Fiona Carnarvon Books

Lady Carnarvon's passion for history is beautifully captured at Highclere Castle, where family records span 300 years. She has explored the archives to create a captivating narrative that invites readers into the Castle's past and present. Over the centuries, Highclere has hosted royalty, statesmen, Egyptologists, and cultural icons, with meticulous attention to the etiquette of invitations, guest placements, and the management of perfect gatherings. The book recounts four significant weekends from 1866 to 1936, showcasing how influential figures gathered to make an impact. It also reflects on how the current Countess entertains guests today. Each weekend reveals life both upstairs, with the elite, and downstairs, with the staff. Readers are transported to a time when guests arrived by carriage or early automobiles, and the choice of prestigious bedrooms was paramount. The text delves into dinner menus, conversation topics, and shooting parties with the Prince of Wales, exploring how menus were crafted with the chef's input. Additionally, it features recipes, adaptations for modern kitchens, and insights into their historical context. Lady Carnarvon aims to share a glimpse of a grand house filled with delightful recipes, stunning photographs, and intriguing stories of remarkable guests.

Highclere Castle has a new resident, the daughter-in-law of Lady Almina, an American beauty from New York and a descendant of famous American families. Catherine Wendell first met Lord Porchester (Porchey), son of Lady Almina, the heir to Highclere and 6th Earl of Carnarvon, in Gibraltar. At just 19 and utterly entrancing, she had already received many proposals of marriage and immediately caught 24-year-old Porchey's discerning eye. They married in 1922, and after the unexpected death of Almina's husband, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, they moved into Highclere Castle. Beset by death duties and money problems, the Earl and Countess were unsure they could keep Highclere. Thanks to the sale of the decade at Christies Auction House, hundreds of cherished paintings went under the hammer, from a Leonardo da Vinci to works by Reynolds, Gainsborough, and Romney. Porchey even sold the famous family pearls. By 1926 Catherine and Porchey knew they could stay. Over the next few years, the young couple entertained at Highclere, sharing it with other royalty and friends from London society. Catherine was much loved by the staff and adored by her husband and two young children. Although Almina still occasionally came to stay, Catherine's own American mother, Mrs. Jacob Wendell, was the most regular visitor. By 1936, Catherine and Porchey's marriage had become increasingly troubled. Devastated, Catherine bravely unraveled her marriage. Porchey hastily traveled to New York to marry his new lover, who, however, ran off the night before the wedding with a Hollywood mogul. Now in London with her children, Catherine fell in love with a handsome and charming man, whom she married in 1938. Porchey continued at Highclere, having to find new staff (the old staff accompanied Catherine to London) and marrying the famous Austrian actress Tilly Losch on the day war broke out in 1939. Catherine's husband joined the navy while Porchey's new wife quickly left for America. Highclere Castle was turned into a home for evacuee children as well as lodging for soldiers. Porchey joined the war effort as an army adjutant (later a liaison officer) and was commended by the Americans stationed near Highclere. Catherine and Porchey's son Henry also joined the war in 1943. Like other wives and mothers, Catherine endured the unbearable stress of waiting for news of two beloved people in her life. Using copious materials - including diaries and scrapbooks - from the castle's archive, the Countess of Carnarvon brings alive a very modern story in a beautiful and famous setting, paying particular attention not just to the goings on upstairs, but also to the butler footmen and other staff whose lives downstairs kept the Castle moving forward into the twentieth century.

Ein besonderes Geschenk für Downton-Abbey-Fans! Feiern Sie Weihnachten im echten Downton Abbey – auf Highclere Castle in Hampshire. Lady Fiona Carnarvon gewährt Einblicke in die Adventszeit, die Vorbereitungen und die festlichen Tage im Schloss. Neben köstlichen Rezepten teilt sie traditionelle Bräuche, Deko-Tipps und Ideen zum Geschenkeeinpacken und erzählt vom Alltag auf dem Schloss. Erfahren Sie, wie der sechs Meter hohe Weihnachtsbaum aufgestellt und geschmückt wird und wie ein stimmungsvoller Weihnachtsmarkt jährlich Besucher anlockt. Genießen Sie die schönste Zeit des Jahres auf Highclere Castle! Downton Abbey zählt zu den erfolgreichsten TV-Serien weltweit, mit über 300 Millionen Zuschauern. Tauchen Sie ein in die Welt britischer Country Houses und erleben Sie ein englisches Weihnachtsfest im Stil der Crawleys und Lord Granthams. Lady Carnarvon bietet traditionelle Rezepte und Inspirationen aus ihrer vorweihnachtlichen Küche, von gerösteten Maronen über Gingerbread-Lebkuchen und Glühwein bis hin zu Christmas Pudding und opulentem Weihnachtsbraten. Das Buch beleuchtet auch die Geschichte der Weihnachtsfeiern im tausend Jahre alten Schloss, mit historischen Dokumenten und Fotos, die die festliche Atmosphäre lebendig werden lassen. Ein prachtvolles Weihnachtsgeschenk für Fans der Kultserie und alle, die ihr Weihnachtsfest very british feiern möchten!

This is the remarkable story of a lost time. But Highclere remains and in this book, Fiona weaves Lady Almina's journey into the heritage and history of one of England's most exquisite Victorian castles.

Begleiten Sie Lady Carnarvon, während sie die Tore des Schlosses öffnet, um zu zeigen, wie das ikonische britische Wahrzeichen jede Saison feiert und sich verändert. Dieses Buch enthüllt die Schätze auf dem Land und den Anwesen von Highclere Castle: georgianische Architektur, Lauben, geheime Gärten, den Garten der Mönche, Wildblumenwiesen und die verzauberten Wälder. Neben Geschichte und Anekdoten enthält dieses Buch auch opulente Rezepte für Gerichte, die von lokalen, saisonalen Produkten inspiriert sind, wie Heritage-Tomaten-Tarte, gebackene Feigen mit Ziegenkäse und Honig-Wintergemüsesalat. Wunderschön illustriert mit Farbfotografien, ist "Seasons at Highclere" voller gastronomischer Köstlichkeiten, der Geschichten der Schätze auf dem Gelände von Highclere Castle, unentdeckten Geheimnissen aus den Archiven des Schlosses und vielem mehr.