The New Murrey and Blue blog

art

Richard III’s boar badge found at Chiddingly manor house in 1999….

Jul 13, 2022

archaeology, art, battles, buildings, Science

boars, British Museum, Chiddingly, country houses, metal detecting, noblemen, Richard III, silver, Sussex

“….in 1999 a metal detectorist made an extraordinary find that’s become known as the Chiddingly Boar: ‘The white boar badge was used by Richard III’s household and followers between 1472 and 1485,’ the British Museum explain on their website of the hat badge that is now in their collection….” “….The boar was Richard’s symbol, and thousands…
Renewing the wax covering Edward I’s body in Westminster Abbey…

Jul 7, 2022

anniversaries, art, buildings, religion, sources

Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward I, Eleanor of Castile, Lincoln Cathedral, re-opened tombs, Richard II, royal burials, Sir Bryan Sandford, Sir Joseph Ayloffe, Society of Antiquaries, statues, waxing, Westminster

While working my way through the Close Rolls of Richard II, I came upon the following intriguing entry for 11 July 1377, not long after the boy-king’s accession:- “….To the treasurer and the chamberlains. Order of the king’s money to renew the wax about the body of King Edward I buried in the church of…
A tiny gold Bible on a par with the Middleham Jewel….?

Jul 5, 2022

archaeology, art, buildings, religion

Bibles, gold pendants, metal detecting, Middleham Jewel, Richard III Society, Sheriff Hutton, Yorkshire Museum

An NHS nurse—Buffy Bailey—has struck gold, quite literally, being a detectorist who has located a jewel that is taking the archaeological world by storm. When she eventually reaps the benefit, her income will knock NHS wages into a cocked hat! She found a tiny gold Bible pendant (only 1.5 cm long!) that seems to…
London Bridge and Its Houses c.1209-1761 by Dorian Gerhold – a review.

Jul 2, 2022

art, Book Reviews, buildings, travel

charts, Dorian Gerhold, grocers, Harrods, Hatton Garden, houses, London, London Bridge, Nonsuch House, Peter de Colechurch, shops

Reblogged from A Medieval Potpourri @ sparkypus.com A view of the bridge from Southwark, c.1630. Note the houses that are standing to the south of the Stone Gate, shown here adorned with heads on pikes, were in fact on the first pier of the bridge. This is one of the few remaining pictures showing the city…
Which Master Crafter will win this new series….?

Jul 1, 2022

art, buildings, religion, television reviews

Arts and Crafts, Charles Prince of Wales, Grinling Gibbons, Heritage Foundation, Jim Moir, Petworth, Sky Arts, stained glass, The Prince’s Master Crafters, William Morris, wood carvings, woodworm

According to The Prince’s Master Crafters: The Next Generation (Sky Arts), a new young generation of crafters is desperately needed to halt a virtual haemorrhage of endangered skills, and who better to drum up support than His Royal Highness, Prince of Wales, who is always at the forefront of matters concerning our heritage. The…
A HAWKING RING OF THE TALBOT FAMILY

Jun 30, 2022

anniversaries, archaeology, art, battles, buildings, genealogy

Albrighton, Battle of Bosworth, Earls of Shrewsbury, executions, Gunpowder Plot, hawking ring, Henry VII, jewellery, John 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury, Lady Eleanor Talbot, Lovell rebellion, recusants, Shropshire, Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir John Talbot, Talbots

Recently the rains washed off some soil in a muddy Shropshire field, and yet another metal detectorist had a lucky find–a hawking ring from the Elizabethan period. The most intriguing thing to me was the very bold lettering spelling the name JOHN TALBOT AT GRAFTON across the band of the tiny ring. As it was…
Found in Devon …

Jun 25, 2022

anniversaries, archaeology, art, buildings, religion

Africa, British Museum, coins, Devon, Eleanor of Provence, Fitzwilliam Museum, gold pennies, goldsmiths, Henry III, metal detecting, Spink Auctions, William of Gloucester

We often feature very old coins unearthed. This one was found by metal detecting in a field somewhere in Devon and dates from Henry III‘s reign. It was part of a special consignment of pennies, minted by William of Gloucester with African gold. It features the Great Pavement of Westminster Abbey, which he updated, and…
A new film about Charles II….

Jun 23, 2022

anniversaries, art, buildings, films, genealogy, religion

beds, Catherine of Braganza, Charles Earl Spencer, Charles II, Diana Princess of Wales, Elizabeth I, hunting lodges, John, Richard III, royal marriages, Steve Coogan, Stuarts, trees

Well, if the above painting (left) really is “Charles Spencer….the younger brother to late Princess Diana” I’m impressed by his complete dedication to his subject, Charles II! Talk about entering into the spirit of things! 😁 I look forward to the ultimate film but am rather more enthusiastic about Steve Coogan’s earlier film about the…
Sir Edward Hungerford’s murderous lady….

Jun 19, 2022

art, buildings, law

Agnes Cotell, executed women, Farleigh Castle, Farleigh Hungerford, haunting, John Cotell, murder, Richard III, Sir Edward Hungerford

According to this link, Sir Edward Hungerford , had a shocking story attached to his memory. Sir Edward’s second wife, was Agnes Cotell who died 20th February 1523/4. Ah, but that’s to understate the point, because she was actually hanged for murder. What happened? Well, her first husband was John Cotell, who was Sir Edward…
The armour worn at Waterloo in 1815….

Jun 18, 2022

anniversaries, art, battles

armour, artillery, Belgium, breastplate, cavalry, Duke of Wellington, Napoleon, Robert Alexander Hillingford, Waterloo

Well, having read this interesting article about the above rather battered piece of nineteenth-century armour from the Battle of Waterloo, I have to say that I doubt if any armour could withstand a direct bullseye from a cannon ball. Not even the best the medieval period could produce!