Anglo-Saxon Landscapes During the Norman Conquest
Anglo-Saxon Landscapes During the Norman Conquest Anglo-Saxons experienced extraordinary changes to their daily lives in the latter half of the eleventh century due to the accession of the Normans. At the time of the conquest, the Normans surpassed the Anglo-Saxons in building design and cultivation. But yet there was no time for home life, domesticated architecture, and adornment until the Normans had conquered the whole region. Because of this, castles were cruder constructions than monasteries: Monasteries were usually significant stone buildings set in the biggest and most fertile valleys, while castles were built on windy crests where their inhabitants devoted time and space to tasks for offense and defense. The sterile fortresses did not provide for the quiet avocation of farming. Berkeley Castle, maybe the most pristine style of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture, still exists now. The keep is said to date from the time of William the Conqueror. A big terrace intended for walking and as a way to stop enemies from mining below the walls runs about the building. On one of these parapets is a scenic bowling green covered in grass and bordered by an aged hedge of yew that has been shaped into coarse battlements.
Where did Garden Water Fountains Originate from?
Where did Garden Water Fountains Originate from? A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to supply drinkable water, as well as for decorative purposes.Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to supply drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Used until the 19th century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their origin of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from the power of gravity. Fountains were an optimal source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and memorialize the designer. The main components used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. To replicate the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages introduced fountains to their designs. The fountains seen in the Gardens of Versailles were intended to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to laud their positions by including beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
The end of the 19th century saw the rise in usage of indoor plumbing to provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for beautiful water displays.
Decorating city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the purposes of modern-day fountains.