Ely Cathedral has a fascinating history. It was founded as a monastic community by Queen Etheldreda in the 7th century on the site of an earlier church. Sacked by the Danes, it was refounded by Benedictine monks in the 10th century and became a centre of learning. There was a monastic school on the site
The Battle of Stamford Bridge, near York, was a significant battle on 25 September 1066, between King Harold’s English army and an invading force of Norsemen under Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson, Harold’s brother. The Norsemen, camped on the east bank of the River Derwent, where the current village is, were attacked from the west
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Beyond some village cottages on a rocky promontory, overlooking the Teifi Gorge is Cilgerran Castle. It is a strategic position, fortified by at least 1108 by the Norman, Gerald of Windsor. It was captured by the Welsh in 1164, retaken by William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, in 1204, recaptured by the Welsh during Llywelyn the
The medieval Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Mary the Virgin, Worcester, perches beautifully over the River Severn. Its 14th century tower dominates, but it was founded much earlier, in the 7th century, rebuilt by St Oswald in the 10th century and the present building was begun by St Wulfstan in 1084. The Romanesque
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Idsworth Chapel, the little church of St Hubert, patron saint of hunters, stands alone in the fields of Old Idsworth. Some know it as the little church in the field. It is said to date from 1053 and to have been built by Earl Godwin, father of King Harold who was beaten by William at
The Battle of Hastings took place on 14 October 1066. It is probably the most famous battle in British history, when the invading Normans under William the Conqueror beat the English (Saxons) led by King Harold. The consequences changed England – and Britain – forever. The battle actually took place several miles north of Hastings
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Bamburgh Castle, once home to the Anglian Kings of Northumbria, is perched on a mighty crag next to the North Sea and a wonderful beach. It is one of Northumberland’s most iconic images. The present building was heavily restored by William Armstrong, builder of Cragside, whose family still live there.
The ancient settlement at Earls Barton is particularly notable for its parish church, All Saints’. It is one of several Northamptonshire churches with Saxon roots and is particularly renowned for its unique tower, which dates from the 10th century. This has been described as “the finest existing specimen of pre-Conquest work and the most noteworthy architectural monument of its period in England”.
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