The Gothic gem of Arbury Hall, set in an historic park in Warwickshire, lies adjacent to the Manor of Astley. These manors have been home to generations of Newdegates, after the family gradually transferred most of their interests from their previous home, Harefield Manor in Middlesex, during the Elizabethan period and since.

Roy Wilkinsons fascination with a place that has a history stretching as far back as the eleventh century, and as far afield as the outer reaches of the once-vast British Empire, began in his childhood. Since then, he has witnessed myriad changes at the three manors,...

In many ways, Rudolf Steiner is the forgotten genius of recent times. A powerful thinker, who developed an intricate spiritual philosophy based on his ability to research and perceive spiritual dimensions, Steiner is perhaps best known today for his legacy to education, medicine and agriculture. But behind these practical manifestations of his ideas lies a profound teaching, which he termed a science of spirit, or anthroposophy. In these wonderfully succinct summaries of Steiner's thought, Roy Wilkinson introduces us to aspects of this spiritual philosophy.

The twelve chapters discuss:...