Armada Beacon, a photo from Suffolk, England

Photographer's Note

Good Morning Everyone,

When I took this photograph, I wasn't sure what I was actually photographing, but this is another link to history.

The castle is much older (find details here ) but this beacon was part of a system used for communication from Tudor times.

In late 16th century, there was a real threat of invasion from Spain. Since most people could not read and pigeons were a little unreliable, a system of beacons was devised to warn people of the invasion. When the Spanish Armada of 151 ships, was sighted off the coast with the intention of invading England and overthrowing Queen Elizabeth I, it is said that these beaconsthat is, bonfires were lit to send the warning all over the country.

There are many of these beacons still in evidence around the coast of the U.K.

I particularly like how the early morning sun was casting a burnished light on the beacon.

In the workshop, I will add another view of the beacon.

I wish you a happy weekend, Bev :-)

holmertz, jean113, Fis2, ChrisJ, jhm, alvaraalto, ikeharel, Cricri, macjake oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

Tue (93296) 2019-02-23 1:55

Hello Beverley,
I have seen such beacons in the UK as well, I had heard about this Tudor warning system, but had never connected the two! A great shot of the beacon with the beautiful old sign as well and the impressive castle walls and towers in the background. The sidelight was very appealing.
Lars

Nicou (193814) 2019-02-23 2:32

Hello

en fait c'est comme un poteau téléphonique ancien quel panier au sommet de ce bout de bois et la vue sur ce château quelle architecture fine tout en hauteur quel cadrage et mise en valeur sueprbe.
Bravo et belle journée
Nicou

holmertz (103520) 2019-02-23 2:45

Hello Bev,
I would never have known what this "basket" on the wooden pole had been used for. The sign could have made me think of a nearby pub, but I would not have understood the connection between the two. So once again I have learned something from TE. Even in my total ignorance I would have liked the composition with the juxtaposition of the castle and the obviously ancient beacon.
Kind regards,
Gert

jean113 (28221) 2019-02-23 4:45

Hello Beverley, a well considered composition, beautifully balanced.
The structure of the beacon looks great set against the blue sky.

If I remember rightly havent we lit beacons more recently for very special events?
Did we light them to see the turn of the century when 1999 became 2000?

Anyway your note is, as ever, very informative.
Have a good weekend.
Regards Jean.

Fis2 (171789) 2019-02-23 4:47

Witaj Bev!
Interesting place, curious castle and very curious beacon.
Good framing, colors and light.
The date on the coat of arms is impressive.
I like it.
Well done.
Have a good weekend.
Krzysztof

ChrisJ (172372) 2019-02-23 6:50

Hello Beverley,

I had never heard of these warning beacons before but I did know that the English navy sent the Spanish Armada to the bottom of the North Sea, as they were faster, smaller and better coordinated, than the rather cumbersome and large Spanish ships. Th bg castle adds place and context. Tfs!

kasianowak (17676) 2019-02-23 11:35

Hi Bev
I love details like this. Taken in lovely morning light and with the castle in the background this truly is an excellent shot. I'll be looking for these beacons from now on, whenever I travel to the coast.
Best wishes
Kasia

lousat (139906) 2019-02-23 14:17

Hi Bev,very interesting post,i never heard nothing about this communication way of 16th century. And your 2 pics are perfect to understand,useful post well done as usual,with a great view of the castle too in the main pic. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

jemaflor (148094) 2019-02-23 23:33

Hi Bev,
Interesting composition well balanced with tower and this Fg on the right side of the view, good quality, light, sharpness and colors, tfs.

alvaraalto (42804) 2019-02-24 1:22

Hello Bev,
I do know this warning system with light beacons, but not in connection with a possible Spanish invasion of England. Something was fought in the 16th century. I have read this story from 1588. In our history diaries is still proudly told about the destruction of the second Spanish armada in 1639.
Always interesting when such a photo is a reason to refresh your memory.
Well done!
Have a good Sunday, groet Rob

jhm (211738) 2019-02-24 5:08

Hello Bev,

You placed the beacon nice to the rightside of the picture.
Also the tower showing a nice contrast against the blue sky.
It seem a nice rural area in background between the green vegetation.
Your two additional pictures are a nice addition.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice Sunday,
John.

ikeharel (114435) 2019-02-24 5:34

Hello Beverley and thanks for your interesting prolonged critique.
The ancient beacon and the view towards the castle added good DOF to the whole, a plaque attached tells about the year probably all was happening there.
New cars gave a modern era time-check...
Good afternoon,
Ike

abmdsudi (95869) 2019-02-24 22:31

Hi Beverley
A good juxtaposition of the two historic structures, great colours and detail also pin sharp right through the scene; well done, Congrats
Best regards

Cricri (176) 2019-02-24 23:39

Hi Beverley
Bien présenter le château avec la balise, cela a un côté original et intéressant , bien présenter seul en WS
Amitiés
cricri

Silvio1953 (222747) 2019-02-25 1:45

Ciao cara Bev, great view of fantastic castle, wonderful colors, splendid light and excellent clarity, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

carlo62 (81265) 2019-02-25 5:41

Ciao Bev
il solo cartello con scritto 1579 č un ottimo motivo per ottenere una foto, se ci uniamo anche il castello, il risultato č garantito.
Saluti
Carlo

emka (158672) 2019-02-25 12:17

Hello Bev, I learned something today on TE. First, I didn't know the word beacon. besides, an interesting note of how they communicated in the old times. Nice and educative picture.

KInd regards MAlgo

jmdias (116307) 2019-03-10 11:00

bev

of course this structure was rebuilt many times once it is made in wood and iron. I imagine who decided to save them, maybe it was used even much time after.
nice view of the marvelous small castle ahead included.
history sometimes could have took another way and a simple event modified everything. many would say this is coincidence, for me it isn't.

take care

jorge

macjake (98544) 2019-03-15 17:55

Hi Bev
i'm back from my trip to Portugal/Spain, i'll post a new drone photo in the next few hours. as for your note, I don't know how pigeons or any type of bird could be useful in sending a note...how does the bird know where to go? hahaha, can't believe that was ACTUALLY a way of sending information! the beacon we see is such a great subject for TE, we don't see anything like this here. It almost looks like a basketball hoop/net but the net is closed at the bottom. I'd have an urge to try and throw a ball in the beacon cage hahahahaha. you have posted many wonderful shots in my 3 week absence, but I have to take a closer look at this beacon, glad you posted it. cheers
Craig