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The word misericord, sometimes also miserere, derives from the Latin for pity or compassion. It is the name for projecting shelf found on the underside of hinged choir stall seats. When these are turned up the shelf provides the occupant with support while standing for long intervals of time. In this secluded position woodcarvers placed some of…

A misericord or miserere is the projecting shelf found underneath hinged choir stall seats. In the raised position it affords the occupant some support while standing during long services. Often the misericord is decorated with fine carvings of heads, figures, monsters, myths and legends, or scenes from everyday life such as this one of musicians…

Among the most precious possessions of Chichester are two carved stone panels in the south aisle of the choir, this one depicting the Raising of Lazarus and another showing the arrival of Christ at Bethany. Authorities differ as to whether they are Anglo-Saxon work of c.1000 or Norman of c.1130. They are among the finest existing works from this…

This frontal view of the Head of Chirst is a detail fromthe Raising of Lazarus, one of two renowned panels in the south aisle of the choir. They are either Anglo-Saxon c.1000 or Norman c.1130. It is believed that possibly the deeply hollowed eyes were once inlaid with precious stones. In any event, they serve here, as in other figures of the…