 Burghley House
During the Elizabethan era the name of one remarkable man remains forever
synonymous with that of Queen Elizabeth. William Cecil was once described as "the
greatest, gravest, and most esteemed Councillor" that the Queen
ever had. His dedication to Queen and country over 40 years was unparalleled
at that time, and he was well rewarded for his services. Moreover,
Cecil became the Queen's trusted friend and confidante. The building of his
grand, stately mansion was his way of declaring such an important status,
and half way through the construction period, Cecil was further honoured
with the title of Lord Burghley. His palatial Lincolnshire residence
became the foundation for a dynasty, and his descendants continue to
live at Burghley House to this day.
A typical Elizabethan mansion,
vast and beautifully decorative, Burghley House represents yet another facet
of William Cecil's ability and determination. As his own architect for
the building, Cecil must have put in an extraordinary amount of work over
the 32 years it took to complete, whilst continuing to perform the important
duties of his ministerial office, and be at the constant beck and call
of his Queen. Through the generations, Burghley House has been extended, remodelled,
and altered internally to provide the different arrangements required
during various periods of occupation but there remains plenty of evidence
of Cecil's original work.
None of Lord Burghley's immediate descendants held positions of national importance, but his younger son,
Robert, was created Earl of Salisbury, becoming the founder member of
the Cecils of Hatfield. His elder son became the first Earl of Exeter
in 1605. When the 5th Earl inherited Burghley House towards
the end of the 17th century, he spent an enormous amount
of money on transforming the interiors with exquisite décor undertaken
by a whole host of famous craftsmen of the time. Louis Laguerre, Antonio
Verrio, Grinling Gibbons and Edward Martens, and just a few of the
names associated with the grand work at Burghley House.
By the time the Earl and his Countess had completed their extensive European travels, investing
in huge art collections along the way to show off in their splendidly
refurbished home, it is little wonder that they left substantial debts
at their deaths. By the time of the 9th Earl the estate had
sufficiently recovered, and he was able to complete the grandiose redecoration
that his great grandfather had started. Also an avid collector, he favoured
the classical Italian art, and his additions to the internal architecture
are very much in that vogue.
The 10th Earl, who was created the 1st Marquess in 1801, is a noted family
member for a far more romantic reason. His second wife was a beautiful
peasant girl, known as 'the Cottage Countess', and their union is eternally
celebrated in Tennyson's ballad, The Lord of Burghley. During the last
200 years Burghley House has been the family home of successive MPs, public
figures, a revered sportsman and a naval officer. The present Marquess
lives in Canada with his family, but the house is still home to one of
the 6th Marquess' daughters. Encompassing over 400 years of
fascinating family history, interests and collections in the 18 sumptuous
rooms open to visitors, Burghley House certainly lives up to its reputation
as 'one of England's most beautiful houses'. |
