I’m sure that you’ll recognise this picture. Its custodian, the V&A, says it “is perhaps the most famous of English miniatures. It epitomises the romantic Elizabethan age and is a masterpiece of miniature paintings by its greatest exponent, Nicholas Hilliard. The large elongated oval shape of this miniature was never repeated in Hilliard’s work and must relate to the now unknown purpose of the object. Possibly it was incorporated into an expensive object such as a looking-glass.”
It’s a portrait of young man in fashionable court dress leaning against a tree behind a thicket of roses. What is there one can possibly say about it that isn’t that obvious. As anyone who’s ever looked closely at paintings of this period will tell you, there’s an awful lot! So here are some questions. Who is he? Why is dressed as he is? Why is he posed in this way? Are the roses significant? and what does the inscription mean – did you even notice the inscription?
My partner recently had a serious attack of Pteridomania! As a consequence there’s hardly a corner of 0ur tiny back garden that doesn’t show signs of this terrible ailment. There is evidence of this not only out in the open but also hidden away underneath other things, and its even affected the bathroom. The problem is that the disease is contagious so unless I’m careful I’ll succumb too and I don’t think that Pfizer or Astra Zeneca have produced a preventative vaccine yet. But luckily it isn’t a physical complaint and doesn’t require medication just the occasional quick misting or another surreptitious addition to the garden. 
The castle looks as if it should be in a children’s story. Although it’s small it’s perfectly formed with battlements, a moat with a drawbridge and a flag. In front, lining the approach path is a collection of topiary and behind it what appears to be a half-timbered Tudor village. All lovely but nothing compared with the hidden delights of Hever which are tucked away out of obvious and immediate sight.
