At the turn of the 20th century, Alice Charlotte von Rothschild was one of the wealthiest heiresses in Europe. Despite her pedigree and wealth, Alice chose not to be married. Despite her plainness, her cousins found her graceful and attractive. A fearless horsewoman, she reveled in her canine companions and, just like her cousins, developed the habit of travelling from one country estate to another, criss-crossing France, England and Germany.
In 1898, Alice’s widowed brother, Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild died childless. His estate, Waddesdon Manor, the grand French style country house built in Buckinghamshire, was inherited by Alice. For years, she was her brother’s constant companion after Ferdinand’s wife, wife Evelina (née de Rothschild), died in childbirth in 1866. Alice already possessed the impressive Eythrope, an estate adjoining her brother’s, but with her new inheritance, she set out into expanding Ferdinand’s already-extensive collections, adding up her own collection of arms and armour. Alice saw to it that her properties – especially her houses and gardens are maintained in immaculate condition. Despite being a stickler for order, Alice showed concern for her employees and tenants, all of whom enjoyed the best conditions and care.
 |
| Alice von Rothschild. Image from Rothschild Archive under Public Domain |
Alice Rothschild spent the equivalent of nearly half-a-million pounds every year on her gardens and grounds both in England and Grasse. Imperious in nature, Alice was a strong-willed person who spoke her mind. Once, during a visit to Waddesdon Queen Victoria (the Queen had earlier visited Waddesdon in 1890, when Ferdinand was still alive) stepped on a lawn and across a flower-bed, inadvertently crushing several plants.
The baroness could not contain herself and roughly told the sovereign in effect to “Get out.” Thereafter the Queen always referred to her as “The All-Powerful One'." The strong-willed Queen and Empress conceded that she had met her match!
.png)
0 Comments