A Royal Weekend Party, 1898
Were your ancestors domestic servants like Theophilus Gregory and Matilda Barber, who worked at Warwick Castle? Did they fish the North Sea like Matilda’s father or were they innkeepers like Theophilus’ wife? Were they entrepreneurs prepared to risk all like Winston Churchill’s grandfather or philanthropists like Daisy Greville? Will you discover illicit affairs, illegitimate children or aristocratic blood? Discover more of the family stories from those at Daisy’s Royal Weekend party at Warwick Castle:
Matilda Barber
Matilda was the Dowager’s maid and can be seen in the Dowager's Bedroom helping her to get ready for dinner. Matilda was born in Pakefield, Suffolk and her father and brother were fishermen whilst her mother and sister mended their nets and were known as beatsters.
Theophilus Gregory
Theophilus, followed his father into the family profession and became a butler at Warwick Castle. Theophilus’ mother was a coffee house keeper and his wife was also in the refreshment trade as she became an inn keeper!
Daisy, Countess
of Warwick
Frances, nicknamed Daisy, married the future Earl of Warwick at the age of 20. Daisy was a famous socialite and was the inspiration for the popular music hall song “Daisy, Daisy”. As a philanthropist she started a needlework school at Easton and Studley Agricultural College for Women. Daisy was a descendent of two of Charles II’s illegitimate children, through her mother’s side.
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill came from a long line of politicians, his father Randolph Churchill having been Secretary of State for India and Chancellor of the Exchequer. Winston’s mother Jennie, the daughter of financier and enterpreneur Leonard Jerome, was a strong and vivacious woman who conducted various affairs and married three times (twice to men younger than her son).
Francis Greville
Earl of Warwick
Francis was the 5th Earl of Warwick and was often known as “Brookie” due to the fact that he also held the family title of Lord Brooke. Francis was a politician and an MP before he succeeded his father, became Earl and entered the House of Lords, as was his father George, grandfather and great-grandfather.
1901 Census
for Warwick Castle
the 1901 census page for Warwick Castle shows who was at the castle on the night of the 31st March 1901, including those who worked there.
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