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misericord
misericord. In Christian church architecture, a bracket or ledge projecting from the underside of a hinged tip-up seat in the choir, against which an elderly or infirm clergyman could lean and rest during long services whilst still appearing to stand. The term, which derives from the Latin misericordia (‘compassion’), is first recorded in Germany in the 11th century, but the earliest surviving examples date from the early 13th century. Misericords are often richly carved, and England has a particularly impressive tradition in them. The subject matter of the carving is predominantly secular and frequently humorous, illustrating fables and proverbs for example, but there is often a moral attached. Misericords were at their peak of development in the 14th and 15th centuries in England, but they continued to be produced into the 17th century.
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Cite this article
IAN CHILVERS. "misericord." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. IAN CHILVERS. "misericord." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-misericord.html IAN CHILVERS. "misericord." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-misericord.html |
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misericord
misericord In Christian church architecture, a bracket or ledge projecting from the underside of a hinged tip-up seat in the choir, against which an elderly or infirm clergyman could lean and rest during long services whilst still appearing to stand. The term, which derives from the Latin misericordia (‘compassion’), is first recorded in Germany in the 11th century, but the earliest surviving examples date from the early 13th century. Misericords are often richly carved, and England has a particularly impressive tradition in them. The subject matter of the carving is predominantly secular and frequently humorous, illustrating fables and proverbs for example, but there is often a moral attached. Misericords were at their peak of development in the 14th and 15th centuries in England, but they continued to be produced into the 17th century.
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Cite this article
IAN CHILVERS. "misericord." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. IAN CHILVERS. "misericord." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-misericord.html IAN CHILVERS. "misericord." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-misericord.html |
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misericord
misericord a ledge projecting from the underside of a hinged seat in a choir stall which, when the seat is turned up, gives support to someone standing. Medieval misericords were often decorated with elaborate and sometimes bawdy scenes from secular or religious life, visible when the seat was raised.
Dating in this sense from the early 16th century, misericord (denoting pity) is recorded from Middle English, and comes ultimately from Latin misericordia, from misericors ‘compassionate’, from the stem of misereri ‘to pity’ + cor, cord- ‘heart’. Other early uses in English include an apartment in a monastery in which some relaxations of the monastic rule were permitted, and a small dagger used to deliver a death stroke to a wounded enemy. |
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Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "misericord." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "misericord." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-misericord.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "misericord." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-misericord.html |
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misericords
misericords , carvings in Gothic churches that adorn choir stalls provided for the use of the clergy during services. The stalls were carved with biblical scenes that demonstrated the artist's skill and wit. Superb examples of misericords are at Ely, Wells, and Lincoln cathedrals in England. |
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"misericords." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "misericords." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-miserico.html "misericords." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-miserico.html |
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misericord
misericord. The projection on the underside of a hinged seat of a choir-stall, commonly said to have been designed to provide support for those incapable of standing for long periods during Divine worship.
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Cite this article
E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "misericord." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "misericord." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-misericord.html E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "misericord." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-misericord.html |
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misericord
misericord •record • telerecord • needlecord
•ripcord, whipcord
•discord • tape-record • misericord
•harpsichord • clavichord
•concord, Concorde
•drawcord • monochord • pentachord
•landlord • warlord • slumlord
•overlord • broadsword • greensward
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Cite this article
"misericord." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "misericord." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-misericord.html "misericord." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-misericord.html |
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