And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Monday, March 30, 2020
Hard to believe such places are real - Castello di Montecchio Vesponi, Arezzo, Italy.
Typically during an attack or siege, peasants would take shelter within the walls of the castle or the town. So built with conscripted labor, but ultimately benefiting them.
Do a search and check out the images of Conwy Castle and Caernarvon Castle in Wales - built in the 1280's by Edward to subjugate the Welsh, they are two of the best preserved. Spent many an hour wandering around them. And yes, the capital expended, both money and human, was substantial. Military hi-tech at the time...
Get a chance, check out Warwick castle. The dungeon is moving. The man trap at the front gate and more. Who built these things?? Probably more impressive ones to visit but this is one I've been to. Gets your attention.
We have lived a long and lucky time in peace and quiet.
When the Germans/Gaels/Arabs/Hungarians/Mongols/Vikings/Russians/Swedes et endless cetera turn up looking for murder, virgins and gold, we'll be building those things again.
It is hard for most folks to imagine how many ancient castles and cathedrals there are in Europe. It rocks. See it while it still resembles it past greatness.
The time and capital spent building that. It was a different world then.
ReplyDeleteBuilt with forced labor for the benefit of the 0.1%
DeleteFolks who rant against American capitalism but admire European castles and churches miss that little fact.
Typically during an attack or siege, peasants would take shelter within the walls of the castle or the town. So built with conscripted labor, but ultimately benefiting them.
DeleteDo a search and check out the images of Conwy Castle and Caernarvon Castle in Wales - built in the 1280's by Edward to subjugate the Welsh, they are two of the best preserved. Spent many an hour wandering around them. And yes, the capital expended, both money and human, was substantial. Military hi-tech at the time...
ReplyDeleteGet a chance, check out Warwick castle. The dungeon is moving. The man trap at the front gate and more. Who built these things?? Probably more impressive ones to visit but this is one I've been to. Gets your attention.
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_castles_in_England
We have lived a long and lucky time in peace and quiet.
ReplyDeleteWhen the Germans/Gaels/Arabs/Hungarians/Mongols/Vikings/Russians/Swedes et endless cetera turn up looking for murder, virgins and gold, we'll be building those things again.
Not if they bring modern artillery with them.
DeleteWe'll have helicopters and missiles. We'll take their artillery, and ransom them back to their homelands for sweet, sweet gold and dusky maidens.
DeleteIt is hard for most folks to imagine how many ancient castles and cathedrals there are in Europe. It rocks. See it while it still resembles it past greatness.
ReplyDeleteits
DeleteAt the time: high tech.
ReplyDeleteObsolete with the invention of cannon.
But the idea remains: it is from their foes and not their friends, that cities learn the advantages of high walls.