For centuries carved writings and artworks in churches lay largely unnoticed. So archaeologist Matthew Champion started a nationwide survey to gather the best examples. In this book he shines a spotlight on a forgotten world of ships; prayers for good fortune; satirical cartoons; charms; curses; windmills; word puzzles; architectural plans and heraldic designs. Drawing on examples from surviving medieval churches in England; the author gives a voice to the secret graffiti artists: from the lord of the manor and the parish priest to the people who built the church itself. Here are strange medieval beasts; knights battling unseen dragons; ships sailing across lime-washed oceans and demons who stalk the walls. Latin prayers for the dead jostle with medieval curses; buildersrsquo; accounts and slanderous comments concerning a long-dead archdeacon. Strange and complex geometric designs; created to ward off the lsquo;evil eyersquo; and thwart the works of the devil; share church pillars with the heraldic shields of Englandrsquo;s medieval nobility.
#1900799 in eBooks 2015-02-27 2015-02-27File Name: B00U334JR4
Review
0 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Can Any1 Ever Be the Enemy?By Jeffery MingoPicture: Illinois; the early 90s; a public high school. In an honors English class; we were discussing PC. One student asked; "But are we headed to a day when only thin; Christian; non-disabled; non-bald; straight; white men can be the enemies in literature or film?" I usually didnt care for this girl and her conservative thinking; but that comment has stuck with me for 20 years. I think about it when analyzing this book.The author here posits that in many films; white men and Black men only get along with they have an Asian other to treat as the enemy. In another chapter; it said many Blaxploitation films had Asian and Black male characters united against a racist; white character. I appreciate the authors concern about demonizing the other. However; I think it does go a bit too far. I think it concludes with saying post-911; Arab or other brown-skinned men are forced to be the enemy. However; that allegation was made in many 1980s flicks. (The book "Off-White" may touch upon it.) You will wonder; "Well; who can be the bad guy if soooo many groups are excluded for reasons of sensitivity?"In one chapter; "The Matrix" is discussed. The author says Keanu Reeves plays a white man in it. However; I think the "Mixed-Race Hollywood" anthology said he was purposely chosen as a Eurasian man and it is his multiraciality that plays into the movies success with so many audiences. The author says there were no Asians in the first "Matrix" and I thought; "Well; what about that Black character that had epicanthic eyelids!?!" I really think the authors reading of "The Matrix" may offend some mixed-raced Asians.This book had so much potential when I read the summary and saw the table of contents. However; I dont find myself raving about it even close to how I thought it would.
