After our trip to the cemetery to visit a bunch of our no-longer-amongst-the-living relatives, our cousin took us to what they call in England a ‘stately home’. This term generally refers to huge estates and mansions, but it also includes historic places such as this wonderful dwelling… which, technically was a huge estate and mansion back in its day, so never mind…
I know, it is hard to wrap your head around what you are seeing. This is partly because the photos don’t do it justice, partly because of the unusual architectural style, and partly because you are not used to seeing buildings from this part of history.
We are used to modern buildings, and we are used to really old buildings, usually found surrounded by ruins and often in ruins themselves. For some reason, building from ancient times, those in Italy and Greece for example, do not seem that outlandish to us. I think this is because so many of our modern buildings… almost all the government buildings to use an example… are done in the classic Greek style. Big columns on huge, white edifices do not shock us. This building is from that strange time between the ancient and modern eras…
I think it is done in the Tudor style, but you would have to Google Samlesbury Hall. I just went there. I didn’t memorize every plaque and sign… (ironically, I had to Google ‘plaque’ to make sure that was the right word for those little signs that tell you about historic places and not just that stuff that grows on your teeth… ha)…
It really was awesome. I am not going to show every picture of the rose garden, the extensive grounds covered with lush greenery, the little goat farm or us eating ice cream on a bench in the courtyard…
If I showed you every picture of our trip, you would all leave. But look at that piano in an alcove surrounded by old stained glass windows…
I guess what I try to do is give you a taste, a feel, for the places I have been lucky enough to go.
That is really the best I can do, to make you want to go to some of these places.
While the rest of us walked around, my mom managed to find a chair that befits her status… HA!
Pouring My Art Out 
I recognized this building from TV episodes of “Most Haunted” and “Ghost Hunters International.” Any close encounters with “The White Lady?”
No… we did sort of see ghosts later on that day though… sort of…
Okay, dish please! Inquiring minds (such as they are) want to know. 🙂
I will be posting it later today.
wait… I thought this was a comment on the newest post… HA! They did mention the White Lady… and some priest that now haunts the place… but we didn’t see them, dang it. That would have been a good post story.
Traveling vicariously, through you 🙂 Great pic of your mom & love the architecture. especially the windws!!
I am glad you are enjoying this.
I love the old buildings — this one I think I like better from the inside than the out — outside it looks like a pack of cards!
It is an unusual building from the outside.
Ha! A throne for Mum – good deal. The pictures are awesome Art. The amount of time and effort that went into the details of the structure and the stained glass are astounding. The difference in wealth between the haves and have nots in that age was quite considerable. A simple chain mail vest could cost as much as a farm. So, I suppose that the work of artisans on the estate probably cost little to the owner. Fascinating stuff Art. That building plaque showed circa 1325 – Joan of Arc was around 1420 AD – so it was built before she was born. Around here anything 200 years old is considered very old – in Europe that’s just a new building. Ha! You have professed an interest in history in past posts – this stuff must be if great interest to you.
Awesome photos Art. Thank You.
History explains why we all are where we are and why we are who we are… or something…
I have scoured history and can’t find another Art.
yay… and thanks…