Story Search Results
96 results for downton abey
found
within the Story
6 displayed out of 96 (0.42seconds)Page 1 of 16
Rags to Riches #15
Posted by Viv Wilson on 8th August 2021 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,Jamaica,alabaster,Derby walk of fame,Olympics,Louis Martin,first world war,second world war,downton abey,Bridgerton,period drama
My family originated from Derby and my parents were married there in July 1952. Mum was 19 and dad was 36 so quite a bit older. They both lived in Derby and were very arty; my dad went to the Derby Sketching Club in his free time and my mum attended art college. I’m not sure where they met but it was either at something art related or at a dance, as was usual in those days. My dad was a sculptor by trade; I think his interest was sparked by seeing all the beautiful alabaster in Italian churches during the war. After the war he set up his own business making alabaster lamps, bowls and candlesticks among other things (see header picture). He would go to the alab...
Hoar Cross Hall meets downton Abbey #99
Posted by Viv Wilson on 24th September 2025 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall spa hotel,barons eden,downton abbey,Highclere Castle,Bishop of Winchester,first world war,Great War,meynell ingram,Shropshire,Leicestershire,Derbyshire,History,period drama,Servants,Suffragettes,my dad bought a mansion,Earl of Carnarvon,Tomb of Tutankhamun,Eqyptologist,Lord Grantham
With the new downton Abbey film out this month I thought I would do a comparison of the two family homes, downton and Hoar Cross Hall, the latter being my old family home for those of you who are new to these blogs. Although downton Abbey is fictional, the house on which it is based is not, it being Highclere Castle in Hampshire which was built in 1679 and is owned by the Earl of Carnarvon. Hoar Cross Hall was the original home of the Meynell Ingram family who first came from Leicestershire and was built in 1863. Hugo Meynell of Quorndon was the High Sheriff of Staffordshire and Member of Parliament for Lichfield and the family owned considerable property in...
What the Butler saw!
Posted by Viv Wilson on 23rd June 2019 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,Butler,downton Abbey,1930s,footman,aristocratic,Chubb safes
WHAT THE BUTLER SAW! Anyone who’s seen downton Abbey will remember Carter the butler. He is exactly how a butler would have been in the 19th century and, strangely enough, the butler at the Hall during the early part of the 20th century was also called Carter!
Although most big houses had a house steward who was in charge of accounts and general running of the household, a butler was more commonly engaged by the wealthy. He was usually a grand, authoritarian figure, commanding respect and awe and most of the servants would have been scared to death of upsetting him! He was dressed like a gentleman of the period and generally ran the household...
Royal visitors at Hoar Cross Hall #10
Posted by Viv Wilson on 29th May 2022 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,Meynell,Queen Mary,King George VI,Princess Mary,downton Abbey,Wentworth Woodhouse,Lady Elizabeth Bassett,Winston Churchill,second world war,first world war,queen mother,Queen Elizabeth,Prince Philip,The Crown
From earliest times the king's court has traveled around the kingdom so the king could see first hand what was going on in his realm. When the king showed up, the local subjects were expected to provide food, entertainment, and accommodations usually in the form of mediaeval banquets. For the King or Queen's subjects this could be very expensive and not all royalty was welcome! However, this was the only way that people could see their King or Queen and know that they were real. Fast forward from the twelve century to the 21st century and royals are still touring the country so their subjects can 'see them and believe in them'.
The Queen's grandparents, King...Royal Visitors at Hoar Cross Hall #20
Posted by Viv Wilson on 10th September 2022 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,meynell,first world war,second world war,king george vi,queen mother,queen elizabeth,Queen's Platinum Jubilee,Queen Mary,King George V,downton Abbey,The Crown,Paddington Bear,Prince Charles
From earliest times the King's court has traveled around the kingdom so the King could see first hand what was happening in his realm. When the King showed up, the local subjects were expected to provide food, entertainment, and accommodations in the form of mediaeval banquets. For the King or Queen's subjects this could be very expensive and not all royalty was welcome! However, this was the only way that people could see their King or Queen and know that they were real. Fast forward from the twelve century to the 21st century and royals are still touring the country so their subjects can 'see them and believe in them'.
Although I published this blog in June...What the Butler Saw! #42
Posted by Viv Wilson on 17th February 2023 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,Meynell,downton abbey,Carson the butler,London,servants ball,footmen,champagne,Diamond wedding,mailbag,dance,The Crown
Anyone who’s seen downton Abbey will remember Carson the butler. He is exactly how a butler would have been in the 19th century, a grand, authoritarian figure, commanding respect and awe and most of the servants would have been scared to death of upsetting him! He was dressed like a gentleman of the period and generally ran the household with an iron fist.
Although most big houses had a house steward who was in charge of accounts and general running of the household, a butler was more commonly engaged by the wealthy. They usually started as footmen and worked their way up fro there. Most butlers stayed at the same household until they retired and probably...