{"title":"Books by The Countess of Carnarvon","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9780008531775","title":"The Earl and the Pharaoh","description":"\u003cp\u003eEnter a world of ancient secrets, old money, new ambitions and the discovery of priceless treasure in this revelatory new biography.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetween November 1922 and spring 1923, a door to the ancient Egyptian world was opened. The discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun would be the most astonishing archaeological find of the century, revealing not only the boy pharaoh’s preserved remains, but thousands of finely crafted objects, from the iconic gold mask and coffins to a dagger made from meteorite, chalices, beautiful furniture and even 3000-year-old food and wine. The world’s understanding of Ancient Egyptian civilisation was immeasurably enhanced, and the quantity and richness of the objects in the tomb is still being studied today.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwo men were ultimately responsible for the discovery: Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter. It was Lord Carnarvon who held the concession to excavate and whose passion and ability to finance the project allowed the eventual discovery to take place.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Earl and the Pharaoh tells the story of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon. Carnarvon’s life, money and sudden death became front-page news throughout the world following the discovery of the tomb, fuelling rumours that persist today of ‘the curse of the pharaohs’. His beloved home, Highclere Castle, is today best-known as the set of Downton Abbey.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrawing on Highclere Castle’s never-before-plumbed archives, bestselling author Fiona, the Countess of Carnarvon, charts the twists of luck and tragedies that shaped Carnarvon’s life; his restless and enquiring mind that drove him to travel to escape conventional society life in Edwardian Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43172893622450,"sku":"9780008531775","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780008531775.jpg?v=1785658832"},{"product_id":"9781529963939","title":"A Year At Highclere","description":"THE PERFECT GIFT FOR FANS OF DOWNTON ABBEY AND HIGHCLERE CASTLE \u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Join Lady Carnarvon as she exclusively reveals into the daily rhythms, seasonal changes and timeless traditions of Highclere Castle, one of Britain’s most iconic estates and the inspiration for Downton Abbey.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e‘One of the world’s most famous stately homes’ \u003ci\u003eCountry Life\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Set across the magnificent 5,000-acre Highclere estate, this beautifully illustrated book follows a year in the life at the much-loved British institution.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Steeped in centuries of history, Highclere is a place where royalty, heritage, nature and community come together. From the grandeur of Victorian architecture to the whispers of Anglo-Saxon roots, the estate offers a fascinating window into Britain's past and present.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In \u003ci\u003eA Year at Highclere,\u003c\/i\u003e Lady Carnarvon shares captivating stories from the castle's history, including Lady Almina's legendary 1920s parties and the enigmatic ghosts that roam the halls of the castle today. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e With the passing months and seasons, Lady Carnarvon reveals what it truly means to live and work in this extraordinary home. From gardening, entertaining guests, and exploring the outdoors with their eight dogs to opening the gates to film crews, culminating in the latest \u003ci\u003eDownton Abbey\u003c\/i\u003e production.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eFilled with history, heritage, and personal reflections, A Year at Highclere is an exclusive behind-the-scenes journey through the real Downton Abbey. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55897424396661,"sku":"9781529963939","price":22.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781529963939_89fae1b1-99b4-45c5-86b7-729649a8f65e.jpg?v=1786023162"},{"product_id":"9781848095229","title":"Christmas at Highclere","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHighclere Castle, known as 'the real Downton Abbey' bustles with activity at the best of times, but it is never more alive than at Christmas.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eChristmas at Highclere\u003c\/i\u003e is a look behind the scenes at the routines and rituals that make the castle the most magical place to be throughout the festive season.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLady Carnarvon will guide you through Advent, Christmas preparations and Christmas Eve all the way through to the day itself, and beyond. Learn how the castle and grounds are transformed by decorations, including the raising of a twenty-foot tree in the saloon, the gathering of holly and mistletoe from the grounds. All the intricacies of the perfect traditional Christmas are here: from crackers and carol singers. The festive feeling is carried through to Highclere's Boxing Day traditions, the restorative middle days and the New Year's Eve celebrations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book also tells the story of historic Christmases at Highclere - of distinguished guests warming themselves by the fire after a long journeys home through the snow, unexpected knocks on the door, and, always, the joy of bringing family - and staff - together after a busy year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs well as telling the stories of Highclere Christmases past and present, Lady Carnarvon provides recipes, tips and inspiration from her kitchen so that readers can bring a quintessentially British festive spirit to their own home. Lady Carnarvon divulges the secret to perfectly flakey mince pies, the proper way to wrap presents so that you and your guests are guaranteed a Christmas to remember.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLavish, celebratory and utterly enchanting, \u003ci\u003eChristmas at Highclere\u003c\/i\u003e is celebration of one of the UK's most beloved historic houses and is the perfect gift for any \u003ci\u003eDownton Abbey\u003c\/i\u003e fan.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56308415693173,"sku":"9781848095229","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781848095229_15def126-451e-4aa1-8324-12055c89c686.jpg?v=1786029492"},{"product_id":"9781529135589","title":"Seasons at Highclere","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJoin Lady Carnarvon as she opens the gates to Highclere Castle, the 'real Downton Abbey', and discover how the iconic British landmark celebrates and changes each season.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book reveals the treasures within Highclere Castle's land and estates: Georgian architecture, follies, secret gardens, the monks' garden, wildflower meadows and the woods of enchantment. Alongside history and anecdotes, this book also details sumptuous recipes for dishes inspired by local, seasonal produce, such as Heritage Tomato Tart, Highclere Baked Figs with Goats Cheese, and Honeyed Winter Vegetable Salad.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeautifully illustrated with full-colour photography, \u003ci\u003eSeasons at Highclere \u003c\/i\u003eis full of gastronomical delights, the stories of the treasures within Highclere Castle's grounds, untold secrets from the castle's archives and much more. This is the perfect gift or keepsake, and a book to be cherished for years to come.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56312571822453,"sku":"9781529135589","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781529135589_b4cfc28c-23f1-4980-b3e8-f9e1f40f8d9f.jpg?v=1786021852"},{"product_id":"lady-catherine-and-the-real-downton-abbey","title":"Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e**Explore the fascinating history of the \u003cem\u003ereal \u003c\/em\u003eDownton Abbey as the Crawley family saga makes its way on to the big screen with \u003cem\u003eDownton Abbey\u003c\/em\u003e, the major motion picture**\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'An excellent depiction of English aristocratic life ... a compelling portrait' \u003cem\u003ePublisher's Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* * * * * *\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe follow-up to the international bestseller \u003cem\u003eLady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey\u003c\/em\u003e, this book moves the story into the 1920s, and focuses on the remarkable American heiress who came to reign at Highclere Castle.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSometimes the facts are even more extraordinary than the fiction ...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book tells the story of Lady Catherine, a beautiful American girl who became the chatelaine of Highclere Castle, the setting for Julian Fellowes' award-winning drama \u003cem\u003eDownton Abbey\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharming and charismatic, Catherine caught the eye of Lord Porchester (or 'Porchey', as he was known) when she was just 20 years old, and wearing a pale yellow dress at a ball. She had already turned down 14 proposals before she eventually married Porchey in 1922. But less than a year later Porchey's father died suddenly, and he became the 6th Earl of Carnarvon, inheriting a title and a Castle that changed both their lives forever.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCatherine found herself suddenly in charge of a small army of household staff, and hosting lavish banquets and weekend house parties. Although the couple were very much in love, considerable challenges lay ahead for Catherine. They were immediately faced with the task of saving Highclere when debts threatened to destroy the estate. As the 1920s moved to a close, Catherine's adored brother died and she began to lose her husband to the distractions London had to offer. When the Second World War broke out, life at the Castle would never be the same again.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrawing on rich material from the private archives at Highclere, including beautiful period photographs, the current Countess of Carnarvon transports us back to the thrilling and alluring world of the 'real Downton Abbey' and its inhabitants.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57484388434293,"sku":"9781444762129","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781444762129.jpg?v=1786266468"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-the-countess-of-carnarvon.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}