Beaupre Castle
Wall Plaster Graffiti
These drawings could represent ships in service c.1632 and so the signature ‘John William’ dated 1632 is probably associated with them. The ships depicted are typical of the 17th century. The three-mast rig would not be earlier than the 15th century. The rows of circles probably represent ‘gunports’ which in turn indicates 16th century as the earliest probable date for the ensemble. The drawing on the right represents part of the rigging of a 17th century ship; spritsail topmasts were in common use 1610 to 1720. The depth of the fighting tops represented suggests a date early in this period; the shape of the beakhead supports this.
The weapons are from the 1630's. They include musket rests, swords, halbards, muskets with typical large trigger guards, pistols, left handed dagger and a pike.