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Lady Baillie at Leeds Castle
- GenresHistory
94 pages, Hardcover
First published January 14, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 5, 2016
This is an interesting short booklet about an Anglo-American aristocrat who turned Leeds Castle in Kent into a salon where the elites of the 1930s enjoyed the hospitality of an exceptionally discrete hostess. The book covers her life, the extensive restoration work she oversaw at the castle, and the experiences of her staff.
The list of guests to Leeds Castle is extensive, ranging from Edward, Prince of Wales and Mrs Simpson through to Joachim von Ribbentrop, Anthony Eden, Pamela Harriman, Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, and Ian Fleming. Particular confidantes included the singer Richard Tauber, who had fled the Nazis, and the Parliamentarians David Margesson and Geoffrey Lloyd. The rumour developed that there was a politically-significant "Leeds set" around Lady Baillie. Bignell dismisses the idea, although the castle has been a venue for significant negotiations - several years after her death, it hosted initial meetings that led to the Camp David Accords.
Intriguingly, Lady Baillie married three times and was three-times divorced, although her discretion means that there is of necessity only a limited insight into her private life. However, she comes across as having been generous and well-liked.
The list of guests to Leeds Castle is extensive, ranging from Edward, Prince of Wales and Mrs Simpson through to Joachim von Ribbentrop, Anthony Eden, Pamela Harriman, Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, and Ian Fleming. Particular confidantes included the singer Richard Tauber, who had fled the Nazis, and the Parliamentarians David Margesson and Geoffrey Lloyd. The rumour developed that there was a politically-significant "Leeds set" around Lady Baillie. Bignell dismisses the idea, although the castle has been a venue for significant negotiations - several years after her death, it hosted initial meetings that led to the Camp David Accords.
Intriguingly, Lady Baillie married three times and was three-times divorced, although her discretion means that there is of necessity only a limited insight into her private life. However, she comes across as having been generous and well-liked.
July 14, 2023
First: if you haven’t visited Leeds Castle in Kent, it’s very unlikely this short history of the castle will be interesting.
Having said that, this short history is mildly interesting at best, and I say that after just visiting it.
So much of the currently told “story” of Leeds Castle focuses on the period in the 1920’s when an extremely wealthy American artistocrat (Lady Baillie) bought the castle, dumped tons of cash into it, and basically used it as a weekend getaway/status symbol. Who knew that in the 20’s the big flex amongst the top 1% was to buy an English castle? Supposedly William Randolph Hearst, among others, checked it out and passed before Baillie bought it.
The problem with focusing on this very limited period of time spent at a 1,200 year-old castle is this: Lady Baillie and her story (what we know of it: she was apparently very very private) are not very interesting. She was extremely wealthy, spent $ like crazy, married & divorced strategically several times, and held weekend parties with a small handful of other rich people. Zzzzzzz….
So the castle itself is interesting to see. It’s recent history is not quite as interesting.
Having said that, this short history is mildly interesting at best, and I say that after just visiting it.
So much of the currently told “story” of Leeds Castle focuses on the period in the 1920’s when an extremely wealthy American artistocrat (Lady Baillie) bought the castle, dumped tons of cash into it, and basically used it as a weekend getaway/status symbol. Who knew that in the 20’s the big flex amongst the top 1% was to buy an English castle? Supposedly William Randolph Hearst, among others, checked it out and passed before Baillie bought it.
The problem with focusing on this very limited period of time spent at a 1,200 year-old castle is this: Lady Baillie and her story (what we know of it: she was apparently very very private) are not very interesting. She was extremely wealthy, spent $ like crazy, married & divorced strategically several times, and held weekend parties with a small handful of other rich people. Zzzzzzz….
So the castle itself is interesting to see. It’s recent history is not quite as interesting.
July 12, 2025
Leeds Castle is without doubt the most beautiful Castle in England.
I have a special interest in the castle with it being so close to home and I a privileged to work there as a volunteer.
I was interested to know more about Lady Bailee so bought the book. Sadly the book did not deliver on my expectations
I have a special interest in the castle with it being so close to home and I a privileged to work there as a volunteer.
I was interested to know more about Lady Bailee so bought the book. Sadly the book did not deliver on my expectations
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews