Looking for The Green Knight

The pictures for today's post are of Lud's Church in Staffordshire.

Having walked along the Roaches and across a very boggy area of moorland my daughter and I followed a woodland path through an area known as the Black Forest above the village of Gradbach. We were looking for Lud's Church but almost walked past as the path we were on passes the entrance but it would have been easy to miss as it was a cleft in the rock.

Although from today's selection it may appear quite small it is actually an immense cleft up to 15 metres high in places, and over 100 metres long but just a couple of metres wide (even less in places) which was caused by a landslip.

There are many legends associated with this wonderful place, it is said that Robin Hood had used it and the Lollards (followers of John Wycliffe) who were considered heretics used this as a place of worship in the 15th Century and that is where the name originates from.

The title of this blog post however relates to stories that it was this church that was the model for the "Green Chapel" in the medieval poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight".

I had seen Lud's Church featured in a TV show and determined that I would have to visit. It took some effort getting there but I have to say that it was well worth it as I am sure you will agree.

Customs, Tolls & Taxes

Today's pictures have been chosen more for their historical interest than for any artistic quality.

These lists were posted high on the wall of the harbour master's office and they set out the various customs charges and tolls due in payment for the many and varied goods that would have passed through the harbour in days gone by. 

It is these tolls and charges that led to a thriving smuggling "industry" along the coast where there are many little coves and caves ideal for hiding goods and bringing them ashore without the watchful eyes of the customs men.