Midlands meander and East Anglia

We have just returned from a visit to family in East Anglia.  On our trip south we called in at Newstead Abbey, one time home of Lord Byron.  In the library there was a display case with helmets worn in the Greek Wars of Independence in the 1820's.

Byron had to sell Newstead to meet his debts and the purchaser, Thomas Wildman spent large sums refurbishing the house in the Gothic style.  One element of this was the installation of stained glass windows in the Great Hall.  These commemorated the military achievements of the Wildman family.

In Norfolk we did a few walks linked to the Weaver's Way.  One round North Walsham passed the possible site of a battle from the Peasants' Revolt of 1381.  Nearby was this cross, unfortunately without an accompanying plaque.

Later in the week we visited Castle Acre.  The remains of the castle demonstrate the archetypal 'motte and bailey' castle.  With free access it is well worth a visit if you are in the area.  The village church also has some impressive medieval paintings.

Information board

Ditch protecting the bailey

Remains of the gatehouse

On the way back from holiday we called in at Kedleston Hall.  The main reason was to see the neo-classical house, but the attached church provided a wealth of heraldry.

This is a copy of a banner carried by the Curzon retinue in the Hundred Years War

Tucked away in a corridor with a collection of game trophies was this object from the 18th century (or possibly earlier?)

The Hall is owned by the National Trust.