Those in important political roles have often sought to escape the pressures of office by escaping to the calm and tranquillity of the countryside. This has been particularly true of the holder of the most important role; that of Prime Minister. With early PMs drawn from the aristocracy, their backgrounds provided them with a seat which became a natural refuge but was also an important part of their political identity.
However, as their origins changed, so too did the nature of the country retreat. However, for all PMs the country retreat has been a fairly constant feature — though not all aspired to live in grandeur. The first holder of the office, Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford , was the epitome of the aristocratic leader. Walpole was born at Houghton Hall in Norfolk — though the house was a more modest one before Sir Robert engaged Colen Campbell in to rebuild it, creating one of the finest Palladian houses in the country.
The Duke then commissioned Vanbrugh to extend the house, adding two large wings. The Duke also had other homes including in Halland, Sussex, an area the Pelham family had dominated since when they first bought land there.
Halland Place was also sold in and later demolished for materials. A more detailed history of the feud is given by dennis in this comment below thank you for the correction.
One of the most fascinating houses in the country, particularly due to the extensive tunnelling work commissioned by the 5th Duke, but also one of the least known due to the reclusiveness of the Bentinck family and then later due to its role as the Army Sixth Form college which ensured military-level privacy. The house was largely the work of Sir Charles Cavendish who was given the house and estate by his mother, the remarkable Bess of Hardwick.
To complete the list of aristocratic PMs during the reign of George I — and George II — , the last was William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire who lived in the peerless Chatsworth in Derbyshire — then, as now, one of the finest of our large country houses.
Interestingly, at the same time as he took on the role of PM in , he also engaged in building at Chatsworth employing James Paine to add a new office wing and court later replaced by Sir Jeffry Wyatville , a stable block, a bridge in the park, a bridge at Beeley, a water mill and also alterations to interiors of the house — though this work was not to be completed until , long after his time as PM finished in Unsurprisingly, these leaders were already managing vast estates which naturally came with sizeable houses which reflected their status — which then gave them the authority to aspire to be PM.
Their country houses were therefore not a symptomatic trapping of power, something that they had aspired to and then acquired, but, in fact, were the foundation of the power which had secured them the position in the first place. Informed by painstaking research and analysis, this work ensured that the building's services were brought up to modern standards.
Improvements were made to the visitor route and extensive external stone conservation carried out. Find out more about the Masterplan. Never miss a thing. Stay up to date with our latest news, offers and events by entering your details below:.
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The eldest son of an earl, marquess, and duke will usually have a courtesy title of baron, viscount, or marquess and will be addressed in the same manner as a peer. Though named lords, these men are not peers. In some contexts, courtesy title is used to mean the more general concept of a title or honorific such as Mr.
Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel. Research Paper. Ben Davis April 11, Where did the Duke of Devonshire get his money from? Is the Duke of Devonshire Catholic? Does the Duke of Devonshire own Chatsworth?
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