Mike's Harp Adventures: Northbound

After running around London for four or five days we headed North. Here is a harp video we did at Hadrian's Wall. I added some descriptive captions.

We were headed for York via Nottingham, with a couple of other stops along the way. I'm not going to play up all the Robin Hood stuff, although they sure do. There was lots of business and tourist stuff with that theme. So instead there's this.

One of the levers broke on the harp I was playing. After doing some web searching, we found an early music shop that in a little town called Shipley that has Camac levers. Of course we got lost again. We could have gotten a GPS (called (Sat-Nav over here) but what fun would that be? At least we didn't get lost at the nuke plant. Feast your eyes on some of these instruments!

The guys were very nice. We fixed the harp and were on our way. Having been away from home for almost a month with very little pet time, Jo Ellen was really missing feline interaction, thus the trip to Nottingham to visit the Kitty Cafe.

That's right, the Kitty Cafe.

There were cats everywhere.

While waiting for your tea, you chill out and play with cats. While dining, they mooch and run around doing cat type stuff. What a cool place. The workers were dressed it kitty outfits and there were little bridges, cubbies, cat posts, and toys all about the place. And cats. Lots of cats.

So, after the cat fix, it was on to York Minster.

York is a very cool medieval city, and the cathedral was impressive.

We took the 250 some odd steps thru the little winding staircase all the way up (and back down) the tower.

They have the biggest stained glass window in the world. You would see it if it were there. (It is currently undergoing restoration)

There was plenty of other glass, statues, and carvings. If you were a king or a big shot in the church, you would get a statue or a memorial.

Or a crying angel standing on a skull.

Before we left I thru my hat in the air to emphasize just how huge this place is. (click to enlarge).

When we left I couldn't find my hat. Maybe it never came down. I loved that hat. I got it at the Ligonier Highland games in Pennsylvania back around '08. I hope someone is sporting it now.

So, it was off to Scotland to find a new tweed cap.

Welcome to Scotland, please tap in.

Edinburgh

We are NOT eating here at this place.

The Edinburgh Castle sits high atop the city. This was may 3rd time to Edinburgh. It was time to get up there and check it out.

Ross fountain on the way up.

Views as we climbed the hill.

Here are some pictures from the castle grounds:

The chapel is the oldest building on the castle grounds.

The queen's chamber was loaded with portraits of kings, queens, and other big shots.

After 30 years together, Jo Ellen and I finally figured out how to settle our differences.

I love Scotland. We only had a few days there, so we didn't get up to the Highlands or Islands this time. But, that gave us time to explore the Borders, which are beautiful.

After weaving our way thru the Borders, we made our way to Hadrian's Wall.

But first we stopped at a rest area. I saw this happening and took a few seconds of video with my phone. If you eat in front of a Scottish swan, you had better be ready to share.

Scottish swans do not take no for an answer.

We really were not sure about this either.

I didn't know much about Hadrian's Wall, but Jo Ellen said we should check it out. As usual, she had it right.

After checking out the wall and making the harp video we had a couple more things to do before heading back to America. We had a little genealogy trail to follow. Mine in England and Jo Ellen's in Northern Ireland. 3 of my grandparents were Irish, but my grandmother was a Scofield, documented directly back thru 500+ years of Schofields and Scholfields. They were amongst the first English settlers (my 8th great grandfather Daniel Scofield 1620-1669 emigrated from England to the Americas in 1635 aboard the Susan and Ellen/Elin, landing in Ipswich, Massachusetts.) Lots of DAR and ancestry geeks had done most of the homework, so it was easy for me, being the keeper of old family documents. So we decided to visit Rochdale in Lancashire, home of the Schofields.

Daniel's grandfather, my 10th great-grandfather Sir Cuthbert Scofield 1555-1605. See any resemblance?

A photocopy of a page headed: Encyclopedia of Biography, from A History of England shows a sketch of Sir Cuthbert Scofield and identifies him as a younger son of the Scofields of Kent, who was knighted in 1588 by Queen Elizabeth I, for his services in the fight against the Spanish Armada. This entry indicates that Arms were granted to the family in 1582 and Cuthbert was granted Arms upon his knighthood. He probably lent or gave them money. I have no idea what was the source of wealth.

Near Rochdale we sought out the runes of his family home, Schofield hall, built around 1500. It appears that it was used as some kind of hotel or guest house until 100 years ago.

As we got close, we saw this. We had to be near.

Closer, warmer...

We hiked thru fields, trails, and pastures. Finally this:

Upon closer inspection it did match the drawings.

A little TLC and we can bring this place back to the glory days of the Renaissance.

Nice view below. According to historical accounts, Cuthbert caught his wife and her lover going at at it in his own home, drew his sword, and chased them across the field. They fled to Ireland. According to records:
<<Documented depositions from Cuthbert's tailor and sister, Helen Scofield, both witnesses to the incident which state, Mrs. Scofield and Michael Goodricke were alone in an upper chamber of Scholefield Hall while Cuthbert was away with his mother at the Rochdale market. When Cuthbert returned, the tailor told him of the goings on, and he, "got to his sword" in an attempt to slay Michael Goodricke and Ann Scofield who both escaped out a window. Cuthbert pursued the couple and was seen chasing them across fields, swearing vengeance before they escaped to Rochdale.
William Lathom and his wife deposed that Michael Goodricke "brought a gentlewoman" into their house whom he called his wife and they stayed there for two months while waiting for passage to Ireland. Upon discovering she was Mr. Scofield's wife, they "presentlie rid ye house of them."
Michael Goodricke and Ann Scofield soon afterward left for Ireland.

He had children with his own mistress. Since they were illegitimate and he had no rightful heir, his estate went to his nephew while the family tree points to me.

Perhaps this could have all been mine.

Or not.

Doggie say's "not"

Rochdale was the Scofield stomping ground, back to the 1300's. So we decided to stomp around some ourselves. It is nice to take expeditions off the beaten path, leading away from just touristy stuff. I give you....Rochdale...

There are hundreds of engraved tombs and grave plaques at this 13th century church. Lots of Scofields, but not Cuthbert. He didn't seem like a churchy guy. He had a reputation for being quite the rascal. <<Ann Scofield's friends testified that Cuthbert was remarkable for "hys hatrid that he bare vnto women" and his numerous infidelities>> He was also seen in court alot, always suing somebody.

After Rochdale, it was back to Wales to await the ferry back to Ireland.

We really only passed thru. We stayed in Bangor. Lots of people were actually speaking Welsh. I asked our waitress at the hotel if that was common, and she said around here yes. It was her first language, what was spoken at home, and what they use in the schools. She tried to teach us some of the pronunciations, but I wasn't getting it. She was fun, and shared lots of goodies about the culture of Wales. Next time I hope we can spend some real time there (getting lost of course).