Norman – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

Rutland: Visiting Rockingham Castle! (29.7.2025)

30/07/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

Despite visiting Duddington (in Northants) regularly since 2009, we had never seen any signs for “Rockingham” – and wondered where this place was. Furthermore, whereas King Henry VIII used to frequent “Nonsuch” (in Sutton and Cheam – where we live) – I am told that King John (1166-1216) of Magna Carta fame, used to spend his leisure time staying at Rockingham Castle – which is near Rockingham village. He used to hunt in the local woods. Apparently, Henry VIII granted the castle (the Norman version of which is currently over 950-years old) to the Watson family (it was leased to Edward Watson in 1544). Prior to this, the general area the castle is now constructed upon possessed a Roman (a coin production industry) – and then a Saxon (Lord Bovi) – presence. The locale of Rockingham (probably the nearby village) is mentioned in the 1066 Doomsday Book – with the castle proper being built between 1066-1071.

Sutton: St Nicholas Church – Interior and History! (10.9.2023)

10/09/2023 Adrian (釋大道)

Since around 1539 CE (and Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries) this Church has been ‘Protestant’. This is a large Church built for a substantial Township and can probably hold at least 100 worshippers at any one time. Bear in mind that there used to be a greater number of Churches in the UK per small area than there are today – and that populations used to be far smaller despite virtually everyone professing a faith. Perhaps the ample and impressive size of the Church is linked to it serving a local population with a higher social status and wealth – requiring certain standards as being seen to be kept! As far as we are concerned, archaeological structures retain the data of the past, and by studying these structures we are able to glimpse into that past!

Chris Chan [☨陳]* – Following the Light of the Candle! (3.9.2023)

03/09/2023 Adrian (釋大道)

A few years ago – I was contacted by a friend in China who asked me who this Western person was who has a Chinese surname (‘陳’ or ‘Chan’ the same name as that used in my family). I was intrigued, as the person in question seemingly pronounced the Chinese language ideogram ‘陳’ in exactly the same way as the Chinese branch of my family does, denoting a Hong Kong, New Territories or Guangdong (Cantonese) origination. Indeed, within North China – the ideogram ‘陳’ is usually referred to as ‘Chen’ (particularly in the Putonghua ‘Official’ language usage) – although in the Hokkien dialect of Southern Chinese Fujian province it becomes ‘Tan’ (in Vietnam it is ‘Van’), etc. Historically, and in one way or another we are all related – although the Sai Kung (New Territories) ‘Chan’ people are of ‘Hakka’ – or of Middle to North China origination! Although the Hakka people are part of the Han majority that comprise the Chinese people – there are persistent rumours that in the distant past some DNA influences within the Hakka genetic identity originate outside of North China and could well have involved typically non-Chinese traits (such as those found in Europe and Africa, etc).

Oxford University: Why Were the Jews Expelled from England in 1290 CE? (21.6.2023)

21/06/2023 Adrian (釋大道)

The post-1948 hijacking of the WWII narratives by the Zionists (which ‘excludes’ all mention of the Soviet Red Army ‘liberating’ the Death Camps) is a major problem, particularly as the far-right pursues the straw dog argument that ‘Communism’ equals ‘Judaism’ and vice versa. The Zionists reject Soviet (and ‘Socialist’) ideology – whilst the far-right accuses the Jews and the Zionists of being the very essence of ‘Communism’! Of course, bourgeois academia has continuously pursued a false narrative when assessing the Socialist cause – but as this class currently controls the means of production – one of its lies possesses the ability to withstand the impact of a hundred proletariat facts that prove it wrong! However, we have to start somewhere and we might as well use Oxford to our advantage – a University which has produced its own fair share of Communists – and it own far share of anti-Communist propaganda (such as its infamous, inaccurate ‘Black Book’)!

Toby – Resident Sheepdog – ABBEY MILLS: MERTON PRIORY CHAPTER HOUSE – 900 YEAR OLD WOODEN ARCH! PART 4 (7.8.2022)

08/08/2022 Adrian (釋大道)

Anyone who interacted, stroked, played with or threw a stick for ‘Toby’ – the resident sheepdog – was presented with a beautiful postcard of this well-behaved and genteel Sheepdog! He appears to be the pet of resident archaeologist – Mr John Hawks – the Curator of Chapter House, as he was the person who presented the postcard and seemed to know ‘Toby’ the best! Mr John Hawks has been featured in a number of articles about this very important ‘dig’ which has received a boost recently with the Priory ‘arched’ wooden gate being added to the already amply exhibition! There is much to see – such as the UK’s oldest Parliament and Lord Nelson’s Chest!

UK’s Earliest Parliament (1236 CE) – ABBEY MILLS: MERTON PRIORY CHAPTER HOUSE – 900 YEAR OLD WOODEN ARCH! PART 3 (7.8.2022)

08/08/2022 Adrian (釋大道)

Abbey Mills has always seemed to be a busy commercial area of South London and has a long history – like much of this area. In the old days, much of the UK was covered with Catholic monasteries, churches and many other similar buildings, Following the dissolution of the monasteries during the late 1530s, all this Catholic dominance came to a sudden, dramatic and violent end when Henry VIII decided he would no longer recognise the dominance and authority of the Pope! This single act changed the world forever and ushered in modernity, individualism and capitalism! The Old Church was replaced with a ‘new’ version that was then spread throughout the world through British (and European) colonialism! The point is that we are all the product of history – that is ‘of what came before’ – and that these strata of our being lies primarily buried beneath our feet and awaits rediscovery! Experts, governments, individuals and special interest groups can argue about the provenance of these finds, but one point everyone involved in this debate agrees upon is that history is undoubtedly beneath our feet!

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