New Theory Suggests England’s “Witches’ Marks” Were Apprentice Practice Sketches

Researchers have long noted tiny geometric carvings—often called daisy wheels or hexafoils—on the stone and timber of medieval English churches and houses. Traditionally these motifs have been linked to folk magic or protective charms, but Professor Jennifer Alexander of the University of Warwick proposes a more mundane explanation. She argues the marks are simply practice drawings made by builders or apprentices learning to handle tools on hard surfaces.

In an interview with The Guardian, Professor Alexander likened the carvings to the first compass‑drawn designs many schoolchildren produce: “Do you remember at school when you were first given a pair of compasses and you made a daisy wheel? It’s that.” She notes that hundreds of such marks have been recorded, varying in skill level, which she says is consistent with training exercises rather than ritual intent.

The hypothesis challenges earlier interpretations that ascribed protective or occult meaning to the symbols. No direct documentary evidence has been found linking the carvings to witchcraft, and the prevalence of similar geometric patterns in other medieval construction sites supports the idea of a practical teaching tool. Nonetheless, the marks continue to appear in popular media as “witches’ marks,” reflecting a long‑standing cultural association.

If Alexander’s view holds, the carvings would represent a forgotten aspect of medieval craftsmanship rather than evidence of secret rites. Further archaeological surveys and comparative analysis with other building sites are needed to confirm whether these geometric scratches were indeed instructional sketches.