The Walls Have Tongues - Medieval Graffiti in Churches (can be delivered online)

Sue Flipping SpeakerNet Sponsor


Regions:
Surrey, Kent, West Sussex, East Sussex, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, London, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex
Notice Period:
Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
Type:
Special interest
Fee:
Paid: £90/£65
Category:
History
Updated:
23rd March 2023

If you know how to look, you'll find that many of our medieval churches are covered with graffiti – deliberate markings in the fabric of the church. The marks range from clumsy, hand-drawn shapes to images of mythical creatures to elegant geometric designs.

As part of a nationwide project to record the graffiti, I've personally surveyed dozens of churches over seven years, climbing towers rich in pigeon poo, crawling around dusty pews and lying prone to examine strange marks at church mouse level. By recording everything, we hope to make sense of the mix of religious belief, folklore and terror that drove our ancestors.

This talk looks at some of the most fascinating graffiti, considers what our forebears may have wanted to achieve and tells you how to find these mysterious markings yourself.

Views: 1014 | Enquiries: 12

About Sue Flipping

I’m now an independent wedding, naming and funeral celebrant but I’ve enjoyed many other amazing jobs; as a radio journalist, a published author, a lecturer, a hypnotherapist, an events organiser, a public relations consultant and, for a few halcyon but back-breaking weeks in my early twenties, a grape-picker. I’ve spent much of my working life in front of an audience of one kind or another, sharing my knowledge and enthusiasms. Both I and my talks are flexible and adaptable to lots of different situations and groups. Take your pick from several talks, which are either based on my celebrancy work, or on my personal interests of history and travel.

ABOUT MY TALKS... I normally speak for up to an hour (including questions) but I’m happy to adapt according to your group. All talks have accompanying images. These are essential for ‘The Walls Have Tongues – Graffiti in Medieval Churches’ but other talks can be given without a presentation so are suitable for groups of people with vision impairment or where a visual presentation is not possible. I can bring my own laptop and projector if you could provide a screen or blank wall. If you need someone at short notice – I’ll always do my best to help.

FEE: My fee is £90.00 for all face-to-face talks; £65 for online. Once more than 20 miles from my home postcode, I may charge a nominal amount towards transport but I’m happy to travel, particularly if you happen to be somewhere that gives me a good excuse to spend time in a part of the country I’ve never visited before! The best thing is to get in touch and ask.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY:

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'As I'm sure you could tell, your talk was much appreciated by our members and has given them much food for thought.' Booking secretary, Reigate


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