Tuesday 16 May 2017

Day 3: Chawton and Winchester

Today was an extremely special day as we explored several amazing places so close to the life of Jane Austen.

We first visited the Jane Austen House Museum in Chawton, a small village in Hampshire where Jane, her mother and her sister Cassandra lived for eight years prior to her death.  These were her most prolific years for writing and revising the manuscripts she had written years earlier.

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

Very pretty flowers

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

And the resident cat.

BloggerImage

I was very excited to be here.

BloggerImage

The cottage is quite small and now houses many personal items from the Austen family.

BloggerImage

This is the front sitting room.  The wall paper has recently been replaced in a reproduction taken from a fragment of paper found in the room.

BloggerImage

This is the tiny desk upon which so much genius was written.  I am still excited.

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

Here is a closeup of the new wallpaper.

BloggerImage

Original table service of the Austen/Knight family.

BloggerImage

This is the view of the garden from the sitting room.  Just lovely.

BloggerImage

These are the original topaz crosses given to Jane and Cassandra by one of their brothers.

BloggerImage

Jane's bedroom with a replica tent bed.

BloggerImage

A copy of the only known portrait of Jane Austen, drawn by her sister.

BloggerImage

And then to see the quilt!  Just such an amazing experience.  Much more of the quilt is on display than when I was here last.  It is a masterpiece of planning, stitching and symmetry.

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

We then listened to a fabulous detailed talk by Sue Dell about the design, stitching and history of the quilt.

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

This certainly was a highlight of our tour so far!

We then drove nearby to visit the Chawton House Library which was owned by Jane's brother Edward, who was adopted by the Knight family.  This beautiful house was the location of the filming of the documentary which recreated the Netherfield Ball.

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

We were treated to a delightful lunch in the dining room at the original table used at the time of Edward Knight.  Jane Austen definitely dined here.

BloggerImage

Beautiful view from this room.

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

This is a portrait of Edward Knight.

BloggerImage

Then a wonderful private tour of the house,

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

Part of the collection of antique books held by the Library which is a repository for works by female authors.

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

These are first edition copies of Northanger Abbey and Persuation, two hundred years old!

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

The Great Hall.

BloggerImage

The graves of Jane's sister and mother, both called Cassandra.  They are buried in the churchyard of the village church.

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

This is where Jane is buried, in the floor of Winchester Cathedral.

BloggerImage


BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

BloggerImage

This is the house where Jane passed away at the age of 42 years.  So sad.

BloggerImage

It is exactly 200 years later.  This is a tribute to Jane recently installed.

BloggerImage

BloggerImage


4 comments:

  1. Wow! So much Jane. Not there could ever be too much Jane! I would so love to do this tour - maybe one day. Jane actually made the quilt? I thought that she did and then I was lead to believe she didn't. Beautiful quilt no matter who made it. Enjoy the trip and keep blogging - if I can't be there, I can enjoy it through your eyes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have documentary evidence that Jane, her sister and her mother all contributed to making the quilt. It is stunning and huge. K x

      Delete
  2. Absolutely wonderful....thankyou Katrina!

    ReplyDelete