|
|||||
|
Home > |
Great Malvern |
History of Great Malvern Priory, Worcestershire.
Great Malvern Priory was founded in 1085, on land owned by Westminster Abbey (A Royal Peculiar), hence as a daughter it looks to Westminster, rather than its local diocese. This was not always an amicable arrangement, 1286 there was such an altercation, that the King, the Bishop of Worcester and the Pope were all involved.
During the mid to late 15th Century the North Aisle was extended and several of the stained glass windows were installed.
After Henry VII dissolved the monasteries, Great Malvern bought the Priory church as a replacement for the decaying parish church. Due to lack of funds the next 300 years were not kind to it, even though it managed to avoid the ravages of the civil war. From 1860 to 1915 much was done to restore the church to its former glory, including the ceilings, north porch and the stained glass.
The twenty two, 15th century misericords and twelve 19th century misericords are divided in to 3 sub-sets; the first ar modern, which do not seem to follow a pattern; one set mythical beasties; the other, more importantly represent the "Labours of the months" - It appears that some of the modern misericords replaced 5 of the labours, but this is still a useful record.
It is possible that the same person who carved the misericords at Worcester Cathedral and Ripple St Mary, was responsible for the 15th century misericords, as they bear more than a family resemblance.
For Great Malvern Priory’s website
Click here for more local Misericords
Click here for more 15th century misericords
RSS feed for Automated updates of the regular upgrades to misericords.co.uk