Category Archives: Churches

Discovering Albion – day 4: An Irish Saint in Lancashire

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Sue Vincent

We climbed up the ruins of St Patrick’s Chapel, built in the eighth or ninth century. Legend has it that it commemorates the landing of St Patrick of Ireland and although it was constructed many years after his death, it … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure, Ancient sites, Churches, Photography, scotland road trip, travel | Tagged Heysham, rock-cut tombs, saxons, stained glass, stone carvings, Vikings | 2 Comments

On the Doorstep ~ Opening Doors

Posted on December 9, 2020 by Sue Vincent

As we could not, due to COVID, gain access to visit Holy Trinity at Bledlow on our recent sortie, I will tell you about our previous visit… what we found… and what we missed… The door that has served Holy … Continue reading →

Posted in albion, Ancient sites, Churches, History, Photography, Sacred sites, Spirituality, symbolism | Tagged bledlow, Buckinghamshire churches, Holy Trinity, Norman architecture, stained glass. Norman architecture | 11 Comments

Discovering Albion – Day 3: The Art of Faith

Posted on December 5, 2020 by Sue Vincent

We were still in the cathedral, marvelling at both the tangible history and the artistry… far too much to show or to even take in. Everywhere you look, every surface from floor to ceiling bears the evidence of care and … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure, Churches, England, Photography, Sacred sites, scotland road trip | Tagged art, Chester cathedral, consistory court, craft, faith, painting, spirituality | Leave a comment

On the Doorstep: In the Churchyard

Posted on December 5, 2020 by Sue Vincent

It was a familiar church, one into which we had eventually been able to gain access twice. A third visit, with plenty of time to look around, would have been wonderful. On the first occasion we had managed to get … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient sites, Churches, History, Photography | Tagged bledlow, corbels, Holy Trinity, Lord carrington, Normna architecture, sarsen stone | 6 Comments

Discovering Albion- Day 3: Chester Cathedral

Posted on December 3, 2020 by Sue Vincent

We should have known, of course, right from the first. It was there, written in flowers and earth… but although we saw, we didn’t see. How could we? Such signs and portents seldom become clear until after the fact and … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure, Ancient sites, Churches, England, History, scotland road trip | Tagged Chester cathedral, King Henry VIII, lady Godiva, Leofric, mercia, Normans, Romans, Werburgh | Leave a comment

On the Doorstep: St Michael and All Angels, Horsenden

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Sue Vincent

The church reveals itself slowly as you walk between the yew trees that hide it from the gate. The spot has a pleasant feel, nestling close to walls of the big house next door and surrounded by the sheltering branches … Continue reading →

Posted in albion, Churches, History, Photography | Tagged buckinghamshire, Buckinghamshire churches, grubbe, horsenden, parish church | 12 Comments

On the Doorstep: Hidden Histories

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Sue Vincent

There was a point at which we realised that we had got it wrong. That the chapter entitled ‘The Triumph of Horsenden’ should really have been’The Triumph of Bledlow’… but not only did it not have quite the same ring … Continue reading →

Posted in albion, Ancient sites, archaeology, Churches | Tagged bledlow, buckinghamshire, church, Horsendon, manor, Saunderton, The Initiate | 11 Comments

Solstice of the Moon: Older than Time…

Posted on November 18, 2020 by Sue Vincent

Imagine standing in the presence of a living being at whose feet Pontius Pilate played as a child. Local legend says that Pilate was born at Fortingall when his father visited the Roman Legions in the north. Imagine standing in … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure, albion, ancient mound, Ancient sites, Churches, france and vincent, History, Photography, Spirituality, Stuart France and Sue Vincent, symbolism, travel | Tagged cupmarked stone, Fortingall yew, longevity, rebirth, renewal, time | 2 Comments

On the Doorstep: Whitchurch ~ Wood and Stone

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Sue Vincent

We left the earthworks of Bolebec castle in peace… which is more than can be said of Oliver Cromwell’s army when they passed this way during the Civil War. The Battle of Aylesbury, between Cromwell’s forces and Prince Rupert of … Continue reading →

Posted in albion, Books, Churches, Don and Wen, England, france and vincent, History, Photography, Templars, travel | Tagged buckinghamshire, covid, going local, lockdown, pandemic, Whitchurch | 14 Comments

Solstice of the Moon: Circle of Peace

Posted on November 1, 2020 by Sue Vincent

Our first stop next day was a place where mysterious stones, a Celtic saint and a link to one of the best-known legends of the British Isles all come together in a village churchyard. It took a bit of finding, … Continue reading →