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HISTORY
Mad Hatter®
Tea

Lewis Carroll (pen name)
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (real name)

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson was born in Daresbury in Warrington Cheshire on the 27th January 1832. When Charles Lutwidge Dodgson was born his father was the parson at the small Daresbury local parish church.

In the autumn of 1843 the family where relocated to Croft-on-Tees in North Yorkshire where they moved into the spacious rectory that still stands today in all its glory. This remained the family home for the next 25 years. Lewis Carroll's father was Rector of Croft church and later Archdeacon of Richmond, and Canon of Ripon Cathedral.

In 1843, (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), Lewis Carroll, was just 11 years old and was educated at home. When he was 12 he was sent to a private school at nearby Richmond where he seemed to thrive, there is an historic reference to a letter sent from the Headmaster, Dr. Tate to Lewis Carroll’s father he wrote, “your son is endowed with uncommon genius, but rather than tell him, lets develop what he has…”

At the old school in Richmond it was rumoured the young would-be author carved his initials into the fireplace and also the table where he sat. The boarding School is currently used by the local town council. Lewis went on to attend School at Rugby from 1846 till December 1849,  matriculated at Oxford University in 1850, in 1854 was awarded a B.A. with first class honours in mathematics.

Local history has it that Lewis Carroll came up with an outline for one of his characters as he was caught in conversation in the middle of the bridge between Hurworth and Croft-on-Tees. You see, in the mid 19th Century the closing times of pubs was controlled by the County Courts, Hurworth operated by the Durham County authority, the other side of the river Croft-on-Tees, was controlled by the old North Riding of Yorkshire, one pub closed a half hour later than the other. In order to get another drink before closing time, Lewis Carroll and his friends used to rush like mad to the pub on the opposite bank of the river, however on this particular day someone attempted to engage him in conversation, he quickly countered "Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!" took his watch from his waistcoat pocket and hurried on, this became the line that the White Rabbit used that intrigued Alice so much she followed him down the rabbit hole… the rest as they say is history.

Local historians purport that the ‘Walrus and the Carpenter’ was originally conceived during one of Lewis Carroll and his friends regular visits to Whitby while walking barefoot along the beach at Sandsend. (Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There 1871.)

THE WALRUS & THE CARPENTER

The sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all his might: He did his very best to make The billows smooth and bright-- And this was odd, because it was The middle of the night.	The moon was shining sulkily, Because she thought the sun Had got no business to be there After the day was done-- "It's very rude of him," she said, "To come and spoil the fun!"	The sea was wet as wet could be, The sands were dry as dry. You could not see a cloud, because No cloud was in the sky: No birds were flying overhead-- There were no birds to fly.
The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand; They wept like anything to see Such quantities of sand: "If this were only cleared away," They said, "it would be grand!"	"If seven maids with seven mops Swept it for half a year. Do you suppose," the Walrus said, "That they could get it clear?" "I doubt it," said the Carpenter, And shed a bitter tear.	"O Oysters, come and walk with us!" The Walrus did beseech. "A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk, Along the briny beach: We cannot do with more than four, To give a hand to each."
The eldest Oyster looked at him, But never a word he said: The eldest Oyster winked his eye, And shook his heavy head-- Meaning to say he did not choose To leave the oyster-bed.	But four young Oysters hurried up, All eager for the treat: Their coats were brushed, their faces washed, Their shoes were clean and neat-- And this was odd, because, you know, They hadn't any feet.	Four other Oysters followed them, And yet another four; And thick and fast they came at last, And more, and more, and more-- All hopping through the frothy waves, And scrambling to the shore.
The Walrus and the Carpenter Walked on a mile or so, And then they rested on a rock Conveniently low: And all the little Oysters stood And waited in a row.	"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things: Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax-- Of cabbages--and kings-- And why the sea is boiling hot-- And whether pigs have wings."	"But wait a bit," the Oysters cried, "Before we have our chat; For some of us are out of breath, And all of us are fat!" "No hurry!" said the Carpenter. They thanked him much for that.
"A loaf of bread," the Walrus said, "Is what we chiefly need: Pepper and vinegar besides Are very good indeed-- Now if you're ready, Oysters dear, We can begin to feed."	"But not on us!" the Oysters cried, Turning a little blue. "After such kindness, that would be A dismal thing to do!" "The night is fine," the Walrus said. "Do you admire the view?	"It was so kind of you to come! And you are very nice!" The Carpenter said nothing but "Cut us another slice: I wish you were not quite so deaf-- I've had to ask you twice!"
"It seems a shame," the Walrus said, "To play them such a trick, After we've brought them out so far, And made them trot so quick!" The Carpenter said nothing but "The butter's spread too thick!"	"I weep for you," the Walrus said: "I deeply sympathize." With sobs and tears he sorted out Those of the largest size, Holding his pocket-handkerchief Before his streaming eyes.	"O Oysters," said the Carpenter, "You've had a pleasant run! Shall we be trotting home again?' But answer came there none-- And this was scarcely odd, because They'd eaten every one.

b. 27 January 1832
d.14 January 1898

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North Riding

North Riding Crest

Yorkshire has a population of around 5 million and is the largest County in England covering almost 6000 square miles of land. Yorkshire from the 9th Century was split into 3 Ridings, 1. North Riding: 2. East Riding: and 3. West Riding. York City rests graciously on the border of each Riding, nestled like a crown majestically ruling over the land that is affectionately referred to as 'God's own County'. Yorkshire is considered by many to be one of the greenest Counties in England due in main to the National Parks of the Yorkshire Dales and The North Yorkshire Moors...

Many people around the world first discovered the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales through the ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ books by James Herriot pen name of James Alfred Wight. The books where later adapted into two films and also a long running television series. The North Yorkshire Moors of more recent times has been used as the back drop to the long running and very successful ‘Heartbeat’ series that seems to have captured the roughed beauty of the region. Other cinematic projects filmed on location within the region include ‘The Railway Children’ and Gothlands Station was turned into Hogsmeade where the school of wizardry and witchcraft is based for ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, the first of the stories written by J K Rowling’s...

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The Myth of the ‘Little Drummer Boy’ Richmond, North Riding of Yorkshire
Legend has it there used to be a tunnel connecting Easby Abbey to Richmond Castle.

After many hundreds of years, the tunnel was rediscovered at the castle, but had been quite damaged over the passing of time; only a small boy could pass through the fallen rubble.

A very brave drummer boy volunteered to follow the tunnel and beat his drum as he went, so that the soldiers above could hear him and follow the path of the tunnel to Easby, thereby discovering the Abbey entrance.

Half way between the Castle and the Abbey, the drumming came to an abrupt stop, and the brave little soldier was never seen again.

Myth has it that the rhythm of the boys drumming sent shivers through the souls of the brave soldiers who followed the beat above. What was of more interest to the Little Drummer Boy was what lay ahead, had the drumming awoken something in the depths below, every hair on the little Drummer Boy’s body tingled electrified by fear, he knew there was something ahead he felt it in every bone in his body, he was only a little boy, but he had the courage of a Lion he continued onward till he came to yet another cavern. He took his torch the smoke slight but still got into his eyes, he managed to light one of the torches that hung on the wall of the cave. The boy heard the scraping of metal on stone even before his eyes could focus; he knew it was the sound of armour shields and swords scraping against the Cavern walls and floors and as his eyes focused he saw a legion of soldiers awakening from slumber as though they’d slept for a thousand years, yet with banners, swords lance and shields gleaming as though they had been freshly polished.

It is said that the Drummer Boy discovered the cavern where King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table slept awaiting for England in her hour of need.

Realising he had stopped drumming, he was about to start again, before he could one of the Knights raised his hand and gestured halt. Sleepily the Knight nearest asked the Little Drummer Boy ‘Is the shoreline of our fair land, England under attack? All the scraping shuffling and scuffling suddenly fell silent all eyes focused on the Little Drummer Boy.
No answered the Boy.
Then now is not the time to awaken our King, Arthur of the Britons, who commands only to be awoken should England’s shores be breeched. The knights went back to there slumber inviting the Brave Drummer Boy to join there legion.
Having been brought up listening to Fables around campfires of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, what boy could say no to such an offer?

It is said that even today people have heard the beat of the drum coming from beneath the earth, but do not worry for it be; only the sound of the drummer boy practising as he stirs from his slumber, twice they say every hundred years.

One day King Arthur his legion of men and the little drummer boy, if needed, will be awakened from their slumbering as England calls its men to arms, and I believe that they will be there to defend fair England’s shores.

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