Book Review: Historic Building Mythbusting by James Wright
All buildings have stories behind them. Historic buildings accumulate stories as they get older. Unfortunately, not all of those stories are true. In this book, buildings archaeologist James Wright examines some of the common misconceptions and myths about historic buildings and explains why they came about and why they persist even after they have been disproved.
Dr James Wright of Triskele Heritage has long been a stalwart of busting myths about historic buildings. In this book, he collates some of the most common (and entertaining) myths he has busted. He covers secret passages, spiral staircases in castles, stonemasons’ marks, arrow stones in churches, leper squints and devil’s doors, burn marks, ships timbers and oldest public house claims.
This is a book aimed firmly at the general public and Wright pitches the language and tone perfectly for the intended audience. The technical language is kept to a minimum and explained when it does occur. The examples from the real world are well-chosen and entertaining in their descriptions. We learn why castle spiral staircases aren’t set up to favour the sword arms of defenders, why secret tunnels between buildings are probably imaginary and why it’s best to be wary of claims about pubs’ ages and building materials.
From a graffiti student’s perspective the chapters on masons’ marks, purported arrow grooves and burn marks are of particular interest. Wright explains the whys and wherefores of the various kinds of masons’ marks, why burn marks in historic timbers are probably deliberate (and apotropaic) rather than accidental and why grooves on churches weren’t made to sharpen arrows, crusaders’ swords or indeed to sharpen anything.
This is a well-researched and thorough debunking of many persistent myths about old buildings. It is not only an entertaining read but gives the reader a chance to end (or start) an argument in a castle, church or pub. And who doesn’t want to do that?
James Wright
The History Press (6 Jun. 2024)
ISBN-10 : 1803994479
ISBN-13 : 978-1803994475