In Memoriam: gordonplumb
Lincoln Cathedral, Ringers' Chapel, Romanesque frieze panels
This fascinating panel, along with the fragment of another to its left (the remainder of which is hidden under the 13thC. vaulting), are part of the Romanesque frieze. The main panel here shows the Deluge and the drowning of those on earth, represented by three figures reaching in vain for the treetops in the rising waters. The figure on the left wears a belt with a disc, which was worn by athletes and wrestlers and which is frequently found worn by strong or wicked men in 12thC. scul[pture and manuscripts (for instance, Cain wears one on folio 1r of the Winchester Psalter (British Library, Cotton MS. Nero C.IV - see Francis Wormald, "The Winchester Psalter", Harvey Miller, 1973, plate 5). The presence of this strong man in the Lincoln Deluge scene is explained by Genesis 6: 4-5, which speaks of giants on the earth in those days, of the sons of God coming in unto the daughters of men and producing children by them, and goes on to record God seeing the wickedness of men in the earth.
The figure below the boat on the left is another drowning figure from the Deluge, while the boat fragment is part of the Ark on the waters.
Lincoln Cathedral, Ringers' Chapel, Romanesque frieze panels
This fascinating panel, along with the fragment of another to its left (the remainder of which is hidden under the 13thC. vaulting), are part of the Romanesque frieze. The main panel here shows the Deluge and the drowning of those on earth, represented by three figures reaching in vain for the treetops in the rising waters. The figure on the left wears a belt with a disc, which was worn by athletes and wrestlers and which is frequently found worn by strong or wicked men in 12thC. scul[pture and manuscripts (for instance, Cain wears one on folio 1r of the Winchester Psalter (British Library, Cotton MS. Nero C.IV - see Francis Wormald, "The Winchester Psalter", Harvey Miller, 1973, plate 5). The presence of this strong man in the Lincoln Deluge scene is explained by Genesis 6: 4-5, which speaks of giants on the earth in those days, of the sons of God coming in unto the daughters of men and producing children by them, and goes on to record God seeing the wickedness of men in the earth.
The figure below the boat on the left is another drowning figure from the Deluge, while the boat fragment is part of the Ark on the waters.