Robert 'Curthose' Duke of Normandy

Thursday night saw us set off in tempest conditions to drive to Gloucester. Today we went to Gloucester Cathedral magnificent in the sun - yes SUN and blue skies! The cathedral was busy as there was a graduation ceremony and there were mortar boards a plenty and many proud parents and of course the moneymakers- the official photographers and gown and mortar board lenders! There were lots of great things to photograph but I chose this as my blip of the day. It is just amazing how you can whole history lessons in our great cathedrals.
Robert Curthose was William the Conqueror's eldest son and Duke of Normandy. He took part in the first Crusade. However he never got on with his elder brother who according to wikopaedia chucked a full chamber pot over Robert's head amongst other aggressive deeds. Robert lost Normandy in 1106 when Henry (the elder brother and Henry 1st of England) claimed Normandy as a possession of the English crown. Robert was captured and spent 20 years in Devizes Castle and the was transferred to Cardiff castle. He died in Cardiff castle in 1134 and was buried in St Peter's abbey church - later this became Gloucester Cathedral. He was in his early 80's when he died. This carving is made out of bog-oak.
We went to Gloucester - not like Dr Foster - but to attend a very splendid funeral service in Minsterworth, for an old neighbour of ours when we lived in Manchester. He was a lovely man and had a great family and the service was a real tribute.
We then drove back to Lincoln seeing flooded fields and went to The Engine Shed at Lincoln University to see/hear Bellowhead. A GREAT evening. When we got home it was like we had lived a weekend in a day!!
Hard to choose which blip to do today but as we had been to a funeral thought something from the cathedral was suitable