Mere - II

All photographs are copyright to Wiltshire Green Men

	Type:	Foliage-spewer, tongue-sticker
	Location:	Church of St Michael the Archangel
	OS GR:	ST 812323
	Period:	15th century
	Medium:	Wood
	Foliage:	Stylised acanthus-leaf
	Mood:	Impertinent, cheeky, bawdy
A bawdy monk To find this green man you must move on into the chancel and look at the misericords on the south side of the aisle. This cheeky green man is carved on the misericord nearest the altar. He is not just a foliage-spewer, but also a tongue-sticker, a motif which James Jerman in Images of lust identifies as a gesture both defiant and sexual. Given that the clergy would be gently resting their bottoms just above this particular green man, his cheekiness seems verging on the bawdy. His short haircut suggests the tonsure of a monk. Also at Mere 6 more green men inside the church A green beast on the exterior A mediaeval St Michael above the porch Misericords Angel roof Mediaeval cross in the churchyard Yapps Brothers of Mere - a wine-merchants - well worth stopping for a tasting!

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Page created on 16 June 2007. Last updated on 16 June 2007