texte rédigé vers 1760-1770)
- Musset, Lucien. " L’église d’Evrecy (Calvados) et ses sculptures préromanes ", dans Bulletin de la Société des Antiquaires de Normandie, LIII, 1955-1956, p. 116-168, spécialement p. 158-160
- Musset, Lucien. " Le problème de la continuité monastique en Normandie entre l'époque franque et l'époque ducale : les apports de l'épigraphie ", in : collectif, Histoire religieuse de la Normandie, Caen, 1981, p. 57-70, spécialement p. 63-64