Misericords
by hquittner
This custom is both local and universal. When choir stalls were equipped with hinged seats that swing upward to increase the standing room, it quickly became the custom to have a projection on the underside of the seat to give support to the occupant who was required to stand for long periods of time. Rooms for the relaxation for those worthies unable to execute all of the the rigors of monastic rules existed called misericordia (miserie= pity, cord=heart) . Hence the application of the term here.Humor is an important component of the creativw artistic process, broadest in more civilized societies in salacious humor. Grotesques abound in medieval art, most notably seen on churches in corner and end-piece sculptures (such as modillions and corbels), many are salacious. This hidden brace is similar in structure to those and its functional location makes it aan irresistable treatment....