Stirling, Scotland (1297 & 1314 AD) The battles of Stirling and Bannockburn were the definitive engagements of the First Scottish War of Independence. Popularized by the movie Braveheart, these two battles marked the first major victory of the Scots in 1297 and their final triumph over England in 1314. The Battle of Stirling turned William Wallace into a national hero, … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF HASTINGS (HASTINGS BATTLEFIELD)
Battle, England (1066 AD) The Battle of Hastings was the pivotal engagement of the Norman conquest of England during the Middle Ages. Fought in 1066, it also marked the last successful invasion of England, a feat not repeated in nearly a thousand years. The battle was followed swiftly by the occupation of London, after which most of the rest of England fell in the ensuing … [Read more...]
E-ABU HURAIRAH MOSQUE (MASJID-E-ABU HURAIRAH)
Cardiff, Wales The Masjid-E-Abu Hurairah in Cardiff is the oldest Islamic religious institution in Europe outside of Spain and the Balkans. It was established at the height of the British colonial era in the 19th century to serve Muslim sailors who regularly traveled between the British Isles and the Middle East. Cardiff is now home to the largest Muslim population in Wales, … [Read more...]
ST. PETER’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Drogheda, Ireland Oliver Plunket is the most famous of all Irish-born saints. His martyrdom was certainly one of the best known, as he was the last Catholic to be killed for his faith in England, which is saying something considering that religious persecutions had been ravaging the British Isles for well over a century. His shrine in Drogheda is the most important saintly … [Read more...]
ABBEY OF WESTMINSTER
London, England The cathedral of Westminster Abbey has long served as England’s royal church (its official designation is technically a ‘royal peculiar’), and has been an important place of pilgrimage since before the Protestant Reformation. The great majority of England’s monarchs were both coronated and buried here; among the latter being Edward the Confessor, who is … [Read more...]
CATHEDRAL OF DURHAM
Durham, England Durham Cathedral is one of the most famous churches in England outside of London. It is also one of the most seen cathedrals of all time, though most people don’t realize that they have seen it. Both the interior and exterior were used for shooting scenes of Hogwart’s Castle in various Harry Potter movies. Architecturally, it is considered one of the finest, … [Read more...]
WALLED CITY OF YORK
York, England The walls of York, incomplete as they are, are still the best surviving municipal fortifications in the British Isles. Although York is perhaps a bit less spectacular than its counterparts in Avila and Carcaossonne, it is nevertheless impressive in its own right. The walls of York are perhaps more important from an historic standpoint. Dating back in part to … [Read more...]
INVERNESS CASTLE
Inverness, Scotland Inverness Castle may be one of the most beautiful urban castles still actively used for government purposes. While the current building is relatively young, the fame of Inverness’ predeccesors is extensive. Inverness draws many visitors every year, but a surprisingly large number come not for the castle, but for a mystery that has been closely tied to the … [Read more...]
EDINBURGH CASTLE
Edinburgh, Scotland Edinburgh Castle is Scotland’s answer to the Tower of London. However, while the latter was rarely used as a primary royal residence, the heavily fortified Edinburgh Castle was the home of the Scottish monarchs for well over four centuries. Edinburgh Castle is the architectural centerpiece of Edinburgh, towering over the heart of the city in a way that no … [Read more...]
BLARNEY CASTLE
Blarney, Ireland At first glance, Blarney Castle in Southern Ireland is less than impressive. However, it is undoubtedly the most famous of Ireland’s castles. Its fame and popularity are not due to massive proportions, breathtaking beauty or even an interesting history, but rather from a curious object that was incorporated into its construction over 560 years ago: the … [Read more...]
