A misericord (or 'mercy seat') is a chair with a folding seat that provides a degree of comfort for a person who has to stand for long periods of prayer in church. Misericords in English churches date from the start of the 13th century right up to the 21st century, although those installed after the beginning of the 17th century are regarded as modern copies with little or no historical importance. The earliest misericords can be found in the choir stalls of Exeter Cathedral and date from the middle of the 13th century. The vast majority of English misericords date from the 14th and 15th centuries and, curiously, often depict secular or pagan images and scenes, as do the misericords in St Mary of Charity in Faversham (see photo) which date from the 15th century and were originally located in Faversham Abbey.
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