Misericords

I happened to notice that a group of blippers were meeting up in Stratford on Avon this morning, and, although I couldn't join them for the full outing, I was able to go along.

Huge fun.  Jane, who knows her town really well, took us around and we spent quite some time in Holy Trinity Church.  This church is best known as the burial place of William Shakespeare himself, and his family. He was a "lay rector" and the burial took place in 1616.

Close to the Chancel where his tomb is located, you will find the Misericords. There are 26 of these carved, wooden seats on each side of the chancel. They were originally intended for those attending long services, allowing them to rest without actually sitting down. They date from the 1400s and some depict life in those times, often in lurid detail.

I'm not quite sure what this one depicts..... the mind boggles.

The extra photo is a wider view of the Nave and South Aisle