History is bunkum?

Sunday, 28 February 2010 16:39

Well, we never learn from it do we?

No, I am not going to go all political on you - but I am being a little sarcastic! I love learning about the history of our canals and also about the mark that has been left by previous generations.

Our friends John and Carolyn were with us on Saturday and we had a great day. We took advantage of their car for a trip out and then celebrated my John's birthday a bit early with a meal at the Navigation Inn.

The mad threesome! John was the photographer.

The National Trust is very good at preserving these "marks" and yesterday we visited one of them near the Stratford on Avon Canal and Grand Union Link at Lapworth.  It is also within walking distance of Kingswood Bridge (65) on the Grand Union Canal.

 Baddesley Clinton is a medieval, moated manor house

It has quite a history - one owner (a member of the Ferrers family) was a murderer, twice: once to avenge his father's murder, the second because he thought the Parish Priest was a little "fresh" with his wife.

Allegedly the blood stain from the second murder is in the library - but .... the floor has been replaced since the murder!

The library upstairs

It was the home of the Ferrers family for 500 years, that is some dynasty! Previously it had been owned by John Brome and then his son Nicholas (the murderer). Originally, the area had been part of the Forest of Arden; the land was bought and cleared to make the park. The manor was built later.

House and moat from south west

Modern heath and safety means a pontoon, moored against the servants wing, has to be used for repairs!

This magnificent fire place was upstairs at one time. It was reputed to have a priest hole behind it, but there are no traces to be seen.

Fireplace in what is now the Great Hall

There are 3 Priest Holes in the Manor House - it was a stronghold of Catholicism before and after the Reformation. In 1591 a conference of Jesuits Priests was held at Baddesley Clinton. The house was raided but the priests were not found. They were all crammed into the priest holes!

Priest Holes inside the house - the first viewed from the kitchen down into the cellar and the second under a staircase.

Nicholas Owen utilised the cellar and sewer system in the house to buikd the priest holes. From the outside it is possible to see where the garderobe was that housed one entrance. The sewer ventilation slits were blocked up to disguise the hidey holes.

South wing, garderobe is at SE end, vent shafts above moat

The house was lived in until the late 1970s when it was gifted to the National Trust. Much of it still retains the Medieval atmosphere and it feels like a family home, all be it of a few generations ago!

The courtyard inside the remaining wings is formally laid out with topiary - the west wing may have been the original Great Hall, but was demolished.

Formal garden in the courtyard, showing south wing

At one side of the house is the orchard. This east side was clad in brick at one time. Each generation has left its mark!

Orchard from summer house

We loved seeing the spring flowers appearing in the grounds

We recommend a visit - there is much more to see!

For more photos have a look at our photo album - clickety click.  For the NT details of Baddesley Clinton - clickety click