A few yards up Wellhouse Lane, bottom of the Toroutside of the “official” well, is a overflow, free for all pilgrims ... this is the “Red” spring, as it flows through iron ... just across the road is the “White” spring, gushing through limestone, and tasting totally different ...
The 14thC tower of St Michael (the rest was destroyed by an earthquake, apparently ...)
from the Abbey gardens
The terraces on the slope are the legendary “3d-maze” labyrinth
from “A Rough Guide to Occult London”
newworldwoman.net/occultlondon1.html
THE LONDON STONE
The London Stone is the Omphalos of London and the Navel of Albion. The sacred centre of the capital city. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, one legend tells us that it was set there by Brutus to magically protect the city, another legend claims it was the Ancient Stone from which King Arthur pulled Excalibur.
The Stone was originally a tall monolith that lay at the centre of the city. Some authorities claim it pre-dates the Roman conquest, whilst others claim it was a Roman Milestone used for measuring the distances of journeys. But most sources agree that for centuries The London Stone was the site where proclamations would be made, laws would be passed and lords would be inaugurated.
And where does this mythical stone reside today? Its remaining fragment can be found unobtrusively tucked into a glass case, behind a metal grill, and set in the wall of the Overseas Chinese Banking Company opposite Cannon Street tube station. Forgotten and neglected by the millions who hurriedly pass it everyday without ever even noticing it’s there.
E. Cobham Brewer 1810Ð1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
London Stone.
The central milliarium (milestone) of Roman London, similar to that in the Forum of Rome. The British high roads radiated from this stone, and it was from this point they were measured. Near London Stone lived Fitz Alwyne, who was the first mayor of London.
London Stone was removed for security into the wall of St. SwithinÕs church, facing Cannon Street station, and secured from damage by an iron railing.
There are two inscriptions, one in Latin and one in English. The latter runs thus:Ñ
ÒLondon stone. Commonly belleved to be a Roman work, long placed about xxxv feet hence towards the south-west, and afterwards built into the wall of this church, was, for more careful protection and transmission to future ages, better secured by the churchwardens in the year of OVR LORD MDCCCLXIX.Ó
visit: 5/11/2001, 1:15pm
The saddest sight ... a captive stone. The London Stone sits near it’s original site across the road from Cannon Street tube station, in the front of the Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation.
Once a considerable landmark megalith, all that remains is a tastefully lit micro-wave oven sized lump. It is “preserved” behind bars and toughened glass, tamed, humiliated, ignored. Just the act of stopping to look caused passers-by to look at me curiously ... getting out my camera led to outright derision, pitying looks from the sophisticated city-set to the easily-impressed out-of-towner ...
An uninspiring, depressing experience ...
As you come out of Cannon Street tube station, look across the road to your right, and the remains of the London Stone is in the little lit-up glass case, in the Overseas Chinese Bank ...
Southern defences ... at one point there was a wooden pallisade here, then a sarsen stone wall ...
North-western defences, by the gate (and sheep)
view from the Ridgeway, about halfway to Wayland’s Smithy, 10 minutes before sunset ... this castle must have dominated the area ...
inside the left-hand chamber ... notice the traces of fire
After sunset, the sky turned purple and the moon rose over the Castle ...
The view across the Castle at sunset ... the picturesesque cloud is actually from Didcot Power Station ....
You can see the bald patch, where the Dragon was slain ...
Look at the state of it!!!
Would *you* put your lips on that!
I don’t think so ...
The Citadel from Upton Court Park, south-east Slough
Talking to Holy McGrail about the new TMA site not long ago, he said that he was glad that no-one had yet abused the site submission facility ... “at least”, he said, “no one’s put in Windsor Castle” ...
err ...
I believe that the site that Windsor Castle now stands on, on the edge of the Great Park, home of Herne the Huntsman, and on the banks of the River Thames, does belong in the TMA. Very much so. At the centre of the Castle is a massive chalk mound (familiar?), that rises to over 100ft above the Thames. You don’t really get a sense of that aspect of the site from the ground, but what we have is a Citadel that stamps it’s presence over the surrounding area. Imagine it in it’s “natural” state ... stripped of vegetation, gleaming in the reflected sunlight.
Accounts differ as to whether the chalk mound was already there when William the Conqueror built his Western base, one days march from the Tower of London (another White Mound).
We mustn’t let the current occupants distort our vision of what *may* have been an vital centre of ancient existence. I might be totally wrong about the whole thing, but what can you do?
Here goes ...
Until the 15th century, a custom persisted where a stag was brought into the Cathedral, and ritually slaughtered.
I got a little over-excited when I saw this view. This is standing at the Temple of Mithras, looking up Watling Street (the old Roman road from Kent), straight up to St Pauls. My mind was working overtime with ideas of alignments, generations of evolving sacred complexes and who knows what else.
Then I discovered that the Temple of Mithras had been moved from around the corner, but I still like this picture --- it was a moment when I stopped to look at the ancient arrangement of the City, something subterranian, primitive and ancient, still holding up despite thousands of years of re-arrangement and “development”.
It’s all there if you look ...
The Temple was allegedly built by Brutus. Diana (the Hunter) appeared to him in Malta about 1000BC, speaking of the “Great White Island”. Landing in Totnes, Devon, he came to London and built a temple to Diana/Herne. This lasted until about 700CE, when the first St Pauls was built.
shamesless grabbed from:
flamemag.dircon.co.uk/herne_the_hunter.htm
This is probably why they don’t let you in very often. No-one would go if they knew it was propped up like this!
Victorian chippings at the top, mysterious dagger shapes at the bottom
Spicey little Bronze Age site, set in the northern bend between Marlow and Cookham. To get up here:
from the South, walk down the path alongside Winter Hill Golf Course, down the insanely steep chalk hill, across the bridge across the marsh, and dodge the wild horses
From the North: walk down the side of Bourne End train station, past the auction house. Right at the end of the car park, you’ll see a slight gap in the fence. Sashay down the shady path, and up onto the railway bridge. All the way across, and turn left (upstream). Go up past “The Bounty”, through all the gardens backing onto the river, through the gate and towards Winter Hill
and behold! Cock Marsh!
It’s formed by sediment piling up from the river over the years in front of Winter Hill, forming a completely sealed off island – steep hill on one side, natural semi-circle of river on the other.
There are 3 barrows still visible, one just as a crop mark. The biggest is about 3m high, with a bit of a ditch left on the north side. The others are in pretty poor repair, but this is a delightful, resting, calm place. Stop by, if you’re in the area (there’s a pub handy as well)
RG
Bulstrode Tree Chimneys
-----------------------------
These are the strangest things – not neolithic, just 100 years old, but if you’re visiting Bulstrode Camp, you really should go and see the Tree Chimneys.
They’re in the trees at the North-West corner of the camp – walk around, look up in the trees, and stop when you see a brick wall half-way up one.
I really have no idea about how or why they got their ... since one of them has “1900” inscribed into the top, then all I can assume is that is a Victorian turn-of-the-century celebration.
Rather odd.
wicked little site, with Java applets, demonstrating what barrows are visible from each other in the Stonehenge vicinity
buckscc.gov.uk/news/200105/Whiteleaf_Hill.pdf
HERITAGE LOTTERY BID FOR WHITELEAF HILL NATURE RESERVE
RESTORATION PROJECT
Buckinghamshire County Council has recently submitted a Heritage Lottery Bid application to support its restoration project of the Whiteleaf Hill Nature Reserve, a site of unique national importance.
The total of the cost of the three year project is estimated to run into six figures. Onyx Environmental Trust have already pledged £75,000 for the restoration of the Whiteleaf Cross with major financial support coming from Buckinghamshire County Council and the Landfill Tax. However, the Heritage Lottery Bid is crucial to the success of the project in providing funding for a number of important historical projects on the site. The outcome of the Lottery bid is expected in the autumn.
The Project is based on a strong local partnership between the owners and managers of the site, Buckinghamshire County Council, and the Risborough Countryside Group, Princes Risborough Town Council, and other interested parties and statutory agencies. The Project also has the support of English Nature, The Countryside Agency and the Chilterns AONB as well as Lord Carrington, Sir William McAlpine, Sir Nigel Mobbs and Sir Timothy Raison.
HERITAGE LOTTERY BID FOR WHITELEAF HILL NATURE RESERVE
RESTORATION PROJECT: 2
The main objects of the project are to conserve Whiteleaf Cross as a stable and prominent hill figure, improve public access and recreational facilities, including the Ridgeway National Trail and site carpark/picnic area and to foster a sense of local identity at Whiteleaf and its association with local settlements and the market town Princes Risborough. The project also aims to develop educational opportunities and a greater awareness of the site among younger people.
On a historical basis, the project plans to survey, map and interpret archaeological/ historical features above or below ground, carry out limited research excavations of the Neolithic Barrow and WW1 trenches and interpret the site and its key features through leaflets, panels and a locally produced book. Improving the chalk grassland habitats and carrying out species conservation works will also plan an important part of the project. Mike Woods, Countryside Manager, said: “This Local Nature Reserve is an important site which offers a unique natural environment and historic past. It is essential that we preserve this important site for future generations to enjoy. Our Heritage Lottery bid is a key element in securing its future.”
HERITAGE LOTTERY BID FOR WHITELEAF HILL NATURE RESERVE
RESTORATION PROJECT: 3
Community interest and support for the project is reflected by the Risborough Countryside Group who enjoy a membership of over 200 local people and provide the link with other local organisations, groups, clubs and schools.
Design and technical advice for the project has kindly been donated by Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd.
The Ridgeway runs past here, down to Bledlow Cross, to the Watlington White Mark, over Uffington White Horse, then Alton Barnes, to some place in Wiltshire ....
This barrow has had a right old battering, but still commands the top of the hill
Killer view from the top ... rainclouds were approaching, but you can still see Wain Hill, site of the Bledlow Cross – the ridge poking out on the left hand side of the picture. This is the view from by the main barrow on top the hill (well, just to the side, but you get the gist). The Ridgeway runs along here as well ...
