Anglo-Saxon Gardens at the Time of the Norman Conquest

Anglo-Saxon Gardens at the Time of the Norman Conquest The introduction of the Normans in the second half of the 11th century irreparably transformed The Anglo-Saxon lifestyle. At the time of the conquest, the Normans surpassed the Anglo-Saxons in building design and cultivation. But nevertheless home life, household architecture, and decoration were out of the question until the Normans taken over the general population. Because of this, castles were cruder structures than monasteries: Monasteries were usually important stone buildings located in the biggest and most fertile valleys, while castles were erected on windy crests where their citizens dedicated time and space to tasks for offense and defense. The bare fortresses did not provide for the peaceful avocation of gardening. The early Anglo-Norman style of architecture is symbolized in Berkeley Castle, which is conceivably the most unscathed example we have. It is said that the keep was developed during William the Conqueror's time. A massive terrace serves as a deterrent to invaders who would attempt to mine the walls of the building. A scenic bowling green, covered in grass and surrounded by battlements clipped out of an ancient yew hedge, makes one of the terraces.

Bernini’s Early Italian Water Fountains

Bernini’s Early Italian Water Fountains The Barcaccia, Bernini's first water fountain, is a magnificent chef d'oeuvre built at the base of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, you will see Roman locals and vacation goers occupying this spot to revel in chit chatter and being among other people. Today, the city streets around Bernini's water fountain are a trendy place where people go to gather, something which the artist would have been pleased to learn. Dating back to around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII mandated what was to be the very first fountain of the master's career. People can now see the fountain as an illustration of a commanding ship gradually sinking into the Mediterranean. The great flooding of the Tevere that covered the whole region with water in the 16th was commemorated by this momentous fountain as recorded by reports dating back to this period. In 1665 Bernini traveled to France, in what was to be his sole lengthy absence from Italy.