Excited to hear more about this! Correct me if I'm wrong, but was there some Norman influence/relations in the Douglas family? The names 'Margaret' and 'Sinclair' made me wonder.
Absolutely! The 12th century King David I of Scotland brought increased Normanisation of Scotland during his reign + there was a lot of cross-border landholding, so by the 14th century Norman influence was very widespread across the kingdom.
It never ceases to amaze me how deep the history of this world goes and how little we get to share beyond our immediate experience. Thank you sharing this story!
Hi Beth ! My second attempt to comment, but think I recall most of what I said.
Love part 1, esp as combines things I love to explore; churches, architecture and history' have known a few Douglases both by First and Surname and even a Douglas Douglas'
Recall a bit of their story and The Live by the Sword, die by the Sword times and their attitude and power.
Just love this story about the church; its history, but alas about access. A story about our UK travels to see things. To arive a find sign, Closed except on every third Saturday of Leap Years (joke).
And the link to St Bride (Brigid); one of the most frequent church and school names in Australia.
And perhaps the most prominent church in our Briz skyline, as it sits on the top of Red Hill, a high vantage point about a a mile or so from the CBD (Haha).
Although built in brick, its design based on St Cecile's Cathedral at Albi, but also Scottish A & C elements as architect Robin Dodds had trained in Edinburgh. Was my parish church for a long while and where I was married from.
Beautifully cool interior in temp and deign and lovely acoustics. And a magnificent timber vaulted ceiling. So a colonial Catholic fusion of old and new and a bit of a stick in your eye to Protestant Brit ethic and control.
The mausoleum is serene, despite their history.
A few ideas of how the remainder of the church could be preserved, and be added functionality.
A suppressed architect.
But aware this is a huge issue across Europe about medieval churches; what to maintain and what to allow to decay ? And the criminal activity of stripping the lead roofs of churches.
Followed the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris with great interest, but said there are literally hundreds or more abandoned cathedrals across France.
So thanks and like the following comments about nick names.
And like the seasonal photos to remind that it is winter.
What a historic site for an amazing family, looking forward to part 2 already!
Yay thank you! ☺️🫶
As Douglas nicknames go, it’s hard to beat the 5th Earl of Angus, Archibald “Bell-the-Cat”.
Yes!! The nicknames are absolutely epic. Bell-the-cat’s heart is actually interred at this church, so will need to give him a shoutout too!
Excited to hear more about this! Correct me if I'm wrong, but was there some Norman influence/relations in the Douglas family? The names 'Margaret' and 'Sinclair' made me wonder.
Absolutely! The 12th century King David I of Scotland brought increased Normanisation of Scotland during his reign + there was a lot of cross-border landholding, so by the 14th century Norman influence was very widespread across the kingdom.
Really interesting, Beth. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
Thanks so much! I’ve really enjoyed writing this series so looking forward to sharing more. ☺️
It never ceases to amaze me how deep the history of this world goes and how little we get to share beyond our immediate experience. Thank you sharing this story!
You’re so welcome! There’s never enough time for the sheer amount of history I want to understand and know more about…
Everywhere you go has local legends that never make the history books and are far more interesting than the same old big stories!
Hi Beth ! My second attempt to comment, but think I recall most of what I said.
Love part 1, esp as combines things I love to explore; churches, architecture and history' have known a few Douglases both by First and Surname and even a Douglas Douglas'
Recall a bit of their story and The Live by the Sword, die by the Sword times and their attitude and power.
Just love this story about the church; its history, but alas about access. A story about our UK travels to see things. To arive a find sign, Closed except on every third Saturday of Leap Years (joke).
And the link to St Bride (Brigid); one of the most frequent church and school names in Australia.
And perhaps the most prominent church in our Briz skyline, as it sits on the top of Red Hill, a high vantage point about a a mile or so from the CBD (Haha).
Although built in brick, its design based on St Cecile's Cathedral at Albi, but also Scottish A & C elements as architect Robin Dodds had trained in Edinburgh. Was my parish church for a long while and where I was married from.
Beautifully cool interior in temp and deign and lovely acoustics. And a magnificent timber vaulted ceiling. So a colonial Catholic fusion of old and new and a bit of a stick in your eye to Protestant Brit ethic and control.
The mausoleum is serene, despite their history.
A few ideas of how the remainder of the church could be preserved, and be added functionality.
A suppressed architect.
But aware this is a huge issue across Europe about medieval churches; what to maintain and what to allow to decay ? And the criminal activity of stripping the lead roofs of churches.
Followed the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris with great interest, but said there are literally hundreds or more abandoned cathedrals across France.
So thanks and like the following comments about nick names.
And like the seasonal photos to remind that it is winter.
Look forward to Part 2.