Hedgehogs and apples
As I arrived at Alnwick Castle to set up for the Heritage Crafts demonstration day I was welcomed by a beautiful lion carving above the entrance arch. Such a treat to be surrounded by so much carving and walls of Northumberland stone - it really set the scene and took me back centuries to imagining the masons working and the sound of their hammers and chisels.
I unpacked all my tools and work bench and joined the other demonstrators in the Guest Hall, a grand room with tall ceiling, oak floor, and large portrait paintings on the walls (I felt their eyes on me). For the demonstration I brought some small stone tiles to carve with medieval styled images - a Hare and Hedgehogs, and also a newly roughed-out sculpture to show carving in the round using larger tools.
You’ll know the story I’m sure - the centuries old myth of Hedgehogs carrying apples on their spines.
In medieval manuscripts Hedgehogs are depicted with fruit on their spines. It was said that they would climb up vines or apple trees, or shake them, then roll around on the fallen grapes or apples, spearing them with their quills. This way they would carry the fruit home to store or feed their young.
The fruit harvesting Hedgehog is such an appealing idea that it has been believed for centuries, and well documented in art, natural histories and used in religious moralistic teaching.
What a sight it would be - a Hedgehog trundling home with fruit gathered up on its back.
