18th Century Renovation and Innovation
- The Entrance Hall, Chapel and Barons' Hall
The Entrance Hall (above), imaginatively created in 1787
by John Carr of York, with its elegant Gothic vaulting, described
as "one of the boldest conceptions of its age and the first truly
dramatic interior of the Gothic revival", was designed to ease the
problems of turning carriages in the courtyard.
The raising of its roof made it possible for carriages to drive
right through the hall but effected the High Gothic decorated Chapel
 above
where evidence of its former mediaeval sedilia (the area where the
priest would sit) now half sunk into the floor.
The Barons' Hall, where seven hundred knights once gathered
to plot the doomed 'Rising of the North' in 1569, was also affected.
In the 1840's, the architect William Burn extended the Hall 17m,
over his newly created Octagon Drawing Room, and the original hammerbeam
roof was replaced with a more elaborate one. However, the Barons'
Hall still retains part of the Minstrels Gallery and a window from
the Nevill period.
Meticulous Restoration of a Major Victorian Interior
- The Octagon Drawing Room
 The
Octagon Drawing Room is a most rare survivor of an 1840's
room with unchanged decoration, displaying lavish textiles: gold
silk lines the eight walls, and the curtains and elaborate swags
are of crimson and gold silk.
 Modelled
in 1848 by Scottish Architect William Burn, Castle records were
used in its restoration to re-create one of the most striking and
instructive interiors of a period that loved rich and colourful
effects.
The 11th Lord Barnard commissioned a 5 year restoration programme,
starting in 1993. Much of the original room's paintwork, mouldings
and gilding was cleaned and conserved. Where necessary, new silk
panels and curtains, which matched the originals, were woven on
the only 19th century handlooms still in commercial use in England
and new panels, curtains and swags were produced with silk trimmings
supplied to match the originals.
18th & 19th Century Public Rooms
- The Small Drawing Room, Library and Ante-Library
 The
Small Drawing Room houses a fine collection of sporting paintings
under a beautiful plaster ceiling, with mouldings of musical instruments.
 This
fine Regency room reflects, in its atmosphere, both the masculine
sporting world of the era and the tranquil landscape seen beyond
the large windows.
In the Library, the repetition of fox emblems on the pelmets,
cornices and fireplace also reflects the favourite sporting pursuits
of the family.
Adjoining is a small apartment, called the Ante-Library,
designed by William Burn in 1848.
These rooms have many items of furniture, paintings and craftwork
created by significant artists and craftsmen of the 18th century.
(see Artworks)
|
