What would you think if you saw a dish named “Spotted Dick” in a restaurant called “Golden Hind“? Associations are bound to be made. The first is a popular dessert here on the islands (more, more) while the second is a name of a famous ship. Turns out “hind” has many other meanings than, well, “ass.”
Today I was on another long bike ride in Cambridgeshire (~23 miles.) We were told a few castles are on the way… on hills, no less (for reference, this area is completely flat.) We looked, but no castles presented themselves. BUT! I managed to see a small sign on the side of the road pointing to “Giant’s Hill Medieval Castle.” Images of torture and fighting raced through my head (see my Guy Fawkes post) and I was excited to make the turn. Much to my disappointment, on the small mound laid an unfinished castle. By “unfinished,” I mean nothing was there except a mud mound and a moat. Apparently, they built the moat first. Curiously enough, there is a WWI-era base for mounting an anti-aircraft cannon on the mound. Go figure.
I’m “chuffed” by these bits of language lore and other local highlights.
Giant’s Hill is possibly the site of a ruin, not an unfinished castle. Lots of that sort of thing in GB if TV science channels are to be believed.
Also like straightdope.
Helen,
As a matter of fact, it is an unfinished castle, if the sign on the site is to believed :) Apperantly, the owner died as it was constructed. Most likely the building blocks were then used for something else once construction halted.
I don’t think it is in your area, but there is supposed to be a likely Camelot site (pretty much a mound on a hill, I think) and a likely Tintagel site (a ruin) on the western (I think) coast. These are, of course, from the Arthur story. Then there is Stonehenge on the Salsbury Plain and various other stone circles and huge chalk drawings (one rather X rated) and lots of hill tombs. Plus various ruined churches and abbeys and other castles less unfinished or ruined than the one you saw. And the Roman stuff. And so and so on. A lot of history all over the place. I envy you the ability to see it! Maybe some day for me.
After living in Israel which is littered with ancient ruins – I doubt you will be impressed by what England has to offer in that category – Stonehenge is… well… underwhelming.
But for more modern architecture (last millenium)- palaces, cathedrals, museums, universities… that is a different story – plenty to impress