Conservation Tour. Week 31.

Broughton Castle, home to the 21st Lord and Lady Saye & Sele, whose family name is Fiennes. The ownership of the Castle has remained in the same family since 1447. And this week – three lucky SPAB Scholars got to stay!

The Parish Church of Saint Mary Broughton to the Left – Gatehouse in the centre – House to the Right. 

The core of the house was built in 1306 and the gatehouse (below) in the early C15th, but most of what is seen today dates from the 1550’s. It was a centre of opposition to Charles I and was besieged and damaged after the Battle of Edgehill in 1642.

Rather entrancing Entrance. 

Attempt to capture the South elevation…

+ some light and color 

My picture doesn’t begin to capture it, but there are so many layers and centuries of history written into this elevation!

Interior: 

The Great Hall was the heart of the original C14^th house. The windows were installed in the C16^th, and the plaster ceiling is mid-C18th. William of Wykeham’s portrait hangs above the fireplace, opposite that of William Fiennes, the 1^st Viscount Saye & Sele and a leading figure in the opposition to Charles I. 

The Oak Room – Part of the major additions of the mid-C16th. This panelled drawing room also has a notable oak interior porch put up by William, the 1^stViscount with a quotation reflecting on the end of the English Civil War and the ensuing political instability. The picture above the fireplace is of Charles II leaving exile in the Netherlands to return for the Restoration in 1660. The room has featured in a number of films including Jane Eyre(2011) and Shakespeare in Love (1998).

The Long Gallery – First added as part of the mid-C16th work, and then remodelled in the Gothick style in the 1760’s, and redecorated in 1970.  Family portraits from the 16th century through to the 19th century hang along the Gallery walls. 

Long Gallery cont. 

View down from the Chapel, first consecrated for Christian worship in 1331 and still in use. The fixed stone altar and encaustic tiles on the floor are all of the original date. 

 

Not my photo… But one very lucky girl got to sleep here this week!

 

 

Proof!

 

The King’s Chamber for James I in 1604 and Edward VII in 1901, (then Prince of Wales), stayed in this room. The bed is 1992, the wallpaper hand-painted from China in about 1800, and the magnificent plaster fireplace (not shown) is from the 1550’s and depicts Ovid’s Erysicthon. 

 

View from the drawing room. 

 

More beautiful views out. 

 

Days spent reading and learning from the magnificent library. 

 

 

Late afternoon walks. On this particular day I was reminded of that beautiful Irish Blessing: 

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rain fall softly on your fields. 
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Weekending: 

Beautiful walks and time to think in Upper Boddington. 

And another sunset closes another week.