Hidden Heritage

Episode Description:

Welcome back to a very special episode of the Duchess podcast.

The weekend of the 3rd of June has just passed and we enjoyed a wonderful weekend of platinum jubilee celebrations for our Queen Elizabeth II.

So to celebrate Queen Elizabeth we have decided to have a special episode dedicated to her and the royal family.

To start, we will have one of our favourite guests back on the podcast, Lady Derby of Knowsley Hall, who will share some of her own stories involving the royal family and her personal feelings on the incredible celebrations this weekend. We will then play some of our favourite clips from the podcast that have featured stories & anecdotes about the Queen & her family.

So please join us for this very special Jubilee episode of the podcast - this is Duchess.

Top Quotes:

“What the Jubilee meant to me is just bringing everyone together. Nobody does pageantry better than the British. It didn’t matter what age you were, what nationality. Everyone celebrated the hear and the now.” - Lady Derby

“It was very emotional saying thank you to someone who has dedicated her life to the service of her country. She has carried it so lightly. One never feels it’s a burden with her but a joy.” - Lady Derby

About the Guest and Stately Home:

Lady Derby, born Caroline Emma Neville, grew up in the stately home Audley End of the historic House of Neville. She studied History and History of Art in London City University before working as Assistant Surveyor to the Queen’s Pictures. She met her husband Edward Stanley, 9th Earl of Derby, in 1994. The couple would marry and have three children.

Knowsley Hall was built in the 1500s and has housed the Stanely’s for 500 years.

The Stanley’s are one of the most illustrious families in British history, with famous knights, prime ministers, and politicians all hailing lineage. The Derby race was named after them, as is The Stanley Cup in hockey. Now visitors flock to Knowsley Hall all year round to enjoy its many works of art, events and safari park.

About the Host:

Emma Rutland, The Duchess of Rutland, did not always stride the halls of stately homes. Born Emma Watkins, the Duchess grew up the daughter of a Quaker farmer, in the Welsh marsh countryside. She trained as an opera singer in the Guildhall School of Music, and worked as a successful interior designer before meeting her future husband David Manners, the 11th Duke of Rutland, at a dinner party. Their marriage in 1992 would transform Emma Watkins into the 11th Duchess of Rutland, thrusting her into the world of aristocracy, and handing her the responsibility of one of the nation's great treasures: Belvoir Castle. While simultaneously running the day to day operations of the castle, and raising five children, The Duchess became fascinated with the history and importance of the other stately homes of the UK. Join The Duchess as she embarks on a wonderful journey through time, to learn more about the incredible homes that have defined Great Britain and, most importantly, meet the other extraordinary women who work tirelessly behind their doors to preserve their history and magic for future generations.

Resources:

https://knowsleyhallvenue.co.uk/

https://www.belvoircastle.com/

https://www.onefineplay.com/

https://www.emmaduchessrutland.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description:

This week on Duchess, the Duchess of Rutland travels to the historic Sudeley Castle & Gardens to meet Lady Ashcombe. In the show, Lady Ashcombe speaks candidly about the impact of the tragic loss of her husband so early into her life custodian, the Duchess gets a background on the castle’s immense royal history, and Lady Ashcombe describes the tales of ghostly monarchs that are said to walk Sudeley’s halls today.

Top Quotes:

"How many times have these grey suited individuals told you it isn't possible but the will of the chatelaine overcomes all." - Duchess

"You need to protect the home and it's contents because without the art that's on the walls these houses don't tell the story they were meant to. It all represents layers of history and we are just a moment in time - preserving, protecting and defending." - Duchess

About the Guest and Stately Home:

Lady Ashcombe was born Elizabeth Chipps in the United States. She would meet her future husband, Mark Dent-Brocklehurst, heir to Sudeley Castle, while at design school in New York. She married Mark in the early 1960s and the couple had two children together. In 1972, her husband died of a heart attack at just 40. Elizabeth later married Lord Ashcombe in 1979. She has spent decades restoring and running the castle but today, Elizabeth’s family largely run the house and estate.

In 1442, Ralph Boteler built Sudeley Castle. Boteler would sell Sudeley Castle to the King - making it Royal property granted to his brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Richard would become Richard III after his ascension and would later be killed at the battle of Bosworth - ending the war of the roses and transitioning Sudeley to Henry VII. It was in this period that Queen Katherine Parr would live and eventually die at Sudeley Castle. In the 1600s, Sudeley Castle would suffer surrenderings, desecrations, and attacks. Following its ‘slighting’ on Cromwell’s orders at the end of the Civil War, Sudeley lay neglected and derelict for nearly 200 years. The title and estate continued to change hands. In 1837, Sudeley was rescued from disrepair by the wealthy Worcester glove-makers, brothers John and William Dent. The house would remain in the same family until present day. In 1949, The Walter Morrison fine picture collection was inherited and brought to the estate and, in 1969, the castle opened its doors to the public.

About the Host:

Emma Rutland, The Duchess of Rutland, did not always stride the halls of stately homes. Born Emma Watkins, the Duchess grew up the daughter of a Quaker farmer, in the Welsh marsh countryside. She trained as an opera singer in the Guildhall School of Music, and worked as a successful interior designer before meeting her future husband David Manners, the 11th Duke of Rutland, at a dinner party. Their marriage in 1992 would transform Emma Watkins into the 11th Duchess of Rutland, thrusting her into the world of aristocracy, and handing her the responsibility of one of the nation's great treasures: Belvoir Castle. While simultaneously running the day to day operations of the castle, and raising five children, The Duchess became fascinated with the history and importance of the other stately homes of the UK. Join The Duchess as she embarks on a wonderful journey through time, to learn more about the incredible homes that have defined Great Britain and, most importantly, meet the other extraordinary women who work tirelessly behind their doors to preserve their history and magic for future generations.

Resources:

To find out more about our Sponsor CircleDNA, visit their website here

https://www.onefineplay.com/

https://www.belvoircastle.com/

https://www.emmaduchessrutland.com/

https://sudeleycastle.co.uk/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to this episode of Hidden Heritage, where we invite you to step into the extraordinary world of Blenheim Palace, a true gem of British heritage.

Immerse yourself in the allure of this non-royal palace, a designated World Heritage site, with host Violet Manners. In this episode, we have the privilege of being joined by Kate Ballenger, the keeper of collections at Blenheim Palace, who provides unparalleled insights into the meticulous management and preservation of the palace's extraordinary collections.

Join us as we embark on a journey through the rich history and architecture of Blenheim Palace, learning about its royal origins and its significance in the local community. Explore the challenges faced in maintaining the palace's historical treasures amidst nearly 900,000 annual visitors and the delicate balance between public access and preservation.

Delve into the impact of fashion exhibitions on historic houses and the innovative ways in which contemporary influences are seamlessly integrated with the palace's heritage. Discover the stories, innovations, and passion behind one of the UK's most treasured landmarks in this episode that unveils the hidden heritage of Blenheim Palace. So, prepare to be enchanted as we uncover the remarkable tales behind the preservation and celebration of this iconic British landmark.

Key Points:

00:00:05 - Introduction to the podcast "Hidden Heritage" about Great Britain's favourite destinations

00:01:12 - Description of the keeper of collections' role at Blenheim Palace

00:03:34 - Discussion about the origins of the "Icons of British Fashion" exhibition at Blenheim

00:05:58 - The story of Winston Churchill's unexpected birth in a cloak room at Blenheim

00:18:56 - The inspiration behind the exhibition, including love for designers Bruce Oldfield and Jean Muir

00:23:27 - The history of the Battle of Blenheim and its significance in changing Europe's power structure

00:26:22 - Churchill's invention of the "siren suit" during wartime

00:27:00 - Barber's sustainability efforts, repairing 76,000 jackets annually

00:30:48 - The plan to spend £40 million on conservation and restoration at Blenheim

00:33:42 - Importance of engaging younger generations with historic places

00:37:56 - The upcoming project to restore Blenheim's Victorian kitchen

00:41:23 - Revealing that the collections team works in an unglamorous office inside the palace

00:42:11 - Recommendation to visit Bicester Village for shopping near Blenheim

00:44:31 - Amusing anecdotes about managing film crews, including interactions with Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, and Ridley Scott

00:45:00 - The strict "no tape" rule during film shoots to protect the palace's delicate surfaces

Guest Info

Kate Ballenger is the current Head of Collections for Blenheim Palace.

Kate was previously House Manager at Blenheim Palace. In her role, she managed conservation projects to preserve the palace collection, planned events, recruited and managed palace staff, and generally was in charge of overseeing the visitor business. Her day-to-day duties range from briefing cleaning staff and palace guides to monitoring the presentation of the palace and dealing with customer service issues.

She has a degree in art history and a diploma in art conservation.

About:

Step inside Britain’s greatest Historic Houses, gardens and family homes through HeritageXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit https://www.heritagexplore.com/

Links and Resources:

• Blenheim Palace
• Woodstock village
• Bicester Village
• Turnbull and Asser
• Vivienne Westwood
• Jean Muir
• Bruce Oldfield
• AI Weiwei

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description:

On the third episode of Duchess, our host sits down with Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill in the breathtaking Blenheim Palace. We hear the amazing story of how the Palace was built, and how one particular woman was fundamental to it’s construction. Emma Rutland hears about the Spencer-Churchill's distinguished lineage and Lady Henrietta’s memories of Sir Winston Churchill. We are taken on a tour of the incredible architecture & interiors of Blenheim, and we hear about sacrifices former custodians have made to keep the Palace going.

Have you ever watched Bridgerton, The Crown or Downton Abbey and wondered what it's really like to be a Duchess? If so, this is the podcast for you.

Top Quotes:

“The heartbeat of a private heritage home is the family living in it.” - Emma Rutland

“My father always said: We are still fighting the battle of Blenheim. The battle doesn’t stop. We will always be fighting for Blenheim.” - Lady Henrietta

“Nothing is ever thrown away in a large house.” - Emma Rutland

“It’s my duty to look after such a wonderful and beautiful home. It’s a part of our heritage. We’re very lucky to be a part of it.” - Lady Henrietta

“My motto is retain and restore, rather than rip out and replace.” - Lady Henrietta

About the Guest and Stately Home:

Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill is an interior designer, author, and founder of Woodstock Designs. Henrietta, is the youngest child of the 11th Duke of Marlborough, and grew up at Blenheim Palace.

Situated in Oxfordshire, Blenheim's history spans far beyond the history of the Dukes of Marlborough. Henry II’s mistress Rosamund Clifford lived on the former estate and Elizabeth I was imprisoned by Mary I on the estate as well. Blenheim, which is the only non- royal and non-episcopal Palace in England, was built by the first Duke and Duchess of Marlborough in the 18th century. The Palace is replete with magnificent Baroque architecture and contains numerous priceless pieces of art and heirlooms. Famously Blenheim is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and you can still view the room where he was born. Today, the estate hosts events throughout the year; including cinema screenings, concerts, and exhibitions. Blenheim Palace is also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

About the Host:

Emma, Duchess of Rutland, grew up far away from the world of the aristocracy. Born Emma Watkins, the Duchess grew up the daughter of a Quaker farmer, in the Welsh countryside. She trained as an opera singer in the Guildhall School of Music, and worked as a successful interior designer before meeting her future husband David Manners, the 11th Duke of Rutland, at a dinner party. Their marriage in 1992 thrust Emma into a new world, which included the responsibility of preserving one of the nation's greatest stately homes: Belvoir Castle. While simultaneously running the day to day operations of the castle, and raising five children, the Duchess became fascinated with the history and importance of the other stately homes of the UK. Join Emma as she embarks on a wonderful journey through time, to learn more about the incredible homes that have defined Great Britain and, most importantly, meet the other extraordinary women who work tirelessly in the background, to preserve their homes history and magic for future generations.

Resources:

https://www.belvoircastle.com/

https://www.onefineplay.com/

https://www.blenheimpalace.com/

https://www.emmaduchessrutland.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description:

In this episode, the Duchess will be meeting the Duke’s private secretary - Harvey Proctor - to discuss the architecture of Belvoir Castle, the history behind the four castles of Belvoir, and how the effects of a disastrous 19th century fire can still be seen today.

Then later in the show, the Duchess will be joined by the Duke of Rutland to discuss the history of the Manners family, to learn where the Manners family truly came from, and to get an insight into the many notable figures that make up Belvoir's past.

Top Quotes:

“If I had to describe Belvoir Castle in one word? Magnificent.” - Harvey Proctor

“It’s important to log these archives because you’re preserving the past. And if you don’t know the past and the present you can’t move forward.” - The Duke of Rutland

About Belvoir Castle:

Belvoir Castle is a 16,000-acre estate in Leicestershire, it’s history dates back to the 11th century in 1067. Crowning a hill, the Castle’s turrets and towers rise over the Vale of Belvoir, designed by the legendary landscape architect Capability Brown. The Belvoir Estate has been passed down through 36 successive generations of the Manners family, and an unbroken line of Dukes of Rutland for nearly 1000 years. James Wyatt, the renowned architect of Windsor Castle, designed the remodelled the Castle between 1801-1832 for the 5th Duke and Duchess of Rutland. Today, Belvoir Castle is one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in Britain and a modern working estate. In addition, the gardens have undergone several major changes over the centuries – the latest being a two-year restoration programme by the present Duchess to bring the lost plans of Capability Brown to fruition in 2016.

About the Host:

Emma, Duchess of Rutland, grew up far away from the world of the aristocracy. Born Emma Watkins, the Duchess grew up the daughter of a Quaker farmer, in the Welsh countryside. She trained as an opera singer in the Guildhall School of Music, and worked as a successful interior designer before meeting her future husband David Manners, the 11th Duke of Rutland, at a dinner party. Their marriage in 1992 thrust Emma into a new world, which included the responsibility of preserving one of the nation's greatest stately homes: Belvoir Castle. While simultaneously running the day to day operations of the castle, and raising five children, the Duchess became fascinated with the history and importance of the other stately homes of the UK. Join Emma as she embarks on a wonderful journey through time, to learn more about the incredible homes that have defined Great Britain and, most importantly, meet the other extraordinary women who work tirelessly in the background, to preserve their homes history and magic for future generations.

Resources:

Step inside Britain's greatest Historic Houses, gardens and family homes through HeritgeXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit https://www.heritagexplore.com/

https://www.belvoircastle.com/

https://www.onefineplay.com/

https://www.emmaduchessrutland.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices