10 OCT 2017: If the walls could talk, the Gothic ones at Beaulieu Palace House might tell the tales of former residents, but there is no way they could deliver them with the humour and charm that our tour guide did. William, replete in his coat and tails gave us a tour of the 13th century Victorian country residence on the Beaulieu estate, seasoning his historical knowledge with anecdotes that visitors will remember long after the datelines blur.
Beaulieu Palace House was originally built as a gatehouse to the Beaulieu Abbey and after the dissolution of monasteries eventually passed through marriage into the Montagu family (in the 16th century) where it remains today.
The residence is on 10,000 acres of the New Forest National Park. The Beaulieu River flows within the Montagu estate and is the only river owned by a monarch.
Charles II was the King of Scotland, England and Ireland in the mid 1600s. He was married to Catherine of Braganza who was barren, but he managed to sire many children with his various mistresses. He acknowledged 12, earning him the nickname Merry Monarch.
Charles had a favourite mistress named Lucy who gave birth to his first illegitimate progeny; James Scott, the first duke of Monmouth. Lucy claimed to have secretly married Charles II and it said that James Scott found the certificate proving their marriage, and hence his claim to the throne.
Legend has it that James Scott took his proof of inheritance to Queen Victoria, who unfortunately for him was sitting by a fire. The paper was tossed into the flames and he never was able to prove his royal descent.
Our guide William said that James Scott “went crazy, he lost the war, then lost his head.” Having led an unsuccessful rebellion to depose his uncle King James II and VII from the thrown he was charged with treason and slated to be be-headed.
William said that it was determined that James Scott wasn’t worth the expense of a professional executioner and he suffered the effects of an amateur with a dull blade.
Belatedly it was realized the Duke of Monmouth had not sat for an official portrait, which was mandatory at that time, so the body and head were temporarily reunited and the artist desperate for money made a quick painting. William pointed out the neck deficiency in Scott’s portrait.
Centuries later Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, was two when his father died and he inherited his title. In 1952, at the age of 25 he opened a museum of automobiles as a tribute to his father who had a passion for driving. The collection of five cars was displayed in the front hall of the palace but grew rapidly in popularity and a new building was erected for it on the estate. It is known today as the National Motor Museum, which draws 400,000 guests a year.
Lord Montagu lived a colourful life pursuing a number of passions besides motoring, including journalism, politics and the arts.
He died in 2015 and his widow Lady Fiona Montagu moved out of the residence soon after. The new Lord Montagu is Edward’s eldest son Ralph from his first marriage.
He and his wife have decided to maintain residence at their modest home in the village and allow the palace house to be used for private functions and public tours.