York Great East window When entering a church or cathedral, whether small or large, I look toward the stain glass. Unconsciously. Naturally. I look to see the nature and the quality of the glass. If there is stain glass, then I’m impressed. I’m impressed by York Minster’s stain glass. I’m impressed by its Great East …
352. Lincoln’s Magna Carta
Lincoln It isn’t Fort Knox. It isn’t the entrance to the White House. Yet, because it has its own separate building and vault, I know that the building in front of me houses Lincoln’s Magna Carta. Last year, I view Salisbury’s Magna Carta; this year, I’ll also see the British Library’s Magna Carta. Lincoln’s copy …
351. Lincoln Cathedral’s Unusual Space: Graffiti
I’m like a hunting dog trying to find pheasants. I cross a street. I backtrack to an alley. I swivel my to the left, then to the right. I look down to the base of a column. I look up the column as far as most people can reach. What do I want to find? …
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350. Julian of Norwich: One Unusual Woman
Julian of Norwich Probably around 1998 or 1999, I visit Norwich with my Reinhardt students. The purpose? I want them to become familiar with one of the major late-medieval English mystics. I can still remember students asking: “Did she really spend her life in that cell? That room off the nave?” “Yup!” That was the …
349. Norwich Cathedral’s Living Space: Moving Between Centuries
I love walking into a cathedral and seeing art. I’m particularly excited when I see art from centuries ago juxtaposed with art from this century (ok, the twentieth century also). Norwich Cathedral is a prime example. With a meeting of a hundred Anglican priests concluding, I walk into the nave. I’m greeted by an angel. …
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348. Bicycles: History and Rules
Bikes no I remember my first Schwin bike. I remember our sons learning to ride on our cul-de-sac. Good memories! Who doesn’t like bikes? In England, bicycles are everywhere. Surprise. Surprise. As a result, I wonder about the history of the bicycle in England. Cambridge Bikes So many bikes The German Baron Karl von Draig …
347. Remembering Dwight Parken and the Eighth Air Force
During WWII, Dwight Parken, Mary’s father, served as a tail-gunner for a B-17. Although he seldom talked about his experience, not only did he talk to one of my Reinhardt classes, but also he wrote a short “Recollections, Reactions, and Reflections on WWII.” For years, Mary and I have talked about visiting East Anglia to …
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346. Cambridge: A History of Smart People
Can you guess how many Nobel Prizes are associated with Cambridge University? 126! Simply wow! Our Cambridge guide states that “that other school” only has 76. When and how did Cambridge University become such a center for many really, really, really smart people? Before our guide addresses that question, he tells us that there are …
345. Liverpool vs Fulham
We are excited. We catch the train from London’s Euston Station for Liverpool’s Lime Station. Why? Charles has arranged for us to attend a Liverpool vs Fulham match at Anfield Stadium. Game Day. On this Saturday we uber to Anfield for a tour. Even at 9ish in the morning, there are hundreds and thousands of …
343. Westminster Abbey: Royalty and More
Westmimster Westminster Abbey is quite the building! Over 3300 burials. Over 600 tombs and monuments. 300 memorials tablets and plaques. Statues are everywhere! Not only are there statues and busts of royalty, but also of so many other important British individuals. Entering Westminster from an eastern doorway, we are soon walking through “Statesmen Alley.” William …
