You are cordially invited to join me on a walk around Wollaton Park, Nottingham in which I muse upon the so-called material reality of this realm and encounter a posse of stags and an ancient oak tree. It was inspired by two recent visits to the National Trust properties at Sudbury House and Hardwick Hall. Both the stag and the oak have ancient and metaphysical associations (see footnotes). Whenever I hear the official narrative of these places, I immediately question it: Who built all the stately palaces, castles and associated architecture? From where the materials sourced? Who were the master craftsmen […]