9 minute read
Diving into History
In this exclusive interview Lord Charles Spencer, younger brother of the late Princess Diana, talks to Nicola McGeorge about his love of bringing history to life, diving for buried treasure, and ‘that’ speech.
Historian and author Charles, the 9th Earl Spencer, oversees Althorp estate, the family’s ancestral seat in Northamptonshire with his wife Karen Gordon. The maternal uncle of Princes William and Harry, Charles’ heartfelt eulogy paying tribute to his sister Diana, the Princess of Wales often appears in lists of great speeches of the 20th century. He has written several books, including the Sunday Times best-seller, Blenheim: Battle for Europe. His latest work, The White Ship is a riveting real-life Game of Thrones, a truly thrilling tale.
When did you decide you wanted to become a writer?
After leaving university, I spent 10 years as a reporter for the American network NBC. There I learnt to ‘write a picture.’ That is, I wrote down scripts that were closely linked to the footage shot for my reports. While I enjoyed all aspects of foreign reporting (I was lucky enough to visit over 30 countries during this period), writing was the part of my profession that most appealed to me. It was only a short step from that to writing books.
What draws you to the history genre?
I always loved history. I recently found a school report from when I was five years old in which my lovely headmistress, Miss Lowe, mentions this passion of mine. Dated 1969 she wrote, ‘Charles seems to adore history.’ To me, history is not simply about dry and dusty facts, it’s more about people
watching. We actually haven’t changed much as a species in the last few hundred years, so the way people reacted to triumph and disasters way back then, is much the same now.
How do you choose which era to write about?
It’s not so much the general era, as the actual story that attracts me. I like to write about dramatic figures or moments from history that have been semi or completely forgotten by younger generations. This is because history is no longer a compulsory subject in schools, so of course, teachers tend to offer Hitler or Henry VIII to pupils in order to fill their classrooms. The topics and characters I write about, the Battle of Blenheim, Prince Rupert of the Rhine, the execution of Charles I, were all normal historical subjects when I was growing up in the 70s and early 80s. Now they are very much on the back burner, which I find very sad and I would go as far as saying I think it’s wrong.
The White Ship - Why do you think this period of history isn’t well known?
The White Ship was the medieval equivalent of the Titanic, and yet the White Ship’s sinking had much more of a dramatic impact on its time. King Henry I had two dozen children, but only one legitimate heir, and he drowned alongside the flower of the AngloNorman aristocracy. This catastrophe eventually sealed the doom of the Normandy dynasty ruling
England and led to the Plantagenets taking over the throne. They occupied it for more than 300 years until the Tudors took over. Given the enormity of the tragedy, I believe the fate of The White Ship and its ramifications should be more well known. It remains the most catastrophic shipwreck in England’s history 900 years on.
You are partaking in a dive to find the remains of the 12th-century “White Ship”, what are your expectations?
Indeed. Our diving team will be in action on 8th June, off the coast of Normandy, and I will be there – although not in a wet suit! The White Ship went down in 1120. While it is apparently just possible that we might locate other objects from her, what we are concentrating on is a search for surviving metalwork, rivets and nails. One of our team is the leading expert on ancient metal and knows what we are looking for. The two main people behind this dive have been involved in Sutton Hoo and the famous Saxon ship grave found there, which was the subject of the hugely successful TV film, ‘The Dig’.
Which of your books would you like to be made into a film and who would you like cast?
I think ‘Killers of the King’ would make a truly dramatic movie. It’s the tale of the 80 men who were behind the execution of Charles I, and what happened to them once Charles II unexpectedly
took to the throne a decade later. The guilty men scattered across Britain, Europe and even as far as America. Charles II hunted them down for the entire 25 years of his reign. There are incredible, (but true) tales of good and bad luck. One traitor who helped track down several of the King’s killers was a man called Downing, who was richly rewarded for his skulduggery. With some of his ill-gotten gains he bought part of London, which now boasts a famous street named after him – yes, that’s right - Downing Street! With assassination attempts, Native Americans and cunning disguises, I think it could be quite gripping. I have always seen Colin Firth in this movie.
Can you share any insights into your writing routine?
When I am researching, I am best in the morning. My mind is fresh and uncluttered. I keep all my research in several huge lever arch files. I used to prepare my notes by hand, but now I commit it all to my keyboard. When it comes to the actual writing part, I do four hours a day, any more and I find my prose gets a little uneven and repetitive. I go through the finished book script about eight times, smoothing it out for the reader. Each book takes about three years to complete. I am currently writing my eighth.
What do you like to read?
I prefer to listening to audiobooks, rather than actually reading. I suspect that’s because I have to read so much for research. My taste is eclectic. I’ve recently listened to an autobiography by the actor Rupert Everett, Michael Jones’s fabulous biography of The Black Prince, Stephen Fry reading P.G. Wodehouse, and a brilliant book about the story of 17th century Rome by the ludicrously intelligent Loyd Grossman.
The eulogy you gave for Princess Diana often appears in lists of great speeches of the 20th century, why do you believe this is?
Well, of course, it is a speech that I wish with all my heart that I had never had to give. That is obvious. I don’t know why it struck a chord at the time, but I can say that I thought very hard about what I needed to achieve in it, to speak on Diana’s behalf now that she tragically had no voice. I think the simplicity of the aim was very helpful to me. It kept me on track.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
gave up cricket, and now play bad tennis with my children instead. I have a mountain bike, but luckily it’s an e-bike too, which means I can flick a switch to help me with the steeper hills!
Northamptonshire is very close to your family’s heart. What do you love most about the county?
It fits with my ethos as a writer. In fact, I feel it’s such a pity that more people don’t know about Northamptonshire – it’s beauty, history and unique charm. As the old cliché goes, it is generally a county people travel through rather than go to. Without wishing to sound patronising, the people here are special – mixing a good sense of humour with the ability to be at ease with themselves. I
love the sporting heritage of the county. We have regular tickets to the Saints for rugby, and I am a proud patron of the Northants County Cricket Club. Meanwhile I’m also connected to the Royal & Derngate, which is one of the finest regional theatres in the country. There’s much to shout about regarding this relatively quiet county.
Will Althorp be opening the grounds this summer and what can visitors expect?
We will be open for 60 days in July and August, (every day except the 5th July and the 31st August.) The house, grounds and Spencer exhibition all have much to offer. People come from all over the world usually, but I can imagine we will be welcoming many staycationers instead this summer. It’s a classically English setting once you enter the gates here, and it’s very unstuffy. We genuinely welcome our visitors, people seem to appreciate that.
What are your plans for the future of the estate?
My wife, Karen and I are making the estate ever more environmentally ‘clean’ and recently appointed a conservation officer to see that the agriculture and forestry is thought out more. We are helping to clear and clean water courses, use less chemical fertilisers, plant more wild flower banks, and the like. We want to foster wildlife. Karen recently welcomed a herd of dairy cattle who are treated with enormous respect. We make sure that calf and mother stay together, rather than be separated at birth. It’s called ‘the calf at foot dairy,’ and belongs to an inspiring lady who works closely with my wife. I should add that my wife is crazy about animals, we currently have two orphaned lambs that follow her everywhere. I’m not sure if our nine year old lab is enjoying the competition for affection.
