What do the corbels represent?
There are probably as many reasons as there are corbels, however, they fall into number of visual catagories, such as;
animals birds, musical, heads, faces, geometric, faggots of wood, wheels, vegetation.
Cats
Cats seem to be represented in a variety of forms, probably because they were kept by the nuns as pets and to reduce the number of mice and rats. the nuns would often sit with cats and other pets on their laps during church services - perhaps as a way of keeping warm.
The bishops were prompted on a number of occasions to write letters protesting at the custom
.
Click for further text and more cat photos
Faces
Faces appear regularly and in many forms from the cartoonish to fine carved portraits, but why and of whom?
Double-Headed Faces
Double-headed faces appear on corbels numerous times around Romsey Abbey,
they are usually human and often show the headband of a nun's habit.
There is little knowledge of why they are depicted so, or what significance is attached to them.
It would be very helpful if readers with further information would contact me to throw some light on the subject. Contact me.
Click for further text and more double-headed face photographs
This page is a work inprogress - further information will be added later
Thanks are given for the help from David Johnson and for advise given by Frank Green, Michael Drury, Jeffery Higgins, Colin Moretti and members of the Romsey History Society.
Corbels at Romsey Abbey
painting by Rex Trayhorne
Site last updated 30th June 2020
This Website is best viewed on a laptop or tablet.
