Archive 2021
14 NOVEMBER 2021
Fortnum & Mason gets into the Christmas Spirit
Lord & Lady North Cadbury have been customers of Fortnum & Mason for very many years and their greatly appreciate the excellent quality of the goods. The new Christmas catalogue has just arrived and it is full of Christmas spirit.
Since last Friday, shimmering stars glowing softly above Oxford Street London’s busiest shopping street and the big angel shape decorations above Regent Street were illuminated, as well as the wonderful festive outdoor decorations at Fortnum's in Piccadilly. So the Christmas season is open.
Amazing big angel shape decorations above Regent Street, London in Christmas time Credit: iStock.com/Cristian Mircea Balate
21 OCTOBER 2021
On this day, 1805, Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson died at the Battle of Trafalgar
Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB (29 September 1758-21 October 1805) was killed by a fatal gunshot wound at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. Lord Nelson was an English sea captain and one of Britain's greatest naval heroes. He commanded the British fleet during the Napoleonic Wars, fighting against the French and Spanish and securing a series of decisive naval victories.
Nelson was shot by a French sniper during the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. He was struck while pacing the quarterdeck of his ship HMS Victory with Captain Thomas Hardy, at about 1.15pm. According to accounts of his death, the musket shot struck Nelson down through his left shoulder, with a force that threw him to his knees. It smashed two ribs and tore through his left lung, severing a major artery on the way. The bullet lodged beneath his right shoulder blade.
Nelson was carried below deck to receive medical attention but nothing could be done. He survived for three hours, long enough to hear from Hardy that the British had achieved a great victory. With Chaplain Alexander Scott, Surgeon William Beatty and Purser Walter Burke attending, Nelson gave Hardy final directions for the fleet and left affectionate messages for his mistress and lover Lady Emma Hamilton and their child, Horatia. Nelson died at 4.30pm on 21 October 1805. He was 47 years old.
Nelson’s death became the central event of the Battle of Trafalgar. Even at the time, it overshadowed the triumph of the great victory. Ordinary seamen broke down crying when the news spread through the fleet and when the news reached Britain, the nation went into mourning.
Source: Royal Museums of Greenwich
19 SEPTEMBER 2021
What Somerset is Famous For
Somerset is a rural county of rolling hills, the Blackdown Hills, Mendip Hills, Quantock Hills and Exmoor National Park, and large flat expanses of land including the Somerset Levels.
Somerset is home to the World Heritage Site of Bath, with its famous Roman baths and pump rooms. This lovely city has so much to offer that it is rightfully one of the most popular tourist destinations in England.
The County of Somerset is also home to the cathedral city of Wells and Glastonbury, famous for the enigmatic Glastonbury Tor and of course, the music festival! Glastonbury is steeped in myth and legend: it was here that Joseph of Arimathea is supposed to have planted his staff into the ground when it instantly flowered to become the famous Glastonbury Thorn. The church that was established here was, according to legend, built at Joseph’s behest to house the Holy Grail. It is also supposed to be the burial place of King Arthur and Guinevere and possibly the place Avalon.
In the north west of the county there is to find historic Dunster, a picturesque town just two miles from the coast and the seaside resort of Minehead. Dunster boasts a stunning castle, unique Yarn Market, pretty thatched cottages, inns and cafes, and is set right on the edge of dramatic Exmoor.
HM Prison Shepton Mallet in Somerset was the oldest operational prison in Britain until its closure in 2013. Built in 1610, it has a long and grisly history, peppered with executions, daring escapes and infamous inmates.
The mighty port of Bristol is also in Somerset. This historic city is home to Brunel's SS Great Britain, the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge and the world’s fifth oldest zoo.
As for local food and drink, Somerset is famous for apples and cider. And of course there is the world famous Cheddar cheese! Cheddar originated in Somerset around the late 12th century and is named after the dramatic Cheddar Gorge and caves in which the cheese used to be stored and matured.
And last but not least, Cadbury Castle the famous ancient hillfort in South Cadbury, the most probable site of King Arthur's legendary court at Camelot and North Cadbury the historic seat of the eponymous feudal barony named after that.
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5 AUGUST 2021
Great Gardens of Cornwall
Trebah Garden - one of the most beautiful gardens in Cornwall
Trebah Garden is a uniquely beautiful, wooded 26 acre subtropical ravine garden that descends to its own beach on the beautiful Helford River. This subtropical garden paradise right by the sea is definitely one of the most beautiful gardens in Cornwall. There is a lot to marvel at on the 4 miles of footpath. In spring and summer rhododendrons and magnolias, some of which are over 100 years old, bloom, also the huge gunneras and the mighty trees and plants of the southern hemisphere impress.
It's wonderful and impressive to discover the magic of this magnificent Cornish valley garden. To explore under canopies bursting with exotic blooms and to follow the colourful tunnels that cascade down to the secluded beach on the Helford River is a wonderful experience. An area of outstanding natural beauty. Trebah Garden is overgrown with a colourful array of 100 years old rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias. In summer, the giant rhubarb is a must see and very spectacular.
Trebah's sheltered and secluded beach at the bottom of the garden, Polgwidden Cove, provides the perfect place to while away an hour or two and to take a cooling footbath in the cool water of the river. A visit to this garden remains unforgettable.
1 AUGUST 2021
New Great British Tea Delivery
The baronial household has received a new delivery of fine English teas. Great Britain is world famous for its tea culture and countless tea blends. There are many English tea brands in different regions of the country. Each region prefers its own flavour and strength of brewed tea and a special blend accordingly.
This time there are two teas from South West England: Miles West Country Original Blend, blended in Somerset and from Cornwall Smugglers Brew from The Cornish Tea Company. Both teas are made for the regional tastes of the West of England and Cornwall and are perfect for all occasions.
These teas are perfect to enjoy with scones and biscuits and sharing with friends at a traditional English afternoon tea or a Cornish afternoon cream tea.
10 JULY 2021
Whisky - "Water of Life"
uisge beatha in Scottish Gaelic or aqua vitae in Latin
There is a wonderful collection of scotch whiskies from Wemyss Malts or Wemyss Family Spirits Ltd., Edinburgh, Scotland. Spice King, Peat Chimney, The Hive and Velvet Fig, four blended Scotch Whiskies and Kingsbarns 'Dream to Dram', an excellent Single Malt from their Kingsbarns Distillery, St Andrews.
Wemyss Malts is an independent family distillery founded in 2005. They are mastering the art of whisky blending. The Wemyss family (Wemyss, pronounced "weems" is the Scottish Gaelic word for caves) can trace back their roots to the Earl of Wemyss' ancestral home at Wemyss Castle and has direct links to Scotland’s whisky history when Haig built the first distillery on their land in the Kingdom of Fife in 1840.
Wemyss Malts is known for naming its bottlings after the predominant flavours. Thus, these blended malts also bears their flavour in their name. The Spice King convinces with a spicy-sweet character that combines the familiar notes of Highland and island malts. Up to ten different single malts from the two regions go into this blend and form notes of toffee, spices and maritime sea air. Peat Chimney is the English name for the fireplace and stands for smoky, peaty notes of the blended malt. A variety of different single malts from the Islay region go into this blended whisky and form notes of sweet smoke, salt and peat. Wemyss Malts gave the bottlings a very successful new design. The bottles are extraordinary and already have the look of decanters.
Kingsbarns Dream to Dram Single Malt is distilled and bottled at the Kingsbarns Distillery, which was founded in 2014. The bottling is the first single malt bottling of the distillery, which came into general sale in 2019.
And not to be forget in this distillery's range, The Hive, a smooth blended malt whisky with honey-like sweetness and Velvet Fig a malt whisky with smooth deep, rich fruit flavours and complex wood character. All are great whiskies for the Scotch whisky connoisseur.
'Cheers' or in Scottish Gaelic 'Slàinte Mhath' (Pronounced Slanj-a-va)
30 MAY 2021
In memory of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1921 - 2021
His mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, once lived for a time in the Bergisches Land in Germany, home of the current Baron and Baroness of North Cadbury
The current Baron of North Cadbury grew up in a borough of the village of Kürten in the Bergisches Land, a rural region east of Cologne and lived here until he was about 23. He and Lady Regina also lived in a part of the borough for a few years. The Lord and Lady now live in the town of Bergisch Gladbach, but it is very close to Kürten, only a few kilometres away. In April this year, shortly after the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Lord and Lady North Cadbury read in the local newspaper, what they didn't knew. They had never heard before about that Princess Alice of Battenberg had spent in the past nearly every summer here in the near in a small hamlet absolutely out of the way and rural with the name Kürten-Breibach.
Princess Alice came here between 1936 and 1965 to Breibach Estate (Landgut Breibach) almost every summer to recover from her mental illness. The Princess didn't only spend her summertimes from 1936 to 1965 in Kürten-Breibach, she lived from 1936 to 1937 for nearly two years complete at Breibach Estate. And thereafter she came every summer to the former stately estate until even 1965. So a local historian revealed. It seems that Princess Alice loved this place so much.
vintage postcard 'Landgut Breibach-Kürten'
And in about 2011 an older woman lived in Breibach. She had bought a small house in this hamlet some years before and had quite a lot of trouble with the competent building authority, because it later turned out that the house had no building licence, although it was built 75 years ago and had to be demolished. She went to court with this matter. In the end, her house did not have to be demolished and planning permission was granted retrospectively.
It was reported that this lady also wrote to Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace about this issue and received a personal reply from him. And now it turns out that even Prince Philip knew about this very small and remote place where his mother recovered in the summers from the 1930s to the 1960s. He answered to her letter that he knew Breibach, but unfortunately he could not interfere in German politics and wished her success and good luck.
During the long years of Princess Alice's stay, Prince Philip may also have visited Breibach. What is known is that at Easter 1937 the boarding school pupil saw his mother again after eight years. This meeting may possibly have taken place at the Breibach Estate or at their family seat Wolfsgarten Castle in the town of Langen, 15 kilometres away from Frankfurt. It is known that in April 1937 Alice's mother, Princess Victoria of Battenberg, visited her daughter in Breibach.
And apparently Prince Charles knows Breibach too. When Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1987 made their visit to Cologne the royal aircraft flew an extra turn over the 'Bergisches Land' (Bergisches Country) and the Breibach Estate.
In the early 1970s, Lord North Cadbury went to primary school in a nearby district of Kürten and on hiking days they walked from the school to Breibach Estate. But of course that was much later, Princess Alice Breibach visited Breibach regularly until 1965 and died in late 1969 at the age of 84 at Buckingham Palace.
With Princess Alice of Battenberg, mother of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and mother-in-law of HM Queen Elizabeth II, there was a royal connection to the 'Bergisches Land'. This is certainly still in the memory of Prince Charles today.
Princess Alice of Battenberg 1907
23 MAY 2021
Pentecost Menue with Beef Wellington
Pentecost is a high holy day in the Christian churches. It is celebrated on the 50th day (the 7th Sunday) after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks.
For this special occasion, we had a special 5-course meal from an excellent restaurant nearby. This time, special mention should be made of Beef Wellington, the famous English fillet steak dish. Not to forgotten, a good wine accompaniment.
9 APRIL 2021
A very sad day: Prince Philip passed away aged 99
Buckingham Palace Announcement of the Death of The Duke of Edinburgh It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss. |
It is a difficult day to learn that this morning Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh passed away at Windsor Castle.
We are in great mourning and our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty The Queen and the whole Royal Family.
Prince Philip was always a great support with selfless devotion to his wife the Queen and he served the British people and the Commonwealth at all times.
A really very sad day! Prince Philip will remain unforgettable!
3 APRIL 2021
A Royal spring walk before Easter
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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles mark the Easter weekend with a walk in the gardens of Frogmore House in Windsor. Buckingham Palace released two photos of the Queen and the Prince of Wales enjoying the fresh spring air.
In photos released yesterday 2nd April, the Queen and the Prince of Wales posed for a portrait within the backyard of Frogmore House. The mother and son duo kept warm with long coats and a warm smile. The Queen, who turns 95 later this month, is wearing certainly one of her famed headscarves with a inexperienced, full-length raincoat and black boots, she smiled and laughed, together with her gloved fingers in her pockets.
It is the first time in months that the Queen and her eldest son and heir to the throne Prince Charles have shown themselves together again. After the ongoing tough contact restrictions in the UK, families and friends are now allowed to meet again - but only outside and in a circle of up to six people or two households. And even though both have now been vaccinated, they naturally want to set a good example.
13 MARCH 2021
The Continuity of the British Monarchy - the Royal Family through the ages from Queen Victoria to Elizabeth II
'Heavy Is The Head That Wears The Crown'
William Shakespeare
Monarchy is the oldest form of government in the United Kingdom. Within the monarchy, the king or queen is the Head of State. The British Monarchy is known as a constitutional monarchy. This means that, while The Sovereign is Head of State, the ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected Parliament. Although monarch no longer has a political or executive role, he or she continues to play an important part in the life of the nation, and its overseas territories.
As Head of State, the monarch undertakes constitutional and representational duties which have developed over one thousand years of history. The Sovereign acts as a focus for national identity, unity and pride; gives a sense of stability and continuity; officially recognises success and excellence, and supports the idea of voluntary service. In all these roles the monarch is supported by members of their immediate family. The monarch and their immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial, diplomatic and representational duties.
The burden of wearing the crown is a great responsibility and has nothing to do with a fairy tale. The monarch's life is put at the service of the public, be it short or long. The Queen has sworn an oath to her people and this should also be given respect. Each king or queen has had highs and lows in their respective reigns. No time is without crises that have to be overcome. This was the case even before Queen Victoria, and even Victoria had to deal with difficult matters during her 63-year reign. The monarchy has always had to move with the times and only in this way has it been able to survive, even through highs and lows and with the loyal support of the people.
The current Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has been on the British throne for 69 years, longer than Queen Victoria and any other monarch before her and she is a strong symbol for reliability and continunity of the Britsh Nation. The next King Charles and thereafter William, and that is certain, will also devote their life and duties entirely into the service of the nation.
'God save the Queen.'
28 FEBRUARY 2021
Dinner for Two for Lord & Lady North Cadbury - a Restaurant-style 4 course dinner at home
In this time of corona lockdown, we all have no other choice to enjoy the time at home. Once again Lord and Lady North Cadbury enjoyed an excellent 4 course meal from a nearby awarded restaurant:
starter: Black pudding Apple strudel with Craneberrie chutney and lamb's lettuce, soup: Sorrel soup, Main: Fillet of beef with pine nut crust and shallots in red wine shallot butter, beans wrapped in bacon and potatoes au gratin and for dessert Mango pineapple salad with coconut passion fruit puree and passion fruit meringue and crispy yoghurt.
6 FEBRUARY 2021
The Queen reigns 69 years now and she is well!
69 years ago today, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II. For the Queen, it is not a day of celebration, as her Accession Day is also the anniversary of the death of her father, King George VI. In early 1952, Elizabeth and Philip set out for a tour of Australia and New Zealand by way of Kenya. On 6 January 1952 she learned that her father had died suddenly during the night. As a young woman of 25, this was a very sad situation of her beloved father's dead. Her coronation took place a year later, on June 2, 1953 and she took on the duty and heavy burden of wearing the crown.
Queen Elizabeth is the longest-reigning monarch in British history, and has been since 2015, when she surpassed the length of Queen Victoria’s reign. This year Elizabeth II turns 95 and Prince Philip 100. She has experienced many highs and lows in her long life and reign. She has devoted her entire life into the service to the nation and the crown with a tremendous sense of duty and dedication. A truly remarkable lady.
The Queen typically spends her Accession Day privately at Sandringham, her royal estate in Norfolk, but she is currently together with Prince Philip living in isolation at Windsor Castle due to the corona pandemic and only attends the most necessary public engagements. The royal couple received the corona virus vaccine already in January.
However, Queen Elizabeth is hoping to travel to London before summer, as she has big plans to celebrate her birthday again in June with a great public parade. She is hoping that her birthday parade 'Trooping the Colour' will take place in London this summer. Perhaps everyone will then to bring out a toast to HM The Queen and this festive occassion with Champagne - the Queen will certainly do so with her favourite drink 'Gin & Dubonnet'. We can be very curious about the coming English summer.
'God save the Queen'
3 FEBRUARY 2021
Sir William Botreaux, 1st Baron Botreaux and 13th Lord of Codiford Farleigh - a noble man and one of Cornwall’s medieval lawbreakers?
Seigniorial parkland also exercised a strong pull on nefarious Cornishmen and Sir William Botreaux was one of the men who broke into the Black Prince’s parks in the county of Cornwall and hunted in these and carried away his deer. So it was claimed.
The present Baron and Baroness of North Cadbury also hold of the Lordship of Codiford Farleigh in Cornwall and one of the predecssors was William Botreaux, 1st Baron Botreaux. It seems that he with many other involved men hunted on the Black Prince's grounds. In July 1381 a royal commission found that William, Lord Botreaux, hearing of the Great Revolt in London, had gathered 80 men and broken into the Black Prince's parks, hunted his deer, killing 20 of them, and generally damaged his property. Lord Botreaux’s wife appealed against the charge, saying that her husband was then on service in Portugal, and that he had been falsely accused.
31 JANUARY 2021
A restaurant-style dinner at home in lockdown
Unfortunately, corona virus still has us in its grip. Despite the prospect of vaccination, the lockdown remains in place for almost all areas of public life. All shops and restaurants are still closed. But many restaurants offer a pick-up service for their dinners.
Today we had such an excellent three course menue from a nearby Michelin-starred restaurant. Everything was prepared easily ready to cooked and enjoy in style afterwards. Only the restaurant can arrange the meal better than we can and one thing was missing, that's the service like in the restaurant ;-)
10 JANUARY 2021
English Winter Impressions
by courtesy of Lord Martyn Spencer-Link
Many people have a romantic idea of what winter in England is like: snow covered rolling hills, small robins chirping on a red post box, rosy-cheeked kids breathing huge clouds of steam running around sporting woolly hats and scarves and gloves, building a snowman complete with a carrot for a nose and lumps of coal for eyes and a smile. Unfortunately winters in England aren’t quite like that. Mostly it doesn't snow that much anymore. However, lately it has become quite wintry in the northern parts of the country. After a snow storm in West Yorkshire last week it was possible to build a great snowman.
