Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: squirrel

Kirkwall was first mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga in 1046, when it was recorded as the residence of Rögnvald Brusason, Earl of Orkney, who was killed by his uncle Thorfinn Sigurdsson (aka Thorfinn the Mighty) on the island of Stronsay. St Magnus Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Scotland and the most northerly cathedral in the United Kingdom - an example of architecture built when the islands were ruled by the Norse Earls of Orkney. In 1137 the cathedral was founded by Jarl Rögnvald Kali Kolsson. The church was entrusted to the patronage of Saint Magnus Erlendsson, an uncle of the founder. Before the Reformation, the cathedral belonged to the Archdiocese of Trondheim. After Orkney had become part of the Scottish kingdom, the cathedral was handed over to the burgh of Kirkwall in 1486. During the Reformation worship was reformed in 1560. However, unlike many churches in Scotland, there was no iconoclasm. Today, the cathedral is used by the Church of Scotland. The oldest parts of the cathedral are the transept, the choir and the east side of the nave. The cathedral was built in a mixture of northwest European, Romanesque-Norman and early Gothic styles. The east side ended in an apse in the 12th century. Only speculation is known about the west building. A double-towered facade is said to have been planned in the 13th century. The most recent parts of the cathedral are in the west. Detail of the choir stalls

The town became prominent in the 12th century, with the establishment of important Paisley Abbey. The Bargarran witches were tried in Paisley in 1697. Seven were convicted and five were hanged and then burnt. This was the last mass execution for witchcraft in western Europe. Paisley expanded significantly during the Industrial Revolution as a result of its location with access to the Clyde and nearby ore, mineral and agricultural resources. Factories and mills developed leading to an increase in the town's population. By the late 19th century, Paisley was a global centre of the weaving industry, giving its name to the Paisley shawl and the Paisley pattern. Despite being of a Kashmiri design, the teardrop-like pattern soon became known by Paisley's name across the western world. There had been a Celtic church on the site of the monastery since the 6th century, dating back to St Mirin. After his death a shrine to the Saint was established, becoming a popular site of pilgrimage and veneration. In 1163, Walter FitzAlan invited 13 Cluniac monks from Much Wenlock Priory in Shropshire to found a monastery on this site. From 1219, the establishment was run as an abbey and became In 1307, Edward I of England had the abbey burned down. It was rebuilt later in the 14th century. Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland married Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert I, in 1315, who died the following year in a riding accident near the abbey. However, her unborn child was saved and later crowned King of Scotland as Robert II. As he founded the ruling dynasty of the House of Stuart, the abbey is also regarded as their birthplace. A total of six High Stewards of Scotland are buried in Paisley Abbey. After the collapse of the bell tower in 1533 destroyed the aisles and transept of the church, they were not rebuilt. The abbey was dissolved in 1560 as part of the Scottish Reformation. The remaining parts of the church were then used as a parish church. In 1789, the church was repaired. In 1859, the first of a series of extensive restoration works began, returning the church to its original state over time. The choir stalls in Paisley Abbey were made and carved in the 1920s - and are populated with animals.

The first settlement to be established in the area was a Celtic town, which developed into the Roman city of Luguvalium in the 2nd century. Excavations undertaken in the 1970s dated the Roman timber fort constructed at the site of present Carlisle Castle to the winter of AD 73. It protected a strategic location on the Roman road to the north and overlooking the confluence of the Caldew and Eden rivers. By the time of the Norman Conquest of England, Carlisle was in the possession of the Scots. This changed in 1092, when William the Conqueror's son William Rufus invaded the region and incorporated Carlisle into England. The construction of Carlisle Castle began in 1093 on the site of the Roman fort. The conquest of Cumberland was the beginning of a war between Scotland and England which saw the region centred around Carlisle change hands a number of times. During the wars, the livelihood of the people on the borders was devastated by armies from both sides. Even when the countries were not at war, tension remained high. Groups named "Border Reivers" were raiders along the Anglo-Scottish border from the late 13th century to the beginning of the 17th century. Carlisle Cathedral was founded in 1122 as a community of canons. Construction of the church was begun by Athelwold, who became the first prior. In 1133 the church was elevated to cathedral status and Athelwold became the first Bishop of Carlisle. The building was renovated in the 13th and 14th centuries, with impetus given by the presence of the court of Edward I in 1307. In the 15th and early 16th centuries the monastic buildings were renewed. With the Dissolution of the Monasteries from 1536 and the establishment of the Church of England by Henry VIII as the official church of the country, the monasteries were dissolved and Carlisle Cathedral was run by a secular chapter. During the English Civil War part of the nave of the cathedral was demolished by the Scottish Presbyterian army to use the stones to reinforce Carlisle Castle. Between 1853 and 1870 Carlisle Cathedral was restored. The church was built in the Anglo-Norman style, but little of it remains. In the 13th century, construction began on a new three-aisled church in the Gothic style, which also had a transept. A fire damaged the church in 1292 and much of the work had to be restarted. Around 1350, the 9-panel chancel window was installed, which is still one of the largest in England. On the capital - a monkey, a squirrel and an owl

The Benedictian abbey Notre Dame in Déols had established a priory here in the 11th century. Located in the center of La Celle (pop 350) is Saint Blaise, the fromer priory´s church. It was erected in two phases (from east to west) during the 12th century. Flying buttresses had to be added in the 18th century, when the structure started to crack. The Benedictian abbey Notre Dame in Déols had established a priory here in the 11th century. Saint Blaise, the priory´s church, was erected in two phases (from east to west) during the 12th century. Flying buttresses had to be added in the 18th century, when the structure started to crack. Some enigmatic spolia of unknown origin have been integrated into the western facade. Here is one of the facade´s right side. Fighting, dancing, greeting men? The left one with a soccer ball, the right one with a squirrel in a box..? FROTO ARDUS??