What is the subject carved on the socle in the West doorway of Peterborough Cathedral?

Conference item

This article revisits the carved socle beneath the trumeau of the west door of the abbey and considers the significance of such a skilfully fashioned sculpture in a position which is marginal and not easily seen. It has received attention in the past from scholars such as M. R. James, George Henderson, and Alberto Ferreiro, who have suggested that the narrative represents the fall of Simon Magus. This reading is explored in terms of the familiarity of the subject to the Peterborough community during the period when the socle was made. A more generic reading is also suggested in line with the contemporary practice of personifying as well as allegorizing virtues and vices. The east side of the socle is flat and devoid of sculpture in order to accommodate the doors. It will be argued that the significance of the socle and the degree to which it is associated with Simon Magus is as much to do with its position as its content; the depth and darkness of the sculpture and its location at the bottom of the composition of the west front, gives it impact as a powerful counterfoil to the church above representing Simon Magus’s arch rival, St Peter.

At Peterborough, the socle is about 850 mm high, roughly circular and sculpted over about two-thirds of its surface; the back, facing into the church, being plain and roughly hewn. The door itself dates from the 13th century and seems to have been cut to fit around the socle in a rather rough and ready manner. Given the possibility that the socle predates the west front, it is worth looking for comparative material from an earlier date. The sculpture is very worn, but the overall composition has striking similarities with the Peterborough socle with two demons flanking a figure which they are tormenting whilst serpents wind around his feet. The chapter suggests that the historiated socle as an architectural, sculptural element which makes sense structurally and iconographically in the space it occupies. At Peterborough, as well as the seal, there is another feature which may link the abbey with the reform movement.

Authors: Oakes, C

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Routledge
• Host title: Peterborough and the Soke: Art, Architecture and Archaeology
• Journal: Peterborough and the Soke: Art, Architecture and Archaeology
• Pages: 243-260
• Publication date: 2019-07-03
• Acceptance date: 2018-04-30
• DOI: 10.4324/9780429056420-13
• EISBN: 9780429056420
• ISBN: 9780367173760
• Language: English