An important moat site discovered in Tewkesbury….

This discovery was announced several months ago (as you will see in the links at the end of this post), but I have only just received this BBC article When we think of moats we generally associate them with castles, or upper class residences and manor houses. We do not associate them with lower classes… Continue reading An important moat site discovered in Tewkesbury….

Elizabeth Wayte (Lucy) & Stoke Charity

Between rainstorms, we were out in the countryside doing some church-crawling, a grand way to do some ‘medievalling’ when long journeys to castles and houses, most still closed for the winter, are out of the question. We happened on Stoke Charity by pure accident. I was attracted by the unusual name, which also began ringing… Continue reading Elizabeth Wayte (Lucy) & Stoke Charity

Exchanged treasures at celebrations of Richard II’s second marriage….

In October 1396 King Richard II of England married for the second time. His first marriage had been a love match. He and Anne of Bohemia had adored each other and he’d been devastated by her sudden death, possibly of the plague. He was still only 28, a childless widower, and like his namesake the… Continue reading Exchanged treasures at celebrations of Richard II’s second marriage….

TWO ANGELS, TWO BUCKINGHAMS

A nice little pre-Christmas break took me to two towns of interest, Buckingham and Grantham. I wanted to see Buckingham museum which is currently hosting a Richard III display featuring the gold Half Angel found in the fields nearby. It was a nice little collection and the info panels were mercifully free of too many… Continue reading TWO ANGELS, TWO BUCKINGHAMS

The meaning of Michaelmas….

The following article is taken from this article by Ben Johnson: “Michaelmas, or the Feast of Michael and All Angels, is celebrated on 29th September. As it falls near the equinox, the day is associated with the beginning of autumn and the shortening of days; in England, it is one of the “quarter days”. There are… Continue reading The meaning of Michaelmas….

Joan of Arc and Les Soldats

    Today marks the 587th anniversary of the death of Joan of Arc, burned at the stake at Rouen, France.  As the flames engulfed her, she clutched a cross made of sticks to her bosom, fashioned by an ordinary English solder.  “Jesus!”  was her last word.  She was 19 years old.  In 1920, almost… Continue reading Joan of Arc and Les Soldats

Archetypal Richard III: Why Your Richard and My Richard Will Never Be the Same Man

“Without a bad guy, who could ever be good?” ~The Agent, “Sweet Redemption Music Company” “Though it puzzles me to learn that though a man may be in doubt of what he knows, very quickly will he fight to prove that what he does not know is so.” ~”The King and I” Thou elvish-marked, abortive,… Continue reading Archetypal Richard III: Why Your Richard and My Richard Will Never Be the Same Man