Today we explored Hitchin more thoroughly. Many of the buildings are ancient, and I can’t stop gazing in awe at them. Some are on a slant, but it’s nothing to do with earhtquakes, it simply that they’ve been there for hundreds of years and maybe sunk a little.
I have a “Little Book of Hitchin” which tells me that Edward III in 1375 gave Hitchin to his mistress Alice Perrers for life. However she had it for only a year. Parliament took it fron her for ‘performing illegal acts’ and banished her from the royal household. Royal auditors camer to Hitchin to see how much it was worth and took as much as they could to pay her debts.
We walked down Tilehouse Lane and saw the home of George Chapman, who was the first man to translate Homer, inspiring Keats to write “On first looking into Chapman’s Homer”, and Michael Parekowhai to sculpt the large bulls that were displayed on Madras Street recently. Chapman said he was inspired by the ghost of Homer which he saw in Hitchin.
I bought souvenirs in Brookers, where George Orwell also shopped, and we had morning tea near the market place.
St Mary’s is the “largest and jolliest” church in Hertfordshire. Some of it dates back to the 12th century, and there are recycled Roman bricks in the tower.
“Since well before the Tudor age
living in Hitchin was the rage.”
I love the description of the “largest and jolliest church”. I am currently reading Wolf Hall and the fickle state of being a kings favourite is also reflected there. These little villages are cute but also really interesting when you dig a little deeper. I sense you are having fun. Cheers from Wendy B.
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Wendy, I’m currently reading a biography of Julian in preparation for going to Norwich, and Edward III and his mistress are featured there too. We ARE having fun – off to Ely today.
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History, history, wonderful history. I love the connections you have shown me to Michael Parekowhai’s Bulls; bulls which I love btw.
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I liked that connection too. It’s these totally unexpected connections that I’m enjoying. Like learning that George Orwell went to the same shop. I wonder if he also bought a peg bag?
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Wouldn’t that be great if he did! In his poorest phase he wouldn’t have had enough clothes to need pegs.
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There was something on the radio today about fund-raising to keep the Bull on the Piano sculpture in Christchurch. $200,000 is needed. Connections and unexpected connections do offer us meaning and enjoyment.
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