A section of a 13th Century stone coffin lid showing the hand of an abbess holding a crozier; an important symbol of her pastoral office.

P.D.Hawkins and his three friends left their mark on history by informing their readers that they are fans of Portsmouth Football Club and that a new statium is being considered. Photo P1110669 by roy romsey Location C-G02-S6

Fred Spree showing a limited talent for poetry. Photo P1110454 by roy romsey Location C-G04-N1

This American Sargent left his home address in Topeka Kansas and also his regiment name. During WW11 there were numerous American personel station around Romsey; they built a field hospital at Woodley and were involved with the Remount depot at Ridge. Photo P1100394 by roy romsey Loaction C-G13-S2

This illustrated graffiti from 1976, by a Paul Stadden, left us in no doubt to what were his main vices. Photo P1110404 by Roy Romsey Location C-G05-N1

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. Photo P1110717 by Roy Romsey Location C-G03-N3

This graffiti of a horse is one of very few of a recognisable animal. Photo P1110604 by Roy Romsey Location C-G02-S6-X

Calvin Short and George Harington are but two of scores of names that appear on the capitals in the NE end of the clerestory. Calvin is from Topeka, Kansas, USA whilst Geoge hails from Portsea, Hampshire, UK Photo P1100264 by Roy Romsey Location C-G13-N3

These carved initials from the 1700s, are best viewed when cross lighted by the afternoon sun. They are on the right hand reveal of the window above the abbey gift shop Photo P1100331 by Roy Romsey Location C-G13-N3

One is left wondering who Mr A Burnham from 43 Kings Road, Reading, Berks was, and what what he doing in Romsey in 1915 - had he been posted here in WWII? Photo P1100331 by Roy Romsey Location C-G13-N3

This young scalleywag was quite a prolific graffiti merchant, his name is found inscribed in at least 20 locations. It is thought he was one of two Frank Cardens, both born in the early 1870s. one in Mainstone and the other in Banning Street. Photo P1090593 by Roy Romsey Location C-D08-S5

A deeply inscribed type of pin wheel found behind a screen in the north aisle. Photo P1120521 by Roy Romsey Location G-D06-N

This 352 yr old graffiti, along with many more, was discovered in a short tunnel at the clerestory level on the NW corner of the abbey. Photo P1090314 by Roy Romsey Location C-D02-S5-X

This Graffiti illustrates a tent-like structure with a flag flying from the top, similar ones can be found at a number of locations around the abbey and indeed all over the country. They may have been inscribed by various troops encamped nearby as they passed through the area, however, during the late 1600s and early 1700, it started to become common for formal memorials to be created, so it may have been the common man’s way of inexpensively and surreptitiously creating a memorial to someone. Photo P11105741 by Roy Romsey Location C-G02-N5X

A 1638 graffiti found on the east wall of the north transept. It is one of the oldest dated graffiti found. Photo P1150652 by Roy Romsey Location G-CG10-N8

The window reveal at west end of the abbey near the gift shop has dozens of graffiti datees and initials, it is the best place to view numerous examples of styles. Photo P1120095 photo by roy romsey Location G-D02-E5

This illustration of a tent/church containing a date is thought to be a memorial to the person whose initials appear within the outline of the church. Photo P1110941 by Roy Romsey Location G-D02-S7

This neatly inscribed graffiti by C. Withers from 1830 was added to scores of others found in a short tunnel in the NW Clerestory. Photo P1090175 by Roy Romsey Location C-D02-N5X

This dificult-to-see graffiti is high up in the N wall in the north transept. There was once a gallery of seats in this area, perhaps this was done by bored boys in the back seats who whiled away their time during lengthy sermons. (Check Photo Number) Photo 1150535 by Roy Romsey Location G-CB10-N3

These three workmen from the building company of William Dibben, Southampton signed their names to marked the installation of some leaded lights in Dec1950. Photo P1110618 by Roy Romsey Location C-G02-N2