the Words Made Flesh

The History of Notting Hill The Notting Hill area has a rich and varied history. As the area continues to develop, it is important to consider the history so that the area can maintain some its interesting heritage. Understanding the history of Notting Hill also helps us to understand how the area looks today. Pre-19th Century The Notting Hill area can be found in records dating as far back as the 13th Century, albeit under an earlier version of the name; Knottynghull. The Knott section of the name may have been derived from the Viking king Cnut. If this is the case, then it is likely that a settlement at Notting Hill has existed in some form for over 1000 years. In the 18th century, Notting Hill became known for its brick making and pig farming industries. The soil in the area contained high levels of clay and was therefore perfect for brick manufacture. The extraction of the clay for the production of bricks and pottery left a number of large holes around the area. A number o...

Devon map by Stuart Hill Devon is a stunning county of great contrasts, with two beautiful coastlines, two National Parks and five official Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There’s so much to visit and do, too: family attractions, historic buildings, award-winning places to eat, thrilling outdoor activities, and exciting events happening all year round. Clovelly Devon, England Ancient extent of Devon Devon, also name Devonshire, is a county in south west England, bordering Cornwall to the west with Dorset and Somerset to the east. There is evidence of occupation in the county from Stone Age times onward. Its history starts in the Roman period when it was a civitas. It was then a separate kingdom for a number of centuries until it was incorporated into early England. It has remained a largely agriculture based region ever since though tourism is now very important. The name "Devon" derives from the tribe of Celtic people who inhabited the south-western ...

To Cross Swords (With someone), meaning: If you cross swords with someone, you disagree with them and argue with them about something. To fight, either verbally or physically. To have and argument with someone. To disagree, argue or oppose with someone. (Figuratively) To become the adversary of someone. Originally this phrase had the literal sense of "fight a duel". Synonyms/Thesaurus: Fight, Argue, Dispute, Disagree, Spar, Wrangle, be at loggerheads with, come to blows, engage in conflict, have a dispute, bicker, conflicting, a bone of contention, adversarial, aggressor, agitate, agree to differ, arguable, argue the toss, bandy, bandy words, battle, battlefield, to be at odds (with), be on a collision course, contrarina, collision, do battle, dissent, dissenter, discordant, exchange words, expostulate, factious, fall out, feud, gherao, hammer something out, have a bone to pick with someone, incongruent, beg to differ, lock horns, loggerheads, make a case for ...

"At first blush": When you first see or experience something. At first glance, sight, when first seen, upon first seeing or considering something. All three phrases: At first blush/glance/ sight date from the 1300s. The noun "blush" is used with the obsolete meaning "glimpse" or "momentary view" and this idiom has nothing to do with embarrassment. In actual reality, the English phrase "At fisrt blush" is a literal translation of the Latin phrase "Prima facie" (meaning: at first appearance, at first view, before investigation//plain or clear, self-evident, obvious). "Blush" as a noun meaning "glance, sight" is obsolete except for the phrase "at (on) (the) first blush". example sentences: 1. The contract seemed favourable at first blush, but it eventually cost me a lot of money 2. It looks at first blush like a standard smartphone Thesaurus Synonyms original adjective existing at th...

British History: The Norman Conquest Portrait of William I-William the Conqueror (c. 1028-1087), married Matilda of Flanders, c. 1050, became King of England on 25 December 1066 and reigned until 9 September 1087. Norman Conquest, the military conquest of England by William, duke of Normandy, primarily effected by his decisive victory at the Battle of Hastings (Oct. 14, 1066) and resulting ultimately in profound political, administrative, and social changes in the British Isles. Invasion Of England The conquest was the final act of a complicated drama that had begun years earlier, in the reign of Edward the Confessor, last king of the Anglo-Saxon royal line. Edward, who had almost certainly designated William as his successor in 1051, was involved in a childless marriage and used his lack of an heir as a diplomatic tool, promising the throne to different parties throughout his reign, including Harold Godwineson, later Harold II, the powerful earl of Wessex. The exil...

The School of Hard knocks (Idiom) If you learn something in the school of hard knocks, you learn it as a result of difficult or unpleasant experiences. A school of hard knocks is a way of learning valuable lessons in life through practical experience and not through the books. Example: She learned from the school of hard knocks that failures are not the end but rather a part of her journey to success. Origin This 19th century phrase deals with learning lessons from ones mistakes, hardships. It says when life knocks you round it makes you strong. School is such a place where you learn different subjects but there is another kind of school unlike formal school, but it teaches important lessons of life. This school is called the “school of hard knocks”. Although it is non-figurative school, but successful people who might not have learn from formal schools often say they have learn from the “school of hard knocks”. Thesaurus absorb all-nighter article assimilate audit autod...