EATING roast beef and plum pudding with old faces - joining in a merry dance and still more merry games at cards - and warbling and waltzing on uncarpeted boards until 2 o'clock in the morning. These festive words have travelled over time by way of my great-great aunt Emma's diaries, which have been an invaluable resource and source of inspiration to me over the years. Emma Dent was the spirited and indefatigable Victorian chatelaine of Sudeley whose influence still pervades our daily lives and whose shoes I have sometimes found it challenging to fill. The following extracts from her diaries tell that familiar tale of 'Yuletide' that we all recognise as well: families, feasting, parties, games, presents, reflection, nostalgia ... and the weather!
stainless steel Tiffany Jewelry1859: On Christmas Eve we had my Fife and Drum Band at the Castle, they played all their best and most military tunes, ending with the Roast Beef of Old England, then they marched into the Hall and the 18 Fifers, 4 drums and 2 triangles were regaled with as much roast beef and plum pudding as they could eat.
Christmas Day - and we dined alone for the first time since our marriage in 1847, having always spent Christmas Days with the Uncles in Worcester while they were living and then with Uncle William at Titherington - but they are all gone - what changes pass over families in a few short years.
On the 26th the servants had a party, consisting of husbands, wives and children. Marianne and I for their amusement dressed up - she in the Bear's Dress and I as Old Christmas - we made our appearances on the balcony of the servants hall Replica Glashutte Original Watches Bags and were greeted with thundering applause - we lowered Christmas presents amongst them and disappeared as we appeared.
1861: I had my German tree read - and all the cottagers and their children came to see it in the drawing room - it was a very pretty sight to see all the astonished children standing around. (German tree because the tradition of decorated Christmas trees was introduced by Prince Albert.) 1880: Christmas. A sad letter from Uncle William, he feels isolated compared to what it was 30 or 40 years ago when we were a large and united family and our elders still in the front! The ties seem to be loosening every year more and more as Christmas comes round, the ground loosening under our feet - as if preparing to received us! Ah well - we must all take life as we find it - try to do no harm, as much good as we can, work as hard as we can ... We have had all our cottagers to tea and given them petticoats and presents - with others including cottagers, making up about 100 presents has made me very busy.
1886: Very deep snow, roads almost impassable, footpaths invisible - fly and pair brought me home from the station. Snow frozen on the trees and shrubs - obliged to postpone three days shooting. 1887: Deep snow as last year, but having had hot water (central heating) introduced into the Castle (just in time) it makes the cold bearable. Today very severe outside.
I saw five partridges and a multitude of field hares helping themselves to the food put for the birds just outside the study window on a patch of green swept clear of the snow.
1891, January 1: The frost has now lasted three weeks, skaters on the moat, morning noon and night - it all looks very bright and cheery, especially at night either by torch or moonlight. 1894: Snow fell - wind bringing great drifts. By daylight five men were on the roof of the Castle, for four hours they were clearing it off the roof. In Winchcombe people were literally sn
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