Re: deja vu | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

moss Sep 5, 2006 06:20:31

Replying to Littlestone

"This is England in a nutshell."

Surely that though is the whole point, we are such a small nation, living cheek by jowl with stones - our history gets all messed up together. Cue defence of British villages and churches, even though thay may sit on stones. Knowlton is spectacular for the implantation of the church on the henge, it is a vivid reminder that history is'nt a tame affair of wending your way to church each sunday but was put there to gain power over paganism.
There's a story in practically every corner of this country and its wrong to banish a robust narrative, perhaps Avebury gains with a village in its centre, its a friendly warm place, its church a reflection of the past. And... thinking of Pewsey last night, thats a pretty little village to live in, does'nt it have stones under the church?

nigelswift Sep 5, 2006 07:22:19

Replying to moss

I like the mix twixt village and stones. Lots don't - often Americans. Perhaps they're more use to things being more organised.

But I think it looks nice visually. And its a better history lesson - you KNOW the stones are very old, much older than the oldest house. You don't get that hammered home if the site is isolated.

On the other hand, the village overdid it and took more than was seemly. The ancients had no right to hold that land forever, there are no freeholds, only tenancies for life, so we have to share our country with past and future generations and alter it no more than mere life tenants have a right to do.

Thus, I commence my sermon with calling for the lesson of Avebury to be applied to the imminent decision at Stonehenge....

Littlestone Sep 5, 2006 07:22:47

Replying to moss

...Avebury gains with a village in its centre, its a friendly warm place, its church a reflection of the past.

Yes, I agree. There're many things about Avebury that make it special but the fact that it's a place where people still live keeps it in the present and not just in the past.

Yes, there are stones under Pewsey Church and (worthless information warning :-) I think Pewsey is the largest village in England. Chelmsford has the smallest cathedral in England but with largest diocese. I'll stop now :-)

"It is a very sad thing that nowadays there is so little useless information."