The Genesis Of Fountains
The Genesis Of Fountains The incredible architecture of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to enhance your home.Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to provide them with potable water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Up until the 19th century, fountains had to be more elevated and closer to a water supply, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to take advantage of gravity which fed the fountains. Serving as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also provided clean, fresh drinking water. The main materials used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed a significant role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to exalt their positions by adding beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely ornamental.
Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Modern fountains are used to embellish public spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.
The Effect of the Norman Conquest on Anglo-Saxon Landscaping
The Effect of the Norman Conquest on Anglo-Saxon Landscaping The introduction of the Normans in the second half of the 11th century irreparably transformed The Anglo-Saxon lifestyle. The ability of the Normans exceeded the Anglo-Saxons' in architecture and agriculture at the time of the conquest. But before centering on home-life or having the occasion to consider domestic architecture or decoration, the Normans had to subjugate an entire population. Because of this, castles were cruder constructions than monasteries: Monasteries were usually important stone buildings located in the biggest and most fertile valleys, while castles were constructed on windy crests where their inhabitants dedicated time and space to projects for offense and defense. Gardening, a placid occupation, was impracticable in these fruitless fortifications. The purest example of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture existent in modern times is Berkeley Castle. The keep is thought to date from the time of William the Conqueror. An enormous terrace encompasses the building, serving as an impediment to attackers attempting to excavate under the castle walls. 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.