Our last day of touring...Arundel and Hampton Court...the saga continues for the Earls of Arundel. Some statistics: open for visitors for more than 200 years; built at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery; has been in the family of the Duke of Norfolk for over 400 years - the country's premiere Catholic family; rebuilt after Parliamentarians virtually destroyed it in 1643; rebuilt and restored again in the 19th century. Now this is what a castle should look like!
The new formal garden is spectacular. Conceived as a tribute to Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel (1585-1646) the garden occupies the spot which for the last 40 years was a tarmac parking lot. Today the plantings and fountains are enchanting!
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| View of the castle from the chapel |
The small, Catholic Fitzalan chapel (c. 1380) was built on the east end of the parish church of St. Nicholas. A glass wall separates the church proper (Anglican) from the chapel.
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| Looking toward the glass wall |
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| View from the top of the Norman keep |
Our last stop is Hampton Court built by Henry VIII's powerful chief minister and Archbishop of York, Cardinal Wolsey. Wolsey completed his expansion of a small manor house into this magnificent country residence in 1528 and then gave it to the king. Henry extended the structure as did William and Mary.
The main facade is a harmonious blend of Tudor and Baroque but the William and Mary/Christopher Wrn addition is a striking contrast to say the least!
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| The Christopher Wren courtyard |
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| Henry and his wives in stained glass...divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived... |
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| This adorable little girl insisted on walking up the stais herself. She reminded me of Sophie in more ways than one! |
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| The Privy Garden |
The Fountain Garden still has a few yews planted by William and Mary! Such tenacious shrubs!
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| Gorgeous! |
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