Showing posts with label ancient. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ancient. Show all posts
Thursday, 2 March 2017
Thursday, 23 July 2015
Of All the Days: The Derelict Church of St Wandregesilius, Bixley
Not far south of Norwich, the site of the ruins of the parish church of the tiny hamlet of Bixley nonetheless feels as isolated a spot in East Anglia. Down a dirt track, surrounded by chest-high nettles and weeds, and fields beyond, the church of St Wandregesilius dates back to 1272. In 2004, it was gutted by arson, the fury of the flames still clearly evident today.
The church is notable in its own small way for being the only dedicated to Wandregesilius, the Latinised name for Wandrille, an obscure seventh century monk and hermit. The date of his death, and that of his feast, is, coincidentally, the date I wandered round the ruins of his church: July 22nd.
The church is notable in its own small way for being the only dedicated to Wandregesilius, the Latinised name for Wandrille, an obscure seventh century monk and hermit. The date of his death, and that of his feast, is, coincidentally, the date I wandered round the ruins of his church: July 22nd.
Monday, 12 January 2015
Iceni: Frozen Fields at Caistor St Edmunds
Shooting through the ice of the flooded fields at Caistor St Edmund, the site of the Roman village Venta Icenorum.
Friday, 2 December 2011
Blood Will Flow: The Blood Hill Wind Farm
Lying between the villages of Hemsby and Winterton-on-Sea is E.On's smallest wind farm in the country - the fabulously named Blood Hill wind farm.
According to the excellent website Hidden East Anglia, the name does have grisly origins: "The Blood Hills here (TG473185 area, now covered with wind turbines) are traditionally named from a legend that on these slopes was fought a battle between Saxons and Vikings, a conflict so terrible that the hillsides ran red with blood. The name Gibbet Hill nearby also suggests other possibilities." (http://http://www.hiddenea.com/norfolkw.htm)
How true this is, who knows. All I know is, as with May's entry on the Arminghall Henge (http://eastscapes.blogspot.com/2011/05/prehistory-and-power-arminghall-henge.html), I'm quite fascinated with ancient sites that nowadays, seemingly seperated from their past relevance, still represent power and energy.
Although not much of a 'hill,' the sight of the turbines from a distance, especially if combined with a dramatic sky, is quite reminiscent of the crucifixes on the hill of Golgotha.
According to the excellent website Hidden East Anglia, the name does have grisly origins: "The Blood Hills here (TG473185 area, now covered with wind turbines) are traditionally named from a legend that on these slopes was fought a battle between Saxons and Vikings, a conflict so terrible that the hillsides ran red with blood. The name Gibbet Hill nearby also suggests other possibilities." (http://http://www.hiddenea.com/norfolkw.htm)
How true this is, who knows. All I know is, as with May's entry on the Arminghall Henge (http://eastscapes.blogspot.com/2011/05/prehistory-and-power-arminghall-henge.html), I'm quite fascinated with ancient sites that nowadays, seemingly seperated from their past relevance, still represent power and energy.
Although not much of a 'hill,' the sight of the turbines from a distance, especially if combined with a dramatic sky, is quite reminiscent of the crucifixes on the hill of Golgotha.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Score Draw: The Alleyways of Lowestoft
Wandering around some of the ancient Lowestoft alleyways known locally as 'Scores.'
Many featured long-gone inns and public houses, some of which entertained figures as historically important as King George II and Oliver Cromwell.
An information plaque describes how one (Maltster's Score) had 'an evil reputation for robberies.' Indeed, many run behind some of the town's shabbier streets, littered with empty cider bottles and condom packets, so it may not be the wisest idea to go walking around here at night these days, either. The sculptures to be seen in the Scores are known as the Maritime Art Trail, and are courtesy of an artist called Paul Amey.
Many featured long-gone inns and public houses, some of which entertained figures as historically important as King George II and Oliver Cromwell.
An information plaque describes how one (Maltster's Score) had 'an evil reputation for robberies.' Indeed, many run behind some of the town's shabbier streets, littered with empty cider bottles and condom packets, so it may not be the wisest idea to go walking around here at night these days, either. The sculptures to be seen in the Scores are known as the Maritime Art Trail, and are courtesy of an artist called Paul Amey.
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