Victorian Buxton & The Queen Of Scots Quest

A fictional, romanticised, Victorian tale about a small but significant town in middle England. A place known these days as Buxton began its existence as the hidden away, mountain top, Roman province of Britannia. Which started out as a simple encampment based around it’s natural, warm springs.
A congenial ride out to the pleasantly enhanced town for a tranquil get together, quickly evolves to reveal an unforeseen mystery of royal creation. A rare and demanding quest that requires mental agility and bold determination to solve.
The long forgotten task soon becomes the joint responsibility of two, young, Victorian companions. Who venture forth and travel around the town and beyond its limits. Carefully directed to local destinations of interest and intrigue set across the wild and bewitching Derbyshire peaks. Where the promise of answers lie cold and dormant, obscured from their view by centuries of historical happenings. The avid friends must delve into a painful past and reach for understanding to progress.
Alis and Ivor’s visit takes them up into the hills that surround the town and leads them on an unusual mission in the name of Mary, Queen of the Scots. Cryptic instructions left 300 years earlier by the hapless Queen, takes them on an esoteric trail of fortune.
During its existence Buxton has not only been a Roman outpost with soothing waters, it has been a distant Tudor village with healing liquid properties, as well as a fine Victorian Spa Town. Providing elegant, summer time, luxury bathing for the landed gentry of the age.
Their escapade presents itself in 1894, during a period of time when Buxton enjoyed its apex of glamorous indulgence and sophisticated excellence. Since then the vast majority of the Victorian property in Buxton, and its associated history, has been protected. The land, most of which still belongs to the current Duchess and Duke of Devonshire, has been guarded over the years against any great changes. The Duke, his wife and their predecessors have been developing and watching over Buxton, one way or another, for many hundreds of years.

-Inspiration-
A View From A Window

The author of this book lived for many years at –
No.1 Pavilion Mansions,
Hartington Road,
Buxton.
Which has an interesting view through a large, stone, bay window on the side elevation of the substantial Victorian property. A view that encompasses the passage of Buxton’s history through the ages.
To the right of the window a neglected lane passes by. Beneath the moss and debris, a cobbled road once built by Roman soldiers (AD43-410) runs down from higher to lower Buxton. Which brought to mind horse drawn chariots, rolling down the hill towards the towns health giving springs.
Directly ahead lies The Old Hall Hotel (1573). Which was built to house Mary Queen of Scots. Who will have walked out of the Hall onto the dusty road. Absorbing the scenery and deeply breathing in the clean mountain air. Seeking to find some solace for her persecuted soul.
Behind The Hall, the Devonshire Dome (1789) presents itself as a magnificent example of Victorian engineering and ingenuity. Once famed for being the largest unsupported dome in the world. Which indicates the quality of architects once drawn to the town.
On the far side of the Dome The Palace Hotel (1863) stands wide. A place where Victorian gentry would have walked and talked and paraded their finery.
Yonder, the caressing hills frame the view. Tree covered hills that have been there forever which turn from green, to orange, to the bright white of snow in the winter.
The Romans, the Tudors, and the Victorians all sought out Buxton. Which caused the author to spend her evenings looking out of the window, that captures 2,000 years of Buxton history. Wondering what else the people from bygone days, did with their time whilst in Buxton.

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