Anglo-Saxon Landscapes at the Time of the Norman Conquest
Anglo-Saxon Landscapes at the Time of the Norman Conquest The arrival of the Normans in the latter half of the 11th century significantly transformed The Anglo-Saxon ways of living. The Normans were better than the Anglo-Saxons at architecture and horticulture when they came into power. However, there was no time for home life, domestic design, and decoration until the Normans had overcome the whole region. Because of this, castles were cruder structures than monasteries: Monasteries were usually immense stone buildings located in the biggest and most fecund valleys, while castles were built on windy crests where their citizens devoted time and space to tasks for offense and defense. The calm method of gardening was unlikely in these bleak bastions. The early Anglo-Norman style of architecture is symbolized in Berkeley Castle, which is most likely the most unscathed illustration we have. The keep is said to date from William the Conqueror's time. An enormous terrace encompasses the building, serving as an impediment to assailants intending to excavate under the castle walls. One of these terraces, a charming bowling green, is covered grass and flanked by an ancient yew hedge cut into the figure of crude battlements.The Major Characteristics of Classic Greek Statuary
The Major Characteristics of Classic Greek Statuary
Contemporary Garden Decor: Garden Fountains and their Roots
Contemporary Garden Decor: Garden Fountains and their Roots A fountain, an incredible piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also propel water high into the air for an extraordinary effect.
From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply there to serve as functional elements. Residents of cities, townships and small towns utilized them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains had to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Used until the 19th century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their origin of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from the power of gravity. Acting as an element of adornment and celebration, fountains also supplied clean, fresh drinking water. The main components used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create smaller variations of the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. To mark the entrance 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 arrived in the city of Rome
Indoor plumbing became the key 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.
Decorating city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the functions of modern-day fountains.