Disraeli’s Hughendon Manor to the Church- A Saga – Part 2
A Recall
Past quaint green parkland we had walked towards Hughenden Manor-Benjamin Disraeli’s home, who was Queen Victoria’s favourite, 19th century British Prime Minister. The other attraction was to discern secrets of World War-II, in the post Disraeli era.
Special Courtyard that holds the final resting place of Disraeli and his family
We were in High Wycombe in England and had visited this great Statesman’s Country home that had 600 acres of picturesque woodland and parkland attached to it! Additionally we were to visit the 12th century Saint Michael and All Saints Church that holds Disraeli’s grave too.
Green meadows way to the medeival Hughenden manoe- Britain’s Prime minister Bejamin Disraeli home
Disraeli and India of the 19th Century
It is recorded that in the year 1858, the then Prime minister Lord Palmerston introduced a legislation for direct rule of India by the Crown then Benjamin Disraeli of the Conservative party opposed it! Many Conservative MP’s declined to support him and the Bill passed the House of Commons easily!
Ironically years later in 1877, Benjamin Disraeli became the Conservative party Prime Minister and had to declare Queen Victoria as the Empress of India! Though India was already under the Crown control since 1858 but this was a motion of further attaching India to Britain!! The first time since the death of her husband Prince Albert, Queen Victoria opened the British Parliament to pronounce the change in the royal title- the Empress of India. Subsequently, celebrations were held in Delhi which came to be known as the grand Delhi- Durbar of 1st January 1877!
Many believe that the phrase ‘Jewel of the Crown’ for India is ascribed to Benjamin Disraeli!
12th century Church- Spiritual Trail
As I walked towards the 12th century Church I recalled that extensions to the old Church were added upon, in the centuries to come as the 13th century Nave (central passage) that we reached now. A Wedding preparations seemed to be in progress with an impressive display of attractive bunches of flowers everywhere!
Garden
The splendid gardens behind Hughenden house
Summer Flowers at Hughenden manor gardens
The medieval Hughenden manor- simple facade with splendid interiors
The stone Font with a carved wooden lid, on our right was an original one used to baptize or christen the babies by immersion- ‘the starting point for many people on their journey of Faith”!!
The Font for christening babies decorated for the forthcoming wedding
Admiring a beautifully intricately carved Pulpit of Archangel Saint Michael and more angels we climbed the steps to the stunning Chancel at the end of the Nave near the Altar. This is an original part of the 12th century Church – each and every part of the ceiling, walls and floor a visual treat. It had been redone in the 19th century. The backdrop of the expensive Stained glass windows depict Jesus and scenes of Bible.
Expensive Stained Glass behind Altar window depicting religious scenes
The exceptionally beautiful finely carved Pulpit
The unique ‘Only-one’ Memorial for Disraeli
On the North wall of the Chancel is the impressive distinct memorial to Benjamin Disraeli- the Earl of Beaconsfield and the Prime minister of Britain.
I recalled seeing the Journal exhibited in the Hughendon Manor related to the Queen Victoria’s mourning at Disraeli’s death on 19th April 1881. In the Journal, the Queen writes that it is an irreparable loss of a great friend and consequently she isolated herself to her royal bedroom for 4 days after he passed away! A monument in Disraeli’s memory was erected at the parish Church on behalf of the Queen and it remains, till date, the ‘only one’ made by a reigning Monarch for a subject; that we were visiting.
The Memorial Plaque further states-
This Memorial is Placed by His Grateful Sovereign and Friend Victoria R.I.
Kings Love Him That Speaketh Right
February 27 1882
The distinctive Plaque in memory of Disraeli by Queen Victoria herself !
Funeral & Grave in the Church Courtyard
We discovered that the Hughendon Memorial Fund set up in memory of Disraeli had donated the fabulous Music- Organ, the delicate beautiful Murals depicting child Jesus, Mother Mary, Kings, the 4 writers of the Gospels & the 4 greater Prophets in the Chancel area.
Wedding flowers decorated original Chancel area inside the Church
Past wedding flowers decorators we walked out of the Church to the Disraeli- tomb in the front churchyard. It is a large Crypt that is not just Disraeli’s last resting place but also holds the remains of his family enclosed in a fine-designed cast iron low fence painted indigo blue with attractive stone arches, pillars and tiny floral bouquets on the Church Wall interspersed with greenery around.
A closeup of Disraeli and his family tombs
We remembered seeing a hauntingly beautiful painting while on the tour of the Hughendon manor earlier captioned Disraeli’s-funeral depicting a sad group proceeding towards the Saint Michael and All Saints Church outside Hughendon Manor. Queen Victoria offered her friend Benjamin Disraeli a burial at the central London cemetery of Westminster Abbey but he chose to be laid to rest next to his wife here in a simple Christian ceremony. He was a paradox- born Jewish and baptized Christian!!
A painting in the Hughenden manor that depicts Disraeli’s funeral
Au Revoir
We drove back with pleasant memories of the extraordinary life of the 19th century’s great statesman- Benjamin Disraeli, his India connection and the spectacular sceneries around the Manor alongwith Disraeli’s simple grave in the peaceful surroundings.
Hughenden manor
Presentation of Book Timeless Trails at Hughenden manor office