Day Twenty Six - Not Done Yet!

Day Twenty-Six Wednesday June 25

In the 1839 Opium War, the Chinese tried to defeat the British by holding their rhubarb for ransom.

Our Friendly Taxi Service

I am still here! Are you?

Got Bags (Linda?) 

Don't give up on me because the walk is over, there are still a few more days of decompression and fun before heading home.We're moving on to HOLSEY, SURREY.

But oh,  the poor men trying to make deliveries but still caught in a 16 mile parking lot waiting to get onto a ferry or the train to France. No updates on this pathetic situation. We drove along the M20 motorway and saw mile after mile of them parked along the road. There were portable toilets set up at intervals. 

And then, a pilgrimage for any Tudor enthusiast, HEVER CASTLE, the childhood home of H8's wife #2, Anne Boleyn. Anne Boleyn was born in 1501 and spent her childhood at Hever Castle, which had belonged to her family since 1462.

You would think these places are huge they really aren't. They're human scaled, cozy, beautifully built and artistically designed. They're smaller than today's 2 story foyer McMansions. I don't thnk Anne's bedroom was more than 10x 10ft. 

Much of what we see today is the result of the remarkable efforts of the wealthy American, William Waldorf Astor, who used his fortune to restore and extend the Castle in the early 20th century. Astor paid great attention to detail and insisted that his workmen used, as far as possible, the same materials and tools as Tudor and Elizabethan craftsmen.

 Henry Waldegrave's family owned Hever Castle between 1557 and 1715.

We werent supposed to be taking photos inside the castle but I could steal one at times.

"By daily proof you shall me find, To be to you, both loving and kind"

Anne Boleyn

Henry VIII's bedroom! 

Henry VIII's Headboard

Window In Anne's Bedroom

IN turning over in my
mind the contents of
your last letters, I have
put myself into great
agony, not knowing how to interpret
them, whether to my disadvantage,
as you show in some places, or to my
advantage, as I understand them in
some others, beseeching you earnestly
to let me know expressly your whole
mind as to the love between us two.

It is absolutely necessary for me to
obtain this answer, having been for
above a whole year stricken with the
dart of love, and not yet sure whether
I shall fail of finding a place in your
heart and afFeftion, which last point
has prevented me for some time past
from calling you my mistress;be-

cause, if you only love me with an
ordinary love, that name is not suit-
able for you, because it denotes a sin-
gular love, which is far from com-
mon. But if you please to do the office
of a true loyal mistress and friend, and
to give up yourself body and heart to
me, who will be, and have been, your
most loyal servant, (if your rigour
does not forbid me) I promise you
that not only the name shall be given
you, but also that I will take you
for my only mistress, casting off all
others besides you out of my thoughts
and afFeftions, and serve you only. I
beseech you to give an entire answer
to this my rude letter, that I may
know on what and how far I may
depend. And if it does not please
you to answer me in writing, appoint
some place where I may have it by
word of mouth, and I will go thither
with all my heart. No more, for fear
of tiring you. Written by the hand
of him who would willingly remain
yours, H. R.

For Linda:

Divorced, beheaded and died
Divorced, beheaded, survived

1. Katherine of Aragon
2. Anne Boleyn
3. Jane Seymour
4. Anne of Cleves
5. Catharine Howard
6. Katharine Parr

I can't describe how beautiful the grounds were, the gardens, the roses, the fairy tale views. We walked the yew maze (and made it out), the Italian and Rose Gardens, saw the lake, and of course stood in the same rooms H8, Anne Boleyn, her family and names from Tudor history stood in. 

In the gift shop you can buy magnets, bookmarks, coasters, and Anne Boleyn folding umbrella! All with Henry's wives on them, as well as......

....MUGS!

Any dollhouse enthusiasts out there? I am! Look at these miniature houses from the"Evolution of the English house" exhibit. 1:1 scale. Real linen fold paneling! 

Look at the Food!

The Grave of Thomas Boleyn

Thomas Boleyn

St Peter’s Church dates back to the 14^th century . Built on the site of an earlier Norman Church, it has been a place of worship for the last 875 years. Those kinds of numbers are sounding normal to me now. Amazing. The church is the final resting place of Sir Thomas Boleyn, Anne Boleyn’s father and Queen Elizabeth I’s grandfather.

Thomas is not the only Boleyn buried in the church. Henry Boleyn, son of Sir Thomas Boleyn, thought to have died in infancy, is buried near his father. His tomb is marked by a brass cross.

Apart from the brass of Sir Thomas Boleyn and his son, the church is also home to another beautiful brass in memory of Margaret Cheyne. Margaret’s husband was a landowner in the area and gave his wife a lovely memorial. Translated from Latin it reads:“Here lies Margaret, once the wife of William Cheyne, who died the 23^rd day of the month of August in the year of our Lord 1419. On whose soul may God have mercy. Amen"

It’s a place that Anne Boleyn would have known well. Although little documentary evidence exists about the Boleyn’s links with the church, they would have undoubtedly attended.  I really enjoy the thought of looking at something that was once beheld by Anne’s  eyes. Today was a day of spirits and peaceful memorial.