IDENTITY IN MEMORIAL – Part 2 The Horsey Monument, Sherborne Abbey

IDENTITY IN MEMORIAL – Part 2 The Horsey Monument, Sherborne Abbey

The Horsey Monument at Sherborne Abbey I find tomb monuments fascinating. They preserve not just a record of individuals but elements of architectural design, ornament, clothing, jewellery, belief, symbolism, image and identity. The Horsey monument in Sherborne Abbey...
THE ENGLISH RENAISSANCE IN DORSET – The Horsey Monument Part 1

THE ENGLISH RENAISSANCE IN DORSET – The Horsey Monument Part 1

The Horsey Monument at Sherborne Abbey circa 1565 As I drive around the county of Somerset my journey is frequently punctuated by travel news from BBC Somerset. Often queuing traffic is backed up at the Horsey roundabout at the crossing of the A3088 and the A30 in...
King Alfred in the Somerset Marshes – Part 2

King Alfred in the Somerset Marshes – Part 2

Figure 1: Looking east from the land below Athelney towards Burrow Mump on a misty morning. Whilst the land is reclaimed and cultivated nowadays, it was a patchwork of marshes, reeds and flood water. Low islands stood above the wetlands, only accessible by punts and...
King Alfred in the Somerset Marshes – Part 1

King Alfred in the Somerset Marshes – Part 1

Figure 1: Low-lying mist looking across the Somerset Levels from Aller Church at dawn In this post and the next one I want to concentrate on an area in the Somerset Levels that was a key turning point in the history of Wessex and England. This first post is to provide...
Finials & Niches – Tudor ornamentation at Longford & Montacute

Finials & Niches – Tudor ornamentation at Longford & Montacute

Figure 1: Longford Castle Entrance Facade (1591). On a summer visit to Longord Castle in Wiltshire my eye was caught by some ornamental details that reminded me of Montacute House in Somerset. Whilst a completely different building to Montacute, I found myself...