DOWNTON ABBEY, THE SEAT OF CANADIAN CONFEDERATION?
Feb 16, 2017
By Andy Johnson
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There is way more Canadiana to the posh British TV saga “Downton Abbey” than meets the eye.
Research indicates that Highclere Castle is not only the setting for the popular British television drama, but for Canadians, the Victorian country house may have been the setting of a historic meeting that altered the course of Canada’s history.
Records show that our first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, met with a group of men at the castle in December 1866 – seven months before Canada became a country — to discuss, debate and draft much of the Canadian constitution.
In fact, research shows Macdonald spent many nights at the castle and ate in the dining room and at one point was enjoying himself so much, the Lord of the Manor had to order the butler to cut back on refilling the future prime minister’s drinks.
Downton Abbey airs on our sister station Vison TV.