Just outside the south door of Winchester’s Great Hall is the reconstructed ‘Queen Eleanor’s Garden’.
It is a re-creation of a late thirteenth century ornamental herber, designed by Dr Sylvia Landsberg and Dr John Harvey, and opened by Her Majesty the Queen Mother on 8 July 1986 as part of the Domesday 900 celebrations.
The garden is named after two garden-loving thirteenth-century queens who would once have walked on this spot: Eleanor of Provence, wife of Henry III (1216-1272) who built the Great Hall, and her daughter-in-law, Eleanor of Castile, wife of Edward I (1272-1307) who created the Round Table.*
*From The Castle of Winchester, Great Hall & Round Table by Martin Biddle and Beatrice Clayre
A small but important part of an old English heart really yearns to see the dressed stone and flint which only lightly touched Australia. The second ‘New World’, the antopdean paradise of Oz has wizadry in its cities but barely more than a hint of history. These are lovely pictures. The sharpness of the lines show a care that keep the very soul of England shining.
Thank you, I am glad you appreciate them
One thing England does well is history
This is a beautiful garden Cherie… i love the fountain and the people walking about gave scale to the great hall….peter:)
It was a surprise gem tucked away to the side
What a beautiful garden! Realy lovely.
Sigrun
I am glad you like it
Found this extra interesting as having read the classical novel about Eleanor of Aquitaine ( who was Queen in the 11th century and was imprisoned in a tower in the area) I have since come across many references to her descendants.
I am glad you found it interesting
Cherie this is gorgeous and what a wonderful place to reconstruct. The 13th century. I can’t even fathom that.
We are lucky to have so much history on our doorstep
In summer, that would be simply the best place to be.
It was a wonderful sunny day when we visited
Anywhere in the world ,you can always spot an English garden(and no one comes close).
They do have a unique style
I like the composition on the opening shot using a loose vanishing point with the theme but utilising the light from the side. Nice one.
Thank you J