Modern Marvels
Architects
Castles
Gardens
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Modern Marvels
Architects
Castles
Gardens
Home
Arundel Castle
Built before the Norman Conquest and home of the Dukes of Norfolk since 1556, Arundel's fortunes rose and fell along with those of the Howard family. Howards held the highest offices and also suffered imprisonment,
exile, martyrdom, and execution. The present duke shows the splendor of this home and tells why his family has such an 'aura of fatal glory'.
$29.95
Breamore Castle
Suicide and murder darkened the name of the Dodingtons, who first lived in in Breamore House, but the Hulse family brought happier times to match the grand architecture. Edward Hulse was court Physician to William
of Orange; his son performed the same role for the next three monarchs. The present Edward Hulse tells us how his ancestors filled Breamore House with a store of exotic treasures from around the world, financed by a judicious mixture of fiscally sound marriages and 'licensed privateering'.
$29.95
Stratfield Saye
It was the gift of a grateful nation for the splendid success at Waterloo. The present Duke of Wellington shows us the battle trophies, campaign kit, and other reminders of the Iron Duke and his adversary Napoleon.
$29.95
Uppark
The Prince Regent dined here, Emma Hamilton is said to have danced naked on the dining room table; H.G. Wells grew up here. Today this great house is exactly as it was in its heyday. John Eyre tells us a story of an elderly baronet who married a young dairymaid. She refused to change anything about the grounds or the house. The National Trust has carried on this tradition, preserving Uppark as a 'time capsule' of the 18th century.
$29.95
Sutton Place
A Tudor mansion whose best known occupant was probably Paul Getty, Sutton
Place today belongs to the Stanley Seeger Trust. It houses an extraordinarily diverse collection of modern art in both the house and the gardens. Meet the staff and two trustees who show us through the the house with its often stark juxtaposition of styles. Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, designer if the beautiful gardens, discusses the design forebears on which he drew: classical Greek, Persian, and Italian gardens; the paintings of Magritte; and the sculpture of Henry Moore.
$29.95
Wilton
Henry VIII gave Wilton and its lands to William Herbert, First Earl of Pembroke. The present Earl shows us the magnificent Inigo Jones apartments with paintings by Van Dyck and Rembrandt, the 19th century cloisters and the
famous bridge.
$29.95
Chartwell
Winston Churchill bought Chartwell in 1922, the year his first daughter Mary was born. Revisit the great house with here as she remembers growing up there during her father's years in the political wilderness, his 'finest hour' in the War, and his sunset years when he wrote and painted.
$29.95
Broadlands
Famous in this century as the home of Lord Mountbatten, Broadlands' 18th century design has been cleverly and delicately modernized by Lord Romsey and his wife. Listen to them talk about the changes they have made to the great house, and about the romantic and dramatic story of the Palmerstons and the Mountbattens, who shaped not only Broadlands but the history of England.
$29.95
Goodwood House
It has been the home of the Dukes of Richmond since 1697, host of England's most famous motor race. Listen to the present Duke talk about the post-war motor circuit he founded; to his son, Lord March, recount details of the family history. Visit the race course with Lady March and hear her describe the joys and problems of living in one of England's great stately homes.
$29.95
Penhurst Place
Once the home of the unfortunate Dukes of Buckingham, Penhurst Place was confiscated by Henry VIII. It was finally given by his son Edward VI to the Sidney family whose descendant, Lord de L'Isle, lives there today. He walks us through a the different wings of the many periods that form Penshurst and he talks about the theory of "conjugal architecture" and stories of his ancestors.
$29.95
GREAT MANSIONS OF EUROPE
They were the jewels in the European Crown. Built from the most splendid
designs by the greatest architects of their time, the great houses of Europe
were more than just a living space for the wealthy, they were a statement and
affirmation of national character. In this six part series of one hour
programs, Marcus Binney, thearchitectural correspondent of The Times, and TV presenter Paul Reizin set
out on a voyage of discovery through the mansions of the great. Set in
splendid gardens with interiors fuI1 of fine art and decorations the
mansions of Europe were the settings for real-life stories of romance and
intrigue. Great Mansions of Europe looks at places like Pitchford Hall in
Shropshire in the United Kingdom which has what is reputed to be the
oldest treehouse in the world or Selso Castle in Zeeland, Denmark which was being
used to store grain before it was taken on by travel writer Bernhard Linder
and his wife. This glorious series will appeal to the specialist, the
general public and anyone wirh an interest in history.
Each individual
program is priced at $29.95 and $149.95 for the set.
Skokloster/Rosendal
Part 1: Skokloster, north of Stockholm, Sweden - One of the greatest houses in Sweden
and the ancestral, home of 17th century generals. It has some of the richest and most
valuable interiors in tht world. Even though the winter temperature falls to
minus 20 degrees centigrade the furniture, fabrics and wall hangings are all in excellent condition.
Nicknamed the "sugar cube" Skokloster is a landmark in the Swedish counrtyside.
Rosendal, Stockholm, Sweden - Very pretty royal villa built by Napoleon's Marshal
Bernadotte who became King Carl Johan XIV of Sweden. Exquisite and beautifully
restored interiors and original furnitures in the Empire style: believed to be the best
surviving example of this period.
$29.95
Duivenvoorde/Amerongen
Part 2: Duivenvoorde, near The Hague, The Netherlands - A 17th century Ducth house which is typical of the period and is set in splendid grounds. Paul Reizin meets Baroness
Schimelpennick van der Oye who has known the house since her childhood.
Amerongen, Utrecht, The Netherlands - Holland's finest country house in the classial
style. Moated. Superb interiors restored by Count Bentinck in the 19th century inclucling the magnificent Great Hall. The Kaiser stayed here when he fled From
Germany at the end of the first World War.
$29.95
Ledborg/Selso Castle Zeeland
Part 3: Ledborg, Zeeland, Denmark - Very grand ancestral house. Splendid gardens.
Rich contents. Fine interiors. Paul Reizin meets Count Holstein-Ledreborg who explains the problems of maintainng such a grand house in the Danish counttyside.
Selso Castle Zeeland, Denmark - A sleeping beauty empty for 150 years and saved by
an enterprising travel writer, Bernhard Iinder and his wife Grete. Amazing plasterwork, wall paintings and original wall papers. When the Linder's took it on, in 1972, Sclso was
being used to store grain!
$29.95
Castletown Eire/Myrtle Grove
Part 4: Castletown Eire - The finest Georgian house in Ireland now in the hands of a
foundation dedicated to its preservation.
Myrtle Grove, Youghal, Eire - A most unusual house. An unexceptional exterior but fine
Elizabethan interiors which are currently being restored,
$29.95
Chiheley Hall/Pitchford Hall
Part 5: Chiheley Hall, Buckinghamshire, UK - A highly unusual early I8th century
baroque house. Very much a family home but open to the public. Formal gardens
beautiful borders, very good panelled interiors and furniture.
Pitchford Hall, Shropshire, UK - Surely the finese black and white timbered house in
England set in 1,000 acres of Shropshire countryside, Pitchford's history stretches back
over 600 years. It has changed very little in that time and boasts what is thought to be the
oldest tree-house in the world! This poignant programme records Pitchford just before its
contents were sold, at auction.
$29.95
Attre/Beloeil
part 6: Attre, Hainault, Belgium - French-style house with very interesting landscaped
grounds. Still privately owned with contents intact.
Beloeil, Hainault, Belgium - Seat of the Prince de Ligne. Magnificent grounds. Very grand and full of history and fine things.
$29.95
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