This is the last part of a three-part series on the islands of the English Channel. In the first-part of the series, I took a close look at the features and history of Alderney Island in the Channel Islands, which are British Crown Dependencies. In the second-part of the series, I looked at the same…
The Channel Islands & the Other Islands of the English Channel – Part 3 The Isles of Portland and Wight & the Iles Chausey — Revealing What Has Been Hidden in Front of Our Eyes
I will forever associate this terrific biography with the year 1981, Charles and Diana‘s wedding and the Island of Crete.
Yes, nearly forty years ago we were on summer holiday on that wonderful Greek island, staying in a not-so-wonderful taverna. Nevertheless, I still fondly remember buying this book in an open air stall, somewhere near the waterfront of Aghios Nikolaos, quite early on in the holiday. I had read it before we left about ten days later.
Somehow we had conspired to be away when Lady Diana Spencer married the heir to the British throne – but enough of that.
As a lover of history (so-called) and art, I was initially drawn to the cover. Few figures in ancient history are as iconic as Alexander The Great, who conquered much of the then known world by his untimely (or timely) demise in 323 BC in Babylon.
But of course, supposed facts are one thing, but weaving them together in an entertaining narrative is quite another. In my opinion, Mary Renault succeeded brilliantly. She is of course most associated with being a fine historical novelist with a penchant for ancient Greece, prerequisites for writing this acclaimed biography.
I remember vividly (I have yet to re-read it) that it was easy to read, making me almost believe that I too was being tutored by Aristotle and later courting the beautiful Roxanne.
The fact that I did most of my reading on the hot sand or in a shady cafe, only added to the experience of travelling relentlessly eastward in my imagination.
Most especially the notion of conquest, that it is in fact a product of the mind, came across very strongly – to the point that by the end of the book I felt as if I had personally known this clearly insatiable and charismatic man — doubtless testimony to a great writer.
Maybe that day when I finally re-read this book is not too far away, though somehow I don’t think it will be in Crete.
Constantinople is a beautiful city that was founded by Roman Emperor Constantine I in 324 CE. The city served as the capital for the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire. It has faced many sieges and attacks throughout the years but managed to remain standing. The city had once been the most heavily fortified […]
Medieval Military History | The Siege & Downfall Of The Great City Constantinople — THE CHRONICLES OF HISTORY
Probably Spalding‘s ‘hidden’ gem, Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and Gardens is a medieval gem, well maintained, with a fascinating south Lincolnshire regional museum.
Formerly also a private junior school, now located elsewhere in the town under the same name, the gardens are noted for their topiary, the rather notable Edwin Lutyens world war 1 memorial and a very nice aviary with many interesting species finches and other birds. Lutyens was one of the most famous and capable British architects of the 2oth century.
Although the town has been deeply affected by the crises of this year, it is still well worth a visit if you live nearby or are on holiday in the area.
And by the way, the locals pronounce it ‘Asscoffee’!
Ciscography 