The paper I was thinking of was Ritual Marks on Historic Timber, by
T.Easton, Weald and Downland Open Air Museum Journal, Spring 1999. Looking
at the examples shown the crossed V’s are quite different to the W’s that I
have seen. The Vs cross in the middle or even the lower part rather that
close to the top. Just to confuse the matter some are upside down as M’s. As
suggested by John these are thought to signify the virgin Mary, The crossed
V’s are therefore forming an M for Mary. Easton also says that the two V’s
represent Virgo Virginum, latin for Virgin of the Virgins, so a double or
reinforced meaning. He has found the marks on ceilings and mantle beams as
well as over doors but does not mention the idea that they were to protect
the entrance to the houses.
The Merryfield Book mentioned by Robert was published by Batsford.
Another thought that I have had is could the marks relate to surveying or
measuring stone. The marks could equally mark the boundaries of one persons
working pitch or perhaps indicate where an area of stone has been selected
or rejected by a master mason visiting the quarry. So there may be many
practical explanations as well as ritual ones.
Martin Roe
Meerstone Archaeological Consultancy
http://www.martinroe.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/meerstone.htm
Lead Mining in the Yorkshire Dales,
http://www.martinroe.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
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