From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia - relaxation of
monastic rules. - The room in a monastery for monks granted such
relaxation. - a subsellium. - a medieval dagger, used for the
mercy stroke to a wounded foe. A misericord (sometimes named
mercy seat like the Biblical object) is a small wooden shelf
underneath folding seats in churches installed to provide some
level of comfort for those standing during long periods of
prayer. Prayers in the early medieval church for the daily
divine offices (Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None,
Vespers, and Compline) were said standing with uplifted hands.
Those who were old or infirm could use crutches or, as time went
on, misericordia (literally "act of mercy"). Seating was
constructed so that the seats could be turned up, the undersides
being provided with a small shelf thus allowing a person a small
level of comfort by leaning against it. Like most other medieval
woodwork in churches, they were usually carved with skill and
often show detailed scenes which