 |
| |
 |
Two misericords - both show a fox. What is he up to?
Here he has run off with the goose slung over his shoulder!
[click image for larger view] |
|
|
Stories about Reynard the Fox were extremely popular in the Middle Ages.
Reynard is a wily character. In some stories his tricks are quite funny
and appealing. In others, though, his cunning and guile are sinister.
Maybe the carver of this misericord knew one of the zaniest Canterbury Tales,
the Nun Priest's Tale. In it, Chaucer tells how a fox flatters a cockerel
called Chaunticleer with praise of his singing.
Luckily in the end Reynard the Fox is himself tricked (by Pertelot, Chaunticleer's
wife). He lets the cockerel go.
Chaucer's story is humorous, but there is a dark edge to it. Sometimes the
dashing red fox seems to have a distinct resemblance to the Devil and he,
as everyone in the Middle Ages knew, what always on the lookout for souls
to snatch.
|
| |
Here the Fox is preaching to a goose and a cock.
[click image for larger view] |
|
|
|
A fox preaching? Maybe a reminder that even what is apparently holy can
be misleading.. In fact this scene is probably a way of getting at Friars
- a kind of monk who was not based at a particular monastery but could wander
and preach where he liked. All other kinds of monks had to stay put. They
often accused friars of wandering around and tricking people out of their
money. Who knows the truth?!
|
|
Whatever the case, Lent is a time when people
reflect on their 'sins', the ways in which they fail to live up
to Jesus' standards. None of the disciples stood by Jesus when he
most needed them - all of them fled and left him alone to face the
Roman and Temple authorities. Chaucer's tale reminds us not to deceive
ourselves about how good we are. If you do - then look out for the
sly red fox!
|
|
