tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19151341.post114046902525876629..comments2024-03-16T16:12:13.296+00:00Comments on some LANDSCAPES: The StiperstonesPliniushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529481330530614513noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19151341.post-1140886590880023102006-02-25T16:56:00.000+00:002006-02-25T16:56:00.000+00:00In the county of Hereford we find the Devil's Shov...In the county of Hereford we find the Devil's Shovelful. It is situated at the eastern end of Shobdon and is in reality a prehistoric barrow. But Ella Leather collected a story, published in 1912, which had the Devil infuriated by the erection of such a fine church at Shobdon. He dug up a shovelful of earth so that he could bury both the village and the church. But approaching the village, he scared an old cobbler who dropped his bag. Out tumbled a pile of old shoes. The Devil asked whether the village was Shobdon but the cobbler told him that he had worn out all his shoes looking for the place. The Devil lost heart and dropped the earth where he stood, forming the feature known as the Devil's Shovelful or the Cobbler's mound.<BR/><BR/>The church at Shobdon was one of the glories of the Herefordshire Romanesque school but it was demolished in 1752 leaving some of its fine sculpture as an eye catcher for the landscaped park. But at least Viscount Bateman replaced it by a jewel of a Gothick church which is well worth a visit.snarlersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13117760284163716428noreply@blogger.com