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Bream sunbathe in Ælfgifu’s river Bream sunbathe in Ælfgifu’s river
(5 days later)
Northamptonshire Canute’s queen would have known these fish but not the now local mink – or the roses that are taking over Denmark’s dunesNorthamptonshire Canute’s queen would have known these fish but not the now local mink – or the roses that are taking over Denmark’s dunes
Matt ShardlowMatt Shardlow
Fri 28 Jul 2017 05.30 BSTFri 28 Jul 2017 05.30 BST
Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 19.22 GMT Last modified on Wed 14 Feb 2018 17.09 GMT
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The broad river Nene is ponded by a substantial weir to the south-east of Northampton. The deep water is still, clear and, at present, sunlit. The northern side of the river supports extensive patches of lily pads; they blast out green as the sun sparks and flashes between them.The broad river Nene is ponded by a substantial weir to the south-east of Northampton. The deep water is still, clear and, at present, sunlit. The northern side of the river supports extensive patches of lily pads; they blast out green as the sun sparks and flashes between them.
The open water to the south side is occupied by great herds of bream – big fish with pointed fins, vertically flattened bodies and jutting scaled heads.The open water to the south side is occupied by great herds of bream – big fish with pointed fins, vertically flattened bodies and jutting scaled heads.
Dozens of aligned dark grey shadows lounge a couple of feet below the surface. Perhaps they are sunbathing – it is difficult to see what other purpose these long hours serve, unless there is some unfathomed significance to their lingering formation drift-dance around the pool.Dozens of aligned dark grey shadows lounge a couple of feet below the surface. Perhaps they are sunbathing – it is difficult to see what other purpose these long hours serve, unless there is some unfathomed significance to their lingering formation drift-dance around the pool.
Bream are native to British waters, and would have been familiar to Ælfgifu, the town’s most powerful noble, daughter of the earl of York, first wife of Canute and queen consort of England, Norway and Denmark. Indeed, carp, a bigger and now better known coarse fish, was only introduced to England centuries after Canute’s reign, which ran from 1016 to 1035.Bream are native to British waters, and would have been familiar to Ælfgifu, the town’s most powerful noble, daughter of the earl of York, first wife of Canute and queen consort of England, Norway and Denmark. Indeed, carp, a bigger and now better known coarse fish, was only introduced to England centuries after Canute’s reign, which ran from 1016 to 1035.
Under a footbridge spanning a tributary there is evidence of more recent invaders. In niches presented by sheet metal pilings are heaps of American signal crayfish body parts, predominantly thick-set, gnarly claws. Little teeth have nibbled through the crustaceans’ armour and extracted the flesh.Under a footbridge spanning a tributary there is evidence of more recent invaders. In niches presented by sheet metal pilings are heaps of American signal crayfish body parts, predominantly thick-set, gnarly claws. Little teeth have nibbled through the crustaceans’ armour and extracted the flesh.
One corpse is tucked under very low brambles, leading me to suspect that this is the work of the American mink, an animal smaller than a native otter.One corpse is tucked under very low brambles, leading me to suspect that this is the work of the American mink, an animal smaller than a native otter.
A few days later in a distant part of the realm of Ælfgifu I find yet another invasive species. The magenta Japanese rose (Rosa rugosa) originated on coastal dunes and shingle in east Asia, but escapees from gardens found European sand dunes much to their liking.A few days later in a distant part of the realm of Ælfgifu I find yet another invasive species. The magenta Japanese rose (Rosa rugosa) originated on coastal dunes and shingle in east Asia, but escapees from gardens found European sand dunes much to their liking.
The rose forms dense knee-high patches that spread over the sand and native vegetation, and its abundant roots and runners mean eradication takes much effort, perhaps over several years. On the vast Danish coastal sand hills, in the wild and beautiful Thy national park, this is clearly proving difficult to achieve.The rose forms dense knee-high patches that spread over the sand and native vegetation, and its abundant roots and runners mean eradication takes much effort, perhaps over several years. On the vast Danish coastal sand hills, in the wild and beautiful Thy national park, this is clearly proving difficult to achieve.
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