The ancient battle, Gandalf believes, is not over, but temporarily dormant, like the illusion of peace between World War I (in which Tolkien served) and World War II (during which the Lord of the Rings was written).

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The prime minister who led the UK through most of World War II was, like Wellington, Lord Palmerston and William Gladstone, accorded a full state funeral.

BBC: Prime ministers' funerals from Pitt to Heath

The years after World War II saw a change in the management and ownership of the course when Lord Sefton sold it to the Topham family, who put it in the care of Mirabel Topham.

BBC: The Grand National 1839-1955