The misericords in Worcester Cathedral date from 1379, with several modern additions. The misericords represent biblical scenes, nine Labours of the Months, and scenes of everyday life. This misericord, the fourteenth from the east on the north side, depicts a basilisk, on either side of which is a weasel holding a sprig of rue in its mouth. According to legend, the only creature that the basilisk feared was the weasel, which was immune from the basilisk's stare. Eating rue rendered the weasel impervious to the venom of the basilisk, and could heal the weasel if it was injured whilst fighting a basilisk.
This is part of the Series: LTC01/01 Lady Trenchard Cox: Series of Negatives; within the Collection: LTC01 Lady Trenchard Cox Collection
© Historic England Archive
Photographer: Cox, Mary Desiree
Misericord, Medieval Cathedral, Religion
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