The legionary Gargoyle was a seventh century river dragon who supposedly
ravaged the city of Rouen in France. From the Old French gargouille meaning
'throat' gargoyles are a projecting gutter stone, though not necessarily,
incorporating a lead water spout.
Most medieval churches have one or two surviving gargoyles that are a wonderful
source of inspiration for those who wish to study vernacular figure sculpture.
It would appear that most were fashioned by itinerant
masons who, freed from the constraints of dressing building stone, were allowed
to let their imagination run riot. At a time when the nobility were busy
endowing, extending and rebuilding churches, it seems extraordinary that so few
gargoyles are of heraldic significance.
Perhaps it may be that stonemasons enjoyed a right to design the gargoyle on
which they worked, immune from the strictures of the Church and the
blandishments of the aristocracy.
Written and contributed by Philip Lloyd.
