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A HISTORY OF ELVASTON AND THE STANHOPES
By
Mrs Bee Wickens (nee Beasley), Senior Historical
Advisor, Friends of Elvaston
 At the time of the Domesday Book
appearance, Elvaston was a mere hamlet, the most
important buildings being the Church, mill and a small
manor with but fifty two acres of grassland, owned by the
family Aselin, later Bardolphs, then seized by the Crown
until such time as the reigning monarch saw fit to award
it to the Blounts.
At this period of history, it was quite
common for villages, towns, even whole counties to change
hands, almost on a whim, according to the favour being
given nor was it always from wealthy personages like the
king either but, sometimes, as a matter of convenience
between members of a family. I recollect that my town of
Chesterfield was given away by a sister who preferred the
area of Nottingham to that of more bracing Derbyshire!
However, Elvaston was held by the Blounts for
some considerable time, despite being ransacked by the
Lancastrians during the War of the Roses, Walter Blount
becoming prominent as King Edward IV’s Lord High
Treasurer. In fact, it is thought that the first manor of
Elvaston held the ground which the oldest end of the
present building still occupies today, though we doubt in
its entirety, as it bears the mark 1633, over its
mullioned windows. Probably, after the devastation of
attack in 1453, and promotion to a higher status, Walter
Blount or his descendants saw fit to improve the
structure, albeit it betrays its primitiveness now after
later additions.
Meanwhile, the Stanhopes had ‘won their
spurs’. In the early 1500’s, Sir MICHAEL
STANHOPE and his wife, Ann, had made Elvaston their home,
having been knighted by Edward VI and given the rights
over Elvaston Church as well as other monastic
properties. However, incurring the wrath of the king some
time later, becoming entangled in some plot with his
brother-in-law, the Duke of Somerset, and was executed in
1552, though his wife lived for some twenty six more
years. They had two sons, THOMAS and JOHN. Thomas married
Margaret, the daughter of Sir John Port and it is their
descendants who formed the two branches that, ultimately
gained the Earldoms, John and Mary (nee Knowles) only
having one son, CHARLES of whom we hear no more!
However, THOMAS’ son, JOHN, born 1558,
evidently married well; first to Cordellia Allington by
whom he had PHILLIP, who became the 1st EARL of
CHESTERFIELD and head of the BRETBY branch of the
Stanhopes. His 2nd son, by Catherine Trentham, was
another JOHN, who inherited ELVASTON, and became head of
that branch of Stanhopes. His was a sad end, though
marrying twice - first to Olivia Beresford then, more
successfully, to Mary, daughter of Sir John Radcliffe by
whom he had a son, also JOHN, wed to Jane CURZON,
daughter of John Curzon of KEDLESTON. Yet another JOHN
following, marrying Dorothy Agard), who bore him 3 sons
THOMAS, CHARLES, and WILLIAM of whom we will hear more
anon.
However, back to the earlier JOHN who died,
we feel ,somewhat prematurely in 1638 (before his father
I believe) during the Civil War, Elvaston being
sandwiched, as it were, between the Parliamentarians rife
in Derby and Nottingham! Laid to rest, his effigy clothed
in his military garb leaning in dignified manner on one
arm with his sword at the ready, in Elvaston Church,
dastardly Cromwellians raided the property and smote the
nose and sword of the recumbent earl, thus desecrating
him in after life! Led by Sir John Gell, who continued
his trail of destruction, laying low plants and flowers
of the beautiful borders then, setting out to win the
favours of the grief-stricken widow, Mary, he wedded her
and proceeded to make her life a misery! What a tale of
Woe is that; enough to raise the ghosts of Elvaston! Who
said we had NO ghosts?!
Never mind, the subsequent Johns they were
responsible for, with the help of Jane Curzon and Dorothy
Agard (as told above) brought about an interesting
situation. WILLIAM (the 1st!), married Ann, daughter of
Col Griffiths, and became the 1st EARL of HARRINGTON in
1742 (1692-1760) and the country’s SECRETARY OF
STATE. Their son, Thomas, sadly died at 24 years of age
(1719-43). Nor have we any record of brother Charles,
except also died 1760, but John and Dorothy’s THOMAS
brought the two Stanhope branches together by marrying
JANE the widow of his Bretby Cousin CHARLES, descended
from PHILLIP, whose grandson JAMES (son of Alexander),
distinguished himself also holding the office of
SECRETARY OF STATE AND CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER!
NOW TELL US THAT THE STANHOPES, EARLS OF
HARRINGTON & CHESTERFIELD ARE NOT WORTHY KNIGHTS OF
THE REALM TO KEEP THEIR SEAT REVERED IN MEMORY OF THEIR
ACHIEVEMENTS !
When Cousin Charles had been alive, as 3rd
EARL STANHOPE of BRETBY (just East of Derby), he invented
the first metal (iron) printing press, a much sturdier
piece of equipment than hitherto. An idea that we believe
later LEICESTER (1784-1862) of the ELVASTON STANHOPES
benefited from when he set up a printing press and
founded a school in Greece. Another service he did this
country was to save for eternity all the works of Byron
which he brought back with that poet’s body, though
he was not a particular friend.
However, we must slip back in time to
Leicester’s grandfather, the 2nd WILLIAM (son of 1st
above) (1719-79), who wed aristocratically, Lady Caroline
FITZROY, daughter of the Duke of Grafton, a great beauty
of the day. This William was a soldier and politician. He
was also the 2nd EARL and BARON OF HARRINGTON (the latter
name being chosen from the village from which the
ancestors of the family originally came). Before
succeeding to the earldom, he had inherited the further
title of LORD PETERSHAM, bestowed on his father. His
first son and heir, the 3rd EARL, was CHARLES
(1753-1829), who married JANE daughter of Sir John
FLEMING. He served in the American War of Independence
was a great tea lover and, the oldest general in the
Army! Then, on retirement, became Governor and Constable
of Windsor Castle. However he found time to father two
sons, the 2nd being HENRY FITZROY (1758-1829), and five
daughters - Caroline, Isabella, Henrietta, Amelia, Anna
& Maria!
Perhaps this was the reason that the 3rd Earl
felt the need to increase the size of Elvaston greatly
and was influenced by fashion conscious daughters? We can
assume that it had been greatly enlarged as befitting
their station over the years but, maybe it was time for a
“make-over”? With five daughters to marry off,
it would be important to make a good impression on
eligible bachelors if they were going to be able to
continue to live in the style to which they were
accustomed! Thus, it is not surprising, after his travels
and sojourns in Windsor Castle that he fell for the new -
fangled Gothic style James Wyatt dangled before him.
Conversely, here was a heaven-sent opportunity for Wyatt
to really seal his reputation as a leader in the
‘modern’ architectural world. The romance of a
castle without the inconveniences of hills and moats to
negotiate! I bet the girls were all for it and made his
mind up for him! Just imagine all the grandchildren that
would be forthcoming in due course, too. What a pity he
didn’t survive long enough to see them all enjoy the
stairs, passages and secret bowers of the subsequent
gardens. The scooped-out yew mounds, that one could hide
inside, Once I came upon one and, peeping inside, almost
had a fit! There was a naked white body lying as in
death! Oh, Miss Marples where are you? What a relief to
realise that the arm adrift was cold white marble and the
poor child no more than a broken statue! I should have
known for had not I produced a head and arms to complete
a photographic Venus?
However, what we learn of “BEAU”,
the 4th EARL, another CHARLES, it would seem that, by the
time he gained his inheritance and could flaunt a
beautiful Elvaston before her, he had grown obsessively
possessive both of her and his property, and only allowed
in those who were working to make it more beautiful. Did
he never entertain his sisters or brother and their
families? Perhaps, like the aristocracy of his London
haunts, they ostracised him and his “floozy”,
the young actress, 17 years younger and an unmarried
mother! Well she remained faithful to him, maybe because
almost held captive and tales were rife in the house, how
she terrified the staff when, in frustration, she
scattered the maids and cook by riding through the
kitchen and up the marble stairs! I wonder whether he
allowed the child she had had previously to enjoy the
beautiful surroundings? I think not, how sad! They had a
son but was it some kind of retribution that his life was
“nipped in the bud” when scarcely out of
infancy, at four years old?
In earlier years, being a dandy and fashion
setter of no mean talent, we tend to overlook the fact
that he was also a soldier and distinguished himself on
the battle-field. It seems difficult to marry the two
life-styles but, scoff as we may at this love of beauty,
regarding him effeminate, remember his childhood had been
surrounded by sisters and maybe their tastes had rubbed
off and he’d thought if he couldn’t beat them,
he’d join them. Certainly, he knew how to please the
ladies - he’d had enough practice from birth! The
results of his taste is still the hall-mark of Elvaston
and what singles it out as different from all the other
stately homes, of which one of my foreign visitors
wearily said to me, “Oh, when you’ve seen one,
you’ve seen them all!” One may not agree, but
there is a grain of truth in that remark, one must admit
but NOT AT ELVASTON! Whatever feats the others performed
to make us proud, it is the foresight and vision of the
4th Earl and his father DARING TO BE DIFFERENT, that
makes Elvaston too unique to be changed! Learn of these
individuals so far and realise the living, breathing
atmosphere we share with them and they, at one, with us.
Also, think on that the effect of this family
is still playing its part today, though I have not yet
spoken of the characters from the setting of that Fair
Star into our own century! Yet still we speak of, and use
Petersham as his influence directed; snuff boxes he
designed are now collectors’ treasures, still
business men wear his coat style and his hat is worn with
tails for weddings, even as the Prince Regent did..
Still, in London is Stanhope Gardens, Petersham Mews,
Harrington Square and Elvaston Place in SW7 and the
lightweight phaeton and Stanhope gig that Fitzroy
designed can still be occasionally seen in London, I am
told and, most likely at these veteran rallies where they
put horses through their paces. The Stanhopes commanded
the attention of royalty and their opinions and ideas not
only respected but copied, particularly the 3rd & 4th
earls even as, today, one of their descendants is a
member of the Royal Household: Viscountess Linley, wife
of Princess Margaret’s son, Serena Stanhope is
grand-daughter of the 83-year-old earl who kept an eye on
Elvaston throughout the war, when my college was in
residence.
However, I am missing out some important
members that continued the work of the 4th earl or, at
least saw that his work was kept in good order. Anyone
who has had a house and/or garden to care for knows how
repetitive and demanding that is, so a word about those
who came after and made sure it was kept in fine state
for us many years later. Brother LEICESTER, Fitzgerald,
Charles became the 5th EARL, (1784-1862) after spending
some years in the Army and as a politician, as said
earlier, he went out to Greece in 1823, where he built a
printing press and founded a school. He was in his
sixties when he succeeded to the earldom and found the
debts incurred by his brother crippling. Thus a reversal
of action was needed and the gardens thrown open to
paying visitors and, it is said, that people came in
their thousands and special trains were laid on. Even
visitors from Europe at a time that such travel was only
for the wealthy. However, the Topiary garden, especially
themed, was a very new fashion, so would probably bring
experts wishing to explore the methods etc for their own
development.
We are told Holker Hall was the first topiary
garden but one has to remember that the 4th earl had kept
Elvaston so private and “under wraps” that it
was not known about till Leicester opened it up after
1851. After his death, his sixteen year old son, Seymour
Sydney (1845-66) inherited, but only lived four more
years, when the son of Leicester and Beau’s younger
brother Fitzroy - Charles Wyndham, (1809-81) - took over.
He was about 57 years old by this time and more a man of
studious nature, enjoying making and playing violins. His
father, Fitzroy, had been a keen sportsman and talented
engineer and designed the carriages popular in London. He
had married Elizabeth Peasall and they had possibly the
liveliest, most memorable son of them all! The 8th EARL,
CHARLES AUGUSTUS, (1844-1917) - nicknamed “Old
Whiskers” in later years, due to his full bushy
white beard, said by many to be “the most popular
man in the Midlands” and possibly the only keen
huntsman and Master of the Hunt that has ever gone to the
meet in a horse and cart! Well, what do you do when your
motorised vehicle breaks down? At least the well worn
cart and its hardy horse was more reliable!
He married the Hon. Elizabeth Carrington,
daughter of the 2nd Baron Carrington and served in the
Cavalry. He was also a keen amateur engineer, spending
many hours in his workshop emulating some of his forbears
who had inventions to their name. However, it was there
he met a tragic death when there was an explosion in the
workshop and he was killed. Still spoken of with bated
breath, is an incident at his funeral when the hounds he
so loved were, at his earlier instruction, released to
run their course and, bounding towards the churchyard as
he was lowered into his grave, their baying sounding as
he had wanted, they all checked their flight as they
reached the grave! All had a warm spot for this straight
and kindly man and his son, the 10th EARL, CHARLES JOSEPH
LEICESTER STANHOPE (1887-1929), seems to have been
equally revered despite only reigning in the inheritance
for little more than one year! Again, a very keen
horseman and Master of the Hunt, he had been Captain and
Major of the 155th Hussars.
The tragedy of his death moved everyone who
knew him, for it was an accident of his horse stumbling
at a jump, causing him to be plunged head first and break
his neck, and nothing could be done to save him. He was
particularly well thought of by the local farmers who
planned a memorial tablet to mark the place he met his
death. A most sudden and unexpected end to a most
promising life and valuable member of the community, his
funeral was attended by so many people, that almost a
hundred stood outside in cold and rain, the church being
filled to capacity long before the service. Again the
silence was broken by the baying of the hounds; this time
from their kennels in the courtyard.
However, there were three older Stanhopes not
yet mentioned, two younger brothers of Charles Augustus,
FITZROY WM. (1845-1913) missing the inheritance by but
1year, but dying sooner than the 8th earl and LINCOLN
EDWIN (1849-1902), so the son of Charles Wyndham, the 7th
earl, ie. DUDLEY, HENRY, EDEN STANHOPE (1859-1928),
became the 9th EARL (before CHAS JOSEPH above). There
seems almost a guilty air of disappointment whenever a
report is printed on him, because he was evidently a very
good man, courteous and pleasant; helpful, kind and
dutiful, but seems to have lacked the spark of the sporty
ones. A great supporter of charities and local hospitals,
being president of the Hospital for Sick Children etc and
formerly Lieutenant in Derby Militia, Captain and Major
of the 15th Hussars, but had poor health in later life
and was referred to as a man of quiet tastes.
As the 10th earl inherited at 42 years old
and only reigned a year, his heir, WILLIAM, HENRY
LEICESTER STANHOPE, 1922 (Aug 24th), was only a wee lad
of seven years old! Far too young for responsibility and
his mother, Margaret, daughter of Major Trelawney,
plunged so early into widowhood, a Trust was formed to
help, advise, and administer the estate business. At
seventeen, another big upheaval as war was declared and
it was decided to evacuate with the valued string of race
horses, which I believe was a major source of the Estate
income. Following the movements of the young earl, it
would seem that he was loath to turn his back on the
troubles and in the fine Army tradition of his family,
wanted a “piece of the action” and we read a
report in the newspaper of the day that this 17-year-old
left his studies at Eton and tried to join up but his
under age was detected and he was rejected, However, not
to be beaten, he joined the Derby Militia and tramped the
beat for six days a week until old enough to be accepted
in his father’s old regiment.
He has been married three times, the first to
Eileen, daughter of Sir Foley-Grey a descendant of Lady
Jane Grey, one of Henry VIII’s more unfortunate
wives, when he was still only a lance-corporal. By the
time he was 21years of age and had his coming-out parties
at Elvaston and the Harrington Arms for estate staff and
families and fellow officers, he was a lieutenant. They
had JANE (1942), ATHENA (1944) and CHARLES, HENRY and
LEICESTER (1845), who IS Viscount Petersham and heir to
the earldom. At sixty years old, like many others, it
looks like being an added responsibility at a time of
life one usually hopes to have less commitments! His
father will have had the longest reign of the lot of them
- from 7years old to….? already, 76 years. VISCOUNT
PETERSHAM’S son is WILLIAM, HENRY, LEICESTER, bap.
at Elvaston (1945), of which I tell elsewhere. His
sister, Jane, too, in 1943. William put in a bid for
Elvaston with some business friends, has let the Estate
have an album of photographs to help record how the
gardens used to look and generally takes an interest in
its future. He married 2/3 years ago and I believe lives
in Scotland ( a friend sent me newspaper cuttings).
William’s sister, the daughter of
VISCOUNT PETERSHAM, is SERENA, VISCOUNTESS LINLEY, wife
of Princess Margaret’s son, and they now have one,
if not two children. Meanwhile, our prolific present 11th
Earl marrying a 2nd time: ANN THEODORA ARENBURG-CHUTE,
had STEVEN who is married with BEB (1978) & TARA
(1979). Marrying for a 3rd time: PRISCILLA, MARGUERITE,
CUBBITT, they had JOHN FITZROY (1965) now aged 40.
Suspect at least two more generations by now of little
Elvastonian Stanhopes!
However, I think this Roll Call has been very
impressive, showing many prestigious family connections,
reading like Debrett’s, to equal any stately home in
the country and cause us to be proud of this
family’s achievements and attention to duty in the
old tradition. Surely, we should be proud and resolved to
keep this home as a tribute to all their service to our
country and, ultimately, for us and coming generations.
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