Silver Ghost

Yesterday, whilst doing a tour of Beaulieu Palace, we were told of the love story between Eleanor Thornton and the then Lord Montagu, John Douglas-Scott, Second Baron Montagu, who like today's Lord of the Manor, was a huge car enthusiast and is credited with introducing King Edward VII to motoring.  In 1889, his was the first car to enter the yard of the House of Commons and he also launched a monthly car magazine called The Car Illustrated.

Eleanor was Montagu's personal assistant for 15 years and through his connection and friendship with Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, it is believed she was the inspiration and model for the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot.

The relationship ended in tragedy when travelling on the SS Persia on December 13th 1915, their boat was hit by a German torpedo in the Mediterrranean and although Montagu was rescued, Eleanor drowned.

Martin Scorsese is keen to produce the film and rumour has it that Keira Knightley may play the part of Eleanor.