 Knebworth House
Directly off the A1 is the world famous venue for open air rock concerts, but
maybe less well-known as the romantically gothic ancestral home of
the Lytton family. The story begins in 1490 when Sir Robert Lytton purchased
Knebworth, at that time little more than a gatehouse, for £800, and
then gradually transformed the building into a traditional style, red
brick Tudor manor house. For over 300 years it remained virtually unaltered
until, in 1810, Mrs Elizabeth Bulwer-Lytton decided to modernise the
house in a rather radical manner. With the demolition of three sides
of the house, including the medieval gatehouse previously incorporated
by Sir Robert, she proceeded to remodel the one remaining wing and cover
the brickwork in stucco.
Continuing the work of his mother, Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton, the famous novelist and playwright, embellished the exterior of Knebworth House in an eccentric gothic fashion that
resembled a cross between a fairy-tale castle and an eerie 'Adams family'
abode. A liberal array of fancy domes and turrets are vividly contrasted
with carved bats, griffins and grotesque gargoyles. In the late 19th
century further additions were made to the building by the first Earl
of Lytton, but more major changes were made when the 2nd Earl
came to Knebworth House. During this period much of the internal décor was
re-fashioned with the expert advice of his brother-in-law, Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Architecturally, Knebworth House gives a perfectly clear understanding of the changing styles and ideas
right through the ages, with a number of rooms specifically depicting
a certain era. An outstanding spectacle is the Banqueting Hall, not
only because of its varied 17th century influences and craftsmanship,
but also because it holds a fascinating history. Many distinguished
guests have passed through this hall, and numbering among them were
Charles Dickens and Sir Winston Churchill. On several occasions the celebrated
Dickens, a great friend of Sir Edward, transformed the hall into a theatre
when he and his fellow amateur actors gave private performances at Knebworth House.
Churchill's connection is more romantically linked to the 2nd
Earl's wife, Pamela.
Whilst living in India, she met Winston Churchill and he fell in love with her and, no doubt, her
great beauty. Despite Pamela's subsequent marriage to the 2nd
Earl of Lytton, Churchill remained a lifelong friend and was always welcome
at Knebworth House where, on occasion, he used to sit and paint in the banqueting
hall. There are two rooms entirely dedicated to the life and works of Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton,
with several personal knick knacks and mementoes highlighting his colourful
character. The state drawing room is distinctly Victorian-Gothic, but
other areas, including the dining parlour, are typical of the Edwardian
re-styling adopted by Lutyens.
To commemorate the family's involvement with India, an exhibition of artefacts,
collected over some 50 years, is housed in the former squash court. Here
are many personal items and treasures from the time of the 1st
Earl of Lytton's Viceroyalty, as well as items from Pamela's years in
India, and the 2nd Earl's period as Governor of Bengal. So a visit to Knebworth House
does not necessarily mean having to endure hours of loud music and throbbing
crowds, it might simply prove to be a fascinating historical experience. |
