The overlapping V, or Marian mark, was one of the designs found carved into the walls of Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire, England, intended to ward off evil. English Heritage Hide caption
Toggle caption British Heritage
A series of patterns known as witch marks have been discovered carved into the walls of a historic medieval mansion in England.
Witch or amulet symbols and other ceremonial carvings believed to protect against witches and evil spirits have been discovered at Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire, east England. They were discovered, along with more than 400 other historic sites, monuments and buildings, during a two-year survey by Rick Berry, a volunteer with English Heritage, the organization that oversees Gainsborough.
English Heritage said in a press release on Tuesday that Mr Berry discovered around 20 carvings at the site, mainly in the servants’ quarters, of a “wide range of designs”, dating back to the late 15th century.
They contain a pentagon, which means to ward off evil. Some believe that the overlapping V marks (also called Marian marks) are a protective call to the Virgin Mary. And the hexagonal design is thought to trap demons, the organization said.
Remarkably, English Heritage said a rare “curse” inscription had been discovered, never before seen at any site. One such inscription had the name of one of the property owners, businessman William Hickman, written upside down. According to English Heritage, desecrating a person’s name was thought to be a curse on that person.
There were also 100 burn marks, which the group said were intended to protect against fire.
Kevin Booth, head of collections at English Heritage, said it was unclear why there were so many marks at the site.
Gainsborough Old Hall is a Tudor-style mansion in Lincolnshire, England, dating back to the late 15th century. Its great hall is shown here. Tom Arbor/English Heritage Hide Caption
toggle caption Tom Arbor/English Heritage
“It’s amazing how the wonderful old buildings we care for still have secrets waiting to be discovered, centuries later,” Booth said in a statement. “The old building has undoubtedly had a checkered past, particularly under the ownership of the unpopular William Hickman, but why there is such a concentration of protected sculpture here remains a mystery.”
Built in the 1400s, the estate has been owned and visited by some of England’s wealthiest figures, including the families of Sir Thomas Burgh II, King Henry VIII, and Queen Catherine Howard. According to English Heritage, Hickman and his family lived at the mansion from 1596. The group called him a “shrewd and ruthless businessman” and claimed he manipulated his powers as owner to “maximize both control and income.”
