Making Their Mark

Thousands of examples of medieval graffiti carved in the stones of Norfolk’s churches are giving a voice to people previously invisible to history

- Matthew Champion

LOOKING OVER THE salt marshes of the North Norfolk coast sits the quiet village of Blakeney, now a haunt of birdwatchers and pleasure sailors. Back in the Middle Ages, however, this settlement of flint cottages was a thriving sea port. Countless vessels shipped in timber from the Baltic, taking out bales of East Anglian wool to the Low Countries. A place of commerce and new money, the community poured gold and silver into building its own magnificent medieval church.

Standing as much a testament to business as to God, the church is a truly magnificent example of late medieval architecture. Its tower looms above the coast, visible as a landmark many miles out to sea. Uniquely, at the east end of the church, is a second small tower, built as a beacon to guide ships safely into harbour at the mouth of the River Glaven. However, in recent years it has not been the ships that once populated the harbour that has brought Blakeney to the attention of the world. Instead, it is tiny images of medieval ships carved into the very stones of the church.