Main image: A series of deep taper burn marks on the rear of the north door at St Giles’ church, Great Coxwell, Oxfordshire. The depth and quantity suggests that they are the result of repetitive, prolonged burning, possibly created using a taper held at a 45o angle.
The marks are the material trace of a ritual act known as an ‘intentional taper burn mark’ – one which is now accepted by archaeologists to be a very real phenomenon.
Trials on green wood surfaces undertaken through the auspices of experimental archaeology have returned an identical result and debunked the ‘accidental burning’ theory.
Tuesday 11th April @ 8pm
Photo: © W Perkins 2021
For the last 25 years archaeologists have been recording taper burn marks on Medieval and historic building timbers. They are now understood to be the material trace of applied ‘pyro-technology’ – a ritual act intended to protect the building from harm.
A taper burn mark can be identified by its ‘tear drop’ shape – not unlike that of a candle flame – being round at the base and narrowing to a point, which is the result of the way the flame was applied to the timber.
Its characteristic shape is the result of a ‘controlled’ flame having been deliberately applied to a timber element within a building using a taper. A taper is described as a long, thin candle used for lighting fires, whose design was intended to create a long, steady flame.
Photo: © W Perkins 2021.
Photo: © W Perkins 2021
Early interpretations for taper burn marks concluded that they may have functioned as inoculation against fire through an act of sympathetic magic. However, their apotropaic potential has also been acknowledged.
Spatial analysis of taper burn mark assemblages has revealed that concentrations often occur predominantly on the fireplace lintels of the buildings as well as around timber door and window frames – apotropaic marks added to ward against the unwelcome guest.
An Illustrated Talk by Wayne Perkins
A Zoom Presentation
Hosted by: Viktor Wynd & The Last Tuesday Society.
Details/Registration:
info@thelasttuesdaysociety.org
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ritual-building-protection-through-pyro-technology-by-wayne-perkins-tickets-482268105887
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Friday 21st April 2023 @ 7.30pm.
‘Evidence for Ritual Protection Marks & Ritual Practices at Lullingstone Castle,’ Kent’
Lullingstone Castle is a historic manor house, set in an estate in the village of Lullingstone and the civil parish of Eynsford in the English county of Kent. It has been inhabited by members of the Hart Dyke family for twenty generations including current owner Tom Hart Dyke.
The gatehouse was constructed in the late 16th century. Built by Sir John Peche, it is believed to be one of the first in England built entirely of brick. Only the outer gatehouse remains – the inner gatehouse was demolished in the 18th century.
A recent survey of the building’s fabric by the author has revealed a large quantity of ritually-applied taper burn marks to the timber elements of the castle, along with small corpus of graffiti symbols and inscriptions. The marks have been interpreted as ‘ritual protection marks’ (otherwise known as apotropaics) whose intention was to add another layer of protection to the building against spiritual – rather than physical – threats!
Following on from the Zoom presentation on medieval graffiti given to the FELHS in 2020, the author now examines one of the areas iconic historic buildings.
An Illustrated Talk ‘in person’ by Wayne Perkins (BA Archaeology, ACIfA)
In person
Members Free, Guest £3
Eynsford Village Hall, High St, Eynsford, Dartford DA4 0AA
Hosted by: Farningham & Eynsford Local History Society
Details & Registration: archives@felhs.org.uk / Helen Smith 01322 864234.
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Tuesday 13th June 2023 @ 8pm
‘A Little History of Witch Bottles’
One of the most immediately recognisable forms among the repertoire of concealed objects is the ‘witch bottle’ – notable for its anthropological form with its bearded face (or mask) decoration on the neck above its bulbous ‘body. Their contents are equally startling, often comprised human urine and nail clippings along with bent nails and pins suggesting a malefic act.
However, more recent close examination of the contents has shown that there is a far greater variety of contents than hitherto recorded. The contents provide a clue as to the intention behind their creation.
Archaeologists are now systematically recording stoneware bellarmine (or Bartmann) jugs found buried under thresholds or hearthstones from 16th and 17th century houses as well as from a variety of other contexts.
The insertion of human organic matter and the selection of ‘prepared’ items included within its their contents have all the hallmarks of a non-Christian, even heretical ‘ritual act.’ One suspects, therefore, that it would not have been undertaken lightly, and it is more likely that they were created for a client by a cunning man or wise woman.
Image (c) R Merrifield 1987.
The careful examination of both the archaeological provenance of the witch bottle and an analysis of its contents reveals the variety of practice within the long tradition of folk magic in the Early Modern Period.
Although the composition of their contents is now better understood, questions remain as to whether they were intended to act as a decoy, spirit trap or as a counter-measure against bewitchment and witchcraft….
An Illustrated Talk by Wayne Perkins
A Zoom Presentation
Hosted by: Viktor Wynd & The Last Tuesday Society.
Details/Registration:
info@thelasttuesdaysociety.org
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Tuesday 15th August 2023
‘Ritual Protection Marks & Apotropaic Graffiti in the London Churches’
Photo: © W Perkins 2020.
An ongoing survey of the London churches has recorded a surprisingly varied corpus of medieval and historic graffiti of which ritual protective marks (or apotropaics) make up a substantial part. Protective compass-drawn circles, Marian Marks and saltires are among just a few of the varied symbols and motifs so far recorded.
Photo: © W Perkins 2020.
This illustrated talk takes you on a virtual tour of the capitals major religious monuments and their attendant graffiti and inscriptions and explains how they are now being understood in light of new interpretative frameworks.
Photo: © W Perkins 2020.
Photo: © W Perkins 2020.
An Illustrated Talk by Wayne Perkins
A Zoom Presentation
Hosted by: Viktor Wynd & The Last Tuesday Society.
Details/Registration:
info@thelasttuesdaysociety.org
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Friday, 8th September 2023 @ 7.30pm
‘The Historic Graffiti in the Medieval Buildings of the Maidstone Area 2: New Discoveries, New Perspectives’
An illustrated talk by Wayne Perkins
BA Archaeology, Associate, Chartered institute for Archaeologists
A preliminary survey of a random sample of medieval buildings in the Maidstone Area was undertaken by the author which has revealed a number marks and symbols carved into their masonry and woodwork.
The survey took the form of a preliminary, non-invasive survey (following Historic England Grade 2 Survey protocols). The graffiti was recorded on pro forma sheets
Notably, Marian marks, dagaz runes and compass drawn circles were recorded.
In recent years, the re-evaluation of medieval graffiti has revealed many more subtleties and diverse meanings than hitherto imagined.
The study of medieval graffiti has been in the ascendant, with popular books published on the subject. These mainstream publications have helped to disseminate the new interpretative frameworks and ideas which are the culmination of the last thirty years of academic research into medieval inscriptions.
There are many categories now recognised, including masons’ marks, devotional and memorial inscriptions and a whole range of apotropaic symbols now believed to represent elements of ritual building protection.
Many of these marks have been interpreted as apotropaics; ritual protection marks intended to avert the evil-eye, bring good luck, to trap evil spirits and to act, in some cases, as counter-Witchcraft measures.
Graffiti can span the entire medieval period but appears to peak during the Early Modern Period (c. AD 1550 –1800) at the time of the so-called ‘witch craze’ in Europe.
It is now generally agreed that many medieval buildings which contain examples of apotropaic graffiti are also likely to exhibit evidence for other ritual practices, such as the concealing of objects within the buildings’ fabric. There is now a growing database that records the discovery of concealed shoes (and clothing), witch bottles, written charms and mummified cats and the application of intentional taper burns that have been found in building contexts and which have been recorded archaeologically.
Hosted by:
Maidstone Area Archaeological Group
Friday, 8th September 2023 @ 7.30pm
Venue:
Maidstone Community Support Centre
Marsham Street, Maidstone ME14 1hh
Details/registration:
https://maag.chessck.co.uk/MEETINGSfor2023
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Tuesday 10th October 2023
‘The Devils: A Case of Demonic Possession & Witchcraft in Loudun, France’
Photo: © Warner Brothers Film Studios 1971.
In 1617 the priest Urbain Grandier rode into the town of Loudun in France to assume his role as both the priest of l’ Eglise St Pierre du Marche and as the Canon of the collegiale church of Sainte Croixe. Ordained into the Jesuit priesthood only two years before, he was a relatively young man to be taking such a prominent role, but his time spent with the Jesuits had been exemplary and he had exceeded their expectations with his hard work. Tall, handsome, he was considered to be both an attractive and imposing man. On arrival he was much feted and welcomed into the upper class households of the prominent families in the town. Once ensconced amongst the higher echelons of society his intelligence and wit were much in demand.
Yet, seventeen years later he was found guilty of sorcery, of having made a pact with the devil and responsible for the demonic possession of the Ursuline nuns residing in the town’s convent. His trial and sentence culminated in his torture and being burnt alive at the stake. How could such a turn of fortunes have occurred in such a short space of time? And how could a man of God come to be accused of maleficium? It is one of the most famous and strangest cases of witchcraft and demonic possession in France and probably all of Europe.
Photo: © W Perkins 2021.
Photo: © W Perkins 2020.
An Illustrated Talk by Wayne Perkins
BA (Archaeology)
A.C.I.F.A.(Associate, Chartered institute for Archaeologists)
A Zoom Presentation
Hosted by: Viktor Wynd & The Last Tuesday Society.
Details/Registration:
info@thelasttuesdaysociety.org
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2024
‘Historic Graffiti in the Medieval Buildings of the Charing Area’
11th January 2024 @ 8pm
An Illustrated talk by Wayne Perkins
In person
The villages and towns around Charing possess a wide array of unique churches and surviving medieval buildings. Surveys undertaken by the author have recorded a fascinating corpus of medieval and historic graffiti (including inscriptions, figurative art, memorials and devotional graffiti) which will be discussed in this illustrated talk.
Many of the marks are so-called ‘ritual protection marks’ – also known as ‘apotropaics’ (from the Greek, ‘to turn away evil’) whose purpose appears to have been was to defend the buildings against evil spirits; to protect them from the evil eye and, in some cases, to act as counter-witchcraft measures.
The talk will begin with a study of the medieval buildings within the area, then expand the discussion to compare the corpus of graffiti and inscriptions with regional, national and international examples.
Venue:
Charing Village Hall
Station Road
Charing, Kent TN27 0JA
Members free, visitors £3
Details/contact:
Celia Jennings cj3397@gmail.com
Website:
https://www.charinghistory.co.uk/
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‘The Historic Graffiti in the Medieval Buildings of the Barming Area’
22nd January 2024 @ 7.30pm.
A palimpsest of graffiti found in the porch of St Martin’s church, Ryarsh including initials and an ichthys. Photo: © W Perkins 2020
An Illustrated talk by Wayne Perkins
In person
The villages and towns around Barming possess a wide array of unique churches and surviving medieval buildings. Surveys undertaken by the author have recorded a fascinating corpus of medieval and historic graffiti (including inscriptions, figurative art, memorials and devotional graffiti) which will be discussed in this illustrated talk.
Many of the marks are so-called ‘ritual protection marks’ – also known as ‘apotropaics’ (from the Greek, ‘to turn away evil’) whose purpose appears to have been was to defend the buildings against evil spirits, to protect them from the evil eye and, in some cases, to act as counter-witchcraft measures.
The talk will begin with a study of the medieval buildings within the area, then expand the discussion to compare the corpus of graffiti and inscriptions with regional, national and international examples.
22nd January 2024 @ 7.30pm.
Barming Village Hall
Heath Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 9JU
Hosted by: Barming History Society.
Details/registration:
https://sites.google.com/site/barminghistorysociety/home
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Further information regarding each of the above events will follow shortly or please contact wmp1@yahoo.com
Ritual Protection Marks & Ritual Practices 
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