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Britain
Update #50
February
1 , 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.
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Contents
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1. UK Destinations: Denbigh Castle
2. UK Online
3. New at Britain Express
4. UK Destinations: Chester Cathedral
5. Travel news and notes
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UK Destinations: Denbigh Castle
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Denbigh Castle, Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales
Denbigh
Castle was begun in 1282 by Henry de Lacy for Edward I during Edward's
great push to subdue Wales. De Lacy, perhaps symbolically, built his
fortress on top of an earlier Welsh castle occupied by the Welsh prince
Dafydd ap Grufudd. Every trace of the Welsh castle was destroyed,
and the walls of the new Norman English building were extended to
include a new English settlement, the town of Denbigh. Long sections
of the town walls still remain.
[Note:
That first town of Denbigh at the foot of the castle was burned during
the Wars of the Roses, and Denbigh was rebuilt in an entirely new
location]
The Welsh
temporarily took the castle during the uprising of 1294. When the
Normans resumed work after retaking Denbigh, they used a different
coloured stone and built more substantial walls, so that the later
work is easily distinguished from the earlier foundations at Denbigh.
Denbigh's
most striking feature is the Great Gatehouse, comprised of no less
than three towers. The gatehouse is probably the work of Edward's
master builder, James of St. George, who, despite the name, was a
Savoyard (from modern Italy). James was responsible for many of Edward's
most impressive Welsh castles.
Denbigh
online
http://www.denbigh-festival.demon.co.uk/denbigh.html
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UK Online: Lakeland Cam
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Today's pick of UK travel web sites is Lakeland Cam at http://www.lakelandcam.co.uk/
At first glance Tony Richard's site doesn't seem like much. Tony is
just a bloke with a digital camera. But what he has chosen to do with
that camera is take daily (well, almost daily) photos of the area
around his Lake District home and post them on the web. Doesn't sound
too exciting yet? Well, perhaps not, but Tony's photos are generally
excellent, and give great views of Lake District scenery. I found
myself feeling homesick for the Lakes, and I've never lived there!
If you're really struck by Tony's photos you can order a CD with over
100 of his best images. The real appeal of Lakeland Cam is that the
photos are updated almost daily, so you always have an up-to-date
feel for the scenery and the weather.
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New at Britain Express
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Here's a few articles added since the last Update
History:
Biographies of Anglo-Saxon Saints Cuthbert and Dunstan http://www.britainexpress.com/History/saxon/dunstan.htm
http://www.britainexpress.com/History/saxon/cuthbert.htm
Regency architecture http://www.britainexpress.com/History/regency/regency-architecture.htm
Georgian architecture http://www.britainexpress.com/architecture/georgian.htm
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UK Destinations: Chester Cathedral
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Chester Cathedral
Here is a church which suffers much from the well-intentioned efforts
of Victorian restorers. Chester was originally built by Saxon canons
in the name of Saint Werburgh, a lady whose claim to sainthood was
not harmed by having three Saxon kings as relatives.
The second
church on the site was built by Hugh "Lupus" (the Wolf), Earl of Chester,
in 1092, perhaps as expiation for his worldly excesses. Anselm of
Bec, later Archbishop of Canterbury, helped found Hugh's monastic
settlement at Chester. Beginning in 1250 yet a third church was begun,
this time in Norman Gothic style. The monks of Chester built the new
church over the top of the old church, which they dismantled from
the inside!
The church
was raised to cathedral status by Henry VIII. In the interim Chester
gained magnificent woodcarving in the choirstalls (about 1380).
Look
closely at the carvings on the misericords and bench ends; aside from
the obvious (St. Werburgh), there are details of Arthurian legend,
Aesop's fables, and fabulous mythical beasts. At the shrine to St.
Werburgh you can see the niches where medieval sufferers rested their
heads while spending the night in a prayer for healing.
The Cathedral
hosts ongoing "Chester Cathedral Classics" concerts by the BBC Philharmonic
Orchestra. Tickets are available from the Booking Office of the Chester
Summer Music Festival in 8 Abbey Square, Chester (telephone 01244
320722). Concert details at the cathedral web site
Chester
cathedral online
http://www.chestercathedral.org.uk/
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UK Travel Tips and News
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FESTIVAL OF THE SEA
The biggest maritime event ever held in Britain will take place next
summer. The International Festival of the Sea will be held August
24-27 at the Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth. The event will feature
over 1000 ships, including 50 naval vessels and 30 "tall ships", historical
tableau, and over 2000 entertainers.
NEW DOCKLANDS
MUSEUM
The story of London's river, port, and people will be told in the
new Museum in Docklands, to open in September 2001. The museum will
boast 12 galleries of exhibits housed in a converted Georgian warehouse
located on West India Dock, opposite Canary Wharf, in London's Docklands.
The museum's website is not yet operational, but should soon be online
at http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk
THE FROGMORE
MAUSOLEUM
The Mausoleum, in the Home Park at Windsor Castle, is the final resting
place of Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert. The building
is only open on selected days throughout the year, and the next free
opening days are February 4 and May 23.
ANTARCTIC
HEROES
"South: The Race to the Pole" is an exhibition featuring the story
of three early 20th century heroes of Antarctic exploration, Robert
Scott, Ernest Shackleton and Roald Amundsen. This special event at
the National Maritime Museum showcases many original artefacts from
the expeditions of the three men. The exhibition is on until September
25. National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF. Tel. +44
(0)8858 4422.
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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
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