English Country House - Essay Example

? English Country House Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact English Country House As the name suggests, an English Country House is a large house or mansion located in the country sides of England. Such houses are acclaimed for their architectural merits and in certain circles, these are also known as stately homes. Basically, people build such houses for spending time in a country side, away from the chaos of city life and its hassles. However, making enormous investments on such mansions, and incurring hefty expenditures on their maintenance, also has a sociological purpose. Owing such houses elevates the social status of the investor and offers that person an aura of belonging to a certain class. The architectural splendour and lush landscapes, coupled with their historical significance make country houses the most popular asset in English society. People cherish such mansions as priced possessions also because of their value in terms of social and environmental aspects. Due to these characteristics, in people consider a country house as an ideal place for spending vacations and getting relaxation from the monotony of their daily routine. However, since the cost towards purchase and maintenance of such houses is exponential, only the highly rich and elite, or people in the higher echelons of power are able to afford such mansions. A large house or mansion having great architectural merit in English country side is commonly known as English Country House, and some people also mention it as stately home. The very purpose of the house is to spend time in a country area without any botheration of city life headaches and to enjoy life. The country houses are known for their architectural, historical, landscapes, social and environmental aspects. In fact a Country House is a spot where you can relax and spend your vacation. So only people who are so rich can afford such houses. The owners of such houses are also referred to as the ruling class due to their dignity, political influence, and power in government. The running and maintenance of such houses are the main concerns for the owners, as it leads to huge expenditure. “As Mark Girouard points out in his anthology A Country House Companion, there's a mythology surrounding English country houses that extols them as "magical places" and their owners as wise custodians who tend the land, look after their tenants and servants, devote their lives to public service, fill their galleries with beautiful pictures and their libraries with rare books, and are unfailingly hospitable to friends and guests” (Morrison, 2011). The decline of English Country Houses starts with the rise of taxation, agricultural depression, and financial shortfalls in maintaining such huge houses, and the vast area involved as well. Due to there issues, most of such historical houses have been transferred to private trust, national museums or local museums. Some of the houses are now running the show by giving it on rental for short period activities such as wedding, civil ceremonies, film shooting, and as corporate entertainment venue. The survival of such houses is in jeopardy. Ever since the inception of high rise buildings in cities, and the influx of villagers to cities, and the consequent demand for accommodation in big cities, public interest has been growing in exploring the social values of English country houses. The status they give to the owners, the lifestyle, and also the identity of such houses attracts public attention. With new trends in architectural style and interior designing, the grand old country houses had lagged behind in attracting customers or tourists until a few years ago. Recently there is a reverse trend in the public minds concerning the serenity, charm, prestige and splendor involved in owning a country house or in staying there. Though they are modeled on the 18th and 19th century architectural style, people have an eye on them. With the advent of globalization, tourist destinations have shrunk in distance, and with information technology at finger tips, it is easy for customers to own such houses or at least know them, as they bring added social prestige to those who own them. The truth is those who own them, or use them are not willing to sell them. They rent out the mansions to event management groups. Glamorous functions which include weddings, high level business meetings, and partying are organized there, and the country mansion becomes the focal point of attention automatically. The owners are sought after, and consequently their social prestige grows to unimaginable heights. The owner successfully uses their mansions to build social contacts. They come in to contact with prestigious business groups, those who belong to princely classes, high level bureaucrats and dignatories, Hollywood actors and actresses, and even the premiers of certain nations. The media attention drawn by the English country houses have even helped in the economic development of their locations. The tourist inflow increases, and that brings added revenue in the form of foreign exchange. The growing interest in choosing foreign locales for films shooting have drawn film producers from all over the world and the film fraternity to these mansions. With a facelift given to the houses, they live up to the imagination of regular cine goers. As they are located only in countryside, with endless green backdrop, cameraman can create wonders with them. The income generated by renting out the houses for such events, convert the owners into wealthy men, which in turn make them socially acceptable or famous. Sometimes, big business groups claim the house on rent for days together as part of their sales promotion, holding exhibitions of their products, conducting business meetings, or housing important personalities at company expense. Weddings of important dignatories, kings, princes or princesses, or other heads of states give additional glamour to the house that hosted the function, and it remains unfaded in the minds of these who take an active interest in such matters. “Place is a unique spot in the universe. Place is the distinction between here and there, and it is what allows people to appreciate near and far. Places have finitude, but they nest logically because the boundaries are (analytically and phenomenologically) elastic” (Gieryn, 2000, p. 464). Description of the House: In this topic we discuss the English Country House ‘Chatsworth House’. This house is particularly chosen for its architectural and historical importance and also because it has been selected also as the UK’s favorite country house. (Chatsworth House, 2012). Chatsworth is the house of the Duchess and the Duke of Devonshire, and has been a house to the Cavendish family members since 1549 December. Numerous citizens visit yearly and see the public face of the Chatsworth’s; the house and its inside, the plot and its waterworks, the recreational area, the park, the farmyard and escapade playground. There are various restaurants and shops, and free admittance to miles of paths in the woodland and park. Chatsworth plays a significant position in Derbyshire as an employer, a place of leisure and a provider to good causes. The Chatsworth House is situated in North Derbyshire, England, approximately 6 kms north east of Bakewell, and 14 kms from Chesterfield West. On the banks of river Denwent, with the low hills is set in expansive Parkland, backed with wooded rocky hills the Chatsworth House stands unique with its collections of worthless paintings, priceless furniture, and old master drawing. “It is the largest private library in England with almost 27,000 books collected during several centuries. The old library has 17,000 books from the first seven Dukes of Devonshire (English Country House Libraries (page 5), 2011). These houses are well known, as they have accommodated tourist’s pols of the owners, and above all the kings and queens of medieval times and Renaissance period. As frequenting such houses is a matter of social prestige, the occasion of a royal visit would cause local or aspiring aristocrats, to refurnish the suites in the country house. Sometimes, the immoderate expense of hosting the royal extravaganza would put the owning family in deep financial difficulties, but they also received some letter from the royal family. It is built on sloping ground, lower on north and west sides, and had have great changes since its built up. The name Chatsworth means i:e. ‘The Court of Chetel’. Chatsworth was a large estate when it was owned by Leche family in 15th century. They built a house on the high ground and enclosed the first park, at Chatsworth. They sold the property to Sir William Cavendish, Treasurer of Kings Chamber, and the husband of Bess of Hardwick. In 1553, Bess began to build the new house and a river site was selected. The front entrance was west front, embellished with four towers and a great hall on the east side of courtyard, where the Painted Hall still remains the focus. In1557 Sir William died, but Bess completed the house in 1560, and stayed these with her fourth husband, George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury, who owned the responsibility of Queen Mary of Scotland, brought his prisoners to Chatsworth several times. She was lodged in the apartment which is now known as Queen of Scots rooms. Bess expired in 1608, and it was passed to William Cavendist, the second son and 1st Earl of Devonshire. “Chatsworth House in Derbyshire has just fewer than 300 rooms. At least 10, and often up to 25 of these, are decorated with flowers all year. On a weekly basis, the two flower arrangers, Lucy Wharton and Mick Brown, make up to 40 arrangements between them” (Cut Flower Advice from Chatsworth House, 2008). A rebuilding of the house was done in 1687. Cavendish only planned the reconstruction of the south wing and to retain the Elizabethan tradition and plan. Lateron the south and east fronts were also built by William Talman in 1696. The 1st Duke’s Chatsworth was the embodiment of English Baroque architecture. It opened an artistic revolution for English houses, with no attics and hipped roof, but two stories supported by rusticated basement. The facade is sculptural with ironic pilasters, heavy entablature and balustrade. The east front is the quietest of the four on the main block but the south front is unusual as it has even number of bays, and no centerpiece. At the end bays double pairs of pilasters are placed but the inner pains projects outwards. Chatsworth House Photo Gallery - Image Detail: The Cascade, built by Joseph Paxton. It descends 200 feet over a series of 24 steps - and as you can see from this photo, children find it irresistible on a warm day! Each step is a different size and shape, so that the sound made by the water as it runs down the cascade is varied. The Cascade is entirely gravity-fed, as are all the numerous water features in Chatwsorth's garden” (Rose, n.d.). The west front has nine bays with the pediment supported by columns and pilasters to other bays. The west front is a carved stone work with window frames highlighted with gold leaf for catching the sunset. To build the north front there was a challenge, as the north end of the west front projection was feet further than the north end of east front. To overcome this, a slightly curved facade was build to distract the eye. In 19th century, an alteration was made to the north front by which the attic windows were only visible on the exterior of house and is set in the main facade, rather than into a visible roof. New rooms were added late in 19th century, on all three levels. The eastern side only remains with the surviving baroque facade. Samul Watson, a Derbyshire Craftman had done a lot of stone marble and wood work with carved trophies. The south front is famous for its splendid, stately suites. The Chapel and the painted hall are the surviving interiors. The basic attraction in Chatsworth is that, it offers warmth and feeble relations to the visitors. The 6th Duke who was himself a builder and gardner, was the main transformer of Chatsworth. He inherited it in 1811. He made a lot of additions with the existing spaces, without demolishing anything, in order to retain the heritage of his family. The famous architect Jeffry Wyatville was entrusted the responsibility to modernize the house, to meet the challenges and needs of the centuries to follow. The main additions were corridors for easy access, living rooms, oak stairs for internal communications, and a good and big library hall. The entire ground floor was converted into service rooms, kitchen, servants’ hall, laundry, butler, housekeeping etc. The main rooms face the east in the new wing, where there is a small library ‘Dome Room. There is a dining room, and a music gallery where musicians played. Next comes the largest room in the house, the sculpture gallery and the orangery. In the north is Beive Dene Tower which contains a private theatre and a plunge bath. There are 3 gates for the house, the central and the largest gate led to North entrance. The main is used by visitors. The whole work was done in Italian style, blend with the smooth and elaborate finish of baroque style. To embellish the new interiors, marble was used. Chatsworth’s architecture and collections have been evolving for five centuries. It has over 30 rooms to explore from the Painted Hall, the Chapel, Regal State Rooms, Sketch Galleries, and Sculpture Gallery. It has Europe’s most significant art collections. Contemporary ceramics, encompassing old masters, computer portraits, which is superior in quality modern sculpture and artefacts from ancient Egypt etc. The Old Master Drawiners include works of Leonardo davinchi, Van Dyck, and Rembrandt. Chatsworth House is so impressive that words cannot do justice to its magnificent interior. There are 175 rooms, Out of which 51 are extremely large, with 17 staircase, 24 baths, 359 doors, 53 toilets, 21 kitchen and 52 hand basins. It has 2000 electric light bulbs, 76 antique clocks, 17,000 books library with the other specialties. The one and only irony is that, till 1930, seven of the opulent bed rooms had only one bath room and toilet. At the entrance there is the great staircase and Painted Hall, and one would be dazzled by the decor and superb furniture, tapestries, and art contents. The paintings on the ceilings are superb, three dimensional corries, an illusion by use of shadows, and Chinese collections including designs created by knives and forks. The main highlights of the interiors of Chatsworth are; (I)  The Painted Hall created by 1st Duke at the first major room. The paintings on the wall and the ceiling decipting the life of Julius Caesar. (II)  There are a lot of art collections, which is the real treasure. Most of them are displayed in the Sculpture Gallery, and the remaining is found all throughout the house. The major collections on display include a striking ancient Greek marble foot, a titanium fan of a Rolls Royce Jet engine, and four royal thrones. (III)  The richly furnished, oldest room in the house known as the Oak Room with carvings and paneling bought from a German monastery. (IV)  The queen of scots chambers. (V)  The State Music Room features a trompe I’oeil of a violin, and a bow hanging on silver knob on a door painted in 1723 by Jan Van Vaast. Other Activities: (I)  There is a farm which allows children to see and watch animals close. There is an adventure playground, a very famous activity area for children of all age groups, a matter of fun for the parents. (II)  There is a big farm shop which caters quality fish and meats. There is a vast arry of meat, poultry and game. Home-cooked delicious meats and pies are made available with bakery products as well. (III)  It has a mammoth garden open to more than 300,000 visitors a year. It covers 105 acres with a blend of different features from six different countries. It is situated in the valley of Denoent River surrounded by a wall of 3kms long. Most of the principal features were created in 5 main phases of development. (IV)  The Elizabethan garden an additional one with ponds, fountains and fishponds. A squat stone tower is also there. (V)  There is a Cascade and Cascade House, Canal pond, Seashore Fountain, Willow Tree Fountain, Flora’s Temple and a green house. (VI)  A park, known as Old Park having 1000 acres and woods and farmyards. Additional Information: Chatsworth is the hub of 35,000 acres of agricultural estate and a family trust that is established in 1946 takes care of the activities. The duke and the other members of the family are entitled for the income. Popular Cultural Involvements (I)  It appeared in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, an adaption film in 2005. (II)  Represented Pemberley, Mr. Darcy’s home. (III) It was used in The Duchess in 2008 featuring Keira Kringtley and Ralph Fiennes. (IV)  The Wolfman in 2010 with Benicio del Toro and Anthony Hopkins.  Chatswoth House in Recent Times: Chatsworth has now become a commercial enterprise which needs visitors to survive. “Chatsworth is all show business: the ' Palace of the Peaks' is an attraction that not only dominates the glorious Derbyshire countryside but which has succeeded in outpacing its rivals. It was the first country house, for example, to open a Farm Shop, which last year was rated the best in the country the previous year” (Barrett, 2010). It also hosts easter extravaganza, annual country fairs and international horse trials. Thankfully the wealth of Devonshire’s allows them to maintain the house in a way few others can think have, ie mainly because they are determined to keep the house and estate in the best way possible. Considering the ill fortunes that modern economies and circumstances that have affected the country houses, it is a remarkable testament to the efforts taken by Devonshires. Conclusion: Owning a country house was seen as a symbol of pride and affluence in earlier times but maintaining such houses in the original grandeur has become very difficult for its owners. Hence most of them are being turned into local museums or being taken up by private trusts. The remaining houses are striving for their maintenance charges by holding corporate events or as film shooting sets. Reference List Barrett, F. (2010). Charming Chatsworth: Derbyshire’s Grand Dame of a Stately Home shines Forth after a Glamorous ?15 Million Top-to-Toe Overhaul. Mail Online. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1256027/Chatsworth-House-Derbyshire-reopens-15m-facelift.html Chatsworth House, (2012). Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatsworth_House Cut Flower Advice from Chatsworth House, (2008). Sarah Raven’s Kitchen & Garden. Retrieved from http://www.sarahraven.com/how-to/growing-flowers/7/cut-flower-advice-chatsworth-house English Country House Libraries (page 5), (2011). Beautiful Libraries.com. Retrieved from http://www.beautiful-libraries.com/3500-5.html Gieryn, T. F. (2000). A Space for Place Sociology. Annual Reviews. Retrieved from http://courses.washington.edu/phequity/Gieryn.pdf Morrison, B. (2011). The Country House and the Novel. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jun/11/country-house-novels-blake-morrison Rose, D. (n.d.). Derbyshire: Chatsworth House Photo Gallery – Image Detail. Britain Express. Retrieved from http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/derbyshire/houses/Chatsworth-House-Photos/Chatsworth-Photo-6.htm             Read More