She was one of George IV’s favourite writers, and Brighton famously features in one of her most popular novels, Pride & Prejudice, and in her unfinished last work, Sanditon, but can we claim Jane Austen as a Sussex woman? And … Continued
Katharina Alexandra Dorothea von Lieven (1785-1857), nee Benckendorff, later Princess Lieven, was one of the most illustrious, influential and charismatic women in early 19th century Europe and Russia, and a witty commentator on Georgian life. Born into Livonian (modern-day Latvian) … Continued
Last month some Royal Pavilion & Museums staff had the opportunity to do a Tunnel Tour; a glimpse into the lesser-seen servant areas of the Royal Pavilion. Hidden beneath the regal glamour of the Royal Pavilion lie a series of … Continued
Curator Alexandra Loske on the Brighton Cup, a trophy that’s currently on display in Brighton Museum, and how George IV supported horse racing in Brighton. It is well known that George IV was a connoisseur of all things bling and … Continued
Today marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Jane Austen. To commemorate the event we have created a new temporary display, Jane Austen by the Sea, which can be seen in the Prince Regent Gallery in the Royal Pavilion. It … Continued
George IV had no fewer than 14 siblings. Of these it was his brother William who left the most visible mark on the appearance of the Royal Pavilion. He succeeded George to the throne as William IV in 1830 and … Continued
Recently, we had to remove the lower section of the mural (dado panel) on the northeastern wall of the Music Room as the lath and plaster wall behind it was damaged. The plaster was carefully repaired and the mural was … Continued
As part of the new series of talks, Pavilion Tales, I decided to find out just exactly what it was that was Inside George’s Breeches. A famously overweight king with the finest kitchens in Europe was sure to have a … Continued
Visitors to Preston Manor often ask how the Stanfords managed to maintain and finance not only the Manor itself but also the Pythouse estate in Wiltshire, 3 Ennismore Gardens in South Kensington, a yacht and large houses in Madeira and … Continued
Fashion & Style Gallery The Fashion & Style gallery draws on Brighton & Hove Museums’ costume collection to produce displays that explore a series of inter-related themes. The themes selected reflect different aspects of Brighton life. The current displays in the gallery … Continued
George IV’s love life provided rich material for Regency caricaturists. Their satires focus on George’s libido and show him seducing married women, servants and kitchen maids, or even paying off prostitutes. James Gillray represented George as a goat, a classic … Continued
George IV was a great patron of the arts.He undertook several large architectural projects and constantly altered and refurnished his existing residences. He collected paintings by European masters, such as Rembrandt and van Dyck, as well as contemporary British painters … Continued
Adapted from the article “Fit for a King” by Ann Noon, The Royal Pavilion Review, April 1997. Nearly twenty years after the storming of the Bastille, a French Revolution of a very different kind was to change the course of … Continued
George IV (1762-1830) entered Westminster Hall at 10.30am on Thursday 19 July 1821, almost half an hour late, to join the assembled court. From here there was a large procession to Westminster Abbey, with George arriving at the West Door … Continued
Fashion & Style Gallery The Fashion & Style gallery draws on Brighton & Hove Museums’ costume collection to produce displays that explore a series of inter-related themes. The themes selected reflect different aspects of Brighton life. The current displays in the gallery … Continued
Visitors to Preston Manor often ask how the Stanfords managed to maintain and finance not only the Manor itself but also the Pythouse estate in Wiltshire, 3 Ennismore Gardens in South Kensington, a yacht and large houses in Madeira and … Continued
It’s a funny thing – a legacy. In the world of museums, there is a lot of work done to conserve the legacies of past generations of artists and craftspeople. Over the last fifty years, millions of pounds and hours have … Continued
The Silver Tea-Pot A silver tea-pot by Robert Garrard, made in 1817, recently came up for sale at the Bonham’s Auction House, London. On the base was the following inscription: Gift of HRH Princess Elizabeth to Joseph Ince, Page to … Continued
Tracy Anderson, a post-doctoral researcher from the University of Sussex, is delving into the real lives of the servants and staff who once walked the tiled corridors and the backstairs of the Pavilion. For three weeks now I have been … Continued
It may afford some satisfaction to the inhabitants of Brighthelmstone, to say (and we speak from good authority) that the executive Government being lodged in the Prince, will not prevent his honouring Brighton, occasionally, with his royal presence, dusirng the … Continued
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