Haddon Hall

(read on for )

Haddon Hall

Haddon Hall stands on a bluff overlooking the River Wye, two miles southeast of Bakewell. The situation and the embattled outline give an impression of strength from a distance, but as a castle Haddon is something of a mystery. Its complex building history suggests a manor house, which developed defenses but has been effectively de-fortified since.

The story goes back to Richard de Vernon, who obtained a peculiar license in 1195. It allowed him to enclose his house within a wall, but the wall was not to exceed twelve feet in height and was not to be crenellated. Some of the wall and part of the chapel survive from that time.

What stands today is a rectangular enclosure of the fourteenth century with ranges of buildings on each side. The outer wall is certainly thick enough to qualify as a curtain except on the north side, where the range is a late medieval rebuilding. On the west the curtain remains defensive with a square bastion projecting from the middle. The terrain is strongest here but the insertion of Elizabethan bay windows elsewhere has transformed the appearance of the mansion. The only other towers are the tall gate towers at each end. An unaccountable weakness is the chapel that projects from the southwest corner of the enclosure.

The hall lies across the middle of the enclosure, dividing it into two courtyards. This arrangement allowed the hall to be lit by large windows on either side without weakening the curtain. A fine porch leads from the lower courtyard into the old screens passage. The original wooden screen still exists, though the hall roof is a modern reconstruction. To the north are the kitchen and a row of domestic offices. To the south is a first-floor solar, the former parlor beneath it preserving a painted ceiling from about 1500.

 

 
Translate Page Into German Translate Page Into French Translate Page Into Italian Translate Page Into Portuguese Translate Page Into Spanish Translate Page Into Japanese Translate Page Into Korean

More Articles

 

 

Search This Site

 

Related Products And FREE Videos



 

More Articles


Winter Honeymoon Destinations

... Austria. An Alpine town perfect for skiing, Kitzb hel has chalets complete with fireplaces for cuddling up, top-notch cross country trails and downhill slopes and a perfect nightlife. St. Moritz, Switzerland. Aside from the mountain slopes perfect for snow activities, there s also the apr s-ski caf fertig, ... 

Read Full Article  


All About Passports And Visas For Your Italy Vacation

... of the Italian government is that you plan to return to your country. Therefore they always ask for proof that you have a full-time job especially if you are a non-US citizen. The Department of State recommends that during your Italy vacation you register your presence there with the US embassy. This ... 

Read Full Article  


The Cake Topper In Your Bridal Accessories Package

... are thinking about the bridal accessories, you want to remember the cake topper and find one that reflects on you and your intended. When you do, you will find that you have a unique and original topper that makes a statement as to who you are and what this day means to you. The fun of picking just the ... 

Read Full Article