And Did Those Feet

So English Heritage is to become the National Trust Mark 2 looking after the 'National Collection' and will be a Charity with no Government support (80m a year to begin with declining to 0) The listings, buildings at risk aspects will become Historic England a separate organisation. Government details English Heritage split | Museums Association

This projects allows you to explore St Pauls Cathedral, London, during the 17th Century and hear a sermon by John Donne. http://vpcp.chass.ncsu.edu/listen-the-sermon/

Cheapside Bath House Very enjoyable Roman London Walk for London walks, yesterday. We started at Moorgate, which was a very good choice geographically. historically. I used a lot of Martial, Ovid, etc to make it more interesting. Of what does the happy life consist, My dear friend Julius? Here's a list: Inherited wealth no need to earn, Fires that continually burn, And fields that give a fair return, No lawsuits, formal togas worn Seldom, a calm mind, the freeborn Gentleman's health and good physique, Tact with the readiness to speak Openly, friends of your own mind, Guests of an easy-going kind, Plain food, a table simply set, Nights sober but wine-freed from fret, A wife who's true to you and yet No prude in bed, and sleep so sound It makes the day come quickly round. Be pleased with what you are, keep hope Within that self-appointed scope: Neither uneasily apprehend Nor morbidly desire the end. Martial,...

LAMAS Transactions Vol 63 2012 reports on the discovery of a possibly defensive ditch to the north of a site in Keeley Street near the Aldwych. This is thought to be part of the anti-viking defenses of the new port of Lundenwic.  Other ditches have been found at Bruce House, the Royal Opera House, and Maiden Lane - suggesting not one defensive circuit but a series of defensive enclosures.

Excavations reported by Sadie Watson in LAMAS transactions Vol 63 2012 show that the "western stream" which flowed to the West of St Pauls was probably built in the 7th/8th Century and is likely to be part of the precinct that was built with St Pauls in 604AD.  The suggestion is made that the Western Ditch which is now NOT thought to be Roman, was built as a boundary ditch of the early St Pauls and it is now the oldest Saxon remains from the City of London. In summarizing, the archaeological evidence for Mid Saxon London in the City she makes the point that the evidence is only from residual pottery but the 'consensus is a predominantly ecclesiastical settlement to the south of St Pauls'.  Sites at Knightrider St 29-33 and 223/4 Upper Thames St/St Peters Hill have a few sherds of imported ware and chaff tempered sherds.  Similar finds have been found at Baynards Castle and Mermaid Theatre. London & Middlesex Archaeological Society

LAMAS transactions Vol 63 2012 has an article by Sadie Watson which makes a possible link between an assemblage of high quality 15th-16th Century Glass found in a pit in the Paternoster Sq area with the wedding of Arthur and Catherine of Aragon.  It is merely mentioned as a possibility or as an example of the type of high status event that might have required such a posh set of international glassware. Wedding of Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon | History Today