This is my latest (July 2025) project:
London Mithraeum and Bucklersbury Mosaic With the Mithraeum being close to the location of the Bucklersbury Mosaic (discovered in 1869) I was curious to see if there might be a connection between them. In June 2022 I forwarded to the then Museum of London my initial report on the investigation. Further investigation has updated that report into this PowerPoint Presentation – London Mithraeum and Bucklersbury Mosaic – an investigation. Hopefully this investigation might prompt further archaeological exploration as well as finding dateable stylistic comparisons.
These are my current longer term projects:-
Pictish Symbols My main preoccupation over the last twelve years has been research into Pictish Symbols – those “so called” enigmatic carvings on Stones found predominantly in the North East of Scotland. Discovery and ensuing publication has been in stages from the initial “light bulb” moment in the Museum of London when a shape on a Mithras stone roundel seemed to be the same as the V-Rod & Crescent symbol – from that the concept of a religious belief that I have called Pictish-Mithraism started. Over a few years I produced decodes for all the Pictish Symbols and delved into their Roman origins.
Not satisfied that my research on the Stones had come to an end I wondered why carvings on Stones had progressed from the fairly well known Pictish Symbols to Christian Crosses. Also, some of the objects seemed to have potential Celtic connections which, in turn, could have had Roman military contexts. The next phase was influenced by noticing that Exhibition Road outside the Science Museum in London with cars, bikes and pedestrians is called ” shared space”. Perhaps the Pictish Stones could be an example of “shared space” for different beliefs – another line of enquiry concluding with “yes” and plenty of reasons why.
Having heard about the principle (and practice) of “transition” from one belief to another it became apparent that those Pictish Stones generally referred to as “Class 2” could have played a part in such a transition. Some writers have recognised this use for these Stones usually referring to a transition from pagan beliefs. I believe I am the first researcher and author to claim the transition to Christianity (Class 2 Stones all have crosses) was from a Mithraic belief – specifically Pictish-Mithraism.
Rolling together the initial results of my investigations i.e. Pictish-Mithraism, with “Shared Space” for different beliefs and “transition” between Pictish-Mithraism and Christianity a revised website evolved (complete with Symbol decodes) into Pictish Symbol Stones – Carvings Decoded and Explained – a “shared space” for different beliefs.
Leaflets based on aspects of the Symbol Stones and the decoded carvings have been printed over several years. They are listed here.
Freemasonry and Mithraic Mysteries – is Pictish-Mithraism a prospective link? Extending my “main preoccupation” into researching Pictish Symbols (mentioned above) and proposing decodes I am now investigating whether there is a connection with Freemasonry.
Elements of Mithraic Mysteries (aka Mithraism) are seemingly apparent in Freemasonry. Mithraic iconography can be seen, for example, in Rosslyn Chapel, near Edinburgh – it is well known for Masonic allegory. What is unsure is the start point and route of any link to Freemasonry from Mithraic beliefs. Could Pictish-Mithraism be the “link” between Mithraic Mysteries and Freemasonry?
My Family – Roots and Branches Inspired by my father talking about Nether Kinmundy in Aberdeenshire and my mother’s stories about the Argentine I decided to delve into their family backgrounds. And what a lot have I found – resulting in the comprehensive website normanjpenny.family Very much recent, current and planned research! With 10 generations of the Pennys back to 1658, finding that after WW 1 my mum was at school in Gillingham (near to where I have lived for over 40 years) plus a London link I did not realise I have, a wide and long history emerged. Some cousins several times removed have provided lots of family tree connections – themselves and many others. Even in the last year someone who may have a family tie to my step-grandfather has been in touch – the power of the internet… and curiosity. A next step to investigate is the Irish side of the family back from the early 1800s.
Recent projects:
Family origins near Canary Wharf Extending the research into family origins, I visited the Isle of Dogs in London and ended up at Canary Wharf – very close to where my grandfather was born. A “then and now” comparison and contrast is in East Ferry Road – changes. Following a visit to Docklands Museum in 2024 I updated “then and now” and have sent to the museum. When I walked by the Thames side of Somerset House in February 2022 I looked at the Canary Wharf building and thought “my grandfather was born over there 138 years ago!
V & A Tapestries – The Triumph of Death and The Triumph of Eternity – are two adjacent tapestries located in a corner of Room 94 with The Three Fates as a common theme. Research into these tapestries prompted three questions to the V&A in May 2024. I would very much welcome any response to my three questions.
London Stone Having used Cannon Street station many times several years ago I must have passed by the London Stone and not noticed it. In late 2021 when going to Walbrook to the London Mithraeum I saw it, then did some reading and produced this one pager – London Stone and Spectacle Makers.
London Temple of Mithras It was a roundel stone from the London Temple of Mithras (Mithraeum) that was the key to decoding the Pictish Symbols. I produced in 2017 a pamphlet for the Museum of London. In 2022 I visited the London Mithraeum (under the Bloomberg building in Walbrook) which about 1650 years ago was the home of the Mithras roundel and, predictably, drafted a pamphlet entitled London Mithraeum – its link to Decoding Pictish Symbols.
The IET Running parallel with work life for many years, having a break then returning following retirement I have been pleased to have had a lot of involvement with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and related predecessor organisations. Past projects included mergers of professional bodies and as the first Chair of Council. Recent contributions included the selection of members to be considered for a prestigious award for IEngs from the Worshipful Company of Engineers.
Norman J Penny - Family 