These Twain

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The Knocker on Death's Door

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The Story of the Country House: A History of Places and People

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Britannia Mews: A Novel

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The House of the Seven Gables

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No. 13 and Other Ghost Stories

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The M. R. James Collection: No. 13 and Other Ghost Stories, Ghost Stories, More Ghost Stories

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The Shunned House

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Lady Audley's Secret

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The Small House at Allington

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Black Diamonds: The Downfall of an Aristocratic Dynasty and the Fifty Years That Changed England

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The Complete Jack the Ripper

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Set the Stars Alight

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Gunpowder and Geometry: The Life of Charles Hutton, Pit Boy, Mathematician and Scientific Rebel

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Triumff: Her Majesty's Hero

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Count Magnus

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Devices and Desires: Bess of Hardwick and the Building of Elizabethan England

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Barnaby Rudge (Unabridged)

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To Marry an English Lord

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Titbull's Alms-Houses (Unabridged)

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Felix Holt: the Radical (Unabridged)

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Trilby

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Remember Love

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The Magnificent Ambersons

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A Miracle for St. Cecilia's

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Legacy: One Family, a Cup of Tea and the Company that Took On the World

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The Hopkins Manuscript: A Novel

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The Street (Unabridged)

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The First Kingdom

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Dispensation of Death

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Windsor Castle, Book 1

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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

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Reminders of Him: A Novel

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Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel

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The Idea of You

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The Joy Luck Club

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The Collected Regrets of Clover: A Novel

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Don't Let Her Stay

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Time's Mouth

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Evil Eye: A Novel

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Nineteen Steps: A Novel

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The Leftover Woman: A Novel

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Leave the World Behind: A Novel

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Nineteen Minutes: A novel

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Regretting You

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Home: the most moving and heartfelt novel you'll read this year

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After I Do: A Novel

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Nothing to See Here

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Winter Garden

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The Art of Racing in the Rain

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In Five Years: A Novel

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Then She Was Gone: A Novel

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Maybe in Another Life

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The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel

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Forever, Interrupted: A Novel

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Night Road

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The Half Moon: A Novel

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Bird Box: A Novel

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Flipping Boxcars: A Novel

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Where the Forest Meets the Stars

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Commonwealth

Podcast episode

The Haunting of Willington Mill: In England, the Tyne River, famously flowing through the centre of Newcastle on its way to the North Eastern coast, has for many centuries been a vein of industry. In the early 19th Century the banks were filled with shipbuilders, rope makers and flour,...

Podcast episode

Lady Cara Willoughby of Birdsall House: Episode Description: In this week’s episode, the Duchess journeys to the beautiful Birdsall House to meet Lady Cara Willoughby. In the show, Lady Cara tells the Duchess about the incredible, swashbuckling life story of Britain’s most reckless naval officer, Lady Cara reveals how Jane Austen was influenced by Birdsall in her novels, and the ladies explore more ghostly-goings-on in heritage. Top Quotes:"Living in heritage you become extremely aware through portraits on the wall, and the history of the family, that you are a very small link in the chain and, therefore, you inherit it, you do what you feel is right in your generation, and you hand it on." - Lady Cara"As custodians, we are guardians of the house." - Lady Cara"In heritage you always seem to be planning your life for your death." - Duchess"The magic of Downton Abbey and The Crown is that they show these houses to be full of riches and staff but, of course, now they are not at all. We as

Podcast episode

Alexandra Sitwell of Renishaw Hall & Gardens: Episode Description: In today’s episode, the Duchess journeys to Renishaw Hall and Gardens to meet Alexandra Sitwell. In the show, the ladies discuss why Renishaw became known as ‘the ancestral home of the English eccentric’, Alexandra introduces us to the iconic literary trio that lived at Renishaw, and we are taken on a tour of the unforgettable gardens that surround the home today. Top Quotes:"These houses have a soul." - Alexandra"The borders of the gardens have the most beautiful flowers. The vistas remind you that you could be in Italy. That's why the gardens of stately homes have been so important to people during this time. Here we are in the middle of Derbyshire, 7 miles from Sheffield, with these fabulous gardens that can take you to another world." - DuchessIt's a love affair with these houses. They scoop you up and, in a way, you can never put them down." - Duchess"My father used to refer to Renishaw as 'My Mistress of old: Unpr

Podcast episode

Duchess, the Jubilee Special: Episode Description:Welcome back to a very special episode of the Duchess podcast.The weekend of the 3rd of June has just passed and we enjoyed a wonderful weekend of platinum jubilee celebrations for our Queen Elizabeth II.So to celebrate Queen Elizabeth we have decided to have a special episode dedicated to her and the royal family.To start, we will have one of our favourite guests back on the podcast, Lady Derby of Knowsley Hall, who will share some of her own stories involving the royal family and her personal feelings on the incredible celebrations this weekend. We will then play some of our favourite clips from the podcast that have featured stories and anecdotes about the Queen and her family.So please join us for this very special Jubilee episode of the podcast - this is Duchess.Top Quotes:“What the Jubilee meant to me is just bringing everyone together. Nobody does pageantry better than the British. It didn’t matter what age you were, what nationa

Podcast episode

Charlotte Brudenell of Deene Park: Episode Description: In the first episode of Duchess season 2, the Duchess of Rutland travels to Deene Park in Northamptonshire to meet Charlotte Brudenell. In the show, Charlotte introduces the Duchess to the eccentric Earl that was immortalised by one of English poetry’s greatest works, the ladies discuss Deene Park’s incredible association to the Magna Carta, and Charlotte reveals the ‘saucy’ 19th century discovery that would have made many of the time blush. Top Quotes: "The past is to cherish; the future is to relish." - Charlotte"The great thing about living in heritage is that we take on what our predecessors tell us, bless them for having been and then go forward to do our little bit. It becomes a great tapestry." - The Duchess"You have to put a 21st century influence or adaptation onto something that's older because we ultimately have to live in these houses and we can't let them rule us." - Charlotte"These houses were built to be shown off.

Podcast episode

Countrystride #97: Townend – A Troutbeck farming dynasty: ...in which we descend upon the cloistered valley of Troutbeck to celebrate the 75th birthday of the National Trust farm at Townend, home for 12 generations to the 'yeoman' Browne family. In the company of Collections & House Manager Emma Wright we...

Podcast episode

Belvoir Special Ep. 1: Meet My Mum

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Belvoir Special Ep. 2: Architecture & History: The Duchess meets the Duke’s personal assistant, Harvey Proctor, to discuss the architecture of Belvoir Castle and the Duke of Rutland to discuss the Manners family history.

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Belvoir Special Ep. 5: Art, Heirlooms and Interiors

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Martha Lytton-Cobbold of Knebworth House: Episode Description:Joining The Duchess on this latest episode is the wonderful Martha Lytton-Cobbold of Knebworth House. Martha and the Duchess enjoy an incredible conversation, discussing Knebworth’s historic ties to writers like Edward Buwler Lytton and Charles Dickens, we hear the incredible story of one of the nation’s greatest suffragettes, Martha elaborates on the challenges and importance of empowering women in heritage, and we hear amazing tales about the many the rock and roll luminaries that have performed on the iconic grounds. Have you ever watched Bridgerton, The Crown or Downton Abbey and wondered what it's really like to be a Duchess? If so, this is the podcast for you.Top Quotes:“Taking this on as a woman, many people will believe that what you’re doing isn’t correct. It’s important to think about your decisions, but make them, and stick to them.” - Martha Lytton-Cobbold“There are still struggles. There are still issues that ne

Podcast episode

Lady Ailsa of Stonor Park: Episode Description: In this week’s episode, the Duchess speaks to Lady Ailsa of the historic Stonor Park. In the episode, Lady Ailsa tells the Duchess about the mysterious story of Hollywood’s lost aviator, we get the backstory on Stonor Park’s mystical foundations, and the ladies discuss the estate’s fascinating history of Catholic martyrdom. Top Quotes:"When living in these homes you do really reflect on how extraordinary it is to have this great tapestry of hundreds of years surrounding you." - Duchess"These homes aren't built for five people to rattle around in. They're built for everyone to see." - Lady Ailsa"In lockdown, we have noticed an enormous reconnection with Belvoir from the local community. We hope it will stay because the only way we will keep the roofs on these places is from the support of local people in the surrounding area. Living in heritage is such a partnership" - DuchessAbout the Guest and Stately Home:Lady Ailsa was born Ailsa Ma

Podcast episode

#308 Andrew Carnegie and New York's Public Libraries: EPISODE 308 In the final decades of his life, steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie -- one of the richest Americans to ever live -- began giving his money away. The Scots American had worked his way up from a railroad telegraph office to amass an unimaginable fortune, acquired in a variety of industries -- railroads, bridge building, iron and steel. In the age of the monopoly, Gilded Age moguls often made their money in ways we might consider unethical and illegal today. But Carnegie's view of his wealth was quite different than that of his rarefied clubhouse peers Carnegie devoted his latter years to philanthropy, primarily devoting his energies to the creation of libraries across the country. By the late 19th century, the New York City area already had dozens of libraries and reading rooms throughout the future five boroughs.  But they were certainly not welcoming to every person. And those circulating libraries that were available wer

Podcast episode

A Forgotten Real-Life Gilded Gentleman: The World of Effingham Nichols: This is the story of a true, if forgotten, Gilded Gentleman, Effingham Nichols, who rose in wealth and stature to become a player in the Gilded Age, brushing up against Astors and Vanderbilts. 

Podcast episode

Discover the hidden history of an underground village in East London. Join Siddy Holloway, presenter of Secrets of the Underground and wartime Blitz survivor Ray as we celebrate a unique underground wartime community.

Podcast episode

The Countess of Derby of Knowsley Hall: Episode Description:On this episode of Duchess, our hosts travels to meet the lovely Countess of Derby of the beautiful Knowsley Hall. Lady Derby speaks to the Duchess about the impressive lineage of the Stanley family, and Lady Derby explains some of the challenges she encountered when first arriving on the steps of Knowsley Hall. Emma Rutland learns about Knowsley's astounding connection to Shakespeare, we are given an insight into the Stanley's enthusiasm for equestrian sports, and we hear first hand accounts of the what it’s like to run an estate during a pandemic. Have you ever watched Bridgerton, The Crown or Downton Abbey and wondered what it's really like to be a Duchess? If so, this is the podcast for you.Top Quotes:“That was the most difficult thing during the lockdown. Everyone had to isolate. It was actually very lonely.” - Lady Derby “It’s hard to describe a stately home life without realising it is very co-dependent.” - Lady Derby “

Podcast episode

Belvoir Special Ep. 3: The Role of Woman and Life as a Duchess: In this episode, the Duchess meets Belvoir Castle’s archivist, Vicki Perry, to discuss the history of women at Belvoir Castle, and the Duchess will also meet her daughter, Violet, to talk about what life is like as a duchess.

Podcast episode

Edinburgh City (E2) The New Town - Ghosts, Witches and skeleton are some of the strange finds when visiting the New Town: This Podcast is the 2nd in a 4 Part series on Edinburgh city. Ghosts, witches and skeletons all revealed while building Edinburgh’s New Town would have been the Newspaper Headlines in 1780. And it is strange that the people of Edinburgh still use...

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The day parliament burned down: In the early evening of 16 October 1834, to the horror of bystanders, a huge ball of fire exploded through the roof of the Houses of Parliament, creating a blaze so enormous that it could be seen by the King and Queen at Windsor, and from stagecoaches on

Podcast episode

Belvoir Special Ep. 6: The Business of Belvoir

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Lady Ashcombe of Sudeley Castle: Lady Ashcombe / Sudeley Castle and GardensEpisode Description: This week on Duchess, the Duchess of Rutland travels to the historic Sudeley Castle and Gardens to meet Lady Ashcombe. In the show, Lady Ashcombe speaks candidly about the impact of the tragic loss of her husband so early into her life custodian, the Duchess gets a background on the castle’s immense royal history, and Lady Ashcombe describes the tales of ghostly monarchs that are said to walk Sudeley’s halls today. Top Quotes:"How many times have these grey suited individuals told you it isn't possible but the will of the chatelaine overcomes all." - Duchess"You need to protect the home and it's contents because without the art that's on the walls these houses don't tell the story they were meant to. It all represents layers of history and we are just a moment in time - preserving, protecting and defending." - Duchess"Sudeley Castle, and places like it, belong to the culture. Even though Sud

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Belvoir Special Ep. 4: Gardens & Legends

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Bottles in the Basement: Deep in the cellars of one of England's grandest country homes, covered in dirt and cobwebs, lay dozens of bottles of ancient rum. Their...

Podcast episode

The Derby Collection

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Catherine Maxwell Stuart of Traquair House: Episode Description:On today’s episode, the Duchess meets the incredible Catherine Maxwell Stuart, the first Lady Laird of Traquair. Catherine and the Duchess speak at length about the royal history of Traquair, the tale behind the famous ‘closed gates’, we hear the stories of the other extraordinary women of Traquair, and Catherine educates the Duchess on the most important feature of a Scottish home: A watchtower. Have you ever watched Bridgerton, The Crown or Downton Abbey and wondered what it's really like to be a Duchess? If so, this is the podcast for you.Top Quotes:“Running an estate has been a journey of learning but I wouldn’t have swapped any of it.” - The Duchess“I love the idea of old houses being alive. That they don’t come across like a museum. They should be vibrant. Lived in.” - Catherine Maxwell Stuart“You’re just a custodian. You’re a blip in the castle’s history.” - Catherine Maxwell Stuart“It’s a little bit of magic to app

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Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill of Blenheim Palace: Episode Description:On the third episode of Duchess, our host sits down with Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill in the breathtaking Blenheim Palace. We hear the amazing story of how the Palace was built, and how one particular woman was fundamental to it’s construction. Emma Rutland hears about the Spencer-Churchill's distinguished lineage and Lady Henrietta’s memories of Sir Winston Churchill. We are taken on a tour of the incredible architecture and interiors of Blenheim, and we hear about sacrifices former custodians have made to keep the Palace going. Have you ever watched Bridgerton, The Crown or Downton Abbey and wondered what it's really like to be a Duchess? If so, this is the podcast for you.Top Quotes:“The heartbeat of a private heritage home is the family living in it.” - Emma Rutland“My father always said: We are still fighting the battle of Blenheim. The battle doesn’t stop. We will always be fighting for Blenheim.” - Lad

Podcast episode

The Countess of Mansfield of Scone Palace: Episode Description:In this episode, the Duchess talks to the Countess of Mansfield, of the historic Scone Palace in Scotland. Lady Mansfield and the Duchess enjoy a wonderful conversation, where we hear the moving story of one of Britain’s first black aristocrats. Listeners learn about the 'Stone of Destiny' and the role Scone played as the crowing site of Scottish King's, and Lady Mansfield explains the origins behind one of Scone’s great treasures: Marie Antoinette’s writing desk. Have you ever watched Bridgerton, The Crown or Downton Abbey and wondered what it's really like to be a Duchess? If so, this is the podcast for you.Top Quotes:“These houses need life. They need people. They only come alive when people are in them.” - the Countess of Mansfield“In a stately home you become a jack of all trades. You’re always juggling. The most important thing is attention to detail.” - the Countess of Mansfield “You are walking in the footsteps of

Podcast episode

Viscountess Gage of Firle Place: Episode Description:In this episode, The Duchess meets Viscountess Gage of Firle Place. Lady Gage share with us the incredible art collection at Firle, we learn about the eclectic female poet that became a central figure in Christian mysticism. Emma also talks to Lady Gage about why Firle Place is considered by many to be one of prettiest houses in the country.Top Quotes:“There’s an endless movement and evolution in the use of these homes. They defy the notions of permanence.” - Lady Gage“Prince Philip used to call Firle Place the prettiest little house he ever knew.” - Lady GageAbout the Guest and Stately Home:Alexandra, Viscountess Gage is the current custodian of Firle Place with her husband, Nicholas, 8th Viscount Gage. The couple married in 2009 and have one son together. Alongside being custodian of Firle, Lady Gage has her own skincare range called 'Beauty Energy Balms', made by hand on the estate from herbs grown in the garden. Of the collection

Podcast episode

The Earls of Derby & Horse Racing through the Centuries

Podcast episode

The Barnes Mystery: Kate Webster’s Best Dripping: In Victorian England, fishing all manner of filth, detritus and human body parts from the Thames River in London was not such an unusual affair. Used for centuries as a dumping ground and waste disposal, it became so bad by the mid 19th Century that it ...

Podcast episode

Duchess, A Christmas Special from Belvoir Castle: Episode Description: On this very special festive episode of the podcast, our Duchess is joined by her daughter Eliza to speak about their historic home: Belvoir Castle. In the show, the Duchess reveals all about her own background, we learn about Belvoir’s ‘forbidden place’, the ladies discuss the chilling ghostly encounters they’ve had in their home, and we hear why it's so magical to spend Christmas in a castle. Top Quotes:"I've felt, from every woman I've met through making this podcast, such a great sense of passion and duty." - The Duchess"On that very sofa in this room, Winston Churchill was sat when he heard of King Edward VIII's abdication. Aunt Hersey always remembered the tears rolling down his cheeks." - The Duchess"One of the unique things that has happened with covid is that people have reconnected with their big house on the hill. We've had this huge surge in people local to us reconnecting with Belvoir again. That has be