Game of Totnes

(Hi everybody. Terribly sorry for the lack of new posts these past few weeks. Schoolwork and a pretty bad fever kept me on the defensive for a time. However now I'm back, and I have more adventures to share)

As you may recall, I mentioned in my first blog post that England's history was far from peaceful. Indeed, in the 11th century, all manner of men competed for the English crown. Viking, Anglo-Saxon, and Norman kings all battled for control of the Iron Thro... wait, that's Game of Thrones, but the situation in medieval England wasn't that different. Case in point, my flat visited the town of Totnes today and observed this Norman Castle.

 While fairly simple compared to later medieval castles, this example of a motte and bailey defense is perched high atop the hill, overlooking the entire town. Built soon after the Norman conquest, the castle was meant to both defend the city and keep the Saxon subjects in line.

Taking the long walk up from the train station towards the castle it was not hard to imagine the difficulty that enemy forces would have faced trying to reach the fortification.

While they were marching, both soldiers and subjects would have watched their approach from behind the walls...

At the time of battle, the men would have rushed from the inner circle...

Up to the battlements...

From there they would have had an excellent view of the city...

Arrow slits would have provided protection for archers...

Commanders would have barked orders to their men...

Incredibly handsome men would have posed at the wall, knowing that they were too awesome to be killed...

Jon Snow would have waited at the top of the fort, not even able to comprehend the sheer terror that awaited him once winter finally arrived...

.... dang it, I need to stop watching Game of Thrones  when I write these posts. At any rate, the castle was very cool, and while William the Conqueror might not have had to deal with Starks, Lannisters, and Greyjoys,  a castle like this one would have been a great help, nonetheless, against the many real dangers to his crown.

In addition to the castle, the town of Totnes has much to offer. Today, the town no longer plays host to the struggle between kings, but rather is known throughout England as a gathering place of Artists, Musicians, and Bohemians. The city is mostly peaceful, and plays host to an excellent marketplace.

It's the type of town where artists can sell their works in homes built in medieval times...

 It's also the type of town in which men can have owls as pets, thereby fulfilling the dreams of every single person who has every read Harry Potter...

Training an owl must've been a real hoot (sorry).

The town itself is very medieval in style and the restruant where we ate had excellent fish and chips.

Also, I felt I had to mention, for all you Shakespeare fans, you might remember this quote from Hamlet.

HAMLET

    Well, God-a-mercy.

LORD POLONIUS

    Do you know me, my lord?

HAMLET

    Excellent well; you are a fishmonger.

LORD POLONIUS

    Not I, my lord.

HAMLET

    Then I would you were so honest a man.

LORD POLONIUS

    Honest, my lord!

HAMLET

    Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to be
    one man picked out of ten thousand. 


Well, it is my great pleasure to report that while Hamlet was using fishmonger as slang for pimp, actual fishmongers who sell fish still exist in England...

 

 Totnes is an interesting city. The city has its own currency and its considered a transition town, as it is committed to being prepared for the effects of global warming and peak oil. While I'm not sure that setting up one's own currency will stop global warming, the town's status as a 'transition town' combined with its focus on bohemian lifestyles is quite interesting (not to say that every thing was perfect, we witnessed quite the argument between two residents over issues of begging, standing, and fighting).

In the end, Totnes, in addition providing excellent history and culture, also provided us with the first hints of spring.

These flowers, the first I've seen in a while are a welcome reminder of the color and life that each spring brings and I'm excited for spring in England (hopefully this means the Sun will be out a little more than it has been).

 
And finally, just for fun...

Here is a store called Susie and Me.

 And here is the store across the street, Stolen from Susie.

Here's a picture I took of Tom taking a picture of Tessa, who's taking a picture of Sarah... Picturception?