Croix du duel à Hierges

The Croix de Hierges, also known as the Croix du Duel or Croix d'Occis, is a sculpted stone expiatory cross erected in reparation for a murder committed in 1579. Located in the village square, the cross is now part of the wall of a later house. An inscription is engraved on the base: "Icy fut occis Henry Mayreau par Jehan Collin Mayeur de Vireux les Hebbes (Haybes). Le 1er de May 1579. Priez pour l'âme de luy." A Christ on the Cross forms the main ornament of this splendid monument, but the face of Christ was completely hammered out, no doubt during the Revolution, in hatred of the faith. The medallions on the branches of the Cross depict the symbols of the four Evangelists. On the medallion on the left-hand side of the cross is the eagle of St. John. On the right-hand side of the Cross is the Bull of St. Luke. On the top : The Angel representing Saint Matthew . On the bottom: The Lion representing the Evangelist Saint Mark. The Cross was made at the expense of Jehan Collin, the murderer of Thiry Mayreau, a soldier at the Charlemont fort. The Cross was listed as a Historic Monument in 1926.