Tag: Fitzalans

Neither quite one thing nor the other?

We have probably all come across one or both cathedrals in Liverpool, where the Anglican building was built by a Catholic and probably vice versa (Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and Sir Frederick Gibberd). Here, however, is a single ecumenical building at Arundel Castle. On the one hand, the nave and chancel are the Anglican church… Continue reading Neither quite one thing nor the other?

The Touchet/Audley Family in the Fifteenth Century.

James Touchet, Lord Audley, was born about 1398. He was not in the first rank of magnates but nevertheless had significant estates, notably Heighley Castle, near Madeley in Staffordshire, and the Red Castle (Hawkstone) in Shropshire, as well as two small Marcher lordships in Wales. His first marriage was to Margaret Roos, daughter of Lord Roos… Continue reading The Touchet/Audley Family in the Fifteenth Century.

Heraldic Crécy, but where’s the green….?

We all love heraldry, so  here is a very colourful illustration by the renowned heraldic artist, Dan Escott. It shows the banners at the Battle of Crécy in 1346. The caption for the work is: “As you can see it is rather stylised but it shows very clearly the use of Heraldry for identification for… Continue reading Heraldic Crécy, but where’s the green….?

The Rise of the Clans

Neil Oliver‘s latest history series has been shown through December on Monday evenings (BBC1 Scotland) and twenty-four hours later on BBC4. The first part, of three, showed how the power vacuum caused by the sudden deaths of Alexander III and his granddaughter was resolved through the clan system and John Balliol’s abdication so that alliances… Continue reading The Rise of the Clans

Why Castle Isabel became Castle Philipp….

There are numerous castles in the Welsh Marches. I was going to say countless, but I’m sure someone will have counted to the very last motte. Among the lesser known is Shrawardine (pronounced Shray-den), in Shropshire, not far from Shrewsbury. What remains of it overlooks the River Severn, and as there was another fortification of some sort on… Continue reading Why Castle Isabel became Castle Philipp….