It was much harder to contest a will back then. In most US states NOW, if you are married–as Gregson was–your spouse still gets some share of your estate, usually one-third, unless (s)he signed a prenup.
That was NOT the case in the UK in 1924. Back then, land often was entailed, meaning that it went to the oldest male heir.The current male occupier couldn’t change that UNLESS the heir joined him in changing the line of succession.(That was only in the later period, not earlier on.) When he died, his widow got her “dower,” which often took the form, in the landed classes, of a dower house where she could live. Some jewelry, literally “the family jewels,” also had to pass down in the family and nobody had the right to sell it or give it away.
Personal property, which is what Gregson left, could be left to whomever one pleased. It would have been very hard to contest the will. Presumably, Gregson, a wealthy man, had good lawyers.
First Rose and Daisy are in the live-action version of Cinderella, now Dan Stevens (the late Matthew) will be playing the Beast in the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast with Emma Watson as Belle.
Much has been written comparing Downton to Upstairs Downstairs. Have any of you actually watched Upstairs Downstairs lately? My mom has the complete series on DVD so H and I have started to watch it. My my my my my. In the first season it is at least s racy has Downton has ever been. And talk about mean…the folks both upstairs and downstairs (but mostly downstairs) are SO MEAN. I mean really really mean to each other. They make Mary and Edith’s banter seem loving.
I watched a little thinking it would help me get my fix between Downton seasons but I couldn’t handle the non-HD, aged video quality. Maybe I will try it again.
I started watching it, too, but I quickly realized that what I really love about Downton are the setting, costumes and general fabulousness of Highclere Castle and its contents. And Maggie Smith. So the small dose of Upstairs Downstairs was not satisfying.
I would be happy with an episode where Lord Grantham simply created an inventory of his possessions for insurance purposes, with the Dowager Countess making witty remarks.
There could be a whole series - The Fashion of Downton Abbey, with a special of The Hats of Downton Abbey. The Tableware of Downton Abbey, with a special of The Silver of Downton Abbey. The Furniture of Downton Abbey, with a special of The Knick-Knacks of Downton Abbey. The Rejected/Missing/Deceased Boyfriends/Fiances/Husbands of Downton Abbey.
Winterthur made a ton of $$ off the DA costume exhibit. It was quite nicely done, and compared/contrasted with the DuPont family holdings and lifestyle. (I visited twice! Accidentally deleted the pics in my haste to clear memory on my camera before our big trip last fall.) Their attendance numbers were up by several hundred percent during that time. I saw someone post that the exhibit is now at the Biltmore estate.