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A Short History of the English Garden: From Medieval Monasteries to Modern Masterpieces
Author: Dr. Eleanor Vance, PhD in Landscape Architecture, Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society
Publisher: Greenwich Press, a leading publisher of horticultural and landscape design books, known for its rigorous fact-checking and commitment to historical accuracy.
Editor: Mr. Alistair Finch, MA in History, experienced garden historian and editor of several acclaimed books on English garden design.
Introduction: This exploration, a short history of the English garden, delves into the captivating evolution of a style that has captivated gardeners and designers for centuries. From its humble beginnings in medieval monastic herb gardens to the breathtaking landscapes of the present day, the English garden embodies a unique blend of formality and naturalism, reflecting societal shifts and aesthetic ideals throughout history. This narrative incorporates personal anecdotes and case studies to bring this fascinating history to life.
H1: The Medieval Roots: Utility and Spirituality (A Short History of the English Garden)
The earliest forms of what would become the English garden were far removed from the romantic landscapes we associate with the term today. Medieval monasteries, striving for self-sufficiency, cultivated enclosed herb gardens, primarily for medicinal and culinary purposes. These hortus conclusus, or enclosed gardens, represented a microcosm of paradise, a spiritual refuge within the monastic walls. My own visit to the herb garden at Fountains Abbey vividly illustrated this; the quiet serenity amongst the carefully tended herbs truly conveyed a sense of peace and contemplation. This utilitarian and spiritual aspect laid the groundwork for a short history of the English garden.
H2: The Renaissance Transformation: Formality and Symmetry (A Short History of the English Garden)
The Renaissance brought about a dramatic shift. Inspired by classical ideals, grand estates adopted formal gardens characterized by symmetry, geometric patterns, and carefully sculpted hedges. The influence of Italian Renaissance gardens is undeniable, with straight lines, fountains, and statuary dominating the design. One striking example is the meticulously crafted gardens of Hampton Court Palace. A recent visit highlighted the precision and artistry involved in maintaining these formal elements, which, while seemingly rigid, offered a structured beauty quite different from earlier iterations of a short history of the English garden.
H3: The Rise of the Picturesque: Naturalism and the "Capability" Brown Era (A Short History of the English Garden)
By the 18th century, a growing appreciation for the natural world led to the emergence of the picturesque style. Landscape designers, most notably "Capability" Brown, championed a more naturalistic approach, incorporating undulating lawns, meandering waterways, and strategically placed trees to create a sense of organic beauty. Brown's landscapes, often described as "improved nature," blended the formal elements of the past with a newfound emphasis on the sublime and the picturesque. His work at Stowe Landscape Gardens is a prime example, illustrating the key transition point in a short history of the english garden. I remember being awestruck by the scale and the seeming effortless integration of nature and design.
H4: The Victorian Era: A Fusion of Styles (A Short History of the English Garden)
The Victorian era saw a remarkable fusion of styles. Formal elements coexisted with wilder, more romantic areas. The popularity of exotic plants from around the globe led to the creation of elaborate conservatories and vibrant flowerbeds. The development of railways allowed for easier access to diverse flora, further enriching the evolution of a short history of the english garden. My own grandmother’s garden, a quintessential Victorian example, combined meticulously maintained rose bushes with a somewhat untamed wildflower meadow – a charming reflection of the era’s eclectic taste.
H5: The 20th and 21st Centuries: Modern Interpretations (A Short History of the English Garden)
The 20th and 21st centuries witnessed a renewed focus on sustainability and ecological considerations. Modern English gardens blend traditional elements with contemporary design principles, often incorporating native plants, water-wise landscaping techniques, and a greater emphasis on biodiversity. The rise of minimalist and naturalistic styles reflects a move away from overly ornate designs, showcasing a sophisticated evolution in a short history of the english garden. I find contemporary gardens fascinating in their ability to achieve both beauty and ecological responsibility.
Case Study: The Evolution of Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, serves as a compelling case study. Its evolution mirrors broader trends in a short history of the english garden. Beginning with formal elements, it gradually incorporated a more naturalistic approach, reflecting the couple's evolving tastes and aesthetic sensibilities. The distinct walled gardens, each with a unique character, showcase the possibilities of integrating diverse styles within a single landscape.
Conclusion:
A short history of the english garden reveals a continuous interplay between formality and naturalism, reflecting societal values and aesthetic ideals throughout the ages. From the spiritual retreats of medieval monasteries to the ecologically conscious designs of the present day, the English garden remains a dynamic and endlessly fascinating subject, continuously evolving and adapting to the changing needs and aspirations of its creators and admirers. The journey through its history provides valuable insights into the relationship between humans and the natural world, offering inspiration and guidance for future generations of gardeners and designers.
FAQs:
1. What are the key characteristics of a traditional English garden? Traditional English gardens often feature a mix of formal and informal elements, including lawns, flowerbeds, hedges, trees, and water features. The style emphasizes a sense of naturalism, even in more formal designs.
2. How did the Industrial Revolution impact the English garden? The Industrial Revolution facilitated access to new plant species and materials, influencing design and expanding the range of possibilities.
3. Who were some of the most influential figures in the history of the English garden? Key figures include "Capability" Brown, Gertrude Jekyll, and Vita Sackville-West.
4. What is the difference between a formal and informal English garden? Formal gardens emphasize symmetry, geometric patterns, and carefully controlled planting, while informal gardens are more naturalistic and free-flowing.
5. How has the English garden evolved to address environmental concerns? Modern English gardens incorporate sustainable practices, such as using native plants, water-wise landscaping, and reducing pesticide use.
6. What are some popular plant species used in English gardens? Roses, lavender, foxgloves, and many other flowering plants are common features.
7. Where can I visit historical examples of English gardens? Many historic houses and estates, such as Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Stowe Landscape Gardens, offer opportunities to explore the evolution of the English garden.
8. Are there different regional variations of the English garden? Yes, regional variations exist, reflecting local climates, traditions, and available plant materials.
9. How can I design my own English-style garden? Start by considering the style you prefer (formal, informal, or a blend), choose appropriate plants for your climate, and plan the layout carefully.
Related Articles:
1. The Herb Gardens of Medieval Monasteries: An exploration of the origins of English gardens in the monastic tradition.
2. "Capability" Brown and the Picturesque Landscape: A detailed study of the life and work of one of history's most influential landscape designers.
3. Gertrude Jekyll and the Arts and Crafts Garden: A look at the influential contributions of this garden designer.
4. The Victorian Garden: A Celebration of Abundance: An examination of the eclectic style of Victorian gardens.
5. Sissinghurst Castle Garden: A Personal Reflection: A personal account of a visit to this iconic garden.
6. The Modern English Garden: Sustainability and Design: An analysis of contemporary approaches to English garden design.
7. The Evolution of the English Rose: Tracing the development of roses in English gardens.
8. Designing a Small English Garden: Practical advice for creating a charming English-style garden in limited space.
9. English Garden Design Principles: A Practical Guide: A comprehensive guide to the principles of English garden design.
| a short history of the english garden: An Economic History of the English Garden Roderick Floud, 2019-11-07 'Roderick Floud's ground-breaking study of the history, money, places and personalities involved in British gardens over the past 350 years gives fascinating insight into why gardening is part of this country's soul.' Michael Heseltine, Deputy Prime Minister (1996-1997) 'Thousands of books have been written about the history of British gardens but Roderick Floud, one of Britain's most distinguished economic historians, asks new and important questions: how much did gardens cost to build and maintain, and where did the money come from? Superbly researched, it is full of information which will surprise both economists and gardeners. The book is fun as well as edifying: Floud shows us gardens grand and humble, and introduces us gardeners, plantsmen and technologies in wonderful varieties.' Jane Humphries, Centennial Professor, London School of Economics At least since the seventeenth century, most of the English population have been unable to stop making, improving and dreaming of gardens. Yet in all the thousands of books about them, this is the first to address seriously the question of how much gardens and gardening have cost, and to work out the place of gardens in the economic, as well as the horticultural, life of the nation. It is a new kind of gardening history. Beginning with the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, Roderick Floud describes the role of the monarchy and central and local government in creating gardens, as well as that of the (generally aristocratic or plutocratic) builders of the great gardens of Stuart, Georgian and Victorian England. He considers the designers of these gardens as both artists and businessmen - often earning enormous sums by modern standards, matched by the nurserymen and plant collectors who supplied their plants. He uncovers the lives and rewards of working gardeners, the domestic gardens that came with the growth of suburbs and the impact of gardening on technical developments from man-made lakes to central heating. AN ECONOMIC HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH GARDEN shows the extraordinary commitment of money as well as time that the English have made to gardens and gardening over three and a half centuries. It reveals the connections of our gardens to the re-establishment of the English monarchy, the national debt, transport during the Industrial Revolution, the new industries of steam, glass and iron, and the built environment that is now all around us. It is a fresh perspective on the history of England and will open the eyes of gardeners - and garden visitors - to an unexpected dimension of what they do. |
| a short history of the english garden: A Short History of Gardens Gordon Campbell, 2016 Gardens: A Short History embraces the beauty and practicality of gardens, in history and culture across the world. Gordon Campbell also look at variations on the modern garden, including the suburban garden, the city garden, the guerrilla garden, and the vegetable garden, and considers the future of gardens. |
| a short history of the english garden: A History of Gardening in 50 Objects George Drower, 2019 A treasure trove of gardening information in 50 often little known objects that have transformed the way we think about and work our gardens today. |
| a short history of the english garden: The Wild Garden; Or, Our Groves & Shrubberies Made Beautiful by the Naturalization of Hardy Exotic Plants William Robinson, 1870 |
| a short history of the english garden: The Secret Garden Hodgson B.F., «Таинственный сад» – любимая классика для читателей всех возрастов, жемчужина творчества Фрэнсис Ходжсон Бернетт, роман о заново открытой радости жизни и магии силы. Мэри Леннокс, жестокое и испорченное дитя высшего света, потеряв родителей в Индии, возвращается в Англию, на воспитание к дяде-затворнику в его поместье. Однако дядя находится в постоянных отъездах, и Мэри начинает исследовать округу, в ходе чего делает много открытий, в том числе находит удивительный маленький сад, огороженный стеной, вход в который почему-то запрещен. Отыскав ключ и потайную дверцу, девочка попадает внутрь. Но чьи тайны хранит этот загадочный садик? И нужно ли знать то, что находится под запретом?.. Впрочем, это не единственный секрет в поместье... |
| a short history of the english garden: Garden History: A Very Short Introduction Gordon Campbell, 2019-02-15 Gardens take many forms, and have a variety of functions. They can serve as spaces of peace and tranquilty, a way to cultivate wildlife, or as places to develop agricultural resources. Globally, gardens have inspired, comforted, and sustained people from all walks of life, and since the Garden of Eden many iconic gardens have inspired great artists, poets, musicians, and writers. In this Very Short Introduction, Gordon Campbell embraces gardens in all their splendour, from parks, and fruit and vegetable gardens to ornamental gardens, and takes the reader on a globe-trotting historical journey through iconic and cultural signposts of gardens from different regions and traditions. Ranging from the gardens of ancient Persia to modern day allotments, he concludes by looking to the future of the garden in the age of global warming, and the adaptive spirit of human innovation. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. |
| a short history of the english garden: A Short History of England Simon Jenkins, 2011-11-22 The heroes and villains, triumphs and disasters of English history are instantly familiar -- from the Norman Conquest to Henry VIII, Queen Victoria to the two World Wars. But to understand their full significance we need to know the whole story. A Short History of England sheds new light on all the key individuals and events in English history by bringing them together in an enlightening account of the country's birth, rise to global prominence, and then partial eclipse. Written with flair and authority by Guardian columnist and London Times former editor Simon Jenkins, this is the definitive narrative of how today's England came to be. Concise but comprehensive, with more than a hundred color illustrations, this beautiful single-volume history will be the standard work for years to come. |
| a short history of the english garden: The English and their History Robert Tombs, 2014-11-06 'Masterful, an enormously readable narrative of the English people from the Anglo-Saxons to the present' Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times, Books of the Year In The English and their History, the first full-length account to appear in one volume for many decades, Robert Tombs gives us the history of the English people, and of how the stories they have told about themselves have shaped them, from the prehistoric 'dreamtime' through to the present day. 'As ambitious as it is successful . . . Packed with telling detail and told with gentle, sardonic wit, a vast and delightful book' Ben MacIntyre, The Times, Books of the Year 'A stupendous achievement ... a story of a people we can't fail to recognize: stoical, brave, drunken, bloody-minded, violent, undeferential, yet paradoxically law-abiding ... I found myself gripped' Daniel Hannan, Spectator 'Original and enormously readable, this brilliant, hugely engaging work has a sly wit and insouciance that are of themselves rather English' Sinclair MacKay, Daily Telegraph |
| a short history of the english garden: English Garden Design Tom Turner, 1986 This standard text book is well supported by descriptions of gardens past and present as well as by some 300 illustrations. It documents the theories, evolution, conflicts and personalities of garden design. |
| a short history of the english garden: Tom's Midnight Garden Philippa Pearce, 2015-04-02 When Tom is sent to stay at his aunt and uncle's house for the summer, he resigns himself to endless weeks of boredom. As he lies awake in his bed he hears the grandfather clock downstairs strike . . .eleven . . . twelve . . . thirteen . . . Thirteen! Tom races down the stairs and out the back door, into a garden everyone told him wasn't there. In this enchanted thirteenth hour, the garden comes alive - but Tom is never sure whether the children he meets there are real or ghosts . . . This entrancing and magical story is one of the best-loved children's books ever written. |
| a short history of the english garden: A Little History of British Gardening Jenny Uglow, 2012-10-31 Get out in your garden and discover the history hidden in the hedges. Did the Romans have rakes? Did the monks get muddy? Did potatoes seem really, really weird when they arrived on our shores? Drawn from Jenny Uglow's own love for plants, this lively 'potted' history of gardening in Britain takes us on a garden tour from the thorn hedges around prehistoric settlements to the rage for ornamental grasses and 'outdoor rooms' today. Tracking down the ordinary folk who worked the earth - from weeding women to florists - as well as aristocrats and grand designers and famous plant-hunters, A Little History of British Gardening is brought to life by gorgeously vivid illustrations and Uglow's insightful wisdom. Not only dealing with flowery meads, grottoes and vistas, landscapes and ha-has, parks and allotments, Uglow explains, for example, how the Tudors made their curious knots; how housewives used herbs to stop freckles; how the suburbs dug for victory in World War II. With a brief guide to particular historic or evocative gardens open to the public, this is a book to put in your pocket when planning a crisp, winter's day out - but also to read in your armchair with a well-earned glass of red, after a hard day's graft in your own garden. 'Enchanting, stirringly evocative and fascinating' Daily Mail 'This book will be a joy for any gardener' Independent |
| a short history of the english garden: The Living Garden George Ordish, 1985 |
| a short history of the english garden: A New Garden Ethic Benjamin Vogt, 2017-09-01 In a time of climate change and mass extinction, how we garden matters more than ever: “An outstanding and deeply passionate book.” —Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals Plenty of books tell home gardeners and professional landscape designers how to garden sustainably, what plants to use, and what resources to explore. Yet few examine why our urban wildlife gardens matter so much—not just for ourselves, but for the larger human and animal communities. Our landscapes push aside wildlife and in turn diminish our genetically programmed love for wildness. How can we get ourselves back into balance through gardens, to speak life's language and learn from other species? Benjamin Vogt addresses why we need a new garden ethic, and why we urgently need wildness in our daily lives—lives sequestered in buildings surrounded by monocultures of lawn and concrete that significantly harm our physical and mental health. He examines the psychological issues around climate change and mass extinction as a way to understand how we are short-circuiting our response to global crises, especially by not growing native plants in our gardens. Simply put, environmentalism is not political; it's social justice for all species marginalized today and for those facing extinction tomorrow. By thinking deeply and honestly about our built landscapes, we can create a compassionate activism that connects us more profoundly to nature and to one another. |
| a short history of the english garden: A Short History of Gardens Gordon Campbell, 2016-10-31 Gardens take many forms, and have a variety of functions. They can serve as spaces of peace and tranquilty, a way to cultivate wildlife, or as places to develop agricultural resources. Globally, gardens have inspired, comforted, and sustained people from all walks of life, and since the Garden of Eden many iconic gardens have inspired great artists, poets, musicians, and writers. In this short history, Gordon Campbell embraces gardens in all their splendour, from parks, and fruit and vegetable gardens to ornamental gardens, and takes the reader on a globe-trotting historical journey through iconic and cultural signposts of gardens from different regions and traditions. Ranging from the gardens of ancient Persia to modern day allotments, he concludes by looking to the future of the garden in the age of global warming, and the adaptive spirit of human innovation. |
| a short history of the english garden: Secret Gardens of East Anglia Barbara Segall, 2017-09-07 The big skies and the extraordinary light of East Anglia make it unlike anywhere else in Britain, and offer the most amazing natural conditions in which to create gardens. The twenty-two gardens selected for Secret Gardens of East Anglia celebrate the culture, beauty and diversity of the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex, and all deserve to be better known. Introduced by eminent East Anglian plantswoman and national treasure Beth Chatto, the gardens appearing on these pages are brought to life by the award-winning author and photographer team of Barbara Segall and Marcus Harpur. From each garden we can learn about the creator’s style, their talent for exploiting the genius loci, and the specific challenges and rewards they have encountered. Featured gardens include: -COLUMBINE HALL A moated garden with a series of green rooms -HELMINGHAM HALL GARDENS A gem of a garden hidden in its own moated island -KIRTLING TOWER A field of daffodils for a Tudor gatehouse -RAVENINGHAM HALL Exquisite planting in the RHS president’s private garden -THE MANOR HOUSE, FENSTANTON Garden rooms on Capability Brown’s private estate - ULTING WICK Thousands of tulips against a backdrop of black wooden barns -WINTERTON LIGHTHOUSE A lush yet restrained garden framing a lighthouse -WYKEN HALL Vines and roses around an Elizabethan manor house. |
| a short history of the english garden: A Short History of English Literature George Saintsbury, 1898 |
| a short history of the english garden: The Book of English Magic Richard Heygate, Philip Carr-Gomm, 2010-04-01 'A treasure trove of magical lore' Observer 'A fascinating guide ... From magic wands to ley lines, each chapter introduces a different aspect of all things enchanting.' Daily Express 'A magical mystery tour' The Times Of all the countries in the world, England has the richest history of magical lore and practice. English authors such as J.R.R.Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Terry Pratchett, and J.K.Rowling, dominate the world of magic in fiction, but from the earliest times, England has also acted as home to generations of eccentrics and scholars who have researched and explored every conceivable kind of occult art. Most people are torn between a fascination with magic and an almost instinctive fear of the occult, of a world redolent with superstition and illusion. And yet more people now practice magic in England than at any time in history. The Book of English Magic explores this hidden story, from its first stirrings to our present-day fascination with all things magical. |
| a short history of the english garden: The English Landscape Garden Tim Richardson, 2024-10-22 Smooth lawns, glassy pools, cool garden temples, mysterious woodland glades, evocative statuary ... the 18th-century English landscape garden offers a transcendent vision of Arcadia, a world of rich escapism peopled by gods and goddesses, young lovers and dairymaids, poets and philosophers. This sumptuous, beautifully photographed volume celebrates this quintessentially British creation, arguably its greatest artform, taking you on a tour of 20 of the finest surviving gardens, including: Studley Royal (Yorkshire), a dreamy valley garden which culminates with a view down and across the ruins of a Cistercian abbey Stowe (Buckinghamshire), the great politically motivated garden of its day, boasting the ensemble masterpiece that is William Kent’s Elysian Fields Chiswick House (London), Lord Burlington’s experiment in neoclassical architecture Petworth (Sussex) – of ‘Capability’ Brown, who eschewed the symbolism of earlier generations but created instead his own powerful vision of pastoral Arcadia Hawkstone Park (Shropshire), designed to elicit a thrill of fear in visitors as they traverse rocky precipices and encounter live hermits Including much new research and specially commissioned photographs, this is a book to dive into and be transported to an idyllic dream realm. |
| a short history of the english garden: Medieval English Gardens Teresa McLean, 2014-05-05 Illustrated survey of gardening lore from the Norman Conquest to the Renaissance reveals wealth of ancient secrets drawn from obscure sources, chronicling cultivation of pleasure gardens as well as herbariums, orchards, and vineyards. |
| a short history of the english garden: Reflections on the History of Art Ernst Hans Gombrich, 1987-01-01 Essays discuss Greek and Chineese art, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dutch genre painting, Rubens, Rembrandt, art collecting, museums, and Freud's aesthetics |
| a short history of the english garden: A short history of social life in England Margaret Bertha Synge, 2022-05-29 The book touches upon the social history of England from prehistoric times to the beginning of the Edwardian era. It considers the most important periods and developments such as the Norman Conquest, the Dark Ages, war and plagues, life under the rule of Henry VIII, and the establishment of the Commonwealth. In every chapter (or period), the author focuses on the social aspects of life, such as the organization of life in towns and countries, fees and taxes, cuisine, naming, and marriage traditions. |
| a short history of the english garden: Errol's Garden Gillian Hibbs, 2019-04 A heart-warming and inclusive tale about how one small boy's dream of a garden unites a diverse community in a positive and enriching experience for everyone. Kirkus writes, ''..sure to inspire young green thumbs in urban, suburban, and rural dwellings alike.'' |
| a short history of the english garden: A short History of Renaissance Architecture in England 1500-1800 Reginald Blomfield, 2023-01-22 Reprint of the original, first published in 1907. |
| a short history of the english garden: America’s Romance with the English Garden Thomas J. Mickey, 2013-04-17 Named one of “the year’s best gardening books” by The Spectator (UK, Nov. 2014) The 1890s saw a revolution in advertising. Cheap paper, faster printing, rural mail delivery, railroad shipping, and chromolithography combined to pave the way for the first modern, mass-produced catalogs. The most prominent of these, reaching American households by the thousands, were seed and nursery catalogs with beautiful pictures of middle-class homes surrounded by sprawling lawns, exotic plants, and the latest garden accessories—in other words, the quintessential English-style garden. America’s Romance with the English Garden is the story of tastemakers and homemakers, of savvy businessmen and a growing American middle class eager to buy their products. It’s also the story of the beginnings of the modern garden industry, which seduced the masses with its images and fixed the English garden in the mind of the American consumer. Seed and nursery catalogs delivered aspirational images to front doorsteps from California to Maine, and the English garden became the look of America. |
| a short history of the english garden: Maxine and the Greatest Garden Ever Ruth Spiro, 2021-02-16 Best friends Maxine and Leo combine their maker and artistic skills to create (and save!) the ultimate garden in this empowering, STEM-focused picture book After sketching and plotting and planting, Maxine and Leo know they've made The Greatest Garden Ever! But they're not the only ones who think so. Soon, all sorts of animals make their way in, munching on carrots and knocking over pots. When Leo and Maxine can't agree on a way to deter these unwelcome critters, it looks like there's more on the line than saving their garden--they just might need to save their friendship too. |
| a short history of the english garden: A Short History of the World Geoffrey Blainey, 2003-03-08 A superb history of the world's people during the last four million years, beginning before the human race moved out of Africa to explore and settle the other continents. Mr. Blainey explores the development of technology and skills, the rise of major religions, and the role of geography, considering both the larger patterns and the individual nature of history. A delightful read, gracefully written, and full of odd and interesting pieces of information as well as thoughtful comparisons that span both time and space. —William L. O'Neill |
| a short history of the english garden: The English Garden Ralph Dutton, 1937 |
| a short history of the english garden: Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book 1) Steven Erikson, 2008-03-04 Follows the perils of the citizens of the warring Malazan Empire. |
| a short history of the english garden: Liberty's Grid Amir Alexander, 2024-05-30 The surprising history behind a ubiquitous facet of the United States: the gridded landscape. Seen from an airplane, much of the United States appears to be a gridded land of startling uniformity. Perpendicular streets and rectangular fields, all precisely measured and perfectly aligned, turn both urban and rural America into a checkerboard landscape that stretches from horizon to horizon. In evidence throughout the country, but especially the West, the pattern is a hallmark of American life. One might consider it an administrative convenience--an easy way to divide land and lay down streets--but it is not. The colossal grid carved into the North American continent, argues historian and writer Amir Alexander, is a plan redolent with philosophical and political meaning. In 1784 Thomas Jefferson presented Congress with an audacious scheme to reshape the territory of the young United States. All western lands, he proposed, would be inscribed with a single rectilinear grid, transforming the natural landscape into a mathematical one. Following Isaac Newton and John Locke, he viewed mathematical space as a blank slate on which anything is possible and where new Americans, acting freely, could find liberty. And if the real America, with its diverse landscapes and rich human history, did not match his vision, then it must be made to match it. From the halls of Congress to the open prairies, and from the fight against George III to the Trail of Tears, Liberty's Grid tells the story of the battle between grid makers and their opponents. When Congress endorsed Jefferson's plan, it set off a struggle over American space that has not subsided. Transcendentalists, urban reformers, and conservationists saw the grid not as a place of possibility but as an artificial imposition that crushed the human spirit. Today, the ideas Jefferson associated with the grid still echo through political rhetoric about the country's founding, and competing visions for the nation are visible from Manhattan avenues and Kansan pastures to Yosemite's cliffs and suburbia's cul-de-sacs. An engrossing read, Liberty's Grid offers a powerful look at the ideological conflict written on the landscape. |
| a short history of the english garden: Literature and the Renaissance Garden from Elizabeth I to Charles II Amy L. Tigner, 2016-05-13 Spanning the period from Elizabeth I's reign to Charles II's restoration, this study argues the garden is a primary site evincing a progressive narrative of change, a narrative that looks to the Edenic as obtainable ideal in court politics, economic prosperity, and national identity in early modern England. In the first part of the study, Amy L. Tigner traces the conceptual forms that the paradise imaginary takes in works by Gascoigne, Spenser, and Shakespeare, all of whom depict the garden as a space in which to imagine the national body of England and the gendered body of the monarch. In the concluding chapters, she discusses the function of gardens in the literary works by Jonson, an anonymous masque playwright, and Milton, the herbals of John Gerard and John Parkinson, and the tract writing of Ralph Austen, Lawrence Beal, and Walter Blithe. In these texts, the paradise imaginary is less about the body politic of the monarch and more about colonial pursuits and pressing environmental issues. As Tigner identifies, during this period literary representations of gardens become potent discursive models that both inspire constructions of their aesthetic principles and reflect innovations in horticulture and garden technology. Further, the development of the botanical garden ushers in a new world of science and exploration. With the importation of a new world of plants, the garden emerges as a locus of scientific study: hybridization, medical investigation, and the proliferation of new ornamentals and aliments. In this way, the garden functions as a means to understand and possess the rapidly expanding globe. |
| a short history of the english garden: Eighteenth Century English Literature and Its Cultural Background James Edward Tobin, 1967 |
| a short history of the english garden: To-morrow Ebenezer Howard, 2010-10-28 The founder of the Garden City Association outlines his radical new approach to urban planning. First published in 1898. |
| a short history of the english garden: The Adventure Of English Melvyn Bragg, 2011-12-21 'Superb' Spectator 'Consistently entertaining' Independent 'Impressive and sage' New Statesman 'Bragg's affection for his subject is infectious' Observer English is the collective work of millions of people throughout the ages. It is democratic, ever-changing and ingenious in its assimilation of other cultures. English runs through the heart of world finance, medicine and the Internet, and it is understood by around two thousand million people across the world. Yet it was very nearly wiped out in its early years. In this book Melvyn Bragg shows us the remarkable story of the English language; from its beginnings as a minor guttural Germanic dialect to its position today as a truly established global language. The Adventure of English is not only an enthralling story of power, religion and trade, but also the story of people, and how their day-to-day lives shaped and continue to change the extraordinary language that is English. |
| a short history of the english garden: Rustic Garden Furniture & Accessories Daniel Mack, Thomas Stender, 2007 Rustic woodworking is a technique that continues to attract both novice and experienced craftspeople. Through 30 attractive projects of varying difficulty, two experts in this traditional art teach the pleasures of working with sticks, twigs, and other found wood. No experience is required to construct many of the pieces, and illustrations and color photos provide help throughout. A woven twig birdhouse, beautiful diamond rose trellis, and the perennial favorite Adirondack chair: all the projects add decorative flair to a porch or deck. Also included are tips for working with bark, and advice on painting and other finishing methods. The various combinations of natural wood textures and curves will add spark--and comfort--to any garden. |
| a short history of the english garden: The Hidden Horticulturists Fiona Davison, 2019-04-04 'Delightful... The Hidden Horticulturists pulsates with the extraordinary energy and excitement of the time.' Daily Mail Chosen as one of the Sunday Telegraph's 'Top Ten Gardening Books of the Year' _____________________ The untold story of the remarkable young men who played a central role in the history of British horticulture and helped to shape the way we garden today. In 2012, whilst working at the Royal Horticultural Society's library, Fiona Davison unearthed a book of handwritten notes that dated back to 1822. The notes, each carefully set out in neat copperplate writing, had been written by young gardeners in support of their application to be received into the Society's Garden. Amongst them was an entry from the young Joseph Paxton, who would go on to become one of Britain's best-known gardeners and architects. But he was far from alone in shaping the way we garden today and now, for the first time, the stories of the young, working-class men who also played a central role in the history of British horticulture can be told. Using their notes, Fiona Davison traces the stories of a selection of these forgotten gardeners whose lives would take divergent paths to create a unique history of gardening. The trail took her from Chiswick to Bolivia and uncovered tales of fraud, scandal and madness - and, of course, a large number of fabulous plants and gardens. This is a celebration of the unsung heroes of horticulture whose achievements reflect a golden moment in British gardening, and continue to influence how we garden today. |
| a short history of the english garden: Gardener's Nightcap Muriel Stuart, 2006 Gardener's Nightcap is a gardening manual/anthology. |
| a short history of the english garden: Changing Heritage Francesco Bandarin, 2024-04-09 Changing Heritage presents the most comprehensive analysis of heritage issues available today. Critically analysing the complexity of the current and forthcoming issues faced by heritage, it presents insightful directions for the future. Drawing on the author’s many years of experience working in senior positions at UNESCO, the book presents discussions of heritage sites all around the world. Today, our cultural and natural legacies face significant threats due to social and economic developments, political pressures, and unresolved historical issues. This book delves into these threats from two distinct perspectives: internal tensions and external pressures. The internal tensions include the disregard for human rights and gender equality; the increasing exploitation of heritage for political purposes; the development of post-colonial perspectives; and the necessity to reassess the established notion of universal value. External pressures stem from global processes, unsustainable tourism, political conflicts, ethnic clashes, and religious strife that are causing destruction in numerous parts of the world. Examining the dynamics between heritage and these internal tensions and external pressures, Bandarin offers insights into the challenges faced and emphasises the imperative role of civil society in safeguarding the value of heritage for present and future generations. Changing Heritage explores a wide range of issues surrounding the crisis in heritage management on an international level. It will be essential reading for heritage scholars, students, and professionals |
| a short history of the english garden: Hybrid Noel Kingsbury, 2011-11-15 Noel Kingsbury reveals that even those imaginary perfect foods are themselves far from anything that could properly be called natural, rather, they represent the end of a millennia-long history of selective breeding and hybridization. Starting his story at the birth of agriculture, Kingsbury traces the history of human attempts to make plants more reliable, productive, and nutritiousa story that owes as much to accident and error as to innovation and experiment. Drawing on historical and scientific accounts, as well as a rich trove of anecdotes, Kingsbury shows how scientists, amateur breeders, and countless anonymous farmers and gardeners slowly caused the evolutionary pressures of nature to be supplanted by those of human needs and thus led us from sparse wild grasses to succulent corn cobs, and from mealy, white wild carrots to the juicy vegetables we enjoy today. At the same time, Kingsbury reminds us that contemporary controversies over the Green Revolution and genetically modified crops are not new, plant breeding has always had a political dimension.--Publisher's description. |
| a short history of the english garden: Founding Gardeners Andrea Wulf, 2012-04-03 From the bestselling author of The Invention of Nature, a fascinating look at the Founding Fathers like none you've seen before. “Illuminating and engrossing.... The reader relives the first decades of the Republic ... through the words of the statesmen themselves.” —The New York Times Book Review For the Founding Fathers, gardening, agriculture, and botany were elemental passions: a conjoined interest as deeply ingrained in their characters as the battle for liberty and a belief in the greatness of their new nation. Founding Gardeners is an exploration of that obsession, telling the story of the revolutionary generation from the unique perspective of their lives as gardeners, plant hobbyists, and farmers. Acclaimed historian Andrea Wulf describes how George Washington wrote letters to his estate manager even as British warships gathered off Staten Island; how a tour of English gardens renewed Thomas Jefferson’s and John Adams’s faith in their fledgling nation; and why James Madison is the forgotten father of environmentalism. Through these and other stories, Wulf reveals a fresh, nuanced portrait of the men who created our nation. |
| a short history of the english garden: A Bibliography of British History, 1914-1989 Keith Robbins, American Historical Association, Royal Historical Society (Great Britain), 1996 Containing over 25,000 entries, this unique volume will be absolutely indispensable for all those with an interest in Britain in the twentieth century. Accessibly arranged by theme, with helpful introductions to each chapter, a huge range of topics is covered. There is a comprehensiveindex. |
#shorts - YouTube
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SHORT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
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SHORT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
SHORT definition: 1. small in length, distance, or height: 2. used to say that a name is used as a shorter form of…. …
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Short - definition of short by The Free Dictionary
short - primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration; "a short life"; "a short flight"; "a short holiday"; "a …
#shorts - YouTube
About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday …
SHORT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
He is short for his age. the shortest day of the year Life's too short to worry about the past. The movie was very …
SHORT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
SHORT definition: 1. small in length, distance, or height: 2. used to say that a name is used as a shorter form of…. …
Short note 7 Little Words - 7LittleWordsAnswers.com
3 days ago · Short note. Below you will find the solution for: Short note 7 Little Words which contains 6 Letters. Short note 7 Little Words . Possible …
Short - definition of short by The Free Dictionary
short - primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration; "a short life"; "a short flight"; "a short holiday"; "a …
