Woolly says – It was a sombre start to the day as we rode through the roads of Wales and Shropshire into Dudley for the last time with Belles. I tried to keep the mood slightly lighter as we talked about all the wonderful journeys, she has taken us on from the South of Wales to Edinburgh, through thousands of country lanes and how many castle car parks she has patiently waited for us in. Our new vehicle awaited and as Jo dealt with the paperwork, I wandered around the much newer automobile which looked nearly exactly the same as the precious car we were leaving today. Lord alone knows what this one will be called but I’m sure my carer would come up with something.
With the details completed we less than half a mile to meet up with Zoe and take the heavily panting mutt for a walk along the shady canal towpath before adjuring for lunch and a catch.
We set off towards our home with Jo saying little or nothing as she sussed the new car out and listened to the engine which apparently is vital, I just sat and wondered when I might get out for a blogging day again. Suddenly my tusks pricked up as instead of heading onto the A5 and into Wales we took a sharp left onto a country lane. I looked up quizzically at the women and demanded to know what was going on.
I had a small surprize for my small friend which would allow Alfie the Dog some more exercise in the shade and a small castle that I was sure would delight the mammoth.
Woolly says – With Jo keeping mum we passed through a small village and up a bumpy road before pulling up. I looked around but there was nothing to tell me what was here so I followed my leader through a woody area before coming to an abrupt stop at the delightful little castle that appeared as if from nowhere.
Acton Burnell Castle was built between 1284 and 1293 by Bishop Burnell, Edward I’s Lord Chancellor, it wasn’t constructed for defence purposes and was designed merely to impress. And it was certainly doing that for me, its red sandstone was in sharp contrast to the greenness of the grass and as I got closer, I admired the beautifully arched windows.
In 1283 Brunell had visited the area and it had assumed national significance when he held a parliament, according to tradition, in the tithe barn here. This was supposedly the first at which commoners were represented. I just had to wonder at how they had found the place without a satnav!
The four storey building most have looked incredible and as I inspected one of the three surviving towers, I was most impressed with the masonry work and the fact that I could clearly see where each floor had been.
The inner part of the ruins was certainly large enough to have housed all of the storage needs of the household and I tried to imagine how grand the upper living floors would have been.
As I sat in the shade of one of the windows Alfie the Dog panted over to admire more of the interior for himself nearly knocking me off the sill I was perched on, I sent a swift kick in his direction and headed through an archway to look at the outside of the building.
Although abandoned in 1420 it was in incredible condition and looked most splendid with its castellated top.
Wandering through the archway which would have been the main entrance I felt it would make a lovely summer house for myself even if it did need a little in the way of roofing a lovely and glass.
As we walked back through the wood we headed to the left and into the graveyard of the St Marys Church which had been built between 1275 and 1280 for Robert Burnell to worship in. A large crucifix took centre stage with some rather delightful headstones surrounding it, I stood looking at one considering how short people were in the 1300’s, Jo would have nearly been a giant if she had lived in those times.
The church itself was a small sandstone building with a square tower which I hadn’t notice until we arrived at the rear of the building.
It also allowed another view of the castle which was literally a mammoth step away.
Inside was cool and fairly stark, a wooden timbered roof was beautifully preserved as were the rosette patterns from the 13th century in the South Transept.
The North Transept gave me two wonderful marble commemoratives, one of two figures kneeling in prayer and the other of a Lord and his Lady, Jo tried desperately to gain pictures but didn’t quite succeed on getting the two together. I just stood and admired the incredible detail of the pieces.
Having taken our fill, we headed back to the newest member of the family and climbed on board, I wondered if Jo had come up with a name as yet when she let out a slightly naughty word, ‘Bugger’ hmmm so the new automobile is to be called Bugger, I can have some fun with this!