have been writing these little anecdotes and memories of the Baron now for over nine years. They were in the back of my jumbled mind far longer than that. During the course of setting them down on paper I have developed a love-hate relationship with the characters depicted. I have always been antagonistic toward unwarranted privilege and yet these people have become real to me with all their foibles. Although they are merely fiction, their attitudes and behaviour remain their own and certainly not mine.
There may well be inaccuracies of fact or inconsistencies in the texts, although they are researched as much as possible. If anyone had told me years ago that I would spend time reading Debrett’s or Burke’s Peerage I would have thought they were being facetious, likewise researching police practise, modern farming methods, etc., let alone maintaining an historical diary for non-existant people.
There are now new pages giving an idea of the characters of the stories. These will be expanded in due course.
Whilst by no means comprehensive, they are intended to give a rough guide to the new reader.
For the benefit of our overseas readers, and others who may be unaware of the correct pronunciation of some of the older English names of the Baron’s acquaintances, it ought to be pointed out that Cholmondeley is pronounced chumly, Belvoir beaver, Colquhoun cuhoon and Featherstonehaugh fanshaw.
Lastly, Affucton should be pronounced af’t’n.
Bart. is short for Baronet and is added to a person’s name to distinguish them from a knight. A Baronet is the highest rank outside the peerage.
Most of these musings of the Baron, occasionally interspersed with writing and correspondence of other members of his family, were first published in hard copy in 'The International Rag'. All the Baron stories on the interag have only been edited by the author.
have been writing these little anecdotes and memories of the Baron now for over nine years. They were in the back of my jumbled mind far longer than that. During the course of setting them down on paper I have developed a love-hate relationship with the characters depicted. I have always been antagonistic toward unwarranted privilege and yet these people have become real to me with all their foibles. Although they are merely fiction, their attitudes and behaviour remain their own and certainly not mine.
There may well be inaccuracies of fact or inconsistencies in the texts, although they are researched as much as possible. If anyone had told me years ago that I would spend time reading Debrett’s or Burke’s Peerage I would have thought they were being facetious, likewise researching police practise, modern farming methods, etc., let alone maintaining an historical diary for non-existant people.