York is well known for it's Snickelways, and there have been occasional shots of them earlier in our project.
If you haven't heard of them before, the origin of the word is "Snickelway was coined by local author Mark W. Jones in 1983 in his book A Walk Around the Snickelways of York, and is a portmanteau of the words snicket, meaning a passageway between walls or fences, ginnel, a narrow passageway between or through buildings, and alleyway, a narrow street or lane." (Wikipedia)
This snickelway is now known as Lund's Court, but used to be known as Mad Alice Lane. So who was Mad Alice? - well, very little is known of her. She came from a very poor background. She was executed in 1823 at York Castle after being accused of poisoning her husband. Her ghost is reputed to haunt this alley (this is one of the calling points for York's ghost trail).
Some fascinating buildings are hidden in the snickelways. As you can see in this shot, the building in the distance here is clearly timber framed, and there is an attractive old light above the paved route.
I like seeing the person in the distance, reminding me that this old, old buildings are still lived in and loved today, and aren't just a historical curiosity. :-) Lovely capture!
York is where I consider my spiritual home to be. I have family who live there and spent 4 years at St. John's college in the 1970s this is a Fav for me just because .... I am following your project now
Love this shot and the fascinating history. Like the lamp and the person drawing you through at the far end. We have 'twittens' down here in Sussex, similar idea. Fav!
Awesome shot, Ian. I find these Snickelways very interesting. I saw some in Germany last vacation and also in Holland. Ferry and Ina were so nice and took us on a tour through Middleburg and surrounding area.
Thank you Denise, and thank you for the fav! Both Katharine and I were at St Johns in the 1970s as well. Thank you for the follow, we are following you in return. We are looking forward to seeing more of your photos and hearing more of your thoughts on ours.
Thank you Richard - you made me stop and think, and it's true, I haven't posted much on a historical theme recently, although there was a lot of York's history, and especially the city walls, on my solo project that I completed before we started our family project - http://365project.org/if1/365
@fishers Thanks Ian - I've had a browse and see that you posted a lot of interesting stuff. I was interested in the tapestry of the Laxey Wheel which is in fact the largest overshot water wheel in the world. Mrs S is, in fact Manx, so I've visited many times: I've even absailed from the top of the wheel to the bottom of the mine shaft - some 250 feet in total... you then have to wade out through 500 yds of half flooded adit, in the dark!
I think the Isle of Man is my spiritual home! We have been many times since our first visit in 1979, and have explored the island thoroughly, although there are still a few hidden corners to explore! Our last visit was in 2010, and the time since then is by far the longest period without a visit. We were hoping to visit this year, but ill parents might make it impossible. I would imagine your abseil was a tremendous experience!
Ian
May 15th, 2014
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Thank you Cindy - glad you like it.
Ian
Thank you Therese, this network of snickleways are a fascinating collection of hidden places to explore.
Ian
Thank you Berni - quite often in York a modern looking front to a building hides something much older behind.
Ian
Thank you Netkonnexion, glad you like it.
Ian
Thank you Graham, and thank you for the fav!
Ian
Thank you Denise, and thank you for the fav! Both Katharine and I were at St Johns in the 1970s as well. Thank you for the follow, we are following you in return. We are looking forward to seeing more of your photos and hearing more of your thoughts on ours.
Ian
Thank you Ivan, and thank you for the fav! Interesting to hear the term 'twittens'. I think these regional names are fascinating.
Ian
Thank you Lynne, and thank you for the fav!
Ian
Thank you Bob, glad you like it.
Ian
Thank you Amanda, and thank you for the fav!
Ian
Thank you Ferry - there are a lot of different regional names for these little lanes.
Ian
Thank you Bruni - it's fascinating to see these hidden corners of towns and cities.
Ian
Thank you Dianne, glad you like it.
Ian
Thank you Steve and Pam - I had a quick google search to find out about Mad Alice, but other than her execution, there seems to be little information.
Ian
Thank you Shepherdman, and thank you for the fav!
Ian
Thank you Richard - you made me stop and think, and it's true, I haven't posted much on a historical theme recently, although there was a lot of York's history, and especially the city walls, on my solo project that I completed before we started our family project - http://365project.org/if1/365
Ian
Thank you Tony, and thank you for the fav!
Ian
Thank you Debbie, glad you like it!
Ian
Thank you Brian - these snickelways are full of character
Ian
Thank you Molly, and thank you for the fav!
Ian
I think the Isle of Man is my spiritual home! We have been many times since our first visit in 1979, and have explored the island thoroughly, although there are still a few hidden corners to explore! Our last visit was in 2010, and the time since then is by far the longest period without a visit. We were hoping to visit this year, but ill parents might make it impossible. I would imagine your abseil was a tremendous experience!
Ian