Our day in Grantham

We had a wonderfully late start this morning. The school van left at 10:30 for Grantham, so it was a great morning to sleep in. We awoke to sunshine, but regretfully the clouds did manage to breakout off and on and off and on. But, that is how the weather appears to be here. We toured St. Wulfram Church today. We started the tour in the Trigge Library, which is a chained library and one of five still left. It is located in the church, up a very narrow circular stone staircase. The books are actually chained to the bookshelves.
The church was a remarkable example of different building styles blended together. St. Wulfram was a French Bishop, born in the 7th century and never set foot in England. The church was originally built in the Norman style, in the 1100's there was a change to a French Style, then on to English perpendicular (Gothic) around 1260. It was built over a time span of 200 years. In the old Norman Church, what is now the entrance area would have been a marketplace. In the 1500's a Lady Chapel was built, the stained glass had more flowers, and the tracery on the window was in the shape of a butterfly. The alter cloth in the Lady chapel was designed by the local children at the church.

We visited the Crypt Chapel below, which was a 14th century chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinty.

In the visitors center of the church, which may have been the original entrance, was a shield bearing Queen Elizabeth's coat of arms presented for her 80th birthday.

Speaking of birthdays, I am now at the half century mark!

Sir Issac Newton attended school in Grantham, as did Margaret Thatcher.

We had fish and chips for lunch, the portions were more than gererous.

After lunch we broke into smaller groups and had the rest of the day free to shop, tour, or relax until class tonight.

As a birthday faux paus I spent way too many pounds!

By the way it is just lovely outside right now.