David Jones, artist and poet (1895-1974) begins his PREFACE TO THE ANATHEMATA :
'I have made a heap of all that I could find.' (1) So wrote Nennius, or whoever composed the introductory matter to Historia Brittonum. He speaks of an 'inward wound' which was caused by the fear that certain things dear to him 'should be like smoke dissipated'. Further, he says, 'not trusting my own learning, which is none at all, but partly from writings and monuments of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, partly from the annals of the Romans and the chronicles of the sacred fathers, Isidore, Hieronymous, Prosper, Eusebius and from the histories of the Scots and Saxons although our enemies . . . I have lispingly put together this . . . about past transactions, that [this material] might not be trodden under foot'. (2)
(1) The actual words are coacervavi omne quod inveni, and occur in Prologue 2 to the Historia.
(2) Quoted from the translation of Prologue 1. See The Works of Gildas and Nennius, J.A.Giles, London 1841.
..PNG)
. Queen's Birthday choristers whispered Bonzaview awake to the sound of blessed rain. We thanked you M'am as we opened the blinds to heavy fog. The first of the official party - a Heraldic Supporter mind you - was sighted already in the grounds by 10am recumbent on the crest beneath the mulberry. As preparations continued I passed by him several times. We acknowledged each other and wished the Queen long life.
The Official Party arrived early afternoon, by which time H.M.Supporter had taken his leave. The rain looked like setting in. Miss Hazel aged 7, accompanied by R & S and her canine companion Toby aged 3 months, when told of that sage local insisted upon the immediate production of a Commemoration.
.PNG)
