В гостинице средневекового замка в Великобритании обнаружены скрытые защитные символы XIV века

A stay at a medieval castle has uncovered hidden “witch marks” believed to date back to the 14th century. The discovery was made at Langley Castle Hotel near Hexham by folklore influencer Lauren Moss, known online as Folkloriclauren, who spotted the apotropaic symbols during her visit in April. The marks, designed to ward off evil spirits rather than attract them, were carved into stone to protect against misfortune. Such symbols were typically placed near entry points like doors and windows, believed to be vulnerable to supernatural threats. General manager Mohammed Serag said: "We were extremely interested to see Lauren Moss’s video, which helped us appreciate that we have yet another indication of our medieval past hidden in plain sight. "There is so much to delight history lovers at Langley Castle, from our seven-feet-thick walls to our original medieval staircase, designed in such a way as to disadvantage sword-wielding attackers." Langley Castle’s marks are etched into stones that are in the exact same place as when the castle was built in 1350. Given that the castle was uninhabited from 1405 until the late 19th century, it is highly likely the carvings are medieval. Among the markings are the “VV” symbol, representing “Virgin of Virgins” and invoking the protection of the Virgin Mary, alongside a cross and an infinite loop, the latter believed to trap evil spirits. Ms Moss shared her findings in a short video with her followers. Not all scholars agree that such marks are always supernatural in origin. Jennifer Alexander, professor of architecture at Warwick University, has suggested that some similar markings found in historic buildings could be the work of apprentice stonemasons practising their craft. However, the placement and style of the Langley Castle marks suggest a protective purpose. The castle was originally built as a defence against Scottish forces and includes 12 medieval garderobes, considered the finest example in Europe. Langley Castle now incorporates the marks into its daily battlements tour, which is open to both guests and the public.