Minster meeces

[adaeze]

Wellinghall has suggested I put up my photos of the assorted rodents that we found infesting Beverley Minster. There were quite a lot, though they didn't always photograph well, as we both found. Not sure if this is because they're always small and in awkward, dimly-lit corners, or simply because neither of our cameras comes with a Mouseman setting.

First up, a heraldic squirrel adorning a C17th tomb.
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This was in the area behind the altar, which anywhere else would be a Lady Chapel, or possibly an ambulatory or an apse, but here is called the Retrochoir. I don't think I've come across a Retrochoir before, and wonder if this area is reserved for choristers in once-funky fashions.

Next we heard rumour of several pieces of furniture by Robert "Mouseman" Thomas. We found these in the South Transept. The first photo is mine:
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the second is Wellinghall's (but I messed around with brightness and contrast to get it to come out clearer - while he's a far better photographer than I am in most respects, I do seem to be happier altering them on the computer afterwards).


and finally, near the exit, one of the virgers showed us this beaver.


There were vast numbers of beavers around Beverley, mostly (though not entirely) in the form of the town's coat-of-arms.

And we went back to the Minster in the afternoon for the wedding, but you'll have heard all about that from Wellinghall. The bride looked lovely and the groom looked smug, as well he might.

Comments

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I like those, particularly the first mouse. He looks very hidden.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

I don't think we would have found any of the wooden ones without the aid of the verger and apadamek.

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

I love the mouseman carvings. I didn't realise that he did other animals as well!

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Nor did we!

[adaese.livejournal.com]

I gather, from looking at the company website (yes, the firm still exists) that later craftsmen used different animals, in the same style - including one who does beavers. So I'm guessing this particular piece is one of those, rather than (or maybe as well as) a jokey reference to the Beverley Beavers.