Lancaster Castle: A building dating from the 11th century but still in use as court.

                                                             Lancaster Castle

006

                                                                      Lancaster Castle

This afternoon I am reporting on Lancaster Castle in Northern England, about sixty miles north of Liverpool. This was much different from the usual medieval ruins of British castles.

Lancaster has Roman origins dating from around AD80 but is now a large city with population of 52,000.

Although parts of this substantial castle building date from the Norman period of the 11th century, there were additions up to the 15th century. However, there were further expansions in the 18th and 19th centuries to accommodate the needs of a combined County Court and prison. In fact the Castle ceased to have a custodial function as recently as 2011.

The courtrooms for civil cases ( very elaborate) and criminal cases are still in use and were included in our tour as was a section of the former prison cells. In one of the exhibition rooms there was even a Roman altar, which was found locally and confirms the long history of settlement in Lancaster.

005

                                                                        Prison Cell

We learned about the gruesome punishments handed out in the 18th and 19th centuries when capital punishments, deportations and quasi torture were commonplace. The tour lasted about 95 minutes and was very informative.

Opportunities for photographs were limited because of legal restrictions applying to the interior courts section.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Prince
Read more