My Travel and History Blog, Focussing mostly on Roman and Mediaeval Times
28 Jun 2014
Room Sharing, Roman Style
Hi, it's me, Aelius Rufus. Gabriele has taken an old post of me and added some of those little pictures and more information, so I have to retell a few things. I got to see the cavalry fort at Aalen which dates to the time of Antoninus Pius, and she thought it would be fun to compare the soldiers' barracks of the standard Hadrian's Wall / Limes forts to the cavalry ones.
A reconstructed barrack in Arbeia
That's the place where my friend Gaius Fannius commands a unit of the 5th cohort of Gaul auxiliary, sometimes visited by the mysterious, time traveling Merlinus. Well, he's a centurion and gets some more space to his own. Read more »
Hi, it's me, Aelius Rufus. Gabriele has taken an old post of me and added some of those little pictures and more information, so I have to retell a few things. I got to see the cavalry fort at Aalen which dates to the time of Antoninus Pius, and she thought it would be fun to compare the soldiers' barracks of the standard Hadrian's Wall / Limes forts to the cavalry ones.
That's the place where my friend Gaius Fannius commands a unit of the 5th cohort of Gaul auxiliary, sometimes visited by the mysterious, time traveling Merlinus. Well, he's a centurion and gets some more space to his own. Read more »
14 Jun 2014
Pretty Things That go Boom
Yesterday, I promised someone on Twitter that I would post some photos of historical guns and rifles I took in the museum in Coburg Fortress. So here we go.
Coburg Fortress; the Blue Tower to the left and the High House to the right
The history of Coburg Fortress (Veste Coburg) goes back to the 11th century, but I'll leave that for another post. It is one of the castles that has never fallen into ruins, but was altered significantly over time. Albeit some old features still remain, like the Romanesque lower part of the Blue Tower or the Gothic High House, the most striking parts today are the fortifications from the 16th century. Read more »
Yesterday, I promised someone on Twitter that I would post some photos of historical guns and rifles I took in the museum in Coburg Fortress. So here we go.
The history of Coburg Fortress (Veste Coburg) goes back to the 11th century, but I'll leave that for another post. It is one of the castles that has never fallen into ruins, but was altered significantly over time. Albeit some old features still remain, like the Romanesque lower part of the Blue Tower or the Gothic High House, the most striking parts today are the fortifications from the 16th century. Read more »
8 Jun 2014
British Coasts and Beaches, or: It's Way too Hot
34°C this afternoon. That's just mad.
And so I looked for some photos with nice, cool water. :-)
On the way to Dunstanburgh Castle
Sunshine and pretty green grass is a bonus. I would have loved to walk barefoot, but there were too many sheep droppings. Read more »
34°C this afternoon. That's just mad.
And so I looked for some photos with nice, cool water. :-)
Sunshine and pretty green grass is a bonus. I would have loved to walk barefoot, but there were too many sheep droppings. Read more »
2 May 2014
Back With Booty - Romans
The Limes, the frontier between the Roman Empire and Germania, runs south of Nuremberg and thus I was able to visit some Roman places. And Regensburg is on the Roman side anyway. Aelius Rufus was quite happy, though I had difficulties getting him out of the baths in Weissenburg. *grin*
Aalen, foundations of the principia
Aalen was a fort for an ala milliaria, a double cavalry unit. What remains today are the foundations of the principia, the main administrative building in the centre of the fort. One can only try to imagine how large the entire fort had been; part of it is now covered by a cemetary. Read more »
The Limes, the frontier between the Roman Empire and Germania, runs south of Nuremberg and thus I was able to visit some Roman places. And Regensburg is on the Roman side anyway. Aelius Rufus was quite happy, though I had difficulties getting him out of the baths in Weissenburg. *grin*
Aalen was a fort for an ala milliaria, a double cavalry unit. What remains today are the foundations of the principia, the main administrative building in the centre of the fort. One can only try to imagine how large the entire fort had been; part of it is now covered by a cemetary. Read more »
Back With Booty - Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg
All towns I visited (actually, Nuremberg is a city) date back to at least the Middle Ages and are rich in history, which means rich in old buildings other than the churches and castles. Here are a few.
Bamberg, house of the bridge guard, and town hall (the stone building in the background)
on a islet in the river Regnitz
There was some quarrel about the location of the town hall; old town (the part around the cathedral) or new town (which now is old, too), so an islet in the river was expanded by heavy oak posts rammed into the ground, and the town hall was built right on the boundary. Read more »
All towns I visited (actually, Nuremberg is a city) date back to at least the Middle Ages and are rich in history, which means rich in old buildings other than the churches and castles. Here are a few.
on a islet in the river Regnitz
There was some quarrel about the location of the town hall; old town (the part around the cathedral) or new town (which now is old, too), so an islet in the river was expanded by heavy oak posts rammed into the ground, and the town hall was built right on the boundary. Read more »
5 Apr 2014
Helmarshausen Monastery
I have mentioned that one of the reasons the Krukenburg fortifications were built was to protect the monastery of Helmarshausen - Helmareteshus - in the valley beneath the castle. Of this monastery not much is left; only the foundations of the church (that have been marked so one can see the layout of the building), and the eastern wing of the adjacent monastery buildings that today houses a youth hostel. Stones from the church, which fell into decay in the 17th century, have been used to build a large barn in 1749.
Helmarshausen, foundations of the monastery church (with the barn in the background)
The monastery was founded by count Ekkehard of Reinhausen and his wife; one source says because they had lost their young son and heir. The foundation was confirmed by Emperor Otto III and Pope Sylvester II in 997. The counts of Reinhausen (today a village near Göttingen) were a branch of the Esicon (sometimes also named Asicon) family which also was the ancestor of the more famous Billung family. Read more »
I have mentioned that one of the reasons the Krukenburg fortifications were built was to protect the monastery of Helmarshausen - Helmareteshus - in the valley beneath the castle. Of this monastery not much is left; only the foundations of the church (that have been marked so one can see the layout of the building), and the eastern wing of the adjacent monastery buildings that today houses a youth hostel. Stones from the church, which fell into decay in the 17th century, have been used to build a large barn in 1749.
The monastery was founded by count Ekkehard of Reinhausen and his wife; one source says because they had lost their young son and heir. The foundation was confirmed by Emperor Otto III and Pope Sylvester II in 997. The counts of Reinhausen (today a village near Göttingen) were a branch of the Esicon (sometimes also named Asicon) family which also was the ancestor of the more famous Billung family. Read more »
29 Mar 2014
Built To Protect a Chapel – Krukenburg Castle
I know I've been neglecting this blog lately. So here's a post about Krukenburg Castle, with a few detours beyond the local history to the larger events involving the politics in which the Krukenburg only played a marginal role.
Krukenburg Castle, the keep
The Krukenburg sits on an 80 metres high spur above the village and former monastery of Helmarshausen, near Karlshafen where the Diemel river confluences into the Weser. The place is a ruin nowadays, but a pretty one – esp. in sunshine – and of somewhat unusual layout. I’ve been there several times, and the last time - in 2010 - I got the digital camera so I could share some photos. Read more »
I know I've been neglecting this blog lately. So here's a post about Krukenburg Castle, with a few detours beyond the local history to the larger events involving the politics in which the Krukenburg only played a marginal role.
The Krukenburg sits on an 80 metres high spur above the village and former monastery of Helmarshausen, near Karlshafen where the Diemel river confluences into the Weser. The place is a ruin nowadays, but a pretty one – esp. in sunshine – and of somewhat unusual layout. I’ve been there several times, and the last time - in 2010 - I got the digital camera so I could share some photos. Read more »
14 Feb 2014
Scottish History: King David and the Civil War (Part 1)
With the conflict between Henry’s daughter and appointed heir, Matilda, and his nephew Stephen who also claimed the throne, things got really interesting in Northumbria.
Among other adventures, Alnwick Castle and its lord Eustace fitz John will come back into focus again. Ivo de Vescy, who had received the castle in 1095, erected the first Norman stone fortifications. His daughter married Eustace fitz John who was given the right to the castle and title. Eustace fitz John made a career under Henry I (I have mentioned him as one of the ‘colleagues’ of David already before he became king of Scots). The marriage to the rich heiress Beatrix de Vescy (before 1130) gave Eustace Alnwick and other lands in Northumbria, another marriage lands in Malton in Yorkshire, and he evolved as one of the key players during the reorganisation of the Northumbrian society under Norman control. Eustace also was one of the justiciars of the North and Keeper of Bamburgh Castle. Read more »
With the conflict between Henry’s daughter and appointed heir, Matilda, and his nephew Stephen who also claimed the throne, things got really interesting in Northumbria.
Among other adventures, Alnwick Castle and its lord Eustace fitz John will come back into focus again. Ivo de Vescy, who had received the castle in 1095, erected the first Norman stone fortifications. His daughter married Eustace fitz John who was given the right to the castle and title. Eustace fitz John made a career under Henry I (I have mentioned him as one of the ‘colleagues’ of David already before he became king of Scots). The marriage to the rich heiress Beatrix de Vescy (before 1130) gave Eustace Alnwick and other lands in Northumbria, another marriage lands in Malton in Yorkshire, and he evolved as one of the key players during the reorganisation of the Northumbrian society under Norman control. Eustace also was one of the justiciars of the North and Keeper of Bamburgh Castle. Read more »
25 Jan 2014
Overlooking the Weser - Castle Polle
The book I was waiting for has finally arrived, but since I meawhile had prepared a post about one of the many German castles I’ve visited and never got around to posting about, I’ll give you some info and photos about Castle Polle first. Because castles are always fun. :-)
Unfortunately, there's not much research material so I have to rely on online information and a few tables set up in the castle which I photographed.
Castle Polle seen from the Weser ferry
Castle Polle is one of the castles in possession of the Counts of Everstein about whom I blogged when I had visited one of their other castles. Other than the Kugelsburg which was held by a chatellain, Polle was frequently inhabited by the family. The castle lies only a few miles south of the main seat at Everstein Castle on the other side of the river (of which almost no traces remain). It occupies a strategically important position on a rocky hill with three steep sides at a bend of the Weser with a good view over the river. It guarded the crossing, and the counts of Everstein also had the right to take a toll from the ships travelling the Weser. No wonder the possession of the castle would not remain uncontested. Read more »
The book I was waiting for has finally arrived, but since I meawhile had prepared a post about one of the many German castles I’ve visited and never got around to posting about, I’ll give you some info and photos about Castle Polle first. Because castles are always fun. :-)
Unfortunately, there's not much research material so I have to rely on online information and a few tables set up in the castle which I photographed.
Castle Polle is one of the castles in possession of the Counts of Everstein about whom I blogged when I had visited one of their other castles. Other than the Kugelsburg which was held by a chatellain, Polle was frequently inhabited by the family. The castle lies only a few miles south of the main seat at Everstein Castle on the other side of the river (of which almost no traces remain). It occupies a strategically important position on a rocky hill with three steep sides at a bend of the Weser with a good view over the river. It guarded the crossing, and the counts of Everstein also had the right to take a toll from the ships travelling the Weser. No wonder the possession of the castle would not remain uncontested. Read more »
11 Jan 2014
Highland Landscapes
Here are some landscape photos to tide you over the wait for the next post about Scottish history.
Bridge over the Moray Firth at Inverness
I took all the photos out of the bus, so there may be slight reflections from the window - I got a front seat - and some blurs. I deleted the worst offenders, but the pics are not up to my usual quality. Still, they're pretty enough to share. Read more »
Here are some landscape photos to tide you over the wait for the next post about Scottish history.
I took all the photos out of the bus, so there may be slight reflections from the window - I got a front seat - and some blurs. I deleted the worst offenders, but the pics are not up to my usual quality. Still, they're pretty enough to share. Read more »
11 Dec 2013
Scottish History: Struggle for the Scottish Throne – Malcolm III to David I
The death of both King Malcolm III and his designated heir Edward at Alnwick in November 1093, as well as Margaret who might have been able to keep the remaining family together, soon thereafter, led to the usual succession quarrels. Malcolm’s brother Donald Bán came out of the woodwork (or wherever he had spent the last twenty or so years) and claimed the throne. Since primogeniture was not yet established in Scotland, he had a valid right to it, and he got the backing of those Scots who didn’t like the strong English element at Malcolm’s court.
The remaining sons of Malcolm and Margaret were forced to flee to England, to William Rufus. One can only imagine what they thought about having to seek shelter with the man who indirectly was to blame for their father’s and brother’s death. Moreover, while William took them in generously enough, he already was backing a Scottish king-to-be against the anti-English Donald Bán: Duncan, Malcolm's eldest son with Ingibjorg. William Rufus had fred Duncan from his status as hostage when he came to power in 1087, but Duncan, thoroughly Normanized, prefered to stay at William’s court. Duncan also cemented his position in Northumbria by marrying the granddaughter of Earl Gospatric, Octreda. Since they already had children in 1094, the marriage must have taken place earlier - an attempt of William to already groom Duncan as successor to the Scottish throne when his problems with Malcolm III increased? Read more »
The death of both King Malcolm III and his designated heir Edward at Alnwick in November 1093, as well as Margaret who might have been able to keep the remaining family together, soon thereafter, led to the usual succession quarrels. Malcolm’s brother Donald Bán came out of the woodwork (or wherever he had spent the last twenty or so years) and claimed the throne. Since primogeniture was not yet established in Scotland, he had a valid right to it, and he got the backing of those Scots who didn’t like the strong English element at Malcolm’s court.
The remaining sons of Malcolm and Margaret were forced to flee to England, to William Rufus. One can only imagine what they thought about having to seek shelter with the man who indirectly was to blame for their father’s and brother’s death. Moreover, while William took them in generously enough, he already was backing a Scottish king-to-be against the anti-English Donald Bán: Duncan, Malcolm's eldest son with Ingibjorg. William Rufus had fred Duncan from his status as hostage when he came to power in 1087, but Duncan, thoroughly Normanized, prefered to stay at William’s court. Duncan also cemented his position in Northumbria by marrying the granddaughter of Earl Gospatric, Octreda. Since they already had children in 1094, the marriage must have taken place earlier - an attempt of William to already groom Duncan as successor to the Scottish throne when his problems with Malcolm III increased? Read more »
15 Nov 2013
Crossing the Pentland Firth
Hi, just a photo post today. I'm doing Nano again, plus I had a special qualifications course for work that left me pretty braindead in the afternoons. We'll be back to Alnwick Castle in December.
John O'Groats House
There are several ways to cross from the mainland to Orkney; the best known is the car ferry from Scrabster to Stromnes. But I took the bus from Inverness which connects to the person ferry from John O'Groats to Burwick (and another bus to Kirkwall). It's a nice way to see a lot of landscape. Read more »
Hi, just a photo post today. I'm doing Nano again, plus I had a special qualifications course for work that left me pretty braindead in the afternoons. We'll be back to Alnwick Castle in December.
There are several ways to cross from the mainland to Orkney; the best known is the car ferry from Scrabster to Stromnes. But I took the bus from Inverness which connects to the person ferry from John O'Groats to Burwick (and another bus to Kirkwall). It's a nice way to see a lot of landscape. Read more »
26 Oct 2013
Northumbrian Castles - Malcolm III and the First Battle of Alnwick
One should think that the beginning of a huge and important castle like Alnwick would be better documented than the obscure keeps dotting German hills, but unfortunately, information about the beginnings of the castle is nonexistant, though it may have predated the first evidence in 1096 where it is mentioned as in possession of one Ivo (Yves) de Vescy, who built part of the castle still in existence.
The castle guards the crossing of the river Aln and since it is so close to the Scottish border, it saw a fair deal of action during history. The first owner may have been Gilbert de Tesson (Tyson) who was the standard bearer of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings. But in 1095, he - or his descendant - participated in a rebellion against William Rufus and lost the fief which was then given to Yves de Vescy, together with the title Baron of Alnwick.
View to Alnwick Castle from the gardens
Alnwick had come into focus already two years earlier, when King Malcolm III Canmore and his oldest son and heir Edward were killed in a battle or ambush; the sources are not clear about the details. The relationship between King Malcolm III of the Scots and William the Conqueror and his successor William Rufus, was always uneasy as we will see, and the battle of Alnwick not the only military action in Northumberland during Malcolm’s reign. Read more »
One should think that the beginning of a huge and important castle like Alnwick would be better documented than the obscure keeps dotting German hills, but unfortunately, information about the beginnings of the castle is nonexistant, though it may have predated the first evidence in 1096 where it is mentioned as in possession of one Ivo (Yves) de Vescy, who built part of the castle still in existence.
The castle guards the crossing of the river Aln and since it is so close to the Scottish border, it saw a fair deal of action during history. The first owner may have been Gilbert de Tesson (Tyson) who was the standard bearer of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings. But in 1095, he - or his descendant - participated in a rebellion against William Rufus and lost the fief which was then given to Yves de Vescy, together with the title Baron of Alnwick.
Alnwick had come into focus already two years earlier, when King Malcolm III Canmore and his oldest son and heir Edward were killed in a battle or ambush; the sources are not clear about the details. The relationship between King Malcolm III of the Scots and William the Conqueror and his successor William Rufus, was always uneasy as we will see, and the battle of Alnwick not the only military action in Northumberland during Malcolm’s reign. Read more »
7 Sept 2013
Weser Skywalk and Hannover Cliffs
Yes, we got a skywalk, too. Not as grand as the one in Colorado, but then, the Weser river and the Hannover Cliffs are no Grand Canyon. But the scenery is beautiful and pretty typical for the German mittelgebirge. And it's free and photographing is allowed, heh.
View over the skywalk towards Bad Karlshafen
The skywalk has been erected in 2011. It is anchored in the rock, made of zinc-coated steel with grillage floors; it has two levels with the lower one stretching 4 metres outward off the cliff. The grillage floor was a bit tricky for me since I don't take heights well, and you can see right down beneath your feet - 75 metres to the river and road. But I braved it. Read more »
Yes, we got a skywalk, too. Not as grand as the one in Colorado, but then, the Weser river and the Hannover Cliffs are no Grand Canyon. But the scenery is beautiful and pretty typical for the German mittelgebirge. And it's free and photographing is allowed, heh.
The skywalk has been erected in 2011. It is anchored in the rock, made of zinc-coated steel with grillage floors; it has two levels with the lower one stretching 4 metres outward off the cliff. The grillage floor was a bit tricky for me since I don't take heights well, and you can see right down beneath your feet - 75 metres to the river and road. But I braved it. Read more »
25 Aug 2013
Ring of Brodgar, The Neolithic Landscape
The views of the Ring of Brodgar, framed by hills, with lochs on two sides, is very pretty, but it is not the original landsacpe.
Sure, the hills were there already, but the area of what today is Loch Stenness instead was a marshy bog with pools of water. Makes one wonder how those Neolithic people managed to set the stones up on such tricky ground, but I suppose the spot they chose for the ring may have been less marshy; it is a bit higher even today. That still leaves the problem of transporting heavy boulders across mossy ground, but the Neolithic people must have solved it somehow (timber causeways and such would not leave any traces).Read more »
The Ring of Brodgar
Sure, the hills were there already, but the area of what today is Loch Stenness instead was a marshy bog with pools of water. Makes one wonder how those Neolithic people managed to set the stones up on such tricky ground, but I suppose the spot they chose for the ring may have been less marshy; it is a bit higher even today. That still leaves the problem of transporting heavy boulders across mossy ground, but the Neolithic people must have solved it somehow (timber causeways and such would not leave any traces).
16 Aug 2013
Neolithic Orkney - The Ring of Brodgar
Orkney is rich in Neolithic sites, and the area between the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and Maes Howe in particular so. On the landbridge separating Loch Stenness and Loch Harray, the Ness of Brodgar, a Neolithic settlement is being excavated, with cool new finds popping up almost daily. Those guys and gals must love playing in the mud right now. *grin*
Partial view of the Ring of Brodgar
The Ring of Brodgar is the most visible and iconic of those Neolithic sites. It makes for splendid photo motives, too; I got too many to cover by one post. So I'll give you some general information about the ring here, with another post about the role of the site in Neolithic Orkney to follow. Read more »
Orkney is rich in Neolithic sites, and the area between the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and Maes Howe in particular so. On the landbridge separating Loch Stenness and Loch Harray, the Ness of Brodgar, a Neolithic settlement is being excavated, with cool new finds popping up almost daily. Those guys and gals must love playing in the mud right now. *grin*
The Ring of Brodgar is the most visible and iconic of those Neolithic sites. It makes for splendid photo motives, too; I got too many to cover by one post. So I'll give you some general information about the ring here, with another post about the role of the site in Neolithic Orkney to follow. Read more »
19 Jul 2013
The Most Popular Post in the Roman Empire - The Signal Station at Scarborough Castle
Aelius Rufus: If you like a desolate place with lots of cold wind, rain and fog, that is.
Gabriele: But, Aelius Rufus, it has a splendid view over the bay of Scarborough and the sea. And with the hot summer we got right now, I would not mind some cold wind.
A. So that's why you haven't been blogging. Spent all the time in the baths, eh?
G. I wish I could have, Aelius Rufus. We could have met there. *grin* I admit I did spend some time on the balcony, but mostly it was work. You know how that is.
View towards the remains of the signal station and the chapel (left)
A. I do. *sigh* But back to the splendid view from the signal station. Hah, there was fog all over. I remember you muttering that it won't be of any use to catch the view with that little picture box since all there would be was a white blob. And that you should have brought your gloves because of that icy blast. Makes you wonder if the signal stations could see each other in the first place. Merlinus told me there had been a chain of signal stations along the Yorkshire coast all the way from Filey, Scarborough, Ravenscar, Goldsborough and Huntcliffe, and maybe one at Whitby as well, to warn of Pictish raids, and another chain down in the south, called the Saxon shore. Read more »
Aelius Rufus: If you like a desolate place with lots of cold wind, rain and fog, that is.
Gabriele: But, Aelius Rufus, it has a splendid view over the bay of Scarborough and the sea. And with the hot summer we got right now, I would not mind some cold wind.
A. So that's why you haven't been blogging. Spent all the time in the baths, eh?
G. I wish I could have, Aelius Rufus. We could have met there. *grin* I admit I did spend some time on the balcony, but mostly it was work. You know how that is.
A. I do. *sigh* But back to the splendid view from the signal station. Hah, there was fog all over. I remember you muttering that it won't be of any use to catch the view with that little picture box since all there would be was a white blob. And that you should have brought your gloves because of that icy blast. Makes you wonder if the signal stations could see each other in the first place. Merlinus told me there had been a chain of signal stations along the Yorkshire coast all the way from Filey, Scarborough, Ravenscar, Goldsborough and Huntcliffe, and maybe one at Whitby as well, to warn of Pictish raids, and another chain down in the south, called the Saxon shore. Read more »
15 Jun 2013
Neolithic Remains, Picts and Vikings
Orkney was a veritable centre of Neolithic buildings, from the intriguing stone settings to a settlement like Skara Brae - a village older than the pyramids which has become one of the main tourist attractions.
Skara Brae, a Neolithic settlement on Mainland Orkney
Stone circles are very photogenic. The Ring of Brodgar may be less impressive than Stonehenge, but it's a lot more atmospheric. Especially with those dramatic clouds - though it never rained, fortunately. There's another, smaller stone setting, the one of Stenness, which I also managed to sneak in. Read more »
Orkney was a veritable centre of Neolithic buildings, from the intriguing stone settings to a settlement like Skara Brae - a village older than the pyramids which has become one of the main tourist attractions.
Stone circles are very photogenic. The Ring of Brodgar may be less impressive than Stonehenge, but it's a lot more atmospheric. Especially with those dramatic clouds - though it never rained, fortunately. There's another, smaller stone setting, the one of Stenness, which I also managed to sneak in. Read more »
13 Jun 2013
Northumberland and the Scottish East Coast
I'm back and over the next days I will present the usual photo overviews. The weather wasn't bad; in fact, the rain stopped during my way up to Scarborough Castle (my first place to visit) and never came back while I was traveling around. Must have been scared of me, lol. Several days were even warm and sunny, though Orkney was a bit on the grey and windy side.
Scarborough Castle; the keep seen from the outer gate
No wonder the Earl of Pembroke tried to coax Piers Gaveston into surrendering; laying siege to that place would not have been fun. And with the wind like the day I visited it would have been nasty and cold, too. You owe me a cookie or two for braving that wind. *grin* Read more »
I'm back and over the next days I will present the usual photo overviews. The weather wasn't bad; in fact, the rain stopped during my way up to Scarborough Castle (my first place to visit) and never came back while I was traveling around. Must have been scared of me, lol. Several days were even warm and sunny, though Orkney was a bit on the grey and windy side.
No wonder the Earl of Pembroke tried to coax Piers Gaveston into surrendering; laying siege to that place would not have been fun. And with the wind like the day I visited it would have been nasty and cold, too. You owe me a cookie or two for braving that wind. *grin* Read more »
21 May 2013
The Imperial Palatine Seat Tilleda - Fortifications
I have mentioned Tilleda a few times already since it's one of the rare examples of a Medieaval palatine seat of which more remains than some crumbled earthen walls and a sign. Werla, albeit double the size of Tilleda shows only a few of those today, Grona has become a suburb of Göttingen, in Pöhlde only some foundations remain. Of course, most of what we can see in Tilleda has been reconstructed - earthen walls and wattle and daub houses don't preserve well - but it is the only complete complex of the sort. In Goslar, only the great hall has been restored, albeit it is a most splendid example.
Tilleda, gate of the outer bailey. The way it is drawn in between the walls enabled the defenders to throw all sorts of pointy, hot, or otherwise interesting things on attackers.
Tilleda is first mentioned as Imperial Palatine seat (imperiatoris corte) in a charte dating to 972, where it is listed among the lands Otto II gave his wife, the Byzantine princess Theophanu, as dower. But the castle on the Pfingstberg hill must have been in existence since the early 10th century (1). But Tilleda surely was part of the net of palatine seats in Thuringia and Saxony already at the time of King Heinrich I. Read more »
I have mentioned Tilleda a few times already since it's one of the rare examples of a Medieaval palatine seat of which more remains than some crumbled earthen walls and a sign. Werla, albeit double the size of Tilleda shows only a few of those today, Grona has become a suburb of Göttingen, in Pöhlde only some foundations remain. Of course, most of what we can see in Tilleda has been reconstructed - earthen walls and wattle and daub houses don't preserve well - but it is the only complete complex of the sort. In Goslar, only the great hall has been restored, albeit it is a most splendid example.
Tilleda is first mentioned as Imperial Palatine seat (imperiatoris corte) in a charte dating to 972, where it is listed among the lands Otto II gave his wife, the Byzantine princess Theophanu, as dower. But the castle on the Pfingstberg hill must have been in existence since the early 10th century (1). But Tilleda surely was part of the net of palatine seats in Thuringia and Saxony already at the time of King Heinrich I. Read more »
11 May 2013
Pilot Boat
Just a little something today. Pilot boats were a constant feature during last year's cruise since pilots were required to navigate the harbours, rivers, the Stockholm archipelago and other tricky waters. And those little red things were fun to watch.
Pilot boat arriving, full speed ahead
I took those photos in the Stockholm archipelago on a late but still sunny evening.
Another shot
It was literally dancing on the waves. Very pretty.
Just a little something today. Pilot boats were a constant feature during last year's cruise since pilots were required to navigate the harbours, rivers, the Stockholm archipelago and other tricky waters. And those little red things were fun to watch.
I took those photos in the Stockholm archipelago on a late but still sunny evening.
It was literally dancing on the waves. Very pretty.
28 Apr 2013
Otto the Quarrelsome: The Lüneburg Succession War
Otto the Quarrelsome had a thing for heritage succession wars, it seems. He had barely solved the first round of the Hessian mess - or rather, it was solved for him - when he got himself embroiled in the war about the heritage to the duchy of Braunschweig-Lüneburg. Well, this time it sorta remained in the family and Otto acted on behalf of his cousins once removed; at least that was the reason he gave.
Braunschweig, Dankwarderode Castle at night
OK, let's go back on those geneaologies a bit. We remember that Albrecht I of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel was the father of Albrecht the Fat who had a bunch of sons with Rixa of Werle. One of those was Ernst (1305-1367), the father of our Otto, another was Magnus (1304-1369; married to Sophie of Brandenburg of House Ascania), who had a son Magnus (you guessed that, right?), nicknamed Torquatus, who in turn had several sons, among them Friedrich and Bernhard - Otto the Quarrelsome's cousins once removed. Read more »
Otto the Quarrelsome had a thing for heritage succession wars, it seems. He had barely solved the first round of the Hessian mess - or rather, it was solved for him - when he got himself embroiled in the war about the heritage to the duchy of Braunschweig-Lüneburg. Well, this time it sorta remained in the family and Otto acted on behalf of his cousins once removed; at least that was the reason he gave.
OK, let's go back on those geneaologies a bit. We remember that Albrecht I of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel was the father of Albrecht the Fat who had a bunch of sons with Rixa of Werle. One of those was Ernst (1305-1367), the father of our Otto, another was Magnus (1304-1369; married to Sophie of Brandenburg of House Ascania), who had a son Magnus (you guessed that, right?), nicknamed Torquatus, who in turn had several sons, among them Friedrich and Bernhard - Otto the Quarrelsome's cousins once removed. Read more »
7 Apr 2013
Border Castles and Conflicts - Otto the Quarrelsome and the Star Wars
No, not a sequel to a popular SF-series, but the war of an alliance called Sternerbund - Star League, led by Otto, against the landgrave of Hessia.
Otto the Quarrelsome* (Otto der Quade, 1340-1394), whose real name was Otto III Duke of Braunschweig-Lüneburg zu Göttingen (or Otto I of Braunschweig-Göttingen), was a member of the Welfen family. His ancestor Heinrich the Lion had received back the allodial lands of the family after his reconciliaton with Emperor Heinrich VI in 1189, but not the Duchy of Bavaria and not the title Duke of Saxony; the family would call itself after their main seat Braunschweig (Brunswick) from that time on. During the next generations, the land was split between several sons, creating several branches of the Welfen dynasty. Otto ended up with Göttingen and surroundings. Read more »
No, not a sequel to a popular SF-series, but the war of an alliance called Sternerbund - Star League, led by Otto, against the landgrave of Hessia.
Otto the Quarrelsome* (Otto der Quade, 1340-1394), whose real name was Otto III Duke of Braunschweig-Lüneburg zu Göttingen (or Otto I of Braunschweig-Göttingen), was a member of the Welfen family. His ancestor Heinrich the Lion had received back the allodial lands of the family after his reconciliaton with Emperor Heinrich VI in 1189, but not the Duchy of Bavaria and not the title Duke of Saxony; the family would call itself after their main seat Braunschweig (Brunswick) from that time on. During the next generations, the land was split between several sons, creating several branches of the Welfen dynasty. Otto ended up with Göttingen and surroundings. Read more »
21 Feb 2013
Gnisvärd Ship Setting / Gotland
How about some sunny pics in this grey February? I swear the sun's off vacationing somewhere else in the galaxy, having some drinks in the Milky Way Bar or whatever. But at least she sent a comet mail.
So here are some photos from a ship setting on Gotland, taken on a sunny if cold May afternoon.
Bronze Age ship setting at Gnisvärd, Gotland
Ship settings are stone settings in the shape of a boat that mark grave or cremation burials. They are mostly found in the part of Scandinavia that borders the Baltic Sea (Denmark, southern Sweden, Gotland) though some have also been found in the Baltic States, Finland, Russia and Germany. Their size varies from a hundred metres (the remains of the setting at Jellinge is the largest, it may have been 300 m, though other large ones are usually under 100 m) to just a few metres. Read more »
How about some sunny pics in this grey February? I swear the sun's off vacationing somewhere else in the galaxy, having some drinks in the Milky Way Bar or whatever. But at least she sent a comet mail.
So here are some photos from a ship setting on Gotland, taken on a sunny if cold May afternoon.
Ship settings are stone settings in the shape of a boat that mark grave or cremation burials. They are mostly found in the part of Scandinavia that borders the Baltic Sea (Denmark, southern Sweden, Gotland) though some have also been found in the Baltic States, Finland, Russia and Germany. Their size varies from a hundred metres (the remains of the setting at Jellinge is the largest, it may have been 300 m, though other large ones are usually under 100 m) to just a few metres. Read more »
7 Jan 2013
Border Castles and Conflicts - Castle Sichelnstein
Remains of Sichelnstein Castle
The first person we can trace with more surety is one Wittilo who is said to have fought bravely at the Battle of Riade against the Magyars in 933. King Heinrich I rewarded Wittilo by granting him the Sichelnstein as fief, and dubbing him. This incident is a bit curious. One possible interpretation is that Wittilo was a ministerialis, a member of the legally unfree but still high ranking men serving in administrative functions at the royal court and as heavy cavalry in war. Many ministeriales held fiefs to pay for their armour, but with less rights than freeborn nobles held their lands. Heavy cavalry secured the victory at Riade which would have given Wittilo his chance to shine. An additional dubbing could have meant that Wittilo gained the status of a freeborn knight. In that case he likely took his name of the castle from that time on. Read more »
Like most other minor castles I've posted about, the beginnings of the Sichelnstein are shrouded in obscurity and some names that may have been local legend rather than historical. The Saxon nobles Asic and Billing mentioned in Carolingian chronicles (811, 813), who fled from their own people and established local holds in the Frankian lands between Kassel and Göttingen, can not be connected with the later Sichelnstein family (or many of the others they are connected with on a certain website). A Hiddi and a certain Amelung - both Saxon nobles - who are connected with the foundation legends of the castle are obscure persons as well.
The first person we can trace with more surety is one Wittilo who is said to have fought bravely at the Battle of Riade against the Magyars in 933. King Heinrich I rewarded Wittilo by granting him the Sichelnstein as fief, and dubbing him. This incident is a bit curious. One possible interpretation is that Wittilo was a ministerialis, a member of the legally unfree but still high ranking men serving in administrative functions at the royal court and as heavy cavalry in war. Many ministeriales held fiefs to pay for their armour, but with less rights than freeborn nobles held their lands. Heavy cavalry secured the victory at Riade which would have given Wittilo his chance to shine. An additional dubbing could have meant that Wittilo gained the status of a freeborn knight. In that case he likely took his name of the castle from that time on. Read more »
