Lincolnshire Historic Graffiti Survey

CRANWELL St Andrews

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Date recorded:            18 Oct 2013

Recorded by:              Brian & Chris Porter, Cheryl & Jim Gallimore

Photos taken:              83

Notes:                          One of the key highlights of Cranwell graffti is the group of human figures carved on the South door frame (below), seen when entering the church. These are well-known, and believed to be ‘May Kings and Queens’ wearing straw skirts. The porch has carved outlines of shoes.

One unusual discovery is several faintly scratched horses on North aisle pillars, one shown here, as well as several game-boards known as ‘Merels’ (variations of Nine Mens Morris). Two of these merels outlines are on a vertical surface, rendering them unusable for playing the game, and may instead be apotropaic, i.e. to ward off evil or be demon traps.