After being kept under protection for over 18 months, museum chiefs in Newark have finally revealed the 400 year old graffiti.
The unique record which was written by school boys living at the Old Magnus building in Newark, was etched into the plaster walls of the dormitory at night as the students crept from their beds, risking the wrath of the masters.
Amongst the many Tudor names etched into the 1529 building located on Appletongate is that of an R Disney which staff believe, could be the ancestor of the world famous animator.
Picture: Michael Constantine, Manager of the Civil War Centre in Newark talks about the possibility of graffiti being the work of famous Brits
It was a risk preserving and revealing this valuable historical record was a risk and a challenge for the National Civil War centre.
Sue Lee from Eskdale Conservation said: “Keeping the names safe when so much heavy work was required to restore the building was a tough task, especially since the walls themselves are so fragile.”
“This is the oldest graffiti we have come across in our work and it really brings the building to life.”
Further measures will be put in place to protect the etchings which can be viewed in the Tudor attic at the National Civil War Centre.
