religion
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Mabel was the daughter of the notoriously cruel, William I Talvas and the heiress of her father’s estates, inheriting on his death in 1060. She also inherited the remainder of the Bellême honour in 1070 at the death of her uncle Yves, Bishop of Séez and Lord of Bellême. When her father was exiled she…
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In medieval times, dittany, now more commonly known as dittander, Lepidium latifolium, a perennial herb native to parts of Britain, was used for hot relishes. It suffered a culinary decline by 1650 when horseradish took its place. The spiciness of both its leaves and root are suggested in its common name, poor man’s pepper. It…
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Well, today I came across something that I had never heard of before, and it’s such an oddity that I cannot believe it isn’t more well known. Now, if I mentioned the “king’s lenten cock-crower” would it mean anything to you? OK, don’t all rush at once to tell me I’m the only daftie in…
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Dunstan was born around 910 in Somerset, and, as a boy, studied under Irish monks at Glastonbury. He showed early promise in terms of both scholarship and handicrafts, and at a young age became a priest. Over a long career – he died in Canterbury in 988 in his late 70s – Dunstan served as…
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Many Ricardians know that there are just two churches in the world dedicated to St Alkelda, one is in Middleham and the other in Giggleswick, but very few are aware of a mysterious stained glass in the latter. The whole matter started with a parish fair. Parishioners from both churches were looking for items to…
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On September 28, the Catholic Church remembers Saint Wenceslas, a 10th-century Bohemian duke and martyr. St. Wenceslas is known for his piety, patronage of the poor, and his role in converting Bohemia to Christianity. He converted his nation to Christianity and was known for his kindness, generosity, and piety. He was martyred by his brother,…
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Another of Richard’s Scandinavian ancestors is King Olav II (Saint Olav) of Norway. Here is his story. Saint Olav/Olaf (c. 995 – 29 July 1030), was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028. He was canonised at Nidaros (Trondheim) by Bishop Grimketel, one year after his death in the Battle of Stiklestad on 29 July 1030.…
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A story by Rod Minchin of the Independent says: Rare medieval music, discovered within a 15th-century book, will resonate through Buckland Abbey in Devon this August, bringing the sound of monks back for the first time in 500 years. The “plaintive” melodies will be performed to mark the book’s return to the abbey, a place…
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Here is the second part of our interview with Dominic Smee, continuing from yesterday’s post. JL: How did your experience change your outlook on your scoliosis? After the documentary, has your life changed and in what ways? DS: These days, I have learnt to embrace my scoliosis as part of who I am instead of…
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This is the fourth in our series of interviews with notable people associated with Richard III. Dominic preferred to write his replies and they are very long and detailed, so we have decided to publish in two parts. Don’t let the length of it put you off – it’s really worth reading! Dominic Smee: My…
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