01/09/2026
✨September's blog post round-up!✨
Here is our monthly round-up of blog posts coming out this September. You can find our blog here - https://www.middleton-hall.co.uk/blog
3rd September - 1526 Middleton Accounts - Purchase of heronsews for the visit of Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess of Dorset. This post examines what heronsews were and the role of the servants at Middleton called Cokes.
5th September - International Vulture Awareness Day - The Griffon Vulture from Francis Willughby's Ornithologia, which Willughby and Ray observed in Venice during their European Tour.
6th September - 1526 Middleton Accounts - Purchase of spices for the visit of Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess of Dorset. This post examines the different spices that we know were being purchased and used at Middleton in the early 16th century.
7th September - 1526 Middleton Accounts - Purchase of pears for the visit of Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess of Dorset. Based on the purchases and what we know of what type of food was available at Middleton in the early 16th century, this blog speculates on the nature of what the banquet menu might have been like.
9th September - 1526 Middleton Accounts - Sir Henry Willoughby sends one of his servants on a proxy pilgrimage to Garendon Abbey. This post delves a bit into the history of Garendon Abbey.
10th September - 1526 Middleton Accounts - Sir Henry Willoughby & Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess of Dorset & their retinues have left Middleton Hall, spending the previous night at Polesworth Abbey and are on their way to Bradgate Park. This post maps their possible diplomatically "safe" route.
11th September - Heritage Open Days: Everyday Histories #1 - This post focuses on Mrs Key, gardener of Middleton Hall in the early 16th century and what that role could involve.
12th September - Heritage Open Days: Everyday Histories #2 - This post focuses on John Hall, steward of Middleton Hall in the mid-16th century and what his role involved in his very turbulent time.
12th September - 1526 Middleton Accounts - Sir Henry Willoughby leaves Bradgate Park and travels with his retinue to Wollaton Hall. This post maps their possible route. However, Sir Henry forgot a gift so one of the Grey family's servants arrives at Wollaton with it. Sir Henry also sends one of his servants on pilgrimage to St Ann's Well in Buxton.
13th September - Heritage Open Days: Everyday Histories #3 - This post focuses on John Trussell, bailiff of Wollaton Hall at the same time as John Hall was steward of Middleton, providing an interesting comparison. Additionally includes information on his son Henry, also a servant of the Willoughby family.
14th September - Heritage Open Days: Everyday Histories #4 - This post focuses on Thomas Woodshaw, caterer and haymaker at Middleton Hall and also includes a brief overview of some other Woodshaws at Middleton from 1485-1922, most of whom were involved in food-production related activities on the Estate.
15th September - Heritage Open Days: Everyday Histories #5 - This post focuses on John Ray, specifically his role as a parson-academic and the nature of a life in that type of occupation in his era.
16th September - Heritage Open Days: Everyday Histories #6 - This post focuses on Elizabeth Tilley, governess of Middleton Hall in about 1890.
16th September - Plover Appreciation Day - The Golden Plover from Francis Willughby's Ornithologia.
17th September - Heritage Open Days: Everyday Histories #7. - This post is called Sisters in Domestic Service and focuses on the three Heath sisters who were all domestic servants at Middleton Hall in 1901. It was written by Amy Evans and was previously published on the old website in 2021 (post has been updated and edited).
18th September - Heritage Open Days: Everyday Histories #8 - This post focuses on some of the known workers of Philip de Marmion on the Middleton Estate in the late 13th century and delves a bit into their lives and occupations.
19th September - Heritage Open Days: Everyday Histories #9 - This post focuses on Gilbert Butlo and Charles Hobby, the butlers of Philip de Marmion and John Peel respectively and includes a comparison of how the occupation changed.
20th September - Heritage Open Days: Everyday Histories #10 - This post focuses on William Darby and Evelyn Dixon, the cooks of Sir Francis I Willoughby and John Averill respectively and includes a comparison of how the occupation changed.
25th September - 1526 Middleton Accounts - This post contains 5 entries from the Accounts. Sir Henry Willoughby has gone to church in Nottingham and made an offering at the rood and given alms. He also purchased cloth for a doublet for Catesby and horsecloths for his daughters Alice and Jane and also Catesby.
26th September - Diwrnod Ieithoedd Ewrop: Hanes Byr o Neuadd Middleton yn Gymraeg / European Day of Languages: A Brief History of Middleton Hall in Welsh.
30th September - National Sporting Heritage Day - This post focuses on some of the "running" and "leaping" games in Francis Willughby's Book of Games and the modern sport equivalent including the long jump, triple jump, pole vault and more.
30th September - 1526 Middleton Accounts - Sir Henry Willoughby pays his dues to the Fraternity of St Mary of the Chapel at the Sea at Newton-in-the-Isle, near Wisbech. He also pays toward an ale (feast) held by friars at Nottingham and then attends it.
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