Lions of the North: The Percys & Alnwick Castle

by Ralph Percy

-Written by the Duke of Northumberland himself, featuring his own photography -Personal stories of growing up at Alnwick Castle - roller skating through state rooms; ice-skating on the river; disobedient dogs who, along with water pistols and footballs, have left their mark(s) on the Castle's furnishings -Many family connections with names and events well-known from literature and history, eg: Harry 'Hotspur', immortalised by Shakespeare, was the eldest son of the first Earl of Northumberland; As a young man, the 6th Earl had a love affair with Anne Boleyn; The brother of the 5th Duke of Northumberland was the first to bring the news of Napoleon's defeat to England From the Norman Conquest to the present day, the story of Alnwick Castle and the Percy family has been woven into the fabric of British history. The castle represented the family's dominance in the north and stood guard over the disputed, bloodstained borderlands. From the Norman knights who occupied and first constructed Alnwick Castle, through over 700 years of Percy ownership, great events in our history are seen through the lives of the barons, lords, earls and dukes who fought in battle and parliament to protect their and the nation's interests. Their involvement in the Norman Conquest, the Crusades, Scottish and French wars, various rebellions and plots, the Wars of the Roses, the English Civil War, the War of American Independence, the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimean War, and the two World Wars are documented as well as the architectural, archaeological, scientific, environmental and artistic heritage that they created and protected. Contents: Preface: Alnwick Castle before the Percys Chapter 1: 1066-1294. After the Norman Conquest: the Percy's rise to power Chapter 2: 1294-1368. The Percys come to Northumberland: the purchase of Alnwick Castle Chapter 3: 1368-1489. Kingmakers and rebels: the first four Earls of Northumberland Chapter 4: 1489-1585. The Tudor period: rise and fall, execution and murder Chapter 5: 1585-1750. The Stuarts, plots and civil war: the last Earl Chapter 6: 1750-1847. Percy restoration: the first Duke of Northumberland Chapter 7: 1847-1918. Victorians and Edwardians: from the Great Exhibition to the Great War Chapter 8: 1918-2018. The last 100 years: Alnwick in the modern world Chapter 9: The Estate: gardens, parks and management The Duke will speak on his family's history at the Chalke Valley History Festival, 24-30 June 2019.

Genres: History, British Literature

176 pages, Paperback

Published April 24, 2019

Reviews

[Kris Weavill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating view of a family heavily connected to history.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and fascinating account of the history of the Percy family and their estates, with a special focus on Alnwick Castle. Written by the current Duke of Northumberland, Ralph Percy, I learnt a great deal about the family and the castle little of which I was aware of before.

It does focus on the history of the castle and the family so don't go into expecting insights into filming etc, but does go into detail about Alnwick as an emerging tourist attraction, including the current Duchess's work in the gardens.

A book I would recommend to anyone interested in British history, of which I learnt things I never knew, through the prism of the Percy family and Alnwick Castle.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a brilliant and informative book on Alnwick Castle and the people who have lived and worked within its walls. Ralph Percy writes interesting chapters on people from the middle ages right through to the modern day with huge respect and awe for the place he was born at. The illustrations and pictures are stunning and support this well researched and put together book. Well worth a read for anyone interested in Northumbrian history.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice overview of of history of Alnwick Castle and the Percy nobles. Good photographs and illustrations.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I expected! 😁