The Results of the Norman Conquest on Anglo-Saxon Landscaping
The Results of the Norman Conquest on Anglo-Saxon Landscaping The arrival of the Normans in the second half of the eleventh century greatly transformed The Anglo-Saxon ways of living. Engineering and gardening were abilities that the Normans excelled in, trumping that of the Anglo-Saxons at the time of the occupation. But there was no time for home life, domestic architecture, and decoration until the Normans had overcome the whole region. Monasteries and castles served different functions, so while monasteries were enormous stone structures assembled in only the most fruitful, wide dales, castles were set upon blustery knolls where the occupants focused on understanding offensive and defensive strategies. Relaxing activities such as gardening were out of place in these desolate citadels. Berkeley Castle is most likely the most unchanged model in existence nowadays of the early Anglo-Norman form of architecture. The keep is said to date from William the Conqueror's time period. An enormous terrace encompasses the building, serving as an impediment to attackers intending 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.
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Begin?
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Begin? The amazing 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.Pure practicality was the original purpose of fountains. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, from aqueducts or springs nearby. Up to the late 19th 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. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and celebrate the designer. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were commonly seen on Roman fountains. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create smaller variations of the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. To mark the entryway of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the construction of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts entered the city of Rome
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 decorative. The introduction of special water effects and the recycling of water were two things made possible by swapping gravity with mechanical pumps.
Modern-day fountains serve mostly as decoration for public spaces, to honor individuals or events, and enhance entertainment and recreational activities.