Taper burn marks in Haddon Hall, England.
Taper burn marks in Haddon Hall, England.

Taper burn marks are deep flame shaped scorch marks often found on the timber beams of early modern houses.[1] They were originally thought to have been accidental scorches from a taper candle, but research suggests that most marks may have been made deliberately, as there is clear patterning of the activity.[2] They are theorised to have been made as part of a folk superstition, then thought to protect the building from fire and lightning.[1]

They are often found around entrances to the home such as fireplaces, doors and windows.[3]

Over 80 such marks have been discovered in the Tower of London.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Taper Burns". Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Survey. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  2. ↑ John, Dean; Hill, Nick (12 December 2014). "Burn marks on buildings: accidental or deliberate?". Vernacular Architecture. 45 (1): 1–15. doi:10.1179/0305547714Z.00000000021.
  3. ↑ "Candle Burn Marks. Deliberate or Accidental?". Beam Clean Restore. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  4. ↑ "Protecting the Tower of London from evil spirits". MOLA. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2017.


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