Medieval secrets revealed in Norwich Cathedral

Earlier success

The NMGS has previously been the subject of national media attention following the discovery of highly significant architectural designs etched onto the wall of Binham Priory in Norfolk.

The finds, published in the English Heritage Historical Review, are believed to be part of the master mason’s working drawings for the architecturally important west front and are thought to date back to the 1240s. Such architectural designs were once thought to be extremely rare survivals in the UK. However, since the beginning of the Norfolk survey volunteers have located over a dozen previously unknown examples, almost doubling the number known to exist. It was hoped that other such designs might lay hidden on the walls of Norwich cathedral. “Sites such as the cathedral rarely disappoint the determined researcher”, states Champion, “and that was certainly the case with the architectural inscriptions. We located one very nice example on our first day and have since located what we believe may be two more. Given the small area of the cathedral as yet surveyed we are hopeful that others will be discovered”.

Amongst the most intriguing discoveries made so far are a number of late medieval text inscriptions, apparently names of individuals, that appear to be upside-down. Initial suggestions that they had been carved into the stones before the stones were put in place have now been discarded. It appears more likely that these particular inscriptions were deliberately created in this way. Although their exact meaning is still a mystery it has now been suggested that these inscriptions were intended to act as curses. “We see similar practises in earlier periods”, states Champion, “when personal names are either written upside-down or back to front, and it is thought that these were meant to bring ill-fortune to the subject. In effect – a curse. Although we still have a lot of work to do it is certainly not being ruled out. If we have prayers carved into the walls”, he continues, “then I can see no reason why we shouldn’t also have curses too”.