We’ve all got heirlooms.
You know: those things of value; silver, or antique, or possibly porcelain; with a hallmark, or a or a Stieff emblem, or the words ‘Wedgewood’ stamped on the base; and every now and then, when the going gets tough, we say to ourselves: if the worst came to the worst, that would fetch a bit.
But we’d never sell. Not really. These things from part of our family folklore.
Still: sometimes, those family pieces have to go.
A more splendid and picturesque palace than Blickling Hall in North Norfolk, it would be hard to find. A Jacobean masterpiece, set like a jewel in the North Norfolk countryside, the real Falstaff is said to have lived there – Sir John Fastolf- and it has the dramatic distinction of being Anne Boleyn’s childhood home.
It is the stuff of fairy tales. A tower fit for imprisoning a princess, and grounds vast enough to accommodate even the tubbiest dragon; a great oak door straight out of folklore, and gardens to charm a wicked witch.
Yet, it is possible that Anne was not even born when the Boleyn family upped sticks from their Norfolk pad and went to Hever Castle in Kent.And the Boleyn’s house was knocked down, in the time of James I, to make way for this splendid confection of towers and bowers.
But walk round the house, built in to a side away from the pomp and splendour of the frontage,and you will find a strange proclamation on the wall.
“Mary Anne, Countess of Buckingham, daughter of Sir Thomas Drury…bequeathed her jewels toward the expense of erecting this front” it proclaims.
And that’s all there is: records tell us so little of the story behind the woman who sold her jewels. Or why she insisted a plaque be erected to the fact.
Mary Ann came into the world in June 1740 with a fine fortune of £50,000. Daughter of the High Sheriff of Essex and Northants, she married an Earl; John Hobart, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire; lost her jewels to Blickling in 1769; had three daughters, Caroline, Harriet and Sophia; and died at the age of 29.
We know her husband was an industrious soul, a member of Parliament for Norwich who was engaged in diplomacy involving Russia, America and later Ireland as its Lord Lieutenant.
So: why? Why would a well-connected noblewoman sell her jewels to decorate her house? And moreover, why have the fact immortalised on its walls?
It is a puzzle I still have to unpick. Yesterday the house was closed by 4pm, and I could not ask a soul.
I would give a good many gems to find out the circumstances in which she gave up her heirlooms.
Kate Shrewsday 
Sadly, these days family jewels are more likely to have to be sold for old age health care – even when it should be funded by the NHS….
Intriguing story, though.
I know what you mean. It has happened in our family. Not a way to reward a lifetime of contribution to a community, is it, Myfanwy?
hmmmmm, time for Kate the sleuth to investigate, leaving no antique stone (valuable or otherwise) unturned
The puzzle has been driving me nuts all week. I have learned more, but still not enough…
On the surface, it does seem an odd thing to do … keep sleuthing, Kate. Inquiring minds want to know more.
Shall do, Jamie!
maybe the jewels were given to her by a relative she had dispute with, and she sold them to spite that person.
or maybe she just wasn’t a jewelry wearer
Maybe not. Getting to the bottom of this story is proving a bit of a Pandora’s Box!
That’s why gems are called rocks – they make buildings.
😀 Too right,they do, Carl!
It is an odd thing to make public during that time. Is it not?
It is, Tammy. There’s a lot more to this story than meets the eye, I think.
She bequeathed her jewels in 1769 . . . the same year she died.
I expect she bequeathed them in her will and the recipient felt such gratitude that they created the plaque in her honor.
Nancy, spot-on. Further investigation reveals you are right. But there is so much more beneath th surface….I feel another post coming on…
Do tell us what you discover while mining the story of these family jewels, Kate. Its rather fascinating, especially considering the time. The big question, however, is are there any ghosts roaming about?
I shall, Penny. I am not at the bottom of the story yet but I have more to tell. And this castle was voted the most haunted in England, though I’m not sure how authentic their claims could be. Both Anne Boleyn and her brother are said to be regular visitors and Anne would have left – if she ever lived there at all – whilst very young. Hmmm.
At least she didn’t bequeath like my family. Mom: Aunt Polly gave me this ring, but I was thinking of giving it to you. Me: Oh. Mom: Yeah. She thought it was worth $5,000, but I really don’t think it is………so, do you want it?
Maybe I’ll sell the ring and put a plaque up somewhere. 🙂
I hope you’re enjoying your vacation, Kate.
😀 AT least you know where you are with your Mom, Andra. She’s above board…
Just like a good murder mystery…we have to wait to find out why it was done. I think N.R.Hatch may be on to something.
And you would be right. They were bequeathed on her death….but there’s more to tell…
I like nrhatch’s take on what this could be about Kate because it also jumped out at me that she bequeathed the year she died. I thought there might be a connection, too. If you find out what it is, I hope you write a follow-up.
Clearly, you’re finding Internet out there.
I shall be writing a follow up, but you are right that this was a bequest in a will, Virginia. Shocking story behind it, though!
Neat post. Hope you find the answer. I guess I can only be glad that somehow or other the poor woman’s name found it’s way onto the house – and the gift she gave it instead of hoarding said jewels for her daughters. This way, she left a greater gift – a greater legacy – for them, as well as managed to get her name remembered, especially when she had such a short time on this earth. As always, love what you find for posts. 🙂
Thanks, Shelly! You are right: the West wing of Blickling is simply beautiful. Her jewels went to a good cause.
I think it would definitely be worth further investigating. I love a mystery! I hope you’ll follow up with us when you discover the facts, Kate.
Certainly will, Debra!
That will be a long standing deep and meaningful mystery Kate. You have a better chance of unwravelling some prehistoric bits than this !
Martin, wise words indeed. I got the bottom of the top, so to speak. But the undercurrents to this story are left untouched.