Going Through the Mill: historic graffiti at Kibworth Harcourt windmill, Leicestershire

The SPAB’s current conservation project at its post-mediaeval windmill at Kibworth Harcourt in Leicestershire has allowed archaeologists from Triskele Heritage to investigate well-over 200+ examples of historic graffiti found in this extraordinary building. The inscriptions relate to activity by former millers, craftspeople involved in repairs and visitors to the building, and a large percentage of the assemblage of markings is thought to be connected to apotropaic practices intended to ward off bad luck from the structure. Join buildings archaeologist James Wright as he outlines, explains and contextualises these exciting discoveries.

James Wright is an award-winning buildings archaeologist. He has two decades professional experience of ferreting around in people’s cellars, hunting through their attics and digging up their gardens. He hopes to find meaningful truths about how ordinary and extraordinary folk lived their lives in the past.

James' talk is a recording of the live presentation he made for the SPAB in September 2021.

A recording of an online talk presented by James Wright for the SPAB (September 2021)
Pay-to-view recorded lecture, available until 31 January 2022
£5 pp