Tag: England

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Art and Architectural Travel Europe Historical Travel Uncategorized

Walking in the footsteps of Elizabeth I

Grounds of the Hatfield House

Elizabeth I remains one of the most popular English monarchs more than 400 years after her death. So much about this first woman to reign England in her own right intrigues and captivates us. The daughter of boisterous Henry VIII and his infamous second wife, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth learned early how to cope with tragedy and trouble. Some impressive historical sites remain from the popular Tudor era that allow you to walk in her royal footsteps. It goes without saying that your tour should include stops at the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, but other locations have special connections to Elizabeth.

Hatfield House

The ground where Hatfield House stands today once was the location of Hatfield Palace, which served as Elizabeth I’s childhood home. During those turbulent years when her father, Henry VIII, had a difficult time determining which of his children he would consider legitimate and which wife he was married to, Elizabeth was tutored in the subjects expected of young princesses at Hatfield Palace. Today, the building does not remain, but some of the gardens are just as they were in the mid-16th century when Elizabeth walked among the flowers and sat reading beneath the trees. An oak tree at Hatfield House is the alleged place Elizabeth was standing when she was informed that she was Queen of England.

Kenilworth Castle.  Photo: Esartee

Kenilworth Castle

Beginning as a Norman tower in the early 12th century, Kenilworth Castle has been through many phases of construction, siege, and rebuilding. During Elizabeth’s lifetime, it was a property of Robert Dudley, the man many expected young Elizabeth to marry. Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, never did marry the famous Virgin Queen, but he did extensive renovations at Kenilworth to make it a worthy stop for Elizabeth and her court while on progress. Like many elaborate properties, Kenilworth did not survive the English Civil War of the 17th century. The ruins that remain today are a memorial to another age surrounded by recreated medieval gardens that mirror those that Elizabeth would have strolled with her beloved Robert.

Bath Abbey.  Photo: Barnyz

Bath Abbey

The history of Bath Abbey goes back much further even than Elizabeth. As the site of King Edgar’s crowning in 973, this site has been a home of worship for centuries. One of the many victims of Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, Bath Abbey was almost completely destroyed when Elizabeth undertook its reconstruction. The current location is a functioning church, so you may attend services in the building commissioned by Good Queen Bess.

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Art and Architectural Travel Europe Historical Travel Uncategorized

Visit the World of King Richard III

English Castle
English Castle

Whether you are a historian who has long been fascinated by the controversy surrounding Richard III’s life and death or someone who has been intrigued by the recent developments regarding his remains, an exciting tour of medieval England can help you learn more. Little of the English countryside looks as it did during Richard’s short reign (1483-1485), but there are some excellent locations that do remain. Commemorate the dynasty of Richard III by walking in his royal footsteps.

Middleham Castle

Richard spent much of his youth at Middleham Castle learning how to be a nobleman of the 15th century. He was trained by the infamous Earl of Warwick, Richard Neville, who is also known as the Kingmaker. Richard later inherited this castle himself and lived there with his wife, Warwick’s daughter Anne and their son, Edward. It is possible to envision Richard surveying the area from the walls of Middleham’s ruins. Render your opinion of the provocative statue of Richard III that stands in the bailey.

Streets of the City of York.  Photo:  Martin Pettitt

City of York

The city of York was more supportive of Richard during his 26 month reign than any other region. The city walls incorporate many gatehouses, including the Monk Bar. The Richard III Museum resides in the uppermost room of the Monk Bar, which Richard himself had built. Was he the murderous villain portrayed by Thomas More and Shakespeare? See the evidence and decide for yourself.

Tower of London

No tour of medieval England would be complete without visiting the Tower of London. Staunch Ricardians may be offended by the plaque definitively declaring Richard the murderer of his nephews, Edward V and his young brother, Richard the Duke of York. While some questions about Richard III have been answered by the Leicester dig, the fate of the Princes in the Tower remains a mystery. The Tower has been a part England’s history since the Norman Conquest, serving as royal residence, torture chamber, and zoo.

Bosworth Field.  Photo:  Gavin Stewart

Bosworth Field

Walk the ground where Richard III’s reign came to an end as he cried, “Treason! Treason!” before he was cut down by Henry Tudor’s personal guards. If you travel to Bosworth Field near August 22nd, you can witness the reenactment of the battle that resulted in the end of the Plantagenet Dynasty. The grassy fields seem so calm, but you can almost glimpse apparitions gliding there in memory of the historical event.

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Art and Architectural Travel Culture and Heritage Europe Historical Travel Uncategorized

The City of Bath – a Georgian Masterpiece

england-bath.jpg

The City of Bath in the United Kingdom is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bath attracts millions of history and architecture enthusiasts from around the world

Located in Somerset, England, the city of Bath boasts a long and fascinating history.

Bath dates back to a pre-Roman era.  The first written records identify a spa called Aquae Sulis (or, ‘the waters of Sulis’) that was founded by the Romans in AD 43.  Roman baths quickly flourished in Bath but the city also became known for its wool industry throughout the years.

Bath architecture.The striking Georgian architecture and natural spas are attractive features for the four million tourists who journey to Bath.  Many travelers come for a day visit while others stay a few days to soak up (no pun) the charm.

Among the popular attractions is the Royal Crescent, a prime example of Georgian design built by John Wood the Younger.  Bath Abbey, the name for the Abbey Church of Saint Pater and Saint Paul, presents another architectonic jewel. Parts of the Abbey’s foundation dates back to the 7th century, however, the current foundation was built in the 16th century.

In addition to the Roman Baths and architecture, Bath is considered a cultural center.   Some of the popular attractions worth visiting include the Victoria Art Gallery, Holborne Museum of Art, and the Herschel Museum of Astronomy.

Bath is certainly worth exploring because and exploring the Roman Baths is a must.  No photograph or video footage can do this masterpiece justice. One simply has to come and see this city symbol up close.