The church of St Mary in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, is known for its wonderful carvings. It also has literary connections. Perhaps the most famous is the link to Lewis Carroll, who is believed to have visited the church and seen a carving in the north choir aisle.
The depiction of a hare dates from medieval times, when it would have represented purity. However it's shown with a satchel and a scallop shell, so it could be a symbol of St James, and pilgrimage. St James’s shrine, at Santiago de Compostella in Spain, has been a destination for pilgrimage since the Middle Ages.
Whatever the reason for its inclusion, the hare bears a remarkable resemblance to the white rabbit as drawn by John Tenniel for his illustrations of Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, published in 1865.
In keeping with the literary theme, new stonework in early 2021 restorations will have characters from C S Lewis's books, including The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.
