In my last post but one I promised more on our visit to Kedleston during the very sunny week we had earlier this month.
We didn't go into the house this time as we've been in a couple of times before. We decided to go on one of the estate walks first before lunch and then visit the gardens, bookshop and church.
Lots of sheep baaing in the fields as we walked. Some were curious, others not.
We used Merlin to find out what birds we could hear as we walked along.
Woodpeckers were rat-a-tat tatting almost all the way of the walk.
Kedleston has been owned by the Curzon family since the mid 12th century. The Mansion was designed by Robert Adam and was commissioned by Nathaniel Curzon in the 18th century c. 1750. The church is much earlier, probably 13th century and is all that is left of the mediaeval village of Kedleston as it was moved to make way for the building of the Hall.
Inside are many memorials to the Curzon family. It was difficult to take photos inside as there were a few visitors moving around and also a small group in front of the later tombs. I was able to take a few photos of the earlier memorials. the one above from 1456 is of Sir John Curzon and his wife Joan, daughter of Sir John Bagot of Blithfield in Staffordshire.
Both figures have a dog at their feet.
Below, within the chancel, is the memorial to an earlier Sir John Curzon who died in 1406, his wife was Eleanor Twyford.
Apparently he wears a Lancastrian SS or 'esses' livery collar. This was an emblem of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
I was trying to work out what animal he had at his feet.
Is it a lion? Or is it a mythical creature? I can find little on google but my book on Derbyshire by Arthur Mee says it is a lion.
Three of the six heraldic shields which decorate the ogee arch above the earlier Sir John's effigy
Two of the stained glass windows which were behind the heraldic shields above. They both have the inscription Curzon of Kedleston.

Back out in the garden the sun was still shining, but it was time to think about heading for home..
Below is a link to a blog post I wrote in September 2018 about the inside of the Hall.
All for now.