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Post by Blackbird on Mar 14, 2006 16:17:28 GMT -1
The Bisterne Dragon In Hampshire, at the top of a hill in the New Forest, a dragon was lairing who'd made it his daily routine to go into the nearby village of Bisterne for a bucket of milk, which the farmers left out (Whitlock, 1983). Growing tired of having to leave out milk, Bisterne employed a knight called Sir Macdoine de Berkeley to rid them of the dragon. Armed with milk, tin cans, a glass case and his sword, the knight travelled to the dragon's lair and outside, he poured the milk into the cans and then retreated to his glass case. In due course, the dragon came out to drink, and while he was occupied with lapping up the milk from the narrow cans, the knight stepped out and killed the dragon. In another version, the same dragon had a tendancy to eat cattle and human flesh, and the people of Bisterne grew tired of this so they persuaded the famous Sir Maurice de Berkeley to slay the dragon for them. Covering his armour in bird-lime and powdered glass, and assisted by his two large dogs, the knight met his foe on Dragon Field, and the battle ensued, during which both the dogs and the dragon were killed. Sir Maurice de Berkeley died of exhaustion soon after. Today, a stone dragon adorns the entrance of Bisterne Park, and sculptures of the dogs are on adjacent terraces. From www.sommerland.org/ondragons/mythology/mythology_1.html
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Post by Blackbird on Mar 14, 2006 16:19:51 GMT -1
The Mysterious Death of Red William On a bright August day in 1100, 10 years after his coronation, Rufus organised a hunting trip in the New Forest. The party spread out as they chased their prey, and Rufus, in the company of Walter Tirel, Lord of Poix, became separated from the others. It was the last time that Rufus was seen alive. By the time Rufus was found (by a group of local peasants) lying dead in the woods with an arrow piercing his lungs, Walter Tirel was on his way to France. According to the chroniclers, it was not murder. Walter and Rufus had been hunting together when Walter let loose a wild shot that, instead of hitting the stag he aimed for, struck Rufus in the chest. Rufus fell heavily onto the shaft of the arrow, driving it deep into him and sealing his fate. Walter tried to help him, but there was nothing he could do. Fearing that he would be charged with murder, Walter panicked, leapt onto his horse, and fled. To the chroniclers, such an 'Act of God' was an entirely apt and just end for a wicked king. Others are not so sure. They point out that even the chroniclers admit that Walter was reknowned as a keen bowman, and unlikely to fire such an impetuous shot. And why did Rufus' brother Henry, who was among the hunting party that day, insist that there should be no pursuit of Rufus' killer? In fact, Henry instead left immediately for London, where he was then crowned king in place of Rufus. More at www.brighton73.freeserve.co.uk/tomsplace/interests/medieval/rufus.htm
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Post by Blackbird on Mar 14, 2006 16:21:53 GMT -1
Silchester Roman Town Look across the whole site, from pre-Roman times to its abandonment. Explore some of the major buildings of Calleva, through the 19th and early 20th century excavations and a series of reconstruction drawings and archaeological analyses. www.silchester.rdg.ac.uk/
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Post by Blackbird on Mar 14, 2006 16:24:07 GMT -1
City of the Dead: the Roman Town of Calleva Atrebatum By Professor Michael Fulford The Iron Age and Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum can be found deep in the north Hampshire countryside in the parish of Silchester. But where once there was a busy, populous centre, now there are only green fields. All that is now visible above ground, of a settlement that thrived for more than 500 years between the first century BC and the fifth or sixth century AD, are sections of the late Iron Age fortifications of rampart and ditch, the Roman amphitheatre and, most impressive of all, the entire circuit of the late Roman town walls. Most Roman towns evolved into modern counterparts, either directly over the site of the ancient city, such as at Chichester, Winchester or London, or close by such as at St Albans or Norwich. So two very reasonable questions to ask about Calleva are: why did a major settlement develop in this location; and why is there no successor medieval and modern town? There are no certain answers to either of these questions, but trying to resolve them is one of the eternal fascinations of Calleva. More at: www.bbc.co.uk/history/archaeology/city_dead_01.shtml
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Post by Blackbird on Mar 14, 2006 16:25:37 GMT -1
Danebury Iron Age Hill Fort Danebury Iron Age hill fort is 2500 years old and was occupied as early as 550BC. Some of the finds can be seen in the Museum of the Iron Age in Andover. It is a nationally important Scheduled Ancient Monument and also a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Danebury is an Iron Age Hill Fort and one of the most extensively studied in Europe. The term 'Iron Age' describes the period between the end of the Bronze Age and the start of the Roman period. 700BC - AD43. We believe from evidence found, that the Fort was built 2500 years ago and occupied for nearly 500 years until the arrival of the Romans. You can discover more and see some of the finds, at the Museum of the Iron Age in Andover. In the Hill fort you can see the 'Ring' of ramparts and the once hidden gate way. The earth works around the entrance will give you a feel for the success of the Danebury defencesand you may notice that the ground slopes to a high spot in the centre of the ring. This area was a focal point for religious gatherings and important meetings. You may also notice some subtle dips in the ground where grain stores used to be. These dips are the only visible evidence of past . www.hants.gov.uk/countryside/danebury/
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Post by Blackbird on Mar 14, 2006 16:27:33 GMT -1
Brigantia Celtic Re-Enactment Looks like lots of fun BRIGANTIA is an historical re-enactment society, recreating the iron age Celts since 1990. We are based around Portsmouth in Hampshire in the south of England and travel around the UK and Europe performing public displays of combat and living history for fairs, museums, schools, local councils and national heritage organizations. www.ironage.demon.co.uk/brigantia/
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Post by Blackbird on Mar 14, 2006 16:29:25 GMT -1
Butser Ancient Farm Butser Ancient Farm is a replica of the sort of farm which would have existed in the British Iron Age circa 300 BC. Founded in 1972, it moved to its present site at Bascomb Copse in 1991. The farm has buildings, structures, animals and crops of the kind that existed at that time. It is much more than a museum though. It is essentially a large open air laboratory where research into the Iron Age and Roman periods goes on using the methods and materials which were available at that time, and also by applying modern science to ancient problems. The farm is open to the public, and is happy to welcome school parties, archaeological societies, and other group visits by arrangement. Special interest groups can also be catered for. The farm runs a number of day schools and courses for people interested in the Iron Age and in archaeology in general. www.butser.org.uk/iafintro_hcc.html
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Post by Midori on Mar 14, 2006 18:04:58 GMT -1
This is home to me, I used to ride my horse through the centre of Calleva, (on the track, of course) and he was always a handful there, seeing Roman Ghosts no doubt. Unfortunately he is long gone to the horsy equivalent of the Summerlands.
Butser is worth a look, at one time you could visit any time between Beltane and Samhain, but they are only open on certain days now.
Danebury is my sacred Grove, it is only 6 miles from where I live and is an excellent alternative to Stonehenge to watch the Solstice sunrise!
Should anyone want to visit Danebury I would be happy to meet up with them and show them around, also take them to the Museum of the Iron age in Andover, where a lot of the finds are housed.
BB Midori
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Post by jez on Mar 19, 2006 14:18:19 GMT -1
City of the Dead: the Roman Town of Calleva Atrebatum By Professor Michael Fulford <snip> ..So two very reasonable questions to ask about Calleva are: why did a major settlement develop in this location; and why is there no successor medieval and modern town? Because us Saxons didn't like the view???
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