Where a Tree Grows

 

The Hardy Tree
London St. Pancras Tree

Literature of the Victorian era was strange. It was both romantic and humorous; it also dealt with serious social issues. I do not pretend to be an expert at all. What interests me, though, is the literature that I did not read until I was in college. This author is Thomas Hardy. 

Thomas Hardy strayed from the acceptable to eyebrow raising literature. During this era, women were chattel and sexuality was whispered about in closed rooms or closets. Hardy's work was exciting, just the ticket for a suppressed/oppressed/depressed
 society.  

His most known work is Tess d'Urbervilles, a book about a fallen woman. The real scandalous book Jude the Obscure was sold in brown paper bags.

One would think that this comprised the entirety of Thomas Hardy's talent. But, no. 

Thomas Hardy studied to be an architect, did so well that he won major prizes from the Royal Institute of British Architects. His success captured lots of attention and his work still is admired today. 

Here is the most amazing bit of his history: He was commissioned to excavate part of the graveyard of St. Pancras Old Church before its destruction to make room for the Midland Railway terminus. By golly, Hardy was creative to the point that he will be remembered by many just for this by many generations. 

Dating from 400 AD

Removing centuries of decayed bodies was deemed impossible, Hardy designed a way to honor them by collecting headstones and displaying them around an ash tree. The tree has since started growing into the headstones. The bodies were carefully and respectively removed.

Now, St. Pancras Old Church is a music venue in this 4th Century Church, which is just behind King's Cross station.

Lone Bellow playing on Jan. 22

Photo shoot on their "Mad Day Out"

Thomas Hardy was a man of many talents. Who knew?