Lancaster - Trails and Trials in Stone
Lancaster could have been called the Windsor of the North, where the magnificent home of the Queen dominates the idyllic landscape. Both have connections to the Royals, both have huge castles dating back to the Norman times, some 1000 years ago; both are tiny little towns with big history, charming alleys, nicely built streets with neat old houses.
The major difference is - in Windsor Castle lives and meets the top of the British society - this is Kings' and Queens' official residence; in Lancaster Castle, the bottom of the society has been put behind the bars - it has served as a prison for a thousand years...
As we walk (and read) along, we'll learn about loads more of grim stories, of which the most famous is the one that inspired Game of Thrones and that of the infamous Pendle Witches.
The castle does not look immensely impressive upon ascending in the Summertime - the trees thick leafage covers most of the structure. Only the Gatehouse is visible (upper and lower left) and only when passing through the gate (upper right) you realise it is a colossal structure - in terms of size and history.
In the 15th century, the Lancaster castle had been in the hands of the most known historical figure associated with the city, John O’Gaunt, the second Duke of Lancaster. His children were the on the English throne and participated in the infamous War of the Roses - the inspiration behind the Game of Thrones series.
Both, the House of Lancaster and York, were direct descendants of King Edward III and John of Gaunt was the third surviving son of the king. A cascade of events and characters have sparked a 30 years brutal war which finally combined the rivalling Houses in the Tudor dynasty. The Duke of Lancaster title has since been passed down to the kings and queens of England and therefore Queen Elizabeth II holds it and owns the lands through the Duchy of Lancaster. Also to this day, there are some competitions cultivated in sport and between students of both cities.
The castle was further expanded, especially by Elizabeth I as a defence against the Spanish Armada. Most of all, it has a long judicial history. From 1196 it was used as a prison and the assizes - until 2011! The Crown Court is still a working courtroom, the oldest in Britain.
Because of the largest numbers of people being sentenced here to death by hanging, the town earned the nickname ‘the Hanging Town’. Executions were accompanied by large crowds - people were travelling for a day of grim entertainment from as afar as Liverpool and Manchester. The condemned, followed by the spectators, made their way through the town, stopping at the pubs to have the last drink with family and friends. The executions took place at Gallows Hill. This custom of the deathful procession was abandoned in the 19th century and the hanging was held just outside the castle walls.
The Pendle Witch trial was
held here in 1612, and the 'witches were imprisoned in the Well Tower (lower left). Of the 20 people accused one died in prison, 8 were acquitted and 11
were found guilty. Of those 10 were hanged, one person was sentenced to a term in the stocks.
(The Women's prison is on the upper left and the Men's prison on the right.)
The story of the Pendle Witches is the best-documented - it was not the only one. There are many other tales of witches located in this remote, mysterious, and most Catholic part of England. George Stephenson named one of his locomotives the Lancashire Witch and Carol Ann Duffy’s evocative poem, The Lancashire Witches have invoked the harrowing scenes that took place here centuries ago.
Behind the castle is the Lancaster Priory Church (upper left and right) formed in 1094 - so in 1994, there were celebrations to commemorate the 1000th anniversary its foundation. The religious history dates back, though. An Anglo-Saxon runic cross, known as "Cynibald's cross", is thought to have been made in the late 9th century.
Roman baths (lower right) were discovered in 1812 and can be seen near the priory, following a path through a park. The Roman garrison remained active up to the end of Roman presence in Britain in the early 5th century. There is also an interesting surviving fragment of Roman wall, a section of a bastion of the last Roman fort on the site.
How distinctively innocent look those little cottage surrounded by the vast volume of ancients stones of judgement, punishment, war, and ablution.
The major difference is - in Windsor Castle lives and meets the top of the British society - this is Kings' and Queens' official residence; in Lancaster Castle, the bottom of the society has been put behind the bars - it has served as a prison for a thousand years...
As we walk (and read) along, we'll learn about loads more of grim stories, of which the most famous is the one that inspired Game of Thrones and that of the infamous Pendle Witches.
The castle does not look immensely impressive upon ascending in the Summertime - the trees thick leafage covers most of the structure. Only the Gatehouse is visible (upper and lower left) and only when passing through the gate (upper right) you realise it is a colossal structure - in terms of size and history.
Lancaster Castle site is of national importance. The
Normans started the construction in the 11th century, (on the site of the old Roman fort from about 80 AD) to keep away
the Scots - it was attacked by their famous chieftain, Robert Bruce ('reassembled' in the Braveheart blockbuster).
The oldest part, the square Norman tower (below) serves to this day as a part of the Crown Court.
The oldest part, the square Norman tower (below) serves to this day as a part of the Crown Court.
In the 15th century, the Lancaster castle had been in the hands of the most known historical figure associated with the city, John O’Gaunt, the second Duke of Lancaster. His children were the on the English throne and participated in the infamous War of the Roses - the inspiration behind the Game of Thrones series.
Both, the House of Lancaster and York, were direct descendants of King Edward III and John of Gaunt was the third surviving son of the king. A cascade of events and characters have sparked a 30 years brutal war which finally combined the rivalling Houses in the Tudor dynasty. The Duke of Lancaster title has since been passed down to the kings and queens of England and therefore Queen Elizabeth II holds it and owns the lands through the Duchy of Lancaster. Also to this day, there are some competitions cultivated in sport and between students of both cities.
The castle was further expanded, especially by Elizabeth I as a defence against the Spanish Armada. Most of all, it has a long judicial history. From 1196 it was used as a prison and the assizes - until 2011! The Crown Court is still a working courtroom, the oldest in Britain.
Because of the largest numbers of people being sentenced here to death by hanging, the town earned the nickname ‘the Hanging Town’. Executions were accompanied by large crowds - people were travelling for a day of grim entertainment from as afar as Liverpool and Manchester. The condemned, followed by the spectators, made their way through the town, stopping at the pubs to have the last drink with family and friends. The executions took place at Gallows Hill. This custom of the deathful procession was abandoned in the 19th century and the hanging was held just outside the castle walls.
(The Women's prison is on the upper left and the Men's prison on the right.)
The story of the Pendle Witches is the best-documented - it was not the only one. There are many other tales of witches located in this remote, mysterious, and most Catholic part of England. George Stephenson named one of his locomotives the Lancashire Witch and Carol Ann Duffy’s evocative poem, The Lancashire Witches have invoked the harrowing scenes that took place here centuries ago.
Roman baths (lower right) were discovered in 1812 and can be seen near the priory, following a path through a park. The Roman garrison remained active up to the end of Roman presence in Britain in the early 5th century. There is also an interesting surviving fragment of Roman wall, a section of a bastion of the last Roman fort on the site.
How distinctively innocent look those little cottage surrounded by the vast volume of ancients stones of judgement, punishment, war, and ablution.
Very
characteristic of the North West of England, lots of stone is used in the buildings along cobblestone streets.
Combined with the frequent grey, overcast, foggy and rainy skies, with
its history, Lancaster is the best place for enjoying a quite specific aesthetics. Not dull or depressing, rather reflective and imaginative.
The historic city of Lancaster has retained many fine examples of 18th century Georgian architecture. The city council have also retained healthy relations to its architecture - there are new additions of houses of flats in the centre matching the old style (lower right). This historic sense is, unfortunately, lacking in many heads of other towns and cities authorities.
To be continued.
The historic city of Lancaster has retained many fine examples of 18th century Georgian architecture. The city council have also retained healthy relations to its architecture - there are new additions of houses of flats in the centre matching the old style (lower right). This historic sense is, unfortunately, lacking in many heads of other towns and cities authorities.
To be continued.