Month: May 2017

Pairs of Menhirs

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I’ve had the pleasure of visiting two pairs of Menhirs in two days

The first is located just outside Drift in West Cornwall and is a great example of two Bronze Age Menhirs. Also known as The Sisters one of them is supposed to look like a lady in a cloak. IMG_4060

There are a number of pairs of Menhirs in the Penwith region but my second pair was located on Bodmin Moor at the Hurlers. This pair is called “The Pipers” (not to be confused with The Pipers near the Merry Maiden Circle in Penwith). These are aligned East-West through the two stones were positioned to mark the equinox.

IMG_5380

 

Rare pair of Astronomy themed tokens

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Tokens were issued in England from 1648. They were used to pay for goods and services – a replacement to coin. This was partly due to the country having no monarchy, Charles I having lost his head, leading to a republic headed up by Oliver Cromwell. How could England have coins when there was no monarchy to put on them? It was also due to the lack of coin available for people to use, leading them to make their own. The practice was outlawed in 1772.

A huge range of tokens were made but I know of only two with an astronomy link. One is in the British Museum  Issued in 1666 by Richard Berry it shows 3 men with astronomical instruments. Possibly depicting a pub called The Astronomers from the dockside in London.

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1242148&partId=1&searchText=Astronomy&page=1

The other was issued in Maidstone Kent by Thomas Swinoke and is in the image below. It shows 3 men one with a globe and 2 with scientific instruments, possibly telescopes. It is possible that it depicts the pub the Worlds End.


More information can be found on 17th-century tokens here http://www.thecoppercorner.com/history/17thC_hist.html