Parvis(E)

Parvis(e)

is the name given to an enclosed space, paradise (q.v.), or atrium, or to the court in front of a church, which is usually surrounded with cloisters. The name is also given sometimes to a churchyard. The cloister-garth at Chichester is still called paradise; and the space around a church is usually termed parvise in France. The latter term is often, however, employed to denote a room over the porch of a church, which is often used for a library, as the residence of a chantry-priest, or as a record-room or school.

The parvise is a relic of the primitive arrangement; the ancient basilicas: had a fore-court, surrounded with porticos, and containing in the center tombs, wells, fountains, and statues. At the close of the 12th century the parvise became open, and only slightly marked out, to show the episcopal jurisdiction. On it scaffolds were erected, on which delinquent clerks were exposed, and criminals did open penance; the relics were exhibited, and the inferior clergy were ranged, while their superiors occupied the open galleries above to sing the Gloria. At Rheims, and Notre Dame, Paris, the parvise was enclosed with a low wall; at Amiens and Lisieux the raised platform exists; and at Rhadegund's, Poictiers, the coped-wall, with dueling angels, dogs, and lions, and its five entrances remain perfect, A trace of the same plan may be seen in front of Lichfield. At Laach, and St. Ambrose's, Milan, the parvise and cloister remain; and the fore-court at Parenzo, Salerno, Aschaffenburg, St. Clement's, and other churches at Rome.