As can be seen from the map below The Isle of Oxney was once, really, an island in the nascent Romney Marsh area of Kent (my "Little Corner"). Before the Marsh was drained ("inned" in middle English) this was the vast estuary of three rivers, Rother, Tillingham and Brede.
The name of the island is, in fact, a tautology. Oxney in Old English meant "Oxen Island", so we now are calling it "The Isle of Oxen Island". But an interesting story is attached.
In the late 18th century excavations under the south transept of the church of Stone-in-Oxney revealed a Roman altar about 3 feet high. It is known that early Christian churches were often built on the site of Roman temples and the altar, although heavily weathered, once had depictions of a bull on all four sides. Naturally thoughts at the time turned to the worship of Mithras, but it wasn't "his" bull and has since been related to Apis, a bull-worship that came with the Romans from Egypt.
At that time the locals did not want a pagan object in their church so it was removed down to the site of the old Ferry House Inn, which originally was the only way across to the mainland. The ring at the bottom of the stone was probably added at that time to secure horses when calling at the inn. Eventually after much weathering a more enlightened time rescued it and it is now displayed once more, with pride, in the church.
So, where did it come from? It was made from Kentish ragstone , the nearest quarry being near the Roman Saxon Shore fortress, (Portus Lemanis) near Hythe (see map). Why was it there? Does the island's name give a clue? Were oxen reared there and worshipped as Apis? The small village of Stone-in-Oxney takes its name from it.
Topography and history again! (and where a jaunt on an ebike can take you)
13 comments:
Super post...more of the riddles of history.
It is great that one can revisit earlier times. Too often, I feel, interesting facets of history are lost in modern developments, leading to tawdry simplification. A very interesting post.
Helen:
Welcome to my blog and thanks for your comment. I like comments, they show that people are reading my stuff and are prepared to give an opinion; negative or positive!
Tom:
Good to hear from you once more. Have you all settled into your new home now?
Well, still settling would be nearer the mark. We have gone through two months of arranging, rearranging, flat-packing [oh joy!] and generally getting to know the area. [Actually, we're thoroughly enjoying ourselves. Off (all three of us) to Cancale on the northern Brittany coast, east of St. Malo for a fish-food-fest on monday - my birthday.]
Tom:
My best wishes for Monday, then. Have a good one! (as they say in Oz)
Is it a sign of enlightenment to display a pagan doo-dah in what I presume is a CofE church? Ecumenicism, perhaps? And in an extreme form?
But never mind. I'm sorry that bull-worship went out of fashion and didn't spread to Spain. Anything that promoted the idea that bulls could come out on top would surely have had a modifying effect on Spanish sport. You know, the one where they think it's fun to open up the proceedings of the abbatoir to the public, and charge for the privilege.
RR:
Well, I suppose you could link in its presence at the church with the manger and oxen and asses of the nativity story (or not).
I don't think I could ever endure a Spanish bull fight (bull slaughter might be more appropriate), but it is thought that Apis worship, too, involved ceremonial sacrifice and burial of the bull.
Portland used to have a club they called the MAC club, but which they now just call MAC, because someone noticed (and pointed it out) that they were calling it the Multomah Athletic Club club. Eventually they dropped the second club.
Oh, you're back! I just popped in on the off-chance. And your posts are very interesting - it was lovely to see a photo of your Australian daughter, whose blog I used to read (as long as she wrote it).
Pam:
Hello again, good to see you. Yes, I was missing blogging. Gave it up over a year ago 'cos readers seemed to be getting fewer (blogging seems to have been overtaken by the more "instant" ways that do not take time and consideration).
My Daughter-in-Oz stopped doing hers and now uses Instagram, which I can view but not post on as I use a PC and don't have a Smart(?)phone.
Good to read your blog. Its an interesting area where you live and often gets overlooked as a place to visit. A few years ago we purposely spent 2 weeks in Kent for the very reason that we had only ever driven through it. Electric bikes are the way to go as we get older as they still allow you to join in club rides or just tootle around. Several members in our club now have them and without them we would miss their company. Our oldest is 87 and he's loves it. I will be back again to read your blog.
Good to hear from a kindred spirit Dave and welcome to my blog. Yes, ebikes enable us older, decrepit cyclists to continue to get out and about. I am a member of the Veteran-Cycle Club and even there some members are having to resort to electricity, reluctantly only keeping their classic and vintage bikes for display.
Avus, good for you, and I'm sure the sales of e bikes in the next 5 + years will rocket. Yes KBO. Our club is Spokes and is a CTC club but we are non geographical. All the best.
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