Aristocrats’ own liqueur distills spirit of royal line
Descendents of Jane Seymour launch own elderflower tipple
THE Earl and Countess of Yarmouth may count Henry VIII’s wife Jane Seymour among their ancestors, but they aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty to make a go of their own Midlands business.
William and Kelsey Seymour are now picking their own fruit from their family-owned ancient woodlands in Alcester, near Redditch, to transform it into handcrafted elderflower liqueur.
It comes after a highly publicised family rift between the couple and the earl’s parents, when they moved from the family’s £85 million Ragley Hall in Warwickshire two years ago, even though he is heir to the estate.
Since then, relations are reported to have improved with the couple’s latest child named with William’s father’s middle name.
The aristocrats with royal connections came up with the idea of a drink as a unique present for guests at their wedding in Ragley Hall three years ago.
Their drink – St Maur – has already won three awards, including The World Liqueur Awards’ ‘Best English
Floral’. It was based on old family recipes and named after the ‘St Maur’ surname used by the family in medieval times when their ancestors rode with William the Conqueror.
The family later changed the name to Seymour, the line producing Henry VIII’s third wife and mother to King Edward VI.
The eldest son of the Marquess of
Hertford, 28-year-old William grew up at 110-room Ragley Hall, so he knows exactly where to find wild elderflower blossoms in the area.
He has been handpicking them from elder groves and Ladies Wood to use in the new drink.
William, who has moved into new farm premises near the Ragley estate in Alcester, said the business will help him instil a ‘‘work ethic’’ in his own sons Clement and Jocelyn, which he says he never had growing up.
“Working at the farm enables us to be hands on with every aspect of the business,” said William. “It is hard work but it is rewarding in so many ways.
“Sourcing our elderflowers from land which has been in my family for centuries adds to the authenticity of St Maur. There is huge enjoyment for us, playing our part.
“We are the custodians of a beautiful place, but more than this, to do justice to a heritage and the environment in which it exists you must look after its future.”
Countess Kelsey, aged 36, added: “I am from this part of Warwickshire, and although I have a business background, I grew up with a love of this countryside.
“St Maur now enables me to combine both these things, and for me that is hugely enjoyable.
“There is a sense of place here, this is the Heart of England. It is both a privilege and a joy to live and work here.”
Ragley Hall has been the seat of the Seymours since the 18th century.
The bottle’s logo of a red-legged partridge is a nod to the bird successfully introduced to England in the 19th century by his ancestor Francis Seymour, the 5th Marquess.
Jane Seymour became betrothed to Henry VIII in 1536, the day after Anne Boleyn’s execution.
Marrying just 10 days later, she gave birth to his son Edward the following year, but died soon after.