one from an acorn, on the left, the other from brick.
Both of historical interest.
The rain and grey has once again gone and we have clouds making shapes in the sky.
Let us look at these two more closely.
A dancing form.
It owes its life to William John Chute who refused to sell it to the navy as timber at the time of the
Battle of Trafalgar.
Chute was offered £100 and he said no.
Then the very next day 100 guineas.
His answer then was:
“Any tree that increases in value by £5 overnight is too valuable to lose.”
This oak is considered to be 650 years old. Home to squirrels, jackdaws, nuthatches and where fungi has hollowed it out bats and invertebrates shelter. It is a shapely, characterful tree. A tree to ponder under.
During Tudor times it would have shaded Henry VIII, first with Catherine of Aragon and later Anne Boleyn.
Much later it witnessed the estate being used to shelter evacuees during World War II.
It was old already when in 1632 with its brick kilns nearby and clay dug from its soil a Summer House grew from the ground.
The possible architect was
Isaac de Caus
an associate of Inigo Jones.
At this time classical design in architecture was just beginning in Britain, so this Summer House is the National Trust’s finest example of brick-making skill and architectural design for this period.
What is it?
A feature. A sheltered place to view the garden from. In the 1600s a banqueting house. (The banquet was the final course of a meal served in a different room). The family and guests would leave the main room and enjoy wine, fruit and sweets looking at the garden.
It was then used as a pigeon loft in the 19th century. Fresh eggs and meat in winter. Then in 1959 the first floor was taken out.
There looking through the window is a branch of the Hundred Guinea Oak.
Old friends in time.
Then look at a few little flowers with me:
The river and the marshes:
A place for birds
Then back on a humbling path with magnificent trees to pay attention to…
The vegetable beds all dug and ‘picking’ daffodils all in bud. Sheep’s wool still protecting what? Spring will show us soon.
A garden with so much promise. Our hands freezing cold we return to our car. Happy to know the garden is gathering strength, building for spring a structured well planned surprise. We hope to see this again.
Thank you.
Sandy. 🙂
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Hebrews 12 : 1-2
ROADS WE TRAVEL AND DESTINATIONS REACHED 
I loved this post, Sandy. What a gorgeous estate with so much history.
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So glad you loved it. The house was closed but we hope to show you in the spring. We look forward to all those colorful bulb plants blooming.
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A wonderful post! That tree story is absolutely amazing. Would love to see it.
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A wonderful post! That tree story is absolutely amazing. Would love to see it.
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With no leaves with its naked strength and all its age visible it was a sculpture of time. ( Oh , dear I have got wordy🤭)
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Amazing picture and great historical facts and reflections. Bless you Sandy. 🙏🏾💗❤️💖
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Ah, thank you. How kind. I love my phone camera.
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🥰
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What an incredibly interesting tree and building. I’d love to stand where those historical figures once stood. Thank you for taking me there with you.
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My pleasure to share this time with you, Bridgette. I felt its gravitas!
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The old oak is trying to run it’s race with perseverance Sandy! It does have a wonderful character Lovely post. Beautiful architecture for a summer house! I would love one😀Thank you 🙏
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We could have our ” cake” in style if you had the summer house!!! I don’t fancy the responsibility for anything so aged.
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