Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Monday, 12 January 2026

Apethorpe


Northamptonshire has an incredible collection of historic country houses, built with the local limestone and which are a wonderful assemblage, mostly, but by no means exclusively, from the century between the reformation and the Civil War.

I recently came across a 70 minute video about the history and saving of one of these great houses, one which has had little recognition because it has not been on the country house visit route, but that has now changed. It is Apethorpe - now designated Apethorpe Palace - whose heyday was in the reign, and under the patronage, of King James I.

The video does suffer from narration with an AI voice that occasionally mispronounces, notably King James’ regnal numeral, and a script which is unnecessarily loquacious but which is visually impressive - except from when it intrudes a view of another Northamptonshire great house, Deene Park. However despite those criticisms it is worth watching. It is also worth giving thanks for those who saved and are saving this amazing piece of the national heritage.


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