The Earth’s Treasury 2 at the Natural History Museum London
More from the Earth’s Treasury at the Natural History Museum London. There is also Earth’s Treasury 1 and The Vault of precious items.
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And crunchy chocolate cake to finish, I think.
The Vault and the Cursed Amethyst at the Natural History Museum London
Latrobe Gold Nugget made of rare crystallized gold.
At the end of the Minerals Hall at London’s Natural History Museum is The Vault which contains a number of precious objects including the Latrobe Gold Nugget, the Medusa Emerald, the Cursed Amethyst and a Martian Meteorite. 19 more pics ↓ . And, more at the Earth’s Treasury and Earth’s Treasury 2.
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The Vault
These are just a few of the rare items in the vault.
Yellow Sapphire and Padparadscha
Sapphires come in various colours and, like ruby, are made of corundum. The orange/pink is a rare colouring of sapphire known as padparadscha.
Imperial Topaz
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Rain in Seawater – An Aquamarine variety of Beryl
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The Scotch Koh-i-Noor – A Goshenite variety of Beryl
It is a bit of a mystery how it got its name, as it probably came from Brazil.
Sapphire Button
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Opal Necklace
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The Hope Chrysoberyl
This was once a part of the collection of Henry Philip Hope along with the Hope Diamond.
The Medusa Emerald
The medusa is regarded as one of the world’s finest mineral specimens.
Cut Morganite
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Crystal within a Crystal
A pink morganite crystal that grew around a blue aquamarine core.
Amethyst Boulder
It is amazing to think what might be found inside an ordinary looking rock. 🙂
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The Cursed Amethyst
The Cursed Amethyst
It is reputed that the Cursed Amethyst was stolen from an Indian temple in 1857 and then passed through several unfortunate hands before being owned by Edward Heron-Allen who bequeathed it to the museum. Whilst Heron-Allen owned the gem he had it kept in a bank vault within seven locked boxes. The whole story can be found here.
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The Tissant Meteorite from Mars
Tissint Meteorite
The Tissant Meteorite landed near the village of Tissant in Morocco in 2011, taking 700,000 years to travel from Mars having being ejected by that planet. Its particular importance derives from the indications that there was once liquid water on Mars. If there is water, now beneath the surface, then solar-powered electricity can be used to split the H2O into Hydrogen and Oxygen. The second can be used to support life, and both together as rocket fuel.
On the other hand, we could take more care of our own planet first. 🙂
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The Minerals Hall
With thousands of specimens.
Hydrohematite
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Iridescent crystals
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Iridescent Stalactites
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Chalcotrichite
More at the Earth’s Treasury.
Earth’s Treasury at the Natural History Museum London
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It would be rather marvelous to think that this opalescent wonder is a moon rock. Even more marvelous to realise that it came from our own Earth.
More pics ↓ with an ocean in a small opal and still more at the Vault and more at Earth’s Treasury 2 .
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This a real monster at around three feet tall, but it lacked a little colour, so a tiny tweak and ~
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If that were a drink it would be so delicious.
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There are literally hundreds of these.
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I’m not sure what a carved meerschaum pipe is doing here but I think she would be welcome anywhere.
Such wonders all around,
We need but stop and search the ground,
We need but pause and view the sky,
And cherish time before end is nigh.
Model Steam Engines at the Science Museum
Model of Shand Mason Steam Fire Engine
On the mezzanine floor, that you can only reach by stairs, of the Science Museum in the “Making of the Modern World” hall you can find these hand crafted beauties. The Science Museum also has a wonderful collection of beautiful antique watches.
Model of Alexandra Steam Train
Model of Stephenson’s Long Barrel Steam Locomotive
Model of Austria Steam Locomotive
Model of Crampton’s Steam Locomotive
Model of American 4-4-0 Steam Locomotive
Model Steam Train
Model Steam Train Showing Exposed Fire Tubes
This one shows the fire tubes that carry the hot gases from the fire box through the boiler. It was by this innovation that it was possible to transfer a great deal of heat quickly to the surrounding water, hence create and maintain a large volume of high pressure steam to drive the locomotive. The steam rises to the bubble on the top and a throttle controls the steam flow to the cylinders/pistons beneath.
And, a Rolls Royce
Model of Rolls Royce Silver Ghost 1911
And, a Wooden Ship
Model Wooden Ship
And, on the Ground Floor
Model of the Rocket Steam Train
Royal George No 5 Model Steam Train
Happy traveling. :-).
Beautiful Timepieces at the Science Museum London
32 pics. The London Science Museum now incorporates the Clock Museum which was previously housed at the Guildhall. Along with some beautifully crafted watches there are examples of chronometers.
The chronometer has been vital to the ability to create charts and safely navigate the world. The first chronometers were invented by John Harrison and are currently kept at Greenwich. Navigation and Greenwich and Greenwich Mean Time and there importance to the modern world can be found here whilst information about Harrison’s timepieces here.
Here are just a few of the hundreds of timepieces on view at the museum. It is well worth viewing the detail by right clicking on a picture, selecting “Open Link in New Tab” and then left click on the image to magnify.
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The Watches
Cornelius Yate c1620
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Robert Grinkin c1620
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Robert Grinkin
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Jean Robert Soret c1812
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L’Epine
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Andrews c1790
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Jean LeRoy
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Jean Antoine Lepine Late 18th Century
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George Daniels c1986
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The Marine Chronometers
Charles Shepherd c1822 Marine Chronometer
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Barrauds Marine Chronometer c1822
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Cogden and Son Marine Chronometer
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The Clocks
Johan Schneider c1625
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Fromanteel and Clark c1695
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J. Schmidt Table Clock c1827
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I hope you enjoyed that and so it’s goodbye from them and it’s goodbye from me.
Science Museum London
22 pics. The Natural History Museum⇐, Science Museum and fabulous Victoria & Albert Museum⇐ are all close together and very near South Kensington underground rail station. All are free to enter, although a small donation is usual, and have picnic areas (a wise choice).
It is advisable to download/save/print the museum map⇒. Their website is here⇒ and of special interest are the beautiful antique timepieces⇐ and the model steam engines⇐.
Newcomen type Atmospheric Engine
During the early 1700’s there was a developing energy crisis. Coal was needed to fuel industry, especially the smelting casting and forging of iron. Surface coal was becoming rare and deep mines were subject to flooding. Pumping out by hand or animal power was inadequate so Newcomen invented the Atmospheric Engine around 1712 and they continued as the only kind of steam engine until 1802.
The Atmospheric Engine filled a cylinder with steam at normal pressure which then condensed and reduced to less than atmospheric pressure. The external atmospheric pressure then pushed the piston into the cylinder, drawing the beam down and lifting the water pump at the other end. The age of the industrial revolution advanced along with our dependence on fossil fuels.
The one above was built in 1791 and continued in use for 127 years.
Bell Crank Engine by Boulton and Watt
Later, a more powerful type of pressurized steam engine, which pushes a piston along a cylinder, was developed by James Watt in 1802. This one powered a workshop and later an electrical generator.
Puffing Billy
The earliest practical steam locomotive was designed by Richard Trevithick in 1804 and used for the transport of coal. The Puffing Billy, above, was built by William Hedley.
Stephenson’s Rocket
George Stephenson built the Locomotion for the Stockton and Darlington Railway which was the first public steam railway in the world. It was his son, Robert Stephenson, who built the famous and more successful Rocket in 1829.
Grand Junction Railway Locomotive Columbine
Then innovation took off in leaps and bounds.
Traction Engine
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Pumping Engine
Steam driven pumping became another essential for the advancement of human civilization by the provision of clean water and removal of waste. Both were essential for the limitation of disease. You might like a look at the beautifully ornate Crossness Pumping Station ⇐ and the awesome machines at the London (Kew) Water and Steam Museum ⇐.
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Bessemer Converter
These developments were aided by the invention of the Bessemer Converter in 1856. Molten iron, refined from iron ore in a Blast Furnace, is poured into the vessel and then air followed by oxygen is forced through the molten metal. This was the first method of removing impurities on a large economic scale to produce steel.
The great gout of fire that spouts from the converter is awesome and can be seen on video by clicking on Bessemer Steel Making at Workington Cumbria⇒.
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Babbage’s Difference Engine No 2
Meanwhile there had been a need to produce accurate mathematical tables for engineers, astronomers, navigators etc. After around 25 years of trying, Charles Babbage created the Difference Engine No 2. Whilst it can only add and subtract, it can be programmed do so a number of times, hence it can multiply and divide. Modern computers use the same method.
Ribbon Loom by James Heywood using the Jacquard Principle
This clever little device can automatically weave a complex design using a series of punched cards for instruction. That is, a programmable process. Punched cards were used by early computers.
And then :-.
Well alright its early days yet.
Amy Johnson’s Airplane Jason
Amy Johnson was the first person to fly solo from Britain to Australia, although in several legs. If you click on twice to expand, you might notice an AA (Automobile Association) sticker just beneath “Jason”. Now that’s what I call optimism.
And then:-
The Spitfire
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Lockheed Electra
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Normal service will be resumed when Grommet gets back from the chip shop. 🙂
Harrier Jump Jet
And then :-
Space Rockets
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Space Satellite
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Space Capsule
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Moon Lander
And then:-
This suspended globe in the Science Museum turns and changes to show the weather patterns and day and night. At times it shows the vast number of lights we are burning.
The Clock of the Long Now
Please click on twice to expand the small print.
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Fossil fuels have been the foundation of our modern world and all of its benefits. Knowing no better, we have used a crude and poisonous medicine, we now have to evolve to stop the increasingly damaging side-effects. Considering all that mankind has done, surely we can manage this too.
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Bow Bells, Cockneys, Dick Whitington and Captain John Smith
The Church of St Mary Le Bow
The Church of St Mary Le Bow is in Cheapside and but 3 minutes walk from St Paul’s Cathedral. To be a true Cockney, which is not quite what people think, one must be born within the sound of St Mary Le Bow bells. Their website can be found here and this is not the same place as St Mary’s in the district of Bow.
According to folklore Dick Whittington changed his mind about leaving London when he heard the peal of Bow bells, and so changed his fortunes and became Lord Mayor of London. There was in fact a Richard Whittington who was Lord Mayor of London several times during the 14th century.
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There is also a cosy little crypt converted into a pleasant café.
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In the square, just outside the church, is a statue of Captain John Smith. The captain was a mercenary, pirate, explorer and at one time leader of Jamestown the first permanent English colony in America. It is said (mostly by himself) that his life was once saved by Pocohantas. He was probably what we would call now, a real swashbuckler. Anybody who wore rain-catcher boots like that had to be hardy. 🙂
The Queens Gallery
The Queens Gallery can be found at the southern wall of Buckingham Palace (near Victoria Station) beside the Royal Mews and you can photograph in both. Nearby are the State Rooms, where photography is not allowed. There are also some very royal gift shops.
I’ve chosen paintings and sketch cartoons that show slices of life from the artist’s point of view. They have all been enhanced to compensate for the low lighting and the fading/darkening of paint over time. They show the patience and skill that was employed, which makes them a joy to see.
Paintings
Market Scene by Night by Petrus van Schendel
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Agatha Bas by Rembrandt van Rijn
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An Old Man and a Girl at a Vegetable and Fish Stall by Willem van Mierls
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A Village Revel by Jan Steen
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The Embarkation at Margate of the Elector Palatine and Princess Elizabeth by Adam Willaerts
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Interior of Tavern with Card Players and a Violin Player by Jan Steen
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Ornamental
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Cartoons
18th century Britain was quite frank in its depictions of society and the notable. Sometimes irreverent and quite often bawdy. The first is a satire of the Duchess of Devonshire trying to assist her lover, Charles James Fox, to obtain a seat in Parliament. Fox succeeded in being elected but the Duchess never regained her reputation.
The Devonshire, or Most Approved Method of Securing Votes
Dressing for a Masquerade
The Unwelcome Visitor
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A New Cock Wanted or Work for the Plumber
More Ornaments
To restore some dignity, a picture of bathing implements for the royal corgis. 🙂
The National Gallery – London – UK
The Horses of Achilles in the style of Anthony van Dyke
The National Gallery (London UK) is adjacent to Trafalgar Square ⇐, St Martin in the Field ⇐ and the National Portrait Gallery ⇐. Entrance is free and you may photograph (no flash or tripod). You can also download images but with very limited use. The website is here ⇒.
Paintings like these provide an insight into past life, attitudes, stories and legends. Many show the enormous skill of the artists. All have been brightened a little to compensate for the low lighting and fading/darkening of paint. You might also like a selection of digitally enhanced versions that try to show their original vibrancy here ⇐.
The National Gallery Entrance (London)
The Fighting Temeraire by Joseph Mallord William Turner
The Virgin and Child with Saints by Lorenzo Costa and Gianfrancesco Maineri
Saints Christina and Ottilia by Lucas Cranach the Elder
Saints Genevieve and Appollonia by Lucas Cranach the Elder
Adriana van Heusden and her Daughter at the New Fish Market in Amsterdam by Emanuel de Witte
Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba by Claude
Dutch Vessels Close Inshore at Low Tide and Men Bathing by Wilem van de Velde
Infant St John with the Lamb by Bartoleme Esteban Murillo
London Interior of the Rotunda at Raneleigh by Canaletto
Phillip th IV Hunting Wild Boar by Diego Valazquez
Eaton College
National Gallery Portico – London
Advertising in the Age of Innocence ? No 2
11 Signs found at the Bekonscot Model Village⇐ at Beaconsfield. The other vintage signs are here ⇐ .
These advertising signs seem so simple compared with modern sophistry. Perhaps they are no less clever than those of present time but reflect an appeal to simpler desires and attitudes compared with today. Which do you find persuasive ?
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The Royal Mews
10 pics and the best is last. I thought a Royal Mews would have cats deep in thought but it turns out to be coaches. The one above is the “Glass Coach” and was used for royal marriages, including our own Queen Elizabeth II.
The Royal Mews can be found at the southern wall of Buckingham Palace (near Victoria Station) beside the Queens Gallery and you can photograph in both. Nearby are the State Rooms, where photography is not allowed. There are also some very royal gift shops,
And, there’s a green one,
And, Vorsprung durch Technik,
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This is a Donkey Barouche. Although it would probably look prettier with a donkey sitting in it. 🙂
I thought I might borrow this for Christmas. I’m sure they wouldn’t notice. It would make a great tankard full of amber foaming beer for quaffing.
And, here’s my ride. Cinderella would have been jealous.
I think the coachmen turn back into corgis at midnight. 🙂
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Oh poop, I got caught and put in jail. I’m being held for ransom. Help ! Send mince pies and brandy or it’s jingly bell sleigh duty for me.
St Martin in the Field
St Martin in the Field is right beside Trafalgar Square and is notable for its concerts. The lunchtime concerts are free and tickets for evening concerts can be booked in advance. The acoustics are truly remarkable and the choir I heard rehearsing were a real wonder. More here ⇒
You might notice the unusual window that appears to be distorted around the light fitting. That is its real shape. More about the window here ⇒ and listen to the choir below. 🙂
London Climate Rally Photographs 2015
They came and they came and there was easily more than 50,000. There were old-uns and young-uns , teenies and tweenies. I hadn’t seen so many join together for a long time and it was inspiring and heart warming.
One People, one Planet and one Purpose.
And every now and then a roar would arise and it would travel along the rally like a Mexican wave.
And they sang.
And they rocked.
And they drummed.
And they danced.
And Towser (has to be a Towser) thought it was mellifluous.
And they wore costumes.
And they brightened the day.
And they were serious.
Every one of them. And, every day there are more.
With thanks to The Campaign Against Climate Change, Avaaz, 350.org, Change,org and everybody who made this happen right across the world.
The National Portrait Gallery, London
The National Portrait Gallery is, to me, the best of the London Galleries. Here you can see some excellent portraiture of those who influenced the world we live in. There are many more paintings, here I have shown mostly the more contemporary.
The Portrait gallery is right behind The National Gallery, very close to Trafalgar Square and St Martin in the Field and not far from St James Park and Westminster. The nearest underground rail station is Charing Cross.
The brief factual comments are mostly extracts from Wikipedia and more information is available by clicking on the pink links.
David Lloyd George, laid the foundation for the modern welfare state, served as Prime Minister during WWI and was the last Liberal Party Prime Minister.
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Amy Johnson, was a pioneering English aviator and was the first female pilot to fly alone from Britain to Australia.
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Emmeline Pankhurst, leader of the British Suffragette movement.
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Sir Winston Churchill, needs no introduction.
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Dame Anna Neagle, a very popular British stage and screen actress.
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Beatrix Potter, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist best known for her children’s books featuring animals such as those in The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
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Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote Treasure Island, Kidnapped and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
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Dame Margot Fonteyn, widely regarded as one of the greatest classical ballet dancers of all time.
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Dame Monica Mason, a former ballet dancer and artistic director of the Royal Ballet in London from 2002 to 2012.
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Dorothy L. Sayers, a renowned English crime writer, poet, playwright, essayist, translator and Christian humanist.
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Dylan Thomas, a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems “Do not go gentle into that good night”, “And death shall have no dominion” and the “Play for Voices”, Under Milk Wood. He also encouraged a reputation as a “roistering, drunken and doomed poet”.
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Edward William Lane, a British Orientalist, translator and lexicographer. He is known for his translation of One Thousand and One Nights, which he censored, with the usual 19th-century view on “Victorian morality”.
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Sir Henry Irving, a Victorian actor/manager and the first actor to be awarded a knighthood.
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Henry James, an American writer who spent most of his writing career in Britain.
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James Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century. Joyce is best known for Ulysses (1922).
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Laurie Lee, an English poet, novelist and screenwriter. His most famous work was an autobiographical trilogy which consisted of Cider with Rosie (1959), As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning (1969) and A Moment of War (1991).
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Elizabeth I More of her paintings/history can be found in the post Hatfield House and Elizabeth I.
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Lady Hamilton and Admiral Lord Nelson. A scandalous affair. Just goes to show that if one is a hero, one can get away with anything.
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The Trial of Queen Caroline. In fact a parliamentary debate designed to grant King George IV a divorce.
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Reformed House of Commons. Following the Representation of the People Act 1832 .
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Sir Earnest Shackleton. Amongst his many exploits Shackleton safely brought back his entire expedition after their ship was crushed by Antarctic ice. It took three years.
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Sir Tim Berners-Lee, an English computer scientist, best known as the inventor of the World Wide Web.
I think he probably did more to change the world than anybody else.
Trafalgar Square and Street Artists
Even on a grey November day there is something to see. The eyes in this drawing are worth a second look.
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“They seek him here, they seek him there, His clothes are loud, but never square.
It will make or break him so he’s got to buy the best, ‘Cause he’s a dedicated follower of fashion”.
This one has been here for a long time.
There was an event on, so I couldn’t get a shot of the whole square. Here are some samples.
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Nelson’s column is 170 ft tall. In it’s time that was impressive.
As for what follows, sometimes it’s best not to ask.
Waltham Abbey and King Harold’s Day
The Church
There has been a church on this site since 610 AD. Rebuilt on a grander scale by Harold Godwinson (Earl of Essex and East Anglia) and consecrated in 1060 AD. The church has a long history that can be found here.
Harold Godwinson later became King Harold II in 1066. During that year Harold was forced to march north to Stamford Bridge and fend of a viking invasion. Two weeks later he was in Hastings trying to repel the Norman invasion. The Normans prevailed over the Anglo-Saxons and England/Britain was changed forever. This was the last successful invasion of the British Isles.
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King Harold’s Day
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“Hit me with your rhythm stick”. Morris dancing didn’t appear until 1448 but I’m not going to say anyting.
“I don’t know why they do it. They’d be better of with a hammer, like me and Thor”.
She was very good and produced some appealing airs.
The value of life was accounted very differently then. A slaves life being worth less than a toe of any other person.
On the other hand they had some sophisticated shoe marketing techniques.
What did the Normans ever do for us ?
“Falcons, who said falcons, I’ll give them food poisoning”. The falconry display includes a Peregrine Falcon and is here 🙂
Flower Festival at Leeds Castle
During the Flower Festival the castle was festooned, here are just a few. And there is more to see at Leeds Castle Interiors and Leeds Castle Grounds. 🙂
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Advertising in the Age of Innocence ?
Most of these are from the 1920’s. A few are earlier. They all come from the Bekonscot Model Village⇐. You might notice that some of the claims are blatantly exaggerated, but I think I prefer that to the present day subtleties of spin. More here ⇐.
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The tonic wine might be more welcome.
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I included this because I find it inspiring that so many such projects, both religious and secular, have stood the test of time. They often work quietly in the background and have made a profound difference to the lives of vulnerable people over the decades.
🙂
Leeds Castle Interiors
A castle has been on this site, in Kent, since 1119 and has been used by a number of royalty including Edward I and Henry VIII. The castle was purchased by Lady Baillie in 1926 and was used for a number of worthy purposes including a hospital for airmen during WWII.
In 1974 it was left to the Leeds Castle Foundation to be preserved for the benefit of the public. The history (Wiki) is here, castle/events website here, grounds/moat/lake/gardens here, falconry display here and the flower festival is here.
The name “Leeds” seems to have the original meaning of loud or rushing water. Hence there is a Leeds village nearby and another Leeds in the north of England.
This fellow is carrying a pole axe which was used to penetrate armour, quite often the opponent’s helmet. Hence the expression, being pole-axed.
I’m sure you could play a board game on that.
Henry VIII and it looks like he left his tankard behind.
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I’m not sure whether this is a charming guardian or a psychopath in a skirt. I suppose the defining question is; would I want him at the top of my stairs on dark night ?
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And, Richard II. We all know what happened to him.
Thanks for the visit and ~
Leeds Castle Grounds
20 pics. Leeds Castle in Kent that is. The long lake beside the castle and the path that passes the formal gardens and leads to the playground, maze, falconry display and a cheeky Jackdaw. Castle interiors here. See the castle website and tickets are valid for a year of repeat visits, yay. In the meantime enjoy ~.
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This is “Elsie” the land train from ticket office to the castle entrance (50 pence each). The walk is about 10-15 minutes and passes through some pleasant gardens.
Approaching the castle.
The time of my visit coincided with a flower festival. More of that in another post.
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There is a cafe and restaurant and a small dog-collar museum.
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Past the cafe and restaurant are the gardens.
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And, the tiered gardens beside the long lake and a view of the playground fort.
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“This year I will be mostly wearing my nose in the air”. | “She will too, she’s such a boy. I’ve got a long skirt you know”
There is a maze (keep turning left) with a turret at the center. Beneath the turret is a grotto complete with sounds of the sea, a doom laden voice reciting doom laden poetry and a tunnel to the way out. 🙂
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“And what are you laughing at. Just because I’ve got a comical looking face. I’ll have you know that I’m part of the entertainment”. “They don’t give these umbrellas to just anybody”.
“From me, Jack Daw, and all the other birdies, we hope you enjoyed your visit and do come again”. 🙂
Bonsai Trees at Wisley Gardens
If you think I’m daft enough to climb all the way up there to get photographs of little trees at Wisley Gardens ? Oh you do. Oh well, fair enough then. 🙂
There is a whole avenue of them, this is jut a few. There ages are mainly 40-60 years, with one exception.
Acer Palmatum – Japanese Maple Bonsai
It is amazing to see the whole detail of tree and leaf encapsulated in one small growth.
Ulmus Parvifolia – Chinese Elm Bonsai
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Juniperus Chinensis – Chinese Juniper Bonsai
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Juniperus Rigida Bonsai – Temple Juniper 150 yrs
This one is 150 years old. It was around before the first telephone was installed, successfully cared for all that time and has never received a telephone bill. 🙂
Falconry at Leeds Castle
17 pics. A Harris Hawk waits pensively for the launch signal. That beak means business. You can click twice for a better view.
“Ain’t I awesome”.
The trainer sends a morsel into the air using an elastic catapult. A little to the right of the hawk is a distant seagull and just below is the morsel. The hawk now has folded wings for the dive.
And the flyby with trophy.
“Nothing to see here, move along now. Ahh, with fava beans and a nice bottle of Chianti”.
A victory lap.
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“I’m firm but fair and you will applaud”. And they did.
The owl, the trainer said, had a short attention span and was easily distracted. He also said they were “thick”.
“He said what”.
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“Right, I’ll have your scraggles off”.
“I am, in fact, wise and dignified and I’ll murgle anyone who says otherwise”.
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Meanwhile, several gulls were scriking and showing off by making feint dives at the hawks. But, they carefully kept their distance. The hawks disdained any interest. After all, one does not converse with one’s food.
This little miss is a North American Kestrel weighing in at a mere 4 ounces. She was so fast on the wing, that the only photographs I have, are where she used to be. Even the gulls were bemused and kept their distance.
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Falcons, we are informed, will only fly free and return if they are happy with their conditions. They also live twice as long as in the wild. So, everybody’s happy. Yay . 🙂
There are more falcons including an amazing peregrine here.
Tweet and thanks for the visit.
Hatfield House and Gardens
There is a lot of history and a lot to see at Hatfield House. This is just a sample. I’ve started with this flower because it is the most regal that I have seen. You might also like to view the amazing interiors and some of its Elizabethan history by clicking here.
Inside the house are the famous Rainbow and Ermine portraits of Elizabeth I, together with a number of ornate ceilings and artifacts.
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For instance, this is Lord Burghley who created and ran what was probably the first organized intelligence service.
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. Access from Hatfield rail station is via a viaduct (I’ve always wanted to say that) that spans over a village.
Further into the estate is the old house and gardens.
This is the rear view of the newer house.
Across the green is the old church.
And, nearby is a path leading to the church which is open to visitors for part of the day.
In the church grounds there is this Tudor cottage.
And, inside the church the ceiling is being restored.
There are a number of gardens and water features.
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Meet the crew. There are several statues but I thought this was the best and appears to feature Queen Elizabeth I herself.
There is quite an extensive shopping mall with a gallery, large cafe and this. A toy shop and gun shop side by side. What can I say, it’s the countryside. Here are some flowers.
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If you like history then Hatfield House is steeped in it. More here.
Hatfield House and Elizabeth I
17 pics. Hatfield House is one of the most historically significant places to photograph near London and The Grounds ⇐, Extraordinary Chickens ⇐, Hatfield House Website ⇒.
Upon an autumn day being 27th November 1558 beside an oak tree near to Hatfield House which was her home at the time, Princess Elizabeth Tudor was told that she had become Queen Elizabeth I of England, following the death of her elder half-sister Queen Mary I.
Elizabeth’s accession had not been a certainty. Queen Mary I, also known as “Bloody Mary”, resented her own mother’s displacement as Henry VIII’s wife by Elizabeth’s mother Anne Boleyn. Queen Mary’s sobriquet stemmed from her attempt to return England to Catholicism by persecution of Protestants. Elizabeth was considered to have protestant leanings and likely to undo Mary’s efforts.
Fortunately Elizabeth was popular and had a number of powerful allies. Otherwise the whole future of Britain would have been changed and would have had a significant impact upon world history. Elizabeth’s reign of 44 years was known as a Golden Age with herself as “Gloriana” the virgin queen.
Portraits of Elizabeth started to include a variety of symbols which made them statements of intent and power and helped to establish the cult of Elizabeth. Here are two of them with some of the symbols explained, followed by images from within Hatfield House.
The Ermine Portrait shows Elizabeth holding an olive branch in her right hand signifying the offer of peace. Upon her left is an ermine wearing a crown as a collar and near her left hand the sword of state.
The ermine in the picture, with its black flecks, is a stylised version that indicates its heraldic significance that looks up to the queen.
An ermine is a stoat (short-tailed weasel) in its white winter coat. It represents purity and valour based upon an old legend that it would rather die than soil its white coat. Monarchs and peers had used the ermine to make cloaks. With several of the pelts sown together, the black tipped tails created a pattern of dark flecks. This then became an heraldic device of black flecks upon white.
Taken overall the message is that whilst Elizabeth offered peace, she was ready to use the sword, limited only by righteous regal purity.
The Rainbow Portrait includes the Latin phrase “Non Sine Sole Iris” (No Rainbow Without Sun). Although in the last year of her reign, Elizabeth is depicted in her prime with flowery symbols of spring on her dress.
The dress is protected by a cloak that has eyes and ears both inside and outside. There is also a serpent on her arm that represents subtle wisdom and a powerful bite.
The rainbow in her right hand seems to have no colour. I have not found a commentator who explains this but does seem to be of significance.
Taken altogether this is Elizabeth as the source of nature’s beauty and light protected by an ability to hear and see everything and to act upon that knowledge.
One of the famous Queen Elizabeth I Armada paintings can be seen at The Queen’s House ⇐ in Greenwich.
There have been many films depicting Elizabeth’s very dramatic life. My personal favourites are the 1998 film “Elizabeth” and the 2007 film “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” both starring Cate Blanchett and, I think, definitely worth seeing.
And, here is the house:-
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There are a great many works of art in Hatfield House, this one took my interest because it shows that artists of the past had some curious notions or tried to create them. In this picture of Eden there are people other than Adam and Eve and some of the animals are transparent. Click on twice for a closer view.
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This painting of Cicely Alice (Marchioness of Salisbury) was painted about 1910. I found it to be somewhat enigmatic. Whilst I could not find any cause for it, if you click on twice to expand, it looks as if she is about to burst into tears.
More from the grounds ⇐.
Freed From Time 