Catholics adopted the symbol of the peacock to represent resurrection, renewal and immortality. This came from the ancient legend that the flesh of the peacock did not decay. The peacock also came to symbolize the all-seeing Catholic Church, who watches over her children continually, day and night. The Medieval Proud as a Peacock Belt Chape takes two strong symbols of the medieval church and joins them creating the beautiful adornment you see here. The top part of the chape depicts a peacock with its wings spread high and the bottom having an image of a Catholic Bishop. The Bishop is wearing his robe with a mitter atop his head. During the High Middle Ages, Bishops had become so powerful that it was mandatory for the king to take orders and consult the Bishop in everyday affairs over the state. This was because Bishops were instructed men who had studied hard for years, often in foreign universities. Bishops were fluent in Latin. They were generally from a noble family or a wealthy family from some town. Someone with great respect for the church would have worn a similar adornment on their belt. This chape is constructed of brass. Wear this chape with pride to your next Ren Fen and be proud as a peacock.
