While we don’t know much more about the exact individual who etched his name into the rock, our cave graffiti project is far from finished. The team from Raking Light will return in 2026 to continue their investigation, delving deeper into the stories of those who left their mark in the caves - and perhaps uncovering even older inscriptions than William Petre’s...
A Glimpse into the Past - Our Oldest Known Inscription
22nd January, 2025 - 2 Min Read
By Kents Cavern
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Did you know? The oldest known inscription in Kents Cavern dates back to 1571, carved by a 'William Petre.' This remarkable piece of history links us back centuries into the past and even has an intriguing royal connection!
The images above showcase the Tudor-era inscription, along with an overlay to help reveal the details of what was left behind nearly 500 years ago.
Rediscovering the Past
During the Covid-19 lockdown, our Education Manager, Elliot Ling, decided to delve into William Pengelly's journals. It was there he discovered a mention of an inscription in the Bears Den chamber, attributed to a 'William Petre.' After a closer look, the engraving was found, carved into the rock as described.
This intriguing inscription provides a rare window into the past. When the team from Raking Light visited Kents Cavern to start their project on the cave’s graffiti, we were fortunate to uncover even more about this fascinating name.
Who Was William Petre?
Fortunately, William Petre left a clue to his identity with a date beside his name - 1571. This provided invaluable insight for Raking Light's historian and genealogist, Rebecca Ireland, in uncovering who he might have been.
The image to the right depicts William Petre, the elder. While he is not the same person who carved the inscription, it’s believed he was the uncle of the more likely suspect, William Petre, the younger, who may have been the one responsible for the graffiti.
William Petre, the elder (1505–1572), served as Secretary of State to three Tudor monarchs - King Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Queen Mary I. He was also the Deputy Secretary of State under Queen Elizabeth I.
Given that the elder Petre was in his 60s by 1571, suffering from poor health and a debilitating ulcerated leg, it seems unlikely he would have been the one to leave the mark. His younger nephew, in better physical condition, would have been far more capable of entering the caves and leaving the inscription.
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