Anglo Saxon Landscapes at the Time of the Norman Conquest
Anglo Saxon Landscapes at the Time of the Norman Conquest
The Anglo-Saxon way of life was considerably changed by the arrival of the Normans in the later eleventh century. The Normans were better than the Anglo-Saxons at architecture and horticulture when they came into power. But there was no time for home life, domesticated architecture, and decoration until the Normans had overcome the whole region. Monasteries and castles served separate purposes, so while monasteries were large stone structures assembled in only the most productive, wide dales, castles were set upon blustery knolls where the residents focused on understanding offensive and defensive tactics. The serene practice of gardening was unlikely in these bleak bastions. The purest example of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture existent presently is Berkeley Castle. The keep is thought to date from the time of William the Conqueror. As a method of deterring assailants from tunneling underneath the walls, an immense terrace encompasses the building. On 1 of these terraces lies a stylish bowling green: it's covered in grass and flanked by an old yew hedge that is formed into the shape of rough ramparts.
The Origins Of Garden Fountains
The Origins Of Garden Fountains A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to provide drinkable water, as well as for decorative purposes.Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose.
Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to provide potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Up until the nineteenth, fountains had to be higher and closer to a water source, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to take advantage of gravity which fed the fountains. Artists thought of fountains as amazing additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and honor the designer responsible for creating it. Roman fountains often depicted imagery of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller versions of the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his prominence over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains built to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
Since indoor plumbing became the standard of the day for clean, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely decorative. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for beautiful water displays.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Large Garden Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Large Garden Fountains It is vital to carefully maintain water fountains for them to work properly. A typical concern with fountains is that they tend to collect dirt and debris, so it is vital that you keep it free from this. On top of that, algae can be a challenge, as sun hitting the water allows it to form quickly.
Blend hydrogen peroxide, sea salt, or vinegar into the water to avoid this particular issue. Another option is to blend bleach into the water, but this action can hurt wild animals and so should really be avoided. No more than three-four months should go by without an extensive cleaning of a fountain. The first task is to empty out all the water. Once it is empty, scrub inside the reservoir with a gentle cleanser. Feel free to use a toothbrush if needed for any smaller crevasses. Make sure all the soap is properly washed off.
Some organisms and calcium deposits can get inside the pump, so it is best to take it apart and clean it thoroughly. You might want to let it soak in vinegar for a few hours to make it much less difficult to scrub. Build-up can be a big hassle, so use mineral or rain water over tap water, when possible, to eliminate this dilemma.
Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain every day and add water if you notice that the level is low. Low water levels can ruin the pump - and you don't want that!