St Mary and St Clement, Clavering, Essex (3/4)
Rood-loft Stairs Doorway
To the south side of the chancel arch is a small doorway opening on to the stairs to the rood-loft. This is where Violet Pritchard found the short inscription, Amor Vincit omnia (love conquers all), which she records in her book ‘English Medieval Graffiti’. It is the only piece of graffiti she remarks on for this church.
[Not a valid template]There are several crosses inscribed into the stonework, the most deeply carved is an eight pointed star or baptismal cross which is on the riser of a step a little way up the staircase.
[Not a valid template]The rest of the non-memorial graffiti consists of circles, merels, dot patterns, grids, cross hatching and an interesting vertical grid somewhat like a griddle pan.
[Not a valid template]The rest of the graffiti is made up of memorials. The dates range from the 1660s to the 1770s.
[Not a valid template]The south side of the rood screen has some fine figures of saints, now little more than outlines, a hint as to what was there before.
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Report by Anthea Hawdon.
See previous post for address and location details.
Search terms: M, H, Saltire cross, Baptismal cross, 8 point star, HD, ID, TI, compass drawn circle, C, BI, M, Marian mark, W, MT, BML, R, CB, RB, Amor Vincit omnia, 90411, T, grid, cross hatching, KB, griddle, H, D, SB, HD, DC, W, 4, IA, DC, I, IC IA, TG, WL, W, 1772, ND, T, IT, M,Rob, R RICK, IH, 1663, memorial, 1660s, 1600s, 1770s, 1700s, Dot pattern, Horizontal grid, merel, MC, MC, crosses