Grotesques are ugly faces or monsters, usually carved in stone, placed as decoration on pillars and corbels on the interior of a church. Their main purpose is to amuse and to show off the skills of the stone mason. Some scholars believe that images representing evil were put in Cathedrals during the Middle Ages as a warning to the often illiterate congregation - evil is never far away!

They are not to be confused with gargoyles,  scary and often winged monsters carved in stone, which perch on the roofs of cathedrals and serve as water spouts. Think of the word "gargle" which derives from the French word for throat, "gargouille".

Among its many gargoyles and grotesques Ripon Cathedral also has a  "green man", "a mouth puller," and a "toothache man".  

The medieval sedilia (priest's seats) beside the High Altar under the East Window, are covered with marvellous and fantastical creatures, mostly representing evil. For examples of grotesques and mythological beasts carved in wood, see the medieval misericords and other figures on the choir stalls.

Mystery relief carvings to be exhibited in Treasury

Work is currently being undertaken to try to identify the period and iconography of these two stones which were discovered in Ripon. If anyone has seen any carvings like this elsewhere or recognises the motif, please get in touch with us.