Five tombs

Okay we came here to see dead kings so let’s start with this group:

The two furthest are Charles Martel, a “Mayor of the Palace” (pretty much a king in all but name) from 721–741, and Clovis II, reigned 639–657. Their remains were moved here by order of Louis XII in the 1260s.

Then you have Philippe III “le Hardi” (King of France 1270–1285) and Philippe IV “le Bel” (King of France and Navarre 1285–1314).

(Oh is that when they added “and Navarre” to the full formal title? Yep, looks like. Then Castille took Navarre in 1328, until King Henri III of Navarre inherited the French throne as Henri IV. Boy, royal succession is complicated.)

Off by herself is Isabel of Aragon, first wife of Philippe III.

Note: the rainbow sheen is not some fancy Instagram filter, it’s the stained glass.

Note the first example of some recurring symbols: dogs at the feet of queens (for loyalty and service, I assume) and lions at the feet of kings (for courage and valour). It is not clear what the dealie above Isabel’s head means. A handful of other royals have it, but there’s no pattern that I can see.