Ashes Gallery

The burial of Thomas Hardys heart

The burial of Thomas Hardy's heart among his own people: the vicar of Stinsford in Dorset ('Mellstock of Under the Greenwood Tree') bearing the casket containing it, with mourners including the novelists brother, from church to grave. Hardy's ashes were interred at Westminster Abbey in Poet's Corner

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

WW2 - Elverum, Norway - destruction caused by German advance

WW2 - Elverum, Hedmark County, Norway - destruction caused by German advance. in April 1940, Norwegian troops had prevented German paratroopers from capturing Norway's King Haakon, Crown Prince, and the Parliament while the Parliament was meeting (in Elverum - the temporary capital) to issue the Elverum Authorization, authorizing the exiled government. On April 11th, shortly after the government's refusal to submit to German terms, the centre of Elverum was reduced to ashes as can be seen in this stark image. Date: 1940

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

Summer Solstice

Fires were lit at solstices and equinoxes by the ancient Germans : the fires cured their ailments, and the ashes scattered in the fields ensured fertility

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Ailments, Ancient, Ashes, Bce, Cured, Customs, Ensured, Equinoxes, Fertility, Fields, Fires, Germans, Germany, Historical, History, Lit, Scattered, Solstice, Solstices, Summer