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Living in the past

BeyondBlonde
Aug 16, 2016
2 min read

I sat in the midst of a graveyard today for my picnic lunch. It was not what I was expecting to do, but like the church recommissioned into an opticians, the graveyard was the town 'green space' and as such, the location for locals and workers to enjoy their lunch break. And I joined them. I sat on the grass next to gravestones so old the names were long gone and respectfully, spread my little lunch on the ground.

Here, the past is part of the present and that brings with it a sense of continuity and connection that is for me, unique to the UK.

I have been living in the past this last week and, it is my plan, to do so for some months to come.

I arrived in England four days ago. Settling into a pub in Hampton Court circa 1790 and in the "Katherine Aragon' room, my window view was of the parklands that Henry VIII hunted in, no doubt for the deer but women too. At the Palace I focused on my Tudor interests - the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal and the kitchens. I stood reflectively in Anne Boleyn's gateway and thought about the impact one woman, this woman had made.

In Stamford, Lincolnshire, I am further exploring the Tudor connections with a visit to Burghley House - the home of William Cecil, Lord Burghley chief minister to Elizabeth 1st. It is a grand house in every respect but it takes some endeavour to see the Tudor features. While the physical building may not have changed since its origins, the internal decoration and rearrangement of rooms in the 18th century has obstructed the Tudor. The Great Hall and kitchen plus a sweet barrel vaulted staircase alone would be recognised by Cecil.

Today I paid my respects to Lord Burghley himself. His final resting place is in the central Stamford church and he along with his descendants are remembered in this location. I am always deeply affected by being able to here and now, stand next to the remains of those who had lived and made such a mark on history so long ago.