Misericords

A fine set of misericords inside Magdalen College Chapel, Oxford.

Misericords are carved wooden seats and the set in the collage are superb examples of their kind.

Sometimes known as a mercy seat a misericord is a type of folding seat which when seat is raised forms a ‘shelf’ to a support someone in a partially standing position. This support would have been greatly welcomed particularly during long periods of prayer.

Source: Britain’s Pilgrim Places by Nick Mayhew-Smith and Guy Hayward (ISBN: 978-0-9544767-8-6)