Animal Carvings in British Churches

First published in 1938, M. D. Anderson's Animal Carvings in British Churches examines the medieval craft of animal carving by bringing together examples of various types, considering their sources, and describing the legends associated with them. Included in the study are 'fabulous creatures and human monstrosities', showing the often fanciful work of carvers in depicting centaurs, mermaids, dragons and other such creatures. Also highlighted are cases of real yet exotic or non-native animals which the artists and craftsmen have never seen and which thus tended to be imagined in highly exaggerated and unconventional ways. This small volume, illustrated with several dozen photographic plates and containing a list of animal carvings and their locations around Britain, will continue to be a useful historical companion to anyone interested in the study of medieval church carvings.

Acknowledgements; List of illustrations; Part I. Sources; Section 1. Introductory; Section 2. Analysis of Sources: 1. Animals of personal symbolism; 2. The Bestiary; 3. Animal romances; 4. Heraldic animals; 5. Animals studies from nature; Section 3. Human Monstrosities; Section 4. Grotesques; Part II. Legends: 1. Beasts; 2. Birds; 3. Fishes; 4. Fabulous creatures and human monstrosities; Part III: 1. Lists of examples; 2. Bibliography; 3. Index of place-names.