Jane Austen Weekend at Stoneleigh Abbey

6 Responses to “Jane Austen Weekend at Stoneleigh Abbey”

1. Lori Smith Says:
   August 4th, 2006 at 9:48 am

   I visited Stoneleigh Abbey on my trip last summer (actually, just a year ago today!). I loved it. There wasn’t a special Austen celebration then, and the regular tour didn’t have much Austen info, but after the tour I was able to talk to another of the guides, Mrs. Cynthia Woodward, who was wonderful and offered some additional Austen insights I never would have picked up on my own. And it’s a lovely spot, right by the river Avon.

2. Brontëana Says:
   August 5th, 2006 at 12:56 am

   I was surprised to see that only one JA novel made Penguin’s list of best classics. Emma made the ‘Best Minxes’ list!

   http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/special_interest/story.jsp?story=701263

3. Reeba Says:
   August 5th, 2006 at 4:52 am

   Am I thrilled!!! My all time favourite book and character gets to be among the best!!!!

   Thank goodness it wasn’t a stereotyped selection with Pride and Prejudice as the Austen selection.
   (I do love all books by JA.)

   I of course would never think of Heathcliff and Catherine as among the best lovers. Heathcliff to me was always such a psychopath. Catherine, a weak minded character.

   Not that Penguin knows all and is the last word in what is!!! Right???

   Well, I rejoice in the selection of Emma.

   Thanks for the link Bronteana. I hope I didn’t offend with my comments about the Bronté characters. Do forgive me if I did.
   Going by your name I think you are a Bronté sisters fan.
   I do love Jane Eyre though.

4. Brontëana Says:
   August 5th, 2006 at 12:39 pm

   Oh, I am a Bronte fan- I keep a blog of Bronte news. (http://bronteana.blogspot.com) Have you heard that the BBC is finishing up a new mini series of Jane Eyre?

   But, ahem, I agree heartily about H and C. I never liked either of them (especially Cathy! I love to hate her). I dislike every character in that book, although it is a powerful work. I much prefer Jane and Edward as a romantic couple. For me, WH works more as a novel about struggles and revenge than about romance.

5. Barbara Haddon Says:
   August 7th, 2006 at 6:48 pm

   Visit to Stoneleigh

   Thirteen days that inspired a life, three novels and a host of colourful
   characters. That was Jane Austen’s visit to Stoneleigh abbey, Warwickshire
   200 years ago this month.

   I felt immensely privileged to be following Jane’s footsteps as I joined a guided tour by Eileen, who dressed in period costume and preferred to be known as Miss Bingley, for the bi-centennial anniversary.

   On the occasion of Jane’s visit, Jane had recently lost her father and had left Bath to reside with relatives of her mother’s family - the Leighs. The Austen family were staying with Rev Thomas Leigh when he received knowledge of his inheritance of Stoneleigh Abbey. and in a swift chase all the family descended on the Abbey to forestall any debate arising from the issue.
   This is like Mr Rushworth showing his newly acquired estate Sotherton Court off to Fanny Price and party - chp. 8 Mansfield Park. The chapel at Stoneleigh is described by Fanny. “I am disappointed,” said she in a low voice to Edmond. “This is not my idea of a chapel. There is nothing awful here. No arches. No inscriptions. No Banners.”

   Even the iron gate which sent Mr Rushworth hurrying back to Sotherton for the key, and which separated Fanny from Miss Bertram and Mr Crawford, was found in the grounds and is currently being restored. I came across such a gate in the the gardens which was locked and struggled to imagine squeezing between the stone pillar and metal frame.

   Jane must have been familiar with gothic novels of the time and to visit a house attached to a former Abbey of Cistercian monks would have held a fascination in itself.
   Her mother’s recording of their arrival at Stoneleigh in a letter speaks of the family’s surprise of the grandeur of the property - the house having 45 windows to the front elevation, a sign of wealth in the days of window tax, and the 27 bedrooms not including those in the offices adjoining in the older Elizabethan part of the building.
   The river Avon which flows through the grounds had been moved closer to the house by a landscape gardener working for £5 per day - remember one of Jane’s characters who worked for such a sum landscaping? Mr Smith.

   As Miss Bingley - my tour guide - drew attention to family portraits decorating the panelled walls, the foundation of one of Austen’s stories emerged. Miss Wentworth, a family relative had fallen in love with a ‘worthless’ sailor and was subsequently discouraged to marry him by her mother. Secretly they married and he went to sea where he made his fortune. On returning after years when Miss Wentworth had refused every man put forward by her mother, he was introduced, whereby Miss Wentworth’s mother declared him to be a very fine gentleman and regretted her daughter couldn’t find such a match. The secret was then let out of the bag.

   At one time it was believed that Jane drew her stories and characters entirely from her imagination, but having learnt of her time spent at Stoneleigh it is clear Jane was inspired by people and places that touched her life.

   Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park and Persuasion stem from Jane’s experience at Stoneleigh and her family connections. So a very special day drew to a close for me tracing Jane’s footsteps and imaging her impressions. And as Fanny says “I do not think that I shall ever see Sotherton (Stoneleigh) again with so much pleasure.”

   Barbara Haddon

6. Heather L Says:
   August 9th, 2006 at 1:55 am

   What a lovely description, Barbara; thanks for sharing your visit.