Manchester University Press
1 ‘Antiquity mad’
Abstract
This chapter examines the relationship between travel and Frederick Hervey's country houses. Firstly, it explores whether Hervey's example challenges the traditional definition of the Grand Tourist. Secondly, the chapter explores his unparalleled building campaign, involving a sequence of three country houses, to consider their purpose. Where Downhill may support Mark Girouard's 'powerhouse' model, Ballyscullion does not, prompting questions about the impact of travel. Hervey's unique building campaign of three country houses allows for an exploration of change over time. It appears that the houses may have been built for different purposes, reflecting his changing self-fashioning from bishop and politician (Downhill) to cultured Grand Tour collector (Ballyscullion and Ickworth). The range and extent of Hervey's activities add an interesting dimension to the dynamic interplay between travel and the country house. The Grand Tour provided an unsurpassable opportunity for buying souvenirs and artworks which, in turn, required suitable display space at home.
Abstract
This chapter examines the relationship between travel and Frederick Hervey's country houses. Firstly, it explores whether Hervey's example challenges the traditional definition of the Grand Tourist. Secondly, the chapter explores his unparalleled building campaign, involving a sequence of three country houses, to consider their purpose. Where Downhill may support Mark Girouard's 'powerhouse' model, Ballyscullion does not, prompting questions about the impact of travel. Hervey's unique building campaign of three country houses allows for an exploration of change over time. It appears that the houses may have been built for different purposes, reflecting his changing self-fashioning from bishop and politician (Downhill) to cultured Grand Tour collector (Ballyscullion and Ickworth). The range and extent of Hervey's activities add an interesting dimension to the dynamic interplay between travel and the country house. The Grand Tour provided an unsurpassable opportunity for buying souvenirs and artworks which, in turn, required suitable display space at home.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vii
- List of charts x
- Notes on contributors xi
- Introduction 1
- 1 ‘Antiquity mad’ 19
- 2 From Rome to Stourhead and thence to Rome again 42
- 3 Virtual travel and virtuous objects 63
- 4 Gentlemen tourists in the early eighteenth century 86
- 5 A foreign appreciation of English country houses and castles 106
- 6 ‘Worth viewing by travellers’ 127
- 7 ‘Enjoying country life to the full – only the English know how to do that!’ 145
- 8 Magnificent and mundane 168
- 9 On the road (and the Thames) with William Cavendish, 1st Earl of Devonshire, 1597–1623 188
- 10 ‘No Lady could do this’ 206
- Bibliography 225
- Index 242
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vii
- List of charts x
- Notes on contributors xi
- Introduction 1
- 1 ‘Antiquity mad’ 19
- 2 From Rome to Stourhead and thence to Rome again 42
- 3 Virtual travel and virtuous objects 63
- 4 Gentlemen tourists in the early eighteenth century 86
- 5 A foreign appreciation of English country houses and castles 106
- 6 ‘Worth viewing by travellers’ 127
- 7 ‘Enjoying country life to the full – only the English know how to do that!’ 145
- 8 Magnificent and mundane 168
- 9 On the road (and the Thames) with William Cavendish, 1st Earl of Devonshire, 1597–1623 188
- 10 ‘No Lady could do this’ 206
- Bibliography 225
- Index 242
