Medieval Graffiti - St Margaret of Antioch - South Elmham St Margaret, Suffolk
Posted by: SMacB
N 52° 24.285 E 001° 24.029
31U E 391188 N 5807260
Medieval graffiti on the belfry doorway inside St Margaret of Antioch's church, South Elmham St Margaret.
Waymark Code: WM11X7N
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 01/03/2020
Views: 1
"Between the nave and the tower is a handsome tower arch, which is lofty and beautifully moulded. A small doorway gives access to the belfry stairs. It contains a strong medieval door and in the stonework above is carved some interesting graffiti, of some age, including the name of John Sellynge."
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"Graffiti is fairly common in East Anglian churches, especially from the 17th century when the local puritans seem to have taken to producing it with their sleeves rolled up as a positive duty, but this is earlier and more elaborate than most. On the right hand side is the name John Sellynge in an Elizabethan script, and to the left is an elaborate rose, which may have been a consecration cross, but which was probably intended as nothing more than a beautiful mathematical design. It must have taken hours."
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