First published in Britain in 1994 A Country Life is a collection of the authors personal memories and experiences a number of which appeared as regular column pieces in Country Life magazine between 1989 and 1994.

Following the seasons it is a glorious portrait of the rural way of life of Roy Strong former Director of the V&A and his wife Julia Trevelyan Oman who provides the delightful pen and ink illustrations.

The scene is set by an essay Strong wrote for Hortus in 1992 in which he describes their house The Laskett in Herefordshire.

Very illustrated featuring mainly Mary's imprisionment. This book focuses on many specific parts of her life, hands...eyes...handywork ect. It shows many portraits I have never seen before. Including one of Mary and Darney together. I had forgotten that Mary wore wigs later in life, "When the executioner held up the royal head on the scaffold he found himself holding the Queen's wig while her head fell onto the boards beneath." If this dosen't conjure up an image I don't know what will.