Britain Update #49
January 15, 2001

Welcome friends, its time to put the kettle on, settle into a comfortable armchair, and enjoy the best of Britain with Britain Update. But before you do, please take the time to forward this newsletter to someone who loves Britain as much as you do.

And let me take this opportunity to wish each of you a very happy and prosperous New Year!

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Contents
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1. UK Destinations: Kenilworth Castle
2. Seahenge II
3. Stone Circles CD
4. UK Online: Scottish Borders
5. New at Britain Express
6. UK Travel news

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UK Destinations: Kenilworth Castle
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Kenilworth Castle was begun by Geoffrey de Clinton, Chamberlain to Henry I, in about 1125. Quite why Sir Geoffrey chose this obscure village location in Warwickshire for his fortress is anybody's guess. He constructed a strong central keep, with walls 20 feet thick, surrounded by a ditch and an outer earthen embankment. Then de Clinton dammed two streams to create a large lake which fed a moat. Between the lake and the moat, Kenilworth was ringed with water on all sides.

De Clinton lavished money on his new creation, and in the process made Kenilworth a little TOO powerful. In 1173 Henry II decided that he wanted Kenilworth for himself and confiscated the castle. In 1182 the de Clinton family were compensated for their loss with a much smaller property in Buckinghamshire.

After Simon de Montfort's rebellion the castle was held by his son. In 1266 Henry III besieged Kenilworth for six months, and the garrison only surrendered when it was decimated by disease and starvation and there were no longer enough healthy men to fight.

Kenilworth was used for tournaments throughout the medieval period, being one of only 5 licensed venues in England. The area of the tiltyard where the jousting took place still exists in the castle grounds.

Over the years a succession of royal owners added to the castle. In the early 13th century King John built a curtain wall and towers. In the late 14th century, John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster and son of Edward III ) built a lavish Great Hall, used for lodging, meals, and entertainment. At the time, Gaunt's hall had the widest roof span in England.

Later still, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and favourite of Elizabeth I, added the large residential block now known as the Leicester Building, overlooking the lake.

When Elizabeth visited here in 1575, Dudley spared no expense to entertain her. He spent £60,000, an enormous sum in those days, on elaborate celebrations. The queen was welcomed by the "Lady of the Lake", floating on an artificial island in the middle of the waters surrounding the castle. This royal visit formed the basis of Shakespeare's play, "A Midsummernight's Dream", and the novel "Kenilworth", by Sir Walter Scott.

After the Civil War, Oliver Cromwell ordered the moat drained and part of the walls destroyed so that Kenilworth could no longer be used as a military strongpoint. Today only the Leicester Gatehouse is inhabited, and the rest of the castle is a glorious ruin, though thoroughly accessible to visitors.

English Heritage took over operation of the castle in 1974, and under their auspices the fine Tudor stable block houses exhibitions on the castle and its history. Kenilworth is open all year. Geoffrey de Clinton also founded nearby Kenilworth Abbey, an Augustinian priory that once owned more churches than any other house in England.

Kenilworth on the web:
http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/kenilworth.htm

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Seahenge II
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Long time subscribers to Britain Update will remember reading about the discovery of a timber circle in the waters off the Norfolk coast two years ago. Dubbed "Seahenge", the circle has been a subject of hot debate among archaeologists and heritage authorities. Now comes news of another timber circle. The recent stormy weather in the UK shifted sand just a hundred yards east of the Seahenge site near Holme-next-the-Sea, revealing a similar ring of timber posts. Local archaeologists speculate that the remains may not be a ritual circle, but the remains of a barrow, or burial mound. There are no plans to excavate the site, and authorities are asking visitors to stay away from the beach, which is a sensitive wildlife habitat.

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Stone Circles CD
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Still on the topic of prehistoric circles, this time in stone, Andy Burnham of the Megalithic Mysteries web site (http://www.megalithic.co.uk ) brought an interesting CD to my attention recently. The CD is titled "Stone Circles: A Photographic Tour". Produced by circle aficionado Tom Bullock, it is a fascinating guide to every stone circle known to exist in the British Isles, and Brittany in France. You can browse the circles by location, by characteristics, or by name, and check the location on a vivid topographical map.

Each circle listing includes map co-ordinates (useful for finding overgrown and minor sites), the nearest town, general condition of the site, ease of access, diameter of the circle, number of stones, type or shape of the circle, notable features, and any astronomical alignments. Circles are even given an "Ambience" rating. Over 500 sites have one or several photos, which really help to give a sense of the atmosphere and condition of the circle. Not every circle has a description, however - many minor circles are merely named on the topographical map.

In addition, the CD includes a glossary of terms associated with stone circles, and an article detailing stone structures built by other civilisations at the same time as the stone circles of Britain were constructed.

Navigation through the CD isn't always intuitive, but in general I'd have to give "Stone Circles: A Photographic Tour" high ratings for range and depth of coverage. It is an excellent and highly informative guide, and a very useful tool if you're planning to visit a number of stone circles. In fact, I liked it so much I decided to carry it in the Britain Express bookstore, Books on Britain.

You can find out more about the CD, and see samples of the circle listings, here

or simply click on the CD link in our bookstore at www.britainexpress.com/Bookstore/index.htm

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UK Online: Scottish Borders
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The Scottish Borders ( http://www.scot-borders.co.uk/ ) is the web site of the Scottish Borders Tourist Board. I found the site quite comprehensive, with details on accommodation, activities from archery to ballooning, car hire, castles, crafts, eating out, an events calendar, golfing and fishing breaks, and lots of information on attractions in the Borders region. There's even a message board and chat area. Though navigation isn't always straightforward, the site should prove very useful for someone planning travel to this popular area of Scotland.

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New at Britain Express
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Over the course of Christmas and New Years I did manage to spend some time adding new features to Britain Express. Here's a few articles I hope you'll find interesting: History: Biographies of Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cranmer http://www.britainexpress.com/History/tudor/cranmer.htm http://www.britainexpress.com/History/tudor/wolsey.htm
The Spanish Armada http://www.britainexpress.com/History/tudor/armada.htm

And in our English Culture section:
Darts in Britain: http://www.britainexpress.com/History/pastimes/darts.htm
Drystone Walls http://www.britainexpress.com/History/drystone.htm

And our Britain for Collectors columnists Terry and Doris Michaud have been busy. Check out their latest article on Honiton Lace, at: www.britainexpress.com/articles/collecting/honiton.htm

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UK Travel Tips and News
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HISTORY IN ACTION 2001
Saturday 12 - Sunday 13 August Kirby Hall, Northamptonshire English Heritage sponsors this annual event which boasts more than 3,000 performers dressed in authentic period costumes ranging from Roman times to World War II. The event is billed as the world's largest historical re-enactment festival.

MUSIC OF THE ROUNDHEADS AND CAVALIERS
Bolsover Castle, Bolsover, Derbyshire April 1 Adult £4.50 / Concession £3.60 / Child £2.30 On the subject of English Heritage events, Bolsover Castle will host an afternoon of music from the Civil War period on April 1st. Performers in period costumes play lively 17th century music and song.

OSCAR WILDE TRIBUTE IN READING
A new public arts project in Reading, Berkshire, has been unveiled to commemorate the centenary of the death of Oscar Wilde, poet, playwright, and commentator. At Chestnut Walk on the banks of the River Kennet, a display composed of a set of always open gates, waterside railings, and loveseats is interspersed with panels inscribed with excerpts from Wilde's writings. The tribute to Wilde is poignantly located under the very walls of the prison where he composed his "Ballad of Reading Gaol".

WEDDINGS IN SCOTLAND
The Madonna wedding has brought a tourism bonanza to Dornoch and the surrounding area. Visitors are clamouring to find out more about weddings in Scotland. The Scottish Tourist Board is taking 30 enquiries a day from people interested in marrying in a Scottish castle. If you and your "significant other" would like to find out more about romantic highland venues for weddings, check out this new web site by the Highlands Tourist Board: http://www.highland-wedding.com/

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That's all for now. Until next issue, let me remind you that laughter is contagious. Spread some around.

David Ross
Editor
Britain Express
http://www.britainexpress.com
The UK travel and heritage guide
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Contents © 2001 David Ross and Britain Express