010 - Chapter 10 - James II's escapes continued Ham House and

Dive into the intriguing world of hidden chambers and secret passages with “Secret Chambers and Hiding Places.” This captivating collection explores concealments primarily found in England, with a few intriguing mentions from continental Europe, including the Jacobite hideaways in Scotland. Each chapter unveils historical events, such as the seventeenth-century persecution of Roman Catholics, where grand homes featured cleverly designed “priests’ holes,” and the hiding spots of unpopular monarchs. Filled with legends and true tales of skeletons discovered long after their secrets were buried, the author brings each hidden door, passage, room, and pit to life with enthusiasm—while lamenting the loss of many secret places to modernity. You’ll be inspired to seek out the hidden corners of every old building you encounter! (Summary by Peter Yearsley)