Kyosuke Himuro and Gerard Way-Safe and Sound

My theme song.

Portiuncula Chapel, Lourdes College, Sylvania, Ohio

Battle Art

Have a look. Some of it's wonderful.

Friday First - Without a reason, there isn't a purpose

Keep an eye on these young rips. We can expect to hear more from them.

From the Hours of Joan of Navarre

14th century, Bibliotheque Nationale.

From the Petites Heures of the Duc de Berry

14th century, Bibliotheque Nationale.

Sucaeva, Romania

Matsumoto Castle, Japan

(Photo Credit)

Ypres

The Scott Country

Smailholm Tower. Looks like something out of Middle Earth. The terrain's not exaggerated much either.
Melrose Abbey
Branxholm Tower
Dryburgh Abbey
Bemersyde House. As Thomas the Rhymer said "Tyde what may, what'er betide, Haig shall be Haig of Bemersyde."
Neidpath Castle
Roxburgh Castle.
These were painted by E.W. Haslehurst for The Scott Country, written by John Geddie, for the Beautiful Scotland series.

From the Hours of Etienne Chevalier

By Jean Fouquet, 15th century.

From the Hours of Anne de Beaudricourt

By Jean Fouquet, c1460.

Lombard Book Cover

9th century. National Archaeological Museum, Cividale

My Chemical Romance - I'm Not Okay / Welcome to the Black Parade live@Japan 2009

Better than ever. ( Said while grinning from ear to ear. )

Ghent

Worth Reading

HERE'S an interesting interview with Lady Antonia Fraser.
She mentions a point I hadn't thought about before. The closing of convents during the so-called Reformation was a disaster for women's education. She's right. Just think of the long line of well-educated, influential women during the Middle Ages, from Hilda of Whitby through Catherine of Siena. Without the convents they'd never have had the opportunity. After the Reformation it was back to being chattels without any hope of escape.

Malines

Louvain

Bruges

Beyond Good News!

A substantial hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver has been found in Staffordshire. Judging by the photographs, the workmanship is fantastic. I can hardly wait to see what some of it looks like after conservation.
Have a look HERE and HERE. There are excellent slide shows HERE and HERE. There's also a good background piece about similar finds HERE.
If anyone's wondering about the meaning of being declared treasure, that means it goes to a suitable museum, rather than being sold and scattered to the winds at the finder's discretion. Under British law, it becomes crown property and the finder gets a reward. They don't pinch pennies when they do it either. The man who found this is likely to be set for life.

Umbrella Art!!!

I love it! Yes, I know it's off topic. Ask me if I care.