CHRISTLETON
Curios and Curioser
BY PHILIP HARLAND
Keep those demons at bay this Hallowe’en!
Witch Marks in Cheshire
Witch marks—sometimes called apotropaic marks—are strange little symbols you’ll spot carved into buildings all over the UK. People made these marks from the 16th right through until the 19th centuries to keep out evil spirits and protect themselves from witches. They often show up as overlapping circles called “daisy wheels”, straight lines and scorch marks.
A ‘daisywheel’ Witch mark inscribed into a Tudor beam, Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire
Witch marks—sometimes called apotropaic marks—are strange little symbols you’ll spot carved into buildings all over the UK. People made these marks from the 16th right through until the 19th centuries to keep out evil spirits and protect themselves from witches. They often show up as overlapping circles called “daisy wheels”, straight lines and scorch marks.
Scorch marks on Tudor beams Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire
Witch marks are usually found opposite doors, windows, and fireplaces - as well as being carved into wooden spoons and other domestic tools - places householders thought needed extra protection from anything demonic trying to get in. The carefully incised scratches would, it was trusted, help to confuse and confound the evil forces.
These were not ‘oddball’ superstitions: James VI (of Scotland)/James I (of England) was, amongst his other kingly duties, author of ‘Daemonologie’ in 1597 and insisted on having his bed protected on all sides by witch marks.
Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire
Interior of Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire
One of the best places to see apotropaic marks in Cheshire is Little Moreton Hall just outside Congleton. This eye-catching Tudor manor, famous for its oddly skewed timber-frame is covered in all sorts of protective symbols scratched and burnt into its beams and panelled walls. On our recent visit to this extraordinary house we were shown a very special, unique witch mark not, to date found elsewhere:
The unique ‘Moreton’ witch mark
Concentric circle witch marks, Little Moreton Hall
CAVEAT: There is no guarantee that the above protections work: at Little Moreton Hall, both a ghostly Grey Lady and the sobs of a crying child have been witnessed by unnerved visitors!!
