The 8th March is International Women’s Day and the theme for 2026 is “Give to Gain”. This campaign theme aims to improve gender equality through generosity, collaboration and reciprocity via the sharing of resources, knowledge or time. In the spirit of this, a woman from Middleton Hall’s history stands out: Ernestine de Hamel (née Donovan). Ernestine was born on 20th July 1857 in Brighton, Sussex. She was the daughter of Alexander Donovan, Deputy Lieutenant, and Ellen Poulett Thomson. On 21st...

The next entry in the Middleton household accounts for Sir Henry Willoughby in 1526 was dated 2nd March. It was described as money paid to Mr Palmer’s servant for his costs, from London and to return to London, when he brought a letter for Sir Henry from King Henry VIII. The amount was 13 shillings 4 pence, which was the equivalent of about £294.18 today. Although many letters from King Henry to Sir Henry have survived, it has not yet been possible to definitely associate a surviving letter...

The next entry in the Middleton household accounts for Sir Henry Willoughby in 1526 was dated 21st February. It was described as money paid to Mistress Alice to gift in reward at the christening of Hugh Avery’s child. The amount was 20 pence, which was the equivalent of about £36.77 today. The Mistress Alice referred to in this entry was Sir Henry Willoughby’s youngest daughter. She was about 14 years old at the time of this entry and, although already married to Richard Draycott, was still...