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| "He worked in the Duke of Northumberland Park for a number of years. Came to America in 1834 with 8 children, having left 6 dead in England. Two more children were born in Albany, NY and 2 in London, Canada, making 18 in all. The family returned to Albany from Canada in 1844." The "Duke of Northumberland Park" is either Syon Park in Brentford, Middlesex, which is the official residence of the Duke of Northumberland, or it may refer to the grounds of Alnwick Castle, which seems likely since that is the town where Andrew and Mary were married. SYON PARK (quoted from the Syon Park web page) Syon Park is the home of the Duke of Northumberland, and is situated halfway between Central London and Heathrow Airport in Brentford, Middlsex. The 200 acre park include the House and Gardens, the Snakes and Ladders indoor playground, the London Butterfly House and the Aquatic Experience. Housed in the former stables is one of the country's best known garden centres, with its aquatic retail outlet, wholefood shop, pet care supplies and needlecraft centre. Nearby is an art centre and a National Trust gift shop. Enjoy a snack or lunch in the Patio Cafeteria, or picnic by the lake in the gardens. Syon House itself has a fascinating history. It is built on the site of a medieval abbey dissolved by King Henry VIII. His coffin, lying at Syon on its way to Windsor for burial, burst open during the night and in the morning dogs were found licking up the remains!. This was regarded as a divine judgement for his desecration of the abbey. Other royal visitors to Syon include Charles I, Princess (later Queen) Victoria and members of the present Royal Family. In the 1760s Robert Adam created some of his finest work inside Syon House for the first Duke of Northumberland, leading Sir John Betjamin to describe it as the "Grand Architectural Walk". Gardens at Syon were created here as long ago as the 16th century. In the mid-18th century the parkland was landscaped by Capability Brown to include two lakes, one of which is now the Trout Fishery. Today Syon has 30 acres of gardens which incorporate the Great Conservatory, a Rose Garden, Flora's Lawn and over 200 species of rare trees. ALNWICK CASTLE http://www.castlegate.net/castles/Alnwick/alnwick2.htm The bustling town of Alnwick (pronounced "Annick") is located in Northumberland, in the northern reaches of England along the River Aln, so near to Scotland's southern borders. Its crowning glory is the castle, still the home of the Dukes of Northumberland, now a marvelous mix of the old and the new. As a ducal residence, the castle has been impressively restored and is maintained in outstanding condition both inside and out. The vision is simply dazzling, battlements adorned with life-sized stone sentinels who still dare unwelcome access, interiors teeming with vitality. Not only is Alnwick Castle an architectural masterpiece, the fortress also belies the active, influential history of its owners. There has been a castle of some sort on the site since the 11th century, when the Norman Gilbert Tyson (de Tesson), William the Conqueror's standard-bearer, acquired the property. It is likely that Tyson erected an earth and timber fortification on the site, however, nothing survives to prove this. Several key events took place at Alnwick or in the immediate area during Tyson's tenure. In 1093, the king of Scotland, Malcolm Canmore, was killed just a mile away from the castle by Robert Mowbray, the Earl of Northumberland, and the Scottish army pushed back northwards. Two years later, Tyson joined Mowbray's unsuccessful rebellion against the English king, William Rufus, and was forced to give up his possessions at Alnwick. Ownership of Alnwick passed to Yvo de Vescy the following year, and Vescy started the first building program at the site. Vescy's daughter and heir, Beatrix, married Eustace Fitzjohn, and after Vescy's death in 1134, Eustace was created Baron of Alnwick and received rights to the castle. Fitzjohn played an active role in the politics of the day, siding with the Empress Matilda in her attempt to gain the monarchy from Stephen and joining David I's rebellion against the king. David I, the king of Scotland, eventually forced Eustace Fitzjohn to turn over the castle at Alnwick in 1138, but later that year, after the rebels were defeated, Fitzjohn made peace with Stephen and regained his property at Alnwick. Eustace managed to complete the castle's construction, which was much the same design as we see today, and died in Wales in 1157. De Vescy descendants continued to be controversial in their loyalties to their monarch. In 1172 and again in 1174, Alnwick Castle was besieged by the Scottish king William the Lion, both times successfully defended by a garrison led by William de Vescy. On the second occasion, King William's troops were surprised by English forces, who pounced upon them in the fog and captured the Lion. By 1184, William de Vescy died, and the castle passed to his son, another Eustace (who, ironically, married the Lion's daughter). Upon the accession of King John to the English throne in 1199, troubles recurred with the Scots. William the Lion laid claim to Northumberland, a demand which John refused. For the next 14 years the issue remained in limbo. John visited Alnwick Castle twice during that time, endeavoring to settle the Scottish king's demands. Even though a treaty was signed by Scotland's then-prince Alexander, who also paid homage to John, little changed. Eustace de Vescy remained an adversary of King John's and during the barons' rebellion in 1212, Eustace was one of the leaders. Eustace fled to the support of the Scots, and in retaliation, John ordered the destruction of Alnwick Castle. Fortunately, his orders were never carried out. Eventually, Eustace de Vescy reconciled with King John, and regained his estate in Northumberland. However, in 1215, the Baron of Alnwick once again turned against his king, joined the great confederation of the barons, and also joined forces with King Alexander of Scotland in his invasion of Northumberland. Now Alnwick was burned by John's army. The following year saw another rebellion against the English king, and Eustace de Vescy was killed while besieging Barnard Castle. For the next four decades, Alnwick Castle existed in a state of relative quiet. However, by the mid-1260's troubles began anew, as the Vescy heir, John, supported Simon de Montfort in his attempt to overthrow King Henry III, and was wounded and captured in the Battle of Evesham in 1265 and forced to relinquish his property at Alnwick. After his release, John de Vescy fought to regain his castle, but Prince Edward, an accomplished warrior, had no trouble defeating the former baron. Surprisingly, Vescy was again pardoned by the monarchy, and after paying a fine, regained his castle. Upon his death in 1288, Alnwick Castle passed to Vescy's brother, William. And during his baronetcy, Alnwick Castle remained the focal point of ongoing conflict between Scotland and England, culminating in the unsuccessful attack in 1297 by William ("Braveheart") Wallace. In the same year, William de Vescy died leaving no legitimate heir, and the castle was placed in the care of the Bishop of Durham. In 1309, the bishop sold the castle and accompanying estates to Henry Percy. Alnwick Castle now passed into its most notorious, and dramatic, period. Tne of the most powerful families in England, the Percy legacy has been chronicled by Shakespeare and others. Their history is one of tumult and intrigue, conflict with their monarch as well as the Scots. Henry, the 1st Lord Percy of Alnwick, revolted against King Edward II, lost and then regained his possessions. In 1314 Percy fought with the king at Bannockburn, was taken prisoner, and then ransomed back by the English. As owner of Alnwick Castle, Henry Percy made extensive repairs to the structure and modified its design, much of which remains in fine condition to this day. Upon the 1st Lord Percy's death in 1315, his son, another Henry (also the name of the next seven Percy lords!), succeeded to the title. While most of his time was spent fighting on the Continent, the 2nd Lord Percy did upgrade his castle at Alnwick. He died in 1352 at the castle. His son, the 3rd Lord Henry, also was an active warrior, and participated in the perpetual struggles with the Scots and in conflicts with France. This Henry died in 1368. The next Henry, 4th Lord Percy and 1st Earl of Northumberland, is probably the best known and most infamous of all the lords of Northumberland. A skilled warrior active in France in the 1350's, 1360's and 1370's, this Henry Percy was an essential player in the wars against the Scots. His son, made famous in Shakespeare's Henry IV, was Harry Hotspur, who distinguished himself at the tender age of 12 in the Battle of Otterburn. During the conflict, Hotspur led a night-time attack against the Scottish forces, and, despite his complete failure and capture, Hotspur earned a reputation (and his nickname) for his warrior-nature. In 1399, the Earl of Northumberland and his son were accused of treason against their king, Richard II. They immediately instigated another barons' revolt and placed their favorite, Henry IV, on the English throne. But, in 1403, the Percies led their own rebellion against the king, in retaliation for the king's supposed lack of support and inappropriate lack of monetary gratitude. Hotspur was killed and his father surrendered, their supporters refusing to give up their hold on Alnwick Castle until confronted with the powers of the king's siege engine. The following year, Henry Percy was freed, and in 1405 he once again rebelled. Eventually, the garrison at Alnwick Castle surrendered, although their lord fled to Scotland. Henry Percy made one last ditch effort to bring down the English monarch, but was killed in 1409 at Bramham Moor. Once again, a Henry Percy succeeded to the earldom of Alnwick. This Henry was a close friend of the future king, Henry V, and maintained intimate royal connections throughout his lifetime. The Scottish Wars for Independence continued to plague the English monarchy, and in 1424 Alnwick Castle was besieged and burned by the marauding Scots. Over the next 30 years, the Earl of Northumberland periodically invaded Scotland or had his castle invaded by the Scots. In 1448, Alnwick was again burned by the Scots, under the leadership of the Douglases. In 1452, the second earl sided with the Lancastrians in the Wars of the Roses, and was killed at the Battle of St. Albans in 1455. The 3rd Earl of Northumberland also sided with the Lancastrians and continued his father's pattern of warfare against both the Scots and the Yorkists. In 1461, he valiantly fought in the Battle of Towton, apparently England's bloodiest ever, and was killed along with some 38,000 others. Alnwick Castle was seized by the Crown and then granted to Lord Montagu. But the Wars of the Roses had not ended, nor did Alnwick's participation. The castle was besieged twice in 1462, fell into Yorkist hands in 1463, and eventually was regained by the Earls of Northumberland in 1469, after the accession of Edward IV. Twenty years later, the fourth earl was murdered by "the Mob" for imposing an unpopular tax. The castle continued to be active over the ensuing centuries. Some of the more significant events follow: 1) the castle was the headquarters for assembling armies to fight the Scots; 2) loss of the earldom to the Crown from 1337 to 1357, when Thomas Percy was created seventh Earl of Northumberland - he was beheaded by Queen Elizabeth in 1572 for his support of her adversary, Mary of Scotland, and the Roman Catholic Church; 3) his brother, the 8th Earl, died in the Tower of London under mysterious circumstances, having also supported the Scottish queen; 4) a cousin of the 9th Percy earl participated in the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605, now commemorated on Guy Fawkes Day; 5) from the mid-17th century until the 18th century, the Earls of Northumberland abandoned their castle at Alnwick, and the castle severely decayed; 6) Sir Hugh Smithson became the 1st Duke of Northumberland in 1766, and was responsible for the castle's restoration, which began in about 1755, and included the birth of the fantastic interiors. From then onward, the Northumberlands made their mark in the courts of their monarchs and the affairs of their nation. The Dukes of Northumberland continued to maintain the grandeur of their castle as well as extend the exteriors. Today, Alnwick Castle is an impressive stately home, and relics of its initial military origins are clearly visible in the basic design, battlements, and massive fortitude of the structure. Alnwick Castle is a marvel of 18th century reconstruction, founded on the remnants of earlier castles on the site. In 1755, the incomparable architect, Robert Adam, was retained by the 1st Duke of Northumberland to recreate his family's castle and much of the gothicized exterior can be traced to Adam's influence. However, almost 100 years later, the 4th Duke acquired the skills of Anthony Salvin to complete the castle's rebirth. Salvin pulled down most of Adam's modifications, and restored the structure to much of its medieval appearance. The castle retains its initial plan, which consisted of a low mound, a circular keep, two baileys, and a multi-towered, irregular curtain wall. A narrow roadway from the town center leads to the castle's entrance, which today is located to the right of the barbican as you face the castle. The barbican is an interesting structure in itself, built to guard the main gate at its rear and deter intrusion by the enemy. A grand carving of the Percy shield with its rampant lion and the family's motto still adorns the archway. (The Percies made a special effort to decorate their castles with their heraldic lion. Nearby Warkworth Castle is also hallmarked with the figure.) The barbican and main gatehouse were physically separated by a ditch, still existing, and spanned by a drawbridge. The gatehouse was also defended with heavy doors and a portcullis. The massive structure dates to 1440, the era of the 2nd Earl of Northumberland, and would have been self-sufficient during a siege. Although today we enter the castle through the stables courtyard to the right of the gate-complex, the actual entry point was through the barbican and associated gatehouse into the outer bailey. The outer bailey offers us our first view of the great keep in all its restored glory, as well as an impression of the design of the first castle at Alnwick. Rimming the outer bailey is a powerful curtain wall, broken at several points by tall angular towers. To the right are the 18th century Clock Tower and the Auditor's Tower, which has preserved its 14th century stonework. Apparently, the latter tower once housed livestock on the ground floor. Between the two towers is a complex of residential buildings, including bed chambers and administrative offices. Across the bailey, to the left of the keep and the original gatehouse, is the Abbot's Tower. Built in the 14th century, it once housed the Abbot of Alnwick Abbey but is now the home of the regimental museum of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. Further along that side of the curtain is the rectangular Falconer's Tower, which offers fine views of the keep and its conglomeration of towers. To the rear of the keep is the second bailey at Alnwick Castle, called the middle bailey. Like its counterpart, this bailey is highlighted by lush green grasses and enclosed by a sturdy towered curtain wall. Several segments of the wall date to the Middle Ages and are linked by the 19th century Warder's Tower, the small 14th century Eastern Garret (another tower), the angular Record Tower (with 14th and late 19th century masonry), Hotspur's Seat (a 14th century guard-tower), the semi-circular Constable's Tower (built by the 1st Lord Percy) and, lastly, the Postern Tower (also built by Henry, Lord Percy). The Constable's Tower and the Postern Tower essentially remain as they appeared in the 14th century, with only minor restoration undertaken to maintain them in outstanding condition. The Constable's Tower was home to the castle's constable (not surprisingly!), used as an armory, defended by arrowslits, and crowned with thick battlements. The Postern Tower contains the castle's last escape hatch, the sally-port or postern gateway, and was situated to give added protection to the rather vulnerable keep (there is no curtain wall between the Postern and Falconer's Towers). Passing through the Middle Gateway, which separates the two baileys on the castle's southern front, access to the keep is gained across a short wooden bridge which leads through a twin- towered archway. Built in 1350, the huge octagonal towers warn the visitor to be wary of any malicious intent. Four stories tall and defended with a portcullis (only the grooves remain) and wooden doors (dating to the 17th century), the gateway is splendidly adorned with carved shields. It only hints at the grandeur waiting ahead. An interesting "bottle Dungeon", barely lit with arrowslits, sits just inside the archway. Viewed from the exterior, the battlemented, polygonal keep is a breath-taking spectacle, sitting proudly atop the low earthen mound. Masonry from virtually all building periods at the site are visible in the walling of the keep,including the Norman Era. However, the bulk of the structure dates to the 19th century restoration effort. Clearly, the most imposing, curious and entertaining feature of the keep is the presence of the life-sized stone soldiers steadfastly discouraging any attempts at takeover. These figures are visible from quite a distance and are so realistic that, even today, we must pause to remind ourselves that they are merely wonderful stone carvings. But, their presence atop the battlements would have certainly given the enemy the distinct impression that a formidable garrison inhabited the castle. The marvelous interiors at Alnwick Castle are simply awesome. Features of interest include: the lovely Grand Staircase, lined with marble and embellished with a vaulted ceiling and stucco-work; the Guard Chamber, with its gilded furniture and ceiling panels, mosaic flooring, marble statues, and other fine artwork; the incredible Library, with an even grander panelled, gilt ceiling, double-tiered bookcases, and impressive chimneypieces; the pretty Music Room, colored in hues of gold, and having a more intricately carved panelled ceiling covered with gold, fine chimneypieces, and gilt furniture; the Red Drawing Room, which dazzles the beholder, containing wonderfully gilded panelled ceilings and another remarkable chimneypiece, this time flanked with ebony cabinets and intricate gilding; and the grand Dining Room, once the site of the medieval banqueting hall, a bit subdued in comparison to the previous room, yet having finely carved wood ceilings, another impressive chimneypiece, and other objects d'arte. Words can only begin to express the splendor of Alnwick Castle, both inside and out. The best way to experience the wonders of the home of the Dukes of Northumberland is to visit the site for yourself. Alnwick Castle sits just off the A1 in the town of Alnwick, some 30 miles north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne or 30 miles south of Berwick-upon-Tweed. The castle is open daily during the summer (Easter to October), for a fee. A famous Davison from Northumberland: Emily Davison (1872 - 1913) Born in Blackheath, London. Emily lived with her mother in a small house opposite the "Shoulder of Mutton" Inn in the village of Longhorsley (Northumberland). She gained a first class honours degree in English from the Oxford University and became one of the most militant members of the suffregette movement which campaigned for votes for women. She was trampled to death by the king's horse, Anmer, when trying to interupt the 1913 Derby by running onto the racecourse waving a suffragette flag. Women over 30 were given the vote 5 years later. She is buried in St. Mary's Churchyard, Morpeth. [LONGHORSLEY Population: 500. Essentially a dormitory community on the for South Northumberland and Tyneside. In the village shop, Thomas Bell developed the world's first self-raising flour. He called it Bell's Royal, now known as Be-Ro.]Ó 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Modified 27 Dec 1999 | Created 11 Apr 2000 by EasyTree for Windows95 |