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Hoar Cross Hall - Life Below Stairs #35

This week I’ve done a history blog about the servants who lived at Hoar Cross Hall from the 1870s to the 1950s when the Hall became empty. They were an essential part of keeping a big house running but were often not appreciated by the aristocracy as they went about their day to day duties. The life of a servant in Victorian times was a hard one. They had to rise at 5am to clean and light all the fires and dust and polish the floors, then do a day’s work, often not getting to bed much before midnight. No wonder they didn’t live to a great age in those days! By the end of the 19th century there were nearly one and a half million servants; most young girls...

Temple Newsam and the Meynells

...lf of the 17th century.    In 1793 Hugo bought the Hoar Cross estate and built a hunting lodge which was known as Old Hall. Hugo and Elizabeth had six children, the eldest being Hugo Charles who inherited the Temple Newsam estate from his aunt; however, he had to assume the surname of Ingram in compliance with the terms of the will of the last Lord Irwin.  So this was how the Meynell Ingram name came about, something which was quite common with the aristocracy in those days.   Hugo Charles went on to marry Georgiana Pigou in 1819; their eldest son was Hugo Francis Meynell Ingram, the last of the descendants of Sir Arthur Ingram to inherit Temple Newsam. �...

Temple Newsam and the Meynells #42

...lf of the 17th century.    In 1793 Hugo bought the Hoar Cross estate and built a hunting lodge which was known as Old Hall. Hugo and Elizabeth had six children, the eldest being Hugo Charles who inherited the Temple Newsam estate from his aunt; however, he had to assume the surname of Ingram in compliance with the terms of the will of the last Lord Irwin.  So this was how the Meynell Ingram name came about, something which was quite common with the aristocracy in those days.   Hugo Charles went on to marry Georgiana Pigou in 1819; their eldest son was Hugo Francis Meynell Ingram, the last of the descendants of Sir Arthur Ingram to inherit Temple Newsam. �...

Temple Newsam and the Meynells #40

...lf of the 17th century.    In 1793 Hugo bought the Hoar Cross estate and built a hunting lodge which was known as Old Hall. Old Hall, the Meynells' first home   Hugo and Elizabeth had six children, the eldest being Hugo Charles who inherited the Temple Newsam estate from his aunt; however, he had to assume the surname of Ingram in compliance with the terms of the will of the last Lord Irwin.  So this was how the Meynell Ingram name came about, something which was quite common with the aristocracy in those days.   Hugo Charles went on to marry Georgiana Pigou in 1819; their eldest son was Hugo Francis Meynell Ingram, the last of the descendants of Si...

The Origins of the Stately Home #39

...Why are stately homes so called? Stately home actually means 'a large impressive old house with interesting history and usually visited by the public.' Well, I suppose they do look very 'stately' for a start but these houses were also a status symbol for the great families of England, who competed with each other to provide hospitality for the royal household who would travel around England meeting their subjects. Stately homes were huge mansions which were always beautiful and the epitome of perfect architecture, often designed by famous architects of the day. The gardens too would be perfectly landscaped to show balance, variety, sequence and colour. One of t...

Behind the Green Baize Door #41

...ell-known 17th century ditty mentions 'bays' as follows:-  “Hops, heresies, bays and beer All came to England in just one year.” It became popular in the mid 18th century and was used mainly for cabinet and closet linings in Europe – also games tables. I'm sure you are all familiar with pool and snooker tables showing off their red and green baize cloth.  Baize was also used as clothing for monks, nuns and soldiers as it was very warm and hard wearing. Is there no end to the talents of this serviceable cloth? A typical green baize door (in need of TLC!)   The green baize door was usually at the end of a long corridor leading from the kitchens...