Of Kings and Crowns

Couldn't not post this wren even though I featured one the other day. It's perched amongst the blackthorn blooms and the incredibly strong, sharp thorns can be seen. A perfect image in my view for Good Friday as many think that Christ's crown of thorns was constructed from blackthorn. One reason for its association with bad luck.

I was interested to read that the image of the crown of thorns is often used symbolically to contrast with earthly monarchical crowns. In the symbolism of King Charles the Martyr, the executed English King Charles I is depicted putting aside his earthly crown to take up the crown of thorns. 

I have mentioned the wren featuring in the Coronation Invitation. It's appropriate as the wren is known as The King of the Birds. The title comes from the bird’s assumed cleverness. In a contest to see which bird could fly the highest, the wren tucked himself into an eagle’s wing feathers. When the eagle soared high above all the other birds, the wren popped out and flew even higher, proclaiming himself the king of the birds.

I took MrQ for a ride to Smith's Seafood Stand in Ongar in the hope of getting him some jellied eels for lunch and something fishy for dinner. It was closed! How strange on the fishiest day of the year. I got some cod loins elsewhere and made East End style liquor to go with them.