Paper short abstract:

Architectural details of English medieval church porches potently reference the Virgin's womb, the 'Sedes Sapientiae' and 'Maria Misericordia'. Through visual and textual evidence this paper argues that the ultimate container of Christian salvation was architecturally realised before church doors.

Paper long abstract:

This paper draws on research conducted into the architectural and representational iconographies of English medieval church porches. Key examples will be used to demonstrate that these buildings were not simply precursors to the main event (i.e. the church interior) but conflated some of the most powerful of Christian notions: The Virgin's Womb, The Throne of Solomon, and the Virgin of Mercy. Porches were locations for the performance of several Christian rights of passage where the delegate would experience states of liminality and the soul risked corruption whilst in limbo. The design and architectural resonance of church porches was thus required to both facilitate entry into the heart of the Christian communion (the church proper) but also to care for those temporarily contained outside of the church's sealed envelop. Having outlined the primary textual evidence for the relationship between the Virgin's Womb and Solomon's Throne, the paper will present a detailed study of how porch exteriors introduced that which was contained within and also elevated the moment of entry. Meanwhile, vaulted interiors enclose and shield those within, protecting and preparing parishioners for baptism or marriage, and penitents awaiting re-admission into the church following confession.