Thomas
HardyThomas
HardyThomas Hardy is now regarded
throughout the world as one of the greatest of English writers.
His total achievement as novelist, poet, short story writer, and writer
of that remarkable poetic drama, The
Dynasts, is such that he is thought by many as second in greatness only to
Shakespeare. Among his fourteen published novels have been such
successes as Far from the Madding Crowd,
The Return of the Native, The Mayor of
Casterbridge, The Woodlanders and Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
His Complete Poems has been
continuously in print ever since the 1920s, and among its 948 poems are many
that have been anthologized many times.
The reasons for this lasting appeal are many – a tremendous honesty to
his own deep and sensitive experience of life, immense scholarship, astonishing
powers of observation and wide-ranging technical skills being just some of them.
But above all there is his compassion and ability to empathise with
suffering human-kind. ‘What
are my books,’ he said once, ‘but one long plea against man’s inhumanity
to man, to woman, and to the lower creatures?
Highway Farm
is situated approximately 20 miles from Hardy’s Higher Bockhampton and
is an ideal base from which to explore the geography of the thinly disguised
‘Wessex’ made famous in many of his stories and poems.
Hardy took great delight in
creating the semi-fictitious ‘Wessex’ as settings for his stories and often
described the locations in accurate graphic detail. Many of the features of
Hardy’s descriptions still remain and continue to delight Hardy enthusiasts
keen to visit the topography which inspired the great poet and novelist.
A short ride north of Highway Farm
is the town of Beaminster (Emminster),
home of the Clare family in ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ and the place the
destitute Tess walks to in order to seek help from her estranged in-laws.
Beaminster was also the home of the actress Gertrude Bugler, who Hardy chose to
play the part of Tess in a 1926 Dorchester Players production, and of whom he
also became exceedingly fond. Following the road east from there will allow the
Hardy pilgrim a glimpse of the mysterious ‘Cross in Hand’ relic Tess swears
never to tempt Alec upon, before arriving at Evershot and the Acorn Inn
(‘The Sow and Acorn’) where she eats her breakfast. Glorious views of Blackmoor
Vale will be seen en route.
Speculation about the location of
Gabriel Oak’s original home has led some to surmise that nearby Eggardon
Hill may have provided a suitable model. Certainly the location was used for
scenes with Fanny Robin and Troy in the 1967 film ‘Far from the Madding
Crowd’, as were buildings in Abbotsbury. The Tithe Barn was scene of
Bathsheba and Troy’s wedding supper, and in the village centre cottages
provided a backdrop as Troy disembarked from a cart on his wedding night. Portesham
and Coryates also have important Hardy connections, respectively
being the settings for the film home of ‘Madding Crowd’s’ William Boldwood
and also the school house location of Hardy’s cousin Tryphena Sparks’ first
teaching position ( some would even speculate, the place of Hardy’s courtship
of her). Catherine Hawkins, a female farmer from Friar Waddon is said to
have provided the model for Bathsheba Everdene.
Maiden Castle
(Mai-dun Castle) has strong connections with ‘Mayor’ and also with the film
‘Far from the Madding Crowd’, where Troy
(Terence Stamp) memorably demonstrates sword-play to the terrified
Bathsheba (Julie Christie).
Less than a twenty minute ride away
from Highway Farm the county town of Dorchester will yield further
countless delights for the Hardy enthusiast, including a recreation of Hardy’s
study in The Dorset County Museum, Max Gate and countless buildings,
geographical features and monuments connected with the great author.
A great place to stay, whether you are a serious scholar of Thomas Hardy a society convention delegate, or simply an enthusiast exploring some of the most beautiful literary heritage in England, Highway Farm provides an excellent answer to the needs of all. www.hardysociety.org/index.htm