This series on pilgrimage is such a delight - I shall be devastated when it ends. Pembrokeshire is the only part of Wales I have personally visited, so it's great to get to know byways then unseen. As a thankyou and in memory of the 19-year old soldier commemorated at Llandeloy, I offer you this favourite poem of mine by the war poet Wilfred Owen: "Fragment" - I saw his round mouth's crimson deepen as it fell, / Like a Sun in his last deep hour; / Watched the magnificent recession of farewell, / Clouding, half gleam, half glower, / And a last splendour burn the heavens of his cheek. / And in his eyes / The cold stars lighting, very old and bleak, / In different skies.
Hello! Personally, I have enjoyed watching your videos about architectural detailing and the explanations of different features within old churches! I am from the western United States and have a particular fascination with what are called 'prairie churches', which are small wooden structures often located in the middle of an expansive field. Thanks for taking a keen interest in the preservation of these unique structures! Sending my admiration from the United States!
Rural Wales is always so lovely and beautiful, even in the rain. Rolling green fields of fluffy sheep, the perfect picture of country idyll! Even soaking, you make a really good and cheerful presenter! I hope at least the 21st century equivalent of your castle was dry and warm! I always loved the carved ornamentation, it's just so much fine skill and expertise required to produce something like that!! We're glad you didn't join the effigy Daniel! Thanks for the wonderful video!!
All who follow your channel are so very fortunate. Thank you for taking us with you, and for the wonderful introduction to these historic ecclesiastical buildings. I can only imagine what may have gone on in and around these churches over the years. I couldn't help but notice that the images of St. Mary and St. John are "missing" (were they ever there?) from the rood screen at that final church.
Really fine selection of music! Your presentation is getting better all the time and is never boring. I hope you do another series as soon as your feet recover… lol!
I think I enjoyed this episode most of all of them so far. That arts and crafts church is a real gem, and your little speech about the Great War was quite touching. One comes across these poignant references so often - there was one I came across in Oxfordshire commemorating two brothers which was terribly moving. I think too few people nowadays appreciate the terrible trauma that war caused. Glad the sun came out for the second half!
Lovely Funeral Hatchments at 8.05. A funerary hatchment is a depiction within a black lozenge-shaped frame, generally on a black (sable) background, of a deceased's heraldic achievement, The funerary hatchment was usually placed over the entrance door of the deceased's residence at the level of the second floor, and remained in situ for six to twelve months, after which it was removed to the parish church. The practice developed in the early 17th century from the custom of carrying an heraldic shield before the coffin of the deceased, then leaving it for display in the church. Love the Reredos with rainbow. The symbolism comes from the story of Noah, in which the rainbow is a sign of God’s covenant of peace after the flood. In the vision of St John, Christ is seated upon a rainbow at the last Judgement. Many medieval churches were painted with representations of the Last Judgement called Dooms which feature Christ upon a rainbow. In England many still survive, notably those at Blyth , Nottinghamshire, Wenhaston, Suffolk and Marston Moreteyne, Bedfordshire. Milton in Paradise Lost, a great classic of English religious writing, describes Christ expelling Satan from Heaven while seated on a rainbow throne (PL VI, 759). In later Christian tradition the colours of the rainbow stand for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit to the Church. Interestingly, the Babylonian Goddess Ishtar, whose necklace the rainbow was, swears by it that the she will not allow another flood such as that caused by Enlil. When she went to reclaim her lover from the underworld she had to leave it behind along with all the rest of her garments. In Viking myth the rainbow was the bridge between heaven and earth. However, as the two examples of the Rainbow are modern the use of a rainbow on memorials may have more to do with the song from the Wizard of Oz “Somewhere over the rainbow” by E. Y. Harburg.
The scenery of that part of wales is beautiful. The family of a friend of mine have a holiday chalet near Roche , last time I stayed there we went to St David’s Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace. So I am looking forward to your next video about the cathedral. Appreciate the time and effort you have put into creating this series of videos Daniel
Another excellent video, Daniiel. You manage to combine remarkable expertise with a delightful sense of humor. Please keep going (after those blisters heal).
My wife and I stumbled across this channel a few days ago and now the Pembrokeshire Pilgrimage series has become a part of our evening schedule. Keep up the amazing work, Daniel, and greetings from western Pennsylvania.
The landscape makes me thinking of Thomas Hardy novel “Far From The Madding Crowd” that I read first in Italian when I was 15 and then in English, when I was able to do it ( I know, it was Dorset)…thank you for this informative and lovely videos!
What amazing videos! You are a good presenter and have showed the beautiful architecture mainly countryside. You need walking to get some beautiful old and historic buildings. It’s so exciting. I would love to get time to do the same. I love it. That is a kind of weekend I would like to get. Thanks for all those gifts! Sorry my english, I am from Brasil and I study History. I’ve loved your work. It really made my eyes shine. Keep going on. 😊
Perhaps the Pilgrim effigy isn't for a particular pilgrim, but rather represents all pilgrims who have died on the way to St David's. You come to a church on a pilgrimage route and say prayers for the repose of all pilgrims who have died going before you. Just a possibility
I believe the rainbow in the reredos reminds us of the new covenant between God and Man made by Christ's sacrifice in lieu of that made with Noah after the flood.
I've seen a few pilgrim effigies in churches now. I was always under the assumption that pilgrims were quite poor people, it seems a surprise to me that they would be buried inside the building, and with such a large tomb. Can anyone enlighten me?
Hey, you should try directing your video titles a little better so more people can find you - I've been looking for content like this for ages and I found you through Instagram - I think adding a shorter title would up your views !
