Kirby Hall - Weldon, Northamptonshire (EH)
Built of the local Weldon stone, Kirby Hall has a delightful mixture of architectural styles. Begun in 1570 by Sir Humphrey Stafford, it was completed in 1575 by Sir Christopher Hatton, one of Elizabeth I's most talented courtiers. The third Christopher Hatton made important alterations between 1638-40 and it remained in the family until 1764, when it passed to Edward Finch-Hatton. There may have been a house at Kirby shortly before the present building - before the dissolution of the monasteries it was church land - but the present building's date is provided by the still existing plan by the architect John Thorpe.
Inner courtyard
Royalty was entertained in lavish style at Kirby, the Queen, Anne of Denmark in 1605, King James I in 1612, 1616, 1619 and 1620. Not surprisingly for a family with such exalted friends, the third Sir Christopher took the Royalist side during the Civil War and as a reward, in 1643, he was created Baron Hatton of Kirby and Controller of the King's Household. When Oxford was surrendered in 1646, the Baron went to Calais and his family and property at home, although suffering debt and hardship, escaped confiscation by the Commonwealth. He returned home in 1656, and again spent money on Kirby, altering the Great Hall and maintaining a splendid garden. In 1662, he was made Governor of Guernsey, a position which was passed on to his son, Christopher IV on his death. He managed to repair the damage done to the estate by the high living of his father, but tragedy struck in 1672 when his wife and mother were killed by a gunpowder explosion on Guernsey. He married twice more and on returning to Kirby, continued to collect rare plants for his garden. He planted a 'wilderness' of native trees and loved Kirby so much that his absence from the House of Lords was noteworthy. His death in 1706 meant that Kirby's zenith had been passed. His heirs preferred to live in London, got into debt and the house gradually fell into disrepair. By 1930, the house came into the guardianship of the Office of Works, and since 1984, it has been cared for and extensively repaired by English Heritage.
The west front and the great Elizabethan bay windows from the garden
Kirby Hall covers a vast area and it is worth taking your time exploring the remains. Some parts are roof-less, some have fine Jacobean plasterwork ceilings.The gateway leads in through a finely carved stone Loggia to the Inner Courtyard, with the ranges on either side used for accommodation. Straight ahead is the main focus of the house, with a Renaissance porch combining Elizabethan and Classical decoration. To the right is the Great Hall, still an important room when the house was built, and descended from the medieval Great Halls of earlier centuries. Here however, the fashion for light and space can be seen from the huge windows. The walls would have been panelled and colourful paintings, carpets and fabrics would have displayed the taste and wealth of the owners.
To the right of the Great Hall are the beautiful bay windows of the Parlour and Library, overlooking the formal gardens and the 'wilderness'. The main bedrooms were above these rooms. On the left of the Great Hall were the kitchens and domestic rooms to service this great house, providing for the lavish entertainment held here. Along the West Lodgings, giving a better view of the formal gardens, is the Long Gallery. Here the guests and family could stroll during the winter or bad weather, admiring the view.
Kirby remains impressive today, its mellow yellow stone and gabled roofline an elegant reminder of its former prestige. Although little now remains of the 'wilderness' the formal gardens are being recreated, and there is an interesting exhibition within the west range.