start=The northern rose window begins with an image of the Virgin Mary in the center holding the baby christ. The first row of circles around the center are the prophets of the old testament. These circles are followed by another ring comprised of the kings from the old testament, followed directly by nobility. Originally, another basillica to St. Etienne stood in its place, but in around the year 885, there was a Norman invasion of France, and the Parisians prayed to the Virgin Mary to save their city. Their wish was granted and their city was spared. From then on, the religious worship began to shift from St. Etienne to the Virgin. This is one of the main reasons there are so many sculptures inside the cathedral of the Virgin Mary, and also why the Northern Rose Window is centered around the image of her holding Christ.