Hailes and the Blood of Christ - The Abbey and the missing Relic

[@MattMesserPics]

Apologies once more! I had to remove a copyright issue - Won't happen again...

[@AlannahRyane]

I needed this .... much calmer now .Thanks! Great job on your narrative!

[@MattMesserPics]

Ohh, great to have a calming effect - Thanks for the praise!

[@AlannahRyane]

@@MattMesserPics actually went straight on to the White Horse video saw how in tune your presentations are so went to sub then discovered I was already sub'd. Anything historical draws me in especially if it is in England

[@MattMesserPics]

@@AlannahRyane That's a nice way to almost get another subscriber!

[@gitarleg1]

I grew up in Didbrook, the village next to hailes and was always fascinated by the abbey. Thank you so much for making this, I’ve always been so interested to find out more about it!

[@MattMesserPics]

Thanks very much - The first comment from someone with such close relation to that lovely place! I'm sure you know that Didbrook was practically created to give the Cistercians their much coveted privacy. The inhabitants of the original village of Hailes (or Hayles) were simply moved up the field a few hundred yards. So, in case your family has been there a long time, you are an old 'Haylsian' by ancestry.

[@gitarleg1]

@@MattMesserPics that’s really interesting to know thank you!

[@radicalcartoons2766]

Matthias, I would love you to do a visit to the abandoned Woodchester mansion, near Stroud. There is spectacular scenery off the ridge nearby, where paragliders practice. I know the history of the mansion is well documented, but it's still a beautiful and spooky place.

[@MattMesserPics]

Interesting - I had thought about Woodchester mansion. Being an ex-Tetburian that was almost my back-garden. We explored the grounds with the kids from all angles including walking up from South Woodchester. Happy days! And it is a fascinating place, frozen in time from the day building stopped. Thanks for reminding me!

[@lisadavis5442]

Stumbled right into this channel ! Your work is exceptional ….. thank you ! Kindest regards and best wishes, West Virginia USA

[@MattMesserPics]

Thank you very much indeed for that kind praise! Sorry, I have so little time to post these days, but more is on the way...

[@monicacall7532]

I just happened upon your channel an hour ago and am enjoying myself immensely. Your knowledge of Medieval history, culture and architecture makes the videos both interesting and informative. Many thanks. PS. Thank you for pronouncing Bealieu correctly. I cringe whenever I hear people (even the locals!) call it Bewly. Ditto for when they pronounce Boulogne as Booloin!

[@MattMesserPics]

Thanks for that nice comment! It seems to be a niche subject, though, considering how little attention that Hailes video is getting. All the more important to welcome a new watcher!

[@thestraightroad305]

Lovely. New subscriber. We will be visiting England for the birth of our third grandchild in two weeks. It is a lifelong dream. I’ve always wanted to see the Uffington Horse, so that’s how I found you. Then I watched the Giant, and now am “here” at Hailes, which will certainly be on my list of must visits. Thank you so much for the history, peace and beauty you’ve shared.

[@MattMesserPics]

Thanks for the lovely comment! If you have time, you may find a visit to Tintern inspiring - it is only an hours drive from Hailes.

[@thestraightroad305]

@@MattMesserPics Thank you so much! We’ve just arrived in Rowland’s castle in Hampshire…Whenever we get settled, we will investigate Tintern as well!

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Oh no, what a nightmare for you, Matt! I enjoyed it first time round and I’m sure I will the second!

[@MattMesserPics]

Thanks, mate! These things do happen: I had to get rid of that lovely piano piece my son had played, because it's the title melody of Three Wishes for Cinderella (beautiful music)...and he was so proud to have provided my soundtrack...

[@museonfilm8919]

@@MattMesserPics He's talented enough to compose something for you, I'm sure. Then, at least - you'd have something nobody could have 'issues' with!

[@carinschramm2380]

I attempted to watch this the other day. But a “tropical paradise” has a few minor quirks. Stable power grid being the most common of those. But fascinating video, so thanks!

[@MattMesserPics]

And thanks for the praise! If I look out of the window here, I'd say: Accept the power issues and consider yourself very lucky!

[@jamesbottomley2596]

"Bottom print of Thomas Cromwell". Lol. Great video Matthias, very fascinating and beautifully delivered. Hailes is well worth a visit, not least for the excellent apple orchard shop next door. I don't buy the authenticity of the relic, they were fabricated by artisans to order in the Middle East, especially in Jerusalem, throughout the early middle ages and sold to the credulous. It's reasonably to suggest that 99% of the well known ones were fakes. A small pronunciation tip: the 'Scilly Isles' are pronounced like 'silly' and not 'skilly' as you have it. Your English is generally very impressive!

[@MattMesserPics]

Thank you! Imagine Christoph Waltz saying: "Forgive me, it is a second language!"...😁 But about the relic: Yes, of course it was a fake, 99% sure. But the intriguing thing is that the more you probe, and my break-through was the trip to Aachen, the more you extend its trace into the past - it is accounted for as early as the beginning of the 9th century. So at least a very old fake...

[@garethjones4742]

I long for a documentary to call him Karl Der Große

[@MattMesserPics]

And you may soon get one. I'm preparing some new work in old East-Franconia (we call it Germany today) that I'll have to publish in both languages.Lots of work...