Not only is it a good example of the architecture used by the 16th century builders of henry VIII's fortifications, but it also has examples of the method used to strengthen the mortar between the stones, in many cases taken from religious houses destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries. The builders used to insert flints into the mortar to make sure the stones were well knitted together.
When you consider that some of the stonework was taken from monasteries, (and you can still see the carvings on them) you could say not only were the stones physically knitted together but in a fairly loose way they are a knitting together of the religious with the secular.
But once I got the bit between my teeth, I realised that the whole town of Deal has various styles of architecture knitted together to make a unique whole, everything from the castles to the modern pier.
This view is taken down one of the streets leading from the seafront, showing 17th and 18th century houses looking towards the 1901 building, Lloyd Court. This was first a school, then a retirement home, then a convalescent home, and now it's a block of flats.
The beautiful old buildings seem relatively content to look out over the much more modern pier (1957).
Not only do we enjoy a great range of architecture but the community itself is knitted from many different groups: the locals (and you can't consider yourself local unless you were born here, not even after 30 years), the retired, the weekenders, and the DFLs (the Down-From-Londons). The last group with their big city ways are looked on with a certain amount of amusement by the locals, but also with tolerance.
A two-in-one post for the Photo Hunts.
The castle stones do look knitted. I didn't know about flint, though. That seems a good idea. Lots of English flags about. You must seem very patriotic to the DFLers. :) I can make out the windmills. Turbines. How much electricity does it take to make them turn? Can you feel the breeze from all that distance? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteThe road with the flags always has flags and bunting out in the summer, as well as the flowers. You should have seen it last year for the Jubilee and then the Olympics.
DeleteThe turbines take no electricity to make them turn because as you full well know, I wind them up every night. You should know, you are an expert at winding up.
There some old cabin around here (not the photo I posted) had use some different type of material to put or fill in between the logs.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
It must be a worldwide thing then. :)
Deletethe construction is amazing it really looks as if the stones were knitted together. I also love the street with the flowered houses. BTW which castle is it ?
ReplyDeleteIt's Deal Castle, very close to Dover. Let me know if you're visiting! :)
DeleteAn excellent few pictures, proving you are a great knit.
ReplyDeleteEr, I mean.....
Er, yes, what do you mean? :)
DeleteWow, a real castle! That would be a treat for me if I could explore it. The old buildings are so charming!
ReplyDeleteIt's well worth exploring!
DeleteLovely village - our little part of Kentucky is similar in outlook - I knew a woman who moved from a town one county over to get married, and even after 40 years she still wasn't considered "local."
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures!
ReplyDeleteI am just now getting around to visiting from Saturday's PhotoHunt! I love the term DFL ... that made me giggle.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow we are hunting a 'daub'~ see you then!
hi, A!
ReplyDeleteglad that you participated last week! those are lovely pictures and interesting to boot. it gave me a queer feeling that those came from monasteries. although the 'knitting' together of the religious and the secular symbolized by those structures, it gave me an odd feeling for the monasteries.