European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 05, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Great Britain. Y53mtc�v �\3s.&.  4 4 vis Tor walks through a Stone archway that frames the remains of Wolmesley Castle. The River i Chen runs beneath Winchester s 19th-Century Bridge and past an old Mill. The present Mill was built in 1744 on the site of a medieval Mill. Outdoor cafes line the half timbered buildings of Winchester s High Street. S is photos by Dave Didio there s More to this City than its famous Cathedral by Nancy l. Torner . Bureau Winchester is one of the most historic cities in the District of " Hampshire and much of its ancient architecture legends and traditions Are still intact. The Winchester Cathe Cufal just South of the Broadway is the architectural focal Point of the City. The Cathedral also is the Center of activity this summer As it celebrates its 900th anniversary with a series of special music and Art events that will run through september. It s fitting that the Celebration concentrates on the visual arts and music since higher learning is an important aspect of the City. The famous Winchester College on College Street was established in 1382 by William of Wykeham former Bishop of Winchester Wykeham s shrine in the rear of Winchester Cathedral is said to be the most visited of the Many notable people buried there. Other famous people entombed in the Cathedral include authors Izaak Walton and Jane Austen who lived the last years of her life at Chawton cottage. Visiting Austen s cottage requires a Side trip to Chawton which is about .15 Miles East of Winchester off a31 and b36. This is where Austen wrote Emma and where she became ill and died july 18,1817, at age 41 of what would have been diagnosed As Addison s disease which is caused by the failure of the adrenal glands. Another piece of history the Westgate museum sits atop a Hill at the West end of High Street overlooking the City Center. The tiny museum was established in one of two surviving gateways in a Wall that once circled Winchester. The original Wall and gateways of which there once were five were fortified and partially rebuilt in the 1200s by Henry Iii. The Westgate museum occupies a room above the Gateway Arch that once was used As a debtor s prison. It consists of exhibits of the City s various weights and measures different types of Armor and information about the City s history. The roof of the museum also is open to the Public via a flight of stairs. Although most views Are blocked there Are a few Vantage posts where visitors can look out Over the  straight lined Grid pattern of streets that you will see from the museum s roof was Laid out during the ninth Century under instructions from King Alfred the great. The Street pattern was left undisturbed by William the conqueror when his military forces took Over the City in 1066 and the same pattern still serves the City today. To Rule Over his new Domain William the conqueror established the Winchester Castle on Castle Hill just South of the Westgate museum. It was one of the first great castles in England and some of its excavated ruins still can be seen including the Royal Chapel excavated in 1971, and the round Tower which was built in 1222 by Henry Iii and was excavated in 1968. The Only building of the Winchester Castle that remains intact is the great Hall which was built in the late 12qos. The great Hall still is used for travelling exhibits and it also is the site of one of the City s More famous and debated legends. A number of towns in England have claimed an association with King Arthur and the knights of the round table and Winchester is one of them. A round Oak table that is Large enough to have seated King Arthur and his 24 knights is attached to a Vall in the great Hall and although no one seriously believes that the table was made during the presumed age of Arthur in the fifth or sixth Century questions remain about whether the table had Ever been used As such or Why it had been Hung on the Wall. Extensive ruins of another Palace the Wol Vesey also exist on the East end of the City Center South of the Broadway near the River Itchen Wol Vesey was the main residence of the Bishops of Winchester throughout the Middle Ages but very Little is known about it before the 12th Century. By about the year 1000, the Palace included at least a Hall the Bishop s sleeping chamber and possibly a prison. Numerous additions were made Over several centuries and extensive repairs were made periodically through time. The last great occasion of the state was held at Wol Vesey in 1554, when Queen Mary stayed at the Palace for her marriage to Philip of Spain. The Palace remained virtually abandoned for the next Century until Bishop George Morley took Over remodelling the Structure in 1662. However because maintenance costs were High and the Palace relied on 23 hearths for warmth Morley had a new House built in 1680 just South of the medieval Palace. Only the Wol Vesey Chapel remained in use and the rest of the Palace was stripped to provide materials for the new building. By the end of the 18th Century the ruins of the medieval Palace were in pretty much the condition that they Are today although the site has been robbed of Stone periodically for various Road projects. It was t until about 1895 that Steps were taken to preserve the ruins one of the City s traditions that has not fallen to ruins is the giving of a wayfarer s Dole at the St. Cross Hospital which is about a 20-minute leisurely walk from Wol Vesey. Turn left on College Street when leaving the Palace until you come to a gravel Footpath on the right Side of the Street. The path runs along the River Itchen and leads to the former Hospital. Which is now an almshouse. The Upkeep of St. Cross is seen to by two retired gentlemen who will allow you to View the ancient formal Garden the Chapel and the dining Hall. If you ask them for a wayfarer s Dole which is a free handout for travellers they will give you a Small Sandwich and a few swallows of ale at no charge. The City also is Home to some newer  As the Royal Green jackets museum. The museum on Romsey Road West of the Westgate museum was opened in december 1989 by Queen Elizabeth ii. Museum displays Tell a Story that begins in 1741 of How four regiments ultimately joined in 166 to become the Royal Green jackets. The four regiments include the 43rd Oxfordshire Light inf the 52nd Buckinghamshire Light inf the King s Royal 60th Rifle corps which were formed in North America in 1755 and the 95th Rifle brigade. Exhibits include models of nine Battles. The most impressive Model which depicts the Battle of Waterloo measures 22by-11 feet and contains 22,000 Model soldiers and horses As Well As sound commentary and lie tins effects. Also on display Are  my 7- uniforms weapons paintings and visitors to the front Garden of Winchester Cathedral relax beneath the statue of a British Soldier. The other artefacts that Span nearly 250 Monument is a memorial to the officers and enlisted soldiers of the King s Royal Rifle corps who died years. During world War i. Travellers tips getting there Winchester is about 65 Miles Southwest of London. If driving take the m3 Motorway West out of London to the first Winchester exit and follow the signs to the historic City Center. The City Center is filled with one Way streets and pedestrian zones so it is Best to Park in one of the Many parking lots and tour the City on foot. If travelling by train frequent daily service is available from London s Waterloo station. The train trip takes about one hour and the City Center is just a few minutes Southeast of the Winchester station by walking South on station Road to upper High Street which leads to High Street and the City Center. Food and drink the City is filled with restaurants with English As Well As ethnic fare ranging from sandwiches to full course meals for outdoor cafes look in the area near the Square and great Minster Street. There also Are numerous pubs that serve bar food As Well As offer a traditional English setting for sipping ale. Shopping the Best area is along the Broadway and High Street which is the main Road that runs from a statue of King Alfred on the East end to about Southgate Street on the West end. A part of the main Road As Well As portions of Cross streets Are pedestrian zones Only merchandise ranges from regular department stores and bookshop fare to shops that specialize in tourism and traditional English items. Don t neglect the Side streets which also Are filled with shops. Safety watch your wallets and purses. As in most tourist areas pickpockets sometimes work the Busy streets. Admissions the Wol Vesey Palace is open daily from 10 . To 6 . From april 1 to sept. 30. Tickets Are 1.20 pounds about $1.85 for adults and 60 Pence about 93 cents for children. Jane Austen s cottage is open from 11 . To 4 30 . Daily Between april and october on wednesdays to sundays in november december and March and on saturdays and sundays in january and february. Admission is 1.50 pounds about $2.30 for adults and 50 Pence about 80 cents for children under age 14. The Royal Green jackets museum is open from 10 . To 5 . Mondays to saturdays and from noon to 4 . Sundays. Admission is 2 pounds about $3 for adults and 1 Pound about $1,50 for senior citizens and children Ages 5 to 18. The Westgate museum is closed in november and january and on mondays in february March and october. At All other times the hours Are from 10 . To 5 . Mondays through fridays 10 . To 1 . And 2 to 5 . Saturdays and 2 to 5 . Sundays. Admission is 30 Pence about 50 cents. Tourist information the tourist information Center in the Guildhall on the Broadway is open in the summer from 9 30 . To 6 . Mondays to saturdays and from 10 . To 1 . Sundays. Ask for a free map of Winchester attractions at the main desk. The Center also offers guided walking Tours of. The City for 2 pounds about $3.10 for adults and 50 Pence about 78 cents for children. For More information Call 0962 840500 outside the United kingdom dial the appropriate country code followed by 44 962 840500. Nancy i. Torner 14 stripes Magazine August 5, 1993 August 5, 1993 stripes Magazine 15