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Published: August 16th 2016
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The Military Always are Out Plying the Waters
in Dartmouth - part of their training exercises Yes, this blog entry includes the last of Dartmouth, but also another quick trip to Exeter. We hadn’t planned on going again, but we found that we needed to look for a couple of things that we thought we could get in Exeter so took another bus trip there. Unfortunately even though the websites of the stores stated they carried what we needed, they didn’t have the items in stock – oh well. Our additional hope was that as long as we were in Exeter again we could get into the guildhall and the museum that we didn’t make it to the last time. It definitely was not a wasted trip as we managed to succeed with both!
There are recorded mentions of the Exeter Guildhall as early as 1160, but the building we visited was built in Medieval Times with recorded building activity done in 1330, 1466, 1489 and 1593. The impressive oak door that you enter the main chamber through was installed in 1593 for the amazing sum equivalent to $6. The barrel type ceiling was installed between 1468-1470. No matter how long we are here in Europe and read or hear about these dates in history, it
still is hard to believe that we are able to walk into these buildings and see them still alive with activity. The chamber is still used to this day for the City Council meetings.
There are coats of arms lining the walls of the chamber – these are not only benefactors as you would typically see, but also of past mayors and trade guilds. A few guilds are represented, however, when we asked we found that the only one still functional here is the weavers, tuckers and shearsmen which gives a clear indication that sheep are still an important part of the trade from this area.
The stained glass windows are unique in that they give the names and dates of the past mayors, sheriffs, recorders and town clerks, again showing the importance of their role in the life of this city. We were definitely pleased that we were able to view the interior of this wonderful building on this trip.
One of the areas in the museum did an excellent job of taking you through Devon (the county that Exeter is in) through the ages. It told that the Romans invaded Britain in 43AD as they
One Side Cleaned Of the 4 Weeks of "Crud"
found on our outboard motor while in Dartmouth believed there were riches of minerals here. The Romans stated for 400 years and through archeological findings it shows the impact that the Romans had on this area. Around the year 200, a defensive wall was built around the city to protect from outside attack. The wall was approximately 1.5 miles long. When the Romans left settlers from Germany and Denmark came bringing with them their Anglo-Saxon language which was the basis of the English language. They also added a castle to the previously built wall fortification. The Middle Ages which ran between 900 – 1500 AD saw the building of cathedrals and merchants building beautiful homes. Unfortunately they did not figure out yet how to rid themselves of disease. At this time they added gates to the wall but the Georgians removed them to help with flow in and out of the city. 1455-1487 were the years of the War of the Roses after which the Tudors reigned. The Stuart dynasty took over in 1603 upon the death of Queen Elizabeth I. During the 16
th & 17
th centuries more changes occurred as the Devon seafarers crossed the oceans while the church powers were removed by King Henry VIII and
the land was given to nobles. Merchants were getting wealthy from the wool trade and building large estates. Changes were definitely occurring and this new wealth was seen in the furnishings and clothing of the day. During this time period the wealth in Devon came from two main sources, the woolen cloth trade and fishing in Newfoundland. Exeter during this time was one of the largest cities in Great Britain rivaling London, Bristol, York and Norwich. Many of the items exhibited at the museum show the wealth of the times with home furnishings having been imported from the China, glass from Venice and wood carvings done by French craftsmen. Parts of the Roman wall built so many years ago still stand as a tribute to those times, but the suburb growth of cities in the 19
th and 20
th centuries tore much of it down. Exeter did not escape the destructive forces of bombing during WWII. Hitler was very upset with Britain for their destruction of the cathedral city of Lübeck, Germany and in retaliation he chose historic English cities such as Exeter to bomb which he did in May 1942.
It was a quick but informative trip to Exeter,
Those Road Reflectors Are Called "Cats Eyes"
a road side we saw said "Cats Eyes Removed" - at least we know they aren't violent to cats! but a bonus in that we were able to get to both the museum and guildhall.
We have been in Dartmouth much longer than we ever expected, but we found it was an excellent base as it had good shops, good pubs, and buses to other areas. Having the ability for Bob to get to a physician was a bonus. We definitely knew though that it was time to move on and finally dropped the lines from the pontoon and are heading west to the River Yealm and then Fowey – both recommended by others that we know.
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