Anglo-Saxon Landscapes at the Time of the Norman Conquest
Anglo-Saxon Landscapes at the Time of the Norman Conquest
The introduction of the Normans in the second half of the 11th century significantly altered The Anglo-Saxon ways of living. Architecture and gardening were skills that the Normans excelled in, trumping that of the Anglo-Saxons at the time of the occupation. But before concentrating on home-life or having the occasion to contemplate domestic architecture or decoration, the Normans had to subjugate an entire society. Most often designed upon windy summits, castles were basic structures that enabled their inhabitants to spend time and space to offensive and defensive strategies, while monasteries were rambling stone buildings commonly added in only the most fecund, extensive valleys. Tranquil pastimes such as gardening were out of place in these desolate citadels. The early Anglo-Norman style of architecture is symbolized in Berkeley Castle, which is perhaps the most unscathed example we have. The keep is said to date from William the Conqueror's time period. As a strategy of deterring attackers from tunneling under the walls, an immense terrace surrounds the building. A scenic bowling green, covered in grass and bordered by battlements clipped out of an ancient yew hedge, forms one of the terraces.
Where did Landscape Fountains Begin?
Where did Landscape Fountains Begin? 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 complete your home.The main purpose of a fountain was originally strictly practical. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to provide them with drinking water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Up to the late 19th century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and higher than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move downwards or jet high into the air. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and memorialize the designer. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were commonly seen on Roman fountains. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller versions of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles.
The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains made to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for beautiful water displays.
Modern fountains are used to embellish community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Garden Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Garden Fountains In order to ensure that water fountains last a while, it is vital to practice regular maintenance. Leaves, twigs, and insects very often find their way into fountains, so it is important to keep yours free from such things. Also, algae tends to build up any place natural light meets water. Stir hydrogen peroxide, sea salt, or vinegar into the water to avoid this particular problem. Another option is to mix bleach into the water, but this action can harm wild animals and so should really be avoided.An extensive cleaning every 3-4 months is recommended for garden fountains. Before you can start cleaning it you must empty out all of the water. When you have done this, scrub inside the water reservoir with a gentle detergent. If there is detailed artwork, you might need to use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. Do not leave any soap residue inside or on the fountain.
Various organisms and calcium deposits may get inside the pump, so it is advised to take it apart and clean it thoroughly. Letting it soak in vinegar for a couple of hours first will make it alot easier to clean. If you want to remove build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water versus tap water, as these don’t contain any elements that will stick to the inside of the pump.
One final tip for keeping your fountain in top working condition is to check the water level every day and make sure it is full. Allowing the water to drop below the pump’s intake level, can cause severe damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!