Anglo-Saxon Gardens at the Time of the Norman Conquest
Anglo-Saxon Gardens at the Time of the Norman Conquest
The Anglo-Saxon way of life was drastically changed by the appearance of the Normans in the later eleventh century. The Normans were much better than the Anglo-Saxons at architecture and horticulture when they came into power. However the Normans had to pacify the overall territory before they could concentrate on home life, domestic architecture, and decoration. Because of this, castles were cruder structures than monasteries: Monasteries were often significant stone buildings located in the biggest and most fertile valleys, while castles were constructed on windy crests where their citizens dedicated time and space to tasks for offense and defense. Relaxing pastimes such as gardening were out of place in these desolate citadels. Berkeley Castle is perhaps the most complete model in existence at present of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture. The keep is thought to date from the time of William the Conqueror. A spacious terrace recommended for exercising and as a way to stop attackers from mining below the walls runs around the building. On one of these parapets is a scenic bowling green covered in grass and surrounded by an aged hedge of yew that has been shaped into coarse battlements.
Where did Landscape Fountains Begin?
Where did Landscape Fountains Begin? The dramatic or ornamental effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, as well as providing drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property. From the beginning, outdoor fountains were soley there to serve as functional elements. Inhabitants of urban areas, townships and small towns utilized them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains needed to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Up to the late nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water flow down or jet high into the air. Designers thought of fountains as amazing additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and honor the artist responsible for creating it. The main components used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. To replicate the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages added fountains to their designs. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his dominion over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains constructed to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
Indoor plumbing became the key source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to provide recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public areas and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The Dissemination of Outdoor Fountain Design Knowledge
The Dissemination of Outdoor Fountain Design Knowledge Contributing to the advancement of scientific technology were the printed letters and illustrated books of the time. They were also the principal method of transferring practical hydraulic information and fountain design suggestions throughout Europe. An unnamed French water fountain designer became an internationally celebrated hydraulic pioneer in the later part of the 1500's.
By developing gardens and grottoes with incorporated and clever water features, he started off his occupation in Italy by receiving Royal mandates in Brussels, London and Germany. He authored a publication titled “The Principles of Moving Forces” towards the conclusion of his life while in France that turned into the fundamental text on hydraulic mechanics and engineering. The publication updated key hydraulic advancements since classical antiquity as well as describing modern hydraulic technologies. The water screw, a mechanical way to move water, and invented by Archimedes, was featured in the book. An beautiful water feature with the sun heating the water in two containers stashed in a adjacent accommodation was shown in one illustration. The heated liquid expands and subsequently rises and closes the pipes thereby activating the water fountain. Pumps, water wheels, water features and backyard pond designs are covered in the publication.