The spaniel puppies are now nearly 10 weeks old and the first sibling is leaving Highclere Castle for his new home. He is optimistic, cuddly and courageous and I have packed his backpack ready to go.
He probably associates the Castle’s front hall with chasing his brother round the pillars but it is, in fact, rather a lovely entrance. It was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott in 1870 who was also rebuilding the parish Church in Highclere for the 4th Earl of Carnarvon at the same time. Scott was a most respected architect and chosen, for example, to design the Albert Memorial and St Pancras Station in London. It is an elegant gothic hall with a polychrome floor, fine French marble colonettes , the colour of which is called “rouge de Languedoc”. The marble bust of the 2nd Earl of Carnarvon which stands in the entrance hall is by Lorenzo Bartolini (1777-1850) which was commissioned in Florence in 1819 while the family was on the Grand Tour. Lorenzo Bartolini emerged from humble beginnings to become the most highly esteemed Italian sculptor of the generation after Antonio Canova.
A fine pair of terracotta wyverns (winged dragons with two legs and a scaly tail) which are the heraldic beasts of the Carnarvon family flank the doors leading to the Saloon whilst more wyverns are carved on the ceiling amidst the heraldic shield. The two linked C’s are found both in the floor design and on the ceiling. Much of the above is easy to miss when you are looking into the splendour of the saloon.
In Downton Abbey, Maggie Smith’s character has often stood here, firstly looking and then shouting down the new-fangled invention called a telephone whilst Lady Edith’s news from the same apparatus has been rarely happy.
The little puppy, however, is quite unaware of all of this although he may be wondering what is happening. He has his backpack, with a few blankets from his old home, some food, a bone and a cuddly toy called Fuddlewuddle. This is a present from Finse – one of our earlier Labrador puppies who now leads a very glamorous and well-travelled life with Viking Cruises. A quick kiss, a quick hug and bye bye but he will be back in no time for the annual puppy party. It will be interesting to see, at that point, how much he remembers of his birth place and I will very much look forward to seeing him again.
PS: he will be back for the puppy party quite soon….
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He is adorable! With regard to the saloon and entrance, have you ever considered doing a 360 degree virtual “tour” for your website? I have the castle book, and have seen many, many photos of this part of the castle, but I don’t think you can ever get an idea of the scope of the area, or how each part flows into the other. For those of us who will never get to tour the real thing, it would be amazing to take one of these tours and be able to “turn” left or right and follow the path that some of the Downton characters (and indeed, you!) take as they walk through the doors.
I think you may find you wishes answered quite soon…and yes he is adorable!
Thank you…I may never get there to experience the beauty of Highclear so I really appreciate the pictures.
I’m thinking this precious puppy will miss his birthplace. What a play-place Highclere Castle would be with all its long hallways and interesting nooks and crannies. He could go exploring and not emerge for days (although that is probably not the best thing when you are a puppy). Your home is stunning, Lady Carnarvon, and it is so gracious of you to share it with others. This room in particular is breathtaking, and I appreciate knowing about its architecture. Happy puppy party planning!
Lynn Morrissey
I think it will be chaotic!
Enjoying your blog and website very much. As a lovely of history and animals, it’s pretty perfect. Thank you.
What an adorable puppy! I am sure he will miss Highclere but will soon be having new adventures in his new home. I would love to have one of his siblings. Are there future litters planned?
Jayne Alison Jordan
How lovely! I once had such a black labrador… And the idea of the puppy party is fantastic!
Thank you for the images and also for the souvenir of “Lady Violet” on the telephone which she called a torture. It made me chuckle.
Concerning the wyverns, they seem quite similar to the ones I saw in Wales…
Thank you for everything.
Diane Clavareau
Wyverns are also connected with various Welsh families – I always made up stores for my son around the idea of dragons and we would go looking for them!
Hello!
The puppy story is cute, and I’m sure puppies have plenty of tussle room at your place.
It’s nice to see a picture of you as well!
Highclere is high on our bucket list, but I do think that virtual tours for those who are unable to see it in person is a great idea ( I read a previous comment ).
We are all waiting for the final season of Downton with excitement and some sadness.
Thank you for allowing Downton Fans to enjoy such a beautiful story line set in your very beautiful home.
Have a great remainder of Summer!
We have some nice weather at the moment and it makes such a difference as summer comes to an end. I am sure Downton will take other avenues yet..
I was recently in England visiting relatives. My cousin Karen took me on a motor coach to Highclere a Castle. I love Downton Abbey and rea books on the history! There is history on every corner in England. This was my 10th visit to England. Thank you for opening your home to the public.
Cute puppy!
What beautiful puppies. Throughout my life our family had 4 great Labradors, 3 black and 1 yellow.. They had happy long lives. I am so happy for you in your beautiful home and look forward to Downton Abby 6. Thank you for sharing everything with us.
My children and I were fortunate enough to visit your wonderful home on our visit to the UK in July. We had a splendid time and my 10 year old son had such fun digging for artifacts in the Egyptian Exhibition…a fantastic addition for the young ones. It was very interesting to read about all the adventures that the 5th Earl of Carnarvon got up to. Imagine the fun he would have had if the Lamborghini had been invented then. Your post reminded me that I have a birthday present ‘hidden’ in a safe place for a certain boy in October – an adorable soft toy Finse and the accompanying book, Finse’s First Journey. I was wondering how you pronounce her name. Is it Finse as in Fince, or does it sound more like Finsee? My daughter has this theory that if she was named by an adult then it would be pronounced Fince, but if she were named by a child, then it would be Finsee. Please do enlighten us Lady Carnarvon and a belated thank you for making our afternoon so beautiful.
My husband and I just had to laugh aloud: those important doors that kings have walked through and that sweet, innocent little puppy at the threshold. Just precious and equally funny. You are a dear to provide such authenticity and sweet humor in such a grand place.
That is a lovely thought of yours! I have found some drawings of dogs in our visitor books from 150 years ago – it is a nice thought.
Wishing him a wonderful life and wishing you many years of happy reunions!
An adorable puppy picture. You are right. I was so busy gaping and gasping at the Saloon that I didn’t even notice the details in the hall. I, too, would love to see a virtual tour of the castle on the website. It would be something to go to when remembering DA long after the series ends.
I’m not sure what we fans will do when Season 6 ends. The Crawleys are like family and will be missed. Highclere feels like a well known place now. After all the years of watching, my favorite thing is still the green silk wallpaper. I could have stood in that room all day just looking at the wallpaper. Crazy, right? 🙂
It is rather lovely silk wall hangings and I will continue to take you round the house…
I was recently fortunate enough to tour Highclere Castle on a rainy, August morning. Unfortunately no puppies in sight but will treasure my walk through history and the remarkable grounds that have become so familiar on Downton Abbey. Our group appreciated all the locations for refreshments and some lunch. Despite the rain and convergence on those facilities it seemed to go smoothly for staff and guests alike!
A very cute puppy indeed, completely oblivious of (but at total ease in) the historic surrounds of Highclere. I also note your reference to the 1819 Grand Tour of Europe by the 2nd Earl of Carnarvon and his family.
It always is interesting to read (or hear) of ‘Grand Tours’ of Europe during the second decade of the 1800’s. My understanding is that such ‘adventures’ had very much been put on “hold” until the end of the Napoleonic Wars.
One assumes that there must have been an almost mass migration from Britain to Europe during the years following ‘Waterloo’. Presumably considerable planning also had to go into such a trip.
I have read that such tours could span many months of travel abroad although often there were 3 main European cities that were the focus of any particular ‘Grand Tour’. Do you have any details concerning the duration and locations of that 1819 tour?
Speaking of Napoleon, I believe that he was a great patron of Lorenzo Bartolini. His bas-relief of the Battle of Austerlitz was among those executed for the column erected in Place Vendôme. What an amazing Grand Tour it must have been for the 2nd Earl of Carnarvon and his family.
Maybe the storyline for another potential novel to be written by you, Lady Carnarvon?
Best wishes to you and all fellow bloggers.
You are quite right – I have many details too of the tour of 1819 and Napoleon was a great patron of Bartolini. I have done quite a bit of research I just lack the space in the blog to explain it all and don’t wish to bore you!
I the mean time during the Napoleonic Wars much of the furniture here and marble decoration was inspired by England and we were trade embargoed from the continent. There are many stories in the details.
Wonderful, adorable, precious little guy. I know his new family love him. I just saw the marvelous saloon at Highclere on Thursday. After looking forward to seeing Highclere for seven months, I can’t believe our trip is over. Our experience was everything we dreamed of and more. Tea in the coach house was lovely. The Egyptian display was very enjoyable and the gardens and grounds were beautiful. I am anticipating season six so I can enjoy seeing the rooms again.
I hope this little puppy will have a long and happy life and visit you often! I bet you will miss them! The history of the hall is very interesting…love the gothic revival style. I have seen pictures of many large houses in the UK and US and some very large rooms tend to take on a cold, museum like atmosphere. But Highclere for all it’s great size retains an atmosphere of warmth and comfort, a very welcoming place, made even more so by your good self and your husband. Thanks for letting us all in!!
Kindest Regards
Mary Beth
What an interesting post. I love reading about the many details of your magnificent home.
The puppy is precious.
A new venture, a new life and new beginings. Wishing him all the best.
I love your blogs and the history contained within! You are such a good steward of the many gifts you have been blessed with! Happy life to that adorable puppy who is about to go off into the great big world!
How to don’t be crazy about this wonderful spaniel ! They give us so much … Happy to discover your blog and to spend nice moments.
Christine … and Harry (my little black cocker spaniel !)
Thank you for the puppy update! We enjoyed our recent visit to the castle. We returned to the USA today & can’t wait to see our 6 year old “puppy”! I also look forward to reading your book; thank you!
What a wonderful story & such cute pics of the puppy, & you with the puppy. Must be sad to see them off, with their little backpacks full of love from home. I was able to visit Highclere this summer & have hot chocolate in the coach house with a window full of white hydrangeas! It was very cool to see the grand gallery where Lady Mary had her first adventure dragging that body! Will miss Downton but am glad we have your blogs to keep updated on Highclere. The virtual tour mentioned is a grand idea! Thx Lady C for your hospitality!
My grandfather aenos Holdup was born in bands cottage and paid rent to highclere
His father was George Holdup married to Elizabeth weight with 12children
I have visited and searched for the location of the cottage without success
Can you help me please
John stevens
Well…. I had to cry! I hate goodbyes and that little puppy is just the sweetest thing ever! Even though I’m quite sure he is off to a fabulous home, I still cried! 🙂
I have to say that I started following your blog ages ago (due to Downton of course) but it has since become my VERY favorite blog to read and nothing to do with Downton Abbey. I love your style of writing, your sense of humor and of course the awesome and amazing history that is thrown in.
Here in the United States we don’t quit have your kind of history!
I doubt I will ever have the privilege of visiting there. But at least your blog is the next best thing!
Can’t wait for the puppy party. 🙂
– Dori –
Came to Highclere today as a result of trip to Heathrow dropping off son Ben and his girlfriend Jo for exciting trip to Australia. Couldn’t believe our luck on being able to see your lovely home and grounds, last day! Now have arrived home and looked at your blog and seeing your beautiful pup that left for new home! Just wondering if you have any of your lovely Arab ponies still? Shame didn’t bump into you to catch up! Trev
Not sure whether dog breeding is an essential part of aristocratic life when there are so many dogs sitting and waiting for owners in dog homes. If people wish to have a dog, chose one that really needs a loving home.