Advent Day 19

“The historic market town of Ringwood occupies a strategic position on the western edge of the New Forest with the renowned Avon Valley long-distance walking path passing through it.  Vital ancient trading links once provided by the River Avon and the Victorian railway have been replaced by excellent road systems with the town at the crossroads of the A31 and A338 offering fast journeys to and from Southampton, Poole, Salisbury and Bournemouth.

The Wednesday street market has been held in the Market Place since a charter was awarded in 1226, this charter has been held by the family of Lord Morant for hundreds of years.  Animals and agricultural goods were still bought and sold into the 1980s, but now a wide variety of merchandise can be found, complimented at the weekends by farmers and speciality markets held in The Furlong and Gateway Square.

The exact history of the town remains unknown however in 955 AD, documents suggest that ‘Rimucwude’ is mentioned which translates into the ‘rim of the forest’. A church and a mill were also mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086.

In 1725, brewing took off in Ringwood as breweries made use of the waters of the River Avon giving rise to great beers.” https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/explore/towns-and-villages/ringwood/

“After the [Civil War] Battle of Sedgemoor on 6 July 1685, [James Scott] the 1st Duke of Monmouth was arrested near Horton, just outside Ringwood. Monmouth is believed to have hid in a ditch under an ash tree disguised as a shepherd, but was betrayed by a local woman who (according to legend) later killed herself in remorse. Monmouth was then taken to the house now named Monmouth House in West Street (between the Market Place and the Fish Inn) where he wrote a letter (in vain) to James II begging forgiveness. He was brought to trial in the Tower of London by the infamous “Hanging Judge Jefferies” and subsequently beheaded. Legend relates that it was realised after the execution that there was no official portrait of the Duke; so his body was exhumed, the head stitched back on the body, and it was sat for its portrait to be painted.”( https://www.newforest-online.co.uk/ringwood.asp )

Late this afternoon we photographed the town’s main street.

Here is my gallery;

and here, Jackie’s.

As usual clicking on any picture will access its gallery. I have chosen the header mainly for its apt choice of paintings on display.

This evening we dined on chicken Kiev with garlic and parsley centres; oven chips; cauliflower, carrots, runner beans, and spinach, with which I finished the Malbec.

67 comments

  7. What a beautiful town, full of history and tradition Derrick…
    Wishing you and your lovely Wife Jackie all the very best for Christmas and for 2025 and beyond… Good health, and happiness Derrick. and thank you for all the lovely photo and story shares this past year.. <3 xx

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    1. Thank you so much, Liz. It was my first shot – it grabbed me even before I had left the car

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  10. That’s one heck of a portrait story Derrick. I guess the painter never had to tell him to sit still 😆 Love your gallery photos!

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  11. Such old and fascinating history! And I agree with Liz about the posthumous portrait. Wonderful photos from both of you. I like the paintings in the header, too.

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  12. Thanks for the fascinating story about the 1st Duke of Monmouth, and I found this interesting article in ‘Wikipedia’ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Scott,_1st_Duke_of_Monmouth]

    According to legend, a portrait was painted of Monmouth after his execution: the tradition states that it was realised after the execution that there was no official portrait of the Duke, so his body was exhumed, the head stitched back on, and it was sat for its portrait to be painted.[37] However, there are at least two formal portraits of Monmouth tentatively dated to before his death currently in the National Portrait Gallery in London,[38] and another painting once identified with Monmouth that shows a sleeping or dead man that could have given rise to the story.[39]

    One of the many theories about the identity of the Man in the Iron Mask is that he was Monmouth: the theory is that someone else was executed in his place, and James II arranged for Monmouth to be taken to France and put in the custody of his cousin Louis XIV of France.[40]

    Henry Purcell set to music (Z. 481) a satirical poem by an unidentified author, ridiculing Monmouth and his parentage:[41]

    A grasshopper and a fly,
    In summer hot and dry,
    In eager argument were met
    About priority.

    Says the fly to the grasshopper:
    “From mighty race I spring,
    Bright Phoebus was my dad ’tis known,
    And I eat and drink with a king.”

    Says the grasshopper to the fly:
    “Such rogues are still preferr’d;
    Your father might be of high degree,
    But your mother was but a turd.”

    So, rebel Jemmy Scott,
    That did to the empire soar,
    His father might be the Lord knows what,
    But his mother we knew a whore.

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  16. Love the header photo of the painting that has the lighted houses shining brightly at night! So beautiful!
    Love the Martin & Co window display photo!
    All lovely photos, Jackie and Derrick!!
    (((HUGS))) 💚❤️🤍

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  27. My goodness, what a history. It was also interesting to read Ivor’s research comments. And as usual you showed us lovely images of the area.

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  31. The picture of the art you chose for the main photo is my favourite of the bunch. What a gruesome story of the portrait of Monmouth! There is a town of Monmouth very close to Portland, and is where my grandfather was living with my aunt, when he died. I am curious about the use of placenames and how often they are reused around the world.

    Reply

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