So it appears there is still a Raven in Beverley Minster. It has been there for 500 years, carved in Oak. I'm quite keen to see it, as I can't find a single photo online. Today, a sunny, mild day, I visit the Mister again when taking the kids and an exchange Spanish student to see Beverley. I ask a welcoming lady about Ravens in the
Misericords as soon as we get inside. These are old leaning ‘benches’ with carved non-religious reliefs in their underside. One of the 68 misericords in the Minster is supposed to have a raven carved on a stump, facing a dove, and I’m keen to see it. The lady takes us to the misericords and explains their purpose, but can't tell us where the carved raven is. We look around, there are lots of animals and many birds and fantastic beasts on the seats. The lady is keen to help, and after a few minutes, returns holding a folder with photos and notes on each of the 68 misericords, which my daughter starts to go through like a detective! My son starts looking at each misericord as I speak to the lady and after a minute or so he calls ‘the raven is here!’. We go to him and there it is, on its stump, a quite nice portrait of a raven, made over 500 years ago on oak, facing a dove. The lady doesn’t know about the ravens, but she is keen to talk about the Peregrine falcons that have returned to the Minster and she points at the tall western towers, where the Peregrines have nested in recent years.
The Raven of Beverley Minster.
We walk around the Minster and then step outside to admire the building. Jackdaws are nesting, looking for sticks on the ground, and taking them to little corners. The pose for us on the stone carved statues.
Only a statue can remain that stone-faced with two jackdaws on its head.
More Information
Misericords of Beverley Minster.
pdf. where I found the mention of the Raven carving on tree stump.
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