The Spencers have been in public life since the 16th century, when Sir John Spencer was knighted by Henry VIII. Lord Spencer, the 19th generation of his family at Althorp, considers his position.

“When I took over, I walked through the saloon, which is hung with family portraits going back 500 years. It was like walking across the stage with an audience. I thought, My goodness, it’s my turn to do something with the place.”

“The story of the young Charles II’s escape after the Battle of Worcester in 1651 has been told many times, and no wonder; it’s a ripping yarn, with ingredients that belong partly to thrillers and partly to fairytales.”

“The British nobleman reminisces about growing up at Althorp—the Spencer family’s historic home and the stunning backdrop to Ralph Lauren’s Fall 2015 Purple Label campaign.”

“Killers of the King: The Men Who Dared to Execute Charles I, is a dark tale of the consequences faced by the 59 men who brought about the death of Charles I, in 1649, by signing his death warrant.”

“When I was writing my most recent book, Killers of the King, I noticed a portrait hanging in a row of other men in armour that I’d never looked closely at before. It turned out he was Lord Grey of Groby, one of the killers of Charles I and a central character in my book. I never even knew he was there, let alone that I was related to him.”