The Green Man in English Churches - REPORT

Friday 12th November 2021, 19:30-21:30
St Andrews Church Watling Street Canterbury
Canterbury - speaker Imogen Corrigan
A Green Man ceiling boss,
Black Prince Chantry Canterbury Cathedral


More correctly called ‘foliate heads’, there was a proliferation of Green Man images around the year 1400. The talk discusses how the image may have evolved from Pagan and Classical times and what its purpose may have been. Although, originally they may have been connected to ancient fertility rites, the majority show either distorted or very mature faces which seems to contradict the notion that they were associated with May Day frolickings. It may be that we can learn more about the meaning if we take into account the historical events of the time and their effect on the nation’s imagination.

 

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