Humphrey Stafford and came into the possession of Sir Christopher Hatton, afterwards becoming one of the seats of the Finch-Hatton family. The mansion is rich in Elizabethan memories and is one of the most interesting architectural relics in the country. There is a story to the effect that it was intended to use the building in 1805 as a place of retirement for the Court in the event of an invasion by Napoleon. Kirby has suffered many vicissitudes. A visitor some seventy years ago wrote: “A farmer occupies a suite of rooms the decoration of which would excite astonishment and admiration in a London Club-house. Farm servants sleep surrounded by exquisite carving. One room, decorated with a fine old fireplace in which are the arms of Lord Chancellor Hatton, serves the purpose of a dog kennel.” In 1913, when the building was for sale by direction of the Earl of Winchilsea, it was stated that though it had been unoccupied for about sixty years it was capable of restoration.
Loseley House, Surrey ([Plate XVII]), dates from between 1562 and 1568. The seat of Sir William More, it has descended through the family to the present owner, Mrs. More-Molyneux-MCCowen. It was visited frequently by Queen Elizabeth, who stayed also at the neighbouring Sutton Place. In its best days Loseley was a stately stone building of more than ordinary significance in history, as recorded in “The Loseley Manuscripts,” by A. J. Kempe (1836). Structural alterations in the past did not tend to improve its original beauty.
A still earlier example of domestic architecture is the Manor House at East Barsham, Norfolk ([Plate XXII]), which was begun in the first few years of the sixteenth century. It was built of red brick with terra-cotta decorations, and it must have been a magnificent structure. It fell into a ruinous state and was used as a farmhouse early in the nineteenth century. Another East Anglian building which possessed importance in Tudor times was West Stow Hall, Suffolk ([Plate XXI]). The fine gatehouse shown in Müller’s drawing dominated the rest of the building and survived in a habitable state long after the main edifice had become useless. In a decayed state the place was used for agricultural purposes.
Sawston Hall, Cambridgeshire ([Plate IV]), was for centuries the residence of the “Ayntient and Rightworthy Famylie of Hodlestone,” the building illustrated being erected about the year 1557. There is a tradition that Queen Mary took shelter in the mansion which preceded this one, and was conveyed thence on horseback to Framlingham. Her pursuers set fire to the building and the Queen said, “Let the house burn; I will build Huddleston a better.” It is now the seat of Mr. D. Lawlor-Huddleston.
Among the most notable buildings in England is Montacute, an interior of which is illustrated here ([Plate XXXI]). Its name, derived from mons acutus, explains that it is on a hilly site, from which it overlooks the picturesque village of Montacute. The castle was of Norman origin and was then owned by the Phelips family, the possessor of the present mansion being Mr. W. R. Phelips. Montacute was built at the end of the sixteenth century and gained a reputation for hospitality partly by the inscription over the entrance,
“Through this wide-opening gate,
None come too early, none return too late.”
The place was sacked by Cromwell, who stayed there for a time. When Richardson visited the house it was in poor condition, “stripped in a great degree of its internal decorations and left to the mercy of time”; but restorations have been carried out. It is noteworthy that while the walls were richly panelled and decorated the ceilings throughout were kept plain, as indicated in the illustration.
Among other interesting stone buildings erected in Somersetshire may be mentioned Barrington Court ([Plate XLI]), built for the first Earl of Bridgewater in the time of James I. This gabled mansion, with its twisted chimneys and pinnacles, was once of great beauty, but it fell into disrepair, and in a dilapidated state was occupied by a farmer. In 1907 it was acquired by the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, under whose directions restorations have been effected. The house at South Petherton, in the same county ([Plate XXXVII]), is an example of the use of tracery, now reserved for ecclesiastical buildings, but once common in domestic architecture.
Dorfold Hall, Cheshire (Plates XXIX and XXX), the residence of Mr. H. J. Tollemache, is a Jacobean mansion about a mile from Nantwich. It is a brick building with stone dressings, the interior being decorated in lavish style. The plaster-work of the ceiling in the Great Chamber was especially ornate, though not so overwhelming, probably, as it seems to be in Richardson’s drawing.
The illustrations of interiors which are included in this volume are typical of many productions which expressed the fancy of designers and decorators in olden times. Reference has been made to some of them already, and a few more notes may be given in connection with the others. Benthall Hall, Shropshire ([Plate II]), was built for William Benthallin 1535 on the site of a former house. It was unharmed during the Civil War, but was badly damaged by fire about a hundred years ago. The view of the dining-room, re-peopled by the artist with some of its former tenants, shows the oak fireplace extending to the enriched ceiling. Charlecote, Warwickshire ([Plate XVIII]), was built in 1558 for Thomas Lucy, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth and whose portrait with his family is shown in the picture by Jansen over the fireplace. Charlecote is supposed to have been the scene of Shakespeare’s youthful escapade, which, perhaps, brought him into the very room depicted by J. G. Jackson. Coombe Abbey, near Coventry ([Plate XIX]), is of ancient foundation, the first structure being a Cistercian monastery. It came into lay hands in the time of Henry VIII and the place was rebuilt. Since then it has been altered several times, notably from designs by Captain Wynne, and in more recent times by Eden Nesfield. Coombe Abbey, the seat of the Earl of Craven, was the home of the Princess Elizabeth, only daughter of James I, through whose marriage with the Elector Palatine the House of Hanover came to the throne of England. Ford House, Devonshire ([Plate XIII]), was built for Sir Richard Reynell in 1610 and was the scene of much fighting during the Civil War. It has memories of Charles I and the Prince of Orange. Burton Agnes, Yorkshire ([Plate XLVI]), the ancient home of the Boyntons, is still in the possession of a member of the family, Mr. T. L. Wickham-Boynton. It is a most interesting Tudor house, both as regards the interior and exterior. Richardson’s view of the hall, with its semicircular arch leading to the staircase, is obtainable still, though pictures are now to be seen on the walls. Longford Castle, Wiltshire ([Plate XLIX]), the seat of the Earl of Radnor, is probably the work of John Thorpe. It was begun just before the advent of the Spanish Armada, and it is related that the cost of the foundations was so heavy that the purse of the client, Sir Thomas Gorges, was almost empty. Fortunately one of the Spanish galleons was wrecked near Hurst Castle, the Hampshire fortress of which Sir Thomas became Governor at the time of the threatened invasion. It was in Longford Castle that Holbein’s Ambassadors was to be seen for so many generations, before it was removed with other pictures to the National Gallery, London, about a quarter of a century ago.