Hardy's Monument at Black Down

The decision to build the monument in a place that is, while high, so isolated fascinates me. And your composition of the scene, with the tower off-center adds a special sense of strength to the space.  Thank!

In a nation of walkers, the monument may not be as isolated as it seems, and I've seen other such monuments in the countryside.  Maybe it was a 19th century thing.  I haven't walked to this one, but I did walk this coastline for a week once and at the end, not far from this place, walked to Hardy's Cottage, the home of the other Thomas Hardy mentioned.  I recommend both.

Scottish beacons were built to warn the Scots that the English were invading.

And the Brecon Beacons were to warn the Welsh that the English were coming.

But the complex system of Beacons across England were built in Elizabethan times to warn of the Spanish Armada - 1588 -  and the invasion of England. A great fire on a hill top could ignite a warning to the whole country within an hour to take up arms to defend the country.

Despite it's apparent visual isolation, whilst looking over this beautiful Dorset countryside, it's position has 2 major "strengths", if I may use the term.

Firstly, it overlooks Portland harbour which was very much in it's latest stage of expansion under Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert in the year that Hardy's monument was built and was being readied for the new great Victorian Naval "steam fleet".

Even today the harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world at 520 hectares (nearly 1300 acres) and so would have been a suitably 'triumphal' view for the Captain of the Victory to survey for eternity.

Secondly, it is visible from most parts of the local coastline, looking upwards to the Black Down. This is possibly equally significant that all those connected with the coast, the sea and the navy would always "look up to him".

Food for thought maybe. And thanks for your interesting and kind additions to my little blog.