Status Updates From Knole and the Sackvilles

The light gleamed on the dull gilding of furniture and the misty depth of mirrors, and started up a sudden face out of the gloom; something creaked and sighed; the tapestry swayed, and the figures on it undulated and seemed to come alive. The man with the candle is under a terrible disadvantage to the man in the dark. But I was never frightened at Knole. I loved it; and took it for granted that Knole loved me.

In honour of Vita Sackville-West's 122nd birthday, I think the time is more than right to begin her 1922 history of the centuries-old Sackville family. Happy birthday, darling!