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Welcome to the Mythical Britain Blog
Written by Michael Smith, the Mythical Britain Blog provides detailed insights into a range of historical and literary topics including Middle English poetry, medieval castles and churches, Arthurian romance, historical geography, prehistoric sites, and historiography. The blog also reviews books, film and theatrical performances of relevance.
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Some fine medieval carpentry at Denston in Suffolk
St Nicholas's church at Denston in Suffolk contains some fabulous examples of medieval carpentry, including over 60 animals on the benches alone.
Michael Smith
May 216 min read
Sir John Swinford of Spratton, and other wonders of St Andrew's church
St Andrew's church at Spratton is home to some wonderful treasures, including a magnificent Romanesque tower and a stunning alabaster effigy to Sir John Swinford (d. 1371)
Michael Smith
Apr 229 min read
The arming of Sir Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
The arming of Sir Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is testament to the poet's descriptive skill and accuracy. But the ritualistic nature of the arming of Gawain also builds the dramatic tension as our hero faces unknown terrors.
Michael Smith
Mar 111 min read
Sheriff Hutton Castle in the North Riding of Yorkshire
Join me on a tour of the dramatic ruins at Sheriff Hutton castle near York where we not only look at the castle itself but also learn about its setting in the landscape, its history and ultimate decline.
Michael Smith
Feb 1013 min read
The medieval magnificence and Ricardian riches at the church of St Michael at Stanton Harcourt
The church of St Michael in Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire is place rich in medieval features dating from the mid twelfth century onwards and includes some remarkable effigies from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.
Michael Smith
Dec 15, 20255 min read
The medieval brass to John and Alice Wilcotes, St Michael and All Angels, Great Tew, Oxfordshire
The church of St Michael and All Angels contains a wealth of architectural wonders and historic features. The brass to Sir John and Alice Wilcotes is certainly amongst them and is a particularly fine example of its type.
Michael Smith
Sep 17, 20257 min read
The marvellous medieval monuments at St Mary the Virgin church, Dodford, Northamptonshire
The church of St Mary the Virgin at Dodford in Northamptonshire has a rich collection of medieval effigies and monuments spanning three centuries. A visit is highly recommended.
Michael Smith
May 15, 20254 min read
Knights and their ladies - some medieval monumental brasses in England
Monumental brasses in English churches provide a fascinating insight into society, fashion and aesthetics. In this post we look at a variety of brasses from Essex, Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire, dating from between 1350 and 1580.
Michael Smith
May 13, 20256 min read
St Wystan's church, Repton, Derbyshire and its Anglo-Viking historic landscape
A visit to the historic church of St Wystan at Repton, Derbyshire, home to a magnificent Anglo-Saxon crypt and a rich Viking heritage.
Michael Smith
Nov 26, 20248 min read
All Saints' Church, Brixworth, Northamptonshire – a magnificent Anglo-Saxon survival
A visit to the Grade 1-listed church of All Saints at Brixworth, Northamptonshire, the largest Anglo-Saxon building standing in England.
Michael Smith
Oct 14, 20245 min read
Cheshire survivor - the effigy of Sir William Boydell at St. Wilfred's Church, Grappenhall
The effigy of Sir William Boydell at Grappenhall, Cheshire sheds a remarkable light on how, against the odds, ancient monuments can survive.
Michael Smith
Jan 7, 20246 min read
The Brereton Tomb, St Oswald's Church, Malpas, Cheshire
A detailed look at the magnificent tomb of Sir Randal and Lady Eleanor Brereton at Malpas, Cheshire. A fine example of Chellaston work.
Michael Smith
Feb 14, 20206 min read
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