Carrying on from my last post.
When we reached Boscobel House it was time for a late lunch before we explored the house and grounds. We had sandwiches served with a small side salad in the barn before moving on to the garden. As rain was forecast we decided to visit the outside areas first.
Boscobel House is a farmhouse, at one time turned hunting lodge, with a connection to national history and turbulent times. It was from here in 1651 that Charles II escaped to France after being defeated by Cromwell's troops at the battle of Worcester. He found safety for a while in the house which was owned by the Giffard family from nearby Whiteladies Priory. The house was lived in and cared for by the Penderel brothers. The first night of his stay, disguised as a countryman, he and his companion Major William Careless hid in an oak tree to escape being captured by Parliamentarian soldiers. The second night he hid in the priest's hole until the Penderel brothers could move him to nearby Moseley Old Hall, from there disguised as the servant of a local gentlewoman called Jane Lane he managed to get to Shoreham on Sea and from there to France. Here is a -link- to more information.
From the garden we wandered into the meadow to walk to the Oak Tree, it's not the original tree that sheltered a king as parliamentarian troops scoured the woods below but a descendant of the original.
From 1812 until 1888 the house and estate, including nearby Whiteladies - now a ruin and not visited this time - was owned by the Evans sisters. Their main home was Darley Abbey House near Derby but they did visit Boscobel for a month each year and being fascinated with the house's history, encouraged tourists to visit the house and the Royal Oak. Inside the house is now presented as a Victorian residence with a romanticised view of the 17th century.
The first thing you do on entry is to pick up a candlestick. In each room is a pile of books, if you place the candle on top of the books an animated figure appears.
Figures appear from the 17th century in a 19th century setting.
The downstairs living area was very dark so photographs were impossible. It's kept so dark to protect some of the objects in the room and in particular a very special contemporary account of the escape. Upstairs there are two open bedrooms and an attic area. Also the priest's hole where Charles II may have hidden. More photos below.
What a fascinating place, with so many aspects well worth exploring. I hope the washing got dry!
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting. Yes, all got dry out outside:)
DeleteSuch interesting history! I also love the 17th century design of the gardens.
ReplyDeleteThere is a rose named ‘Boscobel’ ( you probably know that!) 😁
It is interesting, it was good to see the layout of the garden from the bedroom. We saw the Boscobel rose at David Austin before we set off to visit the house, photo on my last post:)
DeleteThose candle silhouettes are really something! Quite spooky. I would have been fascinated by the dairy and kitchens, always an interest of mine. And that garden, wow.
ReplyDeleteThere was one image I couldn't quite catch of horse riders, I asume those used to make an escape. It was under the canopy of one of the beds. The dairy was my favourte part of the house:)
DeleteLovely Rosie & wish we could see it too. The gardens look gorgeous & that candle scenario is.....well, eerie to say the least. The animals, dairy & cider making would really pique my interest in Boscobel. Thanks for sharing, take care & hugs.
ReplyDeleteWhen the person at the desk said to us you go in and pick up a candle and place it on a pile of books in each room I did wonder what would happen. The food and farm side of things was very interesting and easier to photograph in the light:)
DeleteWhat an interesting overview you gave of Boscobel. One of my favourite David Austin roses is named Boscobel, and I knew it was a house that had sheltered Charles II, but I had no idea what it looked like, so thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed seeing the house, it is a fascinating place. The rose, which we'd seen earlier at David Austin roses was beautiful, too modern for the garden here I suppose:)
DeleteThat pig looks content.
ReplyDeleteIt does, I'm sure it is smiling:)
DeleteWhat an interesting place with a beautiful garden as well as a very contented pig! It's always fun to learn the history of such a place, which brings the place to life. 😊
ReplyDeleteThe other pig was wallowing in mud and seemed just as contented, sheep and chickens too looked happy:)
DeleteA super post Rosie and there have been a lot of changes there since we visited. Love the candle idea and the spooky figures appearing - well they look spooky to me. I haven't yet been to Moseley Old Hall but would like to one day. You had a lovely day out :) Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks RR the candle idea is different and I enjoyed the experience of looking round a darkened house with the candle to light the way. We visited Moseley Old Hall a few years ago and I wrote a post about it at the time. I must try and find it and perhaps put a link on the post. It was a lovely day out but we were both so tired afterwards:)
DeleteI enjoyed the tour - very creatively presented. The garden looked beautiful and a walk to the oak tree must give a sense of history with the story about Charles ll. The mention of Darley Abbey interested me as I've heard of it from when our son lived nearby when he lived in Derby.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen anything presented like that before but it did created a good atmosphere. We visited the ruin of Darley Abbey a few years ago. I believe you can walk down by the river from Derby to it but I haven't tried that. The garden was lovely and surroundings too:)
DeleteLove historic homes. And the grounds.......those beds, truly magnificent!
ReplyDeleteBoth house and gardens were lovely:)
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