DAY 5

Shelton Day. I’ve waited 40 years for this day. Actually, I never thought as a child that seeing the sites I saw today would ever be possible. For more about that, go here.

In a nutshell, I’ve researched my Shelton family history since I was about 9 or 10 years old pouring over only two pages of this geneology book. Since then (and since the internet), I’ve been able to cast my search net much wider. In just the last 5 years, I’ve started making more connections to folks in America all searching for the same information: Were the Shelton’s really connected to the Tudor court or was it all just a great family story to pass down?

It’s true. It’s all true. And I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

Before leaving for England, we’d already traced my lineage directly back to Sir Ralph Shelton. Sir Ralph was the grandson of Nicholas de Shelton (one of the Magna Carta barons who kidnapped King John). Since that time, the Sheltons were gaining power and popularity. Sir Ralph built a church and rectory in the village of Great Snoring north of Norwich. After a bit, he and his family moved a few miles south and built a manor house, Shelton Hall, and its adjacent church, St. Mary’s Shelton.

This was my destination. Seeing Shelton Hall, a place I’d only dreamed about as a kid, that was a reality. Visiting the church where my ancestors worshipped, were married and interred…amazing. Did I mention that Sir John Shelton (son of Ralph) was a force with the Tudor Court of Henry VIII? Sir John was married to Anne, also a Boleyn and aunt to the famous Anne. So, during the unrest following Anne Boleyn’s death and later, the King’s, both Princesses Elizabeth and Mary spent time under the eye of their uncle and aunt. Rumors have it that there was actually an underground tunnel that connected Shelton Hall to the church so the princesses could travel in secret without fear of kidnapping.

Now, about the day:

• Helen’s house & garden – It is true, she has become a dear friend and I’m forever grateful to all the forces who connected us. She wanted to show me her house and sweet garden and I’m so glad she did!
• Old Ram Restaurant – My first traditional English Sunday roast. Wow! Now, I would compare what I had to our Thanksgiving meal but the vegetables were the star! We chose the turkey roast, so good. Everything was on one plate and expertly positioned: roast parsnips, roast potatoes, roast carrots, swede (rutabaga), Yorkshire pudding, cranberry sauce and stuffing (this was served like little fried nuggets of stuffing). And then….sticky toffee pudding.
• Helen’s dad’s house & garden – Gordon Cann is such a sweet, soft spoken man. He’s constantly active either gardening, farming or biking. He’s 75! Mr. Cann is the one with the connection to the Hall. I’m so grateful for his help.
• Shelton Hall – Some of the foundation is original, but the home that Ralph built was badly damaged in a fire and had to be rebuilt. The moat is still in tact as is one of the barns – or at least part of a barn.
• Helen’s brother’s house, garden & farm – This reminded me of my Uncle Denny so much. The outbuildings, the equipment, the farm itself. Probably the closest to home I’ve felt so far.
• St. Mary’s Church at Shelton – This was like stepping back in time. Here, there was family history depicted within the stained glass windows. The royal blue and yellow cross of the Shelton shield, the shells and tuns, the Tudor roses. There was a tiny pew that was built specifically for Princess Elizabeth. Several family members were interred in the chancel. I couldn’t get enough of reading through this thick blue binder that Helen nicknamed the Shelton Bible. It really is. I tried to scan as much as I could. What a remarkable building – still no electricity. It really is nearly unchanged after 700 years.
• American airfield and memorial – This was just a quick bonus of the day: seeing one of the American airfields. Norwich and this area, Hempnall, were hit hard during the Blitz.