The mystery carving which could depict chastity

The mystery carving is in St Andrew's Church in Alfriston

A historian believes he has discovered the identity of a mystery carving of an animal inside a medieval church in East Sussex.

Official documents at 14th Century St Andrew's Church in Alfriston record the stone artwork to be a dog biting its tail, but the curled up creature has sparked debate for many years.

The carving's true meaning has remained uncertain for some time, adding to the church's rich tapestry of folklore and mystery.

But Kevin Gordon, a local historian, says he is now convinced it is a "medieval Christian symbol representing self-sacrifice and chastity", depicting a beaver biting off its own testicles.

The carving is to the left of the altar in the medieval church, close to another believed to represent Lewinna, the only female saint from Sussex.

Mr Gordon said: "I was showing a group around and a woman said to me 'that's not a dog, it's a beaver biting its testicles off'.

"She explained to me that in Christian art a beaver represents self-sacrifice and chastity."

He added: "In medieval times people used to catch the beaver for the medicine that was inside its testicles.

"People believed that if a beaver thought it was going to get caught it would bite its testicles off to escape.

"I think that's a far better explanation of this creature than Saint Lewinna's dog.

"I have found plenty of references in medieval manuscripts which show beavers in exactly the same style as the one depicted at Alfriston."

The carving lies within the 14th Century church

In 2024, Mr Gordon persuaded one of the top beaver experts in the country, Derek Gow, to visit the church.

"He looked at the figure and confirmed it was in fact a beaver and not a dog."

The medieval church draws in tourists from all over the world.

Mr Gordon believes it is important that people know the truth about its contents.

"People coming into the church should be informed about what it is they are seeing.

"Dogs may be a faithful companion to people, but in Christian art it's the beaver which represents Christian values."