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In Winchester Cathedral for there are
numerous examples of the motif dotted about the building.
In 1503-5, under the patronage of Bishop Fox, the wooden vaulted ceiling
of the presbytery (the sanctuary in which the main altar is situated)
was rebuilt. His personal device, which was incorporated into his arms,
was the Pelican-in-her-Piety and his heraldic bosses liberally decorate
the soaring vaults above.and behind the altar – where the central figure
of the crucified Christ has a Pelican nesting at his feet.
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Pilgrim’s footsteps:
the Winchester tiles date from
1240-1300 and feature
65
different patterns |
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Following the footsteps of pilgrims to the
shrine of St Swithun, the site of which is marked in the retrochoir (behind the
altar), one crosses the largest extant Medieval tiled floor in the UK and passes
to the South aisle where, framed by a border of tiny,
intricately carved Pelicans, stands the chantry chapel of Bishop Fox. Stepping
back to take an overview of the chapel reveals that it is magnificently crowned
with a row of Pelicans which have looked haughtily down upon pilgrims from their
lofty viewpoint for nearly 500 years.
The early 14th century choir stalls, which are known to have been under
construction in 1308, are a mass of detailed and fascinating woodcarving. A fine
depiction of a mail-clad figure armed with sword and buckler is included amongst
a forest of birds, beasts and plants. There are 2 new misericords (flip-up,
cinema-style seats, with carvings on their underside) - carved in the late
1980s, replacing originals thought to have been destroyed by Parliamentarian
troops in 1642 – one of them bearing an unmistakable modern design of the
Pelican-in-her-Piety.
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This rich and woody Pelican was carved by a craftsman during the
installation of Chester Cathedral quire in the 1380s. She is fashioned
in Baltic oak and is one of 36 intricately carved bench-ends. Each has
given support to members of the cathedral choir for over 620 years – and
still does so at the daily evensong service held there.
The cathedral abounds in carvings; there are 48 misericords which
display many humorous and grotesque images
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this prickly-looking Pelican
glowers down from the roof of the Thistle Chapel in St. Giles’ Cathedral,
Edinburgh. |
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This rather stylish Pelican-in-her-Piety decorates a Russian playing
card...
Perhaps its Russian origins
account for its rather graceful and balletic Swan Lake-like quality. A
playing card seems a strange place to find a symbol of self-sacrifice -
but maybe it’s a reflection of the fact that card games are frequently
associated with financial sacrifice! |
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Pelican glimpsed in France.
Dinan, Brittany, hosts the LARGEST Medieval Festival in Europe – the
Fetes des Remparts.
Those who venture into the Basilica of St Saveur will glimpse through
the gloom a splendidly golden Pelican – minus her babies.
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