25/09/2023
We recently carried out a survey at this lovely Grade II Listed farmhouse in Gloucestershire.
🌟 17th Century Farmhouse with 19th Century extension and alterations.
🔎There were some very interesing historic features here, including a 17th Century historic door, carpenter's marks and historic burn marks.
Historic Burn Marks:
🕯️Traditionally thought of as the result of tapers attached to beams to provide light which have burnt and charred the timber. However, recent research has proven that this is very unlikely. Dean and Hill (2014) established that the tear-shaped mark cannot be reliably created by accident. Instead, only deliberate human action can create such marks - the taper must be held very still, at a 45-degree angle for up to 20 minutes.
💭 It is believed that burn marks were intended to protect the building from possession by witches, demons and evil spirits. James VI noted that evil spirits entered structures wherever there was a draught, such as doors, windows and fireplaces. Research shows there is a spatial correlation between burn marks and these areas. Burn marks have also been linked to protection against lightning and fire, and prayer, purification and healing.
