Today's #AnimalsInChurches theme is #AnimalsInCathedrals! So here's a thread of some of our favourite beasts around @DurhamCathedral. . Let's go!

The foundation legend of @DurhamCathedral tells of milkmaids and a dun cow guiding St Cuthbert's Community to 'Dun Holm' in 995. Here they are in a C18 sculpture on the North Wall of the church.
#AnimalsInChurches #AnimalsInCathedrals

St Cuthbert protected the wild birds on Lindisfarne. Eider ducks are still known as Cuddy's ducks in the North East of England. This stained glass window by Hugh Easton in the nave @DurhamCathedral shows Cuthbert surrounded by seabirds.
#AnimalsInChurches #AnimalsInCathedrals

The wonderful St Aidan altar @DurhamCathedral, designed by Leonard Childs, depicts the wild animals and flowers of Lindisfarne and Northumbria. and even a tiny hiding in the corner?
#AnimalsInChurches #AnimalsInCathedrals

A crab lurks under a misericord in the Quire of @durhamcathedral
#AnimalsInChurches #AnimalsInCathedrals

This dragon inkwell played the part of Professor McGonagall's inkwell during Harry Potter filming
@durhamcathedral. Made in the 19th century and one of a pair, it usually lives in our Refectory Library
#AnimalsInChurches #AnimalsInCathedrals

Our #manuscripts are full to bursting with illuminated animals which you can explore in digital form via the Priory Project.
https://www.durhampriory.ac.uk/list-of-digitised-durham-priory-library-books/
We love this dog and rabbit from MS A.I.11.
#AnimalsInChurches #AnimalsInCathedrals
#MedievalTwitter

The symbols of the four evangelists appear all over @DurhamCathedral. Here is the Winged ox representing St Luke, carved on the lid of the 7th century wooden coffin of St Cuthbert, on show (when open) in our museum Open Treasure.
#AnimalsInChurches #AnimalsInCathedrals

We have lions everywhere @DurhamCathedral! Particularly fond of this large-footed blue beast from Bishop Hatfield's tomb.
#AnimalsInChurches #AnimalsInCathedrals

We hope you enjoyed this #AnimalsInChurches #AnimalsInCathedrals thread as much as we enjoy a) caring for these amazing collections @DurhamCathedral and b) sharing them with you! #ThankYou for reading.