Would the real Archibald Kennedy please stand up?

[anteros_lmc]

I had hoped to finish some fic tonight but I'm way too tired after yesterday's expedition to London. So in the meantime here are the National Trust for Scotland's portraits of the Earls of Cassillis from Culzean Castle. Sadly there is no portrait of "Sir Archibald The Wicked of Cluzean", 1655 - 1710, so you'll just have to use your imagination ;) Enjoy!

	Captain Archibald Kennedy 1719 - 1794 11th Earl of Cassillis Born in the colonies in 1719, Kennedy joined the Royal Navy and saw action in Europe and North America. Captain Kennedy distinguished himself during the Seven Years War as commander of HMS Flamborough. He played a pivotal role in protecting British trade interests in Portugal and in the process netted an estimated £200,000 in prize money. He built a grand house at 1 Broadway, New York, which was later consficated by George Washington. Captain Kennedy was bequeathed the entail of Culzean and Cassillis by the 10th Earl David Kennedy who remained unmarried and childless all his life.
Archibald Kennedy 1770 -1846 12th Earl of Cassillis 1st Marquess of Ailsa Son of Captain Kennedy, the 12th Earl was also born in America. Known as an ambitious man, he had considerable political aspirations and was a friend and confidant of King William the IV. The 12th Earl was a man of many interests including new innovations in agriculture and horticulture, he was a partron of the arts with a good head of business. Kennedy was also a gambler with a tendency to place elaborate wagers on sporting events. He spent prodigiously but still left behind a considerable fortune.
	Archibald Kennedy 1816-1870 13th Earl of Cassillis 2nd Marquess of Ailsa And you thought they wore silly hats in the Navy! The 13th Earl is pictured here in the uniform of colonel of the Ayrshire Yeomanry. Like his father the Earl had a propensity for gambling and sold some of the Culzean estate to settle his debts. His chief intersts were sailing, hunting and developing the Culzean gardens. He also established a boatbuilding company which was later developed by his son. The 13th Earl died in 1870 after falling from his horse while hunting.
Archibald Kennedy 1847 - 1938 14th Earl of Cassillis 3rd Marquess of Ailsa The 14th Earl had a passion for racing yachts and became an award wining sailor and innovative boat builder. He owned several fine racing yachts including Foxhound, Bloodhound and Sleuthhound. Kennedy was a qualified Master Mariner and developed the boatbuilding business established by his father into the Ailsa Shipbuilding company which operated until 2000. The Earl also established the championship golf course and resort at Turnberry.
	Archibald Kennedy 1872 - 1943 4th Marquess of Ailsa The 4th Marquis spent most of his life at Castle Grant in Aberdeenshire. In order to ease the financial burden of maintaining the great house he dissolved the entail on the Culzean and Cassillis estates. In 1943 Kennedy approached the newly formed National Trust to take over Culzean but he died before any decision could be taken. His brother Charles finalised the transaction and Culzean was handed over to the National Trust in 1945.

All portraits belong to the National Trust for Scotland and can be seen at Culzean Castle.

The National Trust of Scotland, 2006, Culzean Castle.

Comments

[kittycallum.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm ... speculating ... well, the dates are closest on the 2nd one, but still not perfect -- that would mean he was 32 in 1802, which certainly wasn't true! (Or he just looked really ridiculously young for a 32-year-old ... ) That's really neat, though, thanks for posting the info! Ooh, theory theory theory -- sorry, just excited here -- the 12th earl was our Archie's brother who happened to share a name with him! (Am now entertaining the possibility that Archibald is actually our Archie's middle name, which he goes by because of affection for said brother ... yeah, I have too much time on my hands ... ) And stories about "Archibald the wicked" -- our lad's ancestor -- are intriguing too ...

I'm actually mad with desire to see this castle now. But this is the next-best thing, and it's pretty awesome.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

They're brilliant portraits aren't they? Glad you enjoyed seeing them :) Personally I think the 12th Earl looks rather like Napoleon! How's that for a plot bunny?!

I have to confess that there is actually one more historical Archibald Kennedy referenced in the NTS book who I have not mentioned here but who is a _very_ likely ancestor for our boy. Hopefully he will be appearing in a fic near you shortly..... ;P

[kittycallum.livejournal.com]

Ooh, fic! Can't wait to see it! And I can see what you mean with the Napoleon resemblance. Interesting, interesting ...

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Ooh, fic! Can't wait to see it!
I'd better try and finish it tonight then hadn't I?!

And I can see what you mean with the Napoleon resemblance. Interesting, interesting ...
Go chase that bunny! ;)

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

I still insist that in the off chance that Archie wasn't the son of a cockney fishmonger, then he was most likely the nephew and not the son of the Earl.

The 14th Earl looks like he has a rather impressive set of blue eyes.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

he was most likely the nephew and not the son of the Earl.
Regarding Archie's ancestry, see comment above. I'm totally with you on him not being the Earl's son. I've found a _much_ more interesting ancestor for him ;) Now if I could just get that damn fic finished...

The 14th Earl looks like he has a rather impressive set of blue eyes
Doesn't he just?! And a Master Mariner to boot!

Better go, have to work and try to buy a house today. Eep!

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

try to buy a house today. Eep!

Good luck!

[shezzawatto.livejournal.com]

Fascinating stuff!
12th earl - nice leg(s).
If I remember rightly (being too lazy to go trawling through the book), CSF's character was just "Midshipman Kennedy". The TV series script writers have made him Archibald. Wonder whether they were influenced by knowing any of the historical stuff you've just presented. Spooky (as Dame Edna would say) about the sea connections.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

12th earl - nice leg(s).
Indeed. A finely turned ankle and a nice pair of breeches!

Wonder whether they were influenced by knowing any of the historical stuff you've just presented.
Suspect one of the script writers did at least a little research. If you start with the name "Kennedy" it doesn't take much work to attach "Archie" to it :) The connections with the navy & the sea are interesting aren't they?

Haven't got a new house yet, so I guess it'll have to be Culzean *sigh* It's a hard life... ;)

[shezzawatto.livejournal.com]

PS. Did you get your house? Or will you need to move into Culzean temporarily!