Medieval Ship Graffiti: Prayers Made Solid in Stone? – Matt Champion

April 1^st @ 2.30pm
Medieval Ship Graffiti: Prayers Made Solid in Stone? – Matt Champion
Of all the types of early graffiti to be found in medieval churches, the one that has probably received the most attention is that known as ship graffiti. Across the walls and pillars of churches, cathedrals and chapels images of medieval and later ships sail in a never ending journey across the stonework.
Why are they there? What do they signify? Do they commemorate a hazardous sea voyage or represent a real ship; a long since lost vessel that carried simple souls to view the wonders of far off lands?
This talk examines the possible reasons behind the creation of these ship graffiti images, using hundreds of examples recorded across the UK – many of which have never previously been seen before. It will showcase some of the finest ship graffiti sites, and some of the best preserved examples of ship graffiti so far discovered in the country.
Matthew J. Champion is an award winning freelance archaeologist and historian, and is widely recognised as one of England’s leading experts on historical graffiti inscriptions and applied markings. He has worked extensively with organisations such as English Heritage, the Churches Conservation Trust and the National Trust, and is currently Project Director of the award winning Norfolk and Suffolk Medieval Graffiti Survey, and National Advisor on early inscriptions to a number of heritage organisations. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and his latest full-length work, Medieval Graffiti: the Lost Voices of England’s Churches, was published by Penguin in 2015.

Non-members are welcome – tickets are £5.00 and are available from the Maltings Box Office.