THE CELTS: It was the CELTS that wore horned helmets

 

 

 

 

THE CELTS:  It was the CELTS that wore horned helmets: Exhibition reveals the history and stunning beauty of ancient Celtic culture Exhibition, called Celts: Art and Identity, will begin in London in September and continue in Edinburgh in March Hoard of gold torcs, religious objects such as an intricately carved cross and rare mirrors will go on show Horned helmet dating to between 100BC shows the Celts invented the design, associated with the Vikings It will be the first major British exhibition in 40 years to tell the story of the Celts through the stunning objects Many people think the Vikings invented the distinctive horned helmet, but in fact it was the handiwork of the Celts. A forthcoming exhibition at the British Museum aims to iron out myths surrounding the Celtic people and will use extraordinary objects to tell their story. They will include a hoard of gold torcs, a rare gilded cross and Iron Age mirrors, among other highly decorative finds. A forthcoming exhibition at the British Museum aims to iron out myths surrounding the Celtic people and will use extraordinary objects to tell their story. This horned helmet dating to between 150 and 50 BC, which was found in the River Thames is one star of the show. Julia Farley, of British Museum, said: 'I think the Celts have got a pretty solid claim to the quintessential horned helmet' The exhibition, called Celts: Art and Identity, will begin in London in September and continue in Edinburgh in March 2016. It will be the first major British exhibition in 40 years to tell the story of the Celts through the stunning objects they made. While the world 'Celtic' is associated with the cultures of Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Cornwall, the name 'Celt' was coined in around 500 BC. The ancient Greeks used it to refer to people living all across northern Europe whom they considered outsiders and barbarians.   The exhibition, called Celts: Art and Identity, will begin in London in September and continue in Edinburgh in March 2016. It will include a hoard of gold torcs, a rare gilded cross and Iron Age mirrors (shown left), among other highly decorative finds such as the brooch on the right, which was found in south west Scotland and is thought to have been made in around 800AD +14 While the world 'Celtic' is associated with the cultures of Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Cornwall, the name Celts was coined in around 500 BC. The ancient Greeks used it to refer to people living all across northern Europe whom they considered outsiders and barbarians. This is despite the creation of beautiful objects such as the Gundestrup Cauldron from northern Denmark THE HORNED HELMET The Iron Age horned helmet dates to between 150 and 50 BC. It was dredged from the River Thames at Waterloo Bridge in the early 1860s. It's the only Iron Age helmet to have ever been found in southern England and it is the only Iron Age helmet with horns ever to have been found anywhere in Europe. Horns were often a symbol of the gods in different parts of the ancient world. This might suggest the person who wore this was a special person or that the helmet was made for a god to wear. Experts are unsure whether the helmet was made for battle or more ceremonial purposes. The helmet's made from sheet bronze pieces held together with rivets and is decorated in the style of La Tène art used in Britain between 250 and 50 BC. It's thought it was also once decorated with studs of bright red glass. While the disparate groups that made up the Celts left few written records in the early Bronze Age, pieces of stylised art are testament to their culture and marked from apart from the classical world. The exhibition will include a horned helmet dating to between 150 and 50 BC, which was discovered in the Thames near Waterloo Bridge in the early 1860s. It's the only Iron Age helmet to have ever been found in southern England, and indeed the only Iron Age helmet with horns ever to have been found anywhere in Europe. Julia Farley, curator of European Iron Age collections at the British Museum told The Times that there is evidence on the Grundestrup collection that the Celts wore such helmets. But there's none to support the popular view that the Vikings wore horned helmets in the 8th century. 'I think the Celts have got a pretty solid claim to the quintessential horned helmet'. 'This helmet is clearly something that's been used to intimidate,' she said, adding that it was probably worn by a warrior. 'I think this is a way for people to exaggerate their status in a context to do with war.' Experts are divided about whether the helmet, which is made from sheet bronze pieces held together with rivets, would have been worn in battle, or was intended for ceremonial purposes. They think it would have been shiny and was once decorated with studs of bright red glass. A hoard of gold torcs found at Blair Drummond in Stirling in 2009 will also go on show. The stiff necklaces were found by a metal detectorist buried inside a timber building, which was probably a shrine. The four torcs, made between 300 and 100 BC, show widespread connections across Iron Age Europe. This Iron Age mirror is one of the artifacts in exhibition     It will be the first major British exhibition in 40 years to tell the story of the Celts through the stunning objects they made, from intricate jewellery to religious artefacts. The Battersea Shield is shown left, dating to between 350 and 500BC, a painted pop from Clemont-Ferrand painted in around 100 BC is shown centre and the Tully Lough Cross is shown right +14 Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum said 'New research is challenging our preconception of the Celts as a single people, revealing the complex story of how this name has been used and appropriated over the last 2,500 years.' An image of The Riders of the Sidhe, depitcting a romaticised view of  the Celts, is shown Two are made from spiralling gold ribbons, a style characteristic of Scotland and Ireland, while another is a style found in south-western France. The final torc is a mixture of Iron Age details with embellishments on the terminals typical of Mediterranean workshops, showing technological skill and a familiarity with exotic styles. While the Romans never referred to Britons as Celtic, during their occupation, the objects Celts made started to express new ideas, such as Christianity. The exhibition will include iron hand-bells used to call the faithful to prayer, elaborately illustrated gospel books telling the story of Jesus's life, and beautifully carved stone crosses that stood as beacons of belief in the landscape. +14 The St Chad gospels circa AD 700-800 (pictured) is one of the rare objects from across the British Isles and Europe that will be going on display in a major joint exhibition in England and Scotland exploring just who the Celts were +14 +14 Two rare Iron Age mirrors – one found in England and the other in Scotland – will go on show as a Spotlight tour with partner museums across the UK. The Desborough Mirror, found in Northampton that dates to between 50 BC and 50 AD is shown left, while the mirror on the right is known as the Holcombe Mirror, found in Devon and is around the same age REFLECTING ON THE CELTS Two rare Iron Age mirrors – one found in England and the other in Scotland – will go on show as a Spotlight tour with partner museums across the UK. Metal mirrors with a polished reflective surface on one side and swirling designs on the reverse were first made in around 100 BC. They were only made in Britain. Two thousand years ago, these mirrors might have held a special kind of power in a world where reflections could otherwise only be glimpsed in water. An exceptionally rare gilded bronze processional cross from Tully Lough, in Ireland, made between 700 and 800AD, will be displayed in Britain for the first time. Celtic designs such as three-legged swirls and crescent shapes are etched upon it as well as geometric motifs that echo Roman designs and interlaced designs inspired by the Anglo Saxons. The name Celtic was coined in the early 1700s to describe the languages of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man. A variation of the word used by the ancient Greeks to describe outsiders, became used by people to embrace their distinctive local identities. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum said: 'New research is challenging our preconception of the Celts as a single people, revealing the complex story of how this name has been used and appropriated over the last 2,500 years. 'While the Celts are not a distinct race or genetic group that can be traced through time, the word "Celtic" still resonates powerfully today, all the more so because it has been continually redefined to echo contemporary concerns over politics, religion and identity.' +14 +14 A rare pony cap, which would have been worn by a horse, possibly in battle, is shown left. It was unearthed in Torrs, south-west Scotland and was made up to 5,000 years ago. The Iron Age coin on the right was discovered in Berkshire and dates to between 50 and 20BC Mr MacGregor said: 'While the Celts are not a distinct race or genetic group that can be traced through time, the word 'Celtic' still resonates powerfully today, all the more so because it has been continually redefined to echo contemporary concerns over politics, religion and identity.' A page from the Chad Gospels is shown   KING ARTHUR Statue of King Arthur,Hofkirche, Innsbruck, designed by Albrecht Dürer and cast byPeter Vischer the Elder, 1520s THE LEGENDARY MONARCH WHO WILL RETURN TO SAVE GREAT BRITAIN Thought to have lived during the late fifth and early sixth centuries, the original King Arthur (depicted right in a painting) is believed to have led the fight against the invading Saxons. However, the King Arthur that many people are familiar with today – thanks to TV shows, films and stage productions – is said to be a combination of many different myths and legends that have developed over the last 1,000 years. Modern historians often equate him with King Alfred the Great, the Dark Ages ruler of Wessex who led the fight against the invading Danes, eventually stopping them in their tracks. Either way, according to medieval romances and the Historia Brittonum, Arthur was a great king who defended Britain from enemies both earthly and supernatural. Arthurian legend claims Arthur was the son and heir of King Uther Pendragon, and was believed to have born on Castle Island in Tintagel, North Cornwall. Tintagel still exists in ruined form in Cornwall, although others have claimed that he was Welsh. A sorcerer called Merlin is said to have taken a sword called Excalibur from the so-called Lady of the Lake for King Uther, but upon the King’s death, he placed the sword in a stone. Merlin stated that ‘he who draws the sword from the stone, he shall be king.’ After the King's death, Arthur is said to have pulled Merlin’s Excalibur sword from this stone, proving his right to the throne. The legend doesn’t specify exactly where this lake was and there is a debate on whether it was Martin Mere in Lancashire, the Lily Ponds at Bosherston, or Dozmary Pool on the edge of Bodmin Moor. The latter is closest to the supposed birthplace in Cornwall. Legend continues that during his reign, in the kingdom of Camelot, King Arthur met with his knights at a Round Table, journeyed after the Holy Grail and fought a number of battles using the infamous sword. During the Battle of Camlann, in approximately 537, King Arthur was killed and his body was sent to the Isle of Avalon. Historians believe this area was Glastonbury and the Somerset levels. But there are other theories that King Arthur is buried on Mount Etna, the Eildon Hills in Roxburghshire or a cave in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Later, legend expanded the story and claimed upon Arthur's death, the sword was returned to the Lady of the Lake. Early written accounts of the Arthurian story appeared in 1130 in Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain where he claimed Merlin had the 15-year-old Arthur crowned at nearby Silchester, in Reading.       His is among the most enduring ­legends in our island’s history. King Arthur, the gallant warrior who gathered his knights around the  Round Table at Camelot and rallied Christian Britons against the invading pagan Saxons, has always been an enigma. But now historians believe they have uncovered the precise location of Arthur’s stronghold, finally solving the riddle of whether the Round Table really existed. And far from pinpointing a piece of furniture, they claim the ‘table’ was in fact the circular space inside a former Roman amphitheatre. +2 Round table? An artist's impression of Chester's Amphitheatre, where historians now believe King Arthur may have held court The experts believe that Camelot could in fact have been Chester Amphitheatre, a huge stone-and-wood structure capable of holding up to 10,000 people. They say that Arthur would have reinforced the building’s 40ft walls to create an imposing and well fortified base. The king’s regional noblemen would have sat in the central arena’s front row, with lower-ranked subjects in the outer stone benches. Arthur has been the subject of much historical debate, but many  scholars believe him to have been a 5th or 6th Century leader. The legend links him to 12 major battles fought over 40 years from the Scottish Borders to the West Country. One of the principal victories was said to have been at Chester. +2 King Arthur, portrayed here by Clive Owen on film in 2004, held court at Camelot - which historians now believe may have been in Chester Rather than create a purpose-built Camelot, historian Chris Gidlow says Arthur would have logically chosen a structure left by the Romans. ‘The first accounts of the Round Table show that it was nothing like a dining table but was a venue for upwards of 1,000 people at a time,’ he said. ‘And we know that one of Arthur’s two main battles was fought at a town referred to as the City of the Legions. There were only two places with this title. One was St Albans, but the location of the other has remained a mystery.’ Researchers, who will reveal their evidence in a television documentary this month, say the recent discovery at the amphitheatre of an execution stone and a wooden memorial to Christian martyrs suggests the missing city is Chester. Mr Gidlow said: ‘In the 6th Century, a monk named Gildas, who wrote the earliest account of Arthur’s life, referred both to the City of the Legions and to a martyr’s shrine within it. 'That is the clincher. The discovery of the shrine within the amphitheatre means that Chester was the site of Arthur’s court – and his legendary Round Table.’ For centuries, historians have believed that King Arthur’s Camelot was Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, but new research has cast serious doubts on this theory. Historian Graham Robb has spent years studying Celtic pathways across the country and now believes he has stumbled upon the site of Camelot at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Brookfield Road, Wigan. The leafy dead-end street may have once been the site of King Arthur’s infamous castle and court, and home to the legendary Knights Of The Round Table. +8 Residents of Brookfield Road, road sign pictured, said they were 'stunned' to discover their lane has been named as the epicentre of Arthurian legend Residents in the village of Standish near Wigan, have been left stunned after the discovery that their lane has been named as the epicentre of Arthurian legend. +8 Historian Graham Robb believes King Arthur's, illustration pictured, Camelot was built at the end of Brookfield Road, Standish in Wigan Claims that the small road could have once been the realm of the legendary king and his men have appeared in Robb's latest book. In his work 'The Ancient Paths: Discovering the Lost Map of Celtic Europe' he theorises that the area in Standish was ‘significant’ as it was the meeting place of two major Celtic pathways. He added the crossing pathways, on what is now the cul-de-sac ‘have an astonishing power to illuminate the long-buried past by revealing the location of the legendary court of King Arthur’. Dr Robb said the ‘intersection lies in the Wigan suburb of Standish’ adding ‘to be precise, the point of intersection is at the end of a cul-de-sac running off Old Pepper Lane where a tracks leads to a woodland’. He has however laughed off the local reaction because he believes Camelot is entirely based on a myth and never really existed. He said: 'I was talking about how intersecting Celtic roads of the time can become significant to history and myth. 'It is like theorising you have found Hogwarts - you can't do it because it never existed in the first place.' In his book, Graham Robb wrote that the now defunct Camelot theme park sits just a few miles away from the cul de sac. He writes: 'The place where 'Camelot' stands empty was once the edge of Martin Mere, the largest freshwater lake in England. 'A local legend claimed that this was the lake into whose waters, in what sounds like an act of ritual deposition, the sword Excalibur was thrown. In view of the unusual preponderance of modal points in the environs of the vanished lake, this now looks more plausible than ever.' The cul-de-sac, Brookfield Road, is near Martin Mere, the largest freshwater lake in England, into which local legend claims the famous Arthurian sword Excalibur was thrown. +8 This aerial view shows Old Pepper Lane in Standish on the left, the Brookfield Road cul-de-sac in the centre, leading to a stretch of woodland on the right where Robb believes Camelot was built +8 Robb claims the precise location of Camelot was at the end of Brookfield Road, in the village of Standish, marked right. The cul-de-sac is near Martin Mere, marked left, the lake in which local legend claims the sword Excalibur was thrown +8 Robb added that the crossing pathways, pictured, on what is now the cul-de-sac 'have an astonishing power to illuminate the long-buried past by revealing the location of the legendary court of King Arthur.' The intersection lies at the end of a cul-de-sac off Old Pepper Lane where a tracks leads to woodland, pictured Robb said his geographical research makes it ‘more plausible than ever’ that the small corner of Wigan would be the location of the mythical Camelot. His claims have now been taken up by a local campaign group trying to stop a new link road being built in the area. A council want to build a new highway across a patch of woodland at Almond Brook, at the end of Brookfield Road. A spokesman for Stop Almond Brook Link Road said the new revelations means the area should preserved and the planned new highway scrapped. +8 Arthurian legend claims Arthur was the son and heir of King Uther Pendragon, and was born on Castle Island in Tintagel, North Cornwall. The remains of Tintagel Castle is pictured +8 A lake on the woodland where King Arthur's Camelot was thought to have been built. King Arthur was a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries who according to histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against invaders in the early 6th century He said: ‘We have lots of issues with this link road, including it going past school playing fields which could harm the health of pupils and destroying wildlife habitats. ‘But we didn’t think for one minute that the route would also run through what could be Camelot. ‘This site needs a lot more investigation. We just need a white knight to come along and help us save it from development. ‘We found this new theory while researching our campaign but it does tie in with local legends about King Arthur. ‘Wigan Council should be embracing its links with the distant past and not ripping it up.’ King Arthur was a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries who according to histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against invaders in the early 6th century. THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR: FROM CORNWALL TO WIGAN King Arthur was a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries who according to histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against invaders in the early 6th century. However, the King Arthur that many people are familiar with today – thanks to TV shows, films and stage productions – is said to be a combination of many different myths and legends that have developed over the last 1,000 years. Arthurian legend claims Arthur was the son and heir of King Uther Pendragon, and was believed to have born on Castle Island in Tintagel, North Cornwall. A sorcerer called Merlin is said to have taken a sword called Excalibur from the so-called Lady of the Lake for King Uther, but upon the King’s death, he placed the sword in a stone. Merlin stated that ‘he who draws the sword from the stone, he shall be king.’ After the King's death, Arthur is said to have pulled Merlin’s Excalibur sword from this stone, proving his right to the throne. The legend doesn’t specify exactly where this lake was and there is a debate on whether it was Martin Mere in Lancashire, the Lily Ponds at Bosherston, or Dozmary Pool on the edge of Bodmin Moor. The latter is closest to the supposed birthplace in Cornwall. Legend continues that during his reign, in the kingdom of Camelot, King Arthur met with his knights at a Round Table, journeyed after the Holy Grail and fought a number of battles using the infamous sword. During the Battle of Camlann, in approximately 537, King Arthur was killed and his body was sent to the Isle of Avalon. Historians believe this area was Glastonbury and the Somerset levels. Later, legend expanded the story and claimed upon Arthur's death, the sword was returned to the Lady of the Lake. Early written accounts of the Arthurian story appeared in 1130 in Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain where he claimed Merlin had the 15-year-old Arthur crowned at nearby Silchester, in Reading. The first mention of the Round Table, however, was in Robert Wace's Roman de Brut in 1155. This book claimed the round table was a wedding gift to Arthur from Guinevere's father, Leodegrance and is now believed to be hung in the Great Hall in Winchester (pictured above). Arthur was said to have sat his knights on the round table so that none was ever in a position of power of importance. The details of Arthur’s story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and his historical existence is debated and disputed by modern historians. His famous Knights have been linked to the area before - a now defunct Camelot theme park was located nearby for years, based near Martin Mere. Resident Arthur Lowe, 72, said: 'I suppose it's quite funny I share King Arthur's name but I was named after my dad - not a king.' Tony Stanley, 69, who has lived in the cul-de-sac for over 40 years, added: 'I just started laughing when I heard about it. It's a really industrial area and there used to be loads of pits round here so to think they're now making this claim is just ridiculous. +8 The first mention of the Round Table was in 1155. This book claimed the round table was a wedding gift to Arthur from Guinevere's father, Leodegrance and is now believed to be hung in the Great Hall in Winchester, pictured 'At first, I thought someone was having a joke for April Fools Day but then I realised it's still March. Dr Robb was born in Manchester and educated at the Royal Grammar School Worcester and Exeter College, Oxford, where he studied Modern Languages. In his The Discovery of Middle Earth: Mapping the Lost World of the Celts book, Robb proposed that the ancient Celts organised their territories, determined the locations of settlements and battles, and set the trajectories of tribal migrations by establishing a network of solstice lines based on an extension of the Greek system of klimata. The evidence included artistic geometries, road surveying, centuriations and other archaeologically attested pre-Roman alignments. The book of GHOSTS: Eerie faces and messages discovered in ancient medieval manuscript of King Arthur and Merlin Black Book of Carmarthen is the earliest surviving Welsh manuscript It contains some of the earliest references to Arthur and Merlin Believed 'ghost' images were in the original, but erased by a 16th century owner of the book, probably a man named Jaspar Gryffyth Stunned researchers have found one of the UK's most important manuscripts is full of ghosts. Dating from 1250, The Black Book of Carmarthen is the earliest surviving medieval manuscript written solely in Welsh, and contains some of the earliest references to Arthur and Merlin. Now, researchers have found a series of hidden faces and message in it. +3 The Black Book of Carmarthen is the earliest surviving medieval manuscript written solely in Welsh, and contains some of the earliest references to Arthur and Merlin. Using a combination of ultraviolet light and photo editing software, the images were recovered. THE BLACK BOOK OF CARMARTHEN Dating from 1250, The Black Book of Carmarthen is the earliest surviving medieval manuscript written solely in Welsh, and contains some of the earliest references to Arthur and Merlin. The book is a collection of 9th-12th century poetry along both religious and secular lines, and draws on the traditions of the Welsh folk-heroes and legends of the Dark Ages. 'It's easy to think we know all we can know about a manuscript like the Black Book but to see these ghosts from the past brought back to life in front of our eyes has been incredibly exciting,' said Myriah Williams of Cambridge's Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic.  The book is a collection of 9th-12th century poetry along both religious and secular lines, and draws on the traditions of the Welsh folk-heroes and legends of the Dark Ages. Williams and Professor Paul Russell from Cambridge's Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic (ASNC), believe that a 16th century owner of the book, probably a man named Jaspar Gryffyth, erased centuries' worth of additional verse, doodles and marginalia which had been added to the manuscript as it changed hands throughout the years. Using a combination of ultraviolet light and photo editing software, the 16th century owner's penchant for erasure has been partly reversed to reveal snatches of poetry. Currently, the texts are very fragmentary and in need of much more analysis, although they researchers say they seem to be the continuation of a poem on the preceding page with a new poem added at the foot of the page. 'The drawings and verse that we're in the process of recovering demonstrate the value of giving these books another look,' Williams said. 'The margins of manuscripts often contain medieval and early modern reactions to the text, and these can cast light on what our ancestors thought about what they were reading. 'The Black Book was particularly heavily annotated before the end of the 16th century, and the recovery of erasure has much to tell us about what was already there and can change our understanding of it.' The faces are only visible under UV light - and are invisible to the naked eye Williams and Russell will present a lecture at The National Library of Wales today, part of a larger exhibition on the life and work of Sir John Price, one-time owner of the Black Book. There, they will detail some of their findings, stressing the importance of continued research on the manuscript. 'What we have discovered may only be the tip of the iceberg in terms of what can be discovered as imaging techniques are enhanced,' said Russell. 'The manuscript is extremely valuable and incredibly important – yet there may still be so much we don't know about it.' Despite its value today, the Black Book of Carmarthen (so called because of the colour of its binding) was not an elaborate production, but rather the work of a single scribe who was probably collecting and recording over a long period of his life. This is readily visible on the manuscript pages themselves; the first pages feature a large textura script copied on alternating ruled lines, while in other parts of the manuscript – perhaps when vellum was scarce – the hand is very much smaller and the lines per page tight and many. Measuring approximately only 17cm by 12.5 cm, the book is made up of 54 pages of vellum (animal hide) and came to the National Library of Wales in 1904 after being bought, alongside other manuscripts, by the Library's founder, Sir John Williams. An example of the latter is the earliest poem concerning the adventures of the legendary Arthur, which sees the famed hero seeking entrance to an unidentified court and expounding the virtues of his men in order to gain admittance. Other heroes are praised and lamented in a lengthy text known as Englynion y Beddau, the Stanzas of the Graves, in which a narrator presents geographic lore by claiming to know the burial places of upwards of eighty warriors. Arthur makes an appearance here as well, but only insofar as to say that he cannot be found: anoeth bid bet y arthur, 'the grave of Arthur is a wonder'. Other famous figures also appear throughout, including Myrddin, perhaps more familiarly known by the English 'Merlin'. There are two prophetic poems attributed to him during his 'wild man' phase located in the middle of the manuscript, but additionally the very first poem of the book is presented as a dialogue between him and the celebrated Welsh poet Taliesin. Since the creation of Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae in the 12th century there has been a connection between Carmarthen and Merlin, and it may be no accident that the Black Book opens with this text.     Like Mel Gibson's ferocious warriors in Braveheart, the Picts were known for blue body-paint and a rather hostile attitude to southerners William Wallace, in his most famous battle (The battle of Stirling Bridge), had about 5,000 men (just 100 of them knights).  The English army was 50,000 foot soldiers, 4,000 archers, and 1,000 heavy cavalry knights.  But Wallace, was not intimidated by this.  He let half the English army cross over the Stirling bridge, then signaled his men who were hiding below the bridge to take out the supports.  The bridge collapsed and killed many English soldiers.  The commanders of the English army did not know what to do except watch in horror as their divided army was split and being massacred.  The commanders did know how to do one thing, run, like cowards they ran until they hit the English border. The Battle of Falkirk, 1298 The English nobility had been on the edge of civil war with Edward I. They were disgruntled over his wars in France and Scotland, however, faced with the humiliating defeat by the Scots at Stirling Bridge, they united behind him in time for the Battle of Falkirk. According to later tales, Wallace told his men: ‘I hae brocht ye to the ring, now see gif ye can dance’, however, as one historian has called it, ‘it was a dance of death’, as Wallace had seriously misjudged Edward’s battle tactics. His Welsh archers proved to be the decisive weapon: their arrows raining death on the Scots spearmen. Wallace the Diplomat. After Falkirk, the Scots nobles reasserted their role as guardians of the kingdom and continued the war with Edward. Wallace was assigned a new role as an envoy for the Scots to the courts of Europe. Diplomacy was crucial to the Scots war effort and Wallace, by now a renowned figure across Europe, played a high profile role. In 1299 he left Scotland for the court of King Philip IV of France. He was briefly imprisoned for various political motives, but was soon released and given the French king’s safe conduct to the papal court. Wallace returned to Scotland in 1301, with the diplomatic effort seemingly in good stead. However, the French abandoned Scotland when they needed Edward’s help to suppress a revolt in Flanders. With no prospect of victory, the Scottish leaders capitulated and recognised Edward as overlord in 1304. Only Wallace refused to submit, perhaps signing his own death warrant at this time. Here was the crucial difference between Wallace and the key players from amongst the Scottish nobles - for Wallace there was no compromise, the English were his enemy and he could not accept their rule in any form. However, the nobles were more pliable and willing to switch sides, or placate the English, when it served their own ends. Wallace had become a nuisance to both his feudal superiors and the English. The Martyrdom of William Wallace Wallace was declared an outlaw, which meant his life was forfeit and that anyone could kill him without trial. He continued his resistance, but on August 3rd, 1305, he was captured at Robroyston, near Glasgow. His captor, Sir John Menteith, the ‘false’ Menteith, has gone down in Scottish legend as the betrayer of Wallace, but he acted as many others would have. Menteith was no English lackey, and in 1320 he put his seal to the Declaration of Arbroath. Wallace was taken to Dumbarton castle, but quickly moved to London for a show trial in Westminster Hall. He was charged with two things - being an outlaw and being a traitor. No trial was required, but, by charging him as a traitor, Edward intended to destroy his reputation. At his trial he had no lawyers and no jury, he even wasn’t allowed to speak, but when he was accused of being a traitor, he denied it, saying he had never been Edward’s subject in the first place. Inevitably he was found guilty and was taken for immediate execution - in a manner designed to symbolise his crimes. Wrapped in an ox hide to prevent him being ripped apart, thereby shortening the torture, he was dragged by horses four miles through London to Smithfield. There he was hanged, as a murderer and thief, but cut down while still alive. Then he was mutilated, disembowelled and, being accused of treason, he was probably emasculated. For the crimes of sacrilege to English monasteries, his heart, liver, lungs and entrails were cast upon a fire, and, finally, his head was chopped off. His carcase was then cut up into bits. His head was set on a pole on London Bridge, another part went to Newcastle, a district Wallace had destroyed in 1297-8, the rest went to Berwick, Perth and Stirling (or perhaps Aberdeen), as a warning to the Scots. Edward had destroyed the man, but had enhanced the myth. Wallace became a martyr, the very symbol of Scotland’s struggle for freedom. He entered the realm of folktale and legend. From Blind Harry's 'Wallace' to Mel Gibson’s ‘Braveheart’, William Wallace continues to haunt the Scottish imagination with a vision of freedom. Archaeologists are searching the site to solve the 200-year mystery of the Pictish carving. The stone has baffled historians because Galloway was inhabited by the tribe known as Britons. The Britons were a Celtic people who occupied much of Britain - but were fragmented after the Anglo-Saxon settlement in the 5th and 6th centuries AD. Further north were the Scots, with ‘Pictland’ further still, north of the Firth of Forth. The Pictish stone is one of only three known out of their traditional territory - the others being in known Dark Age capitals. Ronan Toolis of Guard Archaeology, who is leading the dig, said today/yesterday that the royal link could finally provide an explanation. He said: ‘It looks increasingly likely that this fortress was built in the Dark Ages, and occupied during the fifth to the seventh centuries AD. ‘The Pictish stone dates from that time, but the big question has always been what it was doing in Galloway. ‘We know of only two other similar carvings outside Pictland - at Dunadd in Argyll and on Edinburgh Castle rock, both of which were capitals of Dark Age kingdoms. Lindisfarne Castle Viking era towns of Scandinavia. The castle is located in what was once the very volatile border area between England and Scotland. Not only did the English and Scots fight, but the area was frequently attacked by Vikings. The castle was built in 1550, around the time that Lindisfarne Priory went out of use, and stones from the priory were used as building material. It is very small by the usual standards, and was more of a fort. The castle sits on the highest point of the island, a whin stone hill called Beblowe. Lindisfarnes's position in the North Sea made it vulnerable to attack from Scots and Norsemen, and by Tudor times it was clear there was a need for a stronger fortification. This resulted in the creation of the fort on Beblowe Crag which between 1570 and 1572 formed the basis of the present castle. After Henry VIII had dissolved the priory, his troops used the remains as a naval store. Later, Elizabeth I had work carried out on the fort, strengthening it and providing gun platforms for the new developments in artillery technology. When James I came to power, he combined the Scottish and English thrones, and the need for the castle declined. At this time the castle was still garrisoned from Berwick and protected the small Lindisfarne Harbour. In the eighteenth century the castle was occupied briefly by Jacobite rebels, but was quickly recaptured by soldiers from Berwick who imprisoned the rebels; they dug their way out and hid for nine days close to nearby Bamburgh Castle before making good their escape. In later years the castle was used as a coastguard look-out and became something of a tourist attraction. Charles Rennie Mackintosh made a sketch of the old fort in 1901. In 1901, it became the property of Edward Hudson, a publishing magnate and the owner of Country Life magazine. He had it refurbished in the Arts and Crafts style by Sir Edwin Lutyens. It is said that Hudson and the architect came across the building while touring Northumberland and climbed over the wall to explore inside.'

The Italian villa of The Pope: AND THE BILLIONAIRE SQUARE

 

 

 

 

Locals living beside stunning lakeside papal summer palace claim he's 'abandoned' it for being 'too luxurious' Castel Gandolfo, just 12 miles from Rome, has been the summer residence of the Pope for generations And every time a Pope arrives, hundreds of pilgrims follow in his wake - bringing business to the town But current Pope Francis has never spent more than a day, and never a night, at the luxurious property The locals who rely on the papal visits for work tell MailOnline they feel Francis has 'abandoned' them Seated on a rocky perch above the turquoise waters of Lake Albano, far from the hordes and heat of Rome, Castel Gandolfo has given a long line of popes reason to offer thanks. The papal hilltop summer retreat, 10 minutes by helicopter from the Vatican, has been a source of inspiration to some pontiffs, such as youthful John Paul II who spent a total of six years of his 27-year papacy there and built a swimming pool in the grounds. But the famously frugal Pope Francis has shunned the luxurious palace, passing through just four times during his 28-month tenure, with no overnight stays. Scroll down for video +22 Stunning: Castel Gandolfo soars above the turquoise waters of Lake Albano, 12 miles south-east of Rome +22 Grandeur: For generations, Popes have made the trip to the small town to visit Castel Gandolfo, followed by reams of pilgrims +22 Close: It is just 10 minutes from the Vatican by helicopter, so is a quick escape for the Pope should he need a break +22 Big business: The town which surrounds the residence has long relied on the pilgrims who come to see the Pope at his country retreat +22 Neglect: But the current Pope Francis - seen here in Ecuador this week - has never spent more than a day here As the third summer of Francis’ reign gets underway the villagers are dreading another summer season without the star attraction. While in most parts of the Catholic world he enjoys the popularity of a rock star, the townspeople, who have relied on the pilgrim trade for their livelihood for generations, are less than impressed with the new pope who they complain prefers ‘poverty and degradation’ to their well-kept and devout town. Despite concerns for his health, and appeals from advisors to take a break, Francis, who claims not to have taken a holiday since 1974, clearly finds the idea of retiring to the lap of luxury too decadent. Former pope Benedict arrived for a short break at the palace last week but will not give the Sunday addresses that pull in the pilgrims. Francis is currently far away on a visit to his native South America. And with important conferences on the environment and the family coming up in the autumn he is expected to get straight back to work on his return, starting each day as usual at 4.30am. Meanwhile work is just a distant memory for restauranteurs faced with empty tables, and shopkeepers forced to offer discounts on their souvenirs. In recent months they were hurt that Francis came to the other side of the lake to do spiritual exercises and to the palace to bless a statue by an Argentinian artist but did not come into the village. +22 Deserted: Locals feel the pontiff has abandoned them as he jets around the world. 'He is too busy,' one told MailOnline +22 Impressive: Others have suggested the immaculate lawns and hedges, not to mention the luxurious interiors, are too much for the Pope +22 Clash of ideals: Pope Francis has won fans around the world thanks to his modest way of life - and this garden doesn't fit the bill +22 Attraction: Pope John Paul II - who spent six years of his 27 year papacy at Castel Gandolfo - is seen here celebrating the Angelus in 2004. Events like this drew hundreds, if not thousands, of people to the area who never otherwise would have visisted +22 Predecessor: Pope Benedict XVI began his retirement here, waving to the crowds from the window the final time as head of the church +22 Unusuaul: It is not just the Pope which adds something special to Castel Gandolfo - the Swiss Guards also add interest +22 Relaxing: Pope Benedict apparently spent two to three months a year in the idyllic location, a stones thrown from Italy's capital +22 Warning: Andrea, a souvenir seller, told MailOnline that if Francis continues to stay away 'things will become very different here' As Andrea, a souvenir seller in the village’s centre square said: ‘He is loved in all the world. We are the only ones who are not happy with this new pope. ‘I know many of those close to him tell him come to Castel Gandolfo, rest. But he never comes here. Maybe the palace is too luxurious for him.’ When Benedict was in power he would come for two or three months every year, he said. ‘If this pope continues to stay away, things will become very different here. We in Castel Gandolfo have to make all our money in summer so we can live off it in the winter. If we don’t make our money, what do we do the rest of the year? ‘ I know many of those close to him tell him come to Castel Gandolfo, rest. But he never comes here. Maybe the palace is too luxurious for him. Souvenir seller Andrea Maria, who runs a gelateria, said grimly: ‘He doesn’t come because he considers the palace too luxurious. He prefers to go to the places where there is degradation and poverty. Diana Chrysandreas, who has managed the Art and Art souvenir shop for four years, says that locals feel he has abandoned the town. Shrugging her shoulders she insists: ‘We haven’t seen him, he’s too busy for us.’ Businesses were at risk of failing, she explains, with young people being forced to leave town to find jobs in Rome. Pizza-maker Mirko Bizarri, said: ‘There used to be more than enough customers for everyone but now there’s not enough work. This pope is a good one, but he has broken a tradition.’ In Bar Carosi, the village’s oldest coffee bar, octagenarian Maria Pisa Carosi explained that since that no pope in living memory had eschewed the town’s charms, to do so was bound to cause offence Signora Carosi said: ‘I’ve seen every pope come though since the war. They all came. We understand everyone must do as they think best, and this pope is following the behaviour of a Franciscan, like his namesake. But John Paul spent five months here every year… She added: ‘Of course he was a saint.’ +22 Concerns: Locals speak of days when there were more than enough customers for everyone to make money in the summer months +22 Upset: Octagenarian Maria Pisa Carosi, who has seen every Pope visit the town since the war, said the neglect was bound to cause offence +22 Life and death: Two Popes have even died at Castel Gandolfo - Pope Pius XII died here 1958 (pictured) followed by Pope Paul VI in 1978     Famous guests: Before he died, Pope Pius welcomed director Cecil Demille (right) to Castel Gadolfano (left, and Pope Pius relaxing, right) +22 New ideas: But Pope Francis is aware of the problem, and the Vatican has opened the palace's gardens and farm for the first time +22 Tourism: People visit the Madonna garden, part of the gardens at Castel Gandolfo. There are less visitors since Francis became pope +22 Faith: But many say the village remains devout, whether or not the Pope continues to visit them The Vatican have said that Francis would help the villagers ‘in his own way’. One response has been to bring in some tourists by opening the palace’s gardens and farm to the public for the first time. But with tours open only to a small number of visitors there has not been any palpable boost to trade, Signora Carosi explains. At the end of last year’s disastrous season Festival of the Madonna of the Lake, Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the effective bishop of the Gandolfo Pontifical Villas, brought a special blessing from Francis to the village. The previous year the local mayor wrote an open letter to Francis appealing to him to visit. Milvia Monachesi wrote ‘the absence of the pope has reduced the numbers of tourists visiting Castel Gandolfo, which has hit business in the historic centre especially bars, restaurants and souvenir shops.’ +22 Busy: Pope Francis is given a sombrero from Bolivian President Evo Morales on Thursday during his tour of South America ‘But the feelings of townsfolk towards the pope are still of affection, admiration and solidarity. We follow all his endeavours with great interest, even if we are saddened by his absence, as we would be by that of a close friend.’ Anna Maria Vici Torrigiani, who runs a souvenir shop there, said that the village remains devout, even if they lost faith in Francis. ‘We in the village have always had a bond with all the popes. But I prefer to think of this bond as suspended not finished. I hope one day our love story will continue. '           Wall-to-wall frescoes, baroque gardens and a butterfly house: The Italian villa that inspired Pinocchio goes on sale for £150MILLION The beautiful villa where Pinocchio author Carlo Lorenzini spent his childhood is on the market. Those interested in delving into the inspiration behind the world's most famous marionette, can buy the property for a mere £150million. Five-storey Villa Garzoni in Collodi, 65km from Florence, well known as 'Pinocchio’s villa', was built in 1600, boasts 40 bedrooms and measures 3,032 square metres. Inside, the main rooms are decorated with frescoes by renowned Italian artists, including Angelo Michele Colonna. The partially restored property is elevated above one the most spectacular Italian baroque gardens in the whole of the country. Lionard Luxury Real Estate, which is behind the sale, compare Villa Garzoni’s elaborate gardens, first imagined by the architect Diodati to those, at Versailles and Fontainbleau in France and Schonbrunn in Vienna, Austria. Created around 1650 for the Roman marquees Garzoni and completed more than 170 years, the garden, which is dotted with waterfalls and fountains is open to the public and features a Butterfly House, home to hundreds of tropical butterflies. The whole estate is shrouded in history, and attracts thousands of visitors each year, which is why Lionard is targeting a foreign market that 'understands the potential and invests in improving and increasing the touristic demand linked to the fable of Pinocchio'. +10 Looking to buy? The 5500 square metre estate, known as Villa Pinocchio, is on the market for around £150million +10 Quite roomy: The 3,032 square metre property consists of five floors and 40 bedrooms, not to mention sprawling gardens and butterflies +10 The partially restored property boasts one of the most spectacular Italian baroque gardens in the whole of the country +10 Ornate: Inside, the main rooms are decorated with frescoes by top Italian artists, including Angelo Michele Colonna +10 The property features beautiful tiered Baroque gardens which were first imagined by the architect Diodati +10 An insight into the past: Villa Garzoni was built in the mid-1600s and has 40 spacious bedrooms +10 The mansion is located in Collodi, a medieval town dating to the 12th Century and is typical of the villas of the Lucca province +10 Magnificent: The elaborate gardens were created in 1650 and were tended to by author Carlo Collodi¿s family members +10 The estate attracts thousands of visitors each year, which is why its sellers are targeting a foreign market +10 Ancient relics: The partially restored palace is just 65km Florence and is shrouded in history and fable A medieval castle in Tuscany set over more than 1,500 acres has gone on sale in Italy making it the largest private home on the market.  The stunning estate found slightly east of Siena boasts farmhouses, vineyards, woodland and sunflower fields in its grounds.  Built in the early 12th Century it is one of few medieval castles which remain in Europe and is thought to have been the home of Pope Pius II and III at one time.  The property, whose owners wish to keep themselves and the castle's name unknown, is being sold by Sotheby's International for 28 million euros - almost £20million.  Scroll down for video  +15 A medieval castle in Tuscany set over more than 1500 acres has gone on sale for just under £20million making it the largest private home on the property market +15 The castle has its own restaurant where wines made from the grapes in its vineyards are served alongside produced farmed from the grounds While it is not known who first lived in the castle or commissioned its construction the property remained in the hands of one prominent family for centuries.  The Piccolomini family are thought to have lived there intermittently from the 15th Century. Two of the family's most notable members, Enea Silvio Piccolomini and Francesco Piccolomini went on to become Popes Pius II and III.  Little is known of how the noble family cultivated their wealth other than that many of their riches were acquired through trading.  Having spent decades in the ownership of the family, the castle it changed hands sometime in the 1920s. The new owner remained anonymous, selling on the sprawling estate again in the 1980s.  It has since remained in the possession of its current owners who refused to disclose why they were moving on. While estate agents are reluctant to reveal exactly where in the rolling Tuscan hills the special property can be found, they promised it to be one of rare value.  'It's very rare in Italy to have a medieval castle, there are so many that came before and after, mostly after, but to find a medieval one is rare,' said John Jonk, who is handling the sale for Sotheby's International.  'All the original fireplaces and ceilings are in tact. It's a very special opportunity.'  While in total the estate has more than 100 bedrooms most are found in farmhouses and smaller properties scattered across its grounds. These are rented out as holiday accommodation while its vineyard and restaurant attracts diners.  In the castle itself are 10 bedrooms and as many bathrooms, a drawing room and dining room.  Elsewhere on its sprawling grounds are sunflower fields and farmland, added Mr Jonk.  +15 The villa just east of Sienna is one of few from the early 12th Century which remain in Italy. All its fireplaces and ceilings have been preserved from their original state  +15 Aside from the property's 10-bedroom main castle there are several farmhouses scattered around its grounds from the same era  +15 The Piccolomini family are thought to have lived in the castle intermittently from the 15th Century and two of the family's most notable members, Enea Silvio Piccolomini and Francesco Piccolomini went on to become Popes Pius II and III +15 The castle is a very rare find in Italy because it dates back to medieval times, according to John Jonk, who is handling the sale for Sotheby's International +15 Mysteriously the existence of the castle is not widely known and it has never really been filmed or appeared on television +15 The castle also has its own chapel and vineyard. It belonged to the same family for generations before being sold privately in 1920  Another historic mansion set in Tuscan countryside (related)   'There's a lot of woodland, there's a vineyard.  'From some parts of the property there are views of Siena too.'  Although the property is one of the few remaining of its kind in Italy it has remained mysteriously off the radar for decades.  'That's the interesting part - there have been television crews that have come from Rome over the years and have interviewed people in the restaurant in the castle but it hasn't really been used for filming or anything like that,' Mr Jonk said.  In its restaurant staff serve red wine and food produced on the grounds. With herds of boar and deer roaming its fields too there is no shortage of wildlife to entertain visitors.  'When people talk about organic foods, this is what is meant. In Italy everything is still quite good that way, it's very organic.'  Despite its large price tag, Mr Jonk added the property had attracted attention from all over the world.  'We have had interest from European buyers and non-European buyers.  'It's a special opportunity for someone who can afford it but, as I tell my clients, to find an exclusive property in London nowadays wouldn't cost much less.'  For more information contact Sotheby's International Realty here.  +15 The estate has more than 100 bedrooms in total with most being found in farmhouses and smaller properties scattered across its grounds +15 Set in its 1500 acre grounds are vineyards and sunflower fields. Sotheby's International Realty described the sale as a 'special opportunity'  +15 The estate agents have been reluctant to reveal exactly where in the Tuscan Hills the stunning estate is, but they promise the property is of rare value   +15 The estate has attracted interest from potential buyers across the globe , despite its rather large price tag +15 From some parts of the extensive grounds the 12th Century property was said to boast stunning views of the Siena +15 Sotheby's John Jonks said: 'It's a special opportunity for someone who can afford it but, as I tell my clients, to find an exclusive property in London nowadays wouldn't cost much less.' YOURS FOR THE SAME PRICE, A THREE-BEDROOM MAIN ROAD FLAT IN CENTRAL LONDON With sprawling grounds, multiple smaller properties and access to your own vineyard, many can see the perks of paying £20million for their own Tuscan castle in Italy.  But any hopes of snapping up a similar deal closer to home have been dashed by the ever inflating prices of London flats.  For roughly the same price as the castle near Siena, house-hunters can just about afford a three-bedroom flat in the heart of the capital.  While One Hyde Park apartments afford owners an exclusive postcode and plush surroundings - set between Harrods and Harvey Nichols in London's Knightsbridge - the glass-fronted flats don't quite offer as much space.  In fact the internal floor space of one flat sold last year for more than £20million was less than 4,000 sq ft.  +15 The living room in one of the three-bedroom flat at One Hyde Park, a luxury apartment complex in Knightsbridge   A private island is up for sale in Florida, US - and prospective owners are being invited to 'make an offer.' So if you think your bargaining skills are up to scratch, this could be the perfect opportunity to snare yourself that not-so-little piece of luxury. Little Bokeelia Island consists of 104 acres and includes an updated manor house that was originally built in 1928. Scroll down for video +12 Little Bokeelia Island in Florida, US, is up for sale for $24.5million, but people interested are encouraged to 'make an offer' +12 Little Bokeelia Island consists of 104 acres and includes an updated manor house that was originally built in 1928 +12 The interiors of the main property on the island are luxirious to say the least, fitting in with your idyllic surroundings The elegant property consists of four bedrooms and four bathrooms. As well a large main house, the island near Bokeelia, Florida, also includes several small cottages. The island is on the market for £24.5million, but Michael Saunders & Company, who are leading the sale, are willing to listen to any (sensible) offers. ABC News report that the couple who own the island are looking for a quick sale after developing the portfolio over 26 years, as they wish to focus more effort on carrying out Christian missionary work. Little Bokeelia Island: A pricey private island in the U.S.   +12 The owner has developed the island and beautiful properties over a period of 26 years +12 The roomy residence allows friends and family to be able to share with the new owners a slice of the good life +12 The island offers a perfect mix of privacy, coupled with easy access to mainland Florida and transport links A personal tour of the island, with lunch included will cost £100,000, so although there is no minimum price listed, realistic interest is warranted to splash out on the visit. The sellers' website states that the island is 'prized for its location and coveted for its privacy.' Little Bokeelia Island is surrounded by state and privately owned land that can never be developed, therefore forever maintaining its unequaled privacy and views. +12 Little Bokeelia Island is surrounded by state and privately owned land that can never be developed +12 The furniture and decor inside the proerty exudes class and elegance, and the owners are hoping this style of owner can be found too A personal tour of the island, with lunch included will cost £100,000, so although there is no minimum price listed, realistic interest is warranted The island is perfectly positioned between Sarasota and Naples, only 1 hour from Ft. Myers International Airport and 1.5 hours from Sarasota-Bradenton Airport. There is approximately 3.5 miles of shoreline, and 29 large waterfront lots were granted a development order in perpetuity, allowing the opportunity for future development subject only to the creative expression of its new owner. The island is fully serviced with electricity from the mainland, reverse osmosis water plant and multiple back-up generators. +12 The island is seen here, with its own enclave of water, surrounded by lush greenery for a fresh way of life +12 As well a large main house, the island near Bokeelia, Florida, also includes several small cottages +12 The island is fully serviced with electricity from the mainland, reverse osmosis water plant and multiple back-up generators

Belgrave Square in central London is one of Britain's most expensive addresses A majority of the owners of the properties on the square - 27 out of 30 - are foreign nationals Prices range from £7 million for a mere apartment up to an estimated £60million for a house From the outside,  elegant Belgrave Square appears exactly as it was when Thomas Cubitt first built its grand houses in the 1820s – exclusive, noble, expansive – and, famously the London home of the British aristocracy. But behind the opulent facades, a quiet social revolution has been taking place: most of the square’s grand mansions have now been bought by foreign multi-millionaires, including some whose wealth is so outrageously vast they are listed as billionaires. Using offshore companies to avoid scrutiny, and stamp duty, the international super-rich have been discreetly acquiring the capital’s trophy assets – making this, in the process, the richest residential square in the country.  +9 Expensive address: Most of Belgrave Square in London has now been bought by foreign multi-millionaires, including some whose wealth is so outrageously vast they are listed as billionaires A short car tour of the Belgrave Square and London area   The buyers are typical of the brash new money flooding into London, which hosts 72 billionaires – ten per cent of the world’s total –not to mention a growing number of super-rich worth £100  million or more. And they are paying hugely inflated prices for houses, ranging from £7  million for a mere apartment up to an estimated £60  million – for ‘homes’ which in many cases are rarely occupied. Last week it was reported that London has become the millionaire capital of the world per head of population, ahead of New York and Tokyo, based on analysis by the New World Wealth consultancy. The owners of Belgrave Square symbolise this new wealth. The majority are resident but non-domiciled which means they do not have to pay tax on their overseas income.  For this privilege they pay an annual fee of £50,000 – petty cash for an oligarch or tycoon. Despite prices now at £3,000 per sq ft, London remains the most attractive place for the foreign rich to park their money and educate their children. And they reside in a tiny enclave of which Belgrave Square is the epicentre. Dominated by embassies and consulates, there are fewer than 30 homes, but at least five of the owners are billionaires. Only three are owned by Britons, and few are occupied full time. At night it has a ghostly feel. Here we introduce some of  the more notable members of the residents’ association… +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9       The dilapidated ivy-covered mansion which was used as a love nest by Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh is on the market for £7.5million. Sir Laurence bought the four-bedroom property in Chelsea, west London, to share with his new lover in 1937, after splitting from their respective spouses  following their secret affair. They moved into the home while working together on Fire Over England and christened the detached two-storey house, which they owned for 19 years, Durham Cottage. +6 Dilapidated: Durham Cottage, the former home of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in Chelsea, is on the market for £7.5m after failing to sell at auction yesterday +6 Ivy covered: The house has a garden covered in leaves and weeds but is being marketed by estate agents as a 'magical unmodernised house in the heart of Chelsea' But despite its romantic history - and being located in one of the most prestigious parts of London -  the property failed to sell at auction on Tuesday night. A petition on change.org set up by what has been called The Vivien Leigh Circle', which is calling for the property to be listed by English Heritage, said there had been a final bid of £6.9m.  The cottage, which is on the market with several estate agents, has a run-down garden which is covered in leaves and weeds, while the inside of the house also appears to be in a dilapidated state. As well as its four bedrooms, a reception room, a garage and two bathrooms, the house is set in its own grounds behind a stucco wall and pillared gates. +6 The property, which includes this run-down reception room, was run by the couple's small staff of a cook-housekeeper, Vivien Leigh's personal maid and a daily cleaner +6 Private: The house has four bedrooms, a reception room, a garage and two bathrooms and is set in its own grounds behind a stucco wall and pillared gates The former coachman’s cottage, which is described as agent Russell Simpson as a 'magical unmodernised house in the heart of Chelsea', was built in 1850 and bought by Sir Laurence for him and his lover to live in while they worked together for the first time on the 1937 film, Fire Over England. It was run by their small staff of a cook-housekeeper, Vivien Leigh’s personal maid and a daily cleaner. But speaking in 1954, the actress complained about 'drawbacks' to the inner city cottage. She said: 'It is in London and we’ve furnished it for our life here. It has a lot of drawbacks. +6 History: The former coachman's cottage was built in 1850 and bought by Sir Laurence for him and his lover to live in while they worked together for the first time 'Nobody visiting it would ever dream it could be inconvenient or that those ‘fascinating’ stairs winding around, with the landing forming a balcony in the drawing-room, could be a nuisance. 'Several years ago we built on the dining-room. Before that we used to eat in the entrance hall - you can imagine the drawbacks to that.' Sir Laurence and Vivien Olivier began an affair at the height of their careers, while married to other people. After initially concealing their relationship, they eventually split from their spouses and married in Santa Barbara, California, in 1940. +6 Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh began an affair at the height of their careers, while married to other people. After initially concealing their relationship, they eventually split from their partners and married in Santa Barbara, California, in 1940 Born in Darjeeling, India and educated in Europe, the actress won two Academy Awards for her roles in Gone with the Wind, made in 1939, and A Streetcar Named Desire, made in 1951. But she received almost as much attention for her personal life and relationship with Sir Laurence. The pair had a tumultuous relationship and Sir Laurence had affairs with other actress in the 1950s, including Claire Bloom, with whom he co-starred in Richard III. Olivier and Leigh divorced in December 1960 after which Sir Laurence married actress Joan Plowright. He died from renal failure at his home in Sussex in July 1989. He became one of just a few actors to be given the honour of his ashes being interred in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey. Vivien Leigh - who was considered one of the most beautiful actresses of her day - began a relationship with the actor Jack Merivale after the divorce. She died in July 1967. 50 bedrooms, 40 bathrooms, a church and a library: Inside the sprawling Italian convent which is on sale for £13million A historic convent in Tuscany is up for sale for the price of a three-bedroom penthouse in Marylebone The 15th century Giaccherino has 50 bedrooms, 40 bathrooms, a church, a library and even an olive grove Property is listed with Sotheby's International Realty for £13million (€18million) Since the Sound of Music holiday makers from around the world have wondered what it would be like to spend a night in a convent. They could soon find out as a historic Italian convent has been put up sale in Tuscany with planning permission to transform it into a impressive hotel or conference centre. Although the sale price of £13million (€18million) may seem steep, it is a bargain price as Giaccherino has 50 bedrooms, 40 bathrooms, a church and a library. A convent, more than 80 times the size of the average UK home, has been put up for sale for the price of a three-bedroom flat in London +5 Giaccherino, in Tuscany, boasts a staggering 50 bedrooms, 40 bathrooms, a church, a library and even an olive grove The huge estate has 78,000 square feet of accommodation, which is 85 times the size of the average new home in the UK. The magnificent 15th century property also comes complete with an olive grove, cloisters, beautiful wall frescoes and a vast woodland which covers nearly 22 acres. There is even a colourful history to go with the Giaccherino, which became a valuable centre of theological studies during the 17th century. The holy dwelling was originally used for a community of Franciscan friars of the Primitive Observance. On completion of the property in 1414, Pope Innocent VII handed the property to the monks and over the years it has been used as an oratory and hospital for pilgrims. +5 Giaccherino became a valuable centre of theological studies during the 17th century and has two cloisters with stunning frescoes The property is listed with the Sotheby's International Realty as an opportunity for one of the most impressive private homes in Europe, or as a possible hotel or conference centre. Fulvio Biagioli, sales manager at Tuscany Sotheby's International Realty, said: 'This convent is of real historical significance and any private buyer would have to have a strong passion for restoration and history. 'The original frescoes offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to live amongst the works of the Florentine masters and the olive groves and land could be turned into some of the finest private grounds in the country. 'If a private individual was to buy the convent they could create one of the most incredible private homes in the world.' +5 Outside there is an olive grove that is positioned at the bottom of the property and there is a private, 22-acre woodland The price indicates just how powerful the London housing market is, as the convent is just £500,000 more than a penthouse apartment in the new Galliard development, Chilterns, in Marylebone. David Galman, sales director at Galliard Homes, said: 'It always boils down to location, location, location. London is the best city in the world for a whole number of reasons. 'You can have the penthouse, or you can spend the £13million on a castle or convent in Italy. 'But in five years the convent will be worth the same or less, while the penthouse will be worth more.' +5 The Italian property could become one of the most impressive private homes in Europe or be transformed into a hotel or conference centre              This spot in Colorado's Vail Valley is so picturesque that a family stopped at nothing to build their home here - even if it meant shelling out $1 million just on the driveway. The Italian-inspired mansion, which has incredible 360-degree views across the mountains, has now gone on the market for a tidy $29.5 million. Homeowner Dick Rothkopf, a former toy company chief, chose the location for the estate in 2008 because his family enjoyed hiking in the nearby hills. But the property is so remote that it took two years, a team of engineers and $1 million to build the 1.5-mile driveway from the roadway to its front door, the Wall Street Journal reported. +20 Incredible: This Italian-inspired mansion in the mountains of Vail, Colorado has gone on sale for $29.5 million +20 Stunning: The home, which was built in 2008, is made from materials brought over from the homeowner's trips to Italy +20 Spacious: Inside the 13,000-square-foot home is a spacious gourmet kitchen, which is perfect for entertaining guests +20 Opulent: The entire property has eight bedrooms and eight full bathrooms over two buildings, as well as an outdoor barn +20 European: The luxurious home is known as 'Il Podere' - which means 'family homestead' in the Tuscan regionNo details were spared at the 17,000-square-foot estate itself, either. The home, which is known as 'Il Podere' - meaning 'family homestead' - was built on 230 acres of land using materials collected during the Rothkopfs' trips to Italy. It features a main residence with seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, three half bathrooms, an elevator and a gourmet kitchen across 13,000 square foot. There's also a billiard room, a gym, an indoor basketball court and a home theater. Outside is a pool with a spa and sauna, a pool house, a two-car garage and a tennis court, as well as a lake, a pond, a stream and stunning views. +20 Comfortable: A massive fireplace in a living room offers comfortable nights in for humans and pets alike +20 Hidden: Beneath arches and down walkways are recreation rooms for both children and adults +20 Airy: Large windows and terraces give terrific views across the Vail Valley in Colorado +20 Beautiful: As well as an office, the main home has seven bedrooms and seven full bathrooms +20 Fully equipped: A large gym can also be found at the home, as well as a spa and a sauna +20 Luxury: There is a movie theater inside the home, as well as a billiard room and an indoor basketball court +20 Serene: The home is 25 minutes from Vail's ski slopes and less than two hours from Aspen +20 Picturesque: The family who built the property chose this spot in Vail because they enjoyed hiking there There is also a 2,000-square-foot caretaker's house, with one bedroom and one-and-a-half bathrooms, while a separate barn also houses a loft and a bathroom. And if the home itself doesn't offer enough entertainment, it's just 25 minutes from Vail's ski slopes, an hour and 45 minutes from Aspen and two hours from Denver. The listing with Douglas Elliman calls the estate 'breathtakingly beautiful, tranquil, pristine'. The family is leaving to build a home in Sonoma, California but plans to buy a smaller place in Vail so they can still make use of its slopes.   +20 Large: As well as a separate building for a caretaker, the estate also has a barn with a loft and a bathroom +20 Determined: Its current owners were intent on living at the location so built a $1 million to the house +20 Vistas: A swimming pool and terrace area gives unobstructed views across the valley +20 Restful: There is also a spa and a sauna at the home, as well as a separate one-bedroom caretaker's house +20 Great outdoors: The estate, which also has a stream and pond, stretches across nearly 17,000 square foot +20 Secluded: The driveway, which is a mile and a half long, took a team of engineers and two years to build +20 Incline: The lengthy driveway also takes visitors up 700ft towards the sprawling estate