St Wystan's church, Repton, Derbyshire and its Anglo-Viking historic landscape
A visit to the historic church of St Wystan at Repton, Derbyshire, home to a magnificent Anglo-Saxon crypt and a rich Viking heritage.
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Michael Smith
Oct 207 min read
The Battle of Maldon, 991 - an epic tale of defiance, folly and communal loyalty
Northsey Island near Maldon in Essex is the site of a famous battle between the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons and celebrated in an epic poem.
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Michael Smith
Oct 145 min read
All Saints' Church, Brixworth, Northamptonshire – a magnificent Anglo-Saxon survival
A visit to the Grade 1-listed church of All Saints at Brixworth, Northamptonshire, the largest Anglo-Saxon building standing in England.
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Michael Smith
Feb 193 min read
Wayland's Smithy, Oxfordshire - the making of an original linocut print
An article about the creation of a linocut print featuring Wayland's Smithy, a neolithic chambered cairn near the White Horse of Uffington.
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Michael Smith
Feb 5, 20235 min read
Book Review: The Road by Christopher Hadley
A review of Christopher Hadley's fascinating new book about a forgotten Roman Road, RR21b, and the traces it has left behind.
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Michael Smith
Aug 13, 20223 min read
Book Review: Field Notes by Maxim Peter Griffin - a walk on the wild side
A book review of Field Notes by Maxim Peter Griffin. A feast of art and words describing the landscape, mood and people of Lincolnshire.
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Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
Jul 2, 20214 min read
The motorway motte - Lilbourne castle and mediaeval village, Northamptonshire
A description of the fascinating early mediaeval motte and bailey, fishponds, village earthworks and church at Lilbourne, Northamptonshire
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Michael Smith
May 8, 20213 min read
The Sheela Na Gig sculpture and St Christopher wall paintings at Oaksey in Wiltshire, England
A few years ago, pre lockdown, I took the opportunity to turn off the M4 and track down an astonishing mediaeval sheela na gig sculpture...
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Michael Smith, Mythical Britain
May 25, 20205 min read
Pleshey and Great Canfield Castles – Two Norman Mottes in Essex
A detailed look at two magnificent Norman motte-and-bailey castles in Essex: Great Canfield and Pleshey. Both are well worth the trip to see
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Michael Smith
Feb 14, 20206 min read
The Brereton Tomb, St Oswald's Church, Malpas, Cheshire
A detailed look at the magnificent tomb of Sir Randal and Lady Eleanor Brereton at Malpas, Cheshire. A fine example of Chellaston work.
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Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
Sep 2, 20194 min read
Book Review: Hollow Places by Christopher Hadley
Hollow Places is a fascinating examination of how legends grow through time and yet have a basis in truth. A stunning examination of the leg
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Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker
Mar 18, 20195 min read
Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire - a wonder in the fens
Bolingbroke Castle is a special castle with a history fundamentally linked to the history of England. Built on an hexagonal plan, the castle
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Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain
Aug 12, 20183 min read
The historic landscape at Castle Bytham in Lincolnshire
A description of the astonishing motte and bailey castle at Castle Bytham, Lincolnshire, with its historic earthworks and man-made landscape
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Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain
Jul 22, 20184 min read
In search of the De Veres - St Nicholas Church at Castle Hedingham
St Nicholas Church in Castle Hedingham, Essex contains a rich collection of Norman, mediaeval and Tudor work. Of particular interest is a ra
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Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain
May 23, 20183 min read
The Mediaeval Graffiti at Anstey, Hertfordshire
Learn about the fabulous mediaeval graffiti at Anstey in Hertfordshire, including shields, helmets, writing and more.
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Michael Smith, Mythical Britain
Oct 28, 20173 min read
Great Canfield, Essex – a remarkable “hidden” Norman church
The church of St Mary’s at Great Canfield in the county of Essex is remarkable. While from the outside its windows and decoration give...
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Michael Smith, Mythical Britain
Sep 12, 20175 min read
Stonehenge Tunnel - a denial of democracy in pursuit of money? Updated November 2020
This morning we had final confirmation of the tunnel to be built near Stonehenge. After centuries of evocative journeys, from now on...
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