Cushman Writes

Note: My tutor and I hold different views on this topic. He argues that princely burials should be seen as a short-lived phenomenon, based on broader burial patterns in the 6th century. However, I would suggest that while the overt display of princely burials may have declined, their influence persisted in later, Christianised forms of elite burial. There is nuance in both positions, and I think it's worth exploring how elements of richly furnished burial practices may have evolved rather than vanished. I returned to university this week and sat a collection based on Anglo-Saxon English society and economy c.600 -750. One of the questions was “Why were princely burials such a short-lived phenomenon?” I argued against this and stated that princely burials in their construction were not short-lived but evolved towards the Church. The passing of His Holiness Pope Francis earlier last week got me thinking. As a prince of the Church and his papal name ‘Francis’, how would he incorporate...

Earlier this month, I spent three days in Washington, DC — the heart of the U.S. government and a city shaped by its ideals. From the solemn stillness of Arlington Cemetery to the imposing dome of the Capitol, I was struck by how deeply the city’s layout invites reflection on democracy, power, and public memory. Thanks to William for proofreading! Washington, DC, was made the nation’s capital on the 16th of July, 1790. It emerged from a place of compromise between the Northern and Southern states due to war debts from the Revolutionary War. The city was a crucial development for the national identity of the newly formed United States of America. The country was young and in need of proving itself to what was previously the most powerful Navy; as such, it required thoughtful development to mirror the strength of the organisation of this new country. Pierre Charles L’Enfant designed a baroque-style plan of the city in 1791 and established an innovative design that would later be mirror...