I see that ITV have commissioned a new series all about the story of the discovery of Tutankhamun. As the real biographer of Almina, 5th Countess of Carnarvon, and the author of " Lordy! Tutankhamun's Patron As A Young Man", the only book that currently stands as a record of the childhood and youth of the hugely dysfunctional man who with Howard Carter discovered the great tomb - I look forward to seeing how accurately the story is presented. Will is ready rise to the call of historical advisor ( OK, now back to the real world!)
Let's hope not least the help of the tens of thousands of unknown native diggers is celebrated - as many perished in the 14-year process of shifting the collossal sand dunes of Luxor as died in any regiment who were fighting in the Great War battles. Time too I hope for Almina's role to be ackowledged especially of the money she secured from her sugar daddy Baron Alfred de Rothschild for the funding of the digs. Of course this was to get Carnarvon out of her hair. That could be portrayed as could her heroic part in rushing to Carnarvon's bedside when he was dying . However it may be a tall order for the storyline to reflect on the true nature of the relationship between Carnarvon and Carter since it was revealed to me during the research on Lordy ! that they were " an item". One thing is more certain, that is Highclere will cash in on the series - now that is the real world!
Lordy! A Critical Retrospective on George, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon : Of Tutankhamun Fame : New Book from William Cross, in 2012
As Highclere Castle basks in the glories of TV’s soapland-effect, and considers new ways of staving off Lord Lloyd Webber’s bid for the building’s better usage, it’s curious that a period of quiet has ensued over all that song and dance.
Likewise, there has been little mention until a recent piece in the Daily Mail of the Carnarvon family’s links with Egypt and Tutankhamun. Oh yes, clearly there’s still more dosh to be raked by Highclere out of Old King Tut? They did it in 1988 over a cache of treasures only remembered by an old retainer as “ The Egyptian stuff ” . This “ stuff” incidentally that belonged to the then 7th Earl’s late granny, Almina, an undischarged bankrupt. But that anomaly aside, yes, King Tut can be bled further!!! It’s all just a question of roping it in with the right marketing pitch.
Perhaps one has be impressed though, with the clever marketing of the non-Castle itself. It’s become an iconic as a Huntley and Palmer biscuit tin image to rival the White House or the Taj Mahal. However in reality it’s no more than an up market take on Del Boy’s Nelson Mandella House, in East Peckham! Indeed, Highclere Castle shares another comparison with Peckham, for no one actually wants to live there!!! Not even the Carnarvons, whose family home has been elsewhere on the estate for at least two generations.
The 90th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb next year, 2012, promises to be an interesting one. It’s a wonderful opportunity for a critical retrospective and assessment on George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert – the man who with Howard Carter brought the Tomb to light after 3000 years.
Next year, William Cross, FSA Scot, author of “The Life and Secrets of Almina Carnarvon” will publish a book called “ Lordy ! All About Tutankhamun's Patron: Lord George Carnarvon”.
“Lordy!” will be published on 1 September 2012
ISBN-10: 1905914059 ISBN-13: 978-1905914050
William Cross comments on “ Lordy!” All About Tutankhamun's Patron: Lord George Carnarvon”.
"There are many new and still emerging facts about the life and curious death of Carter's patron “Lordy" ( as they Egyptians called him, sometimes " The Lord" ), the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, coupled with revelations about his curious private life and the motives in pursuing the entire desert quest and of his uneasy personal relationship with those around him.
The book will be controversial. Cross adds:
" Even now, 90 years after his death the new approach to the 5th Earl’s life will make uncomfortable reading for some ... but it will also ensure that before we reach the centenary of the epic discovery by Carter ( due in 2022 ) that the character and the precise role of the Lord George Carnarvon is best, and accurately reflected.....and settled once and for all , on how his wife, the Countess, Almina saw him…. "
http://tutankhamunthefinaltruthstold.yolasite.com/
