Haile Selassie and Roger Grey: The legacy of an enduring friendship
In 1938, Roger Grey, 10th Earl of Stamford, welcomed Haile Selassie, former Emperor of Ethiopia, to stay at Dunham Massey in Greater Manchester during a period of exile. The invitation came after Grey was moved by a speech given by the Emperor. The visit marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
Who is Haile Selassie?
Haile Selassie (1892–1975) was born in Et Ejersa Goro, Ehiopia and was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930–1974. He is known for modernising the country and for helping to establish the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union). Haile Selassie was an Orthodox Christian and adopted, as one of his titles, 'Defender of the Faith'. Many Rastafari have a deep connection with Selassie, regarding him as the Messiah, and call him Jah (God).
When Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935, Selassie led the resistance. The following year, he expressed his concern about the rising threat of fascism to the League of Nations in a speech heard by Roger Grey.
Who is Roger Grey, 10th Earl of Stamford?
The 10th Earl of Stamford, Roger Grey (1896–1976), inherited the estate of Dunham Massey at the age of 13. Passionate about re-assembling the collections that had been dispersed by the 7th Earl, Grey dedicated his adult life to preserving Dunham Massey and placed the estate into the care of the National Trust in 1976.
Haile Selassie’s visit to Dunham Massey
Selassie was forced into a five-year exile in May 1936, following the Italian occupation of East Africa. Grey, a member of the local League of Nations branch and sympathetic to the cause of Ethiopia, invited Selassie to Dunham Massey in 1938. Selassie’s four-day visit led to a lifelong friendship.
Annual flying of the Lion of Judah Flag at Dunham Massey
Following Selassie’s stay at Dunham Massey in 1938, Grey flew the Lion of Judah flag above Dunham Massey annually to mark the emperor’s birthday on 23 July.
Connecting with this legacy: Iman Gebre Iyesus
The legacy of the act of flying the Lion of Judah flag above Dunham Massey lives on. On 23 July 2024, the flag was raised by Rastafarian and Chairman of the Ancient and Modern Christ in Britain Society, Iman Gebre Iyesus.
It was raised at 1.32pm in recognition of what would have been Selassie's 132nd birthday. Today the flag is viewed as a symbol of connection, care and friendship.
Iman first visited Dunham Massey in 2023. In 2024, he was invited to raise the flag and also explore the room where Selassie had stayed during his visit and examine the items gifted by the emperor to Grey.
Connect with this story: Items in the Dunham Massey collection
Dunham Massey is home to a collection which spans centuries and includes the items gifted by Selassie to Grey during their friendship. Some of the gifts are on display in the house. Find out more about these items below, as well as the gifted objects currently in storage and rooms where Selassie stayed during his visit in 1938.
Ceremonial Shield
This highly decorated ceremonial shield made in Ethiopia (formerly known as Abyssinia) was a gift from the Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen (1916-97), son of Haile Selassie, to Roger Grey, 10th Earl of Stamford. It can be seen on display in the Green Silk Room in the house at Dunham Massey.
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