16th-century graffiti of Tower of London prisoners decoded for first time

Once listed as ‘illegible’, the words of inmates held in bleak fortress are revealed by latest technology

The writing was on the wall for many of the prisoners incarcerated in the Tower of London over the centuries. Now, it can finally be deciphered.

Hundreds of graffiti texts scratched into the historic stone walls by prisoners as they awaited their fate have come to light for the first time. Examples that were either overlooked or illegible are emerging through cutting-edge technology.