When you visit a church, take a moment to look closely under the folding chairs in the choir. If you’re lucky, you might spot a Misericord, also known as a Mercy Seat. These were used by monks during the Middle Ages to help them stand during long prayer sessions.
Misericords showcase how the tradition of decorative stonework in churches extended into wood, which allowed for more intricate and varied designs. Carving in wood was easier than stone, offering artisans the freedom to explore a wider range of subjects and more detailed iconography.
For artisans, Misericords were canvases that combined their creativity and the era’s storytelling traditions. Many of these carvings depict religious themes, like scenes from the Bible, such as Moses receiving the commandments or David defeating Goliath. These stories were familiar to most people at the time because they were passed down orally in a largely illiterate society.
Interestingly, Misericords don’t just stick to religious themes. They mix sacred and secular subjects, often depicting everyday life or popular folklore. For instance, Bristol Cathedral features carvings that range from biblical figures like Adam and Eve to a woman throwing a bowl at a man who’s peeking into her cooking pot.
In Germany’s Magdeburg Cathedral, you’ll find an array of carvings that include angels, devils, animals, and even whimsical scenes like a knight fighting a lion. These diverse subjects might seem random, but they reflect the unique perspectives of the craftsmen. Some images, like the wyvern or the Green Man, a figure from pre-Christian mythology, appear without clear reasons, possibly inspired by now-forgotten tales or the carver’s imagination.
Other misericords depict famous fables, especially those about Reynard the Fox, which were popular across Europe from the twelfth century onward. These stories often included anthropomorphic animals representing various human traits and frequently critiqued the aristocracy. Characters from Aesop’s Fables also appear, like the ape from “The Ape and the Fox,” symbolizing human vices.
Medieval bestiaries, which cataloged both real and mythical creatures, provided rich subjects for misericords as well. Carvings of mermaids, swans, stags, and even mythical beings like the phoenix were common. To the medieval mind, these creatures conveyed important spiritual or moral lessons and were seen as reflections of divine creation.
Some misericords go beyond curious or educational themes and venture into humor or even lewdness. Scenes of drinking or humorous mischief, like a musician stealing a kiss or a man dancing with a pig, are quite common. There are also more risqué depictions, such as a woman gathering excrement from a naked man, or a man exposing his rectum while looking back at the viewer.
Next time you find yourself in a church, take a look beneath the choir seats. You might find a misericord that tells a hidden and intriguing story.
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