The Prince Regent (the future George IV) had a busy Christmas Schedule in 1813 which included visiting many of the great castles, halls and other noble seats in our area.
“The Prince Regent. – On the subject of the Prince Regent’s visit to this part of the country we copy the subjoined paragraph from the Courier of Wednesday. His Royal Highness’s horses left town on Monday, and were expected to reach Cottesmore last night:-
‘On Friday, the Prince Regent proceeds to Windsor to be present at the Confirmation of the Princess Charlotte of Wales, by the Archibishop of Canterbury. On Saturday, his Royal Highness dines with her Majesty, and returns to town on Sunday. On Monday his Royal Highness leave town for Hatfield-house, the seat of the Marquis of Salisbury; from thence he goes to the Earl of Westmoreland’s; and next to the Earl of Lonsdales’s, at Cottesmore, where his Royal Highness will remain two days. From Lord Lonsdale’s he goes to Belvoir Castle, to the christening of the Marquis of Granby, for whom his Royal Highness stands sponsor with the Duke of York. He proceeds from Belvoir Castle to Brocket Hall, where his Royal Highness will honor Lord Melburne with a visit. From Brocket Hall her returns to town. His Royal Highness’s tour will occupy the time between Monday and the 13th of next month, on which day, the day appointed for a General Thanksgiving*, his Royal Highness will be in town.
The Prince Regent will receive addresses on the prosperous state of Continental affairs from Leicester, Grantham, and other Corporations, during his stay at Belvoir Castle.”
The Stamford Mercury, 24th December, 1813.
*We assume this ‘General Thanksgiving’ was in recognition of the many victories over the French in 1813, although the Napoleonic Wars did not end until the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.