by Helen Kain | May 16, 2023 | Cathedral Tapestry, England, Medieval (1066–1485)
While Edward III remodelled his murdered father’s tomb at Gloucester in 1330 to create a more fitting memorial, the Decorated Gothic period was drawing to a close. Perpendicular Gothic, which followed, moved the focus to space and volume, particularly vertical...
by Helen Kain | May 16, 2023 | Cathedral Tapestry, England, Medieval (1066–1485)
Henry III (1216-1272) was only nine when he became king; by the time he assumed power in his own right in 1227, his regent had soothed the turbulent waters left by his truculent sire, King John, through the acceptance of the Magna Carta. A period of relative peace and...
by Helen Kain | May 16, 2023 | Cathedral Tapestry, England, Home, Medieval (1066–1485)
The hallmark of the Gothic era, the pointed arch, made its way from France to England just in time to rebuild the east end of Canterbury Cathedral after its devastating fire of 1174 (the second within a century). William of Sens, a Frenchman, was the chosen architect;...
by Helen Kain | May 16, 2023 | Cathedral Tapestry, England, Medieval (1066–1485)
William the Conqueror got more than he bargained for in 1066. The plan: sail to England, defeat English King Harold, launch a charm offensive, have a Coronation at Westminster Abbey and win over the Saxon earls. Normans and Saxons live in two-part harmony. Job done....
by Helen Kain | May 27, 2022 | Castles & Stately Homes, Entertablement Abroad, Medieval (1066–1485), Recent, Scotland
Castles have a long and complex history, much more so than stately homes. Fortified structures built during the middle ages by the nobility or royalty, their primary purpose was defence—keeping those inside the castle walls safe and keeping the violent attackers out....
by Helen Kain | Apr 19, 2020 | Castles & Stately Houses, England, Entertablement Abroad, Medieval (1066–1485), Tudors (1485–1603)
Most of the grand manor houses we see in England have a history involving a lot of ups and downs. Sudeley Castle is the veritable Snakes & Ladders of the genre. The tale began innocuously enough with a commonplace event: William le Boteler of Wem married heiress...
