Wednesday 28 September 2011

Case of Curiosity...



What is this? It's a case of some description. It looks to have some age to it. Yes, but what does it contain? 




Aha, a scale! But hang on a minute - what does a member of The Ragged Society of Antiquarian Ramblers do with such an implement? 


Minim cluster from probable fifteenth century writing in St Peter Mancroft
church, Norwich. Please click on image in order to enlarge


Why, they use it to scale medieval graffiti, devotional inscriptions and mason's sketches of course!


Huzzah!

5 comments:

  1. I've enlarged! Scale? What do you mean exactly. Beautiful drawing on the wood panel.

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  2. Here we have the evidence of history from below, something we Ramblers have always been interested in. Evidence of both the craftsmen who built the churches and those who worshiped within.

    I'm sure these are just two of many examples of medieval graffiti to be found. Who knows the scale of the evidence!!!

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  3. Dear Jennifer.

    Thank you for taking the time to comment here. The 'scale' refers to the small ruler used to give an indication of the size of an archaeological artifact.

    Yes, the drawing is a wonderful thing. It is the first time that a Mason's sketch like this has been found on a screen in Norfolk, and it is going to be properly recorded. Ragged Rambler, Mr. Many Coats (above), was the person who discovered it. A feather for his cap indeed!

    Best Wishes,
    ~ Munro Tweeder Harris, Esq. ~

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  4. Dear Mr. Many Coats,

    Is the reference to 'scale' a terrible pun perchance?

    ~ Munro Tweeder-Harris, Esq. ~

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  5. Alas and alack Munro, tis truly a pun perchance and nearly as bad as my poor use of pseudo archaic language!

    +Many Coats+

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