Elizabeth Andrews's Blog, page 6
June 7, 2019
June 5, 2019
Barrington Court, used for filming Wolf Hall
Barrington Court, Somerset, the National Trust property that was chosen to be one of the filming locations for Wolf Hall.Although the estate had been occupied since the 11th century theTudor manor house was not built until the 1500’s. One of the early owners, a Giles Daubney, was courtier, diplomat and military commander under Edward IV and Henry VII.Later Henry Daubney inherited the estate and was created Earl of Bridgewater for his services to Henry VIII.
He eventually went bankrupt and was involved in the disgrace of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth wife so the state was forfeit to the crown.
It had various owners since then including Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk who then sold it to the Cliftons
John Clifton was thought to be responsible for most of the building work at Barrington . By the early 19th century the property was almost derelict and Barrington Court was acquired by the National Trust in 1907 and was leased to Col. Abram Arthur Lyle of Tate & Lyle in the 1920's who refurbished the court house and renovated Strode House (built in 1674) which was originally a stable and coach block. It was at this time that the Lyles contracted Gertrude Jekyll to design the three formal gardens on the property that are now maintained by the head gardener.
The original stables were used as a location with Mark Rylance leaving his horse in this amazing building. ( minus the wicker cow!)
The interiors are fitted with Colonel Lyle’s collection of salvaged antique woodwork.
The house was one of the first large properties acquired by the National Trust, at that time they did not realise just how extensive the repairs and maintenance would be, but do not let this put you off visiting this property, its well worth a visit if you are in the area.
June 3, 2019
St Elmo's Day- 2nd June
According to legend St Elmo or Erasmus of Formia who was martyred by having his intestines drawn from his body by a windlass. So his name is now invoked against all stomach and bowel complaints. He is also the patron saint of sailors, because he is said to have continued preaching even after a thunderbolt struck the ground beside him, this prompted the sailors who witnessed this event and who were also in danger from sudden storms and lightening to claim his protection.
St Elmo's Fire, a bright blue or violet glow, the electrical discharge that flickers ships during storms is believed to be a sign of his protection.
May 28, 2019
May 26, 2019
May 13, 2019
May is the best month for butter making
Markham, The English Housewife 1683" There be many mischiefs and inconveniences which may happen to butter in the churning, because it is a body of much tenderness and will not endure much heat or much cold; for if it be overheated it will look white, crumble and taste bitter, and if it be over cold the butter will not 'come' at all, but will make you labour in vain."
A charm to make the butter 'come'
Come butter comeCome butter comePeter stands at the gateWaiting for a buttered cakeCome butter come
It was important to protect cows in May; they would be adorned with red ribbons and sprinkled with Holy Water to protect them from faeries and witches.
In Ireland there were 'butter witches' who by magic would divert their neighbour's cows milk to their own. The witch would prosper and the farmer would be left with nothing. To prevent this the farmer would braid the cow's tail, leave cinders or iron tongs near the churn.
A pair of brothers were churning butter one day when the handle of the
‘dasher’ used to churn the milk broke, so they cut a branch from a nearby
elder tree and used that. The churning continued until the brothers realised
that they had made more butter than they could fill their pats with.
The following day they loaded up all the extra butter on the wagon and
travelled to the nearby town, and set up a stall in the market place.
The delicious golden butter soon sold out and
by the end of the day they had filled their saddle bags with coins
This good fortune continued; every time they used the elder 'dasher' they filled all
their bowls and pails with butter; this continued for some time until the
older brother became concerned, thinking it was all too good to be true
so he consulted a fairy doctor.
She told him that he had been a fool to speak of their luck as the branch of
elder was from a fairy trees and speaking of it to an outsider would
break the spell, and it did. The churn never produced the delicious golden butter
again but the frugal brothers had spent their money wisely and lived
comfortably for the rest of their lives.
There is a rather gruesome tale that in Ireland it was not uncommon to use a
preserved hand of a corpse to stir the butter with, one family using their deceased father's hand; brings new meaning to a family business!
May 2, 2019
May 1, 2019
April 24, 2019
April 21, 2019
Nightingales
Apparently a group of Nightingales is called a watch!
