As for Hampton Court’s maze, the one you can visit there now was designed in 1690 for William III, but it possibly replaced an earlier maze, perhaps laid out for Henry VIII. In an inventory of Cromwell’s goods at Hampton Court dated 1659, there is mention of a cistern that serves “the fountaine and Maze.” Since Charles II was restored to his throne the following year, perhaps the maze still survived at the time of Kit and Rose’s story. In any case, I had fun imagining them exploring it!
Hampton Court Palace is open to the public seven days a week year-round. Just a thirty-minute train ride from Central London, it’s a perfect day trip back in time for anyone visiting the capital.
The remodeled east end of the Royal Chapel at Whitehall Palace in London was indeed designed by Christopher Wren—the sketch he made that Kit showed Rose still survives. The actual work was carried out by Thomas Kinward, Robert Streater, and Henry Phillips, for a total cost of a little more than £71. The fire in Rose was entirely my invention, but would surely have raised the price of construction.
Sadly, Whitehall Palace was destroyed by fire in 1698. Although a few walls and other original bits of the palace survive as parts of the current government buildings, the only intact part of Whitehall today is Inigo Jones’s exquisite Banqueting House. Completed in 1622 and renowned for its architecture and magnificent ceiling painted by Sir Peter Paul Rubens, the building is also famous for being the scene of Charles I’s execution.
In Charles II’s time, the Banqueting House was used as the ceremonial chamber of the court and the scene of grand receptions. Of the queen’s birthday celebration on the 15th of November in 1677, which Rose and Kit attend in the final chapter of their story, John Evelyn noted in his diary: “The Queene’s birth-day, a greate Ball at Court, where the Prince of Orange and his new Princesse daunced.”
The Banqueting House is open to the public Monday through Saturday except for bank holidays, but it sometimes closes on short notice for government functions. This happened the first time I tried to visit, so do call ahead!
Of all the projects I had Kit working on in this book, the only one that can be seen today is the King’s Dining Room at Windsor Castle. In real life it was designed by architect Hugh May, who did extensive renovations for King Charles between 1675 and 1678. I chose this particular room for Kit not only because it was actually completed in the year of my story, 1677, but also because it’s the most intact example remaining of Charles’s rooms, including the original wall carvings by Grinling Gibbons and Henry Phillips and the whimsical ceiling painted by Antonio Verrio.
Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. It has stood for over 900 years since William the Conqueror chose the site a day’s march from the Tower of London. The castle has been inhabited continuously and altered by each sovereign. Some concentrated on strengthening the site against attack, while others, living in more peaceful times, helped create the palatial royal residence you can visit today.
Windsor Castle is open seven days a week year-round, but there are periods, especially in June and December, when the queen is in residence and the State Apartments are closed to visitors.
Trentingham Manor was inspired by the Vyne, a National Trust property in Hampshire. Built in the early sixteenth century for Lord Sandys, Henry VIII’s Lord Chamberlain, the house acquired a classical portico in the mid-seventeenth century and contains a grand Palladian staircase, a wealth of old paneling and fine furniture, and a fascinating Tudor chapel with Renaissance glass. The Vyne and its extensive gardens are open for visits April through October.
I hope you enjoyed Rose! Next up is Chrystabel and Joseph Ashcroft’s story in A Secret Christmas, a special holiday prequel novel. Please read on for an excerpt as well as more bonus material!
Always,
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LAUREN’S NEXT BOOK IS…
A Secret Christmas
Book Four of
Chase Family Series: The Flowers
Christmas has been outlawed by the new Commonwealth government—but that won’t stop Lady Chrystabel Trevor from embracing the holiday spirit. When she finds herself snowed in with handsome and intriguing Joseph Ashcroft, the Viscount Tremayne, merrymaking leads to mayhem. In a time of fear and oppression, can the magic of Christmas bring two hearts together?
Read an excerpt…
Grosmont Grange, England
December 20, 1651
LADY CHRYSTABEL Trevor adored Christmas.
Or at least she had until this year.
She frowned as her sap-sticky hands wove yet another wreath from the greenery she and her younger sister had collected. “Just five more days,” she said, thinking of all the decorating they still had to do.
Arabel meticulously measured two loops of red ribbon. “But just four days until Christmas Eve.”
“Yes, and we have to be ready by Christmas Eve.” Chrystabel sighed as she eyed the enormous pile of boughs they’d cut and trimmed. “I cannot believe how long it took to make the garlands. This isn’t easy alone.”
“You’re not alone,
