Secrets of the Manor House

The early years of the twentieth century rank among the most peaceful in European history. In Britain's grand homes it was a time of glamour, high society, and unfettered optimism. The British aristocracy enjoyed life on vast estates as they had done for centuries. Retinues of servants, beautiful houses, and fabulous costumes: the parties were extravagant, the scandal was infamous. It's no surprise that some of the most popular dramas to hit our screens have been set against this rich and colorful backdrop. In reality, however, the picture was less than golden; the historic order was starting to crumble. With World War One looming, and new technology, money, and ideas coming over from America, the British aristocracy were being threatened by deepening undercurrents of change as the nation stood at the brink of an upheaval so monumental that few could imagine it. Nowhere was this threat of change felt more acutely than within the confines of the British Manor House.

Step inside one of Britain's best-known manor houses. It may be more famous now than any time in its 1,300-year history as the setting of Downton® Abbey, but England's Highclere Castle has its own stories to tell. In its heyday, Highclere was the social epicenter of Edwardian England. See how all the inhabitants of Highclere lived, from the aristocrats who enjoyed a life of luxury to the army of servants toiling "below stairs." Also find out how the current inhabitants, Lord and Lady Carnarvon, spend their $1 million in annual upkeep funds, and what life in a fairytale castle is like today.

Step inside the historic Hampton Court. Hampton Court is the ultimate royal pleasure palace, embodying an indulgent and grandiose lifestyle built by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and furthered by King Henry VIII. Its many rooms chart Henry VIII's decline from fit young warrior to bloated womanizer, and they tell the vivid stories of the ladies who became his queens. Later, King William III and Queen Mary II commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to rebuild Hampton Court, demolishing half of the red brick Tudor palace and replacing it with an exquisite Baroque castle, making Hampton Court one of the most unique palaces in the world. Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace digs beneath the brick and stone to unveil an abundance of art and lore that bring Hampton Court to life.