Buddha (563 BCE – 483 BCE)

Some definitions of free: Not bound – at liberty – not under arbitrary government – not strict or bound by rules – not literal – unimpeded – unconstrained.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull when he discovers the technique of flying:

How much more there is now to living! Instead of our drab slogging forth and back to the fishing boats, there’s reason to life! We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill. We can be free! We can learn to fly!

Jonathan sighs:

“Why is it,” Jonathan puzzled, “that the hardest thing in the world is to convince a bird that he is free, and that he can prove it for himself if he’d just spend a little time practicing? Why should that be so hard?” *

For more of this weeks PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.

*Quotes  from Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

The origins of the habitation of Bridlington are unknown but can be traced back to ancient times. The nearby Dane’s Dyke on Flamborough Head, a 2.5-mile (4 km) long man made dyke dates back to the Bronze Age.^[4] Some writers believe that Bridlington was the site of a Roman station. A Roman road can be traced into the town and Roman coins have been found in the town.^[5]

The earliest written evidence of Bridlington is located in the Domesday Book. It records that “Bretlinton” was the head of the Huntow Hundred and was held by Earl Morcar before it passed into the hands of William the Conqueror by the forfeiture.^[5] The survey also records the effect of the Harrying of the North as the annual value of the land had decreased from £32 in the time of Edward the Confessor to eight shillings at the time of the survey and comprised:

“two villeins, and one socman with one and a half Carucate. The rest is waste.”^[5]

The land was given to Gilbert de Gant, nephew of King Stephen, in 1027.^[5] His eldest son, Walter de Gant, later founded an Augustinian priory on the land in 1133 which was confirmed by King Henry I in a Charter.^[6] Several succeeding kings confirmed and extended Walter de Gaunt’s gift: King Stephen granting in addition the right to have a port; King John granted the prior permission to hold a weekly market and an annual fair in 1200. Henry VI granted permission for three annual fairs on the Nativity of Mary, and Deposition of and the Translation of Saint John of Bridlington in 1446.^[5] In 1415 Henry V visited the priory to give thanks for victory at the Battle of Agincourt.^[7] The town began to be developed around the site of the priory as it grew in importance and size.

After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the manor remained with the crown until 1624 when Charles I granted it to Sir John Ramsey, who had recently been created the Earl of Holderness.^[5] In 1633, Sir George Ramsey sold the manor to 13 inhabitants of the town on behalf of all the tenants of the manor. In May 1636, a deed was drawn up empowering the 13 men as Lords Feoffees or trust holders of the Manor of Bridlington.

In 1643 Queen Henrietta Maria landed at Bridlington with troops to support the Royalist cause in the English Civil War before going on to York, which then became her headquarters.

Even more detail can be found on Genuki, or you could just enjoy the photographs

I really enjoyed the garden.  It is one of the best I have visited and the house was really interesting too. It is still lived in by the family and has never been up for public sale since it was built in 1173. The family living there has changed from time to time over the years due to the female line sometimes inheriting the home. It is now owned and managed by a charitable trust. The original manor house is situated next door and managed by English Heritage.

I was persuaded that it would be a good idea to visit Bridlington for some fish and chips. It was only when I got there that I remembered I wasn’t that fond of Bridlington, especially in the rain! This meant another quick change of plan and a return to York where a good evening meal was had in The Olive Tree which was vaguely Mediterranean in style. I had sea bass followed by Amaretto sponge. Mmmm!

I almost forgot to mention that on the journey to Burton Agnes I got stuck behind very slow traffic. So when I spotted a sign to Bishop Wilton church, which said it was of interest I decided to do a detour. It was a very interesting church and the minister arrived and turned on the lights to show off the most interesting features and give a little bit of history of the church and surrounding area. He mentioned that the painted stars on the ceiling were made of solid lead and that two of them had fallen off. He produced them and they weighed quite heavy.  He then mentioned that one had fallen right by the pulpit!!! But I suppose the pulpit is quite close to the organ and it’s vibrations…