The Impact of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon Gardens

The Impact of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon Gardens The introduction of the Normans in the 2nd half of the 11th century irreparably improved The Anglo-Saxon lifestyle. At the time of the conquest, the Normans surpassed the Anglo-Saxons in building design and cultivation. Nonetheless the Normans had to pacify the entire territory before they could focus on home life, domestic architecture, and decoration. Most often built upon windy peaks, castles were fundamental constructs that enabled their inhabitants to spend time and space to offensive and defensive schemes, while monasteries were rambling stone buildings commonly added in only the most fecund, extensive valleys. The bare fortresses did not provide for the calm avocation of farming. Berkeley Castle, perhaps the most pristine style of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture, still exists now. It is said that the keep was developed during William the Conqueror's time. A massive terrace serves as a hindrance to invaders who would try to mine the walls of the building. A scenic bowling green, enveloped in grass and enclosed by battlements cut out of an ancient yew hedge, forms one of the terraces.

From Where Did Water Fountains Originate?

From Where Did Water Fountains Originate? Himself a highly educated man, Pope Nicholas V headed the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 till 1455 and was responsible for the translation of hundreds of ancient documents from their original Greek into Latin. He undertook the beautification of Rome to turn it into the model seat of the Christian world. In 1453 the Pope instigated the rebuilding of the Aqua Vergine, an ancient Roman aqueduct which had carried fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away. The historical Roman custom of marking the entry point of an aqueduct with an imposing celebratory fountain, also known as a mostra, was restored by Nicholas V. At the bidding of the Pope, architect Leon Battista Alberti undertook the construction of a wall fountain in the spot where we now find the Trevi Fountain. The aqueduct he had refurbished included modifications and extensions which eventually enabled it to supply water to the Trevi Fountain as well as the famed baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona.

Inventors of the First Outdoor Fountains

Inventors of the First Outdoor Fountains Water feature designers were multi-talented individuals from the 16th to the late 18th century, often working as architects, sculptors, artisans, engineers and highly educated scholars all in one. Exemplifying the Renaissance skilled artist as a inspiring genius, Leonardo da Vinci worked as an innovator and scientific specialist. He carefully reported his findings in his now celebrated notebooks about his research into the forces of nature and the properties and movement of water. Combining imagination with hydraulic and landscaping expertise, early Italian water fountain designers modified private villa settings into amazing water exhibits full with symbolic implications and natural beauty. Known for his incredible skill in archeology, design and garden design, Pirro Ligorio, the humanist, provided the vision behind the splendors in Tivoli. For the various mansions near Florence, other fountain designers were well versed in humanistic topics as well as classical technical texts, masterminding the phenomenal water marbles, water attributes and water humor.