March 2016:
LINCOLN, Cathederal- misericords.
*Please click on photos to enlarge them*
For our March visit we visited Lincoln Cathedral and were shown the misericords in St Hugh’s Choir. These are the hinged medieval oak wooden seats in the choir stalls with intricate carvings on the underside. There was widespread destruction of religious buildings throughout the Dissolution of the Monasteries during the reign of Henry VIII, but fortunately most of these wooden carvings escaped damage.
There are 92 misericords in the Cathedral. Most of them do not depict religious scenes, but scenes of agricultural workers, craftsmen, foliage and flowers, and animals.
The misericords and their history were explained to us by a knowledgeable Cathedral guide. When the hinged seats were in the upright position the occupants would be seen to be standing, although actually were supported by the upright seat. This was very useful during long services!
Photos PS
Words JM
Words JM
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