(Cover image - © Emma Holbrook)
Another day, another beautiful Tudor building to explore! Today, I was fortunate to be able to visit the stunning, well-preserved Rufford Old Hall in Rufford, Lancashire. And whilst only the Great Hall might be from the Tudor era, this breathtaking hall is still packed with history!
From its luxurious gardens, unique architecture and enormous collection of original portraits, Rufford Old Hall is definitely one of the best sites I've seen here in the North. There were a variety of different things to explore here including the stables, the gardens, the bookshop just before you enter the courtyard, the Great Hall and so much more. It's almost saddening to hear the volunteer staff there say that they wished more people knew about Rufford Old Hall.
Well, today we are bringing it into the limelight for all of you to see!
So, what is the history behind this national treasure?
The History behind Rufford Old Hall
Rufford Old Hall is a timber-framed manor built circa.1530 by Sir Robert Hesketh, most likely a man involved with politics alike the rest of his family (but there are no records about his life so this is an assumption), who died in 1541. The Hesketh family were a high-status, politically dominating and considerably rich family, especially during the Tudor and Elizabethan eras. But whilst the family generously poured a lot of their precious cash into building and expanding their country home, only the Great Hall survives from the original Tudor structure. Now, you can find a fine 'brick-built' wing from the right angle off of the Great Hall, decorated in the Jacobean style which was added in 1661 and a Georgian era third wing was added in the 1820s (and is arguably one of the best parts of the building!)
(Images - © Emma Holbrook)
What is even more interesting is that this appears to be the second Lancashire building I have visited that claims to have played host to famous playwright, Sir William Shakespeare. Similar to the claims made from the estate of Hoghton Tower, it is believed that Shakespeare had worked in the household of Alexander Hoghton at Lea Hall (on the estate of Hoghton Hall) as an assistant teacher at the request of his Stratford schoolmaster in around 1580. However, Rufford Old Hall experts believe there is evidence to suggest that Shakespeare himself might have performed in the Great Hall at Rufford Old Hall!
After his death in 1581, it was found that in Alexander Hoghton's will, he had bequeathed Sir Thomas Hesketh (the owner of the Hall at that time) all of his musical instruments and 'playe clothes' as it was known that Alexander had a deep love and passion for the creative arts. It is these instruments and clothes that experts believe Shakespeare wore when during the 'Hesketh Company of Players' visit around the year 1585. What is interesting to note is that not only can it be proven that during this year, Shakespeare had joined a company of players, most likely at the recommendation of de Hoghton, that was under the management of the son of Lord Derby, Lord Strange (no, not Dr Strange, you silly Marvel fans), but this date also coincides with a proven absence of Shakespeare from his beloved home in Stratford-on-Avon following a 'bout of deer-stealing from neighbouring parks, particularly that of Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecote'. {1}
Who knew that Shakespeare had a connection to so many places in England?
But then again, as a famous playwright, he did travel a lot so its not difficult to imagine!
Anyway... Rufford Old Hall was always under the tight ownership of the Hesketh family, who carried the title of 'lords of the manor', from the time of its creation until 1798 when the Heskeths moved to Rufford New Hall (yes, that's what it's really called) which was built in the neoclassical style literally half a mile away in 1760 but was still ongoing changes until the family finally decided to move in. Rufford New Hall was eventually turned into a hospital from the years of 1920 to 1987 before it was closed and converted for residential purposes. It was believed that the Hesketh family might return to Rufford Old Hall but sadly that hope was lost when in 1846, Sir Thomas George Hesketh married Lady Anna Maria Arabella Fermor, the sister and heiress to the 5th and last Earl of Pomfret. He chose to relocate to her estates which she inherited, forever waving goodbye to Rufford Old Hall housing the ancestors of its creator.
But Sir Thomas Hesketh, now Sir Thomas Fermor-Hesketh (yes, he took his wife's name in order to have some of her inheritance for their children), who had now become the 1st Baron Hesketh decided that Rufford Old Hall should not be allowed to go to waste so in 1936, with the collection of arms and armors, portraits and 17th century oak furniture, Sir Thomas donated his family's home to the National Trust of which it is still protected under today. Not only has this allowed the Hall to still be admired for its beauty and intrigue but life can be given to a house almost betrayed for the family that it had been created for.
(Images - © Emma Holbrook)
So today, if you would like to visit Rufford Old Hall, make sure to take a stroll through the Victorian and Edwardian gardens, which are just mere feet above sea level meaning that Rufford Old Hall is one of the lowest lying National Trust gardens in England, or take a nosy at the armor decorating the Great Hall or even sit down for a spot of tea in the Tearoom, make sure to show Rufford Old Hall some love and appreciation if you're ever in Lancashire!
Oh! And did we mention that Rufford Old Hall is said to be haunted by not one, not two but THREE ghosts? Yes! An expert on Rufford Old Hall told me that it is long reputed that a grey lady, Queen Elizabeth I, and the figure of a man in 'Elizabethan clothing' floating above the canal, haunt the halls but what would a Tudor building be without a good old haunting rumor?
What place should we visit next?
Let us know in the comments!
Until then...
- Have a ‘Tudor-fic’ week!
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