Friday 11 May 2012

Here Be Giants

Look on the Ordnance Survey map for Cambridgeshire and, if you search out the little village of Rampton, you'll see marked "Giant's Hill".


It's not the work of giants though, but what remains of an unfinished Medieval castle abandoned in 1143 AD. Geoffrey de Mandeville was planning rebellion from his stronghold in the fens which in those days were largely undrained marshlands. It was impossible to pursue his men through this difficult terrain so it was planned to surround the area with a string of castles. But Geoffrey met his end before any of the castles could be completed.


The site is now managed for wildlife as well as its historical importance. You can still stroll up onto the low mound intended to hold the castle and see some sections of the moat.


You can wander, too, across buttercup-strewn meadows towards the old church. In fact the scene has been described by Ben Colburn on his excellent website "Cambridgeshire Churches" as disgustingly idyllic! If you're observant you can make out the slightly raised platforms where houses once stood - probably cleared when the castle was planned - as well as the hollowed-out routes of the former roads and tracks.


The picture above shows the main trackway which led towards the church. I hope you can make out the track leading away to the right of the two big trees; it was a lot more obvious when actually there.


The church can be most kindly described as picturesque. Walls seem to be leaning out in all directions and the brick-built porch looks about to collapse! The chancel roof is tiled while the roof of the nave is thatched, with the lower part of slate.


Lets go and have a look inside. The interior is also "picturesque" with a couple of unusual features. First of all some of the medieval wall painting can still be seen:


and in the chancel lies a memorial to a knight in full armour:


no one seems to know who he was or his connection to this little place. Even in death he seems to be about to draw his sword and fight for what is right!


Just across the village road from the church stands a cottage which looks as though it's in need of some urgent renovation. So there we are: No giants but a beautiful fragment of English history just waiting to be explored.

Take care.

13 comments:

  1. It looks such a romantic spot - in the broadest sense. I really MUST come and explore soon. Don't think I've ever seen a thatched church before.

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  2. Wonderful tour, John. Picturesque indeed. Jim

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  3. What lovely views, a wonderful walk

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  4. Well John, you are so lucky to have such wonderfully historic countryside to wander through, and we are so lucky to be able to see your pictures and read your description. I may have said this before, but I do so enjoy your posts.

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  5. Everything is remarkably green for so early in the season!

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  6. Love this! Maybe he was a Templar?

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  7. Thanks for the little step back into the medieval world...my favorite time period, castles, abbeys and all.

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  8. What an odd little church - it's a pity that the roof isn't all in the same style, what's there isn't a particularly attractive combination:) Inside looks interesting though, the medieval wall painting is lovely. I really love that cottage though, I suppose it does need a little TLC but what an idyllic place it looks.

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  9. How fascinating! I love the wall paiting inside the church and the buttercup meadow also the cottage. The church does look a bit of a 'hotchpotch' from the outside though:)

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  10. I knew he was around somewhere!!! Every girl dreams of a "knight in shining armor", just not one that's laying about, haha. I'm not up to snuff on history, but love the medieval times! I wonder who the knight is...do you think he was "guarding" the church? Loved the walk!!!

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  11. Such wonderful documentation of local history--hope I can return someday to see it in an informed light.

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  12. In my time in Wiltshire, I found that the countryside was full of little churches you could just open the door and walk in on. Alas, up here they are few and far between, though not non existant. I find almost every little church has something interesting about it.
    I like the medieval painting - it would have been good to see what the whole church would be like with it.

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  13. I love the lush surrounds, so idyllic for the church!

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