The City of Lions

Snooty Lion.

Yesterday, in the city of "Henry the Lion" I met my favourite lion again, the snooty one who acts a support for my comfy bench outside the main door of the Cathderal.  I sit here on warm days, eat ice cream, ponder the meaning of life, watch the world go by, and fully appreciate  the difficulties of learning the German language! 

"Henry the Lion," (1129-1195) was a member of the Welf Dynasty and Duke of Saxony.  He founded Munich and Luebeck, but made  Brunswick his capital, where, in 1166, he built his castle and erected a bronze statue of his heraldic animal, the lion. He later built Brunswick Cathedral next to his castle. 

These buildings were badly damaged in the last war, and below you can see the reconstructed castle and precinct,  with Henry's lion standing proudly  on its plinth.  The original bronze lion was stored away safely during hostilities in the 1930/40's  and survived intact.  It can be seen in the castle, which is now a museum.

The Domplatz (Cathedral Place) yesterday in the warm sunshine.

In 1168 Henry married Princess Matilda, the daughter of King Henry 11 of England and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, and sister of King Richard 1 of England.  The Bath/Brunswick Twinning Association regard Henry and Matilda as their founder members.  They are  buried side by side in the Cathedral crypt, with a monumental tombstone in the nave.

Romy, Ursel and Juergen, members of the Monday morning English group. 

Three members above of the English group.  They struggle to learn English and I struggle to learn German.  They are a lovely group of seven members in all.