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I realise there is no direct connection between mediaeval graffiti and REED activity (although early modern graffiti may owe something to all those drunken morris dancers et al who were reluctantly compelled by the churchwardens to attend evening service). But I could not resist sending this on.... Abigail ---------------------------------------- > Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:59:57 +0000 > From: [log in to unmask] > Subject: [BRITARCH] Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Project > To: [log in to unmask] > > Press release - apologies for cross posting. > > Norfolk Graffiti project short-listed for national award > > 21/01/2011 > > A local community archaeology project aimed at discovering and recording > examples of medieval graffiti has been short-listed for a prestigious > national award. The Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Project, which marks its first > anniversary this month, has been selected as one of the finalists in the > 'Awards for the Presentation of Heritage Research 2011'. These annual > awards, sponsored by English Heritage, aim to encourage researchers to > present their research on British and Irish archaeology, historic buildings > and heritage conservation, to the wider public. > > The Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Project began in January 2010 with the aim of > carrying out the first large scale study of surviving medieval graffiti > inscriptions in Norfolk churches. Although the project has so far only > managed to survey about 50 of the counties 650+ medieval churches the > results have been a surprise to all involved. "When we began the project", > stated project director Matthew Champion, "we suspected that medieval > graffiti inscriptions were far more common than previously thought. However, > even we were surprised by the scale of the findings. To date, having > surveyed only 50 churches, we have discovered significant medieval graffiti > in over 30". The project has so far been concentrating its efforts on the > North Norfolk area but, over the coming months, it hopes to expand its > coverage into central and eastern areas. "The quantity and quality of the > graffiti varies greatly from church to church", continues Matthew Champion, > "and it tends to be located in certain 'hot-spots' within the building. So > far we have discovered Latin inscriptions, prayers, ships, animals, > windmills, caricatures and geometric patterns. It's all very diverse and you > really never know what will turn up next". > > The church of All Saints at Litcham, which was one of the first to be > surveyed, is one of the great discoveries of the Project. The aisle piers, > which were rebuilt in the early 15th century, were constructed using a very > soft chalk like stone and now contain over fifty examples of early graffiti. > Although the softness of the piers has meant that many are no longer legible > the sheer number of textual inscriptions and images is remarkable. Names, > prayers, faces, hands, Latin cryptograms, multiple daisy-wheels and swastika > pelta appear from behind the flaking lime-wash, making it one of the > greatest concentrations of material yet surveyed. However, the quantity of > graffiti discovered at Litcham, although remarkable, is by no means unique. > > Further north, the churches of the Glaven ports have been extensively > surveyed by John Peake who has shown that they contain a remarkable amount > of pre-reformation graffiti. In particular the magnificent church of St > Nicholas at Blakeney has proved to be a veritable treasure trove of > inscriptions. Merchants marks, illuminated capitals, prayers and symbols > have all been identified within its structure. However, the most notable > instances of pre-reformation graffiti located at Blakeney must be regarded > as the large amount of 'ship' graffiti found in the nave. At present John > has discovered over thirty individual ship images within this elaborate > structure. > > The projects most spectacular discovery was made a few miles from Blakeney > at the impressive remains of Binham Priory. Whilst carrying out a graffiti > survey in the nave of the church the project director uncovered a series of > architectural graffiti inscriptions that appear to be the original > master-masons drawings for the elaborate West Front of the Priory. Although > investigations are due to continue at Binham over the coming months the > discovery has already been described as 'remarkable' and 'very significant'. > > "To be shortlisted for a national award after such a short time is a great > achievement", concluded Matthew Champion, "and it's a real boost for all > those involved. Sitting in cold and draughty churches staring at the walls > can be a little dispiriting at times, so this recognition is a real morale > booster". All the projects that have been short-listed for the award will be > presenting their findings to a public audience at the British Museum on the > 25th February. The audience will be invited to help the panel of judges > assess the presentations and the winner will be announced later that > evening. Further information on the Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Survey can be > found on the project website - www.medieval-graffiti.co.uk > > ENDS > > > > For further information, please contact Project Director, Matthew Champion, > on 07810 677723 or by email at [log in to unmask] > > > > > >