Weekly Photo Challenge–Unexpected

 

Hatfield-House086

Location. The Armoury, Hatfield House, Hertfordshire.

I was photographing the interiors of one of England’s oldest and most Historic Houses, each room full of treasures that told of various events in our country’s history. Each room had its own beauty and story to tell….then I came to the Armoury.  As the name implies the room is decorated with armour and weaponry from times when England was not so peaceful.  Nothing unexpected there then….But wait look more closely and there you have a child’s pram and standing very proud a traditional wooden rocking horse!    Shame it is just a tad small….otherwise the ‘Knights of Old’ could have used it to hone their Jousting skills!  Whilst being an unexpected find it did give me a rye smile and a chuckle inside.

Note on Hatfield House. The House you see today was built arround 1611 but was built on the site of the Royal Palace of Hatfield.  That Palace was the childhood home and favourite residence of Queen Elizabeth 1st. It was later gifted by King James 1st to his Chief Minister Robert Cecil the 1st Earl of Salisbury and it was he who commissioned the building of the current house. It has remained in the Salisbury Family to this day.  A short distance from London it is an ideal location for overseas visitors to take in on a day trip and well worth anyone’s time to explore a piece of real English History.

23rd November

© David Oakes 2013

4 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge–Unexpected

  1. When I lived in Uxbridge – I was aware of Hatfield House but although on the National Trust Circuit never visited here – looks great – have you ever visited Waddesdon Manor – Buckinghamshire – If not a recommend it – a real gem – in my view the finest treasure House in England

    Like

    1. Waddesdon is missing from my list….there are many great houses and castles, we are so lucky to have them in the U.K. But if I was to choose my own favourite, well it would be two, both very different. Chatsworth House for the stately and Alnwick Castle for the historic connections (it also has a fantastic collection of paintings…possibly the best outside the National gallery). But as yet not been to Waddesdon so may need to amend list later!

      Like

Comments are closed.