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Ghouls Galore! #85

...Victorian aristocracy loved to entertain their friends with elaborate parlour-room displays!  Although I doubt Emily indulged in any of this, perhaps her friend did, unbeknown to her.  Maybe she used an Ouija board.  All these things are actually very dangerous, drawing unseen entities into a house and causing untold problems or hauntings.  If you would like to know more, please click on the link here  Whatever the reason for all these spooky shenanigans, I'm just glad I don't have to put up with them anymore!   Don't miss next month's blog - 'The War Years'   If you would like to follow my story from the beginning, please click here and feel free to...

A Christmas Celebration #89

...er of the aristocracy – however, they weren’t allowed to go into any other ground floor rooms and the big, oak double doors to the Drawing Room were kept firmly shut. Carter, the Butler came into the kitchen and sat down next to the fire. “Time for a cup of tea I think,” he said.  “My feet are killing me in these shoes, I need to sit down for a bit.  I’ve just been counting out all the bottles of wine for the party and putting them to one side.” “Good idea!” said Cook.  “I could do with a cuppa myself.  Molly, get that teapot warmed and filled quick sharp.”  And with that she sat down opposite Carter while Molly scurried about the k...

Temple Newsam and the Meynells #42

...with the aristocracy in those days.   Hugo Charles went on to marry Georgiana Pigou in 1819; their eldest son was Hugo Francis Meynell Ingram, the last of the descendants of Sir Arthur Ingram to inherit Temple Newsam.  Temple Newsam had been built by Thomas, Lord Darcy, early in the 16th century.  He, coincidentally, had married a Meynell, and a descendant married Elizabeth Meynell, so there are a lot of associations with the Meynells early on.  Here the unfortunate Earl of Darnley was born.  Married to Mary, Queen of Scots, he was murdered two years later, supposedly by Mary's next husband, the Earl of Bothwell.  The house was rebuilt between 1622 and...

Join Me On A Video Tour Of My Old Home! Hoar Cross Hall

...Hi everyone I've just seen that a few people have been reading this blog from 2018, but discovered that the YouTube video was missing as the link was to the original post that unbelievably somehow got deleted with all those views (47,000)  :(  Anyway, I've just updated the link to the re-uploaded video, so this isn't a new post for this week, but just so it works for anyone reading it now for the first time! -  Don't miss tomorrows blog - The Kitchen Maid's Story! <><><><><><><><><><><><><>><><><><><><><><><><><&g...

Temple Newsam and the Meynells #40

...with the aristocracy in those days.   Hugo Charles went on to marry Georgiana Pigou in 1819; their eldest son was Hugo Francis Meynell Ingram, the last of the descendants of Sir Arthur Ingram to inherit Temple Newsam.   Emily in her dog cart riding around Temple Newsam   Temple Newsam had been built by Thomas, Lord Darcy, early in the 16th century.  He, coincidentally, had married a Meynell, and a descendant married Elizabeth Meynell, so there are a lot of associations with the Meynells early on.  Here the unfortunate Earl of Darnley was born.  Married to Mary, Queen of Scots, he was murdered two years later, supposedly by Mary's next husband, th...

Behind the Green Baize Door #41

...early the aristocracy thought they were too grand to be looked upon by a 'lowly' servant! So why were these doors covered in green (or red) baize cloth? Baize is a sturdy green cloth which insulated against noise and absorbed smells from the kitchens. Brass tacks held the cloth in place and was often very decorative in design (see header picture). Baize dates back to 1525 and a well-known 17th century ditty mentions 'bays' as follows:-  “Hops, heresies, bays and beer All came to England in just one year.” It became popular in the mid 18th century and was used mainly for cabinet and closet linings in Europe – also games tables. I'm sure you are all fam...