Medieval Graffiti - St Guthlac - Stathern, Leicestershire
Posted by: SMacB
N 52° 52.229 W 000° 51.196
30U E 644489 N 5860021
Some curious graffiti in St Guthlac's church, Stathern.
Waymark Code: WM10DT4
Location: East Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/20/2019
Views: 4
Some curious graffiti east column of the south arcade; the style of writing is clearly medieval, but the wording is upside down, the reason for which is puzzling, as there is no record of any dismantling of the arcades.
The only words that are decipherable are
Alle ye"St. Guthlac's Church, a Grade 2* listed building, a beautiful medieval church, is constructed of both local sandstone and ironstone materials, with a tower which has a ring of 5 bells and has a band of ringers. It is situated in a delightful setting within the village of Stathern on the southern edge of the Vale of Belvoir in northeast Leicestershire where it is within an attractive designated conservation area and has been a focal point in the village for over 800 years. It was dedicated in about AD 1200 and In 2014 we celebrated the 1300th anniversary of St. Guthlac's death. Historically it has been associated with the Dukes of Rutland of Belvoir Castle. Peterhouse College, Cambridge is the sole patron.
St. Guthlac, as a young nobleman, was a tearaway. Later he changed his ways and began a monastic life. He is said to have travelled from Repton to Crowland, where he built Crowland Abbey, in The Fens of Lincolnshire and is said to have passed through Stathern on his way.
Many walkers, cyclists and visitors visit the church whilst passing through Stathern and have commented in our visitors' book, that it is 'A well-cared for and loved church', 'Beautiful' and Thank you for being open'. The church is well worth a visit!"
SOURCE - (
visit link)
Historic England listing - (
visit link)