What the Dickens
What the Dickens
For the last few years, a rota of wonderful young interns has been part of my team here in the estate office, helping me with particular projects as well as the usual office workload. Hopefully this helps not just their experience and life skills but with their university fees too. One delightful, very bright young man’s surname was Dickens so he was inevitably nicknamed “What the”.
Despite the perhaps obvious association with the Victorian novelist Charles Dickens, the expression “What the dickens” pre-dates him by some 200 years. It was used by Shakespeare in “The Merry Wives of Windsor “in 1600:
“I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of”.
One explanation is that the saying is actually a euphemism for the Devil, possibly via devilkins (a kind of mini-devil) so that what you are really saying is 'What the devil?'
Irrespective of my interns and their nicknames though, yesterday and today we have welcomed the great great grandson of Charles Dickens, Gerald Dickens, to Highclere to entertain us and to act out one of Charles Dickens best known novels, “A Christmas Carol”, in the Saloon.
This story is a wonderful part of our Christmas here. Originally published on December 19th 1843, some 20,000 copies were sold in the two days before Christmas that year. In 1849 Charles Dickens began to offer public readings of the story which remained a hugely successful part of his repertoire until his death in 1870. Since then, the book has never been out of print, setting the benchmark for all subsequent authors.
A Christmas Carol is written in staves rather than chapters and explores traditions and societal issues through the characters and stories. Some characters are so sharply drawn they have passed into our language. The name "Scrooge" has become synonymous with being a miser but of course he was transformed and took the chance of redemption which is the story of Christmas. 
The exclamation “Bah Humbug” has also entered popular use as an answer to anything too sentimental and the catchphrase “Merry Christmas” is now universal.
Charles Dickens created a legacy from which we still benefit, promoting a humanitarian focus around family gatherings, feasting and games and reminding us to hold a generosity of spirits in our hearts and community.
Whatever its lessons, “A Christmas Carol” is at heart great entertainment and Gerald’s performance is one of my favourite evenings of the year. I love turning around on my chair to stare as the formally dressed figure of the Victorian actor treads firmly down the Oak stairs and walks onto the stage, taking off his top hat and cloak to set the scene of this beguiling story.
It concludes the Christmas events we share with visitors and guests after which all the Highclere team can draw breath before we ease down to the final days leading up to the big day itself.
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” “God bless us every one!”
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80 Comments
Charles Dickens lovely the Christmas Carol and Happy Christmas to you and lord Carnarvon and lam fan of Downton abbey and lovely to Highcelere castle
Happy Christmas Karen
Beautifully appropriate!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
And bless all at Highclere, now and throughout the coming years. A most humbling story of considering our lives and actions as we build a legacy.
May you and yours be blessed with good health, joy and love. Merry, Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year. Peace in 2023. Thank you for all you bring to our world through your amazing posts and blog.
Warm regards,
Charlotte Merriam Cole
A Christmas Carol movie with George C Scott is our favorite and a tradition now in my family to watch it every year. Thanks to you and your generosity for helping students and bringing to life the story of redemption through Charles Dickens.
I have twice had the happy opportunity to see Gerald perform his one-man rendition of “A Christmas Carol” here in the USA. He is a marvel, adopting the persona of the characters from Scrooge to Tiny Tim, with poor Bob Cratchit, the Spirits, and others in between. I have yet to have the pleasure of visiting Highclere, but that can always be an excuse for another visit to England. Thank you for your writings, for they are a portal to a world I can only imagine!
Happy Christmas to you and best wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!
Barbara Weaver
It’s not Christmas with out The Christmas Carol, It is part of what Christmas is all about . A Happy Christmas and a Wonderful New Year to You and Lord Carnarvon
Good morning. Last year, my sister Margaret and I had the privilege of seeing Gerard Dickens' performance at Byers Choice in Chalfont Pennsylvania. It was truly amazing to see my favorite childhood piece of prose come to life. Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Dear Lady Carnarvon: What a lovely story! I had the pleasure of visiting Highclere Castle with my cousin from Bath in 2017. I am delighted to return on May 1st, 2023, this time accompanied with my fiance, who loves Downton Abbey too! Merry Christmas from this side of the pond!
Melissa Alleman, Greenville, DE USA
Happy Christmas & New Year to you too!
Thank you for taking the time to share this lovely season with all of us. Indiana may be far from Highclere but at this Dickens of a Christmas we are all as next door neighbors.
Thank you
I look forward to greeting you in May 2023!
My maiden name is “Dickin. My family was/is from shropshire and I’ve always wondered about this spelling “Dickin”
Thank you for such beautifully written blogs posts.
Christmas greetings from a Hungerford resident - no transport but despite
advanced old age maybe will visit Highclere one day.
I love reading A Christmas Carol. This year we are going to be in Niagara on the Lake for Christmas, will be seeing Scrooged at the Shaw theatre.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
Beautiful!! What a treat it would be to see a descendent of Charles Dickens perform A Christmas Carol. Merry Christmas to all in Highclere!
Fiona (Richmond, VA)
Wonderful read as always Lady Carnarvon, The Christmas Carol has been a long beloved favorite of ours too and as we enter into the coming days of Christmas it is a time to reflect and to be humble whilst shareing & giving unselfish love to those around us and to our community. Have a Merry Christmas Lady & Earle of Carnarvon & to all at Highclere. Enjoy the performance of Gerolds Christmas Carol, sounds so wonderful! xx
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Christmas is nearly here and I will be watching my favourite Christmas Carol movie with Alastair Sim. You have a wonderful tradition for this story. I hope you, your family and friends have the most wonderful Christmas.
Susan Kearsey
Another lovely Monday Morning Blog Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for the Christmas connections to Highclere and Englands Charles Dickens. Lucky internists that get to work there with you! I've finished reading your Winter Chapter in your Seasons of Highclere Book and am also again going through your other lovely book: Christmas at Highclere filled with an impressive amount of photos and recipes.
Best of health and happiness to you and your family and all staff going forward this week ending Christmas weekend. Also hope Boxing Day is another good one for you all too.
Happy Christmas to all.
Merry Christmas & a Blessed New Year to you & all your family, from Long Island, New York!
Enjoy all the holidays,
Barbara B.
Lady Carnarvon,
What beautiful images of the personification of Charles Dickens. And what an interesting and inspiring story, which we can all learn from; even when our spirits are low. Happy Christmas to you, your loved ones and your fabulous team at Highclere. God bless you for all the exceptional things you do for all of us. May 2023 be a renovative year.
A very Happy Christmas to Lord and Lady Canarvon! We get a taste of what it must be like through the Christmas episodes of Downton, but I suspect yours are a bit more intimate. Cheers to your entire family from the USA
Merry Christmas to all and a happy new year!
What's an intern? According to Cambridge Dictionary, it's '...someone in prison for political or military reasons, especially during a war'. Pretty sure this is not what is meant.
What a special celebration for Christmas at Highclere. Thank you for sharing the event and photos.
Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Healthy New Year
Noreen (Pennsylvania, USA)
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
"A Christmas Carol" is one of my favorite stories. It is all things Christmas! I can only imagine how captivating Charles Dickens' great-grandson was performing this iconic story. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year.
Happy Holidays,
Pam
I have seen Gerald Dickens twice perform A Christmas Carol at the St Paul Hotel in St. Paul, Minnesota many years ago. I brought my mother-in-law one year and my friend the next year. He was wonderful. The last time he was here was his last tour in the States. The tea and play were always sold out. He even graced me with his autograph when I purchased the book. A great story and so pleased to see he is still telling the story.
Thank you Lynn
Intern is short for Internship - The position of a student or trainee who works in an organization!
Lady Carnarvon,
Charles Dickens’ writing is remarkable, and the stories touch us today with thoughtfulness and kindness. Thank you for reminding us of great literature and Dickens’ phrases we so frequently use in everyday life! I wish I could see his great grandson Gerald at Highclere!
A very Happy Christmas and so much fun to come in the New Year as you and your lucky interns continue with new and wonderful days for visitors at Highclere!
Martha G
What a lovely ‘English’ name! Are you from England? I attended Westhampton 1962-66 as an English history major. Merry Christmas to you!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
“It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that, while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.” - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Could any words be more, at once, timely and timeless?
My copy of A Christmas Carol is well worn, a friend come to bear glad tidings every Christmas season. What a wonderful way to shake off the bustling, hectic, no-time-to-take-time days in preparation of Christmas and return to the meaning of this special time of year.
“Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!” -Jacob Marley, A Christmas Carol
As we all “ease down to the final days leading up to the big day itself,” in these still strange and changed times, let us all share Scrooge’s endeavor …
"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.” Ebenezer Scrooge, A Christmas Carol
From our home to your: a Happy Christmas to all!
Warmly,
Happy Christmas & New Year to you
Dear Lady Carnarvon
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and an even happier New Year.
Fondly,
Diana Squibb
South Florida
Beautiful and Merry Christmas!
Charles Dickens lovely the Christmas Carol and happy Christmas to you and lord Carnarvon and lovely Christmas and lovely Downton Abbey Calendar and love Christmas
I love the Christmas Carol and Charles Dickens and lovely to visit highcelere castle and Downton abbey calendars and Thank you send the pictures
What a wonderful reminder for the season, thank you! And Monica Malone’s chosen quotes from “A Christmas Carol” continue to encourage us to read the story once again. A Merry Christmas to all those at Highclere and also to your dedicated readers of your delightful blog.
Happy Christmas to all my blog readers!
The Christmas Carol has long been my favorite, and I have all the movies, book, Dept 56 village pieces, and Gerald Dickens' recording of his performance. I was lucky to be able to see him perform in person years ago in Riverside, California, during the Dickens Festival there, and have him sign my copy of his recording. He gave a truly memorable performance, and came by and kissed my hand at our table. That's like having a cherry on top!
So I envy you again having him there at Highclere and being part of that.
Val in California
Merry Christmas to all at Highclere and to everyone who reads this blog!
Happy Christmas to all at Highclere! I’ve attended Mr. Dickens’ performance here in the US and look forward to it every year. So glad to see he was at Highclere.
Dear Charlotte, I hope you will enjoy the book as I've been. It is my go-to source of Christmas mood and sweet thoughts, all thanks to dear lady Carnarvon whose skills are of exceptional qualities! Merry Christmas to all! Liza
What a thrill it would be to see Charles Dicken’s great grandson performing at Highclere!
Did you make figgy or plum pudding for the event? I tried one Christmas and it was so nasty, only the dog would eat it! Maybe you could share your recipe.
Our middle school 7th graders in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, read A Christmas Carol every year, and I was fortunate to accompany them to Princeton University’s production of the play several times, a marvelous rendition, faithful to the original. Thank you for your description of your own production. I can just imagine the scene at Highclere. Wishing everyone there a Merry Christmas!
Oh what a wonderful way to honor your ancestor! And what a treat for all who can experience it.
Wishing you a very relaxing and Merry Christmas.
Looking forward to May 1st!
Although I have enjoyed some of the film adaptations, I sometimes think it’s a shame that there are so many, from Mickey’s Christmas Carol to the Muppets, because such contemporary characters simplify the story and reduce it to “Mean old man learns to be nice”, when there is so much more to the book.
Ebenezer Scrooge never knew a mother’s love. She died giving birth to him, His father was so traumatized that he never wanted to look upon his son because he looked so like his mother. Scrooge never knew love, so he could not show love. Abandoned by his father, he was lost, and successfully making money was the only way he could be noticed, There is a lot more, of course, in the book, like his inability to sustain a relationship with a woman, who left him, and his lack of friends. Contrast that with the Cratchet family who were happy although they had nothing, but as Dickens says “They had each other.”
Charles Dickens understanding of human nature and behaviour has given us something special to think about this Christmas. God bless us every one.
Dear Lady Carnarvon.
I want to wish you and you family a very Happy Christmas. This is the time of the year for families to be together to share their love dreams and fellowship.
Here in the little town of Garrison Noth Dakota USA, we celebrate a Dickens festival for 3 weekends after Thanksgiving. The employees of businesses in the town dress in period. They sell various food items, put on "A Christmas Carol" in the theatre give rides around the town to view decorations in an English 2 decker
bus the "Queen Elizabus" or horse drawn wagon. It's great fun.
Dear lady Carnarvon,
Thank you so much for a lovely evening last Saturday, it was so lovely to see your home all dressed for Christmas. And you're so lucky to be able to have a Christmas in almost every room, and all those decorations, goodness knows where you put them after Christmas?
It was also nice to meet people from all over the world. I met a lovely American couple who had flown in especially from Brussels, to get a glimpse of Highclere at Christmas.
Hope you and the family have a great Christmas,
best wishes
Paul
Have a look in the Christmas at Highclere book
Thank you so much!
That sounds amazing!
Thank you so much for joining us! Happy Christmas
I really enjoy the intimacy of the theatre of the novel in Highclere. It is special
It is a good story...
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I did indeed enjoy my once in a lifetime trip to Israel/Egypt/Jordan with Viking. I thought of you and your husband often. As Charles Dickens mesmerized his readers with the Christmas Story, the Egyptologists mesmerized us with history of the pharaohs. I wish you a very blessed Christmas, and a happy and prosperous New Year!
A Christmas Carol has long been a favorite. And this Christmas as I cozy up near the fire with my Christmas and high clear book, purchased at the gift shop at your beautiful home this past fall my life is irrevocably altered after having visited the beautiful countryside and village that is your Highclere home. I will message you like to thank you enough for the memories of a lifetime that my daughter and I were able to enjoy at the magic in the movies weekend in September. Your beautiful, welcoming home and your hospitality to so graciously include us in it are a blessing to be wrong never forget! Merry Christmas to you, both Lord and Lady Carnarvon♥️
Another glorious Monday read! It was particularly interesting to me as my wife’s maiden name was Dickens, and in tracing their lineage, her family have directly descended from Charles. His legacy is remarkable, for sure. Merry, Happy Christmas to you, Lady Carnarvon, and to all of your family!
thank you very much
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I have enjoyed reading your blog since I visited Highclere in 2015–it seems like a dream that I had tea there and walked the grounds! Thank you for this wonderful blog on my favorite Christmas character & read! It’s not Christmas without enjoying the tale of Scrooge’s redemption! My favorite rendition stars Alistair McLean in the title role. The way he asks his nephews wife’s forgiveness melts my heart each time I see it—the tale is timeless as we take on his nephews role time & again & never give up on our loved ones! Happy Christmas! I look forward to another year of wonderful reading! A friend from across the pond in Kentucky wishes you all well!
The Highclere staircase is absolutely stunning!!
Wishing all at Highclere a blessed Merry Christmas!!
Hello from Hurricane Ian damaged Florida-
This was a lovely distraction for me. A Christmas Carol has been my favorite since I was a small child. I remember the book that had a permanent home on the small bookshelves in my bedroom. I remember the picture of Bob Cratchet's wife on the cover carrying the flaming Christmas pudding! That was many, many years ago (back in the '50s!). I prefer the old movie with Reginald Owen and June Lockhart. ( I think that is correct).
Thank you so much for all you share with us.
I had not heard of the Dickens readings. I would love to attend that sometime. I used to have many of the Dicken's Village ceramic houses on display in our home when we lived in Ohio. It was wonderful.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
L. Sue Smith
Englewood, Florida
Thank you and to to you as well
Merry Christmas to you!
Thank you for sharing another nice Christmas tradition at Highclere. I just want to add that the word "Humbug" travelled successfully into the German language. It was well received as it is still used. But it's meaning changed: German use it as a synonym for "nonsense". "Was für ein Humbug!" = "What a nonsense!" Christmas, however, is no nonsense at all.
Frohe Weihnachten,
Bettina
What fine message sent you to Lady Carnarvon.
I want to wwish to you, and your family, a very special Xmas and happy New Year...from Italy..
Wishing you all a very “Merry Christmas”and “A Very Happy New Year”. From Alberta, Canada!!!
We just appreciate your wonderful pictures & detailed, informative writings so very much. Your writing is beautiful, such a pleasure. We watch the Christmas Carol every year, such a great message within the story, a message everyone needs to learn no matter what age. Happy Holidays!!!
Greetings from Windermere ( via South Wales!)
My sister and I shared the most wonderful early Christmas treat with you at Highclere on Friday. Champagne, canapés, Christmas carols so beautifully sung AND the young man’s proposal to his love at the bottom of the grand staircase !! That was the unexpected extra! And for her as well it seems. How lovely was that? What a special memory for them as well as us.
The Dickens evening sounds quite delightful and special too.
We are enjoying the Christmas at Highclere book very much. You have added so much to our Christmas celebrations, thank you.
Warmest wishes
June Roberts
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
We just returned from England back to Philadelphia and continue to marvel in the absolutely amazing evening at Highclere. Combining our love for Downton Abbey with our favorite Christmas story was a magical event. Thank you for hosting this special event in your home, and it was a pleasure to meet you and Lord Carnarvon. It was also fun to meet Luis who clearly loves his job at Highclere - - and is certainly wonderful to all the guests! I'm sure all who attended are telling their friends and sharing the photos ... so expect more Dickens guests in 2023!
Warm regards,
Greg & Kathy
Thank you so much - it was lovely to meet you
Merry Christmas to you
Lord and Lady Carnarvon and your Family
And to all the Staff at Highclere, Who make a visit to your Home A Wonderful Experience.
Dear Lady Carnarvon!
I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Swedish greetings from Lena
Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Have a wonderful holiday time.
MY DEAR LADY CARNARVON,
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM BRAZIL. TO ALL.
VILA ALEMÃ
RIO CLARO - SP
BRAZIL
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for this Monday's blog and great accompanying photographs. Good, bad, or indifferent; so much of the story line still rings true to this day.
When the e-mail arrived, I opened it, read its title, and said: "Oh, I will respond later." Unfortunately, it slipped my mind, until yesterday evening. At that time, I was watching "A Christmas Carol" on Canadian Televison and realized that I had not replied.
Your story is a great read on this winter storm warning day in the Detroit area. The weather helped in put me into time and place of the novel and its characters. Also, I took the time to have a look at the Castle's Facebook and Instagram accounts. I enjoyed watching the clips of Mr. Dickens perform "A Christmas Carol" on all three venues.
Another FYI Department: Holly Dickens Festival (located in Holly, Michigan) celebrated is 49th anniversary and is the oldest running Dickens Festival in the United States.
So, until next Monday, I wish you, Lord Carnarvon, and everyone at Highclere Castle a Happy Christmas and "God Bless us Every One".
Perpetua Crawford
How I would love to see Gerald Dickens' do A Christmas Carol! One year, out of curiosity, I watched every version I could find, and decided George C Scott was my favorite. I also love "The Man Who Invented Christmas." It's a charming tale of how the story came to be. Wishing you and your family and staff all the best in the new year.
Aloha from Hawaii, and Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!
On this cold winter day in New Jersey, USA I am sitting in my living room with book in hand. This book, Christmas at Highclere is a lovely read, especially since Christmas is only a week away. I just received the book the other day and know already that there are many recipes I want to try. Many thanks to you Fiona for showing us your wonderful lifestyle at Highclere. Hopefully I will get to visit Highclere with my granddaughter in the next year.
Merry Christmas to all at Highclere.