Musical Images in the Churches of Devon and Cornwall before 1700

Abstract

Located in the south west of England, the counties of Devon and Cornwall have each been shaped by their somewhat isolated position on a peninsula and, until the nineteenth century, by their shared status as constituent parts of the diocese of Exeter. The parish churches of both counties also contain a range of medieval and later artworks – such as bench-ends, rood screens, and stained glass – featuring music-making and musical instruments. Some of these images are relatively well known and have featured in previous organological and musicological studies, but the majority are unfamiliar within the academic community. This thesis aims to conduct a comprehensive study of musical imagery within a single geographical area, and focuses on works of art created before the year 1700 for the region’s churches. Beyond the collection process, this information is then discussed through case studies considering the use of musical images in religious contexts, on funerary monuments, being played by monsters or in other fantastical settings, and also on the symbolic use of one particular instrument – the hunting horn. While specific questions are asked within each of these and detailed studies made of certain artworks, the overarching theme is on the function of the imagery, and it is shown that much of the musical imagery which has been found is rich in symbolic meaning. In addition to this, the diversity of the images will also be considered, revealing the most common mediums and types of sources used and the significance of recurrent symbols (such as the harp that is found in the royal coat of arms) within the overall corpus.