MONK and SAINT KATHERINE BOSS – Saint Katherine of Alexandria is shown with her sword and wheel emblems. She was martyred for her faith. Feastday: 25th November. A very popular saint in Herefordshire with a chapel in Hereford Cathedral, the hospital in Ledbury and, unusually, a play about her in the surviving list of Hereford's Corpus Christi Mystery Plays. She is remembered today in 'catherinewheel' fireworks. This boss was found buried in the nave area.
BOY'S HEAD BOSS – One of a set of three bosses, each joining two ribs, with same dimensions as the Older Man and the Greenman. He has a rounded face, pointed chin and wavy hair. This may depict a boy associated with the Abbey.
OLDER MAN BOSS – One of a set of three bosses, each joining two ribs, with same dimensions as the Boy's Head and the Greenman. He is bearded, with slightly sunken cheeks and furrowed brow. This may depict a workman, perhaps a mason, associated with the Abbey. It is probable the Boy, Older Man and Greenman are the same person.
GREENMAN BOSS – Known as a foliated head. Greenmen are enigmatic. One of a set of three bosses, each joining two ribs, with same dimensions as the Boy's Head and the Older Man. His hair and beard are here replaced by oak leaf foliage, so possibly the Older Man had died. Such fertility symbols were important in an agricultural community: John Barleycorn, Jack–in–the–Green, Wild Man, Puck, the Green Knight of Arthurian Legends... all associated with May Day, Morris dancing and insurance against plague. It was found buried in the nave area, and it retains a vivid yellow ochre covering.
SACRISTY – The doorway leading to the sacristy is the oldest in the Abbey. The sacristy is where the monks kept books, documents, sacred vessels and vestments. Ten of Dore's books are known – one is in Hereford Cathedral Library. The chronicle, called the Annals of Dore, is in the British Library. One book is inscribed: The book of the monks of Dore let him who deceitfully takes it be anathema. The Abbey also acted as a safedeposit for local families, which was usually a successful arrangement. However, Mylo ap Harry, (the son of Henry Myles, Dore's Steward), and Blanche Parry's brother, removed their family documents saying he perceived that the monastery of Dore standeth in a wild quarter...and he feared the coffer.. should be embezzled by the monks!
CHAPTER HOUSE STONE – The imposing, unusual, twelve–sided chapter house was the business centre of the Abbey where a daily meeting was held. This is one drum, or part, of the central shaft discovered by Thomas Blashill, in 1882, in the rectory garden.
ABBOT'S DOOR – This 13th century oak door has original ironwork of scroll and leaf design with two hinges. One terminal is an animal head which is thought to represent a wolf's head. The historian, F.C.Morgan, suggested this commemorated the order of King Edward I, issued 14th May 1281, for the destruction of all wolves in the counties of Gloucester, Hereford, Salop, Stafford and Worcester. This was always an interior door and gave the abbot access to the Church. A copy of this door is in the Tower of London.
