Category Archives: History

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: Monumental memories

Posted on February 9, 2019 by Sue Vincent

We could not leave Breedon on the Hill without mention of the Shirley family who left their mark on the little church in no uncertain terms. In fact, as soon as you enter the nave, your eye is immediately drawn … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient sites, Art, Churches, History, Photography, Stuart France and Sue Vincent | Tagged 16th and 17th century memorials, archaeology, breedon on the hill, cadaver tomb, carved stone, Church of SSs Mary and Hardulph, Shirley family, tomb | 23 Comments

Time travelling: Fantastic beasts and where to find them…

Posted on February 8, 2019 by Sue Vincent

The reason I had long wanted to take my companion to the church at Breedon on the Hill was carved in stone. On my first ‘accidental visit’, I had been astounded by a collection of cross shafts tucked away in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient sites, Art, Churches, Don and Wen, dragons, History, Photography | Tagged angel, Anglo-Saxon art, archaeology, breedon on the hill, carved stone, Church of SSs Mary and Hardulph | 46 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

Seeking the sacred

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Sue Vincent

All my life I have visited sacred sites when I could, and I have been lucky enough to visit many. Whether ancient church, temple, stone circle or legendary landscape, there is something about these sites that touches a place deep … Continue reading →

Posted in albion, Ancestors, ancient mound, Ancient sites, historic sites, History, Spirituality | Tagged chapel, church, place of worship, stone circle | 34 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

Archaeology, migraine and the barometric fish…

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Sue Vincent

After celebrating the recovery of Super Trooper, the little fish who swam, it was with a heavy heart that I saw him once again floating upside down in the pond and looking decidedly dead. The pale belly finally showed no … Continue reading →

Posted in fish, History, Landscape, Life, nature, Photography, Sacred sites, science, symbolism | Tagged barometric pressure, nature as teacher, observation, stone circles, swim bladder, weather | 55 Comments

Guest author: Tim Clarkson ~ Æthelflæd: the Lady of the Mercians

Posted on August 12, 2018 by Sue Vincent

This year marks the 1100th anniversary of the death of one of the most remarkable women in English history. Her name was Æthelflæd and she died at Tamworth in Staffordshire on 12th June 918. She was the eldest daughter of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Guest post, History | Tagged ancient kingdoms, Anglo-Saxon, Æthelflæd, dark ages, legends, medieval Britain, mercia | 14 Comments

Living Lore: Ichabod Temperance ~ A Spectral Analysis of Temperance

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Sue Vincent

Howdy folks, my name is Ichabod Temperance. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. B’ham is an old steel town. One of the primary ingredients of steel is iron. There is a rich seam of iron ore here. Separating the … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Living Lore | Tagged alabama, furnace, ghosts, Sloss, steelworks | 19 Comments

Whitsy clothes

Posted on May 28, 2018 by Sue Vincent

As I drove home from work on Whit Sunday, I passed a family walking in the sunshine. They were all female, and looked to be from around four years old to great-granny in her eighties. It took me back to … Continue reading →