Across The Pond - Beaumaris, Wales - last bit

July 9, 2012

A bit more from the little town Beaumaris on the island of Anglesey.........

I have this habit when I travel, no matter where it is, I love to step into churches, no matter what denomination, big or small, famous or remote. There is just something about being in this kind of space that interests me. The peace, artistry, history and conflict of it all is fascinating and something to learn from. Here is what I found in Beaumaris:

St. Mary & St. Nicholas church, the church right across the street from our B&B, was the source of much interest to me as soon as we arrived. The first thing I (we) noticed, which was hard to avoid, was the sound of the gulls perched on the top of every spire and peak available. I took this video to try to capture just a moment of the chaos that was present especially in the morning and evening. Reminded me of Hitchcock and "The Birds"!

The FABULOUS Celtic cross in front of the church, used as a war memorial.

The church was built mostly in the 14th century. The new town of Beaumaris was created after King Edward I built the last of his great castles in North Wales here (more history about that in my previous post). The nave,  the main body of the church, dates from this time, about 1330. The east end of the church, the chancel, dates from about the 15th century. The church was given a major restoration in 1902, most of the furnishings (font and pews) are from this date.

Looking from the nave towards the chancel of the church

The Alabaster Tomb. This alabaster tomb is dated about 1490 and holds William Buckeley and his wife Elin: he was Deputy Constable of the castle here in Beaumaris. Alabaster tombs at this time were made around Derby and Nottingham and then transported, quite a feat in those days. William is wearing a salet, a light helmet, and his feet rest on a heraldic lion. Standing there in front of it is really something. The history just drips off of the piece.

Inside the nave of the church

The pipe organ at the top of the chancel dates from 1807.

We went for our evening meal at Ye Olde Bulls Head, a very historic pub/Inn here in Beaumaris.
The pub was built in 1472 and rebuilt in 1617. The Inn was the original Posting House of the borough.
Here stayed Dr. Johnson and Charles Dickens (his stay at the Inn being mentioned in one of his short stories "The Uncommercial Traveler"). Among the numerous items of interest that can be seen here are the largest door in the British Isles (don't have a photo because it was at the back of the Inn) and many antique weapon pieces. The Inn now houses one of the finest restaurants in town.

Here is just part of the pub. You can see just a fraction of some of the old weapons up on the back wall.
The entire pub is covered with fantastic antique weapons and armor.

Here is a window well in the Inn. The stone walls are at least 16 inches thick!

My dinner. What else but braised lamb a jus and scallop potatoes and beans. YUM!!

Walking back to our B&B after dinner we passed this fabulous original Tudor building on the street. Another building older than my own country! That just seems to keep happening here :o)

 

The front door of the place was so short, it hit me about shoulder height (door on the right). Ouch! Too bad Jake isn't still here for another short door photo.

We are off to Sheffield (Yorkshire, England) and the Peak District in the morning, so stay tuned.................