18/02/2022
The word misericord comes from the Latin misericordia, which in English translates to meaning compassion or mercy. So these are effectively mercy seats.
Misericords are hinged seats in choir stalls. In the vertical position, they provided monks, nuns, or priests a ledge upon which they could rest during long services, allowing them to effectively remain standing during parts of the liturgy.
They can be found in cathedrals and churches across England, and indeed in continental Europe. We don’t find any dating to before the 12th century. Medieval misericords are often carved with fantastic beasts, scenes of everyday life, and biblical stories.
The one you can see here is from our church at St Mary’s, Edlesborough in Buckinghamshire. It depicts a stern-faced mermaid suckling a lion and dates to the 15th century.
