For our first free weekend of independent travel Jill and I went to Ireland. We flew from Edinburgh to Dublin on Thursday afternoon and returned on Sunday. While in Ireland we were able to experience several different aspects of the culture there. I have a cousin who lives in Ireland so being able to stay at her home was great. It was nice to be around a family atmosphere for a couple days after being away from ours for a couple of weeks. Marissa’s husband is from Ireland so he was able to explain some things to us about Ireland that we may not have been able to learn from others.
Thursday evening we arrived at Roscrea around eight p.m. Roscrea was about an hour and a half drive from Dublin Airport. Roscrea is a neat little village with several pubs and stores in the downtown area. That evening we were able to eat dinner with Marissa, Noel, and their children. After dinner we sat around their house, played with the kids, and watched a video.
Friday morning we drove to the Cliffs of Moher. These were amazing to see and experience. Just recently they had to build a safety wall surrounding the edges of the cliffs. Marissa informed us that it can get really windy at the top and if people were to get too close to the edges they would fall over the edge. Even with the wall there it was beautiful to look out over the ocean and the nearby islands.
After the cliffs of Moher we drove to Galway which is one of the bigger cities in Ireland. We walked around the downtown area, did some shopping, and then checked into our hostel that we stayed in that night. Interestingly, the other three girls in our room were Americans who were studying in Dublin for the summer. Next, we went out for traditional fish and chips then went out to a couple clubs that night.
After getting back to Roscrea on Saturday morning we soon headed for Kilkenny. Every road that we drove on seemed to be very curvy and narrow. However, from all of these roads we were able to see some great scenery. In Kilkenny we saw the castle there and then walked around to some of the shops.
Saturday night we went to Kennedy Castle which is where Marissa and Noel got married a few years ago. This castle was magnificent! We were able to listen to live traditional Irish music and even saw trapeze artists. Sunday morning Marissa fixed us an Irish breakfast which was interesting. It was great to be able to see family on this short trip but also to fun experience parts of Ireland that I hadn’t been to before.
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Monday, 28 June 2010
Scottish Parliament-Ben Gerrard
For much of the past week and a half, since we arrived in Scotland, we have been exploring the political history of this unique country through a cultural and psychological lens. Today we had first hand experience of Scotland’s modern day political process as we visited the new Scottish Parliament buildings.
Like many structures housing the seats of Government these building seek to represent the aspirations of it’s founders and it’s people, but having been built in the modern era it does it in many much more visually spectacular ways than traditional structures could ever hope to achieve.
Designed by a Spanish architect Enric Miralles, the overall layout of a the buildings that make up the Holyrood Parliament, represent a handful of leaves that he threw down on a piece of paper. The buildings are meant to feel like they erupt from the landscape in synergy with their surroundings. These surroundings include a park, the volcanic crag of Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Palace. Thus the park forms the stem or branch to which the leaves are attached and the grass running down off the slopes of Arthur’s Seat is left unkempt to brush up against the buildings contoured walls and windows.
Once inside the main building one can look up to see large overhead skylights in the shapes of the leaves, many of which also look like large eyes. The use of the upside down boat structure that is seen in ancient buildings such as St Giles church has been reinvented inside the parliament to represent Scotland’s affinity with boating, fishing, and it’s picturesque coastline.
The architectural splendor and hefty financial investment in this structure speak of its great importance to the Scottish people. Scotland’s first record of a parliamentary meeting was in 1235 and was known as the Travelling Parliament, as it had no home. In 1639 Parliament Hall was built behind St Giles church on the Royal Mile for the princely sum of 10,500 pounds. In 1707 Scotland was on the verge of bankruptcy and to settle its accounts signed the act of Union with England, agreeing to transfer its parliamentary representation to Westminster. Here it stayed for nearly three hundred years, until the modern day Scottish Nationalist movement finally won it’s push to reinstate a Scottish Parliament in 1999, and five years later this magnificent (yet controversial) structure was completed. As we have also learned in this class Scotland can be attributed with being at the watershed of modern day, bureaucracy, the separation of church and state, and civil rights: all dating back to the Arbroath declaration under Robert the Bruce in 1320. In the present day Scotland still leads the way as 45 of it’s 129 MP’s are women.
Among the buildings physical and visual features are several pieces of art representing Scotland’s evolution, and the thoughts of its people. One of these is a three panel text-based piece drawn from the women of Scotland, a disparate group of which were asked to write a single sentence about the most influential woman in their lives. Put together by the artist Shauna McMullin Travelling the Distance makes reference to such significant Scottish figures as Mary Queen of Scots, as well as many lesser-known Scottish mothers and matriarchal figures. Other features of the building include the structures around the odd shaped windows of the 129 Scottish Members of Parliament (MP’s). These structures, along with the prodigious use of glass in the building, represent the openness and accountability of its inhabitants, and the political process. Likewise, the structures around the windows represent curtains that can never be closed. Inside the MP’s offices the windows form unique window seats, or thinking pods, for the MP’s to sit in and contemplate their roles before getting down to work.
In an airy atmosphere dominated by light oak the main debating chamber is a sight to behold. With the largest public gallery of its kind in Europe and unlike traditional parliaments in Westminster and the like, Scottish parliamentarians do not face off opposing each other (at a distance of two and a half sword lengths) but sit in a semi circle around Alec Ferguson, the Presiding Officer, who plays a role like that of the speaker of the house, but unlike the English parliament the role is up for election every four years with the other MP’s seats, on the first Thursday in May. The Parliament also has meeting rooms for its 14 committees, the most unusual of which being the Public Petitions Committee, which must consider every petition put forward by a Scottish citizen baring at least one signatory. From these public petitions many pieces of Scottish legislation have been born. The Countries National Parliament has devolved to Scotland all matters not pertaining to national or international issues and this combined with the fact that regaining their parliament against the tide of history is probably why the term devolution is used to describe Scotland’s modern day parliamentary process.
In handing this power back to the Scot’s the Queen of England has also gifted them with some beautiful structures and works of art as well as a young tree known as a Rowan tree, which is said to have the ability to ward off witches. This is perhaps a subtle reminder of how a former English Queen also baring the name Elizabeth, felt about her menacing Catholic cousin Mary Queen of Scots.
Like many structures housing the seats of Government these building seek to represent the aspirations of it’s founders and it’s people, but having been built in the modern era it does it in many much more visually spectacular ways than traditional structures could ever hope to achieve.
Designed by a Spanish architect Enric Miralles, the overall layout of a the buildings that make up the Holyrood Parliament, represent a handful of leaves that he threw down on a piece of paper. The buildings are meant to feel like they erupt from the landscape in synergy with their surroundings. These surroundings include a park, the volcanic crag of Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Palace. Thus the park forms the stem or branch to which the leaves are attached and the grass running down off the slopes of Arthur’s Seat is left unkempt to brush up against the buildings contoured walls and windows.
Once inside the main building one can look up to see large overhead skylights in the shapes of the leaves, many of which also look like large eyes. The use of the upside down boat structure that is seen in ancient buildings such as St Giles church has been reinvented inside the parliament to represent Scotland’s affinity with boating, fishing, and it’s picturesque coastline.
The architectural splendor and hefty financial investment in this structure speak of its great importance to the Scottish people. Scotland’s first record of a parliamentary meeting was in 1235 and was known as the Travelling Parliament, as it had no home. In 1639 Parliament Hall was built behind St Giles church on the Royal Mile for the princely sum of 10,500 pounds. In 1707 Scotland was on the verge of bankruptcy and to settle its accounts signed the act of Union with England, agreeing to transfer its parliamentary representation to Westminster. Here it stayed for nearly three hundred years, until the modern day Scottish Nationalist movement finally won it’s push to reinstate a Scottish Parliament in 1999, and five years later this magnificent (yet controversial) structure was completed. As we have also learned in this class Scotland can be attributed with being at the watershed of modern day, bureaucracy, the separation of church and state, and civil rights: all dating back to the Arbroath declaration under Robert the Bruce in 1320. In the present day Scotland still leads the way as 45 of it’s 129 MP’s are women.
Among the buildings physical and visual features are several pieces of art representing Scotland’s evolution, and the thoughts of its people. One of these is a three panel text-based piece drawn from the women of Scotland, a disparate group of which were asked to write a single sentence about the most influential woman in their lives. Put together by the artist Shauna McMullin Travelling the Distance makes reference to such significant Scottish figures as Mary Queen of Scots, as well as many lesser-known Scottish mothers and matriarchal figures. Other features of the building include the structures around the odd shaped windows of the 129 Scottish Members of Parliament (MP’s). These structures, along with the prodigious use of glass in the building, represent the openness and accountability of its inhabitants, and the political process. Likewise, the structures around the windows represent curtains that can never be closed. Inside the MP’s offices the windows form unique window seats, or thinking pods, for the MP’s to sit in and contemplate their roles before getting down to work.
In an airy atmosphere dominated by light oak the main debating chamber is a sight to behold. With the largest public gallery of its kind in Europe and unlike traditional parliaments in Westminster and the like, Scottish parliamentarians do not face off opposing each other (at a distance of two and a half sword lengths) but sit in a semi circle around Alec Ferguson, the Presiding Officer, who plays a role like that of the speaker of the house, but unlike the English parliament the role is up for election every four years with the other MP’s seats, on the first Thursday in May. The Parliament also has meeting rooms for its 14 committees, the most unusual of which being the Public Petitions Committee, which must consider every petition put forward by a Scottish citizen baring at least one signatory. From these public petitions many pieces of Scottish legislation have been born. The Countries National Parliament has devolved to Scotland all matters not pertaining to national or international issues and this combined with the fact that regaining their parliament against the tide of history is probably why the term devolution is used to describe Scotland’s modern day parliamentary process.
In handing this power back to the Scot’s the Queen of England has also gifted them with some beautiful structures and works of art as well as a young tree known as a Rowan tree, which is said to have the ability to ward off witches. This is perhaps a subtle reminder of how a former English Queen also baring the name Elizabeth, felt about her menacing Catholic cousin Mary Queen of Scots.
Sunday, 27 June 2010
Edinburgh Castle-Ashley Lawson
Today I am writing to you from my room at St. Colms International House. It is a magnificent day in Scotland. I am very blessed that I ended up in a room with such a splendid view of Edinburgh. Just outside my window, I can see a perfect view of Old Town, the old clock tower and best of all Edinburgh Castle. I have been particularly excited to go to Edinburgh Castle because it is so beautiful sitting up on its steep hill. In the past few days, I have found my imagination wondering back to my childhood when my parents would read me the whimsical fairytale of Cinderella. I remember how amazing it must have been to live in castle and have a pumpkin turn into a carriage. Upon talking to many other girls, I found that they also shared similar memories of their childhood as well. Until this trip to Scotland, I have never had the pleasure of seeing a castle in person. Although, the history of Edinburgh Castle is far from a fairytale, it is still majestic in its own right.
The long history of this area dates back to 340 million B.C.. At this time, it was nothing more than a humungous mound of volcanic rock, which would come to be known as “the fortress on the rock” around 600 A.D.. The true building of the castle did not start until around 1130 A.D. when David I decided to build a royal castle. Along with building his royal fortress, David I also commission to have a chapel built in honor of his mother Queen Margaret. This history of this castle has been stricken with battles and enemy overtakes that date back to the late 1200’s. Until mid 1300, the castle had been caught in a treacherous game of tug-of-war between England and Scotland. Eventually in 1341, the Scots took back control of this glorious structure and began remodeling it. Since the original construction of Edinburgh Castle, it has had many “face lifts” and changes. David II decided to build a tall large tower in his own honor during his reign at Edinburgh castle. After that James IV build the Great Hall and then half-mooned and battery gates were added for defense. If you think that this is where the building stops then you are sadly mistaken. This castle has been under construction and renovation for much of its lifetime. After our tour of the castle, I could not help but think of the old Winchester Mansion in California. The building on this mansion did not stop for many years whereas the building of Edinburgh Castle continued off and on for several hundred years.
This castle has many exhibits that visitor can go into while they walk around the castle grounds. One of my personal favorite exhibits was the tower that housed royal family jewels. The Crown Room contained a ruby ring that was worn but Mary Queen of Scots and some of her other extravagant jewelry and also, as the name implies, a true fairytale crown and scepter and sword of state. I really wished that we were able to take pictures in this particular exhibit but security strictly prohibits any use of cameras or camcorders in this room.
My second “must-see” exhibit at Edinburgh might seem a bit morbid at first. The Pet Cemetry is housed by the Chapel and looks over Edinburgh. In all reality, it is a truly kind and sweet monument that has been devoted to the pets and mascots of the men and women who lived on the castle grounds. Being that I have a true affinity for animals, I found this to be a very compassionate gesture towards mans best friend. Since this is considered to be a Cemetery visitors may look at it but not walk through it.
This Castle has housed many mysteries over its long and eventful lifetime. One such mystery that has perplexed historians was why James’s birthing chamber had an eerie pit-prison beneath the floor. They have not figured out why or who would have been thrown down there. Another mystery that is castle hides was actually found in the walls of the Royal Palace. The bones of a small child were found buried in the walls of the old palace in 1830. It is believed that this young child could have been a stillborn child of Mary Queen of Scots but there has not been any true evidence to prove this myth.
In the past week, our class has been on what I kindly refer to as Dr. Longs “death march”,(where she marched us around Edinburgh trying to keep us awake in order to get our internal clocks acclimated) gone on a scavenger hunt, visited two castles, the birthplace of Harry Potter, two cathedrals AND had a test. I found Edinburgh Castle and Rosslyn Chapel to be truly breath taking. I already feel as if I have learned so much from my experiences here and hope I never forget them. It is amazing how much a group of young American women can learn in just a short amount of time. I am extremely proud of us for how we have taked advantage of our time in Scotland so far and wish everyone a safe and exciting weekend traveling.
If any parents/family members/friends want to get a better idea of Edinburgh Castle, please visit the website http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index.htm and take the 3D tour. Now if you really want to experience Edinburgh but cannot find the time to do so, just hop on a StairMaster, crank the speed, and incline up as high as possible. Edinburgh is a rather hilly place and Dr. Long is a professional speed walker
The long history of this area dates back to 340 million B.C.. At this time, it was nothing more than a humungous mound of volcanic rock, which would come to be known as “the fortress on the rock” around 600 A.D.. The true building of the castle did not start until around 1130 A.D. when David I decided to build a royal castle. Along with building his royal fortress, David I also commission to have a chapel built in honor of his mother Queen Margaret. This history of this castle has been stricken with battles and enemy overtakes that date back to the late 1200’s. Until mid 1300, the castle had been caught in a treacherous game of tug-of-war between England and Scotland. Eventually in 1341, the Scots took back control of this glorious structure and began remodeling it. Since the original construction of Edinburgh Castle, it has had many “face lifts” and changes. David II decided to build a tall large tower in his own honor during his reign at Edinburgh castle. After that James IV build the Great Hall and then half-mooned and battery gates were added for defense. If you think that this is where the building stops then you are sadly mistaken. This castle has been under construction and renovation for much of its lifetime. After our tour of the castle, I could not help but think of the old Winchester Mansion in California. The building on this mansion did not stop for many years whereas the building of Edinburgh Castle continued off and on for several hundred years.
This castle has many exhibits that visitor can go into while they walk around the castle grounds. One of my personal favorite exhibits was the tower that housed royal family jewels. The Crown Room contained a ruby ring that was worn but Mary Queen of Scots and some of her other extravagant jewelry and also, as the name implies, a true fairytale crown and scepter and sword of state. I really wished that we were able to take pictures in this particular exhibit but security strictly prohibits any use of cameras or camcorders in this room.
My second “must-see” exhibit at Edinburgh might seem a bit morbid at first. The Pet Cemetry is housed by the Chapel and looks over Edinburgh. In all reality, it is a truly kind and sweet monument that has been devoted to the pets and mascots of the men and women who lived on the castle grounds. Being that I have a true affinity for animals, I found this to be a very compassionate gesture towards mans best friend. Since this is considered to be a Cemetery visitors may look at it but not walk through it.
This Castle has housed many mysteries over its long and eventful lifetime. One such mystery that has perplexed historians was why James’s birthing chamber had an eerie pit-prison beneath the floor. They have not figured out why or who would have been thrown down there. Another mystery that is castle hides was actually found in the walls of the Royal Palace. The bones of a small child were found buried in the walls of the old palace in 1830. It is believed that this young child could have been a stillborn child of Mary Queen of Scots but there has not been any true evidence to prove this myth.
In the past week, our class has been on what I kindly refer to as Dr. Longs “death march”,(where she marched us around Edinburgh trying to keep us awake in order to get our internal clocks acclimated) gone on a scavenger hunt, visited two castles, the birthplace of Harry Potter, two cathedrals AND had a test. I found Edinburgh Castle and Rosslyn Chapel to be truly breath taking. I already feel as if I have learned so much from my experiences here and hope I never forget them. It is amazing how much a group of young American women can learn in just a short amount of time. I am extremely proud of us for how we have taked advantage of our time in Scotland so far and wish everyone a safe and exciting weekend traveling.
If any parents/family members/friends want to get a better idea of Edinburgh Castle, please visit the website http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index.htm and take the 3D tour. Now if you really want to experience Edinburgh but cannot find the time to do so, just hop on a StairMaster, crank the speed, and incline up as high as possible. Edinburgh is a rather hilly place and Dr. Long is a professional speed walker
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Update
Hi Folks,
Our students are taking their first exam as I type, and gearing up for the first weekend of independent travel---two heading to Ireland, three to York, the rest t.b.d. This is a great group--we're all amazed that a week of the program is behind us.
Between the visits that you've heard about, we've made a trek to Stirling to visit Stirling castle and come in last (again) at the pub quiz on Tuesday evening. Coming in dead last is becoming a bit of a tradition for this program, as is naming ourselves "O, Canada" for a team name. Have to save face, you know.
We've also had a guest lecturer on the fallout between Jean Jacques Rousseau and David Hume following their commissioned portraits by the Scots painter Allan Ramsay. She'll also be our guide at the gallery next week.
Yesterday afternoon's blog posting on the visit to Edinburgh Castle will be up later today.
Happy Weekend!
Dr. Long
Our students are taking their first exam as I type, and gearing up for the first weekend of independent travel---two heading to Ireland, three to York, the rest t.b.d. This is a great group--we're all amazed that a week of the program is behind us.
Between the visits that you've heard about, we've made a trek to Stirling to visit Stirling castle and come in last (again) at the pub quiz on Tuesday evening. Coming in dead last is becoming a bit of a tradition for this program, as is naming ourselves "O, Canada" for a team name. Have to save face, you know.
We've also had a guest lecturer on the fallout between Jean Jacques Rousseau and David Hume following their commissioned portraits by the Scots painter Allan Ramsay. She'll also be our guide at the gallery next week.
Yesterday afternoon's blog posting on the visit to Edinburgh Castle will be up later today.
Happy Weekend!
Dr. Long
Monday, 21 June 2010
Rosslyn Chapel-Whitney Cockrell
Today we visited Rosslyn Chapel, a place that the world was made aware of with the popularity of Dan Brown’s novel, The Divinci Code. Even though the book was an inaccurate depiction of Rosslyn Chapel, it is a fascinating and beautiful place shrouded in mystery, with a rich history.
The chapel was originally built for the St. Clair family in 1446, and was dedicated to St. Matthew. It 40 years to complete the chapel, and once finished, the family staffed the chapel with priests. The priests were paid to sit in the chapel and pray for the family. Although the chapel was originally intended for private use, much of it was destroyed during the reformation in the 1500’s. It was seized in 1571, and the altars were destroyed in 1592. Restoration work began in 1736, but it wasn’t until the early 1800’s that the St. Clair’s began working in earnest to restore the interior. It became a working church in 1862.
The chapel is filled with intricate carvings that represent different scenes from the Bible, and different stories about the way one should lead a virtuous life. The carvings also depict what would happen to you should you choose to turn to the devil, instead of turning towards God. Among the carvings is one of a knight riding a horse, carrying a cross. It is thought to be representation of Sir William St. Clair, who was first given the land Rosslyn Chapel is built on. Legend has it that he had purchased a piece of the Holy Rood and brought it back to Scotland. Another carving of particular interest is the one of Lucifer, tied in ropes and hanging upside down. This is one of many carvings depicting angels in unusual positions, which is one of the many rites of freemasonry.
The St. Clairs’ eventually became Grand Masters of the free masons in 1630. It is said that underneath the chapel is the family crypt. In the crypt are members of the family and members of Knights of the Templar, buried in their armor. Legend has it that the Knights of Templar brought the Holy Grail from Jerusalem and buried it in the St. Clair’s crypt to keep it hidden and out of the wrong hands. Three hundred years ago the St. Clair’s had the crypt sealed and it has not been opened since. Each generation of the family is given specific instructions to leave the crypt untouched. Further adding to the mystery is the fact the crypt has been x-rayed and is filled with several metal boxes and other unknown artifacts. It is also believed that the chapel was once filled with statues. During the reformation the statues disappeared and haven’t been found since. They are believed to be buried within the chapel. The whereabouts of the statues has been lost in the mists of time.
Rossalyn Chapel is devastatingly beautiful. I understood why in 1842, Queen Victoria declared that the chapel should be preserved for the people of Scotland. There is a grave of a husband and wife on the ground, marked by intricate carvings. Above the gravestones it says, “Love conquerors death.” It brought tears to my eyes. I could understand why poets and writers were and still are inspired by it.
Our group really enjoyed our visit to Rosslyn chapel. I personally, thought it was exquisite. The setting and intricate design and carvings in the chapel were like nothing I’ve ever seen. The surrounding mysteries and legends only serve to make the place more interesting and exciting. This was the one place I was most looking forward to visiting. It did not disappoint.
The chapel was originally built for the St. Clair family in 1446, and was dedicated to St. Matthew. It 40 years to complete the chapel, and once finished, the family staffed the chapel with priests. The priests were paid to sit in the chapel and pray for the family. Although the chapel was originally intended for private use, much of it was destroyed during the reformation in the 1500’s. It was seized in 1571, and the altars were destroyed in 1592. Restoration work began in 1736, but it wasn’t until the early 1800’s that the St. Clair’s began working in earnest to restore the interior. It became a working church in 1862.
The chapel is filled with intricate carvings that represent different scenes from the Bible, and different stories about the way one should lead a virtuous life. The carvings also depict what would happen to you should you choose to turn to the devil, instead of turning towards God. Among the carvings is one of a knight riding a horse, carrying a cross. It is thought to be representation of Sir William St. Clair, who was first given the land Rosslyn Chapel is built on. Legend has it that he had purchased a piece of the Holy Rood and brought it back to Scotland. Another carving of particular interest is the one of Lucifer, tied in ropes and hanging upside down. This is one of many carvings depicting angels in unusual positions, which is one of the many rites of freemasonry.
The St. Clairs’ eventually became Grand Masters of the free masons in 1630. It is said that underneath the chapel is the family crypt. In the crypt are members of the family and members of Knights of the Templar, buried in their armor. Legend has it that the Knights of Templar brought the Holy Grail from Jerusalem and buried it in the St. Clair’s crypt to keep it hidden and out of the wrong hands. Three hundred years ago the St. Clair’s had the crypt sealed and it has not been opened since. Each generation of the family is given specific instructions to leave the crypt untouched. Further adding to the mystery is the fact the crypt has been x-rayed and is filled with several metal boxes and other unknown artifacts. It is also believed that the chapel was once filled with statues. During the reformation the statues disappeared and haven’t been found since. They are believed to be buried within the chapel. The whereabouts of the statues has been lost in the mists of time.
Rossalyn Chapel is devastatingly beautiful. I understood why in 1842, Queen Victoria declared that the chapel should be preserved for the people of Scotland. There is a grave of a husband and wife on the ground, marked by intricate carvings. Above the gravestones it says, “Love conquerors death.” It brought tears to my eyes. I could understand why poets and writers were and still are inspired by it.
Our group really enjoyed our visit to Rosslyn chapel. I personally, thought it was exquisite. The setting and intricate design and carvings in the chapel were like nothing I’ve ever seen. The surrounding mysteries and legends only serve to make the place more interesting and exciting. This was the one place I was most looking forward to visiting. It did not disappoint.
Saturday, 19 June 2010
St. Giles-Katie Zogelman
On today’s excursion in Edinburgh, our group visited St. Giles Cathedral located along the Royal Mile. The church is named in honor of St. Giles. Saint Giles was a hermit from France who, according to legend, was pierced with an arrow while protecting an animal from a hunter. I personally am very interested in the topic of religion and the history that surrounds it. Being able to have a guided tour proved to be a very good learning experience, which I enjoyed very much. The architecture was beautiful and honestly quite breathtaking. Having being built so many years ago just added to the awe and reverence of the experience. However, St. Giles has gone through restorations and has changed throughout the years, which was explained and outlined by our tour guide.
The history behind St. Giles holds many key factors that have helped influence what it has become today. Just a few of the key figures that were introduced were Thomas Aikenhead, John Knox, Saint Giles, and Jenny Geddes. Each of these people played an important role throughout the journey of the transformation of St. Giles Cathedral. Along with the roles of these individuals, we also studied some of the legendary stories that accompanied them. Many of the events surrounding the development of St. Giles Cathedral also play a key role in Scotland’s history as well.
From our reading the night prior to touring St. Giles, we had learned some information regarding Thomas Aikenhead. For me, the story of this young man’s journey was an eye opening and surprising moment in history. After making a joke, “I wish I were in the place Ezra called hell, to warm myself there,” while passing by St. Giles Cathedral in 1696, the 19-year old Aikenhead soon regretted it. At this time, church and state were not separate so what he said regarding religion was handled very seriously. Aikenhead was taken away and had to await his punishment. There were several people who felt Thomas Aikenhead should not be punished too severely. However, the conclusion of Thomas Aikenhead’s punishment resulted in death. I found this story saddening but realize that it is an example of why now church and state are separate.
John Knox was a very important influence on the St. Giles Cathedral and its followers. Many factors changed dramatically when the reformation and leading by John Knox occurred. During this reformation, John Knox and his followers stripped the church of its Catholic trappings, painted the walls white, and made the interior much plainer. Our tour guide added a little story about this when she was explaining this concept. She said that not long ago a woman had told her that John Knox would turn over in his grave if he saw that candles were being lit in the Cathedral. This helped me to grasp the extremeness of this reformation led by John Knox. This was a major turning point in Scotland regarding its religion.
In addition, Jenny Geddes also seems to be legendary within St. Giles Cathedral. In 1637, there was a rebellion in St. Giles opposing the imposition by the King in London of a new prayer book. Jenny Geddes threw her stool at the minister in objection to using this prayer book. Today, in the Cathedral there is a stool on display shown for remembrance of this occasion. It is interesting to see and learn about who will stand up for their beliefs and to what extent they will fight for them.
A few of the landmarks in St. Giles Cathedral were specifically intriguing. The stained glass windows were very beautiful and I found it amazing that each and every one, some newer than others, were all hand painted, original, and depicted a special meaning. The Thistle Chapel, also located within St. Giles, was unique and interesting. I loved seeing the hand crafted walls and ceilings and also the angel playing the bag pipe. So much of St. Giles’ architecture holds a special meaning, and if able to spend more time there, I am sure I would learn many more interesting historical facts.
Although I know that I found this excursion very interesting, I do think the majority of the others did as well. I don’t think it really made a difference if we were a religious individual or not; a place this exquisite is impressive. I am hoping to make it to a service there tomorrow morning which I am sure will be super interesting. So far, although only being here in Edinburgh for a few days, I feel as though I already know much more than I had previously about Scotland. I am anxiously awaiting the rest of our trip and learning more about the Scottish Culture.
The history behind St. Giles holds many key factors that have helped influence what it has become today. Just a few of the key figures that were introduced were Thomas Aikenhead, John Knox, Saint Giles, and Jenny Geddes. Each of these people played an important role throughout the journey of the transformation of St. Giles Cathedral. Along with the roles of these individuals, we also studied some of the legendary stories that accompanied them. Many of the events surrounding the development of St. Giles Cathedral also play a key role in Scotland’s history as well.
From our reading the night prior to touring St. Giles, we had learned some information regarding Thomas Aikenhead. For me, the story of this young man’s journey was an eye opening and surprising moment in history. After making a joke, “I wish I were in the place Ezra called hell, to warm myself there,” while passing by St. Giles Cathedral in 1696, the 19-year old Aikenhead soon regretted it. At this time, church and state were not separate so what he said regarding religion was handled very seriously. Aikenhead was taken away and had to await his punishment. There were several people who felt Thomas Aikenhead should not be punished too severely. However, the conclusion of Thomas Aikenhead’s punishment resulted in death. I found this story saddening but realize that it is an example of why now church and state are separate.
John Knox was a very important influence on the St. Giles Cathedral and its followers. Many factors changed dramatically when the reformation and leading by John Knox occurred. During this reformation, John Knox and his followers stripped the church of its Catholic trappings, painted the walls white, and made the interior much plainer. Our tour guide added a little story about this when she was explaining this concept. She said that not long ago a woman had told her that John Knox would turn over in his grave if he saw that candles were being lit in the Cathedral. This helped me to grasp the extremeness of this reformation led by John Knox. This was a major turning point in Scotland regarding its religion.
In addition, Jenny Geddes also seems to be legendary within St. Giles Cathedral. In 1637, there was a rebellion in St. Giles opposing the imposition by the King in London of a new prayer book. Jenny Geddes threw her stool at the minister in objection to using this prayer book. Today, in the Cathedral there is a stool on display shown for remembrance of this occasion. It is interesting to see and learn about who will stand up for their beliefs and to what extent they will fight for them.
A few of the landmarks in St. Giles Cathedral were specifically intriguing. The stained glass windows were very beautiful and I found it amazing that each and every one, some newer than others, were all hand painted, original, and depicted a special meaning. The Thistle Chapel, also located within St. Giles, was unique and interesting. I loved seeing the hand crafted walls and ceilings and also the angel playing the bag pipe. So much of St. Giles’ architecture holds a special meaning, and if able to spend more time there, I am sure I would learn many more interesting historical facts.
Although I know that I found this excursion very interesting, I do think the majority of the others did as well. I don’t think it really made a difference if we were a religious individual or not; a place this exquisite is impressive. I am hoping to make it to a service there tomorrow morning which I am sure will be super interesting. So far, although only being here in Edinburgh for a few days, I feel as though I already know much more than I had previously about Scotland. I am anxiously awaiting the rest of our trip and learning more about the Scottish Culture.
Scotland Version 2.0
Hello Parents, Friends and Loved Ones of our ESU Scotland Students,
We've arrived safely and as the students depart for a night on the town, I think we're successfully managing our jet lag.
We've visited The Elephant House, (where J.K. Rowling outlined much of Harry Potter), managed a scavenger hunt on our first full day in Edinburgh, and visited St. Giles Cathedral this morning for our second class day.
As we did last year, each student is responsible for blogging about one day of their adventures on this program for our class.
Enjoy!
We've arrived safely and as the students depart for a night on the town, I think we're successfully managing our jet lag.
We've visited The Elephant House, (where J.K. Rowling outlined much of Harry Potter), managed a scavenger hunt on our first full day in Edinburgh, and visited St. Giles Cathedral this morning for our second class day.
As we did last year, each student is responsible for blogging about one day of their adventures on this program for our class.
Enjoy!
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