The Ancestral Pile - almost

Cast your eyes on this item of news online yesterday. Notice especially the description of the dwelling, including the thirty-five rooms and allow your gaze to linger on the photo, curtesy of the Telegraph.


The other detail I would like you to note is the fact that this house once belonged to 'the Amery family' because thereby hangs a tale.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin. (Please note, you need to be of a certain age to appreciate that last invitation.)
A few generations ago, Sir John Amery, baronet, lived there with his family, one of whom was a daughter, of whom I am a direct descendant. So, I hear you ask, why is Jenny not now living in this handsome mansion, instead of a bunch of squatters? Sadly, the lady in question let her heart rule her head, ran off with a builder, who was working on the house at the time, and was promptly disowned by her irate father.
So near and yet so far....

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

About 1864 the eldest child of the marriage of the daughter and the builder had joined the Army, the 6th Battalion of The Royal Rifle Corps, and went to see his Grandfather. After negotiations with the Butler Sir John came down to the Hall to greet his grandchild
"So you are Mary's lad"
"Yes sir"
"In the Army?"
"Yes sir"
"Like it?"
"Yes sir"
"Good" followed by "Show this man out"
The soldier did not go back ever.

Plaster board and dust

So, we're still no further forward on the British Gas smart meter front and I've given up making non-existent appointments with them...