Kristine Hughes – Page 45 – Number One London

DO YOU GET BOOKS?

Author Eileen Dreyer posted this on her Facebook page recently. I commented that this was especially apropos, as I’ve recently taken all the books down from my library because I’m having built-in bookcases done this week. There are boxes of books in storage and piles of books scattered all around my home.

No chance of my being murdered in my bed, as it’s virtually surrounded by books.

I think the front door is sufficiently booby trapped.

Which brings us to the title of this post – Do You Get Books? If you’re a voracious reader, an author, historian or a bibliophile, then you get books. I get books. Hubby does not get books.

“Do you really need all these books? Can’t you weed out some of them?”

“Yes. No.”

Honestly, get rid of them? They’re like children. How would one decide? Why should one have to?

Then there are the people who have no conception of what a specialist library is. I told a friend that I had to empty out my bookshelves and that it was a massive job as I have over 600 books.

“Yeah,” she said. “I have alot of paperbacks, too.”

“No, no. These are reference books. Hardback. Some from the 19th century.”

“Oh,” she said. “Maybe you could give some to Goodwill.”

Sigh. Obviously, she doesn’t get books.

Personally, I need to live surrounded by books. I refer to them. I re-read them. I browse them. I like to look at them. I love them. And the odd antique. Like my Victorian stuffed pheasant.

Strangely, Hubby has never complained about the pheasant.

He does complain about my ‘hoarding.’

“You’re a hoarder.”

“How can you say that? I’m not a hoarder.”

“Look at all these books. Hoarding.”

“No, it’s a collection of books, otherwise known as a library.”

“Hoarder.”

“Library.”

“Hoarder.”

Do you get books? If so, do leave me a comment. Preferably something pithy that I will be able to use against Hubby when next we argue about my books. And we will.

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TOUR: THE REGENCY TOWN HOUSE

I first visited the Regency Town House about a decade ago, when the restoration project was just getting under way under the guidance of Nick Tyson. The Grade I listed terraced home of the mid-1820s is being developed as a heritage centre and museum to focus on the architecture and social history of Brighton & Hove between the 1780s and 1840s. The Project encompasses so much more than the house itself. In addition to restoring two townhouses, the Project is also delving into the social history of Regency Brighton and Hove. Links on their website will allow you to see who lived in Brighton and Hove at the time and to explore the Bevan and Dewar Letters, which have been transcribed and which give insight into daily and family life in the area from 1824 to 1870. To visit the website of the Regency Town House, click here.

When I knew that the Duke of Wellington Tour would be visiting Brighton as one of it’s stops, I knew that Victoria and I had to include another visit to the Town House for our group to experience this unique project first hand. From the website:

The Regency Town House was built on what had already become the traditional layout for town houses. The domestic offices for the servants were in the basement, the formal rooms were on the ground and first floors and the bedrooms on the floors above. Due to higher land prices in towns, even large houses tended to be built upwards on long, narrow plots. At the back of the house there was a coach house, stable block and quarters for the coachmen and grooms.

If you think that ten years is a rather long time for the restoration to be ongoing, you should keep in mind that the aim is to restore the entire structure, inside and out, to its Regency state. This means work being undertaken by historians and architectural restorers, painters, masons, roofers, carpenters, tilers, etc., etc. all of whom are using traditional building methods and materials. It also means that the costs can sky rocket depending on the phase of work and unfortunately, the Project is often put on hold as new funds are found or raised in order for the work to continue.

Our group was fortunate enough to be given a private tour by Nick Tyson himself, and the day began outside in the Square, where Nick explained the Project and described for us what life was like in Hove during the Regency period.

Once inside, Nick explained the scope of work that has been ongoing and pointed out, and elaborated upon, many of the architectural details of the period. The background on these was fascinating.

Nick also pointed out the methods that were used to sand down the painted walls so that each individual layer of paint could be analysed and dated.

Many were surprised to learn that Regency paint colours ran the gamut from subdued to bold.

We were given an insight into period joinery and carpentry skills, as well as a primer on methods and materials that would have been common to the area.

The Town House also curates a collection of period silhouettes, which were on display during our visit alongside a temporary exhibit of historic costumes.

By purchasing the neighboring town house at No. 10, the Project was able to add authentic, basement domestic offices and rooms to it’s collection. We had to opportunity to explore these areas, most of which are still in their original states. You can read more about the servant’s quarters and domestic rooms at the Town House by clicking here.

Honestly, we could have stayed for the entire day and never grown tired of listening to Nick explain elements of the Town House and period daily life. He is a font of knowledge, a born storyteller and his passion for the Project is catching. Number One London is seriously thinking about planning a tour centered around the Regency period, the Town House and Brighton as a Royal destination that would include tours and seminars by experts in various fields.

For an online tour of the Regency Townhouse, click here.

You can follow the restoration projects and other events at the Regency Townhouse at their Facebook page, here.

For a 360 degree street view of Brunswick Square, click Google Maps here.

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TOUR: WHAT KRISTINE SAW FROM THE COACH WINDOW: DOVER TO BRIGHTON

LOOK FOR OUR POST ON OUR VISIT TO THE REGENCY TOWNHOUSE IN HOVE NEXT

DINNER WITH THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON

On November 19, 2015, I shall be dining with the Duke of Wellington in Philadelphia. I say this to people – people I know but who aren’t au fait with British history – and in response, they look at me askance whilst uttering a nervous laugh. “Right,” they say, “the Duke of, er, whatever. Right. Nice. So, er, I’m just going to go and . . . . .” They think I’m nuts. I say the same thing to people who are on point as far as British history is concerned and they say, “Oh, you’re a card! The Duke of Wellington. Right! Har Har!” Followed again, for the most part, by nervous laughter.

As though I would lie about the Duke of Wellington. Me. Lie about the Duke. I ask you!? Okay, so I won’t be dining with that Duke, but rather this Duke – Charles Wellesley, the 9th Duke of Wellington.

And whilst I’ll be dining with the Duke, so will about one hundred others. Honestly, here’s the link to the event, which is actually a lecture by the Duke followed by dinner. Victoria was otherwise engaged, so I roped Hubby into agreeing to travel to Philadelphia and attend the event with me. Now you can cue the nervous laughter.

Tickets to the event have been secured. Flights booked. Hotel room the same. Done and dusted. Now all that’s left to worry about is the night itself. Many people have dined with many Dukes of Wellington and, as far as I know, all of them have survived. Mrs. Arbuthnot and Lady Shelley dined with the first Duke many times and they came out alright. Queens and Kings have dined with subsequent Dukes of Wellington and emerged unscathed. It’s not the dining, or even the minute long meeting, with the Duke of Wellington that concerns me. Well, okay, Hubby meeting the Duke of Wellington does concern me, but personally I’m in a quandry as to what to wear. What does one wear to meet the Duke of Wellington? Or any Duke, for that matter. The event details say, “Formal Business Attire.” I can understand this as far as men are concerned, but what about women? Surely something more than a severe skirt and jacket is warranted for an evening event with the Duke?

Granted, this might be a tad too much . . . . . .

But on the other hand, surely this is too little?

Is this more like it? Or am I still off base?

I suppose I could always follow the Royal lead . . . . . but then I’d have to find a hat. Sigh.

What to wear, what to wear? It’s a quandry and it’s distracting. So distracting, in fact, that I’m not even worrying about how in the world I’m going to get Hubby into anything resembling “formal business attire.”

Please do leave a comment as to proper attire. I’d welcome the input. Hints, tips and tricks on how to get Hubby to agree to don a suit and tie when no one he knows has died would be likewise appreciated.

THE NEWS FROM WATERLOO

Everyone who has an interest in either the Duke of Wellington or the Battle of Waterloo has heard of Henry Percy, above, the officer sent from Brussels to London on a mission to deliver Wellington’s Waterloo Despatch – the official report that would unquestionably confirm the Allied victory at Waterloo.

PERCY, HENRY (1785–1825), colonel, aide-de-camp to Sir John Moore and to Wellington, fifth son of Algernon Percy, baron Lovaine, who was created Earl of Beverley in 1790, and brother of Hugh Percy [q. v.], bishop of Carlisle, and of Vice-admiral Josceline Percy, was born on 14 Sept. 1785. He was educated at Eton, and on 16 Aug. 1804 appointed lieutenant in the 7th fusiliers. He became captain unattached 9 Oct. 1806, and captain 7th fusiliers on 6 Nov. following. He was aide-de-camp to Sir John Moore at Coruña. On 21 June 1810 he was transferred as captain to the 14th light dragoons. He was taken prisoner with a party of his regiment during the retreat from Burgos in 1812, and was detained in France until the peace. In 1815 he was appointed aide-de-camp to the Duke of Wellington. He brought home the Waterloo despatches, arriving post in London on the evening of 20 June with the despatches and captured eagles, and was next day made C.B., and a brevet lieutenant-colonel from 18 June 1815. He retired on half-pay in 1821, and was returned to parliament for Beeralston, Devonshire, in 1823. Once a gay, handsome young fellow, he prematurely lost his health. He died at his father’s house in Portman Square, London, 15 April 1825, in his fortieth year, and was buried in the cemetery of St. Marylebone. [Foster’s Peerage, under ‘Beverley;’ Army Lists; Gent. Mag. 1825, pt. i. p. 567.]

Percy’s ride was recently recreated for the 200th Anniversry of the Battle of Waterloo and many legends, romantic or otherwise, have arisen from the Duchess of Richmond’s Ball, the Battle of Waterloo and Percy’s famous ride. Below you’ll see the uniform Percy wore to the Ball, during the Battle and for the duration of his ride to London – more from the Waterloo200 website here.

“This wallet or sachet of purple silk velvet and crepe, maker unknown, is traditionally said to be a lady’s handkerchief sachet. It played a vital role after the Battle of Waterloo, as it was in this case that the Waterloo Dispatch travelled back to London from Belgium. The Dispatch, carried by Major Henry Percy, was the Duke of Wellington’s account of the battle, and was the first news received by the British government of the Allied victory. The case is photographed on Major Percy’s uniform in which he fought at Waterloo.”

What we have not heard before now are the details of Percy’s journey to London and of the many others who played a part in the delivery of the Despatch. I’ve just finished reading Brian Cathcart’s excellent account of the story behind Percy’s ride and the many ways in which the Allied victory impacted Britain, English society and Europe as a whole.

The News from Waterloo: The Race to Tell Britain of Wellington’s Victory

by Brian Cathcart

From the publisher:

“This is a tragi-comic midsummer’s tale that begins amidst terrible carnage and weaves through a world of politics and military convention, enterprise and roguery, frustration, doubt and jealousy, to end spectacularly in the heart of Regency society at a grand soirée in St James’s Square after feverish journeys by coach and horseback, a Channel crossing delayed by falling tides and a flat calm, and a final dash by coach and four from Dover to London.

“At least five men were involved in bringing the news or parts of it to London, and their stories are fascinating. Brian Cathcart, a brilliant storyteller and historian, has visited the battlefield, travelled the messengers’ routes, and traced untapped British, French and Belgian records. This is a strikingly original perspective on a key moment in British history.”

Cathcart uses Percy’s ride as a platform to write about all manner of subjects related to Regency England – road travel, the telegraph, channel crossings, newspapers and banking, society and politics. The News From Waterloo is a vivid, entertaining read and should be a part of every Waterloo/Wellington/Regency library.

George the IV famously promoted Percy on the spot at the Boehm residence in St. James’s Square once he’d delivered the Despatch and placed the French Eagles at the King’s feet. What is lesser known is that Wellington himself acknowledged his debt to Percy by gifting him with a Breguet pocket watch. I urge you to read the full article on the watch which can be found here.

This is a pocket watch that belonged to Major Henry Percy, a British officer who fought at the Battle of Waterloo, and was chosen to deliver the Duke of Wellington’s dispatch back to London. Carrying news of the Allied victory at Waterloo to the British government was a vital task. In recognition of his work, the Duke of Wellington gave Major Percy this watch – made by the Parisian clockmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet, one of the most famous artisans of his time.

At the same time that Wellington bought Percy’s watch, he also purchased one for himself. Wellington had his watch fitted with an extra cover that held a minature portrait. The lady in the miniature is Marianne Patterson. You can read more here.