The Garden of England


Book Description

Kent is traditionally known as the Garden of England, but the term could just as easily apply to Sussex and Surrey, for in addition to hopgardens, orchards and vineyards the region boasts some of the country's greatest gardens, such as Sissinghurst, Nymans, Sheffield Park and Wisley. Also found here, within easy reach of London and the coast, are romantic ruins like Bodiam and Scotney, great cathedral cities like Canterbury and Chichester, magnificent castles like Hever, Leeds and Arundel, princely residences like the Royal Pavilion at Brighton and historic houses like Chartwell and Bateman's -- all set in England's most fruitful countryside. Book jacket.













A History of the Wells Family 1200-1700


Book Description

Set in medieval, Tudor and Stuart England, we discover how the family became involved with the secretive Knights Templar and then spread around the country. There were great landowners associated with Kings and Queens. Some were persecuted, arrested, imprisoned, tortured and suffered horrific executions. One followed the Mayflower to New England only to fall victim to native Indians. We find wonderful cases of jury fixing, insurrection, Lollardry, murder and false imprisonment. There were clandestine meetings, hidden treasures, forfeiture of lands, and piracy against the Spanish. There was a murderous monk who became personal servant to the King; a Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen, who was also the King's mistress; a designer of Warships and co-founder of the Royal Society. We have Lords of the Manor, Elizabethan Actors who knew Shakespeare and even a martyred Saint. These extraordinary tales of our ancestors' lives make this book compelling reading.