Work

Recording and Analysis of Ship Graffiti in St Thomas’ Church and Blackfriars Barn Undercroft in Winchelsea, East Sussex, UK

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: Two assemblages of ship graffiti were recorded using Reflectance Transformation Imaging in the ancient port town of Winchelsea. The engravings show characteristics common to most medieval ship graffiti in England, while displaying different levels of detail, which encouraged a nuanced interpretation. It is suggested that the ship graffiti demonstrate a multifaceted relationship with the sea. The St Thomas’ church graffiti could have been a means of spiritual protection and a devotional practice that cuts across different communities of practice and social groups. The seascape in Blackfriars Barn undercroft can be interpreted as an occasion of informal remembrance of the mustering of a large naval fleet before setting out.

Source: The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology

DOI: 10.1111/1095-9270.12179

Authors: Thomas Dhoop, Catriona Cooper, Penny Copeland

Institution: University of Southampton

Language: English

Topic: Maritime and Coastal Archaeology

Subfield: Archeology (arts and humanities)

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: University of Southampton, Natural Environment Research Council

Award: G3625806014