Findings at the Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire indicate that etchings previously thought to be burn marks or random scratches are in fact medieval protective symbols designed to safeguard against fire and witchcraft, according to experts from English Heritage.
Medieval Mysteries: Protective Symbols Discovered at Gainsborough Old Hall
Medieval Mysteries: Protective Symbols Discovered at Gainsborough Old Hall
Experts unveil the true meaning behind centuries-old etchings at the historic Gainsborough Old Hall, suggesting they were meant as protective symbols, not curses.
Article text:
Ricky Berry, a volunteer guide at Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire, England, has long been familiar with the peculiar burn marks that adorn the walls of this centuries-old manor. Initially, he dismissed the scores of burn marks — which were neatly arranged in rows — as the result of accidents, possibly from candle flames or stray fires. "It was my cynicism really, thinking they were accidental," he reflects.
However, recent investigations conducted by English Heritage, the charity responsible for the hall, have unveiled a deeper significance behind these markings. The organization announced that the etchings and burn marks are believed to represent medieval protective symbols, intended to shield the property and its inhabitants from fire hazards, witchcraft, and perhaps the whims of a notoriously unpredictable landowner.
Berry’s curiosity about the markings led him to delve into research, through which he discovered additional medieval graffiti, curses, and unusual symbols etched into various structures within the hall. He stumbled upon these markings two years ago and has since dedicated his efforts to unraveling their origins and meanings.
To date, not much is known about similar markings found throughout Britain during the medieval period, leaving historians and tourists alike eager to learn more about this intriguing aspect of the past. The newfound understanding of the hall’s etchings brings a fresh narrative to the history of Gainsborough Old Hall, inviting both curiosity and exploration into its storied walls.
Ricky Berry, a volunteer guide at Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire, England, has long been familiar with the peculiar burn marks that adorn the walls of this centuries-old manor. Initially, he dismissed the scores of burn marks — which were neatly arranged in rows — as the result of accidents, possibly from candle flames or stray fires. "It was my cynicism really, thinking they were accidental," he reflects.
However, recent investigations conducted by English Heritage, the charity responsible for the hall, have unveiled a deeper significance behind these markings. The organization announced that the etchings and burn marks are believed to represent medieval protective symbols, intended to shield the property and its inhabitants from fire hazards, witchcraft, and perhaps the whims of a notoriously unpredictable landowner.
Berry’s curiosity about the markings led him to delve into research, through which he discovered additional medieval graffiti, curses, and unusual symbols etched into various structures within the hall. He stumbled upon these markings two years ago and has since dedicated his efforts to unraveling their origins and meanings.
To date, not much is known about similar markings found throughout Britain during the medieval period, leaving historians and tourists alike eager to learn more about this intriguing aspect of the past. The newfound understanding of the hall’s etchings brings a fresh narrative to the history of Gainsborough Old Hall, inviting both curiosity and exploration into its storied walls.
