Ines and I went to Waddesdon the other day. It was the 1st of June, and for Ines's birthday, we thought we should visit the place. She had wanted to go there for some time, and I took the day off from work because it was last Thursday. Waddesdon Manor is not far from where we live, about 49 miles (79km) towards Aylesbury via M25.
The Rothschild family originated from the Jewish ghetto in Frankfurt, Germany. They became the most powerful banking family of the 19th century. There were five brothers, and their family crest or coat of arms has five arrows.
They established a multinational bank in Europe's financial capitals. Waddesdon Manor was built by Baron Ferdinand (1839-1898), who was born in Paris and raised in Frankfurt and Vienna. His mother was an English Rothschild, and his father was from the Viennese branch of the family. He permanently lived in England since 1860 and married his cousin Evelin. Sadly, she passed away during childbirth in 1866.
Above is their family tree, and the entire family is shown below.
He had an unmarried sister, Alice (1847-1922), and he left his estate to her. She came to England after her mother died and was raised by her elder sister Mathilde in Germany. When she moved to England, she acted as a housekeeper to Ferdinand's estate. She formulated "Miss Alice's Rules," which were guidelines for the care and preservation of the collections in the manor. She also owned the adjacent estate of Eythrope.
lice left both her estates to her great-nephew James De Rothschild (1878-1957), who was Mathilde's grandson. He married Dorothy Pinto, who was English. He added his father's art collection to Waddesdon Manor.
What interested me the most was Rothschild's involvement in the creation of the State of Israel.
1. This is the letter from foriegn secretary, Arthur james Balfour to lord Rothchild, 2/11/1917 -sending copy of the Balfour Declaration, a public statement by the British Government to Lord Rothchild announcing their support for the establishement of a "national home for the jewish People" in palestine.
9. Gold coin issued in 2017 to commeroate teh 25th annivarsary of teh supreme court building - the coin has a relief of the Supreme Court building surmounted by a menorah flanked by two olive branches (official symbol of the State Israel) and on the reverse a relief of teh courtroom with arched ceilings. its inscribed with "Excute the judgement of truth and peace in your gate" in Hebrew, arabic and in English around the border
2.Three medals honoring baron Edmond De Rothschild - medals were presented to Dorothy de Rothchild in 1982 to commemorate the 34th annivarsary of Israeli Independence
4. Ceremonial Key to the Knesset presented to Dorothy de Rothschild (1895-1988) in 1982 - The knesset is the Israeli parliament buyilding, built in the government quarter in Jerusalem and financed via bequest from james de Rothschild. The building was dedicated on 31st of August 1966 and the new win constructed between 1981 and 1992.
10. First day cover to commemorate the opening of the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on 17 September 1992, It was build with the funding by Dorothy de Rothschlild and Yad Hanadiv - Rothschild charitable foundation
3. Two medals honoring Baron Edmond De Rothschild and James de Rothschild (1878-1957)
5. Proof coin commemorating the knesset and Israel's 17th Annivarsary of Independence
6. Commemorative trowel - Inscribed in Hebrew "With this trowel, mrs Dorothy de Rothschild laid the foundation stone of the Knesset building in Jerusalem".
6. 500 Shekel Note - Issued by the Israely government in 1982 to commemorate the centenary of Baron Edmond's work in Palestine.8. medal commemorating Baron Edmond and James de Rothschild
One of the most important parts for me was obviously the wine cellar. It consists of a huge underground cellar and tasting rooms.
It also had some old wine bottles signed by Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and Lady Diana.
The list of signatures is below.
Finally, here are two important art pieces from the collection. These were very detailed artworks. And here are some pictures from the Rothschild treasury. The stones are real diamonds.
This is an amazing collection of art, valuable items, and some historically important documents on display. Visit if you can.
-Ajith Dharmakeerthi 05/06/2023
