Ocotober 28th, 2011 - Brighton!

Today we visited Brighton!

The pier pictured above is the main attraction at Brighton - and is mentioned and featured in the classic novel Brighton Rock. There are several other piers - but the money to rebuild was repealed after one of the pier's owner argued against regeneration of other piers  - which is sad because of the great history that is there.

The town's popularity went up when Prince Regent - who would become King George IV - visited and took up residence in the small fishing town. The piers that remain in Brighton are a direct result of the presence of Aristocrats and the Prince Regent who would hold dance parties on the pier and host large dinner of up to one hundred courses.

Another reason for Brighton's popularity was the sea - and the presence of a doctor who moved out to Brighton to accompany his patients. The sea town became a place where people started to exercise, bath, and get into good health - lose the weight they put on from all the fancy feasting.

It was the combination of both George IV and the Doctor that made Brighton a hot spot. It's a wonderful little town which still boats the palace George IV built. The outside resembled Indian architecture with an inner decor of British-China.

The palace -  outside and in - was built and furnished based upon artist sketches and surmises of the day. Originally it was built to reflect the architecture found in India - but then mixed on the interior is what the English surmised China to look and feel through the decor and what they knew from books written about China - even though at that time no one was allowed to visit China.

The dining room has a giant chandelier hanging from two claws of a dragon. The dining room is right next to the kitchen - an architectural feature never before designed during his time. The kitchen itself has a vaulted roof  and window-chimney at the centre which would allow all the steam from cooking to be sucked up an out. However, the windows can only be opened by going on the roof - on which there are pathways designated for such things.

The great thing about the palace is the use of mirrors to create optical illusions. Many rooms seem larger because of stragtegically placed mirrors - as well as doors seeming to be real but not being real. The entrance gallery - which guests would walk down to get to dinner- also has the feel of being in an outdoor garden. That was the intention of George IV. 

The building of the palace - as well as some other poor choices - however led George IV to lose popularity as he grew older (and wider). The great thing about Brighton is that George IV always said living on the farm - which was the basis for the palace's construction - at least where the farm was located - in Brighton with Mrs. Fitzherbert was the happiest time in his life.

He met the Lady Fitzherbert because she lived in Brighton and was one of the most reputaible, popular, and rich ladies to live in Brighton. Many men tried to court her but found themselves refused. It was only after George IV - then Prince Regent - put on a show of "dying of heartbreak" did the Lady realize he was serious. However, King Richard III - suffering from a horrible blood disease - would not sanctify the marriage - for until George turned 25 he needed his father's permission. 

So in love was he - that George bribed a priest in debtors prison to marry him to Mrs. Fitzherbert - and although they were happily married and live in Brighton together - the King and Country did not recognize the union. So - at the age of 55 - after becoming king and having Mrs. Fitzherbert leave him - after he cheated - George was forced into marriage with Princess Caroline of Germany. 

They married - but he was still Prince Regent. He didn't become King until 55 years old - and by then after his daughter Charlotte was born - he exiled Caroline. One move - aside from his debt - that made him lose favour was not allowing Charlotte into her own coronation.

Aside from that - Brighton was very popular in George's day - and after it the town sort of fell out of favor, yet still remained a place of intrique. 

The shops and surrounding area is quite interesting - since the whole town is built over a river - which runs in the pipes of the city. Before it's poplar days Brighton - the South end of it - was burned and pillaged by the French in their constant revenge burnings with England.

Anyways, it was a very nice place to visit for the weekend and I quit enjoyed my Brighton Rock. 

The cool thing about Brighton Rock is that the name of the candy is all the way through the tubular and sugary snack. There was also a warning that said the colors could cause adverse affects on children - the rainbow colors not the fact it's 100% sugar.

It is worth the time to go to Brighton - and hopefully if you ever visit you'll have more time that a day trip! It's about one and half - two hours from London.

~ H.C.