The page has been created to promote and disseminate research into medieval & historical graffiti; the archaeological identification of apotropaic symbols and the practice of concealing objects within buildings to ward against misfortune. Contributions are welcomed!
The door to the old Brewhouse (as it is now hung, upside down) within the outbuildings at Charlecote Park, a 16th century grand country house in Warwickshire (Plate 1).
The building complex went through many changes over the following centuries and a preliminary survey has found graffiti dating to the 17th & 18th centuries throughout the farm building complex and the stables.
However, the greatest concentration of graffiti came from the Tudor Gatehouse which has stood as a sentinel at the entrance to the main residence for over 400 years. (Plate 2).
It is heavily peppered with graffiti of all kinds but there is a definite concentration of apotropaics around the entrance arch, particularly on the quoins that face outwards, away from the house (Plates 3 & 4). It would appear that it was built to protect against mortal foes but later adapted to counter spiritual ones as well….
Plate 2: The Tudor gatehouse, Charlecote Park, WarwickshirePlate 3: Graffiti around the entrance to the gatehouse.Plate 4: Graffiti under the carriage arch in the gatehouse includes crosses, merel-type marks, Marian marks and dot designs of a dizzying variety.
I am an archaeologist with over twenty years of experience. After a decade or so working as a volunteer on excavations in the 1990’s, I undertook my degree in Archaeology at the University of Birmingham. In the last year of my degree I helped to supervise the university’s annual excavations.
Directly after my exams I began my career in Commercial Archaeology as a Field Archaeologist with Oxford Archaeology and remained there for four years. Anticipating a career in archaeology in France I volunteered on excavations at Rom and at Prisse-la-Charriere, Niort (for Poitiers & Rennes University respectively). In due course I worked for the States’ premier scientific organization, I.N.R.A.P. (Institut Nationale des Récherches Archéologiques Préventives) as well as for a number of private companies.
I returned to the UK in 2013 and resumed my role as a Supervisor, undertaking projects around Oxfordshire with John Moore Heritage Services before moving to London in 2014.
I now undertake Historic Building Surveys and supervise urban excavations in the City of London as well as overseeing rural excavations in surrounding Sussex, Surrey & Kent.
Wayne Perkins
BA Hons (Archaeology)
ACIfA (Associate Member, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists)
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