Godmersham

As you all know I am well across literature and have even been know to buy some books where the pictures are already coloured-in. Today, on my way back from a tutorial in Canterbury, I called in at a place well know to all you fellow book-worms. It also has links to Bath which is where I was a couple of weeks ago.

This image is of a stone carving of an archbishop which dates back to the 12th century. It might be of Thomas Becket (died 1170) or Theobold (died 1162); it is thought to have been part of a tomb in Canterbury Cathedral and is in the church of St Lawrence the Martyr in Godmersham. The church is part Saxon, part Norman and has a later section added in the 1860s. It really is simple and beautiful. Edward Knight owned the big house next door, Godmersham Park, and his sister used to come and hang out with him and his family - his sister was Jane Austen; Edward was adopted by the Knight family which is, of itself, a fascinating story. Jane based Mansfield Park, a book wot she wrote, on the comings and goings at Godmersham Park and at Edward's other estates - they had good libraries which were used by Jane. She also worshipped at St Lawrence when she was here and she wrote some poems and prayers dedicated to the church. Of course the link to Bath is that she lived there.

I must admit that until relatively recently I thought that Mansfield Park was a dog track but that's neither here nor there - I have given you some culture for your Saturday.