Future Posts - including the impact of the Black Death on Sherborne
I thought subscribers in Sherborne might be interested in a couple of other projects I'm working on, that will appear here in the coming months.
Firstly, utilising some research that is coming out through the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, which has examined the records from Winchcombe Abbey from the period around the Black Death (mid 14th Century). I'm looking at its references to Sherborne as a key estate and how Sherborne as a community owned by Winchcombe Abbey was affected by wars, pandemics and the national economy. I'll be drawing parallels with the challenges faced today, with National Trust finances being affected by wars, pandemics and the national economy. There are some interesting visible impacts on the landscape. This research reinforces my view that Sherborne was a jewel in the mediaeval English national economy, and the sheep washing and shearing which took place in the Sherborne Brook was a very significant economic engine. I think it's another argument to conserve the lakes here in Sherborne, as it emphasises Sherborne's national importance in the fascinating period of the 13th century. The research is showing that Winchcombe Abbey took some very specific measures here in Sherborne regarding the management of the landscape due to the loss of population in the Black Death that came here in at least three waves in 1348, 1361 and 1369. I've also discovered that Ampney Brook to our south had an interesting experience during this time, when the locals of Ampney St Mary blamed the Ampney Brook for spreading disease and moved their whole village away from the brook. Fascinating, especially given there is a suggestion here in Sherborne of "Deserted Medieval Village" (DMV) just to the south of Waterloo Bridge. To be clear, I'm not suggesting the same thing happened here as on the Ampney Brook, but it does prompt a thought.
There is a more difficult question relating to the time of the withdrawal of the Roman Empire that led to parts of Sherborne being abandoned and becoming derelict. That's a harder case to make, but I think we can still see signs and parallels of this in the local landscape.
Secondly, perhaps a little ambitiously, but aided by modern technology, I'm creating what I'm calling Open Heritage: Sherborne. This will be a free app/web page. You'll be presented with an interactive map of Sherborne. Links can be clicked directly from the screen of a mobile device, so essentially you can use it to accompany a walk or alternatively to conduct an imaginary walk through the Sherborne Landscape. The links will include photographs, both modern and historic, video clips, links to documents which provide historical context, perhaps even audio recreations - so as an example you can stand on the village road, above the cascade and hear the noises of the sheep washing occurring in the 1250s undertaken by all the residents of Sherborne accompanied by a verbal description. The app already includes the field names from the 1820s estate plan. I'm looking at ways to link in other material, such as links to historical environment records, of which there are several hundred in Sherborne, so all this data will be all in one place, easy to access and easy to experience. I have a few other ideas I'm trying to weave in there. Users will be able to add their own thoughts on locations and places with regard to the heritage of Sherborne via a simple interface. From various points, you'll be able to hold up your mobile device and see the photographs taken a hundred years ago from that same point to be able to compare it with the modern landscape. It's really to record in an interactive way this landscape that we live in and love so much. Bluntly, I'm making the point that we, the occupants, have a significant say in the heritage of Sherborne. The capability is independent of any specific ownership. The app is, to all intents, owned by us, the community. I already have a working prototype, but it will take me a few months to load the data. Happy to show it to anyone and I'm open to suggestions as to how to add further to it. I may release a beta in about two or three months' time to seek your comments on its usefulness or not. To be clear, it will be free to all users and has no commercial purpose at all.
As a taster, here's a screenshot of the prototype:
