Leeds Castle

Richard — Sat, 10 Sep 2005 14:28:40 +0000

Castle on the Lake

Leeds Castle is our favorite castle. A residence until the 1970’s, it still has the furnishings and feeling of an elegant home. It feels like you could live there. It is a lovely setting, with a Romantic garden covering the hills around the lake.

Castle Defended

There are several buildings which make up the castle. One even sits on a stone outcropping. The entire castle is surrounded by water and connected to land by a stone bridge and guardhouse. The castle’s Norman origins can still be seen in the arches in the wine cellar. Evidence throughout the castle shows the many additions made over the years.

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Canterbury Cathedral

Richard — Fri, 09 Sep 2005 17:00:42 +0000

Gothic Architecture

If you like Gothic, you get your fill at Canterbury. The many spires and towers and carved figures are rather overwhelming. Buttresses allow for high broad arches and make the interior very airy.

Aisles

I can hardly imagine what a High Mass would be like in this soaring space, but this is still a working church and receives many thousands of worshippers each Sunday.

Pilgrims Past

The cathedral is ancient. Canterbury has been the home of the chief bishop since St. Augustine in 597 A.D. After Thomas a Becket was murdered in the cathedral in 1170 and later canonized, the cathedral became a site of pilgrimage for 350 years. I am amazed to think of the faithful who climbed the steps on their knees and wore away the stone.