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.
Is it near Ashbourne?
ReplyDeleteIt's between Ashbourne and Derby the village is signposted between Brailsford and Mackworth, hope this helps:)
DeleteIt's such an interesting place, crammed full with memorials by the sounds of it. I was looking at Wikipedia and it mentioned that their 17 children were depicted on the side of the tomb. All the symbolism is fascinating. I'm glad that you had a good day out in the grounds too listening to all those birds. 😊
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DeleteThe church was full of memorials, some really interesting early ones in the floor of the chancel and on the walls in the chapel. The later ones of the Viceroy and his wife we didn't get close to as there was a group around it having a lecture of some kind. Inside was a cool, dark contrast to the bright warm weather outside:)
The hall is beautiful. I remember those huge marble pillars. X
ReplyDeleteIt is, those pillars are amazing. Next time we visit we will go inside the hall again:)
DeleteWhat a lovely walk - OH uses the Merlin app on his phone - I so wish I still could hear bird song. If I thought a hearing aid would help I might consider having one!
ReplyDeleteThe church looks really interesting especially the memorials and tombs and heraldic shields.
Thanks for the link to your visit when you saw inside the house - it looks stunning. I really must have a look at google maps and see how far it is from here. A great post Rosie.
It was a lovely walk and a lovely visit. I used to have Bird Nerd on my phone but I took it off as Paul has Merlin and it is much better and seems more accurate. My hearing is getting worse too, I was prescribed hearing aids ages ago to help with the tinnitus but stopped wearing them as I struggled with them picking up too much noise, especially in public places - I could hear everything but the people I was with so still struggled to hear. I suspect they would help in the quiet countryside and hearing bird song though. I hope you can get to visit Kedleston one day as you would love all the memorials in the church:)
DeleteWhat an interesting place to visit with much history and a beautiful setting.
ReplyDeleteSo much history there, lots of connections too, it is a beautiful place:)
DeleteThat looks like a very special place especially with the sun shining. Fascinating tombs. So old. B x
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely place even more so in the sun, the tombs were interesting especially the older ones:)
DeleteI love the look of that round house with a thatched roof! Hope you have a nice weekend Rosie. x
ReplyDeleteI had to photograph the little hut, it looks like something out of a fairy tale:)
DeleteKedleston looks like another lovely place to visit with a facinating history and beautiful grounds to enjoy. It will make a great day trip out for us so I'm adding it to our growing list of places to visit. Thank you, Rosie.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beverley. It is a wonderful place to visit lots of history and wonderful walks:)
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