Location of Wales (in Orange) Pic: Wiki

Last July (2011) in Swansea, Alun Ffred Jones AM, Minister for Heritage, launched the Archwilio project at the Treftadaeth Conference. The system gives access to over 100,000 records maintained by the four Welsh archaeological trusts. The Minister observed: Wales is the first country in Britain that has made all its archaeological records available online. Archwilio will be a tremendous asset not only for the people of Wales but also for those further afield who have an interest in the rich archaeology and cultural heritage of our country

He added that he was delighted to see independent organisations developing systems that will contribute towards addressing some of the aims set out in his The Welsh Historic Environment Strategic Statement, published in 2009.

What is Archwilio?

Archwilio is the online access system to the Historic Environment Records (HERs) of Wales. The system has been developed through a partnership of the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts to provide wider public access to this valuable resource. We believe that the dissemination of information leading to a wider understanding of our cultural heritage and historic environment is the most effective conservation tool. Archwilio translates as to explore, examine or audit and therefore encapsulates the use of the HERs in relation to the historic environment.

The four regional historic environment records compiled and maintained by the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts (WATs) aim to provide a comprehensive catalogue of archaeological and historical sites and finds of all periods throughout Wales. They offer a unique opportunity to investigate the heritage of Wales. Currently, about 100,000 individual entries are held by the four regional records, which are continually up-dated and expanded as new information becomes available. The HERs fulfil a wide variety of functions including assisting in the positive management and presentation of the historic landscape, planning control, and as a source for input to local history, conservation and tourism projects.

The HER covers all aspects of human activity in the landscape from early prehistory to the twentieth century without prejudice. Details of well- and lesser-known sites can be found, in addition to records generated by archaeological projects undertaken in the area. If you are interested in researching your local area, or finding out more about a particular historical period, this is a good place to start.

How you can help

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The King’s Knot in Stirling Castle Pic: roger4336

The Telegraph reports that archaeologists searching for King Arthur’s round table have found a “circular feature” beneath the historic King’s Knot in Stirling.  The King’s Knot, a geometrical earthwork in the former royal gardens below Stirling Castle, has been shrouded in mystery for hundreds of years.   Though the Knot as it appears today dates from the 1620s, its flat-topped central mound is thought to be much older.

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Description Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Appbrain at http://www.appbrain.com/app/celtic-myth-show/tv.wizzard.android.celticmythpodshow841 or by using the QR code opposite.
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Educational Visit Pic: The Clanranald Trust

You may remember a news post in the past about Russell Crowe  giving a prop Battering Ram from the set of The Robin Hood movie to the Charity  The Clanranald Trust. Well this weekend he is visiting  Duncarron Fort which is being built by the trust to help educate people on Scottish History.  The BBC reports : The actor is a friend of the trust’s chief executive Charlie Allan, after the pair met on the set of Gladiator.

Crowe announced his visit on Twitter saying:

“First time in Scotland, special.”

The star said he had  ”Scottish heritage”   in his family.

He is expected to arrive at the fort later, tour the site and meet those working on the project.

The Clanranald Trust is creating a motte and bailey, typical of a Scottish clan chief’s residence, where people will eventually be able to to experience the atmosphere of an authentic medieval working community.
The charity also provides extras for film battle scenes and the hope is that the site at Duncarron may be used as a filming location in the future.
Crowe has been supporting the trust’s work since meeting Mr Allan while filming Gladiator.

In 2009 he gifted a battering ram used as a prop on the set of Robin Hood to the fort project.

Last month he used Twitter to urge his 200,000 followers to support the work being done at Duncarron.

Work began to create the medieval village at Duncarron in 2008He also tweeted a “shout out” to First Minister Alex Salmond and other government ministers to thank them for backing the trust.
He said:

“Clanranald educating folks on Scottish history, also focus on helping the long-term unemployed and the criminal reform service, tough jobs.”

As part of a joint project between the trust and North Lanarkshire Council offenders on community service orders have helped with building and labouring work at the fort.
Chief executive, Mr Allan, who starred alongside Crowe in Gladiator and Robin Hood, said:

“Russell has always been interested in what we are doing ”He is the only guy on the planet I look up to. He is pleasant, generous and a great laugh.”

He added:

“His ongoing interest, support and encouragement in our project means an awful lot to us.”

To Find out more about this exciting project visit http://www.clanranald.org

Source

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Descripition Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Appbrain at http://www.appbrain.com/app/celtic-myth-show/tv.wizzard.android.celticmythpodshow841 or by using the QR code opposite.
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Visiting Alton Towers today, it’s hard to believe that this hugely popular Staffordshire theme park spreads across the site of an iron age fort. The grounds were gradually developed over the years and once held a castle, which was the home of the Earl of Shrewsbury from 1412.

More than three centuries later, the 15th Earl took the house and estate firmly in hand, bringing in an impressive taskforce of labourers and artisans to begin a major transformation. Alton Abbey’s landscape was tamed, bringing with it lakes, statues and the magnificent Chinese pagoda fountain.

It was in the 1890s that the estate began to be developed as a tourist attraction. Members of the public flocked to the grounds to marvel at firework displays, balloon festivals and even instruments of torture. However, these early heydays were short-lived, as a family dispute caused the house to fall into decline.

The Alton Towers estate was bought up by a local businessman and all its contents auctioned off. Regardless of its lack of exciting attractions, thousands of loyal visitors continued to visit the house and its cafes, until the Second World War saw it requisitioned by the army as a cadet training base.

In 1951 it was returned to the Alton Towers company. However, as there was a post-war shortage of copper, lead and other metals, the whole interior of the house was stripped out. The entire building was abandoned, save for the Chapel, which became home to a model railway, and the Armoury, which evolved into a gift shop.

Twenty years later new owners took over, carrying out major renovations, so in the 1970s the public were once again able to enjoy the house and surrounding landscape. A number of small attractions were also placed around the estate to encourage further visitors.

In the following decade everything changed once more. A businessman named John Broome used his vision to develop the land into a 500 acre family leisure park. In 1979 almost seventy containers arrived on site, carrying vast steel structures that were to become the country’s first ever double-corkscrew rollercoaster. Tens of thousands of visitors were lifted, twisted and plummeted along its exhilarating length until it was finally decommissioned in 2008.

An altogether more sedate attraction was the popular swan boats. Housed on the lake that had once held the Splash Kats, they were slowly moved around the water by pulleys below the surface, changing direction a couple of times every minute. As visitors continued to crave bigger and better thrills, these swan boats became less popular and were removed in 2004.

In 1990 John Broome sold Alton Towers to the Tussauds Group and it has continued to change hands. However, it remains as popular as ever and, as Europe’s eleventh most visited family theme park, attracts almost three million people each year.

PCL Travel has been established since 1995 and operate a regular Leeds Airport transfer service throughout the year by luxury vehicles.

This article was written by Glynis Charlton

Author: Glynis Charlton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Make PCB Assembly

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Descripition Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Appbrain at http://www.appbrain.com/app/celtic-myth-show/tv.wizzard.android.celticmythpodshow841 or by using the QR code opposite.
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Reconstruction of medieval knight’s Face Pic: BBC News & Shine TV Ltd

BBC news tells us: A reconstruction has revealed the face of a medieval knight whose skeleton was discovered at Stirling Castle Scotland. Experts are now attempting to discover the identity of the warrior, who is likely to have been killed in the 13th or 14th Century. The skeleton is one of 10 excavated from the site of a lost royal chapel at the castle. The skeleton of a woman was found near the knight.

Forensic anthropologist Professor Sue Black is leading the investigation.

It is believed the knight could have been killed during Scotland’s Wars of Independence with England.

Techniques have advanced a long way and we can now tell much more about where people came from, their lifestyles and causes of death Dr Jo Buckberry University of Bradford

The castle changed hands several times and scientific tests have been used to work out whether the knight might have been a Scot, an Englishman or even French.

“He was a very strong and fit nobleman, with the physique of a professional rugby player, who would have been trained since boyhood to handle heavy swords and other weapons and who would have spent a great deal of time on horseback,”

said  Richard Strachan, senior archaeologist with Historic Scotland.

Historic Scotland, which cares for the castle, has announced it is commissioning further research to find out more about the 10 skeletons, which include two infants.

They date from the 13th to 15th Centuries and were found during preparatory work for a £12m refurbishment of the castle’s Renaissance royal palace.

To read more visit :  Source

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Descripition Page.

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Maiden Castle in Dorset Pic: AllEmpires.net

The desirability of a view is not new. Ancient peoples valued them as much as we do! The ability see a long distance over water or land today is visually aesthetic, a sought after asset giving pleasure to the owners. In earlier centuries it was defence. Small populations organised the building of forts overlooking a distant expanse in order to protect themselves from invaders.

That odd looking bump on a hill in the British countryside could well be a hill fort. A hill upon a hill, covered now in grass and trees.

The earliest hill forts in Britain are of the Bronze Age which is about three to four thousand years ago. Mostly these forts are of the following Iron Age which lasted until the Roman invasion.

(The population of Britain at the time of the Roman invasion would be around the four million mark. Sparsely populated by today’s standards.)

The Romans found some of the forts useful and took them over, others were abandoned. Quite a few were taken over again after the Romans left and Celts and Saxons fought over them. King Alfred the Great repaired and reorganised many in southwest England as camps and way stations along herepaths (military roads) in his campaign against the Vikings.

Many of these forts can still be seen and visited being protected by English Heritage or The National Trust. The largest and the most intricate in Europe is Maiden Castle in Dorset started well over 6000 years ago in Neolithic times, well before the Bronze Age. It is still in use today as a major tourist attraction.

A major battle took place here between the Romans under their great general, Vespasian, and the obdurate Celts. Dorchester Museum has the story and the artefacts. It must have been a terrible battle. Stand in the middle of the fort and just imagine that Durotrige Tribe trying to defend their home against a highly organised army. They did not let it go easily, but it was not built for that warfare. Nor did they have the weapons the Romans did.

The actual management needed to build those forts and keep them repaired would have been considerable whether it was a small one for the defence of a local population or a large one in a vulnerable or important position. All done by hand, no machines!

Everyone must have had to do their bit. Obviously they were built over time, gradually adding to the defences as needs arose. Time for many of these forts was centuries. Generation after generation called these structures home and added their contribution.

Some forts are actually animal enclosures, farmers feeding and protecting their herds and flocks.

Typically the hill fort is a complex and sometimes elaborate earthwork following the curves of the chosen site. They are sited so that the best view of the surrounding countryside is obtained in order to see the enemy coming and so be prepared for attack.

How big they were depended on whether the fort had to defend a small settlement, or in times of real trouble most of the tribe.

Not all are on the tops of actual hills, some are on ridges with steep slopes, very hard to attack. Two or more major tracks or major rivers leading to a settlement would be another. Perhaps protected by marshland or other natural obstacle. On the coast it was necessary to defend the shore from attack from the sea, here hill forts can be found on cliffs.

Most are multipart compounds with lines and circles of massive earthen ramparts. Stockades made of upright logs with sharpened spikes harvested from the local forest were used for further defence. The logs were placed side by side and stood right round the fort.

In later times a few forts had mud covering to the stockade to protect from the elements as well. Even later if the materials were to hand, stone walls were created. Might have spoilt the view however. Sentries perhaps? Certainly the beginnings of the castles. Some are known as castles.

Ditches, probably from where the earth had been taken, surrounded the stockade. This suggests considerable planning and working out of the whole site through the ages. Do not discount the wisdom of the ancients! Marvel at it. Marvel too at their industry.

That these forts were successful for their purpose is evident. The techniques lasted so long and over two thousand have been found in the country. Over one hundred of the larger, more important sites have been excavated.

Copyright Mary Temple 2009.

To find out more about Wessex, cycling, walking or holidaying in this lovely area please visit http://www.travelwessex.com/.

Author: Mary Temple
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Pic: Women’s History @ About.com

The last heart rending letter sent by Mary Queen of Scots, was written at 2am on Wednesday 8th February 1587 at Fortheringay Castle, Northamptonshire England. Eight hours later Mary would suffer a horrific beheading at the hands of her Cousin Queen Elizabeth 1st of England. The letter was written to her Brother in law,  Henri III, King Of  France, who was the youngest brother of her first husband (Francois II of France). It wasn’t until 1587 that Mary’s Physician was able to return to France and pass the letter to Henri III.  The letter revealed that, just hours from death, Mary asked Henri to ensure her servants’ wages were paid.

 It was, however, left to Philip II of Spain to authorise, through his ambassador Bernardino Mendoza, the payment of wages and pensions to Mary’s servants.

Throughout the 18 years of her imprisonment, Mary symbolised the aspirations of the English Catholics hoping for the restoration of their country to Catholicism. In addition, the rival Catholic Kings of France and Spain each hoped to bring England within his own sphere of political and diplomatic influence by placing Mary on the English throne.

Although Mary had been found guilty and sentenced to death, Elizabeth hesitated to actually order her execution. She was fearful of the consequences, especially if, in revenge, Mary’s son James of Scotland formed an alliance with the Catholic powers, France and Spain, and invaded England.

She did eventually sign the death warrant and entrusted it to William Davison, a privy councillor. Later, the privy council, having been summoned by Lord Burghley without Elizabeth’s knowledge, decided to carry out the sentence at once before she could change her mind.

When the news of the execution reached Elizabeth she was extremely indignant, and her wrath was chiefly directed against Davison, who, she asserted, had disobeyed her instructions not to part with the warrant. The secretary was arrested and thrown into the  Tower of London. He was later released, after paying a heavy fine, but his career was ruined.

The English government insisted that the death of Mary was purely a political matter. However, as she conveys in her last letter, Mary herself believed she was dying a religious martyr.

But what concerned her equally when she wrote to the King of France, with whom she had corresponded regularly while in captivity, was the well-being of her household servants after her execution. In effect, few of these servants returned to their native lands of France and Scotland.

At Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire, on 7 February 1587, Mary was told that she was to be executed the next day. She spent the last hours of her life in prayer and also writing letters and her will. She expressed a request that her servants should be released. She also requested that she should be buried in France.

The scaffold that was erected in the great hall was three feet tall and draped in black. It was reached by five steps and the only things on it were a disrobing stool, the block, a cushion for her to kneel on, and a bloody butcher’s axe that had been previously used on animals. At her execution the executioners (one of whom was named Bull) knelt before her and asked forgiveness. According to a contemporary account by Robert Wynkfield, she replied

"I forgive you with all my heart"

The executioners and her two servants helped remove a black outer gown, two petticoats, and her corset to reveal a deep red chemise—the liturgical colour of martyrdom in the Catholic Church. As she disrobed she smiled faintly to the executioner and said,

"Never have I had such assistants to disrobe me, and never have I put off my clothes before such a company."

She was then blindfolded and knelt down on the cushion in front of the block. She positioned her head on the block and stretched her arms out behind her.

In Lady Antonia Fraser’s biography, Mary Queen of Scots, the author writes that it took two strikes to decapitate Mary:

The first blow missed her neck and struck the back of her head, at which point the Queen’s lips moved. (Her servants reported they thought she had whispered the words "Sweet Jesus.") The second blow severed the neck, except for a small bit of sinew that the executioner severed by using the axe as a saw. Robert Wynkfield recorded a detailed account of the moments leading up to Mary’s execution, also describing that it took two strikes to behead the Queen. Afterward, the executioner held her head aloft and declared,

"God save the Queen."

At that moment, the auburn tresses in his hand came apart and the head fell to the ground, revealing that Mary had had very short, grey hair.  The chemise that Mary wore at her execution is displayed at Coughton Court near Alcester in Warwickshire, which was a Catholic household at that time.

It has been suggested that it took three strikes to decapitate Mary instead of two. . It has been postulated that said number was part of a ritual devised to protract the suffering of the victim.

There are several (possibly apocryphal) stories told about the execution. One already mentioned and thought to be true is that, when the executioner picked up the severed head to show it to those present, it was discovered that Mary was wearing a wig. The headsman was left holding the wig, while the late queen’s head rolled on the floor.  It was thought that she had tried to disguise the greying of her hair by wearing an auburn wig, the natural colour of her hair before her years of imprisonment began. She was 24 when first imprisoned by Protestants in Scotland, and she was only 44 years of age at the time of her execution.

Another well-known execution story related in Robert Wynkfield’s first-hand account concerns a small dog owned by the queen, which is said to have been hiding among her skirts, unseen by the spectators. Her dress and layers of clothing were so immensely regal, it would have been easy for the tiny pet to have hidden there as she slowly made her way to the scaffold. Following the beheading, the dog refused to be parted from its owner and was covered in blood. It was finally taken away by her ladies-in-waiting and washed.

Mary’s final letter is part of the National Library of Scotland‘s manuscript collections and can be read online translated into several languages at  http://www.nls.uk/mqs/index.htm

(source1) (source2)

Pic: Paws and reflect

There is no historical evidence that Merlin the Wizard existed states the Castles.me.uk website in its excellent educational resource about English Castles. The Arthurian legends were based on the books written by the clerics and poets of the Medieval era or the Middles Ages. These legends and myths about "the one, true King of the Britons" – King Arthur – and the mystical magical and prophetic world of Merlin were used by Kings of England to authenticate their claims to the both the Welsh and English thrones!

The Legend begins – How Merlin the Wizard got his name!

Merlin the Wizard, Merlin the Sorcerer, Merlin the Magician are just some of the titles given to the prophet in the Legend of Merlin. The the ninth-century chronicler Nennius wrote the Historia Brittonum in which a character called Ambrosius was featured. This character was combined with a 6th Century Welsh fictional bard called Myrddin ( who was mentioned in many Welsh poems ). The man who invented Merlin the Wizard was a Welsh cleric called Geoffrey of Monmouth. In 1136 Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote a book called Historia Regum Britanniae – the History of the King’s of Britain. The Latin form of the name Myrddin was Merdinus. Geoffrey of Monmouth ‘Latinised’ the legendary character’s name to Merlinus ( because the word ‘merde’ was viewed as vulgar and obscene). Further credence was given to the stories about Merlin the Wizard by the ‘Black Book of Caernarvon’ (Welsh: Llyfr du Caerfyrddin). This book was written, in Welsh, in 1250 and contained stories and poems relating to the heroes of Britain in the Dark Ages including those connected with the legend of King Arthur and Merlin the Wizard.

Who was Merlin the Wizard?

There are many magical legends which surround Merlin the magician and wizard. Merlin was enchanted by the Lady of the Lake, became the guardian of the young Arthur. He appeared as an old, wise man, giving his wisdom to four successive British kings. He was known as the Wild Man of the Woods during which time he learned to talk to the animals. Merlin was reputed to be a mystical Druid, a Celtic priest, Merlin the Wizard, Merlin the Sorcerer, Merlin the Magician a man who possessed the knowledge and secrets of the ancients. The mystical advisor to King Arthur at Camelot. The population knew, and believed, the old legends and myths about Merlin and he was especially revered as a great prophet. Enter the Medieval ‘Spin Doctors’ of the English Kings!

The Prophecies of Merlin!

Merlin the Wizard was credited with making many prophecies. The Medieval ‘Spin Doctors’ of the English Kings, especially King Edward I and the Tudors used these prophecies to substantiate their claims to both the English and Welsh thrones. King Edward I went to the tremendous trouble and expense to build Caernarvon castle in such a way that it fulfilled a prophecy of Merlin the Wizard see Caernarvon Castle Welsh Mythology The Druid Wizard, Merlin, and several prophecies, were strongly associated with Caernarvon! Merlin was believed to have been born in a cave outside Caernarvon. The name Caernarvon is believed to be derived from ‘Caer Myrddin’ meaning Merlin’s town or fortress. Merlin the Wizard was closely linked with King Arthur and was even linked with the transportation of the great Stonehenge stones! It was in the political interests of the Medieval ‘Spin Doctors’ and the English Kings to be seen to "fulfill" these ancient prophecies of Merlin the Wizard!

The Prophecies of Merlin – Fiction turns into Fact!

The stories, legends and myths about Merlin the Wizard, Merlin the Sorcerer, Merlin the Magician and Merlin the Prophet play an important role in the History of the Britons. The character of Merlin the Wizard was invented by Geoffrey of Monmouth. Other Medieval writers, poets and Chroniclers used the character of Merlin the Wizard in their works and the stories of the Knights of the Round Table appeared. The Kings of England encouraged the belief in King Arthur and Merlin to meet their own ends. The legends and myths about Merlin continued to grow. Of course the stories were true – the King said so! The King has fulfilled the ancient prophecies of Merlin! Even up to the present day people are confused as to whether Merlin the Wizard was an actual person – which might be the reason you are reading this text! The legend of Merlin is a perfect example of Fiction being turned into Fact!

Merlin the Wizard and the Medieval ‘Spin Doctors’

The Medieval ‘Spin Doctors’ of the old English Kings elevated Merlin the Wizard, Merlin the Sorcerer, Merlin the Magician and Merlin Prophet to a position of high, unassailable prominence. Merlin was surrounded with magic and mystery. People did not question his existence – until now…

Find out more about English Castles at the castles.me.uk website from where this article was sourced.

Pic: .Martin.

I can never pass the Tower of London without shuddering for all the horror that took place behind its walls. People did not just have their heads lopped off – which must be something rather less than jolly. They were comprehensively tortured in ways that would make you faint to read about them. So although the Beefeaters – all ex-non-commissioned officers in the forces – look jolly and benevolent and tell a good yarn, never forget that this place saw some of the most horrid events of English history. A history that was far from bloodless.

The Tower of London was home to every monarch from William the Conqueror – the Norman who took over the country in 1066 by hammering Harold on his horse at Hastings with an ‘andful of arrers in his eye as a popular poem of the last century would have it – to Henry the VIII in the 16th Century who started the tradition of getting involved with other women which is still shown by certain sections of the Royal family to this day.

The Tower has also been the site of the Royal Mint, has housed public records, the Royal Menagerie and the Royal observatory. It is arguably the most famous, well preserved historical building in the world.

William the Conqueror started work on it three months after he arrived in 1066 and the Great Tower – later to become the White Tower when Henry III had the light stone which had been imported from Caen whitewashed – was built to let the Anglo-Saxon people know there was a new sheriff in town.

Initially it was earth and timber – there were stone walls still standing from the old Roman town of Londinium Augusta and they helped form a foundation.

In fact, John Stow in his epic ‘A Survey of London’, first published in 1598, refers to this although he says there is no documentary proof to support the theory.

But at the least you could say it is very probable that a fort of some kind has been there since the Roman Times and that at least some of the stones in the wall date from those times.

To this was added The Great Tower, now The White Tower and this is where the king moved in as a full time resident. The castle was always being added to and modified. It is a happy thought that if town planning had existed today there would be no Tower of London. There would be a mound of earth and some old stone walls. Today you can view the White Tower which was basically finished in 1097 and has on display a collection of armour and weapons.

Then there is the Bloody Tower where Richard III is supposed to have drowned the young prince Edward V and his younger brother in 1483 so he could claim the throne.

This is a piece of blatant propaganda that was written by William Shakespeare to curry favor with the monarchy. Richard III probably didn’t drown the princes and he certainly did not have a hump. For one alternative version read Josephine Tey’s ‘The Daughter of Time.’ Mark you, that is probably wrong as well but as no one knows the truth it is at least an acceptable theory.

Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned here from 1603 until 1616 during which time he wrote ‘The History of the World.’ He was more under house detention than actually imprisoned. He had two servants and his wife and his two sons sometimes came to stay with him.

He was released to lead an expedition to find the fictional El Dorado. He did not find it so when he returned he was executed as an encouragement to other explorers.

The moat became an open sewer until the Duke of Wellington, ever a man of direct action, had it drained.

The famous ravens do not hang around the tower of their own volition. They have their wings clipped. This does not lead to a friendly disposition and they are known to make quite scary attacks on visitors. Personally, I think they are dead souls haunting the castle but I am a Celt and ever superstitious.

One of the great attractions of the Tower are the Crown Jewels which are housed in the Duke of Wellington’s Barracks. Among them are The Royal Sceptre, containing the largest cut diamond in the world.

The Imperial State Crown, made in 1838 for the coronation of Queen Victoria and containing 3,000 precious stones including the second largest cut diamond in the world. And the Kohinoor diamond which is set in the crown made for the coronation of George VI’s queen, Elizabeth (the present Queen Mother) in 1937.

The people of India, from whom it was looted, would quite like it back. They are next in line to the Greeks who are waiting for the Elgin Marbles.

Nicking the Crown Jewels would be a great wheeze, although they would be very difficult to fence. In 1671 Colonel Thomas Blood managed to get the Jewels as far as the Wharf before he was arrested. He was punished with a Royal Pension which suggests the idea was that of Charles II, who at the time was running a bit short of the readies.

The few executions carried out at the Tower were on Tower Green. They have marked the spot where the block is supposed to have been with a bronze tablet. Unlike your normal public executions, which was the equivalent of the Cup Final, watching an execution at the Tower was for the very privileged.

So only the top – pardon the pun – miscreants were dramatically shortened in the Tower. The rest were carried out on Tower Hill, outside the Tower so that the thousands of spectators could have a better view.

One of the latest additions to the Tower is the History Gallery which was opened in 1978 for the Tower’s 900th Anniversary. It is enthralling although chilling. The Tower is an evil place.

They have the Ceremony of the Keys, which has been held at 10 o’clock every night for more than 700 years although there appears to have been one night in the Blitz of the second world war when the service was disrupted.

It is a most impressive ceremony if you can arrange to see it. This is not easy but well worth the effort.

Gareth Powell is a writer for China Economic Review

Author: Gareth Powell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Pic: Anglesey Mon

The BBC reported that an animated film created over the course of a three-week project celebrating Anglesey’s prehistoric heritage was screened throughout the day on Saturday 30 August 2008 in a converted grain silo at Beaumaris Castle. Artists, musicians and animators had been working with local residents at the Castle to bring ancient objects to life. You can see a short clip from this film on the BBC website.

The project has been jointly created with National Museum Wales and Cadw. Over the three weeks, people had been invited to animation and sound workshops to make images and a soundtrack for the film.

Experts from the National Museum Wales have also been on hand to identify any ancient objects people may have found in the area.

Artist and animator Sean Harris is one of the professionals who has worked with members of the local community, as well as screening his own films during the project.

To be able to use them, through the medium of animation, within the landscape and amongst the monuments from which they came and with the people of the Isle of Anglesey, seems extraordinarily powerful.

Mr Harris also praised Cadw and the National Museum for embracing new means of communication.

Read the full story on the BBC Website.