THE MONASTERY OF DURHAM AND THE WIDER WORLD: MEDIEVAL GRAFFITI IN THE PRIOR'S CHAPEL*.

An extensive collection of graffiti survives on the north wall of the Deanery entrance hall at Durham, formerly part of the thirteenth-century chapel in the prior’s lodging of Durham Cathedral Priory. The execution of the graffiti can be dated by their location, stratified between two schemes of wall-painting: one fragmentary scheme of the thirteenth century and one artistically highly accomplished scheme of c. 1475–80, showing part of a cycle of the Joys of the Virgin. In conjunction with the extensive documentation relating to the medieval priory, the graffiti afford an unrivalled opportunity to explore the multiple functions of the prior’s chapel, and the people who have left their mark in this way. This paper explores this hitherto unpublished body of material in a preliminary examination of the context and content of the graffiti, identifying some of the incised names and heraldry, and the links between these people and their roles in relation to the prior’s household and chapel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]