Encyclopedia of Medieval Church Art

Reproducing over 900 photographs taken by the author (most using natural light) this is a guide to the themes, origins, symbolism, variations and distribution of medieval church art in the British Isles. The broad groupings of subject are as follows: creatures (natural and mythical); ecclesiastical; everyday scenes; New Testament and Apocrypha; Old Testament; saints; the Virgin Mary; stories and proverbial sayings. The largest grouping is the saints, where a short biography is provided for each together with an account of relevant legends and associated attributes which can assist in identification. The majority of images are taken from wood carving (especially misericords and bench-ends), stone carvings, glass and painting (mainly on wood) in cathedrals and parish churches.