I recently encountered an inscribed hexafoil (‘Daisy Wheel’) inscription on a church pew (Muggington, near Ashbourne), within the ‘Kniveton’ side chapel (shown below, from the south-east). This was found during research reconnaissance for into another topic, rather than through systematic survey – so I don’t know whether or not there are other examples in and / or around the building. I also only had a low-quality camera at hand, so the photos are poor. I hope to return to have a closer look around, and obtain better images.

I look forward to returning, as the church is really something. There are many surviving early features – not least the late Medieval rood screen; Medieval stone carvings & windows; a late Medieval altar tomb with effigy brasses; wall stencils; carved ceiling bosses; Early Modern wall-painted texts; 18th century box pews; and 17th century and later wall tablet memorials: well worth the visit!

Location of the Kniveton chapel, behind the late Medieval oak screen, in the background-centre of the above photo (the rear of which can be seen in the background of the two photos that follow, below).

Hexafoil (‘Daisy Wheel’) inscription (above), on the inner upright of a pew (below).

Note the graffiti on the upper surface of the upright in the foreground, above, and along the top of the back rail, below.

Dating

Note the peg-joints, and (apparently pit-)saw marks on the upright of the adjacent pew, suggesting the (albeit broad) construction date-range for the pews (late 17th – mid 19th century) – though the hexafoil may have been incised some time after the pews were installed.

The floor-boards on which the pews stand appear to have been installed much later than these pews, indicating disturbance; the rail visible to the left, above, is also a later addition. Absence of patina along the foot of the upright in the foreground also indicates relocation; and adjacent flooring (brick, stone, and tile) show multi-phase modifications.

(An apparently similar pew – which doesn’t seem to have received the same Victorian or later staining / polishing – is located against the western wall, near to the south entrance – overlies comparable bricks to those in the chapel, seen in the photo above; though this pew may also have been relocated, and might be of different date.)

An illustration confirms the different configuration of this chapel in the mid-20th century, and shows location of the pews in another position within the chapel. Comparable pews are also found within the nave.

Significance

If the pew dates to the 18th century (though might be a little earlier), this find is likely to fall within the project time-frame; and, while outside the study areas, provides a useful comparison.

The form is generally interpreted as an apotropaic symbol (ritual protection) – particularly when found in such a context: a type believed to have provided ‘spiritual defence’ against evil forces. (I’ll write more about this type and other apotropaic symbols and deposits at a later date; for now, there’s some information on an earlier website.) So I’ll be interested to see if there are any other comparable traces nearby.

If and when I return, and / or find out more, I’ll append to this post.