Hampshire Field Club & Archaeological Society

The Hampshire Churches Medieval Graffiti Survey – Photo Gallery

These are examples of graffiti photographed mainly in St. Michael’s Church, Basingstoke. Each image is linked to a larger version; to see the larger version it may be necessary to allow ‘pop-ups’.

Example of a compass drawn hexfoil.
This name is found at the entrance to the south porch
This example might allow the identity of DB to be found as a date is given.
An inverted ‘VV’ symbol.
A memorial inscription.
A complex series of marks which will require careful analysis.
A knot.
An example of the number of carvings on a single block.
Many hexfoils or daisywheels at St Mary’s church, Ashley.
A deer at St. Peter’s church, Soberton.

Introduction to the types of Graffiti found

Apotropaic or protection marks, made to protect a building, its occupants and contents from harm, are common. Such graffiti takes the form of symbols like compass-drawn circles and six-petalled rosettes, grid patterns, dots and holes; see Photos 1 and 9 above. Also common are intersecting Vs forming shapes resembling the letters W and M; see Photo 5. Many of these symbols derive from religious symbolism, but post-Reformation they lost their religious significance and appear in both religious and domestic settings.

Names and initials, sometimes dated, are the most common finds from the mid-16th century onwards, as literacy increased. Examples include: Photos 2, 3 and 6.More rarely we find depictions of ships, people and animals, and outlines of shoe soles and hands. Examples include: Photos 4 and 7.



Please feel free to send in examples of images you have taken. Email your images to webmaster@hantsfieldclub.org.uk. Give details of the church where the photo was taken.