Interior of Broughton Dovecote by Sunflowers159
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Description
Broughton, a village in Hampshire, has one of the three remaining circular brick dovecotes in England. Originally built in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 17th century, the wooden mechanisms were restored in the 1980s. Young pigeons and doves were an important source of meat in the past. I took this photo when I visited relatives there last week. You can find out more about it on the internet. Just look for Broughton Dovecote.
Comments (4)
MrsLubner
Pigeons were brought to our country by the elite who came to resettle in the US during the 1800s. Pigeons were considered to mark the upper class and ladies felt they must bring their pigeons in elaborate cages to America to show others here they were not poor and intended to be treated with respect. I have collect a few old photographs of socialites posed with their pet pigeons whom they dearly loved and pampered. This is a fabulous photograph. I love the care taken to house these birds - even if they were raised for food here.
blinkings
Wow that's great. I found some excellent info on it HERE. I was amazed to see it standing in an old graveyard.
Sunflowers159
Hi blinkings. The dovecote was owned by the church originally - which is why it's in the churchyard. Eating fish and poultry was one way of getting around the prohibition against eating meat on Fridays because fish and poultry were not classed as meat! There is a ladder attached to the revolving mechanism inside so that all the nest niches can be reached easily but it's chained up nowadays. I originally come from that village and I got married in that church :)!
Fahrenheit451
Fabulous architecture & the added historical references are a great addition to the photographs provenance!