On the foot may be seen one representing the three Graces, in their
customary state of nudity "without malice."

Bernward was also an architect. He built the delightful church of
St. Michael, and its cloister. He also superintended the building
of an important wall by the river bank in the lower town.

When there was an uneasy time of controversy at Gandesheim, Bernward
hastened to headquarters in Rome, to arrange to bring about better
feeling. In 1001 he arrived, early in January, and the Pope went
out to meet him, kissed him, and invited him to stay as a guest
at his palace. After accomplishing his diplomatic mission, and
laden with all sorts of sacred relics, Bernward returned home, not
too directly to prevent his seeing something of the intervening
country.

A book which Bishop Bernward had made and illuminated in 1011 has the
inscription: "I, Bernward, had this codex written out, at my own cost,
and gave it to the beloved Saint of God, Michael. Anathema to him who
alienates it." This inscription has the more interest for being the
actual autograph of Bernward.

He was succeeded by Hezilo, and many other pupils. These men made
the beautiful corona of the cathedral, of which I give an illustration
in detail. Great coronas or circular chandeliers hung in the naves
of many cathedrals in the Middle Ages. The finest specimen is this
at Hildesheim, the magnificent ring of which is twenty feet across,
as it hangs suspended by a system of rods and balls in the form
of chains. It has twelve large towers and twelve small ones set
around it, supposed to suggest the Heavenly Jerusalem with its many