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Medieval Monasteries and the Dead

Medieval Monasteries and the Dead

Ever seen a ruined monastery and thought “that looks creepy”? It’s not an uncommon thought, ruined buildings are often to thought to be the site of ghostly occurences. So in the spirit of the season I thought I’d delve into what monasteries really did for the dead.

P.S I’m currently sat dressed in a skeleton outfit.

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Evidence of service to dead comes from  the monastic records – chronicles,…

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Originally produced for UHI in fulfilment of  History of the Highlands and Islands PGDip.

Sir Thomas Browne 1605 – 1682 is known for his works on science, religion, and medicine. Browne studied medicine at Padua, Montpellier and eventually graduated in Leiden receiving a medical degree in 1633, thereafter settling in Norwich, Norfolk in 1637 where he practised medicine until his death in 1682. Today the former site of Browne’s house is marked with a plaque giving brief overview of his life and works. The house no longer stands in its original form and the plaque is not immediately obvious being nestled between Pret a Manger and Thornton’s chocolatiers, but the city of Norwich has done much more to commemorate the life of Browne, and arguably one of its most successful and renowned citizens.

Browne’s body was laid to rest in the nearby church of St Peter Mancroft, but unfortunately for him the skulls of famous men were popular in the nineteenth century! Browne’s skull had been stolen from his coffin in 1840 and sold to a physician, who in 1847 presented it to the nearby Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. His skull was finally returned to his body in 1922. The chief physician at the hospital at the time was Sir Peter Eade (1825-1915), and was one of the leading figures behind the hospital’s refusal to return the skull. In September 1897 a committee formed and agreed that a statue of Browne should be erected at the top of Haymarket. The statue is larger than lifesize and depicts him deep in thought, pondering a shattered piece of burial urn. The urn in question was the subject of his 1658 work Hydriotaphia. In 1905 the statue was eventually erected, and it still stands in its original location today – looking towards the physician’s former home.

Yet frustratingly for those who may be interested to learn more about Browne there is little information available around the statue. It occupies a busy part of the city centre, and is easily overlooked – particularly as the memorial is not at eye level. Furthermore it is not the easiest location in which to appreciate the figure. What may have once been a clear area of the city, and formerly a grass area, is now concrete, and filled with an installation which also commemorates Browne. The installation was commissioned in 2005, and still the story is not a straightforward one. Originally the design was for the main market site of the city, but with market traders unhappy with this the artists were asked to create a piece for the Haymarket site. What resulted from the project is a series of street furniture intended to make an empty area of land into a more enjoyable space, whilst also creating a nice place to sit and relax within the city centre. The sculptures are intriguing and definitely raise questions for the public – they are all based on the works of Browne, with some pieces containing the names of his works. The sculptures are arranged in a pattern known as a ‘quinconce’ or ‘quincunx’, a five-pointed diamond shape which Browne believed existed throughout nature. However without prior knowledge they make very little sense, and there is little information available in the vicinity for those to wish to find out more. The plinth of the statue gives a brief overview of his life, but the works do not, at first glance, tie together. They feel entirely separate.

Unfortunately the site is not used as intended. While it is used by busy shoppers and those just wishing to take a break from a hectic day it is usually occupied by groups of the city’s homeless. The street furniture offers a site of refuge for those who have nowhere comfortable to go, and also it is used as the base for charities who offer food provision for those in need. This has come under criticism from local councillors who see the site as a “hotspot for crime, drugs, street drinking, and anti-social behaviour” (Eastern Daily Press, 28th June 2018) – yet as long as people continue to be in need there will be a use for the street furniture beyond its original purpose.

Thomas Browne’s memorial has been the subject of many controversies – beginning with the splitting of his coffin plate and subsequent theft of his skull. Although it is not Browne himself who is the subject of the current controversies it is his memorial site which is raising issues. Memorials are a site of public remembrance, and the sites where the general public come into contact with history. They are prompts to discover more about a person or event, and in the case of Sir Thomas Browne they can have fascinating story behind them.

Statue of Sir Thomas Browne and St Peter Mancroft Church pictured behind.

A rare quiet moment on Haymarket showing the street furniture. Notice the can of lager left behind on a table?

Selected Sources

A site dedicated to Sir Thomas Browne http://www.sirthomasbrowne.org.uk/

“Concerns raised over handouts to rough sleepers in centre of Norwich” Eastern Daily Press, http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/politics/haymarket-homeless-food-services-1-5581093

Recording Archive for Public Sculpture in Norfolk & Suffolk http://www.racns.co.uk/sculptures.asp?action=getsurvey&id=307

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[Images all authors’s own]

  Sir Thomas Browne – A Man of Controversy? Originally produced for UHI in fulfilment of  History of the Highlands and Islands PGDip. Sir Thomas Browne 1605 – 1682 is known for his works on science, religion, and medicine.

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Happy Now?

It’s been nine weeks since a full post. I’ve taken to what I guess is “micro-blogging” via instagram, I haven’t wanted to spout a load of words out. I’ve just wanted to share pictures and bits of what I’ve been going through. The last nine weeks have gone by in a whirlwind.

I followed up the last post with a visit to my Grandma’s grave, putting flowers down and  a little memorial in place. It’s…

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Pork Pie Man. A Love Letter Ten Years On.

Pork Pie Man. A Love Letter Ten Years On.

Two posts in one week? You lucky people…

Yesterday marked ten years since my Grandma died. I’ve been so wrapped up in everything else I thought it was Monday. When I wrote the date on the whiteboard at work Monday afternoon I felt it then “only a week”. I went to sleep on Wednesday night determined to be positive on Thursday – I don’t know why I felt that, but I knew I had to have a good day. So…

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Thinking About Food.

I started this on instagram initially as a place I use an outlet or somewhere to ask for help but it started getting a bit long. So excuse me while I bore some of you for a while…

A couple of weeks ago I started having horrible stomach cramps, at first I assumed they were period pains, but then I realised they were different. I’ve suffered from IBS before and was given medication and it settled,…

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Four Weeks.

Firstly I just want to say this – I don’t want this to be a case of seeking sympathy, or attention. I’ve got the support I need, but I always turned to words to help. I’ve just realised it’s been four weeks. Some you reading this might be thinking “what on earth is she on about?”, others will know straight away. It’s been four weeks since I took myself off to the doctors. It’s been four weeks…

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Settled.

I feel like I spent most of January answering the same question. That is, am I settled? I understand it. I moved away from my family (again), started two new jobs, and finally got my own place. All within the space of about six weeks. So am I settled? I’m not even sure what that even means. To settle? “Adopt a more steady or secure style of life, especially in a permanent job and home” Well in…

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Reflection, and the Start of a New Adventure.

Reflecting on 2017 and moving into 2018.

I thought the best way to do this would be have a look at some of my posts from the last year, but especially the couple from this time last year. So it seems I ended 2016 with my only real goal to be pass my driving test. WELL I DID THAT ONE. What a drama that turned into. I started driving again in March in my step-dad’s car which I hated. April saw me buy my first car – it’s been described as…

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I wish. Though saying that I have been incredibly lucky this year – I’ve been to Germany twice, and in September I spent two weeks in Bulgaria with a couple of days in the middle spent on a trip to Istanbul. If I can’t enjoy the rewards of working six / seven day weeks then what’s the point of it really?

I thought I’d use this Sunday evening to share some photos and some bits that I learnt in my two weeks away.

So, Sunny Beach.

  Two weeks in Sunny Beach would have been too much for me if it weren’t for the Istanbul trip. Sunny Beach is located on Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast, to the north is Sveti Vlas, and to the South Nessebar. The main stretch of Sunny Beach is lined with hotels and bars, all offering 241 cocktails and cheap beer. Great if that’s what you want from your holiday, but not what I would look for. The food was pretty much the same everywhere we went, all offering an array of English, Mexican, and Italian dishes. I was disappointed by the limited offerings of Bulgarian food – I’d have loved to try more. We stayed in Ivana Palace Hotel to the north of Sunny Beach. Shout out to the barman for the excellent service and keeping my Uncle company for two weeks!

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    Nessebar, unsuprisingly was my highlight. We travelled to Old Nessebar by boat which was great (not sorry for the “I’m on a boat” selfies). Nessebar is an ancient city and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are plenty of churches (wiki says a total of 40) to visit and most of the surviving now function as small museums. We actually spent two days in Nessebar – I didn’t get my fill on the first day, so the second week we returned so I could visit the Archaeological Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. Possibly my least favourite part of the holiday was the long walk back from Nessebar to the hotel… an hour walk in the heat was not needed after a long day!

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          Istanbul was absolutely crazy. We took a coach trip with an overnight stay. The coach trip was long, and at the services I had a new toilet experience. I entered the toilets. Saw two rows of cubicles. I spotted an open door on the left. Squatting over a square ceramic hole to wee is not the easiest thing in the world. I then learnt the row of stalls opposite contained toilets. Turkey: 1, Hayley: 0.  We were welcomed to Istanbul to lunch in the former stopping point of the Orient Express – none of us had any idea what we were eating. No strong feelings on the food either way. Quite bland. We then headed off for our first tour. The guide was lovely and full of information. We visited the Blue Mosque, which the Turks know as Sultan Ahmet Camii. Built in the early seventeenth century this building is absolutely beautiful. A lot more walking and a lot more information followed. Safe to say I have forgotten most of this due to information overload. The hotel was fine, however I smashed my toe thinking I could cope with just the light from my phone.  Turkey: 2, Hayley: 0. The second day was a boat trip, again lots to see and lots of information. Turkey is definitely somewhere I want to think about going back to, even if it defeated me slightly.

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I’ve been back a week now, and it almost feels like I’ve never been away. I spent three days in the middle feeling sorry for myself, I spent a lot time trying to keep on top of uni works, and much of the time simply telling my Uncle to shut up. Oh, and a man telling me how much he loved me and that we had a special connection. Not quite the highlight but something that has made for a funny story to tell on coming back.

Where to next…?

Always on Holiday? I wish. Though saying that I have been incredibly lucky this year - I've been to Germany twice, and in September I spent two weeks in Bulgaria with a couple of days in the middle spent on a trip to Istanbul.

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The Past Six Years

The Past Six Years

It’s September, and if I look at my post history from here it seems like I love a good autumnal blog. So here I am again. I’ve been thinking again recently about writing, and how good it feels to put something down.  I had a whole range of ideas of what to use this for, and I thought the summer would be my opportunity. However, yet again I didn’t bother. So what prompted this? Facebook. Facebook…

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What I Learnt in 2016

What I Learnt in 2016

Two posts in the same week? I must be feeling inspired. My “Things I’ve Learnt in 2014” continues to get hits, and as 2016 was a turbulent year I thought I’d summarise it in 27 little points. Side note – 27 was not planned, it’s just the number I hit. In no particular order, chronological or otherwise… You will be taken by surprise Which means you have to allow your goals to change Driving a car…

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Thoughts From the Train. 

12.01.17 This post is backdated. I wrote it between Norwich and Huntingdon, and I guess it’s a follow on from my last post to lead into my next.  Usually I’d have come up with some resolutions or goals by now, but after the last year I haven’t felt up to it. Although that’s not to say I don’t feel positive. The first couple of months of 2017 are going to be challenging – I have to move back home…

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Moving Forward. 

I couldn’t have imagined a better way to start my 2016. Away from the city, in perfect company. From there onwards it only got better. The most brilliant birthday adventure I could have asked for. 2016 was going pretty well.  A few months in my world got turned upside down. I knew it was going to happen, but not quite how it happened. The rest of my year has been about building myself back up…

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The End Of September II

The End Of September II

There is something about this time of year that pulls me into the traps of nostalgia. When I think about my ‘year’ I see September to September, not January to December. I saw my first conkers a couple of days ago (I promise this will all make sense, you’ll have to excuse me – I’m tired). September draws in Autumn, everything starts to change, the conkers fall and the leaves on the ground start…

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Sensory Overload

On Sunday I took a trip to Cambridge to meet my best friend, we had no plans. Anyone who knows Cambridge knows it’s full of history. The architecture is fantastic, there’s something to see on every street. On a hot day Cambridge is too much for me – sensory overload. People everywhere, too much to absorb. Not far from King’s College we found ourselves outside of St Benet’s church. Pausing to…

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My Mistake to Make. 

TL;DR? I’m okay.  It’s been a while WordPress. Probably with good reason. The last thing I wrote on here I wrote with a confidence that I believed would still be within me. However things have changed. I’m sitting in one of my favorite spots in Norwich writing this. I can no longer call myself a Norwich resident. I officially reside in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Whether or not that was the right…

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In Need Of A Voice.

There are not many things I know for certain, very few in fact. Without turning this into a post full of mush, the one thing I do know is that I have the best relationship I could possibly ask for. I’m not going to sit here and write of list of why I think that’s so, I don’t need to justify myself. Except maybe for one thing. When I sit here and write I don’t think of the people that are reading…