[Leica] REPOST: Saints, angels a bear and a jester

[pdzwig at summaventures.com (Peter Dzwig)]

HOPEFULLY I HVE FIXED LAST NIGHT'S ISSUE WHICH WAS AT THIS END
==============================================================


All,

the other day I took myself to see the historic cathedral church of St. 
Mary the Virgin and St. Ethelbert. The following are some pictures that 
I took.

This is the view from the north transept looking toward the organ and 
the south aisle. It gives a sense of the scale of the place.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/PeterDzwig/Hereford+Cathedral/Nave_from_north_aisle.jpg.html

The (now much-restored) Norman pillars are enormous:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/PeterDzwig/Hereford+Cathedral/North_aisle_pillars.jpg.html

Similarly this view of the lectern and pillars looking towards the north 
aisle, with the shrine of St. Thomas Canteloup in the distance:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/PeterDzwig/Hereford+Cathedral/Pillar_and_Lectern.jpg.html

The bishop's seat ("cathedra") has beautiful carvings in wood. They 
appear to be 19th century:

The two together:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/PeterDzwig/Hereford+Cathedral/Pair.jpg.html

I have had discussions with my art historian brother about the 
iconography and we think that this is The Virgin Mary as a pregnant 
mother (the scroll reads "Behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah"):

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/PeterDzwig/Hereford+Cathedral/Virgin+Mary.jpg.html

and the second The Virgin as Queen of Heaven:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/PeterDzwig/Hereford+Cathedral/Queen_of_Heaven_01.jpg.html

At the end of the same row is St.Michael(?)

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/PeterDzwig/Hereford+Cathedral/Archangel_choir.jpg.html


The cathedral also houses a number of carved misericords (seats on which 
monks sat and which flipped up when they stood). The oldest are 15th 
century, possibly older. They traditionally have carvings on the arm 
rests and underneath. These are all 19th century:

This probably Saint Michael again from a misericord:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/PeterDzwig/Hereford+Cathedral/Justice.jpg.html

I was taken by this jester and this bear, although I don't recognise the 
significance of the chained bear with a shield bearing a single 
fleur-de-lys:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/PeterDzwig/Hereford+Cathedral/Jester.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/PeterDzwig/Hereford+Cathedral/Bear_and_chain.jpg.html



In any case, thanks for looking and as ever your C&Cs are much 
appreciated -and for your understanding!.

Peter



Thanks for looking and as ever your C&Cs are much appreciated.

Peter
-- 

Dr. Peter Dzwig