Misericords!

News from New College (this is a very niche post!)

Ten years ago I wrote a book about the iconography of hedgehogs … Why? I hear you ask!! Well, the hedgehog has long had a close connection with people. It has been an animal of fascination, endearment and cultural significance since the ancient Egyptians. The Romans regarded it as a weather prophet, and modern gardeners depend on the creature to keep their gardens free of pests. 

My book explores how this and other characteristics of the small creature have propelled it to the top of a number of polls of people's favourite animals. People react with passion and enthusiasm for the hedgehog, as it is, quite unusually, a wild animal that one can connect with. When scared the hedgehog stays still, allowing a closer look. It remains one of the few creatures that people can get close to without the fear of an attack, or it running away at the slightest movement. 

The hedgehog has spread through Europe and Asia to the foot of Africa, and is a prickly pet in the USA. The hedgehog's appeal and public accessibility has lead to it to be found on numerous products, from advertising to films and children's books. Instantly recognisable, benign in reputation, Hedgehog demonstrates that there is much to admire about this beautiful, and now threatened, icon of wildlife.

In researching the book I came across a reference to two hedgehogs that could be found in Oxford - where I have now lived for 30 years. At the time this was a new and exciting adventure for me - to track them down. They appeared on a misericord in New College Chapel.

Let’s unpack a couple of things there - first - New College … was founded in 1379 …which gives a bit of perspective to the idea of ‘new.’ And for those of you who have not spent hours in old chapels, you may not know what a misericord is … the following is taken from a booklet on the New College misericords that I picked up from the Archivist at the College yesterday … rarely has such a small publication been so eagerly sought!

‘The Latin word misericordia means pity or compassion. The Middle English form of the word, misericord, was applied to the shelf or bracket placed under the seat in a choir stall so that when the seat was tupped up a person could rest on the bracket and thus have he appearance of standing while having the relief of sitting.’

Medieval woodcarvers have taken the opportunity to decorate this usually hidden space - and have done so in the most remarkable ways. 

I was truly amazed when I went searching 10 years ago - going around the chapel from seat to seat, lifting them up and seeing the most bizarre imagery. There are monsters, Green Men with leaves cascading, buildings, faces, gymnasts - and somewhere, hedgehogs. 

If you ever find yourself in an old church, have a look and see if there are any carvings. Many feel VERY pagan - would love to hear what you discover!

I found it, number 38 of the 62 carvings. Two hedgehogs with fruit on their spines and a female centaur with an axe. As shown in the picture. But why??? Last week I found out that there was this small publication about the misericords and yesterday I got hold of it - and was so excited as to find out the story. 

The caption for the picture is a little disappointing. The author is more interested in the presence of the centaur. But deeper in the booklet I found two other snippets.

‘The hedgehogs with impaled fruit on their prickles symbolize the deceits of the Devil…’ and that was it … for the hedgehogs … Really??? Now, I know that hedgehogs have had a bit of a public relations boost since Beatrix Potter, but … 

It goes on to say, ‘the human half of the centaur typifies Christ and the horse half His vengeance on His betrayers…’

This was not the story I had imagined. And I do wonder whether it is an incorrect interpretation … hedgehogs were often accused of stealing fruit (thank you Aristotle for your acute observations of nature … (that should be read in a very sarcastic tone.)) Maybe it is simply representing an attack on scrumping urchins … small boys were often called urchins, the old English name for hedgehog … oh - what do I know!!

Anyway - hedgehogs never cease to bring me joy and fascination!

Before I go - a few things that are coming that you might be interested in:

Wood Festival where I run a small stage called Kindling is from the 17th May (I think it might be almost sold out).

I am very excited to have been invited to talk at Hay Festival this year - on 28th May - where I will be talking with the Derek Gow.

And then to ramp up the excitement to an almost unbearable level, on 1st June I will be back in Hay recording Start the Weekfor BBC Radio 4! More on both these adventures soon!

Finally - please - if you have read my latest book, Cull of the Wild, I would REALLY appreciate kind words in the reviews on Amazon - I would much rather people shopped elsewhere, but those reviews do help … thank you.