Once upon a time I lived in England and attended school there at a place called Harlaxton in Lincolnshire. To say it was magical was an understatement. Only now, looking back, do I see how the Lord used that experience to stoke my imagination and lay the groundwork for my writing. I’m eternally grateful! I remember endless cups of steaming tea, serene green countryside, the beautiful gates and almost mile long drive to the manor house where I lived, and studying English literature and the American Revolution from the British perspective!
Since then I’ve always had a deep interest in British history, abhorring Henry VIII while admiring to the utmost the current Queen Elizabeth. Oddly enough, I’ve never had the benefit of watching a royal wedding before as I was always working! So now I’m counting down to the May marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Since she’s an American with a very interesting history/genealogy, this makes it all the more fun!
There’s even a commemorative wedding cup and saucer in my cupboard for the big day and I’m going to bake scones (recipe in future post). I’ve always loved fairy tales and this wedding is as close as we can get in our modern world, I think. And I suppose, in my own small way, I had my own sort of fairytale living in such a beautiful place and being inspired to write the stories I do now.
And they lived happily ever after!
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WOW! What an amazing opportunity for you. These pictures alone would get the creative juices flowing, so I can only imagine what it must have been like to be there in person. I find it ironic that we ‘colonist’ still find the royal family so fascinating. I remember my sister-in-law and I waking up in the wee hours of the morn to watch Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s wedding. Seeing their grandson being born this week and their son about to get married, it’s like I’m even more invested in this family. How fun that you were able to live in the ‘mother land’ for a while. We, as readers are definitely reaping the rewards of the Lord leading you to this fascinating place.
Amy, Always love reading your refreshing comments here. Thank you! Yes, Harlaxton is truly epic and students still school there and leave me all shades of green:) You’ll find the Great Hall of Harlaxton in this next Scottish novel as well as the grand staircase with the ethereal ceiling, etc. I did a double-take at thinking of Diana a grandmother which of course she would have been! Sad she can’t see how well her sons have turned out and the women they’ve chosen and especially those beautiful grands. Wishing I could host a wedding tea and we could all wear hats and you’d be there! 🙂
I can hardly wait for that wedding!!!
I think he chose the perfect girl for the life he leads, and he chose someone who had accomplished a lot even before they met. She’s her own woman, she knows how to deal with the public, and carries herself so well. And they’re obviously madly in love. He’s been through so much, it’s good to see him so happy. I just wish her extended family would hush up, I mean, come on. And it’s lovely to see his family embrace her. I think she and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge will be what each other needs.
And what a STUNNING place!!! You were blessed in so many ways.
OH! You sum up all things Markle so well! I’ve often thought the same. She’s truly perfect and even represents the multi-cultural place Britain has become. I was interested in the new biographies about her but decided to hold back though I did like Andrew Morton’s one about Diana, his being on the inside track and all, I suppose. This may be the last royal wedding I see in my lifetime! When Princess Charlotte grows up I’ll be – um – well, we just won’t go there 🙂 Counting down with you but wishing we could all watch together!
I think you are closer to the English Royals than you think. Maybe you know that a Thorne was a scholar/scribe for King James I of England (aka Prince James VI of Scotland) who commissioned his version of the Bible that was completed in 1611, and sent with the pilgrims to The New World (our America). More about that with you privately to confirm your Susanna Thorne Hightower (of your page dedication from “The Lacemaker”). But, I will be here thinking of you as a lady of the Palace as we watch the wedding about to take place. So exciting.
Susan, Happy to be counting down with you to the May 19th nuptials 🙂 Yes, that King James original Bible remains my favorite because of the old style language and history. For some reason I find it easier to memorize that version! Probably because I was schooled in Shakespeare and 18th-century writers. Yes, Susanna! Surely a novel worthy name and my link to the DAR and ancestor George Hightower. So thankful for those Patriots!
I’ve been to England twice on short trips and just loved it! I love the British culture and history. I even had a sort of proposal from a man I met from England. Let’s just say it was a good thing it didn’t work out 😂! The place you lived looks amazing. All I can say…or dream of…is a future girl’s trip! 😄
Chuckling about that proposal not working out! You really would have missed your real-life hero! Reminds me of the Scottish doctor I met flying from NYC to Scotland! But that’s another story:) I wish I could visit Harlaxton again as the alums take trips each year. But so far it’s not been affordable for me or do-able schedule-wise. Glad I can revisit these memories/photos with appreciative hearts like yours!
What a wonderful experience that must have been to spend that time in England! I’m looking forward to the Royal Wedding too! Thanks for sharing, Laura!
Dear Carrie, I always think of you and your beautiful British stories when I post these things. Yes, that Royal Wedding is going to be quite spectacular! Will be fun to scroll the Facebook feed that day and share each other’s insights/thoughts. So glad I follow you there! 🙂
What a gift to you (and thereby to us!) to have been at Harlaxton. It’s a perfect fairy-tale like spot. Can hardly imagine it. I too, am eager for the wedding. Seeing Prince Harry so happy is joyful. Watching him as a little, it just seemed ache upon ache. And it is a challenge to imagine Princess Diana as a grandmum, but she’d have adored being those precious littles. We can all pretend we’re having tea together when we watch the wedding. thanks the the awesome photos, Laura. Will you share the ethereal ceiling image with us?
Blessings to you!
Yes, that ceiling and the Great Hall and conservatory, gate house, and so much more! I’ll be happy to do a future post here with those pics and dedicate it to you :). You’re so right about Diana adoring those grands since she was so good with children and even taught preschool if I remember correctly. And just heard the new little Prince is Louis! Love those wonderfully British, old-fashioned names. George, Charlotte, Louis. So interesting to watch them from the sidelines. Shalom till next time, Mary Kay!
What a gorgeous estate! So glad I do not have to clean it!!!! That would be my fairy tale, someone else cleans! Thanx for sharing.
Jennifer, SO true! 🙂 The maids and housekeepers there worked 24/7 it seemed and those rooms were 200 years old or so! Thank for being here and reading. Fun to share as it’s truly an exceptional estate! Happy spring to you!
That estate is gorgeous! I am certain you had a wonderful time there!
As you know, I am anxiously awaiting the royal wedding. I’ve requested the day off from work. I’ve had a long fascination with the Bristish royals, starting with watching Charles and Diana’s wedding when I was 4 years old. There are seriously pictures of me holding the Time magazine that had pictures of the wedding in it.
I’m with you on Henry VIII, I abhor him. Yet I also find him slightly fascinating, just the question of why he turned out the way he did is so interesting to me. I do sorta think the jousting injury he suffered at the beginning of 1536 changed him. Yet then again, I remember some of the things he did prior to that, and then I think he was just a horribly spoiled and coddled brat. There’s a four part documentary on him called Henry VIII The Mind of a Tyrant that is just fascinating. It’s available on youtube.
So glad you’re going to be watching too 🙂 Wondering what time to get up and if I’ll be able to view from my laptop as we don’t have tv. Still waiting to see the History Channel’s Frontiersmen series, too! Love the memories of you watching Charles and Diana & holding that magazine! When I was in England everyone was Diana crazy and so many shop windows were devoted to her. Her name really was on the tea towels everywhere you looked. Counting down with you!
You know your British history! I’ll have to check out that documentary, thank you. I’ve always felt so sorry for those wives and felt historically giddy when Parr outlasted him. Am on a Russian bent right now and recovering from Ekaterina and have started Sophia, thanks to you, also. Wildly turbulent times! So glad for our more settled 21st-c. lives. 🙂 May need to do a reread of all things Plaidy. I’m sure you know what I mean!
According to my Facebook memories from today, I was planning to get up at 4 am for Williiam and Kate’s wedding, so I’m sorta expecting the same for this one. At least now it’ll be easier, since I am up at that time for work anyway.
I’ve not watched the History channel Frontiersman series yet either. I have cable, but I couldn’t stay up until 11 pm to watch it, and I had trouble signing in to the website from my kindle. Oh well, I’m sure it’ll show up on netflix or amazon prime sooner or later. I really, really want to see the Lewis and Clark episode.
I have been slowly purchasing the Plaidy books that are available on kindle, right now I have 11 of them, most of which were bought when they were $2.99 or less. I read some of them as a teenager. I remember really liking the ones about Charles II. I’d love to read Plaidy’s series on the Plantagenet kings and queens, but the majority of those are not available on kindle, and right now I have limited book storage space. Alas, I also think Plaidy’s books would fall well short of Sharon Kay Penman’s books on the Plantagenet kings and Welsh princes.
Then I will rise and shine at 4 am with you 🙂 Fun to think of you watching from your woods like me! Guess I will have plenty of tea and try to make these scones I’ll post soon. But honestly, I have to figure out if I can livestream it online first.
Good for you getting those Plaidy books on sale! I did the same with George MacDonald not long ago. And I must check out Penman’s books. Something about those Welsh princes…! Thanks for the recc:)
Hi Laura! I’ve missed seeing you come across my FB pg! I went looking and here you are! Writing about all things lovely. . How fortunate to go to this palatial palace for schooling and to live! Somebody knew you were destined to be a writer or at least they honed in on something they knew you were interested in….but I’d say definitely a God thing. After all, we know He directs our paths (if only we’d listen). You did as evidenced by your own romantic writings.
I too have always had an affinity for England and the royal families. Have so enjoyed @The Crown” and “Victoria”….how could we not after visiting Balmoral! I have gotten up very early, prepared my tea and scone and watched all the weddings since Princess Anne’s. Of course, Diana & Charles (so sad), then Andrew & Fergie, (also sad), but Prince Edward ( I think married happily ever after)!
And now we have seen Prince William marry (prettiest wedding & bride ever) and Harry’s upcoming nuptials … I have English friends who don’t necessarily agree that the Monarchy is a good thing, but putting politics aside, I love a good fairytale and will enjoy it for as long as I can! My daughter and I spent two weeks traveling England…sipping tea in all the tiny towns in the Cotswolds. Being left-handed, I drove all over the countryside as though I too had once lived there. My daughter who was married but no children at the time was sure I’d been there before!
Anyway, Laura, I’m right with you on May 19th. Glad to see you here again. Gotta catch up…see you at the wedding!
Dear Deb! Thrilled to actually visit with you here:) Feel like I get you all to myself! And that’s a very fine thing. Was just thinking how I’d love to see all our tour ladies and Liz on a Scotland tour again. When I got her recent newsletter mailing about joining her in the Lowlands, I nearly fainted. But alas, she was talking about her nonfiction work set there which I have and love! Love our shared excitement over the royal wedding. Like your friends, I watched a British commentator this morning who wasn’t pro-monarchy. Am sure there are many reasons behind that. She even called the royal family dysfunctional which made me chuckle! I think wearing crowns and robes and such in this day and age would make you a bit eccentric if nothing else :). LOVE your memories of your Cotswold trip with your dear daughter. 2 weeks is wonderful! What I’d give for a cup of Scottish or English tea about now.
Facebook is good at hiding all sorts of friends from me now, too. Sigh. But we will secretly meet elsewhere. Love and hugs to you, dear friend! And please keep on posting those wonderful IG photos!!
My father was a career military man. When I was six years old, my father received orders to go to England, but at the last minute the orders were switched to go to Italy. Now I’m not complaining about living in southern Italy instead, but I have always, always, wanted to visit England, and I wonder if part of it was because I almost lived there. Maybe someday God will grant the wish to visit. I know I’ve traveled more than some, and am thankful for those oppprtunities.
It sounds like you have some lovely memories from your time there.
Stephanie, Love knowing your personal history here. Almost landed in England, yes! I think when you do go you’ll appreciate it all the more. I’m wishing when I’d gone to Italy (Venice) and then Russia that I’d really understand how amazing those places are. As a twenty-something, all that kind of went out of my blonde head! So much respect for your father and those in the military like him. Our son, 18 yo Paul, just signed on with the KY National Guard last fall and we ship him out for 6 months in exactly one month. Hats off to our amazing military!
Dear Laura. Once Upon A Time and Fairy Tales .and Castles and Finally they Lived Happy ever after!!!!!!! are a big part of who I am but as I have learned in my life These are truly only in Christ!!! I am so happy for you that you get to experience on your trip to England I pray you are so blessed on this trip and that the Lord goes before you and comes behind as you Travel! Can’t wait to hear about it all when you return! I see your son Paul is the same age as my grandson Joshua and he is just signing up for the marines after Graduation and at some time He will be away from my Daughter Michelle for 6months without being able to communicate with his family for 6 months !! She can’t even think about it!! I am going off island for a few days so have to catch the ferry Glad I did’n t miss you before your trip God Be With You My dear friend!
Prayers with Joshua and mom Michelle and you, too, Jill! Such a huge turning point. I admire our military so much. Like Joshua, Paul will be away 6 months. They’ll be so busy training they probably won’t have time to be homesick but we’ll sure miss them! So appreciate your thoughts as we shift gears here. It’s been a whirlwind of a year so far with many things unspoken here (death in the family, terrible diagnosis, etc.) which you understand all too well but God is so faithful and heaven is better! Enjoy your time away from your beautiful island. That ferry hop reminds me of Seattle and the San Juan Islands. God bless you, friend, till we meet up again!
Till we meet At Jesus’s Feet! Can’t Wait for Bound Hearts !
! Waiting seems The only real deal for me these days Waiting For His Coming!!!!!
Beautifully said as always, dear Mary Jill. 💛 Come, Lord Jesus, come!