It is a long time since I offered you a quiz. The following free standing structure is unusual, this stone feature is normally to be found built into a wall - I have one in my own garden. Alas it is not historic, ours was built into our drystone wall at my request. They should be south facing, and many can still be found right across Britain today, some dating back as far as the 12th century. They can still be seen in the fortified walls of medieval towns, castles, monasteries and in the walled gardens of many stately homes or large properties.
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I have no idea. But quite distinctive.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving it a try William.
DeleteI give up already, but I love them.
ReplyDeleteThere are several around Bradford-on-Avon all made from stone apart from one which is an old red brick wall with six arched recesses, also Corsham and Box.
DeleteI have no idea but I will hazard a guess -- kitty cat hotels?
ReplyDeleteNow you have made me ask the question "did medieval people have pets?" and yes apparently they did.
DeleteI am totally stumped, Rosemary, so let me make a guess. Items were left in the compartments for the poor, perhaps by a religious order. As I said, pure guesswork.
ReplyDeleteI like your guess David and thank you for giving it a shot.
DeleteI believe they have other names but around here I've heard them called "bee boles" and they sheltered basketry "skeps", which were the traditional form of beehive. I took a photo of a man making bee skeps here:
ReplyDeletehttps://bystargooseandhanglands.blogspot.com/2011/08/quy-country-fair.html
I cannot fathom what they held, although if they were known to be south facing it must be something that needed lots of sunshine or would dry out faster? Whatever they are, the freestanding example is extraordinary! Rather like a fancy shoe rack :)
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you mention a shoe rack does bring to mind the shoe racks placed outside mosques to place your shoes before entering. Good thinking though.
DeleteAll I can think of is either chicken coops or shrines of some sort. Not something I've noticed before except high up for pigeons or roadside shrines abroad denoting fatal accidents.... nearest in appearance. I take it it's the alcove part.
ReplyDeleteIt is the alcove does contains the object - you have thought of lots of ideas Bob.
DeleteI think a clue must be in the fact it faces South. Could this be shelter for migrating birds, or even homing pigeons?
ReplyDeleteIt is a shelter Patricia but not for birds.
DeleteIf they are facing south - and are giving shelter - mmmh, a wild guess: something to grow plants, bulbs, or herbs from seeds or bulbs or cuttings, to protect them and after growing a bit being planted somewhere else?
ReplyDeletePlants would look very attractive in these recesses Britta but that is not what they were built to hold.
DeleteIt's a beautiful structure to have in your garden, Rosemary, but I have no idea what it might be for.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that it is one of those things that you know about only if you have come across one.
DeleteA land lease payment receptacle used in the Middle ages
ReplyDeleteSeveral other people have also suggested other interesting ideas too Gina.
DeleteIs it a bees hotel for solitary bees used for pollinating?
ReplyDeleteI do not know if second guesses are allowed - but I cannot resist the temptation: are they "holes" to put bee-hives into?
ReplyDeleteBee skeps are put inside
ReplyDeleteDear Rosemary - From the third image, I imagine holes for bees as apartment or hiding/evacuation places for small critters. But then from the last one, I’d place a flower pot to full sunlight or stone statue like “Jizo” for the protection of children and travelers. But the first and the second images puzzled me, so I give up. I really love British dry-stone walling. BTW, your talk of cataract surgery was so encouraging. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYoko