Leighton Hall

I recently called at Leighton Hall in north Lancashire, seat of the Gillow-Reynolds family, 15 of whom still call it their home. I remember coming as a small child to see Pegasus, the golden eagle, and hearing tales of the famous Lady Reynolds whom my grandmother recalled meeting at Oliver’s restaurant back in the 1940s. Returning as an older man, I was more interested in the architecture and furnishings than the birds of prey, of which there was a display at 3.30pm.

The house, despite the current occupant’s service as High Sheriff, was previously a hotbed of sedition. One Hodgson, the owner at the time of the 1715 Battle of Preston and first Jacobite rebellion fell foul of the new Hanoverian regime; his chattels were confiscated and his house burnt down. A humbler, though rather more loyal, family bought it in the 1820s who remodelled its neo-classical style into the more fashionable neo-gothic we see today. This family was disinclined to engage in armed rebellion and revolution, which is why they have been allowed to enjoy their property in peace, even if this requires the likes of me to ogle at their home for the price of a ticket.

When Adam rebelled against God, he lost his position, his privileges and his patrimony. Those of us who believe the gospel and identify with Jesus Christ, the Second Adam, regain what our race lost. The meek shall inherit the earth, and Adam’s original royalty and nobility are duly restored, by grace rather than through right; by marriage rather than conquest.

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. Rev 22:2-4

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