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Patrick Boyns

@patrickboyns

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I very rarely post pictures – sorry, but I’d like to do better. I think I’d do better with ‘Procrastagram’ 🧐

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It’s hard to believe that it’s been 1382 years since the Battle of Maserfield, but then time does fly by so swiftly.

Somewhere in the vicinity of Oswestry, Shropshire, on 5th August 641, King Oswald of Northumbria (a jolly decent chap) was defeated by King Penda of Mercia (a frightfully indecent cad) in a battle that proved, once again, that the good chaps don’t always win.

Indeed, this particularly good chap was not only defeated, but also dismembered, having his head and arms mounted on poles. These were later removed – the body parts, not the poles (though one has no idea what happened to them) – and buried in various locations.

According to Bede, his body was buried in Beardaneu monastery (Bardney Abbey) in Lincolnshire. Later his arms were buried in Bamborough, and his head in the cemetery of the church of Lindisfarne. In the early 10th century his body was moved to Gloucester to keep it safe from the villainous Vikings.

Oswald was regarded as a saintly king. Bede wrote that “he ended his life in prayer; for when he was beset with the weapons of his enemies, and perceived that death was at hand, he prayed for the souls of his army. Whence it is proverbially said, ‘“Lord have mercy on their souls,” said Oswald, as he fell to the ground.’”

Bede wrote of the place where he was killed, which apparently became greener and more beautiful than any other part of the field:

“How great his faith was towards God, and how remarkable his devotion, has been made evident by miracles even after his death; for, in the place where he was killed by the pagans, fighting for his country, sick men and cattle are frequently healed to this day. Whence it came to pass that many took up the very dust of the place where his body fell, and putting it into water, brought much relief with it to their friends who were sick. This custom came so much into use, that the earth being carried away by degrees, a hole was made as deep as the height of a man.”

Incidentally, the name of the Shropshire town of Oswestry is likely derived from the Old English for “Oswald’s Tree” or “Oswald’s Cross” … and not a lot of people know that! by @patrickboyns

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3 years ago

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"

It having been far too long since we baked a battle memorial cake (BMC), Edmund and I decided that it would be fitting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with this BMC Mk4.

The 15th September 1940 was the climax of this pivotal battle and is remembered each year as Battle of Britain Day. This was also the date on which June and I were wed, 36 years ago. I'm sure she would have been delighted with this cake too - Edmund certainly is 🤓 taken in Eye Village by @patrickboyns

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6 years ago

Just a few pictures from my walk around the cloisters this morning – such a beautiful morning #thankfulness #sunshine #cathedral #cloisters #peterborough #museide taken in Peterborough Catherderal by @patrickboyns

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7 years ago

A fascinating visit to a most bizarre site .. the Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre in Liverpool #museide #liverpool #tunnels taken in Williamson Tunnels by @patrickboyns

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7 years ago

My stroll through the cloisters at @peterborough_cathedral in the glorious sunshine this morning #peterborough #peterboroughuk #museide #cathedral #cloisters taken in Peterborough Cathedral by @patrickboyns

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7 years ago

A few pics from a brief stop on my way south earlier this week .. #englishcastle #ancientruins by @patrickboyns

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8 years ago

A few pictures from our visit to Limburg this afternoon #Limburg #germany🇩🇪 taken in Limburg an der Lahn by @patrickboyns

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8 years ago

Just stopped to explore a few turrets along a western section of Hadrian’s Wall c. AD 122 #hadrianswall #romanruins #turrets taken in Brampton, Cumbria, United Kingdom by @patrickboyns

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8 years ago

A few moments at Fotheringhay on my way home this afternoon. #fotheringhay #fotheringhaycastle #kingrichardiii #richardthethird #houseofyork #autumncolours taken in Fotheringhay Castle by @patrickboyns

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8 years ago

Following a jolly hectic four weeks across the Pond, I arrived back in Old Blighty earlier today and was met by Haven (who had brought along Shanae & Spencer and was also accompanied by Aubrey & Sara). I have just now arrived home in Peterborough. To all who assisted in my travels, I thank you. I did not make it into either Oklahoma or Texas, and there were also others I did not get to see that I had hoped to. Next time .. and before another 6 years! #safelyhome #backinoldblighty taken in Heathrow Terminal 3 by @patrickboyns

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8 years ago

Sunrise in Marysville #sunrise #bythepond #ohio #marysville by @patrickboyns

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8 years ago

Yesterday’s tour of the Ohio State House #ohio #columbus #englishmaninamerica taken in Columbus, Ohio by @patrickboyns

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8 years ago