Auckland Castle

Six word Saturday

Kynren – an epic tale of England!

The pageantry begins

Setting the scene

A charioteer leads the procession

Standard bearers

And the support act!

From one local extravaganza to another! Last week, the Tall Ships. This week, I give you Kynren. Performed by a cast of locals and volunteers, in the grounds of Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, I was enormously impressed. A history of England, the action was fast-paced. I apologise that many of my shots are blurred. Please follow the captions.

A pleasant evening stroll leads down to the grounds

Beyond the lake, the Tribune awaits

And ‘cast members’ enjoy a snack

A dramatic sunset heralds the performance

Children arrive with paper birds

And shepherds

Making a run for it!

Lookout duty

Halt! Who goes there?

Intruders?

Ceremonial reception

Marching

Jousting- too quick to catch!

Dancing fountains

Banners aloft, it’s time to go

For an hour and a half the action unfolded before our eyes, building to a crescendo of lazer beams and fireworks. It was beautifully done.

Astounding moment when Stephenson’s ‘Rocket’ chuffs in!

And then the riders gallop wildly past

Followed sedately by coach and horses

A very grand affair

A crescendo of fireworks and dazzle

And then a hush, as the smoke fades to pink haze

2,000 years of history, myth and legend, performances run until 15th September. Meanwhile, Debbie has some exciting news to share in her Six Words this Saturday. Why not join her? Have a happy weekend!

A Bishop Auckland Revival

There’s a new bustle to Bishop Auckland these days, and it’s not before time. It’s been a sad little place for the last many years, but finally someone has taken pity on it and started to breath new life into the dejected streets. There’s still an impoverished look to the shops, in common with many of our high streets, but change is afoot. In the vanguard, No. 42 leads the way with it’s fiercely pointy roof. Describing itself as a gateway to both past and future, upstairs the Pod provides studio space to encourage artistic creativity. And look! The yarn bombers are about.

It all began with Auckland Castle, and a vision to turn it into a faith, art and heritage destination on an international scale. Jonathan Ruffer, Chairman of the Auckland Project, has never lacked for ambition, but what is being achieved in Bishop Auckland is remarkable. Back in 2014 I took you on a walk through the beautiful castle and grounds, with their distinctive Deer House. A highlight of the post was the story of the paintings by Spanish master, Francisco de Zurbaran. Auctioned for in excess of 15 million pounds, they were bought by Ruffer and the Trust he set up, to enable them to stay in Bishop Auckland. They are soon to feature in a state of the art Spanish Gallery, opposite the new Mining Museum, on Market Square. The castle is closed to the public and the gardens a bit of a mess until they reopen in December this year. Meantime Kynren, a spectacular action show, taking you through 2000 years of history, will enliven the grounds again this summer. I need to book a ticket.

The town isn’t lacking in history, having strong links with the Prince Bishops of Durham. Surrounded by the mining industry until its decline, the town was once a railway hub and has an enormous entry in Wikipedia, for those who might be interested. I’ll leave you with that happy chappy, Stan Laurel, who lived in the town as a child. “Another fine mess you’ve got me into”.

Speaking of which, I didn’t have my camera that day, and had to improvise with some shots taken on my phone. Scratches head! You’ll get a better look around, and a peep at the paintings, on my original Auckland Castle post.

Saying goodbye to Autumn

My last post, about Lumiere 2015 at Durham, is a hard act to follow. I was tempted to just let it ride until I come back to the blog in December, but the Christmas ‘rush’ will be well and truly here by then. There’ll be no opportunity to bid farewell to Autumn. It’s been kind to us this year and I’m quite reluctant to let it go. Just a week or two ago I was wandering through Durham.

The cathedral gardens were looking pretty

And the cloisters empty of the activity soon to come

Artworks inhabited St. Cuthbert’s space

The weir was calm

And on the riverbank, benches for Jude

Such a cute otter!

On a bright Autumn day the shadows can be as beautiful as the blue sky. I loved playing with them on my walk at Auckland Castle this week.

It must have been about the same time last year that I was here, because there’s a poster advertising the Christmas Food and Craft Market on 20th November. I well remember my ginger wine and mince pie, whilst looking at the palatial dining room, shared with you on this walk. This year they’re going a step further, with an outdoor skating rink until 3rd January. I might just have to come back for that.

This is the bench from the other side

And there go the walkers!

Of course, it’s no good having a great view without a bench to admire it from. And one bench invariably leads to another. Let’s leave the Deer House and go looking for some more shadows, shall we? I’d better catch up to those walkers too.

Leaves against an old stone wall

Deep shadow!

Feathery pines

A wall and a stream

A last flourish of rust

A spider’s web of branches

I think I’ve just about got Autumn out of my system. And managed to share a few more benches for Jude. It’s the last week of Festival of Leaves too and Verena has done a wonderful job.

If you do get the chance to visit Auckland Castle in the near future, don’t hesitate. It’s a beautiful setting and there are plans afoot to make it even more interesting.

That’s all from me for a week or two. Take care of each other, please.

Jo’s Monday walk : Auckland Castle

The Deer House

I’ve visited the Deer House and park at Auckland Castle many times, but seldom have I seen it lit by the sun. I felt especially privileged to have timed my arrival, intending to view the castle, with a glorious, blue-sky, December day.

Known locally as the Bishop’s Palace, Auckland Castle has been a seat of power since the time of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. The original building was a manor house or hunting lodge constructed in the late 1100s, but 100 years later it was to become the seat of the Prince Bishops. The king had granted the Bishop of Durham enormous power. As the Prince Bishop, it was his job to protect the north east of England from Scottish marauders. In order to do this, he could raise money from taxes, mint his own coins and lead his own army, so long as he remained loyal to the king.

The then Bishop of Durham, Bishop Beck, established himself at Auckland Castle because he preferred the vast hunting grounds, that went with the estate, to Durham Castle. Today the park and grounds are open to the public and still retain elements of the Medieval deer park. Have you ever seen a Deer House? Well then, let’s go!

We start from the Market Place in Bishop Auckland

Bishop Auckland is a small market town in County Durham, 12 miles south-west of the city of Durham. It sits at the confluence of the River Wear and its tributary, the River Gaunless. Entry to the castle grounds is through the 18th century gatehouse, just off the Market Place.

The Robinson Clock Tower and Gatehouse

Pass by the castle gates. We’ll come back later!

The Bishop’s Stroll

The River Gaunless meanders through the estate, and is crossed by several bridges. In 1760 the park’s most charming feature was built. The Gothic Revival style folly was built to provide shelter for the deer and a place for them to be fed. Guests could watch from a viewing area. Today sadly there are no deer, but the folly is a romantic backdrop for strolling and picnics.

The path drops away from the castle walls

And suddenly you can glimpse it through the trees

And suddenly you can catch a glimpse, through the trees

Isn’t it beautiful?

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Within the grounds there is also an Ice House. Ever practical, after they’d been hunting, the Bishops needed to keep their meat chilled. On this occasion I didn’t walk far as I was eager to see inside the castle, but there is a network of paths to enjoy throughout the park.

Trevor’s Bridge

And in profile

The river, from the Deer House

I was particularly keen to see inside the palace. I knew very little about the contents, but the one thing I did know was that some very special religious artwork resided there. The 13 paintings by Spanish master Francisco de Zurbaran have hung in Auckland Castle for 250 years. They were painted between 1640 and 1644 and 12 of them were bought by Bishop Richard Trevor in 1756, for £125. He was outbid at auction for the thirteenth, but commissioned Arthur Pond to produce an exact copy of ‘Benjamin’.

The paintings hang in the Long Dining Room, which was redesigned specifically to house them. They depict chapter 49 of the Book of Genesis, and represent Jacob’s death-bed blessings to his 12 sons. Each son would become a founder of the 12 Tribes of Israel, the beginnings of the Jewish faith. This was a very deliberate act by Bishop Trevor. Religious tolerance, especially towards the Jews, was in short supply in the 18th century. Displaying the paintings publicly was an appeal by him for greater consideration of our fellow men.

In 2001 the Church Commissioners planned to sell off the artworks, whose estimated value was £20 million. A staggering £15 million donation from Yorkshireman and investment banker, Jonathan Ruffer, secured their future, and the Auckland Castle Trust came into being. Exciting plans for the castle are afoot.

Shall we go inside?

Not wishing to tease, but the first place I’m going to take you to is St. Peter’s Chapel. Widely acknowledged as the largest private chapel in Europe, it started life in the 12th century as the Banqueting Hall, with buttery, wine cellar and minstrel gallery. The original chapel was demolished following the English Civil War, but when the Prince Bishops were restored to power, Bishop John Cosin set about the rebuild, in 1660. Isn’t history a roller coaster?

You enter this imposing building

And your eyes are drawn up

To the heraldic shields on the ceiling

And the shadows the light casts on the angels

There are six of them

Stained glass of Benedictine Monks

and Lindisfarne

Beautiful, isn’t it?

From the chapel you enter the castle proper. This has been decorated for Christmas in the old style, with dried fruits and foliage. Mounting the stairs to the first floor, my eye is drawn to the lovely view framed in the elegant window. Throughout the house, the views to the parkland and beyond command attention.

The entrance hall

That beguiling view of parkland

Dried fruit arrangement

Beautifully framed

Something of a surprise next! The Paradise State Bed, used by the Tudors, and an elaborate and unique piece of 15th century oak carving. Click on the link for more details.

The Throne Room follows, and a feature that made me smile. The 200 year old windows (designed by James Wyatt) are of very pale green and pink tinted glass, ‘to make the ladies appear less pale in the bright sunlight’. I’ll just flutter my fan a little!

The view to the lawns

The Bishop’s Throne

Can you see the tint?

The grand fireplace and very special tables

The moment has arrived- the Long Dining Room and Zubaran’s paintings. I cannot pretend to do them justice. You need to see them yourself. The links give more detail.

Four of Zubaran’s masterpieces

While I browsed around the room, one of the guides approached with a tray. Ginger wine with apple juice and warm mince pie (a Medieval recipe) seemed a nice seasonal gesture.

Bishop Trevor’s coat of arms

More Zubaran

And beautiful ceilings!

One last lovely windows shot

And a BIG cake!

The guide explained that the size of the cake related to power and prestige. There was obviously no shortage. I am delighted to have been able to feature Auckland Castle in my Monday walk this week. I was lucky enough to catch the last weekend of the year and it will now be closed to the public until February. The grounds are still open if you fancy an invigorating walk meantime, and, of course, there’s a tearoom.

I realise that this post is a little long, but hope that you have enjoyed it, and can find time to check the links to see how special this place is. I feel sure that it will repay time and investment.

It’s my last chance this year to thank everybody for making Jo’s Monday walk a success. I have had some really wonderful contributions and hope that they will continue next year. Let’s have one last cuppa and a good read :

With all that was happening in Sydney I was so relieved to find Jude fit and well in the Botanic Gardens :

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and the Domain, Part 1

While Paula showed me the glory of the Ginkgo tree in Autumn :

Daily walk to Work

Drake always has a sunny disposition, even in the fog!

Foggy, raw- cosiness

Lovely to have Suzanne join us, with a rather unsettling walk. Please do welcome her!

The hawk

Amy’s doing a blogging round up of her walks. There are some real beauties :

A Walk through my Monday Walks

I wasn’t at all familiar with Portsmouth, till Ana took me on a guided walk :

A self-devised and self-guided walk round Portsmouth

Forest walks are always popular and it’s wonderful to have Indah (and her dog Dante) show us a Rotterdam park. Welcome to the walks, Indah!

Winter walk in Kralingse Forest

And where better than NYC for a walk at Christmas time? Thanks, Suze!

New York City- Falling for the High Line

Or for a dash of culture, join Joan, in London :

A walk at The Wallace

Want to see how they celebrate in Canada? Then join Colline!

A festive walk

If you’re not too tired (and full!) I hope you manage to get out for a walk over the Christmas period. I plan to! Till then, have a wonderful Christmas.

A Bishop’s Stroll

Oh dear! It’s that “reach for a warm jacket” time of year again. Spoiled as I am by my sunny sojourn in Barcelona, I always knew that I was set to meet the British Winter head on when I returned. I could hibernate, I suppose, but that doesn’t sound much fun. Nothing for it but to wrap up warm and put the best foot forward. Where better than a medieval hunting lodge to start?

Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland, has been the official residence of the Bishop of Durham since 1832, and the surrounding park was originally used by the Bishops for hunting. These days it’s the start point for a very pleasant stroll. It never ceases to amaze me how many of these lordly residences still survive in England today. This one is a veritable treasure trove. The castle’s long dining room was specifically created to contain 12 of the 13 portraits of Jacob and his 12 sons painted by Francisco de Zurbaran in the 17th century. Their last valuation was 20 million pounds! In order to maintain them in their existing home an ambitious project is underway to tell the story of religion in Britain within the castle. Currently the Castle is closed until next Spring, but it’s still a good base for a walk.