CONTENT
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
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.
David Ross, Publisher
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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.
Read more: /articles/Castles/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
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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/History/tudor/cranmer.htm /History/tudor/wolsey.htm
The Spanish Armada /History/tudor/armada.htm
And in our English Culture section:
Darts in Britain: /History/pastimes/darts.htm
Drystone Walls /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/
That's all for now. Until next issue, let me remind you that laughter is contagious. Be a carrier.
David Ross, Publisher, Britain Express
