Comments on: Misericords At St Katharine’s Chapel

By: Timothy John Waters

Timothy John Waters — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 21:35:25 +0000

I should add Sir Julius Caesar was Master of St. Katharine by the tower from 1596 until his death in 1636.

By: Timothy John Waters

Timothy John Waters — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 21:28:11 +0000

A very interesting set of photographs. Really, a bit of true craftsmanship. I am about to request a visit to St. Katharine at Limehouse and will enjoy seeing these amazing carvings. Along with a portrait of my 11th Great Grandfather Sir Julius Caesar! (my Grandmother was Alma Kate Caesar) I have some interesting item to show the Master of the Foundation. Thank you ‘gentle author’ for your inspiring photographs.”

By: Sarah steer

Sarah steer — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 09:01:47 +0000

Wonderful and vivid carvings!
Thank you.

By: Christopher West

Christopher West — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 14:38:48 +0000

Correction: my previous comment didn’t come out quite complete (modern systems). My point was simply that we gather at 11 a.m. on November 25th (St Katharine’s Saints Day) each year and have a short remembrance ceremony. It takes place close to the Starbucks site (which used to be the Coronarium) at St Katharine Docks, which is the approximate site of the ancient Hospital and Church.

By: Shaun Peters

Shaun Peters — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 18:32:22 +0000

Thank you for posting photographs and details of these strange and beautiful carvings. I have seen examples in Chichester at the cathedral and St Mary’s Almshouses and always find myself entranced by them and think about the carver, the time and world which produced them.

By: pauline taylor

pauline taylor — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 17:51:50 +0000

Grand, thank you. I love wood carvings full stop and these are the best, there is so much imagination and mystery attached to them with the dragons and the green men, plus all the other weird and wonderful images. Where did they get their inspiration from I wonder. So much of this kind of fascinating ‘tongue in cheek’ carving must have been lost to us, but it is great to know that these have survived and are being given such loving care now, well done to everyone concerned, and thank you again for spending so long on your knees GA.

Unless my memory is failing me I seem to remember being shown similar carvings in the church in Assisi many years ago now, I wish I had taken more notice then!

By: Caroline Bottomley

Caroline Bottomley — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 10:42:57 +0000

Queen Philippa and quite a few others are smiling! How wonderful.
Very immediate and enchanting

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 09:58:47 +0000

This is a marvelous post. These wonderfully-eccentric beasties remind me of the “marginalia” that often appears in medieval manuscripts. Thank you for this daily treasure trove.

By: BeckyB

BeckyB — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 09:53:01 +0000

oh I am so pleased to learn this .. . . . . .

We walked from the Tower to Limehouse Kiln a couple of weeks ago, and yesterday I wrote up a post about the section through St Katharines (It is scheduled to appear in a few days). We walked with the excellent ‘Guide to a Dockland of Change’ by James Page-Roberts, and Gilly Cameron-Cooper’s ‘Walking London’s Docks, Rivers and Canals’. I was horrified when I read about the 11,000 people displaced and destruction of the church. I feel a little bit better now seeing your superb post, so thank you.

By: Christopher West

Christopher West — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 08:48:46 +0000

Also of great interest is that the carvings were in the original Royal Foundation of St Katharine from the 1140’s until 1825. It was affectionately referred to as ‘Old Kate’ and 4000 people lived in its Precinct. Queen Matilda’s ancient Hospital and Church was razed to the ground, the houses and people removed, to make way for Thomas Telford’s Docks, which opened in 1828. On 25th November each year, we gather at 11 am, on the original site (near Starbucks) to pay homage. My book, telling the whole story, is on sale at the current Royal Foundation of St Katharine’s (well worth a visit, as this blog shows).