We can easily enrich our travel experience by just knowing more about a place and events that have occurred there. Such background knowledge familiarizes visitors to a certain extent that is similar to admiring a detailed painting with all the subtleties expected of a masterpiece as compared to staring at a blank canvas. Not many people have the time or the energy to the research and they just rely on a tour guide to fill in the details. However what about independent or budget travelers? I know I wouldn’t be having a guide because I can’t afford one but most importantly, where is the fun if I can’t find it out myself? Therefore I will be writing a series of posts giving you a brief overview about the history of England.
If I go to Iceland, I will want to check out the North Atlantic Ridge, a fault line that cuts across Iceland in a way that you only see in your Geography textbook diagrams. If I go to Alaska, I will visit fjords and glaciers. Before visiting such locations, I would recommend reading up on Geography. If you understand how they are formed and when you look at these dramatic landscapes, what you have read instantly becomes tangible and you can learn so much more. That is why we have Geography fieldtrips. In a similar way, History and heritage is to England is like Geography is to Iceland and Alaska. Here in United Kingdom, I am pleasantly surprised that buildings or other man-made structures are reasonably well conserved despite having an unforgiving climate. Humidity here is mostly in the high 80s and 90s for the most part of the year, very similar to the tropical countries. However, most buildings, especially residential are very old with many standing for more than a century. Conservation is really a priority here with very strict building rules and regulations. Across UK, very old ruins still stand for people to visit and learn. This is a stark contrast compared to my home country Singapore where economic interest takes priority and old buildings are rapidly demolished in favour of new modern ones. In a sad way, we also threw away part of our history and heritage in the process. However, after being not able to find a job in UK for more than 10 months and with Singapore doing remarkably well economically, I am not too sure which system is better.
Sorry that I digressed and let me get back to the Romans. There is not much to say about the Romans but a thing to remember is how long ago was the Romans ruling here. Since Roman invaded Great Britain in AD43, or Britannia which she was called then, Romans have left their mark which we can still see clearly today. Perhaps a well known achievement is Hadrian’s Wall, which was started in AD122. Several sections of the wall are still well conserved and intact even after about 2000 years. Bath is also another well known city with its characteristic Roman baths and spas. There are also many Roman artifacts in the British Museum. Roman fortifications can also be seen in London, at Tower Hill and also near the Museum of London. Remains of a Roman amphitheatre can be accessed under London’s Guildhall Art Gallery. After AD400, Romans start to pull out and Britannia is left to fend for herself, thus ending the Romans occupation.
Remains of the London Roman Wall beside the Museum of London
I will add to this post as I go along and please feel free to comment about anything related.
You may also be interested these related posts featuring the Romans in UK:
1. Housesteads Roman Fort
2. Lullingstone Roman Villa
Get more out of a trip to England by knowing her history – Part I The Romans
We can easily enrich our travel experience by just knowing more about a place and events that have occurred there. Such background knowledge familiarizes visitors to a certain extent that is similar to admiring a detailed painting with all the subtleties expected of a masterpiece as compared to staring at a blank canvas. Not many people have the time or the energy to the research and they just rely on a tour guide to fill in the details. However what about independent or budget travelers? I know I wouldn’t be having a guide because I can’t afford one but most importantly, where is the fun if I can’t find it out myself? Therefore I will be writing a series of posts giving you a brief overview about the history of England.
If I go to Iceland, I will want to check out the North Atlantic Ridge, a fault line that cuts across Iceland in a way that you only see in your Geography textbook diagrams. If I go to Alaska, I will visit fjords and glaciers. Before visiting such locations, I would recommend reading up on Geography. If you understand how they are formed and when you look at these dramatic landscapes, what you have read instantly becomes tangible and you can learn so much more. That is why we have Geography fieldtrips. In a similar way, History and heritage is to England is like Geography is to Iceland and Alaska. Here in United Kingdom, I am pleasantly surprised that buildings or other man-made structures are reasonably well conserved despite having an unforgiving climate. Humidity here is mostly in the high 80s and 90s for the most part of the year, very similar to the tropical countries. However, most buildings, especially residential are very old with many standing for more than a century. Conservation is really a priority here with very strict building rules and regulations. Across UK, very old ruins still stand for people to visit and learn. This is a stark contrast compared to my home country Singapore where economic interest takes priority and old buildings are rapidly demolished in favour of new modern ones. In a sad way, we also threw away part of our history and heritage in the process. However, after being not able to find a job in UK for more than 10 months and with Singapore doing remarkably well economically, I am not too sure which system is better.
Sorry that I digressed and let me get back to the Romans. There is not much to say about the Romans but a thing to remember is how long ago was the Romans ruling here. Since Roman invaded Great Britain in AD43, or Britannia which she was called then, Romans have left their mark which we can still see clearly today. Perhaps a well known achievement is Hadrian’s Wall, which was started in AD122. Several sections of the wall are still well conserved and intact even after about 2000 years. Bath is also another well known city with its characteristic Roman baths and spas. There are also many Roman artifacts in the British Museum. Roman fortifications can also be seen in London, at Tower Hill and also near the Museum of London. Remains of a Roman amphitheatre can be accessed under London’s Guildhall Art Gallery. After AD400, Romans start to pull out and Britannia is left to fend for herself, thus ending the Romans occupation.
I will add to this post as I go along and please feel free to comment about anything related.
You may also be interested these related posts featuring the Romans in UK:
1. Housesteads Roman Fort
2. Lullingstone Roman Villa