 Castle Howard
The 4th Duke of Norfolk's youngest son, Lord William Howard,
acquired this elevated site just 15 miles from the centre of York in
the 16th century. In 1661 his great grandson, Charles, was
created the first Earl of Carlisle, but it was the 3rd Earl
who employed the fashionable opportunist of the day to build his prestigious
home. John Vanbrugh, better known for his play writing at that time,
had no previous knowledge of building but somehow managed to convince
the Earl that he would be able to produce something stunningly different.
It took less than 10 years to create the palatial structure, but a further
15 years to complete the lavish external decoration and the opulent
interiors. After the deaths of Vanbrugh in 1726, and the Earl in 1738,
a new Palladian style wing was added, giving a lop-sided appearance
to the original concept. Many alterations were undertaken in subsequent
years but the contrasting splendour of Baroque against the subdued lines
of the Palladian features have been maintained to give Castle Howard
its striking silhouette.
Whilst the 3rd Earl can take the credit for this inspired and impressive stately home,
the 4th and 5th Earls made important contributions to the works of art. Both travelled abroad extensively, one collecting
antique sculptures and the other an outstanding gallery of Old Masters,
as well as numerous contemporary paintings. Their passion for classical
Italian work is prominently displayed throughout Castle Howard, but in the
Antique Passage and the Long Gallery the vast collections are exhibited
to their best advantage. Each successor at Castle Howard has added their
own touch of individuality to the growing collections, including many
portraits, porcelain and furniture.
During the 19th century a link was established with
the great Derbyshire house of Chatsworth
when the 6th Earl married the daughter of the 5th Duchess of Devonshire. Both the 6th and 7th Earls
were long-serving MPs, performing many public duties. Commemorative
items and gifts from the times when the 7th Earl was Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland are dotted around Castle Howard. George Howard and
his wife Rosalind, the 9th Earl and Countess, moved in the
pre-Raphaelite circles, and one of their many friends was William Morris.
As an active Liberal MP, a great traveller and an accomplished painter,
the 9th Earl's influence on Castle Howard is clearly visible.
The Museum Room is almost pure Victorian and contains many of the Earl's
landscape paintings, and the splendid Anglican chapel has hints of William
Morris designs among the items brought into this area by the Countess.
When the 9th Earl died in 1911, Castle Howard witnessed the end of an era, with Naworth
Castle becoming the Earl of Carlisle's main residence. Castle Howard experienced
a brief period of uncertainty before George Howard returned to live at
the house after the Second World War. Working together with his wife,
George restored the sparkle to Castle Howard and was proud to pass on
the inheritance to his son, the Hon. Simon Howard, who continues to live
there with his own family. |
