Category Archives: England

The luckless church

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Sue Vincent

There is never enough time to explore everything on our travels. There are always intriguing buildings, signs and churches that we say we really must explore at some point… and never get the chance to see. So, if I get … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, England, History, Photography, Sacred sites | Tagged All Saints, Civil war, De Ferrers, Derbyshire, Elton, stained glass, The Protestation | 35 Comments

Time travelling: Ancient sanctity

Posted on February 7, 2019 by Sue Vincent

We entered through the porch door, surprised to find ourselves in a kind of antechamber. From the outside, there is no suggestion that you will be anywhere other than in the main body of the church and I had forgotten … Continue reading →

Posted in albion, ancient mound, Ancient sites, Churches, Don and Wen, England, france and vincent, History, Photography, symbolism, Templars | Tagged archaeology, breedon on the hill, Church of SSs Mary and Hardulph, icon, Mandylion | 18 Comments

Time travelling

Posted on February 6, 2019 by Sue Vincent

Nearly five years ago and with strict instructions from my writing partner about ‘not finding things’ on my way north without him, I had accidentally found Breedon on the Hill and we had been ‘going to’ go there together ever … Continue reading →

Posted in albion, Ancient sites, Churches, Don and Wen, England, historic sites, Landscape, Photography, Stuart France and Sue Vincent | Tagged archaeology, breedon on the hill, Church of SSs Mary and Hardulph, destruction of heritage, Iron age hillfort, settlement | 20 Comments

Ashbourne

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Sue Vincent

Pre-Raphaelite glass sits in walls pitted by Cromwellian gunfire, while a 1950s reredos graces a chancel that dates back to 1241. That’s why I love these old churches… the history of a community is written within their walls in wood … Continue reading →

Posted in albion, Ancient sites, Art, Churches, Doomsday: The Ætheling Thing, England, historic sites, Photography, Sacred sites, Spirituality | Tagged Derbyshire, George Gilbert Scott, Kempe, Norman, Saxon, stained glass, Tudor | 26 Comments

Brief encounter…

Posted on January 7, 2019 by Sue Vincent

It was the morning after the workshop, our last morning in Cumbria, and adventure called. We had stayed an extra night to allow us to drive the long way home, through the stunning landscapes of the Lake District… and via … Continue reading →

Posted in England, Photography, Stuart France and Sue Vincent | Tagged conservation, red squirrel, species extinction, UK, wildlife | 42 Comments

The Templar Church

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Sue Vincent

Earlier this year, on a research mission, we took a trip to London, visiting the British Museum to learn more about the ancient Sumerian civilisation that will form the backdrop to the 2019 Silent Eye’s Annual Workshop, Lord of the … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure, albion, Ancient sites, Books, Churches, Dan Brown, Don and Wen, England, historic sites, mystery, Photography, Stuart France and Sue Vincent, The Initiate | Tagged Knights Templar, London., pilgrim route, Round Church, Templars | 23 Comments

Guest author: Roberta Eaton ~ The Sutton Hoo Helmet

Posted on September 9, 2018 by Sue Vincent

Background Since its discovery in 1939, the Sutton Hoo Helmet has been a highly evocative symbol of Anglo Saxon England. The discovery of the Sutton Hoo Helmet The excavation of the grave barrows or mounds at Sutton Hoo was at … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient sites, Art, England, Guest post, History, Photography | Tagged anglo saxons, boat burial, burial, grave goods, helmet, Robbie Cheadle, Saxon hoard, Sutton Hoo | 42 Comments

A flying visit – The Guild Chapel, Stratford upon Avon

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Sue Vincent

I mentioned that, during our visit to Stratford upon Avon, we had wandered off on our way back to the car, drawn by the tower of a small church. It had proved a profitable detour, bringing us to an old … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches, England, historic sites, History, medieval wall paintings, Photography, Stuart France and Sue Vincent, symbolism | Tagged art, grotesques, Guildhall, New Place, schoolroom, shakespeare | 22 Comments

In respect of the Bard…

Posted on April 4, 2018 by Sue Vincent

With the Silent Eye’s annual workshop just weeks away and based around the idea of a fictitious final play by William Shakespeare, we decided to take a trip to his birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon to pay our respects. With his back to … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, England, historic sites, Life, Photography, Stuart France and Sue Vincent, theatre, travel, writing | Tagged bard, memorial, playwright, shakespeare, statue, Stratford on Avon | 53 Comments

The Lost Wedding Party – James Elkington

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Sue Vincent

Reblogged from Walking with a Smacked Pentax: I have been spending a lot of time on the beautiful North Yorkshire moors recently, specifically around the lovely village of Pickering. There is so much to explore, and not knowing the area much … Continue reading →