During the 13th century, Agriculture had been growing, but Farm expansion in Western Europe has ended, and Cattle raising declined. As a result, this lead to a reduction of the amount of protein in diets and reducing manure for fertilizer,; which meant a decline in crop yields. Herring, a major food source, is beginning to disappear. At the same time, a small “Ice Age” has begun, and would last 400 years. This Small ice age would bring more wet weather and also a shorter growing season in the northern climates. Climate and demographic change played a key role in the developments of both Britain and Ireland. In the 13th century wool became England’s most important export, and the principal source of the nation’s wealth.
Stokesay castle was built in the late 13th century by Laurence Ludlow. Ludlow was at the time England's leading wool merchant. Laurence dealt wool, as his father had before him, in extensive quantities of the fleeces produced by local sheep owners, magnates, monasteries and farmers. A Lot of his business was done in Shrewsbury, but also had an office in London, and traded overseas. In addition, he sold wool to local merchants and attended at least one “champagne fair” in north west france. This affair was used as a way to network and as a gathering space for all merchants all over Europe.
The combination of his business ventures at home and abroad overtime made Laurence Staggeringly rich and influential. Laurence’s wealth and power in the wool industry lead him to eventually be the king’s paymaster delivering wool and money to england's allies. But on a trip to london, Laurence perished. His vessel was wrecked off the Suffolk coast, and although most of the ships and wool survived, He drowned. Many wool producers rejoiced from Ludlow Laurences death, ‘Because he sinned against the wool-growers, he was swallowed by the waves in a ship full of wool.’
Lawrence built what can be described as one of the first fortified manor houses in England, Stokesay was first and foremost a comfortable country residence, with large, wide windows allowing light into a spacious interior. The oldest part of Stokesay Castle is the north tower. This tower was constructed during the late 12th or early 13th century.
Inside this tower what remains of the first medieval floor tiles and traces of medieval wall paintings. In addition, anelled solar, or private chamber, was added in the early 17th century, and this features a quite magnificently carved wooden fireplace overmantle. Beyond the solar is the south tower, a severe castellated tower reached only by a staircase that was designed to be easily defended. A steep stair leads to chambers on the upper floor; its treads were sawn from whole tree trunks. At the top of the stair a landing allows you to get a close-up view of the superb timber roof, supported by huge timbers.
sources:
-"English Heritage." Laurence of Ludlow and Medieval Wool Wealth | English Heritage. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2016.
-Cordingley, R. A. "Stokesay Castle, Shropshire: The Chronology of Its Buildings." The Art Bulletin 45.2 (1963): 91-107. JSTOR. Web. 03 Dec. 2016.
-"Review: Early Renaissance Architecture in England. Second -Edition (Revised)." Journal of the Royal Society of Arts 62.3217 (1914): 767. JSTOR. Web. 03 Dec. 2016.
-"English Heritage." Stokesay Castle Things to See and Do | English Heritage. N.p., n.d. Web. 03Dec. 2016.
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