A Community Service Website by Roy Romsey - romseys@yahoo.com
Romsey Abbey
Guide
A Medieval Gem
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A.D. 1120 - A.D.2020
The Writing is on the Wall
Graffiti has been mankind's way of leaving their mark on history since the days of cave dwelling - medieval man was no different, his use of church walls as a means of
being noticed knew no bounds. Today's graffitists tend to use the internet's social media as their outlet to be noticed.
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Romsey Abbey has thousands of graffiti scratched, chiselled and written upon its walls and columns: a few are mason's marks, some are by visiting pilgrims, many by soldiers stationed in Romsey during the first world war, all of which have been added over the last 500 years by well meaning devotees and 'vandals'.
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By far the most graffiti to situated high up at the clerestory level; is it because it is closer to heaven or is it where they are least likely to be found?
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Some of the best graffiti examples can readily be seen in the window reveal on the west wall near the gift shop, particularly when highlighted by the late afternoon sun. it is said that these were done by pupils attending a class-room that had existed on a gallery adjacent to the window, however, I doubt this is so, much of the lettering displays a level of craftsmanship far exceeding that of school children.
Scroll and click to enlarge
C. Withers 1830
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This neatly inscribed graffiti by C. Withers from 1830 was one of scores found in a short tunnel high up at the western end of NW Clerestory.
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One wonders what the No 2 referred to.
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Photo P1090175
Grid plan location C-D02-N5-X *
Window reveals all
These carved initials from the 1700s are in the window reveals close to the abbey gift shop.The area once had a mezzenine classroom for school boys
They are best viewed when lit by the late afternoon sun.
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Photo P1180462​
Grid plan location G-D02-E5 *
1638 North Transept
This is one of the oldest dated pieces of graffiti in Romsey Abbey, it is located in a concealed area within the the north transept.
Photo P1150652
Grid plan location G-CB10-N8 *
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​ Prolific Graffitist
F. Carden was a scallywag and a prolific vandal; particularly active during 1898 when he left his mark at least 20 times around the clerestory galleries.
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We think we have traced him to one of two Frank Cardens one born in Mainstone and the other in Banning Street, both were labourers, one having lodged in Middlebridge street.
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which ever it was. he certainly left his mark.
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Photo P1090593
Grid plan location C-D08-S5 *
Boring Sermon?
These three names can be found on the north wall of the north transept about 40 ft from the floor. There was once a gallery for the congregation at that level and one suspects that the names were added by disinterested boys sitting in the back seats during long sermons.
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Photo P1150590
Grid plan location G-CB10-N3 *
American Servicemen
During the first world war a number service men were stationed in and around Romsey, some at the Remount Depot and others to build a military hospital on the edge of the town just off the Winchester road..
There are numerous graffiti left by them, often with name, rank and home address.
Photo P1110137​
Grid plan location C-G08-N3 *
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The Horse
This is the only graffiti found depicting a horse. it is undated and could be ancient or have been done by someone during the first world war from the remount depot which carried and trained tens of thousands of horses in readiness to be shipped to the war from in Europe.
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Photo P1110604
Grid plan location C-G02-S5-X *
Nine Men Morris
A grid of nine holes appear from time to time around the abbey, they are usually made by workmen to play, what was at one time, the popular game of 'Nine Men Morris'. They may well have been added to the blocks of stone either on the work bench or perhaps during construction to play during rest periods.
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Photo P1110717
Grid plan location C-G03-N3 *
Mystery Holes
The initials and date within the box are in all probability a common memorial, however, what is not clear is the reason for so many holes, unless it is for a variation on the game of 'Nine Men Morris'.
To be found on the ground floor near the gift shop.
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Photo P1090189
Grid plan location G-D02-N6-X *
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Tent or Church
This tent-like image with a pennant flying from the roof and containing an initial and date is one of many such graffiti found in the abbey.
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It is not unique in that similar graffiti are to be found in churches throughout the country and started to appear from the late 16th century onward.
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It is thought that they are memorials scratched by the common man and reflect the more formal memorials which were becoming popular during the same period.
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This one is on a pillar close to the main door.
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Photo P1110941
Grid plan location G-D02-S7 *
H Godfrey 1728
This 1728 'poor-man's' memorial to H. Godfrey it is unusual in that it gives the full family name rather than just the initials. They are within a roofed church with a cross instead of the usual pennant.
There is similar graffiti near to the above inscribed, ' R.Godfrey. 1728 '.
Were they siblings perhaps?
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Photo P1090397
Grid plan location C-D03-S6 *
A.W. 1728
This is another sample of a 'poor man's memorial' found in the NW clerestory level
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Photo P1090363
Grid plan location C-D02-S4 *
14: France, Unknown - 16th century
South choir aisle.
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Window plan - No 14
Photo P1170002
Grid plan location:- G-G12-S5
This is 'poor man's memorial' is in a tunnel within the walls at the NW clerestory level.
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It appears to be anchored to the ground by two feet or tent pegs and is flying three pennants.
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The date of 1674 is repeated along with two Xs and the initial I.D.Q.
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Photo P1110573
Grid plan location C-G02-N5-X *
Calvin Short, from Topeka, Kansas, USA, was one of many American service men stationed in Romsey during the first world war who left their mark in the abbey.
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Photo P1090363
Grid plan location C-G13-N3 *
The tunnel within the NW wall at the clerestory level has a wide range of graffiti, this is one of very few graffiti to be found that is non-alphanumeric - could it be a fish or an arrow?
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Photo P1090187
Grid plan location C-D02-N6-X *
This graffiti is believed to refer to PRIVATE P. J. AYLING HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT No 26885 who was killed in WW1 on the Somme, France 20 Feb 1918 and is buried with thousands of other young soldiers at Tincourt New British Cemetery, Somme, France.
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Photo P1110464
Grid plan location C-G04-N2 *
Tent or Church
USA Serviceman
R.I.P.
Fish or Arrow
T.E.G. - C.R 1742
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Photo P1110531
Grid plan location:- C-G02-N2-X
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Window plan - No 20
Photo P1170004
Grid plan location:- C-G05-S5
1831 W.Day
WW1 Canadiam Serviceman
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One wonders what Mr Scott from Fort William, Canada, or his friend L.L.W.M. were doing in Romsey in 1906.more to the point what were they doing climbing up into the clerestory galleries.
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Photo P1160661
Grid plan location:- C-G08-N3 *
Title
awaiting further text
A Pinwheel
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Photo P1120521
Grid plan location:- G-D06-N8
Dragon Fly!
Title
awaiting further text
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Photo P1160977
Grid plan location:- G-F14-E5
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The pinwheel symbol was frequently used to ward off evil.
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Photo P1110969
Grid plan location:- G-D02-S7 *
Pinwheel
Female Graffitist
Graffiti is usually the domain of men and boys, but just occasionally a female protagonist crops up.
This one, high up in a gallery at clerestory level, is not where young ladies should go.
Photo P1110355
Grid plan location:- C-G06-N3 *