COLLOQUIUM ON BRITISH CULTURE

Photographed & Designed by: Emma Zapchenk

COLLOQUIUM ON BRITISH CULTURE

EXPLORING, LEARNING, AND TRAVELING HISTORIC NORTHERN EUROPE

Photographed and Designed by:Emma Zapchenk

This book serves as an overview of the Colloquium on British Culture class. Throughout the semester, this class makes a series of visits to the North of England and focuses on political, social, economic and cultural developments from the early Middle Ages to the 20th century. An aim of this course is to study the region as a distinctive area and a microcosm of the country as a whole. During this semester, students engage in debates about the nature of the North and its relationship to the rest of the country. By traveling to these various destinations and partaking in the different learning opportunities, students have a better understanding of the broad range of key aspects of British social and cultural traditions. Students are able to make meaningful comparisons between the north of England and the rest of the country. This course takes students on an adventure through the past, exploring regions that kings and queens once ruled, discovering old remains of the prominent cathedrals, and learning the importance of the historical events of Northern England. Through my photographs and historical descriptions, I give a glimpse into each adventure and help everyone live out a part of European history.

PREFACE

TABLE OF CONTENTSDurham CathedralHadrian’s WallCragside HouseWallington HallBamburgh CastleBeamish Open Air MuseumAlnwick Castle

DURHAMCATHEDRAL

One of the first sites we visited this semester was Durham Cathedral which is located in the medieval city of Durham. The Cathedral stands grandly on top of a rocky point overlooking the vast city underneath with the river gently twisting through. It is one of the most intact surviving monastic buildings in England. The identity and role of the Cathedral have changed over the centuries, but the underlying

understanding according to The Reverend Canon David Kennedy, Acting Dean of Durham, is that “Durham Cathedral is a Christian Church of the Anglican Communion, the shrine of St Cuthbert, the seat of the Bishop of Durham and a focus of pilgrimage and spirituality in North East England.”

More recently there has been an emphasis put on conservation of the Cathedral. In the nineteenth century, stained glass was introduced to the Cathedral. Continuing in the twenty-first century, Durham Cathedral was recognized as a building of historical and architectural importance. In 1986, the Cathedral found a spot on the World Heritage List. After visiting this Cathedral, it is clear to see the dedication that has been placed on conserving this beautiful piece of architecture. The history of the Cathedral is as radiant as the cliff side it resides on.

Durham Cathedral was built in 1093 to house the shrine of St Cuthbert. The Cathedral was originally built for a community of Benedictine monks. It also served a political and military function by re-enforcing the prince-bishops over England’s northern border. During the Reformation, the dismissal of the Priory and the monastic community took place. The monastery was surrendered to the Crown in 1539. Throughout this turbulent time, many historic furnishings and artifacts were sadly destroyed while the reforms were taking place. Traumatic times continued for the Cathedral during the Civil War when the Church of England was suppressed. The Cathedral was closed for worship and used by Cromwell to incarcerate 3,000 Scottish soldiers brought to Durham after the battle of Dunbar in 1650.

HADRIAN'S WALL

Running from the North Sea to the Irish Sea, this wall is an astounding feat of engineering. The challenging landscape including fast rivers, hard rock, and sloping hills that Hadrian’s men had to conquer, makes it the most impressive and important Roman monument in Britain.

Hadrian’s Wall was one of my favorite places. Set in the classic hillsides of Northern England, I enjoyed walking alongside such a magnificent piece of history and exploring the remains of the different Roman structures and forts. With the gray skies finally out of sight and the sun shining down, it was the perfect day to be outside surrounded by such gorgeous scenery.

In 117AD, Hadrian became the Roman Emperor. He quickly began his plan of making the Empire more secure by separating Roman and Barbarian territories. One of the best examples of this is the great Wall he ordered his army to build to define the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire. The wall stretched across 73 miles from the east to the west. There were 80 milecastles, countless observation towers, and over

fifteen large forts. The Wall was six meters high at some points and up to three meters deep. The Wall was surprisingly abandoned only a short time after it was built, yet it still stands today showing the power and strength of Hadrian and his Empire.

CRAGSIDE HOUSE

There are few words that can describe the impressiveness of Cragside House. This beautifully built home was once owned by Lord Armstrong - Victorian inventor, innovator, and landscape genius. With the help of his wife Margaret Armstrong, and their architect Richard Norman Shaw, this remarkable house and estate is the wonder of its age.

Built in the 1860‘s, there were many distinct features of this house that made it so impressive. Lord Armstrong’s love for science and engineering propelled this house to be the lead in electricity. Cragside house was the first one to be lit by hydroelectricity. Throughout the house there are many other unique gadgets and mechanical inventions that are still working to this day.

Cragside house was a phenomenal trip. We explored the massive estate by hiking through the towering North American conifers, wandering through the rugged woodland past the tumbling streams and even seeing the gorgeous gardens.

Another prominent highlight is the colossal garden collection that the Armstrong’s acquired. It is the largest collection in numbers as well as physical size. Apart from the garden, Lord and Lady Armstrong has over 7 million trees planted in their estate.

WALLINGTON HALL

Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan and his unusual family made Wallington hall a much-loved home. The house itself has many interesting and quirky aspects including an interior Central Hall that is host to huge pre-Raphaelite paintings.

The visit to Wallington hall was full of adventure. It is a unique place because it has something for everyone. Wallington Hall was established in 1475 and initially owned by the Fenwick family from 1475 until financial problems forced them to sell their property to the Blacketts. The hall house was rebuilt in 1688, and once again later rebuilt in Palladian style for Sire Walter Blackett. It was eventually passed to the Trevelyan family in 1777.

One noticeable part of the estate is that it is surrounded by an informal landscape of lawns, lakes, woodland, parkland and farmland. The expansive woods and many gardens are all waiting to be explored. Off to one side of the house is the West Wood where there are different play areas. Strolling alongside the river, the path winds gently through fields of flowers.

One of my favorite parts of the Wallington estate was the hidden walled garden. Nestled far back in the woods, this tranquil garden was throughly enjoyed and loved by Lady Mary Trevelyan. Entering through Neptune’s Gate, the garden stretches far into the distance. Greeted by a smooth running stream that heads into a small pool called Mary pool, the descending stone staircase takes you along the whole of the garden. Enjoyed throughout all seasons, this secret little garden is one of beauty.

BAMBURGHCASTLE

on a crag, it is in a prime location to see for miles down the coastline and far out into the sea.

In the 6th century, Northumbria was the largest and most powerful of seven kingdoms. The Kings of Northumbria chose Bamburgh as the Royal capital due to its intimidating position over the sea and the connection to the natural harbor. The first timbers were laid in 547 AD and original stronghold of Bamburgh castle was set in place.

Bamburgh castle was a truly breathtaking journey. Built on the shores of the North Sea, this castle not only is spectacular in itself, but also the scenery that surrounds it makes it more so. The majestic shoreline that this castle resides upon made this one of the most magnificent trips of the semester.

Bamburgh has a rich history with many different groups, rulers, and kings taking control over the valuable coastal defense position. High up

The castle was passed down into the hands of King Aethelfrith after King Ida the first king of Northumbria passed away. Aethelfrith gave the fortress to his wife Bebba and in her honor it was renamed Bebbanburgh where the name Bamburgh originates from.

For many centuries the Northumbrian kingdom was in bloody turmoil. Kings were stripped of power, exiled, and quite often brutally murdered. Power-hungry leaders began to break apart the once powerful Northumbrian kingdom. From the Vikings striking in 990 AD

to William the Conqueror attempting to seize power not even a century later, the kingdom went through many centuries of conquest and bloodshed.

In 1610, after 1200 years of being the property of kings, the castle was privately owned for the first time by Claudius Forster. Passed down by James I, the kingdom was royally abandoned. Due to the massive upkeep the castle required, the Forster family was unable to afford to maintain the castle and Bamburgh fell into ruin.

In 1701, Dorothy Forster inherited the castle. She fell in love and married the Bishop of Durham Lord Nathaniel Crewe. Dorothy sadly passed away early in life. Her grieving husband made the decision to set up a trust fund in her name and restore her beloved castle.

In the 1800’s the castle fell into financial trouble once again. Hearing the news, Lord Armstrong of Cragside decided to buy the partly restored castle and envisionsed a great country mansion. In 1903, Bamburgh castle was finally completed by the 2nd Lord Armstrong,

nephew of Lord Armstrong. To this day, Bamburgh continues to be a private home of the Armstrong family.

Bamburgh castle has a long and complicated history, falling into the hands of many different leaders, families, and kings. With one of the most strategic positions on the coastline, it is clear to see why it was constantly being fought over. Now today Bamburgh is seen for its majestic beauty on the mighty shores of the North Sea.

BEAMISH OPEN AIRMUSEUM

Dr Frank Atkinson founded Beamish in 1970. His vision and drive for the museum is clear to see in the dedication of preservation that is shown throughout the place. Inspired largely by Scandinavian folk museums, Atkinson wanted to create an open air museum that captured the quickly disappearing heritage of the North East region. He observed how dramatically-changing the area was and wanted to preserve the industrial heritage that the area was losing. Atkinson strived to have the museum “illustrate vividly” the way of life of “ordinary people” throughout different periods of time in the region’s history.

Beamish open air museum was one of the most interesting places that we visited. I have never been to a place like it. Beamish is a unique open air museum that tells the story of life in North East England during 1820s, 1900s, and the 1940s. From the Pit Village that shows life during the peak of the coal mining industry to taking a steam train to Pockerly Hall dating back all the way to the 1440s, there is a piece of history here for everyone to enjoy.

and transported back into time when the coal industry was thriving. There is even a drift mine that can be explored and helps to emphasize what the reality of life for miners was really like.

The museum ends in the era of the 1940s in the heart of the Second World War. Here the farmhouse, orchard and garden cottages, depict what family life was like during that war. With 1940s music and news broadcast, it is easy to imagine how life was on the Home Front.

Beamish open air museum captures the life of North East England during many different eras. Through the visionary mind of Frank Atkinson, everyone is able to discover and experience a piece of Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian life first hand.

Beginning in the 1820’s, the museum focuses on the Georgian era. There is an old hall, terraced gardens, a steam train, and the Eston church nestled in the classic Georgian landscape. Continuing into the 1900s, the town street is bursting with life. There are many different stores like the bakery, garage, sweet shop, bank, and co-op store that illustrate what life used to be like during that era. The workers are dressed up in clothing accurate to the time period and this helps demonstrate how families lived and worked in the years leading up to the First World War.

Traveling to The Pit Village, Beamish shows what a colliery community was like during the peak of the coal industry in the North East. With miner’s cottages depicting different living situations, the school house where the miner’s children were taught, and the chapel where services and community events were held, it is easy to be swept up

ALNWICK CASTLE

castle by 1093 because King Malcolm III of Scotland attempted to seize the kingdom in that year.

In 1309, Alnwick Castle was purchased by the Percy family from the Bishop of Durham. Henry de Percy became the first 1st Percy Lord of Alnwick and the Percy family has called Alnwick home ever since.

Alnwick Castle is one of the most iconic castles in Britain. For nearly 1000 years, there has been a castle located on the same grounds and for the last 700 years the castle has been home to the Percy family. To this day, Alnwick castle is one of the largest inhabited castles in the United Kingdom.

For nearly 1000 years, Alnwick castle has stood in its current location. It is uncertain when the first castle was built, but there was certainly a

Many thanks to Jon Robinson and Sandra Elliott for all the historical adventures. We have shared countless memories together and I have

made life-long friends. This class has been an unforgettable experience.