
As they walk up the centre aisle of Highclere Church between the dark wooden pews, each member of the congregation enters their own spiritual world. The high vaulted roof of the nave creates space for our heads and thoughts, encouraging us all to look upwards. The large stained rose window faces south east and filters the light into the choir stalls whilst bowls of spring flowers have been lovingly arranged on window sills. It is Easter Sunday and we are all here because, 2000 years ago, a man was horribly executed by those in power and his own people connived and agreed to it.
Jesus died on Good Friday – his family and friends were overwhelmed with grief and it must have seemed as if everything they had believed in was over: death is so very final. He had suffered in life from hatred and betrayal yet from that point the journey of Jesus transforms to offer a new world and a new life.
On Easter Sunday Jesus rose again and the pain and tragedy of his death was turned into something extraordinarily positive, not least because he and his followers were able to tell, record and bear witness to his legacy. His legacy was in the parables told by his disciples and the combination of his words and actions during his life and after his death. As a result, this particular death did not therefore disappear, to be forgotten as just another person who was painfully executed by the Romans.
Words and their meanings shift over the centuries and today the word “legacy” implies a rather dry concept perhaps relating to a person’s will. Originally however, a “legacie” was a body of persons sent on a mission and a legatus was an ambassador or envoy and it was thus a far more pro-active and energetic concept. Legacies in both forms are important in today’s world: charities hope for some in our wills and leaders and famous people have learnt to rush out their own memoirs long before they are dead in order to offer their own preferred version of events. After all, history can be re-written and recollections may vary.
Jesus’ body was never found. He was never buried and there is no memorial or tomb to mark his final resting place. Instead, there is the story of his resurrection and the hope and promise of life everlasting and the inspiring beautiful cathedrals, churches and monasteries that were built in his name.
Today, Easter Monday, is also sometimes called “Bright Monday” or “Renewal Monday” and there are various traditions of what we should eat and all are quite delicious. In many countries it is a public holiday and there are customs of how the day should be spent. In Italy, Easter Monday is an official public holiday “Pasquetta” and it is seemingly a time-honoured to prepare and organise a family picnic in the countryside or barbecues with friends. Given the weather in England, we tend to turn instead to baking, hot cross buns and family lunches inside.
Many religions encapsulate the idea of forgiveness for past transgressions and the ability of people to change for the better. In today’s world never has that been more needed. I have a favourite poem from a particular seventeenth century poet and orator called “Redemption” which seems particularly apt for Easter.
Having been tenant long to a rich lord,
Not thriving, I resolved to be bold,
And make a suit unto him, to afford
A new small-rented lease, and cancel the old.
In heaven at his manor I him sought;
They told me there that he was lately gone
About some land, which he had dearly bought
Long since on earth, to take possession.
I straight returned, and knowing his great birth,
Sought him accordingly in great resorts;
In cities, theatres, gardens, parks, and courts;
At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth
Of thieves and murderers; there I him espied,
Who straight, Your suit is granted, said, and died
Stepping out of the portico of Highclere Church after the Easter service yesterday into the bright sunshine and surrounded by all the scent and signs of spring, it was impossible not to feel thankful.
This is beautiful! Thank you for your inspiring posts! We are looking forward to visiting in May!
Thank you so much
Beautiful description of what Easter Sunday must have been for Jesus’ disciples!
I remember this church so well, it used to be my familys’ parish church and my daughter was christened here.
Thank you for your inspiring words reminding us of the hope and promise of eternal life in Christ.
Thanks also for the glimpse inside Highclere Church. Perhaps we can visit on our next trip if there are services on Sundays.
Hello you so lucky to live in such a beautiful house / area .
Love Downton Abbey, maybe one day I will be lucky enough to visit your lovely house. Happy Easter
Beautifully written. He is risen!
When was Highclere Church built? Do you have a full time clergy?
Lovely the pictures of Legacy did you and lord Carnarvon have a nice Easter weekend and l would love to come to highcelere castle lam fan of Downton Abbey and thank you for send me your blog
The castle has been open this weekend and continues to be so.. so it has been busy on many fronts!
Beautifully written, and truly inspires hope. Thank you Lady Carnarvon.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Humbling beyond words, this is truly a very special time. The season of rebirth, the Christian Holy Days of renewal and forgiveness, and the deep breaths we continue to take to insure our strength for the necessary steps forward.
May you and your family be well and safe. Happy Easter and Happy Spring.
Thank you for your beautiful words and photographs.
Best regards,
Charlotte Merriam Cole
Happy Easter
A absolutely beautiful the pictures are absolutely stunning and hi Claire, it’s truly beautiful in every way how lucky are we to have such wonderful places to visit I would love to visit the beautiful church
Beautifully written. Sobering, yet inspirational.
Lady Carnarvon,
Your church is so silent and peaceful in the pictures, a lovely place to worship. If only those in our world who still search for that stillness and calm in their lives could find it in the beauty of God’s many gifts to us – both nature and His Son. What He taught us is in other traditions and beliefs as well. If only ….
I hope your Easter Day and Easter Monday bring you and Geordie, your friends, family and amazing Highclere Staff peace and love and new legacies, like Easter.
Thank you for another lovely Monday morning.
Martha
Thank you for another inspiring post. I look forward to your email every week. We live outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, and number one on my bucket list is a trip to the UK, including Highclere. Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter season.
This is a beautiful piece with nice pictures. I must say your writings inspire. Happy Easter.
I love reading your ‘blogs’ although as yet I have not had the opportunity
to visit Highclere Castle as am without transport from Hungerford. Am
looking forward to that day for during my career prior to retirement the
rest of the world – well a huge amount of it – was at my doorstep. Diana.
Hungerford.
Glad you got through another Easter Season with family traditions and Highclere Castle open again and visitors visiting. Thank you also for your Easter Weekend historical blog and lovely photos.
Thank you for speaking about Christianity and Jesus. Many in the world still value our faith. Happy Easter Monday!
My husband and I were also in church on Easter Sunday celebrating the risen Jesus!
What a lovely church. Happy Easter! I would point out that the scriptures tell us of many appearances Jesus made to His followers after His resurrection and of His subsequent ascension into heaven. His empty tomb, as well as Golgotha, the site of His crucifixion, are contained within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and are visited by many pilgrims each year. I highly recommend making a visit there, although perhaps not at this time, with the unrest in Israel. It is a profoundly moving experience to reach down and touch the rock of Golgotha and to enter and pray in the empty tomb of Our Lord.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you so much for a beautiful piece of inspirational writing, certainly made me think.
I wish you & everyone at Highclere a very happy Easter & a beautiful Spring & Summer,
Much love,
Caroline xx
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Happy Easter
fondly Jenny
I love your photos of Highclere Church. It’s a lovely church that has been restored so beautifully. Is it open to the public?
Happy Easter, He is risen!
It is open on Sundays and on special days
¡Feliz Pascua de Resurrección, Lady Carnarvon!
Your Easter tribute was lovely! Thank you for reminding us of Christ’s sacrifice. May we all accept his death on our behalf. Praise the Lord!
Dear Lady Carnarvon
Thank you so much for the lovely Easter blog.
I hope you and your family enjoyed your ?Easter.
Looking forward to next Monday’s blog.
Sincerely
Kathleen from Canada
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for such a beautiful piece. Spring is a sign of rebirth. Easter is a rebirth of our souls. Highclere Church is beautiful. Happy Easter.
Take care
Susan
Another beautifully written post for Easter and spring, thank you. The flowers are beautiful in the church. I love the idea of daffodils still in soil. And George Herbert to boot! Happy Eastertide to one and all at Highclere!
Thank you Lady Carnarvon for your beautiful Reflections on Easter Monday. We need renew these wonderful thoughtful traditions as a part of our Christian heritage.
Rev. Daryl C. Higgins
New Braunfels, Texas
Lady Carnarvon. Thank you for your thoughts on legacy. I viewed “Passion of the Christ” Friday. In such a dramatic way, it showed us the far this mortal man had to go for forgiveness of our sins. But as I watched the Easter proceedings at the Vatican on Saturday I, like Jesus, was reborn by that legacy: by renewing my baptismal vows. It’s as if you walk out of the crypt with Jesus and everything is bright and new again. It indeed becomes impossible to not be thankful on Easter.
He is risen!
Lady Carnarvon,
A beautiful tribute to a man who gave His all for us. May we share that same sacrifice with others.
May God bless your efforts at Highclere.
My husband and I were blessed to visit Highclere several years ago, and have such wonderful memories of our time there. We were among the first to arrive, and we felt as though we had a private ‘tour’!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful Easter meditation.
Your blog is always a great start to the week for this ex pat. We used to live on Newtown Common long before Downton Abbey put Highclere front and center on the tourist trail, and your weekly blog always takes me down memory lane!!
The chapel is so pretty – is it just folks from the Highclere estate that attend the services there, or is it very much a family chapel??
Thanks for always starting my week well!!
Everyone is welcome
A thought provoking piece. We lose sight of what the festivals we celebrate actually mean. It is said by agnostics, with truth, that more crimes are comitted in the name of religion and liberty than for any other cause. But Jesus did not draw up rules for Catholics or Protestants or any other variants of those who follow his teachings. Nor did he order us to kill or in any way harm those who did not follow him. He asked us, indeed ordered us, as John quotes:
“A new commandment I give unto you. That ye love one another”
Thank you – he was showing us. We tend to translate it into control
I am always inspired by your writing, and today’s post truly reflects your attention to detail and your dedication to the mission to protect the legacy of your family. The chapel is absolutely beautiful and I am quite sure your Easter celebration was a special event reminding all present to be grateful for the sacrifice of our savior and the Resurrection that defines our faith. Maintaining our traditions and celebrations, in my opinion, are key to enhancing our culture which in turn defines gratuity. Happy Easter to you and yours.
Good Morning Lady Carnarvon,
This Easter brought a new sadness to our family along with the greatest joy of the Resurrection! Our daughter lost a baby last week and we lost a grandchild, but thankfully our hope and security lies beyond the finite boundaries of this world. I have experienced that same loss and then the Restoration that only He can bring! After three days of heavy rains here in Georgia like the darkness in the tomb, our Resurrection Sunday was filled with glorious sunshine and new life springing forth in the brightest green of new life!
God Bless You for sharing the beautiful hope we all have access to!
Most Sincerely,
Amazed by Grace,
Gay Hightower
I am so sorry for your daughter and yourselves too
What a beautiful church at Highclere Castle! Beautiful, inspirational thoughts during this season of hope and renewal. I spent my 1st Easter ever in England this year, meeting my 2nd grandson. Happy Easter/Happy Spring!
Best, Claudia Groh
USA
Beautiful pictures! What a celebration day!
Happy Easter Monday, Lady Carnarvon!
I look forward to your blog each Monday with all the wonderful photos. Could you tell me a little about the figures on either side of Christ in the reredos behind the altar in the church – it looks as if they are all women. Thank you.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Your writing is so epic that it feels like we are right there in every scene. You are very talented. Thank you for your beautiful gifts that you share in our world today.
Dar Lady Carnarvon,
I really appreciated your Easter post this morning. I assume that Highclere church has been a part of many individuals’ spiritual journeys. As I read your post, I imagined how people from different time periods felt on Easter morning as they entered the nave. It would be wonderful if the walls could snap images from the glad tidings of Easter mornings past—best to you this Easter Monday.
Sincerely,
Annie Knapp Migdal
Your beautiful blog post has been a highlight to my Easter celebration this year. Thank you for your thoughts and inspiration. God bless.
Pastor Jacquie Kirkwood
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you so very much for opening up your heart and sharing your faith with us. Many, many people probably think that to live where you live in such splendor would be the perfect life. But God has His own plans for each of us, and has built into each a need to know our Heavenly Father beyond earthly riches. Jesus is the only way to heaven. How many lives have sat and worshiped in your chapel and found the answers to their questions about life and death and peace for their souls? The castle is magnificent; but the chapel is priceless beyond our knowing.
The Lord Bless you and Keep you,
Virginia McMillan
It is what each of us does not has
Our little village church is tiny in stature, but mighty in so many ways.
I often visit, sometimes just to sit quietly for a few moments.
Of course Easter is a special time for reflection. Yesterday, when stepping outside, I couldn’t help but feel grateful just to be here and think how lucky I am to love and in turn to be loved.
In these trying times, it’s sometimes easy to loose sight of the simpler things in life.
Great post! This would certainly make a great sermon.
Happy Easter Monday, a Smingus Dingus Day in Poland.
Dear Lady Carnarvan,
What a beautiful church! The stained glass windows are such pretty colors. I loved the poem. Thank you for sharing. Easter blessings to you!
In such uncertain times like these, Easter Sunday and the celebration of the rising of Jesus was just such comfort to me. What a beautiful blog you have rewritten this week. Thank you, Happy Bright Monday!
Thank you for mentioning this moving sonnet by George Herbert that reminds us the real meaning of Easter: it’s through Christ’s sacrifice and death that the poem’s protagonist gets the “new lease” and the fresh start he was hoping for.
Happy Bright Monday
An inspiring writing with beautiful pictures.
Beautiful sentiment & vividly descriptive! Our Saviour truly has blessed us with His sacrifice, giving us all pause in how we are living now to His glory!
Looking forward to visiting Highclere in June with my family-my father, myself & my grown children-it will be a sweet memory for us to treasure. Thank you for your posts, they are truly meaningful & endearing of who you are as stewards of that historical place.
How lovely and informative!
Happy Easter to you and yours!
Christine Tyrie
Oh my….. your post has left me with tears forming. My heart echos everything that you have said so beautifully. My goodness what a gift God has given you as a writer.
A dear friend wanted to make sure I read what you posted today and I am so grateful she did.
What Jesus did for me and all of us on Calvary can never really be put into words, except to try to live each day with a thankful heart and doing our best to love one another.
I just turned 60 and as a follower of Christ for the past 28 years I realize more and more what the Lord did for me. To be forgiven for all my sin and then the promise of eternity, knowing that I do not deserve it humbles me to the core.
But the Cross and His Resurrection says otherwise…..wow….
Thank you once again for speaking about the truth of Easter and not bunnies but our Saviour.
I hope that you and your family had a blessed Easter, and thank you once again for being a woman of truth, grace and warmth.
With respect, admiration, and a little bit of Canadian love,
Tressa
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
What a delight to read your articulate and very moving blog about your Easter experience as well as the thoughtful comments upon your words! It makes my heart so happy to know that you and so many others still hold Christ as our Savior and King. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the photos of the impressive flowers which reflect the beauty of Easter!
Janine Montgomery
Xenia, Ohio. USA
As an ordained Deacon in the Anglican Church of Canada I really appreciated your words and your eloquent witness of the events of Easter. Our church observed Maundy Thursday with Foot Washing, Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar; Good Friday our wonderful choir chanted the Solemn Liturgy; Saturday evening saw us outside lighting the first fire of Easter in the pouring rain (a challenge) followed by the Easter Vigil with almost all of the readings, but also a Baptism of a sweet little 8 month old boy; Sunday morning we had services at 8:00 and 10:00 (I attended the later one!!) and once again the music and our choir were brilliant.
Our priest also preached a very encouraging sermon, but I have to say your words in this post mean more to me than all that glorious worship, however magnificent. You captured the essence of the Easter message.
Thank you and may the blessings continue for all at Highclere.
Best wishes
I love your very meaningful photos and trust your Easter Holiday was also meaningful….
Wallace Craig
Midland, Texas
God bless you.
This was a lovely post to read. Happy Easter Monday to You and Yours!
Thank You Always for your insight.
Candice Black
Ohio, USA
Do you have full time clergy, how many people are in attendance at this beautiful church? I am in love with Highclere Castle and look forward to your blog every Monday.
Such a lovely and timely post! Thank you for speaking for our Lord on this very special day. This message is sorely needed in this mixed-up world. I look forward to returning to the UK; I miss the beauty!
Beautiful words My Lady.
Thank you for the beautiful post. He is risen indeed!
Lovely. Amazing. Thanks so much.
Lady Carnarvon,
Father Sean O Neill, Coláiste Padraic, Swinford, County Mayo, introduced croquet to the school in the fifties A lapse of 50 years – I was Captain of Croquet Carrickmines Croquet & Lawn Tennis Club& then became president of the Croquet Association of Ireland 2007. Ireland had many highly skilled players in the 20s, but had a long wait for Mark Mc Inerney to become Golf Croquet Champion of the World 2009.
Unfortunately , most of our new members consider Croquet to be a game to play in retirement .
If Ireland beat England at Hurlingham, which is seldom, if ever, it’s way better than winning at Twickenham!
As a friend says: “ Drink, Laugh, Smoke and all will be for the best in the best of all possible worlds”
Thank you for your beautiful thoughts. Wishing a belated happy and blessed Easter
to you and everyone else who makes Highclere a part of their life.
Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you so much for your beautiful post and for your clear words about the life of Jesus Christ and the life example he left us. Happy Easter week.
Lady Carnarvon, Easter is such a special time of year. The Highclere Church is so very beautiful. So lovely to be able to worship there. Cheryl
I’m late in saying this, but I wanted to thank you for sharing this. It was beautifully written.
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for your Easter Monday blog.
What a beautiful and inspiring story and ending the same with such a lovely poem.
Just a quick note, the local custom in the greater Metropolitan Detroit area is to eat hot-cross buns during Lent. For the Easter blessing basket, one item that is added is butter that is shaped in the form of a lamb. For the Easter Sunday celebration, cakes in the shape of bunnies, flowers, and lambs are served for dessert.
I hope you, Lord Carnarvon, and everyone at Highclere Castle had a blessed and Happy Easter.
Until next time, I wish you all the best.
Perpetua Crawford