Letters to the Editor, Summer 2005
Dear Editor
Ships, Signatures & Symbols – English Medieval Graffiti
For many years, I have been recording medieval inscribed and scratched drawings – graffiti – found on the pillars and walls of our churches and other old buildings. These are largely confined to the soft limestone – clunch – used so extensively in the Midlands, Eastern and South-East England. They vary in subject matter. There are the pictorial examples – fighting ships, a reminder of our glorious naval past; ecclesiastical items – mitres, bishops' croziers, harps, ladies in elaborate headdresses, knights in armour, windmills, birds, and animals. There are also scripts of writing, signatures and dates, rhombus' and rosettes. Less easy to understand are the symbols which, no doubt, had an underlying theological or religious significance. These were a powerful reminder of the importance of symbolism and imagery in the medieval world.
The drawings vary vastly in artistic ability. Some are mere casual scribbles; others are works of art in their own right, artistically ranking with wall paintings and stained glass. Sadly, many fine graffiti are being destroyed. Church wardens easily and without care, sometimes are constantly being sandpapered or covered with whitewash. We age, thus, rapidly losing a unique and little-appreciated part of our heritage.
In order to gain some idea of the distribution and variety of graffiti, it is necessary to look at a considerable number of buildings in the east and south of England as well as in the Midlands.
Will you help with this survey? All that is needed is a seeing eye and enquiring mind, a torch for dark corners, a slashed stick for removing soap cobwebs, and pencil and paper for recording and rubbing (this not to be undertaken with the greatest of care as it frequently destroys the outline of graffiti). I have the backing of English Heritage, The National Trust, NADFAS, Church authorities, county societies and many museums and historical societies.
If you know of any graffiti or would like to help, please contact me at The Chestnuts, Hastelow, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 0RQ, tel: 01728 747 293. All enquiries are welcome.
- Rosemary Bowden-Smith