Ever since we called in on Washington Old Hall, Washington, County Durham, in 2015 on our way to a short break in Northumberland, I resolved to visit the Washingtons' other English home, Sulgrave Manor in Northamptonshire.
We at last made that visit on Sunday 23rd July, 2017, our patience was well rewarded.
The first thing to say is that as manor houses go in the U.K. Sulgrave is quite modest, especially when one discounts the modern annex built to accommodate the museum administration and reception functions. The Washington who built it in the mid 16th century, Lawrence, was something of a 'go getter' blessed with good fortune. He was a successful wool merchant and well thought of by his peers. Lawrence Washington was made Mayor of Northampton in 1532 and again in 1545.
That is as much as I am going to say about the history of Sulgrave and the Washington family. Hopefully this post will encourage readers to make their own visit, or, at least to read all the many websites and books that have been written about George Washington and his English connections.
As I said at the beginning, our interest was stimulated by the visit to Washington Old Hall were the Washington name, or Wessington as it was then, was first established in the eleventh century. As one might expect there are many similarities in the stories told of the Washington family at both venues. The main focus is on George himself although he never set foot in England. If he had not become the predominant vanquisher of "all the King's men" and then first President of the United States of America, Washington Old Hall and Sulgrave Manor would not have been heard of outside of their own parishes.
In other words, it is the great achievements of George Washington which caused people on both sides of the Atlantic to look into his ancestry and rebuild Washington Old Hall and Sulgrave around his story.
Whilst George maybe the focus the story of his ancestors and the way that they lived is well told at both venues. Because this post is prompted by a visit to Sulgrave I will now concentrate on that venue.
Frankly, I do not need too many words; it was just brilliant. From the moment that we were greeted by Thea, to the coffee and cake we had in the very pleasant cafe, it was all most enjoyable. Thea was also our guide for the tour of the manor, she was extremely knowledgeable, not just about Sulgrave but also about the history of the Washington family before Lawrence came to Northamptonshire. She was animated and amusing, a first class guide.
I have always been a little sceptical of the term "Special relationship" as applied to the bond between the U.K. and the USA. However, this visit, together with research that I have undertaken for a forthcoming trip to Virginia and Massachusetts, has made me realise that beneath the political hype there is a rich seam of kinsmanship that can never be taken away.**
Enough of the verbiage, here are a few photos. If you are interested in Anglo American history I hope that these images will encourage you to make a pilgrimage to Sulgrave. -
**
Links
If you are interested in cars you might enjoy visiting my other site -
http://www.carsceneinternational.com/
We at last made that visit on Sunday 23rd July, 2017, our patience was well rewarded.
The first thing to say is that as manor houses go in the U.K. Sulgrave is quite modest, especially when one discounts the modern annex built to accommodate the museum administration and reception functions. The Washington who built it in the mid 16th century, Lawrence, was something of a 'go getter' blessed with good fortune. He was a successful wool merchant and well thought of by his peers. Lawrence Washington was made Mayor of Northampton in 1532 and again in 1545.
That is as much as I am going to say about the history of Sulgrave and the Washington family. Hopefully this post will encourage readers to make their own visit, or, at least to read all the many websites and books that have been written about George Washington and his English connections.
As I said at the beginning, our interest was stimulated by the visit to Washington Old Hall were the Washington name, or Wessington as it was then, was first established in the eleventh century. As one might expect there are many similarities in the stories told of the Washington family at both venues. The main focus is on George himself although he never set foot in England. If he had not become the predominant vanquisher of "all the King's men" and then first President of the United States of America, Washington Old Hall and Sulgrave Manor would not have been heard of outside of their own parishes.
In other words, it is the great achievements of George Washington which caused people on both sides of the Atlantic to look into his ancestry and rebuild Washington Old Hall and Sulgrave around his story.
Whilst George maybe the focus the story of his ancestors and the way that they lived is well told at both venues. Because this post is prompted by a visit to Sulgrave I will now concentrate on that venue.
Frankly, I do not need too many words; it was just brilliant. From the moment that we were greeted by Thea, to the coffee and cake we had in the very pleasant cafe, it was all most enjoyable. Thea was also our guide for the tour of the manor, she was extremely knowledgeable, not just about Sulgrave but also about the history of the Washington family before Lawrence came to Northamptonshire. She was animated and amusing, a first class guide.
I have always been a little sceptical of the term "Special relationship" as applied to the bond between the U.K. and the USA. However, this visit, together with research that I have undertaken for a forthcoming trip to Virginia and Massachusetts, has made me realise that beneath the political hype there is a rich seam of kinsmanship that can never be taken away.**
Enough of the verbiage, here are a few photos. If you are interested in Anglo American history I hope that these images will encourage you to make a pilgrimage to Sulgrave. -
Links
If you are interested in cars you might enjoy visiting my other site -
http://www.carsceneinternational.com/
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