Lincolnshire Historic Graffiti Survey

GOXHILL All Saints

Recording date: 8 March 2015

Surveyed by: B & C Porter

Photos: 59

Notes:  Goxhill All Saints church has a chancel and nave dating to the 13th century, with aisles built in the 15th century. Most of the graffiti here is faint, and can be difficult to find unless using an LED torch for ‘raking light’. The faintness may be in part due to restoration work in Victorian times and steam-cleaning stonework in 1970’s. However among these ‘ghost graffiti’ there are some very good examples of ancient informal artwork.

On the Westernmost pillar of the South aisle is a faint carving of a lady. She appears to be kneeling, in a traditional pose that has been found on a few brasses such as on that of Sir Peter Arderne’s wife in Latton Church, Essex 1. The headgear is of a particular style also found on several other head graffiti faintly carved on other pillars at Goxhill. Given the style of dress, it is probable that the carving is contemporary with the date of building this part of the church (15th C). The similarity of these carvings suggests the same carver or a very good copier.

On the South aisle half-pillar of the West wall is a knight graffito. He was possibly carved at roughly the same time as the kneeling woman. Note he is holding the sword in his left hand, and the small shield in his right hand. There are other examples of left-handed knights in Strethall Church in Essex, and Little Gransden Church in Cambridgeshire 2.

The ship graffito is found on South-facing side of the middle pillar in the North aisle. Above the main deck can be seen a raised foredeck, some rigging and a crow’s nest. Goxhill is not too far from the Humber estuary. However, ship graffiti have been found in many churches including those not near the sea or navigable waterways. One theory proposes that these ships are carved by sailors or their wives as a way of invoking protection for seafarers ensuring their safe return.

A tall slim mystery figure, apparently with a crown and staff, is dressed in a long cloak and found on the stone frame of the Easternmost window of the North wall. Could this represent royalty, or a religious figure, or even the ‘King of the Jews’ himself?

The final example shown here is of a horse with an oddly distorted rider holding a lance perhaps?

Well worth a visit.

References

1 - English Medieval Graffiti, V.Pritchard, 1967. Page 121

2 - ibid. page 121 and page 45