A Hidden History of the Tower of London
A Hidden History of the Tower of London

Author: John Paul Davis

Publisher: Pen and Sword History

Published: 2020-03-30

Total Pages: 330

ISBN-13: 1526761793

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Famed as the ultimate penalty for traitors, heretics and royalty alike, being sent to the Tower is known to have been experienced by no less than 8,000 unfortunate souls. Many of those who were imprisoned in the Tower never returned to civilisation and those who did, often did so without their head! It is hardly surprising that the Tower has earned itself a reputation among the most infamous buildings on the planet. There have, of course, been other towers. Practically every castle ever built has consisted of at least one; indeed, even by the late 14th century, the Tower proudly boasted no less than 21\. Yet even as early as the 1100s, the effect that the first Tower had on the psyche of the local population was considerable. The sight of the dark four-pointed citadel – at the time the largest building in London – as it appeared against the backdrop of the expanding city gave rise to many legends, ranging from the exact circumstances of its creation to what went on within its strong walls. In ten centuries what once consisted of a solitary keep has developed into a complex castle around which the history of England has continuously evolved. So revered has it become that legend has it that should the Tower fall, so would the kingdom. Beginning with the early tales surrounding its creation, this book investigates the private life of an English icon. Concentrating on the Tower’s developing role throughout the centuries, not in terms of its physical expansion into a site of unique architectural majesty or many purposes but through the eyes of those who experienced its darker side, it pieces together the, often seldom-told, human story and how the fates of many of those who stayed within its walls contributed to its lasting effect on England’s – and later the UK’s – destiny. From ruthless traitors to unjustly killed Jesuits, vanished treasures to disappeared princes and jaded wives to star-crossed lovers, this book provides a raw and at times unsettling insight into its unsolved mysteries and the lot of its unfortunate victims, thus explaining how this once typical castle came to be the place we will always remember as THE TOWER.

Northumberland Viewpoints
Northumberland Viewpoints

Author: Stan Beckensall

Publisher: Amberley Publishing Limited

Published: 2010-08-15

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 144562527X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

A unique perspective on the landscapes of Northumberland

Northumberland Hills & Valleys
Northumberland Hills & Valleys

Author: Stan Beckensall

Publisher: Amberley Publishing Limited

Published: 2012-06-15

Total Pages: 165

ISBN-13: 1445625261

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Lavishly illustrated full-colour book exploring the landscape and geology of Northumberland.

Rituals of Death
Rituals of Death

Author: Stan Beckensall

Publisher: Pen and Sword History

Published: 2023-02-22

Total Pages: 177

ISBN-13: 1399098403

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

We all must die, and how society deals with the disposal is fascinating in the way it reflects the beliefs of the people of the time and ways in which they honor or do not honor the dead. Having excavated prehistoric burials, the author weighs carefully the evidence of what people might have thought of the dead through the way they buried them and what was put into the graves. These excavations were done mainly with the help of young people, and the way that this has been organised in order to get the maximum information has been an essential part of the task. The author provides much detail of this that makes it more interesting and personal. Burial customs change, so the book includes a section on events such as the Black Death and cholera to show how such catastrophes change people's minds and customs. The present problem of burial has been highlighted as it was then by the horror of an invisible disease, the effects of which we have to cope with. In the past the causes of the disease, when discovered, led to Public health inquiries into the causes, and to improvements in some burial grounds. The traditional burial in “God's little Acre' around a church provides with much information about people through their headstones and other monuments – something accessible to all who visit our churches today, and examples from Northumberland give a typical range of what we find there.

Walking St Cuthbert's Way
Walking St Cuthbert's Way

Author: Rudolf Abraham

Publisher: Cicerone Press Limited

Published: 2023-09-29

Total Pages: 174

ISBN-13: 1787650340

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This guide describes the long-distance St Cuthbert's Way through the unspoilt scenery of Northumberland and the Borders. The 100km (62 mile) route begins at Melrose and crosses the rugged crags and heather moorland of the Cheviot Hills, passing through Northumberland National Park to the atmospheric Lindisfarne (Holy Island). It can be walked within a week, although there is scope for shortening or lengthening the stages to suit different itineraries. Includes an option to continue to Berwick-upon-Tweed on the final stage of the Northumberland Coast Path. The guidebook is crammed with interesting snippets of information, alongside indispensable practical details of transport and accommodation in the area. With varied scenery and a rich history encompassing spectacular castles, medieval abbeys and Roman remains, this is one of Britain's most beautiful corners to explore on foot.

Northumberland
Northumberland

Author: Gemma Hall

Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Published: 2019-03-26

Total Pages: 344

ISBN-13: 1784776084

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This new, thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt's best-selling, comprehensive guide to Northumberland including Newcastle, Hadrian's Wall & the Coast remains the reliable source of information for discovering the far northeast of England, an area which is home to Europe's largest area of protected night sky - and England's first Dark Sky Park, a 572-square-mile expanse in Northumberland National Park. Now including over 40 walks along beaches, over hills and through valleys, as well as dedicated chapters on Northumberland National Park, Hadrian's Wall, the coast and Newcastle, among others, Bradt's Northumberland including Newcastle, Hadrian's Wall & the Coast is the ideal companion for a successful visit. Northumberland is well-known for its beaches, castles, wildlife, islands and desolate upland scenery, but despite all the attention and accolades ('most tranquil county', 'darkest night skies in England', 'Best UK County/Region [Silver Award']), Northumberland remains for the most part wonderfully crowd-free. It is the ultimate place in England to get away from it all, where you can walk all afternoon over moorland and not meet anyone, skinny-dip in lakes, or picnic on pristine sands with no one else around. Northumberland is also home to Hadrian's Wall, 'the most important Roman monument in Britain' (English Heritage), while heritage enthusiasts will find a number of world firsts and unique museums such as Tanfield Railway, where you can marvel at 19th-century steam engines in the oldest engine shed in the world. Bradt's Northumberland encourages visitors to slow down and explore the green lanes, footpaths, rivers and cycle trails that link Northumberland's 'Castle Coast' with the heather-topped hills, Roman fortresses and villages of the interior. A guide to Newcastle is found in the chapter on Tyne & Wear. Local knowledge of historic towns, heritage sites, wildlife-watching spots and countryside walks, and words and tips from local heritage experts make this an authoritative guide - and as much an entertaining armchair read as a practical guide, perfect for walkers, birdwatchers, cyclists, families, and those interested in Roman archaeology, industrial heritage and medieval castles.

Northumberland (Slow Travel)
Northumberland (Slow Travel)

Author: Gemma Hall

Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Published: 2015-03-13

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 1841628662

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Slow Northumberland Guide - Travel tips and expert advice including Newcastle and Tyne hotels and highlights, Pennine Hills, the Castle Coast and medieval history. This guide also features local pubs and cafés, walking routes, wildlife, birdwatching, Alnwick Castle and gardens, Hadrian's Wall, Kielder, Morpeth, Cheviot Hills and the Heritage Coast.