Honestly … let's have a change … my health is still with challenges, the leak still not resolved … and my mental thoughts aren't very polite!!
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| Winchester Cathedral - longest medieval church in the world |
Different – but I don't do what's expected of me – exactly … however it seems to have rung bells for many. I'd come across the Ken Follett book 'Pillars of the Earth' – the story of building a cathedral, and of those closely connected with its construction …
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| It is what it is - ! |
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| Pevsner's Guide showing interior of Chichester Cathedral |
Follett is an author of thrillers, of which actually I'm not sure I've read any?! … but I bought Pillars of the Earth (over 1000 pages!) … and drafted my talk mainly from it – I had to fill in odds and ends from elsewhere.
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| Jean Gimpel's book on The Cathedral Builders |
Medieval England in the 12th century was a turbulent place – civil war, famine, religious strife and battles over royal succession … all of which tore lives and families apart …
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| Jean Gimpel's book on The Medieval Machine |
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| Henry II and Thomas a Becket (early 14th C representation of them) |
But when I'm 'researching' and putting ideas to paper … I often come across titbits that amuse me and I think – ah ha for you all reading this blog … so here's a couple for you …
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| Henry's claims over lands in France (at their peak in red) 1150s |
I was looking at the year 1141 AD – when The Anarchy, a civil war in England and Normandy between 1138 and 1153 was ongoing … at that stage 'we' owned a fair amount of western France – well that's another story …
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| Ricasoli vineyard today - in the mountainous region of Chianti - Tuscany |
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| Cheddar - so delicious |
What's not to like after giving a talk on Cathedrals … but some wine and cheese – which in fact I didn't have … had some lunch though.
Live and learn – and that I certainly do … more tennis this week, when we have the counties down here competing in their Championships – excellent tennis to spend some time watching with a cousin who comes down to help with the admin of the tournament.
See you all soon – and thanks for visiting …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
16 comments:
Sorry to hear that there is little progress on the health front or the plumbing front, Hilary. I have no doubt that your talk was well researched and fascinating, presented from a perspective quite different from the standard themes of such esoteric discussions. Wine and cheese seems like the perfect way to celebrate afterwards, and I only regret that I was not there to fill in for you. It would have been the least I could do. As for the cheese buying habits of HenryII I wish I had been a courtier in his court! With my very best wishes - David
I am glad your talk was well received - I had no doubt it would be. What modern constructions could take 500 years now?
Hari OM
Ah, rabbit holes beckon aplenty when researching such subjects. Entertaining and elightening as well as edifying! YAM xx
I read Pillars of the Earth in the early 1990s and thought that Follett wrote great novels. A bit later I read Pevsner's European Architecture which was well written but took far longer to absorb.
So perhaps academics should ask students to read both books :)
500 years to build Winchester Cathedral? Who'd a thought and so many generations involved in it. I bet there were a lot of changes made between the original concept and its ending.
Here's to good health. Cheers
Well, I like cheese but find it hard to imagine 10,240 lbs of the stuff!
@ David - the health aspect will take its course, the plumbing is a bit much and I'm rather irritated. Yes - it was different, which I think the members appreciated. I'd have loved to have had a celebratory evening of cheese and chianti - but no doubt the Autumn isn't that far away (sadly!) ... yes I'd rather be a courtier than a worker back in the Medieval Ages.
@ Janice - yes I was happy with the talk. I wonder re construction - how many things we'll mess around with that will be standing after five hundred years - sadly we won't see ...
@ Yam - oh yes those rabbit holes get me going. Thank you ...
@ Hels - I've got the series here to read at some stage ... I'd like to read the Gimpel ones, but not necessary at the moment.
@ Sandra - yes - the generations of builders and workers who'd set the pace for 500 years of building - all those different changes can be seen within the Cathedral building ... the 'stories' can be read through the stone ...
@ Anabel - cheddar does keep - and they had to order and pay in advance! But I agree contemplating 10,240 lbs of the stuff is a bit much.
Thanks to you all for visiting and commenting - cheers Hilary
I think I would find a talk on how the cathedrals were built way more interesting that then cathedrals themselves. Such a very different era.
Ken Follett - I've read a lot of his books. Pillars - good choice to branch off from. Wine, Cheese. You are genius in pulling all of this good stuff together. I'm giving you a standing O from across the pond. Very fun cathedral chat. Cheers my friend. (carry on, health wise. Stiff upper lip and all that)
@ Liz - people I think were a little taken aback, but by the end it seems they were delighted, as it was such a different point of view - one never usually thought about.
@ Joanne - I've now got all his books ... I'll have to scan read them through - but he's worked out what's important in the scheme of those Medieval days ...
I've just looked and seen it's better to read the in publication order, rather than the apparent period order ...
Thank you re the ovation from over the pond ... I was pleased to find out the wine and cheese extras!
Cheers to you both - Hilary
Those ancient cathedrals were amazing. Ken Follett's book was my introduction but not my end. What a world that was.
Few things are worse than knowing there's something wrong with your health, but not quite knowing WHY or HOW to fix it. Sorry you're going through this! Love all this stuff about cathedrals, I went to Paris back in 2017 and I loved walking through the beautiful cathedrals there. I'm so glad I got to see Notre Dame before it burned, but I heard the restoration has been good. Thanks for sharing!
I find cathedrals fascinating. I belong to the Friends of Winchester Cathedral and visit there often - last week I spent several days in Salisbury and attended a few concerts in their magnificent cathedral! I feel some wine and cheese coming on!
@ Jacqui - interesting to see you've read Follett's book ... he does lead one on to other interests ... I was very happy to learn how he got interested in writing the original book and then the series - which I'll enjoy: at least I won't be studying them!! Well I might need to go back - depending on our next era for our History group! Exactly those early days here in Europe and the UK are so interesting to learn about. You've gone further back though - so now I'm learning from you.
@ Jess - it's frustrating - both my health and the flat leak ... ah well I must be nearer getting things sorted.
They've got a TED talk on the rebuilding of Notre Dame's repairs - which I'm looking forward to watching and listening to ... I just didn't have time before my talk. Paris is magical ... as too is old London. Wonderful you had that chance in 2017 before the fire.
@ Keith - oh yes I remember your attachment to Winchester - I've never visited ... it was off my beaten path to Cornwall ... so it's always been missed. I know you spent time in Salisbury .. we always used to stop at Old Salisbury for a walk around and pit stop! on our way down to Penzance. I'll have to wait for wine and cheese - later on!
Cheers to the three of you - thanks for being here - Hilary
Hi, Hilary - I am sorry to read that you continue to have health challenges. Congratulations on your successful talk. I would have loved to hear it. I read Pillars of the Earth a few years ago for one of my bookclubs. I greatly enjoyed it.
Sorry to hear that your health is still not as good as it should be. I love all Ken Follets Books and Pillars of the Earth was on of my favourites. I will try to do a blog soon. I have broken a rib, so not quite as active as I normally am, so may be I can spend some time at the computer :-))) You take care and get well soon. Cheers Diane
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