Aylsham
Aylsham lies approximately 10 miles north of
Norwich. Aylsham town sign features John of Gaunt, the 1st
Duke of Lancaster (1340-1399) who was an absentee Lord
of the Manor in the town.
 John of Gaunt appears in
Shakespeare's play Richard II and his death-bed
soliloquy is one of the most famous in English theatre.
Here is a passage:
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This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden - demi-paradise -
This fortress built by nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in a silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall,
Or as a moat defensive to a house |
Both Daniel Defoe and Parson Woodforde dined at the
Black Boys Inn in Aylsham - in 1732 and 1781 respectively.
Humphry Repton - who designed Sheringham Hall and park -
is buried in the churchyard. He composed his own epitaph:
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'Not like Egyptian tyrants consecrate,
Unmixed with others shall my dust remain;
But mold'ring, blending, melting into earth
Mine shall give form and colour to the Rose,
And while its vivid blossoms cheer Mankind,
Its perfumed odours shall ascend to Heaven.' |
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Grave of Humphry Repton
Aylsham is also home to the poet and editor Michael
Mackmin. In 1984 he established The Rialto with
John Wakeman and the magazine has been one of the most
highly respected poetry journals every since. It
attracts submissions from around the world and its
A4 format and use of illustrations makes it
visually distinctive. Michael's most recent collection of
poems is entitled Twenty-Three Poems and was
published in 2006. By day Michael works as a Gestalt
therapist.
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Links:
St. Michael's Church
The Rialto
Visit Aylsham |
Supported
by Norfolk Tourism