The Romans Are Leaving!

[A.W.U.K.]

I took the boys out on Sunday to Donington-Le-Heath manor house, in Leicestershire, as there was a small event going on, Relating to he late Roman Empire.

This is Donington-Le-Heath Manor House. It is 13th century, modernised in the 16th century.

There was a small Late Roman re-enactment group there, this is some of their military equipment. Looks like the basha has a long history!

Barbeques haven't changed that much over the years!

Late Roman soldiers, in file.

My youngest son went as a private in the 24th Regiment of Foot.

But after some exhortation was persuaded to change his allegiance to Rome.

INCOMING!

This 13th century oak doorway is an extraordinary survival!

Legend has it that King Richard III slept here before his defeat at the nearby battle of Bosworth field in 1485. The Victor, Henry Tudor, gave the property to sir John Digby who had fought with him. John Digby's descendant Everard Digby was executed in 1606 for his part in the gunpowder plot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donington_le_Heath_Manor_House_Museum

Hope you like!

Andy

 

[Joyce Laituri]

Your historical posts are great. Keep em coming!!


Joyce @ Spyderco

 

[A.W.U.K.]

Sparring:

A 13th century, trefoil headed, internally splayed window.

Sorry about the blur, camera phone. The legendary bed in which King Richard III is supposed to have slept. The superstructure is obviously Jacobean, first half of the 17th century. However the actual bed part is separate and built from adze-cut oak and so is easily old enough!

Early 17th century oak furniture.

The arched openings to the left date from around the 1280's, the wide, square headed windows on the right from around 1610 when the house was remodelled. I'm guessing what appears to be an upstairs door led to the solar, or lord's private chamber, in the medieval house. It was not unusual for them to have a separate, external staircase. In which case the part to the right would have been the medieval hall, open to the rafters, before the house was modernised and a floor inserted, making the new windows necessary.

Any questions, just ask!