Historic graffiti, masons' marks and ritual protection marks in secular and religious contexts.
St Mary the Virgin, Elsenham, Essex
St Mary the Virgin, Elsenham, Essex
St Mary the Virgin is a charming church, close to Stansted Airport, out of the village of Elsenham and up a single-track lane. Pevsner praises its Norman windows and doorway. It was visited by Violet Pritchard, who noted some text with a face carved into the capital letter. There is a lot more in this church than that.
Having said that, the script graffiti that Pritchard highlighted, is spectacular.
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There are also several examples of script, some of which are very elaborate.
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Most of the graffiti is under the tower, including four dog’s heads, or hounds.
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The most elaborate of the non-text graffiti, is an interlaced heart. There is also a set of compass drawn circles in a diagram of some sort similar in shape to an Indulgence Tablet from St Lawrence Church in Hungerford. And, in the background of a much over-written panel, some interlaced knots can be seen.
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There is a collection of shields, mostly with the same heraldic device on them. This is possibly for a local family as they are variations on the same design.
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The rest are a couple of Marian marks and initials. Notable is the George Caning graffiti, who presence was given in both Julian and Gregorian calendar dates.
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And finally, this rather jaunty pipe-smoking man in a top hat can be found outside at the west door.
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St Mary the Virgin Church
Church Lane
Elsenham
Essex
CM22 6DP