Unveiling the hidden stories of Salisbury Cathedral, a team of volunteers has spent a year uncovering the secrets etched into its ancient stones, revealing tales of protection marks, mysterious images, and enigmatic messages from the past.
Uncovering the Hidden Stories of Salisbury Cathedral
As you step into the grandeur of Salisbury Cathedral, your eyes may initially be drawn to its stunning altars, stained glass windows, and pillars. However, upon closer inspection, a multitude of marks carved into the stonework come alive, whispering secrets from the past.
Salisbury Cathedral is a prominent Anglican cathedral located in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
Built between 1220 and 1258, it features the tallest church spire in the UK, standing at 123 meters (404 feet) tall.
The cathedral's design was influenced by French Gothic architecture and showcases intricate stone carvings and stunning stained-glass windows.
It is home to one of four original copies of the Magna Carta and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.
A team of volunteers has spent a year finding and mapping these graffiti, which number in the thousands. From initials of forgotten individuals to images of animals and flowers, each mark tells a story of its own. Some are thought to be ‘protection marks,’ intended to ward off evil spirits, while others may hold more sinister intentions.
One such piece is believed to be a curse, written in ‘backwards Latin text’ that has left experts puzzled. However, the cathedral’s curator, Katherine Pell, notes that attitudes towards graffiti were often more accepting in the past, with marks frequently appearing in public areas.
A ‘graffiti tour’ of the cathedral, launched this May, will guide visitors through these hidden stories. Guides point out various marks, including a pair of footprints near the west doors, which may have been made by pilgrims over 600 years ago. The initials ‘JG‘ and ‘WS‘ are accompanied by crude but deliberate foot shapes, possibly signifying that the two individuals had reached their destination.
In other areas, the cathedral has uncovered more enigmatic marks. A collection of lines and dots in the south quire aisle may be music notation, while a nearby piece of medieval Latin text is thought to be a curse – or perhaps simply a poorly written phrase. The guides delight in speculating about the meaning behind these marks, much like they do with the image of a ‘salamander’ tucked into a pillar beneath the spire.
One such mark has become a personal favorite among the guides, featuring a bird cleverly carved into a triangular natural break in the stone. It’s these kinds of details that bring the cathedral to life, revealing the stories and experiences of ordinary people who once walked its halls.
As you explore the cathedral, remember that many of these marks were left behind by individuals who may not have been remembered elsewhere. The top of a memorial to John Salcot, a bishop during Henry VIII‘s reign, is thick with carved inscriptions – believed to be the work of mourning relatives who wanted to honor their loved ones.
Through this ‘graffiti tour,’ the cathedral invites visitors to uncover its hidden stories and discover the lives of those who came before. As you wander through its ancient stones, remember that even in the most unexpected places, secrets and tales are waiting to be uncovered.
- theguardian.com | Messages from the past: Salisbury Cathedral launches graffiti tours
