GRAFFITI IN ESSEX
103
A fifteenth century graffito scratched on the south respond of the arch
leading to the north chapel of Ridgewell church had also been overlooked.
It is unusually legible, and reads as follows:
a yong reader wytles
a por ma' spender havele[t]
a ryche ma' yif nedele[s]
an old ma' leffle? loveles
alle man rebold? blameles
amen.
This brief account, it is hoped, will form a useful supplement to Mr.
Harley's article. By drawing attention to these intimate relics of the
past—those of pre-Reformation days being generally the work of priest or
clerk in emotional moments—he has awakened a renewed interest in a
fascinating study which is likely to increase our knowledge.
It may be added that a collection of rubbings is obviously of great interest
and value. They should be carefully made on a thin, tough paper, and a
hard, indelible pencil, sharpened at both ends for greater convenience, will
be found to give the best results. The loose sheets, inscribed with full
particulars, can be best preserved by pasting them at the edges in an
album, and providing an index.
[We are pleased to have the opportunity of publishing the above article
on some further Essex graffiti by such an authority as Rev. Montagu
Benton. We also wish to offer our apologies to the author for the mis-
spelling of his name in the note on Little Sampford church in Vol. 29,
p.33.— Ed.]