Geometric shapes

The ashlar has geometric symbols other than pointed stars. Many resemble recognised apotropaic marks documented elsewhere in the country. Several square boxes likely represent 'merels' type ritual protection marks with lines running across from the four corners intersecting in the centre (figure 1). The concept is that 'evil' forces follow the lines and end up trapped within the symbol; commonly found in medieval churches. Another variation are hatch marks or meshes as found at Knole, Kent (figure 2). A more esoteric form of protection is figure 3. Some shapes are decorative like a cartouche around initials (figure 6) or hearts in figure 4. Others are inexplicable as with figure 5. The apotropaic use of pentagrams and the protective power of the endless line is recorded in 14th century English literature.