One of the features inside St Mary's Church in Beverley are these misericords. The six here are selected from a total of 28 in the church, most of which date from the medieval period.
A misericord is a small wooden structure formed on the underside of a folding seat in a church which, when the seat is folded up, is intended to act as a shelf to support a person in a partially standing position during long periods of prayer. In medieval times prayers were said standing up with uplifted hands, and the misericord would help the person praying maintain the position.
Misericords were often highly decorated, as can be seen in these examples. These show (left column) 1 Two monks, a bear and below are two seated monkeys with scrolls. 2 Elephant with castle on its back standing beneath a tree bearing large fruit. 3. A pelican in her piety. (right column) 4. Two griffins respecting each other at either side of a tree, at the base two rabbits. 5. Flight of Alexander - King sitting cross-legged on throne, holding a sceptre in each hand; a griffin standing on a dragon on either side. 6. Foliate mask. (These descriptions are from http://www.misericords.co.uk/beverley_sm.html)
Five of these misericords are medieval, while one is modern. Can anyone tell me which is the modern one?
Great information and shots. I think the modern one is the one with an elephant on, as mediaeval English people are not likely to have known what an elephant looked like or even of their existence - just a thought!!
I have no clue or even a guess which is the modern one but they are beautiful. Your information is much appreciated. I'm looking forward to the answer to your question. fav
Amazing the craftsmanship they had in those days with the few tools they had available. I have seen some beautiful ones, too, in other UK churches.
You have displayed these very nicely and each shot is very well captured.
fascinating. i would guess #1 because the others all look similar in workmanship but that one does not. in comparison, the wood behind it looks rough and not of the same standard. as usual, wonderful capture.
Thank you all for your comments and favs, they are appreciated.
For those of you interested in knowing which panel is not medieval, it is the one bottom left, no 3 in my list. I certainly wouldn't have known without having seen it highlighted in the list of misericords that I found online. I can understand why some of you thought the one with the elephant or monkeys might be recent, but their presence in medieval times reflects the importance of Beverley at that time - it was the second most important town in Yorkshire (after York), and was very much involved in international trade, so tales of exotic animals would come back to the town.
You have displayed these very nicely and each shot is very well captured.
Thank you all for your comments and favs, they are appreciated.
For those of you interested in knowing which panel is not medieval, it is the one bottom left, no 3 in my list. I certainly wouldn't have known without having seen it highlighted in the list of misericords that I found online. I can understand why some of you thought the one with the elephant or monkeys might be recent, but their presence in medieval times reflects the importance of Beverley at that time - it was the second most important town in Yorkshire (after York), and was very much involved in international trade, so tales of exotic animals would come back to the town.
Ian
Thank you Ivan!
Ian