Battling with flowers!

As part of the Blenheim Battle Days at Cliveden on 11-12 September 2004, Stephen "Abs" Wisdom of Ancient Wisdom played the role of the Earl of Orkney's Head Gardener (who in reality laid out Cliveden's grounds with trees in the shape of the Battle of Blenheim). "Abs" used his genius for explaining complex ideas simply when telling the story of the Duke of Marlborough's masterful defeat of the French and Bavarians in 1704. Roses (red for the British and allies, white for the French and Bavarians), a sunflower for King Louis (the Sun King), rope and string, vegetables and other inspired props amused, educated and enthralled audiences as the story unfolded!

You can enjoy this again at Clumber Park on 23-24 June 2007, don't miss it!

Photo: Howard Giles

Back to   Gallery 6     or    Clumber Park in the age of elegance

Updated 16 November 2006