Daily Archives: August 12, 2008

A Writer’s Pursuit…

OF A MESSAGE

by Michele Cwiertny

If you were locked in a tower, a prisoner, what would your message to the world be? Would it be a few short sentences? An ? Graffiti on the wall?

Back in June, I had the opportunity to explore the Tower of London. And in the Beauchamp Tower where many of the prisoners were held, intricately hand-carved inscriptions decorate the walls. They truly became works of art. The poetic words, the intellectual defense, and the design all combined into one message, shows us high-ranking political prisoners stayed there. And judging by the amazing details in the graffiti, some obviously stayed in that tower much longer than others while some prisoners didn’t have a chance to finish their message…because the person was freed, escaped, or put to death.

Did they know back during King Henry VIII’s reign (and earlier) that centuries later people would tour those towers and read those messages?

One entire room inside the tower is etched with inscriptions, but I’m only posting a few pictures so you’ll get an idea of what I’m writing about. I believe you can click the photo to enlarge; it might make it easier to view, if you wish. 🙂

Inscribed by Thomas Peverel

This one floors me, and it doesn’t look like it was finished…

Just in case you can’t read this well…It’s a list of all the inscriptions on the walls and who carved them. That’s quite a few!

It makes me wonder what these prisoners would do in this day and age to get their message out. They’d have the media at their disposal now. What do you think?

Michele

Michele Cwiertny writes dark paranormal romance and romantic suspense. To find out more about her, please visit her website, michelecwiertny.com, or her personal blog, Michele’s Writing Corner.