T. E. Lawrence to his mother

Dinard
6th August, 1906

Dear Mother

Here goes another letter full of nothing! Since the last was written very little has been done by the most important person in Dinard. I have visited the old Church of St. Lunaire and it is most interesting. The architecture is wonderfully plain (Norman) about 1000 A.D. There is absolutely no sign of "Long and Short" work, although the masonry is rubble. It contains seven magnificent tombs. One of a Bishop has an effigy in full canonicals, except the tunic; he has the usual Maniple, Chasuble, Dalmatic, Stoles, Alb, but no tunic at all; it is rather peculiar I think, must ask Streatfield on return. The Pastoral Staff is very good, and he has his hands crossed at the wrists; I wonder if this is a sign of Continental Work? There are two sepulchral slabs in low relief of a baron and wife about 1350, these are on the floor but a little worn. The knight wears cyclas etc. and lady resembles Mrs. Malyns as Arnie calls her; No. 11 in my room. Under Ogee canopies are two excellent effigies of a night and wife, about 1500, still very clear and good; the knight resembles Brome from Holton No.15; and the lady is dressed as Mrs. Adderbury No.9. They are both most interesting, but I will not bother you with details except to remark that the mail collar of the knight, just above the tabard, is excellent.

On the other side of the Church S. Transept is an effigy of the same family as the other civilian, of Pontual, only this time it is a daughter who is represented, with the pedimental head-dress, and other garments to match. I was much struck with the sideless côte-hardi worn by the lady of 1500 (5); it is the most highly developed manifestation of it that I have ever seen. The coat was reduced to a narrow band of ribbon, running down her front. It is one of the finest churches that I have seen, considered with regard to its monuments. I have seen the Kerrys who appear comfortable, and also I saw Mr. Kempshead who was most astonished to see me: he has given me valuable directions about Corseul, other places. I have bought 16 postcards of Breton heads, bodies, and legs in weird costume. I hope they do not invent them for the sake of the photographer. There are about 400 more postcards of costumes; how many shall I get? Now, Mr. Kempshead says, no advantage greater than a halfpenny per £ is ever got when changing money. The rate is practically par. I am off to Mrs. Clark, and possible Fr. Fabel: the Fletchers are here; I saw Mr. Fletcher behaving in rather a loud manner on the beach. Your postcard has just come. I am rather surprised about the Morris; it should not have broken like that. Tell Arnie I am not coming back for along time; not for weeks: there are wolves quite close to a part which we will visit on our tour (close means forty miles). It appears that there are a number of mountains about, and the country is quite wild; the wolves did a lot of damage last winter. I cannot promise to kill one for Will. Two or three of the Chaignons are wearing Arnie's pinafores, and the other things were much appreciated. M. Corbel is not in Dinard, but the Lefevriers, all except the Mr. are: all this morning I have been wrestling with the tyres of Will's old bicycle here, I removed three outer covers (without the one minute removers, took out and exchanged 3 inner tubes; changed two valves, tightened a chain, and adjusted the bearings of a wheel, all in two hours.

Please give my kindest regards to Father and the rest and don't work too hard: do nothing rather than too much; you are worth more than the house; love to all: hope you are all well: I have not been bilious yet; don't expect to be. A flock of sheep disappeared in the sands round the Mont this spring and so I will not try to find them.

Ta Ta. Love, love, love. love. love. love.

Ned