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Follow In The Steps Of Saint John Of Beverley

Medieval Minstrel carvings

There are over 70 carvings, in wood and stone, from the medieval period depicting about 20 different instruments. This is believed to be the largest collection in the world. These include bagpipes, fiddles (rectangular and viol-shaped), portative organs, tambourines, trumpets, flutes and pipes, lutes, a psaltery, shawms and cymbals.

This reflects the importance of Beverley as a centre of secular music in the north of England. Many carvings at lower levels were damaged by iconoclasts and have been restored but those at a higher level have survived intact.

There is an informative book on the subject available from the Minster Shop.