Lord Montagu

The life of Lord Edward Montagu is like a great English novel. At age two he became Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, a 10,000-acre estate with a 13th century residence named Palace House. After World War II, when the stately homes of England were being torn down or lost by financial hardship, Lord Montagu was determined to keep possession of Beaulieu and opened his home to tourists. But in the 50s, scandal struck. Homosexuality was illegal in England and his involvement with fellow male peers became national news, as did his sensational trials and imprisonment. Challenging sexual bias and a rigid class system, he re-entered public life. With determination, charm, and a brilliant mind for showmanship and promotion, Lord Montagu established himself and Beaulieu as national treasures. He founded the first Motoring Museum in England and turned his estate into a carnival of events, drawing both ordinary people and celebrities to his door. The story of LORD MONTAGU is the story of England: extravagant, wild, and ultimately triumphant. – C.R.