Devon Book Club discussion
Devon History, Culture & Events
>
Books about, or set, in Devon
message 51:
by
Carol
(new)
Dec 01, 2014 04:35AM
Yes, silly me, I was thinking that combe was Anglo Saxon, but, of course, you are right, BJ, it is probably from cwm. However, that makes Ilfracombe and all the rest rather interesting, because they then have a mixture of both Anglo Saxon and Celtic. I think that the Anglo Saxons often lived side by side with the previous people, and didn't necessarily drive them away. Although I believe that there was a lot of immigration to Brittany at this time from Devon.
reply
|
flag
Ilfracombe is an interesting one with a very Anglo-Saxon ring to it. I think you're right. Once the Roman empire fell apart the Anglo-Saxon pressure increased and large numbers of Celts packed their bags, migrating across the sea to Brittany.
This wasn't really a big deal. Ancient Celtic peoples occupied much of central continental Europe in the last millenium BC and Celts had only migrated into what is now the British Isles in the last few centuries before the Romans arrived.
Anyone know what a Slade is? I live in the Slade area in Ilfracombe and once lived on an estate in Milton Keynes Called Fullers Slade I've come across it in other places too,must have a common origin I suppose.
Mod
apparently means valley
Oh is that all, makes Slade Valley road a bit of a daft name then. Wonder why Fullers needed a whole valley to themselves.
It's like the River Avon. Avon means river anyway...
ILfracombe is my favourite place historically in Devon, and I don't think it is just because I grew up there. It has an extremely rich history, mainly because it has the best harbour on the North coast.One interesting tit bit: One of the 4 knights who killed Thomas Becket at Canterbury in 1170 was de Tracey and he is thought to have fled and hidden in Crewkerne Cave in ILfracombe. Some sources mention a Crewkerne in Somerset, and others that they fled to Scotland. However, his family owned the east, or Royal Manor, near the harbour in Ilfracombe, so it seems more than likely that he hid there.
Crewkerne Cave was the original opening in the cliffs, where the Tunnels were later blasted to allow access for the Victorians to the beaches.
That's interesting, I'd heard that there was connection to the Thomas Becket thing locally.
Ley wrote: "That's interesting, I'd heard that there was connection to the Thomas Becket thing locally."Another interesting thing I read recently was that the Wilder originally flowed out at the harbour. Have been trying to check this and have not yet managed to verify it. Evidently it used to be marshy there and the sea used to come in a lot further than it does now. Where the Wilder flows out now is at Wildersmouth Beach, so the name suggests it perhaps has always done this.
Evidently there used to be a wall and 2 towers round Ilfracombe. There is no sign of anything now and I would love to know where it went.
That sounds fascinating, I wonder where the wall ran.
Ley wrote: "That sounds fascinating, I wonder where the wall ran."You would think there would be some indication of where it was. I should imagine it would have protected the area round the harbour, and not extend as far as the cluster of houses near the parish church, as that is some way away.
Exeter was mentioned in the programme on Norman castles two nights ago. Evidently the townspeople did not want to surrender to the Normans and so there was a siege. The Normans had a man blinded just outside the walls as a warning to the inhabitants. William handed out former Anglo Saxon lands to his followers, as we can see from all the Norman names here in Devon and elsewhere. Should imagine it was incredibly ghastly for the people already living here, and I thought the programme rather skated over that.
I read about those turbulent times when in Exeter Museum recently. Harold's mother, Gytha Thorkelsdottir, was living in the town and in 1068 encouraged Exeter to rebel against William The Conqueror. Her name caught my eye. Harold was the last of the Anglo-Saxon kings. For centuries the Anglo-Saxons had fought off invasions by the Danes and yet Harold's mother had a very Danish-sounding name. Her life summed up the times. She had five sons; four died in battle and the other spent most of his life as a prisoner in Normandy.
I am not surprised her name caught your eye! I should think Gytha Thorkelsdottir would catch anyone's eye!
The TV prog. did not mention that Harold's mother was living in Exeter at the time. That might partly account for why the townsfolk decided to resist, after the clergy had evidently capitulated.
The Turning of the Tideis set in the Bideford workhouse. Was a really interesting read. Anyone else read any of her books?
Kathy wrote: "It's like the River Avon. Avon means river anyway..."Yes, I remember our 'Middle English' tutor giving us an example of a hill, that was basically called 'Hill Hill Hill' as its name was changed by 2 sequential sets of invaders. They arrived and said "what's that called?" to the locals, and then each time called it 'whatever?' word for hill, plus their word for hill.
I hope that makes sense: I can't remember the exact example given, plus a terrible cold is scrambling all attempts at logic.
Mod
Yes, I remember our 'Middle English' tutor giving us an example of a hill, that was basically called 'Hill Hill Hill' as its na..."
Oh dear - you have the dreaded lurgy too do you? - seems like a virulent one this one
Ian wrote: "DrMama wrote: "Kathy wrote: "It's like the River Avon. Avon means river anyway..."Yes, I remember our 'Middle English' tutor giving us an example of a hill, that was basically called 'Hill Hill H..."
Yes, my partner went down with it at the weekend, after the wonderful '2 choirs/Bog Boys/Mat Harvey/Desert Island Discs ... Concert' in Totnes on Friday. It hit me last night: I'm hoping we've not infected a friend who is singing in Kingsbridge tonight [Alvington Singers, Dodbrooke Church, tickets on door] go if you can - I daren't, would cough and sneeze too much!
Mod
Yes, I remember our 'Middle English' tutor giving us an example of a hill, that was basically called ..."
Sadly - I'm both full of the cold, coughing madly and live in Barnstaple - be quicker to go to Bristol!
Sue wrote: "The Turning of the Tideis set in the Bideford workhouse. Was a really interesting read. Anyone else read any of her books?"No,not read The Turning of the Tide, but see that it was set in a workhouse and thought I would mention that when you see the name Woodbine Cottage, that often means that it was originally a workhouse. My parents owned Woodbine Cottage in Ilfracombe, and we often spent our summers there. One of the cottages whad been for the men, and the other for the women and children. All very sad, and I always felt the cottage was an unhappy place, without knowing anything of its history.
Mod
No,not read The Turning of the Tide, but see..."
I see that Liz Shakespeare lives in Littleham, just outside Bideford - I have sent her a note about the group
Oh dear, all you lurgy sufferers. Keep germs to yourselves. Generally manage to go down with something over Xmas, which doesn't help my cooking ability( or lack of).
That Woodbine/workhouse connection is fascinating Carol. You're quite right. I've been Googling and all over the country I've found examples of workhouses/hostels/orphanages being in properties called Woodbine Cottage, Woodbine House or Woodbine Lodge. There are examples of less direct connections too, such as in Gateshead the workhouse was connected to the water supply in nearby Woodbine Street and in Worcester, where the hostel was located in the former home of 'Woodbine Willie', the famous army chaplain who delivered spiritual guidance and Woodbines to front line troops.I have absolutely no idea why the connection exists.
B J wrote: "That Woodbine/workhouse connection is fascinating Carol. You're quite right. I've been Googling and all over the country I've found examples of workhouses/hostels/orphanages being in properties cal..."It is really fascinating. There was a Woodbine Cottage (a tiny, thatched house) in a village we used to live in in the Cotswolds. It was a charming place and I thought it a romantic name - now I'm disillusioned!
Carol wrote: "Sue wrote: "The Turning of the Tideis set in the Bideford workhouse. Was a really interesting read. Anyone else read any of her books?"I loved The Turning of the Tide- it weaves a good story around old newspaper cuttings and paints a vivid picture of Victorian North Devon.
The other name for woodbine is honeysuckle. It's interesting that the workhouses never seem to be called honeysuckle.Have tried to look up the origin of this, but have not succeeded. The nearest I found was that they were often euphemistically called woodbine, but it's strange why so many were called by it.
Mod
http://www.visitdevon.co.uk/officiald...
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
http://eastdevonalliance.org/2014/12/...
Thanks Sue for mentioning my book The Turning of the TideI have written three other books set in Devon
- as you can guess I'm a Devon-born author!Two favourite books of mine which are set in Devon are In The Place of Fallen Leaves by Tim Pears
and The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles
This one just about counts because although Lyme Regis is just over the border in Dorset, the Undercliff is in Devon.Jane Feaver's books are set in Devon too.
All these are novels of course - I have over a hundred non-fiction books about Devon on my shelves!
Ian wrote: "Just seen a tweet from @clairewrightind about a very interesting looking book that has just been launched in East Devon. Anyone got any other similar examples? Join us at Devon Book Club to discuss..."Yes, it looks interesting.
I think I have already mentioned Lorna Doone by RD Blackmore in this section. It is set on Exmoor and is one of my favourite books. Have just bought it as a Xmas present for someone and was amazed to find the paperback by Wordsworth Classics cost just over a pound on Amazon!
Ian wrote: "Just seen a tweet from @clairewrightind about a very interesting looking book that has just been launched in East Devon. Anyone got any other similar examples? Join us at Devon Book Club to discuss..."Another one is With Magic in My Eyes:West Country Literary Landscapes by Anthony Gibson. With Magic in My Eyes: West Country Literary Landscapes
That's my Christmas present sorted! Thank you Liz.
Just bought this weekend as a present for a relative, and will most likely be stealing it back come the new year. S.J. Parris's Treachery is set in the Plymouth of the 1580's there's a murder on board one of Darke's ships - Sir Francis Walsiningham dispatches Giordano Bruno to take a closer look at what's going on.
Of course, historically speaking, it's a load of bull shit. Yet if you can get beyond the basic anachronistic nature of the text and setting this looks like a fairly good read.
Mod
S.J. Parris's Treachery is set in the Plymouth of the 1580's there's a murder on ..."
Interesting - I have an interest in 16C history - so another one for my list
Liz wrote: "Thanks Sue for mentioning my book The Turning of the TideI have written three other books set in Devon[bookcover:The Memory..."Will look out for your other books and for Tim's too. Thank you for the information.
Started reading In the High Valley, the last book in the Katy series, forgot it started in Devon before heading back over to america.
Mod
Nick wrote: "Just bought this weekend as a present for a relative, and will most likely be stealing it back come the new year. S.J. Parris's Treachery is set in the Plymouth of the 1580's there's a murder on ..."
Just remembered this is the fourth book in the series - but not all of them are set in the south west - but looking at the volume they can be read without really having read the others.
Just finished readingLacey's Houseby Joanne Graham. This contemporary novel is mainly set in a village near Exeter, and charts the lives of two women who become close neighbours, despite their age difference.At times harrowing, this was a story that held my attention and had me rooting for the two main characters - and there aren't many books that have had that effect on me recently, so my thanks to Joanne!
Angela wrote: "Just finished readingLacey's Houseby Joanne Graham. This contemporary novel is mainly set in a village near Exeter, and charts the lives of two women who become close neighbours, de..."I enjoyed it too!
Thank you Angela and Sue. I'm so glad you enjoyed the book :) x
Hi Joanne - I'm interested to know what inspired you to write this novel - it highlights a variety of issues: domestic abuse / mental health / looked after children /FGM.
Hi Angela,Ah good question! The initial inspiration came from my maternal grandmother who was lobotomised in the 60's because of depression and grief (she lost 2 of her children and had 5 miscarriages).
On top of that, I worked for 8 years with teenagers with Emotional, Social and Behavioural Disorders. I found that, no matter how appalling the behaviour I worked with (often violent), there was always a genesis - serious sexual assault, neglect, domestic abuse, abandonment or mental health issues - that had been traumatising and life changing. Yet these children are often marginalised and treated with contempt by society.
I wanted to write a character that was sympathetic to the reader yet pushed out by those who didn't know her story and saw her sometimes strange behaviour as a reflection of who she was as a person rather than a symptom of her experiences.
The FGM storyline came up from an article I had read that had a similar experience. But, If I wrote the book again, or ever do a revised edition, I would remove that thread. It was meant to be another example of the horrific abuse Lacey suffered at her father's hands. Him claiming ownership of her and saying 'nobody can touch you now!' But FGM is so much in the news as a cultural and patriarchal domination over women now that I feel it comes across differently from the original intention.
I expand a little on the story of my grandmother in the following interview if you'd like to read it.
x
http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/books/la...
Thank you, Joanne - both for your answer and the interview, which was really interesting - terribly sad and yet inspiring. Your novel is a wonderful tribute to your grandmother. I hope that the groups that you were intending to set up are now up and running in your area.Best wishes
Angela
Currently readingThe Hound of the Baskervilles, my first foray into the Conan Doyle novels, as it is our reading group choice for this month. A third of the way through and Dartmoor is about to loom onto the scene!
Mod
Certainly atmospheric. Dartmoor and Exmoor offer really rich setting for novels.
Thoroughly enjoyed The Hound of the Baskervilles - has to be the best choice so far this year for our Barnstaple Pageturners RG! Just one left to read from this year's list: After the Bombing by local Devon author Clare Morrall.
Devon Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The House at the Edge of the World (other topics)The House at the Edge of the World (other topics)
The House at the Edge of the World (other topics)
A Book of Scars (other topics)
The House at the Edge of the World (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Attica Locke (other topics)Cathie Hartigan (other topics)
Cathie Hartigan (other topics)
Peggy Harris (other topics)
Liz Shakespeare (other topics)
