Comments on: Graffiti At The Tower Of London

By: Peter Huddart

Peter Huddart — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 18:57:08 +0000

Thank you Bernie and Mark, it is a question that has exercised me for many years.
When looking at the heavy lime wash (?) that covers some of the walls, I wonder if that
might conceal more inscriptions of the lighter kind ? I wonder is these new 3D LiDAR laser scanners might reveal further treasures below the layers of lime or white wash ?
I would think the inscriptions created by pin or perhaps cutlery points might fill easily with dirt or
wash and so very easily masked ? I’m sure the experts from English Heritage or Royal Palaces will have thought of this. If so, I would greatly appreciate a pointer in the direction of any reports or findings ?

By: Marcia Howard

Marcia Howard — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 18:39:44 +0000

Whatever the background and meaning, some beautiful inscribing here

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 15:43:07 +0000

For all of us who love letter forms as well as evidence of the “hand of the artist” at work — We’re all in the “House of Banqueting” today; celebrating this lavish post replete with astute photos and
heart-clutching bios.

Thank you for shining a light, GA, and Readers.

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 10:48:37 +0000

Peter Huddart, take a bow sir.

By: Bernie

Bernie — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 09:41:01 +0000

Agreeing with Peter Huddart, I am most struck by the memorials engraved in negative, so that the letters remain standing, surrounded by excavation. How much more time and effort — and skill – these need than simple engraved letters!

By: Peter Huddart

Peter Huddart — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 08:10:47 +0000

Compelling reading. An insight into both the lives of these prisoners and, for us now, a snapshot of their activity before a most horrible death. These carvings infer a resignation, bordering on tranquility as they await their fate. The thing that strikes me most however is the accomplishment of many of the pieces of work .There are those that indicate the level of skill of a trained mason, yet attributed to an aristocrat who would never have done a days labour in their lives. Equally the nature of the carvings – requiring far more than a brooch pin or metal cutlery. Yes there are the equivalent of the sharp pin – which many of us boys would recognise from leaving our names on the lid of our school desk, but also some requiring mallet and sharp chisel, plus the eyes and hands of skilled craftsmen. I wonder if the aristos, at least, could instruct a skilled servant or even commission an artisan through the wardens to leave their mark from them ? For those of great privilege, this might not be beyond the realm of possibility ? In any event, these grafitti leave a memorial o that speaks down the ages of courage and optimism, faith and resignation, yet I still return to the notion of tranquillity. Un rushed, calm perseverance, not frantic attempts at escape or hopeful, ultimately hopeless appeals through the highest courts in the land. Most of them to die at the whim of the sovereign rather than as criminals having broken the law of the common people.
In all though a compelling account and one I will certainly read again and again.
Thankyou for the pleasure of this piece.