I’ve written before about The Hound of the Baskervilles (see here https://murreyandblue.org/2024/08/24/buckfastleigh-wicked-squire-cabell-and-the-hounds-of-the-plantagenets/) but not about Black Shuck. Until now, that is. Both are based on legends of hellhounds and wild huntsmen, but Black Shuck (from the Old English “scucca” or “devil”) can be first dated rather precisely to Peterborough on 6 February 1127. If you…

This is early notice, I know, but there is a reason for this, as you’ll read at the end. The Canterbury Christmas Fair will be held again this year, BUT, for the first time in 211 years it will be expanding into Canterbury Cathedral’s grounds. A Christmas market was first held in the precincts 600…

As I may have mentioned (cough, cough) before, I have two favourite kings, Richards II and III. This post concerns the former. Mainly. “….The treasure roll [see top left] of Richard II, compiled in 1398/9, offers a rare insight into the magnificence of a late medieval English king. The roll, unknown until it was rediscovered in the…

Norwich, of course, fair bulges with history, what with its wonderful cathedral and castle, as well as numerous other fine old buildings and streets. To say nothing of the museums and records. But those who don’t live there might not know that among its attractions is a 15th-century flint ferry house and watergate that once…

The great seal of Richard III has been auctioned in the US. “….The seal, dating to 1485 and five inches in diameter, accompanies a Grant of Lieutenancy of the castle and county of Guise to Sir James Tyrell, a loyal knight who fought many battles at Richard III’s side. It was bought at auction for…

Recently I wrote about Richard Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick, Henry VI and the anchoress Emma Roughton of All Saints-North Street York, see here (https://murreyandblue.org/2024/09/11/the-13th-earl-of-warwick-henry-vi-and-the-anchoress-of-all-saints-york/). It was intended to be a single stand-alone post….until I realised there was conflicting information about the whereabouts of Emma’s cell. It wasn’t important, exactly, but something about it soon…

Yesterday’s post (https://murreyandblue.org/2024/09/10/henry-vis-luck-of-muncaster/) was about the adult Henry VI, but today I’m concerned with the infant Henry. It begins with the anchoress Emma Roughton at All Saints-North Street, York. In this link https://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/ancient-sites/early-christianity/the-parish-church-of-all-saints-north-street-york/ Emma’s cell is described thus  “….The anchorhold [cell] at All Saints North Street had two stories and was in the churchyard adjoining…

Muncaster is a castle in the Lake District, owned by the Pennington family since 1208. The area was heavily occupied before that and parts of the castle may even lie over a Roman fort–hence the ‘caster’ in Muncaster. One of the castle’s treasures is the ‘Luck of Muncaster, ‘ a bowl given to the family…

The above ring is part of an exhibition of 121 historic rings that is to be open from 7-11 October 2024 at S.J. Phillips’ Mayfair showroom. I confess to longing to know to whom this ring originally belonged. Someone recognisable to us today? One of Richard II’s supporters, obviously, but was it lost or wisely…

Today’s (disused) prison at Gloucester was built on the site of a Norman castle. Well, two Norman castles, the first being the usual early wooden motte and bailey, which was replaced on almost the same site by a more substantial stone fortress that guarded the important crossing of the River Severn. Gloucester was the first…