Hanging Arundel

With certain royal nuptials occurring today across the pond, it seemed fitting to pay a blog visit to Arundel, and peripherally, one of the world's most famous wedding planners - by royal decree, if not by reputation.

But first, before we get there, it was time for Foster Tours to take us through the booming English metropolis known as Burpham.

The village of Burpham is roughly five square miles, with a current population reported at around 145.  This particular misty afternoon, we boosted those numbers by 5.

The gorgeous village with the rolling hills also holds the regal claim of birthing one of the greatest cricket players in the history of the sport.

Here he is revisiting his Glory Days, regaling us Yanks with some of the tales of his youth, replete with all the triumphant victories one could imagine would accompany any tale of a cricket game. 

The village literally has one main street, consisting of thatched flint cottages.

It's also home to the Church of England parish of Saint Mary, which has its own lepers' window by which lepers could watch a Mass back in the day when leprosy was a thing.

Its rich literary history also sang to our dear friend Martin, and serves still as the burial site for his favorite poet, Mervyn Peake, author of the fantasy Gormenghast. 

This afternoon, folks were feeling a little sheepish. 

My favorite gals hanging out at the town's wall 

From Burpham, it was on to nearby Arundel, home to the Brewers and of course, the Red Lion.

Arundel, and its castle take on a special meaning today, of all days.

Arundel Castle has been the principal seat of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for more than 850 years.  It was built in the 11th Century by Roger de Montgomery, the Earl of Arundel.  It was seized by the crown in 1102.

To this day, it still serves as the home of the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk and their children.

The Duke of Norfolk, who is currently Edward Fitzalan-Howard, the 18th Duke of Norfolk, is the premiere duke in the peerage of England.  His seat, is somewhere in the castle over our shoulders.

So why is this of particular interest today?

One of the other duties of the Duke of Norfolk includes helping to plan, of all things, weddings in the monarchy.

Cheers to all!