By Micah Mackay To support the Pilgrimage Challenge and to read more about it, please click here. The first thing that struck me about Glastonbury was the music. On street corners buskers competed for attention – the sound of the guitar accompanied us down one street, a saxophone down the next. Having been deprived ofContinue reading “Pilgrimage Challenge 3: Wells Cathedral in a Day (Glastonbury to Wells)”
Tag Archives: medieval
Pilgrimage Challenge 2: Salisbury to Old Sarum Circular Route
“In this house for a hundred and fifty years, we have woven a rich fabric of constant praise. Things shall be as they were; only better, richer, the pattern of worship complete at last.” [1] (William Golding, The Spire,p.10) As I approached Salisbury Cathedral these words came to mind. Golding’s The Spire tells the taleContinue reading “Pilgrimage Challenge 2: Salisbury to Old Sarum Circular Route”
Pilgrimage Challenge 1: The South Dorset Old Stones Way
We arrived in the village of Little Bredy to the sound of the church bell bringing in the tenth hour of morning. Having not heard church bells since February this sound instantly brought me back to Oxford and how every Sunday I would open my window and be greeted by a chorus of bells, singing out across the city. The sound of that solitary bell in the middle of a small, remote Dorset village encouraged me. It was a good start.
St Mary the Virgin Part 2 – Save Our Stories Series: A Reflection
The survival of Christ’s body within this image brings to mind what is really important: what will stay with other people, long after we have gone, is the love we are able to share, the selfless acts, and the bits of beauty, we, ourselves, are able to give to others.
St Mary’s ,Tarrant Crawford: Part 1 – Save Our Stories: Wall Paintings Series
St Mary’s truly is a jewel in a church-crawler’s crown. It draws together not only the artistry of the medieval period but also its religious literature and devotional practices. The church is now a mere reflection of the glory that once was, but it nevertheless remains, in my view, quite glorious.
All Saints’, Isleworth
I stumbled upon All Saints’, Isleworth after taking a walk past Syon House on a lovely (and uncharacteristically sunny) afternoon. The first thing that struck me about this place was the fusion of the undoubtedly medieval and the even more undoubtedly modern. A fifteenth-century church tower stands tall next to the Thames. Attached to thisContinue reading “All Saints’, Isleworth”
Cerne Abbas, Dorset Part 3: St Mary’s Church
In a day and age overwhelmingly concerned with security it is rather a blessing to be able to wander into a church at any reasonable time of day and spend an hour or so exploring. Many a time have I arrived at a church to find it locked and bolted. St Mary’s in Cerne AbbasContinue reading “Cerne Abbas, Dorset Part 3: St Mary’s Church”
Cerne Abbas, Dorset Part 2: St Augustine’s Well
Cerne Abbas is full of hidden wonders. If you venture down Abbey Street and turn right through the churchyard gate, follow a small path that hugs the cemetery wall and venture down a small slope through a cluster of trees then you will find a beautiful though rather obscure spot – St Augustine’s Well. ButContinue reading “Cerne Abbas, Dorset Part 2: St Augustine’s Well”
Cerne Abbas, Dorset Part 1: Cerne Abbey
Nestled in a valley in the heart of Dorset is Cerne Abbas. Medievalists will know of this place because of its connection with Ælfric of Eynsham, one of the most prolific writers in Old English. However, many will mainly associate the village with its particularly well-endowed chalk giant which overlooks the valley. A Benedictine abbeyContinue reading “Cerne Abbas, Dorset Part 1: Cerne Abbey”
Knowlton Church, Dorset
Welcome to The Wandering Academic and our first post! We’re really excited to share some of the amazing places we’ve visited with you and tell you more about them. So, without further ado, we hope you enjoy reading a bit about Knowlton Church and Earthworks in Dorset. – Micah and Danny So, today I decidedContinue reading “Knowlton Church, Dorset”
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