Archives

Valezina Frohawk, 6th Viscountess Bolingbroke
Published on: 14th December 2023

You could be forgiven for not knowing who Valezina Frohawk was. She did not leave any mark on the Lydiard Estate, the...

Lady Katherine Grey
Published on: 2nd November 2023

On a recent visit to Salisbury Cathedral I discovered this magnificent memorial. I took a step back, well several infact as...

It's a small medieval world
Published on: 19th September 2021

If you think your family is quarrelsome, spare a thought for the Royal family. No, not the present one. I’m talking about...

Elizabeth, Lady Berkeley
Published on: 23rd August 2021

The magnificent tomb of Elizabeth, Lady Berkeley stands against the south wall of the chancel in the church of St. Dunstan...

Clarice de la Warre
Published on: 14th July 2021

Set in a niche in the church of St Michael at Ewyas Harold is this magnificent effigy, a survivor from the late...

Lacock Abbey and Elizabeth Leighton
Published on: 1st June 2021

Now I may be stretching the St. John connection too far with this Good Gentlewoman, but I hope you will humour me. When...

Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball
Category: 19th century Published on: 22nd April 2021

In the summer of 1897, the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire hosted a Fancy Dress Ball to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond...

The tragic story of Lady Mary Campbell
Category: 18th century 19th century Published on: 3rd April 2021

In 1752 Mary Meredith married Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers. Her parents must have been well pleased that their...

The Ladies of Lydiard
Published on: 31st March 2021

This week I am thrilled to announce the publication of my book The Ladies of Lydiard, which has been my work in progress for...

Buried - The Lady Ellinor Roberts Widd
Category: 17th century women’s history Published on: 4th August 2020

When war raged across England in the 17th century the St. John family, like so many others, were divided by the conflict....