Is it a map...? Is it a game....? Any ideas appreciated!

[Deb D]

Actually, ... I wasn't thinking of a gardening "plan" so much as a gardening roster ... this plant is represented by the big red "X", and it needs to be planted at this time ... the weeding of the circular garden is represented by a square, and needs to be done whenever ...

Ermmm ... does that make sense? 

[Ruskie]

I just LOVE Speke Hall too! 

This is a fascinating puzzle - I have NO clue what it may be. I'm curious about the fabric - how are the card squares attached to the linen sheet?

The colours do look very bright - are we sure this isn't a hoax? When was it discovered?

[adee7]

Fascinating, whatever it is.   I'll follow this with interest.


Kathleen

[Aulus]

Paul Caswell's suggestion is intriguing and persuasive, though I have one question related to that: would you use the same grid regardless of the size of the field?

E.g. if your field is 300 yards by 300 yards that works with the grids posted by MissM.  But what if your field is 75 yards by 600 yards?

I hadn't spotted that the colours were CMY as opposed to RGB.  Though of course CMY (especially as CMYK, where K is black) is now a very common set of colours ...

[Christopher]

My thoughts were more in the sewing plans possibly a cross stich pattern

Edna

That's my thought gone for a burton

I'll head back to the drawing board for another idea.

If it's any help the Ulster Museum have been kind enough to include a list of experts on their website. Have the National Trust or other museums posted such lists? www.ulstermuseum.org.uk/ask-the-experts

[TF13]

in astronomy symbols are used to represent the planets,sun,moon etc and while these are not the same they might be richards version and this is the way he recorded the numerous objects moving through the night sky. you could check to see if richard watt had any interest in astronomy.
tony

[Ruskie]

How many squares are there altogether MissM?

Is your archivist friend able to narrow down the date?

My daughter thinks it's a game. I was thinking along those lines too, but the curved shapes have thrown me. I notice some squares have crosses in and there are some mound shapes with crosses on - I'm thinking churches, I'm thinking a village plan? Not normally the way this would be portrayed  .

Maybe it is a game - a 'home made' one .... ?

[Christopher]

Some squares have an X and others a + One has a wigwam shaped object and another has a part moon shape. Does the fact that the large squares are 5 x 5 whilst the small ones are 3 x 3 relate to anything?

How many little signs are they and what's the break down of these items? How many Xs, +s etc? Do any other archives hold a similar object or even one with similar signs?

[Aulus]

Actually, this is so intriguing, I'd suggest they contact BBC NorthWest news and see if they'd be interested in filming a short piece on it for broadcast.

We are in the supposed "silly season" for news, so they might be grateful for something that isn't Olympics! 

Even if there's no response from viewers, it would be good, free publicity for Speke Hall.