We walked into town this morning on various errands, and took the three photos on the way back. The above is of the King's Head, which has become almost completely a restaurant (albeit a quite good one) over the last few years.
Above is a snapshot of the George, which has remained a popular public house, although I believe bar meals are served. The pub sign ( worth enlarging) is a fairly spirited rendering of a portrait of his late Majesty King George the second- in half armour . I could quote you several derogatory rhymes about him (George the first was always reckoned vile - but viler George the second) but he does carry the distinction of being the last English King to have personally led his troops into battle (Dettingen, if memory serves - I must look it up). The building itself, of course, predates George's reign by about three centuries.
The snapshot below illustrates the character of our town. Often one of us will say "I'll just nip into town. Shan't be long", knowing that it is impossible to 'just nip into town' without meeting friends who will want to stop, chat, and exchange the town news and gossip; and this, of course, always takes longer than expected. The group in the doorway below are Ann, and our friends John and Milly, sheltering from the cold in a doorway whilst chattering happily. It's a lovely town. We've been here now for eighteen years, which is the longest we've lived anywhere, and I can quite see why.
4 comments:
No cobwebs in your Memory dear Bruv,
Battle: Dettingen
War: War of the Austrian Succession or King George’s War.
Date: 27th June 1743.
Place: Dettingen was fought in South West Germany on the North bank of the Main river some 70 miles East of Frankfurt and 3 miles West of Aschaffenburg.
Combatants: The Pragmatic Army comprising British, Hanoverians and Austrians against a French Army.
Generals: George II, King of England and Elector of Hanover, Earl of Stair, Marshall Konigseck, Duc D’Ahremburg, General Ilton (Hanover). The French were commanded by the Duc de Noailles and the force that crossed the Main was commanded by the Comte de Grammont.
Size of the Armies: 70,000 French and 50,000 British and allied troops.
Winner: Pragmatic Army
18 years is a long time in a doorway.
I thought the Pragmatic Army was defeated by the Dogmatic Army in the Battle of Hertzen-Meinz? Deployment of a battallion of single-minded Dachsunds was the turning point.
Rog, you must remember that a great many nationalities in that area (one has only to think of the Alsatians and the Dalmatians) were very dogged opponents.
Cheers Rog,
You tell a most amusing tail... you're such a wag! I suspect the battle of Hertzen-Meinz has still to be won since there are always as many sides as there are combatants... and no shortage of new troops joining in. I think if there had been any badgers on the field at Dettingen perhaps a battalion of Dachs Hunds would have sorted them out - along with any sausages in the field-kitchens.
Post a Comment