Stars and Stripes in England

[usscouse]

This my friends is Sulgrave Manor in the heart of England. You may ask "What is the Stars and Bars flying outside a house there" Well I'll tell you. (Whether you asked or not.)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c116/1scouse/Sulgrave%20Manor/SulgraveManor.jpg

The house today belongs to 'All' the peoples of the United States and of the United Kingdom. Why? Well make yourselves comfortable for this is today’s history lesson. (Short version)

In 1539 a man known as Lawrence Washington bought this land from King Henry V111. Henry had a bit of spare land at this time seeing he'd just kicked the Catholic Church out of England and acquired all of their considerable holdings. Lawrence then had Sulgrave Manor Built.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c116/1scouse/Sulgrave%20Manor/Front.jpg

Lawrence a descendent of William de Hertburne, who settled in the town of Wessyngton, changed his name to William de Wessyngton then later to William Washington.

A hundred years or more later, another Lawrence Washington chose to support the wrong team during the English Civil War (1645) and got his backside booted and lost Sulgrave, while his King lost his head. This Lawrence died in poverty.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c116/1scouse/Sulgrave%20Manor/Backentry.jpg

His son John however took off and moved to the colonies in Virginia. Being a typical limey he married well there and ended up with a wedding present of a 700-acre estate known as Mattox Creek where his son, you guessed it Lawrence was born.

You all know where it goes from here. Two more generations and on 22nd February 1732, along came George, the first Prez.

[usscouse]

An interesting side note from this is the Washington family heraldic crest over the door at Sulgrave. It’s from a former Washington who fought with (Warlike bloody lot these Washington’s) Henry 111 in the Battle of Crecy 1346 and won three spurs during two engagements (Winning Spurs back then was like winning medals for bravery)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c116/1scouse/Sulgrave%20Manor/Crest.jpg

Heraldic stars represent the spurs and the red stripes represent fields of blood or battles.

So endeth the lesson.

Or, What I did during my summer holidays.


I couldn't post as one article, too many images!

[DamonEsquire]

Wait a minute. Did somebody say 'Kick the Church Out"? Pretty dang modern to be from 1500's and great detective work by you.
Ex-pastor's trading cost church $163,000
Little Flock finds other financial woes (http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060923/NEWS01/609230376)

[thespinydogfish]

This my friends is Sulgrave Manor in the heart of England. You may ask "What is the Stars and Bars flying outside a house there" Well I'll tell you. (Whether you asked or not.)

Just want to straighten up a minor fact: that's the "stars and stripes" flying there. The "Stars and bars" refers to the Confederate Battle Flag carried by Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

[JeremyEritrea]

Just want to straighten up a minor fact: that's the "stars and stripes" flying there. The "Stars and bars" refers to the Confederate Battle Flag carried by Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.
Actually, this is the "Stars and Bars"
http://americancivilwar.com/south/conflag/stars_ba.gif

And this is the "Confederate Battle Flag"
http://americancivilwar.com/south/conflag/confed_b.gif

http://americancivilwar.com/south/conflag/southflg.html

[thespinydogfish]

Actually, this is the "Stars and Bars"
http://americancivilwar.com/south/conflag/stars_ba.gif

And this is the "Confederate Battle Flag"
http://americancivilwar.com/south/conflag/confed_b.gif

http://americancivilwar.com/south/conflag/southflg.html

Gads, you're right!

[TeamUSA]

Super pictures and a nice history note too. How do the locals feels about the US flag flying out there? I'll guess they are fine with it because of the history associated with the house.

[JBigjake]

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c116/1scouse/Sulgrave%20Manor/Crest.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_Washington%2C_D.C..svg
Flag of Washington, D.C., based on the Coat of Arms of George Washington.

[usscouse]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_Washington%2C_D.C..svg
Flag of Washington, D.C., based on the Coat of Arms of George Washington.So now we know where it originated and why. Interesting history and a really special place to visit. The Manor is well kept up and the local people are quite proud of the connection. They do a really neat tour of the house our guide had some really good tales to tell of the family and the way of life in those days.

Team USA: Americans are usually well received in Britain, Just don't tell them how much you love the idiot that's missing from some village in Texas and you'll get along fine in the local pub.

My wife is from Oregon and I'm from Liverpool and she loves it over there. In fact we'll be near Sulgrave Manor next month for Xmas in England