Madresfield Court

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Madresfield Court [1] is located next to the village of Madresfield, in Worcestershire. It is the ancestral home of the Lygon family (spelled Ligon in America), who became Earls Beauchamp.

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[edit] 12th century Origins, Tudor Mansion with Gothic and Arts & Crafts Additions

The original Great Hall, built in the 12th century, stands at the core of this building.In 1593 Madresfield Court was rebuilt, replacing a 15th century medieval building. It was again remodelled in the 19th century to resemble a moated Elizabethan house and contains more than 100 rooms. The chapel was designed by the architect Philip Charles Hardwick and sumptuously decorated in the Arts and crafts style by Birmingham Group artists including Henry Payne, William Bidlake and Charles March Gere.[1]. It has been cited as the most beautiful expression of the arts and crafts movement in Britain.

[edit] An Inspiration for Brideshead & Royal Safehouse?

The Court was the home of William Lygon, 7th Earl Beauchamp. Evelyn Waugh was a frequent guest to the house and is said to have based the Flyte family in Brideshead Revisited on the Lygons. During World War II, had the Germans invaded the United Kingdom, the house was planned as a place of evacuation for the British Royal Family. It is currently the home of Rosalind, Lady Morrison, niece of the 8th and last Earl Beauchamp.

Madresfield Court has never been sold or bought in all its long history, instead simply remaining in the hands of the Lygon family.

"Madresfield Court" is also the name of a variety of apple, first cultivated at the house.

The Lygons of Madresfield Court (Logaston Press, UK, 2001) by Dorothy E. Williams, Archivist and Librarian to Madresfield Court 1976-99, gives a vivid synthesis, local and national, of the eight earls, their families and forerunners.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Madresfield Court The Elmley Foundation

[edit] External links