February 2009
Longleat House Welcomes Royal Guests
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The Two Queens Meet in the Great Hall |
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Longleat House welcomed not just one Queen of England last week but two and their reigns are split by over 400 years!
Elizabeth I will be gracing Longleat House with her presence from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 February. This well-known royal guest last visited Longleat in 1574 when she allegedly dined in the Great Hall and was greatly pleased by what she saw.
The Builder of Longleat House, John Thynne, tried to put her off visiting the unfinished Longleat House because it would cost him too much money! He even suggested that there was a deadly disease at Longleat and she should stay away - in a letter to Sir John Thynne from Sir Henry Seymour “I thought it good to let yow understand how of late her Majestie had speach concerning yow yat yow should seeme unwilling to receve her this yeare at your house making excuses of sikenesses” - to no avail though as she visited anyway!
Elizabeth II meanwhile has been starring at Longleat as part of a Blast Films Production ‘The Queen’. Commissioned
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The Two Queens Meet in the Great Hall |
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by Channel 4 Television and the ABC Network in America to make a landmark television series looking at pivotal events in the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this series will explore and reveal the many sides of The Queen.
As Head Guide of Longleat House, Ruth Charles, explained, “It is a rare opportunity to have two Queens of England visiting let alone in one week! We have been researching Elizabeth I in great detail and have produced a wonderful bejewelled costume for her to wear around Longleat House.”
Elizabeth I will be welcoming visitors in Longleat House from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 February 2009 inclusive. She will offer general information on the House with particular reference to paintings and furnishings which relate to her, her family and to the period of history in which she reigned.
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