The Effect of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon Garden Design
The Effect of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon Garden Design The advent of the Normans in the later half of the 11th century greatly altered The Anglo-Saxon ways of living. The Normans were much better than the Anglo-Saxons at architecture and horticulture when they came into power. But yet there was no time for home life, domesticated design, and adornment until the Normans had conquered the whole realm. Castles were more basic designs and often built on blustery hills, where their tenants spent both time and space to exercising offense and defense, while monasteries were large stone buildings, commonly located in the widest, most fruitful hollows. Relaxing pastimes such as gardening were out of place in these destitute citadels. The early Anglo-Norman style of architecture is portrayed in Berkeley Castle, which is conceivably the most untouched example we have. It is said that the keep was created during William the Conqueror's time. An enormous terrace encompasses the building, serving as an impediment to assailants trying to excavate under the castle walls. One of these terraces, a charming bowling green, is covered grass and flanked by an ancient yew hedge trimmed into the figure of crude battlements.
Agrippa's Amazing, but Mostly Forgotten Water-Lifting Technology
Agrippa's Amazing, but Mostly Forgotten Water-Lifting Technology In 1588, Agrippa’s water-lifting invention lured the notice and admiration of Andrea Bacci but that turned out to be one of the very last mentions of the mechanism. Just years afterward, in 1592, the early contemporary Roman waterway, the Acqua Felice, was hooked up to the Medici’s villa, possibly making the product outmoded. Its usage may have been short but Camillo Agrippa’s creation occupied a large place in history as the most impressive water-lifting system of its type in Italy prior to the contemporary era. There may have been other remarkable water-related works in Renaissance landscapes in the later part of the sixteenth century, just like water fountains that played tunes, water caprices (or giochi d’acqua) and even scenographic water exhibits, but none of them were operated by water that defied the force of gravity.
The Source of Today's Garden Fountains
The Source of Today's Garden Fountains
Pope Nicholas V, himself a well educated man, governed the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of ancient classical Greek documents into Latin. Embellishing Rome and making it the worthy capital of the Christian world was at the center of his ambitions. Reconstruction of the Acqua Vergine, a desolate Roman aqueduct which had carried fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, began in 1453 at the bidding of the Pope. A mostra, a monumental commemorative fountain constructed by ancient Romans to mark the point of entry of an aqueduct, was a custom which was revived by Nicholas V. The Trevi Fountain now occupies the area previously filled with a wall fountain crafted by Leon Battista Albert, an architect commissioned by the Pope. The aqueduct he had refurbished included modifications and extensions which eventually allowed it to supply water to the Trevi Fountain as well as the renowned baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona.
Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Beginnings
Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Beginnings
The incredible construction of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to complete your home. From the onset, outdoor fountains were soley there to serve as functional elements. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to supply drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Until the late 19th, century most water fountains operated using gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a supply of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and memorialize the designer. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often used by Romans to decorate their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create smaller variations of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to illustrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to laud their positions by including decorative baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for public spaces, to honor individuals or events, and enhance entertainment and recreational events.