The Baronial Halls, and Ancient Picturesque Edifices of England; Vol. 1 of 2Hall, S. C. (Samuel Carter)
History
The Baronial Halls, and Ancient Picturesque Edifices of England; Vol. 1 of 2
Hall, S. C. (Samuel Carter)
Historic buildings -- England
said to be by Albert Durer, the long gallery is entered--one of those
apartments so judiciously attached to the houses of the wealthy of this
period, for the purposes of recreation and exercise during inclement
weather. It is about one hundred feet in length and sixteen in width,
lighted from the court-yard side, and filled with portraits of the early
part of the sixteenth century. M. Mirèveldt and G. Honthorst are the
principal contributors, and in the historical series here presented to
view are subjects for much reflection. The Queen of Bohemia, whose
destiny seems so closely interwoven
[Illustration]
with the house of Craven, appears more than once.[65] The gallant and
chivalrous William Earl Craven--the wise Chancellor Oxenstern--Charles
XII. of Sweden, grim, stern, and forbidding--Archbishop Laud,--all are
here; and last, not least, are the painters; besides many others, whose
names are registered in the pages of history. Connected with this
apartment is the elegant porch which forms the subject of our vignette,
and was, no doubt, a garden-approach to the principal apartments. “It is
constructed of very friable stone, the same apparently as that used in
the principal buildings at Coventry. Some of its enrichments can no
longer be made out.”
Descending to the opposite wing we find the dining-room, which is fitted
up in panelled compartments of oak, and contains some beautiful carving
in the sideboard, &c. Fine portraits of the Craven family, the Duke of
Richmond, and Prince Henry (son of James I.), adorn the apartment, which
also contains two transcendent pictures by Rembrandt. Adjacent to this
room is a very handsome
[Illustration]
apartment, ornamented by columns, and containing two pictures by
Canaletti, which may be classed with the finest examples of that master.
There are numerous other rooms particularly rich in old carved
fire-places, bedsteads (of which we give a specimen), tapestry, antique
furniture, and all things which correct taste and refined judgment could
accumulate.
We may recur to the almost romantic interest which attaches itself to
this house, from the chivalrous exertions of one of its early possessors
in behalf of the illustrious but unfortunate princess, who is frequently
recalled to memory within its walls. At each step we are reminded of the
fact; and it is a melancholy, yet most pleasant reflection, in looking
back through the vista of two centuries, to find the youthful and early
devotion of Earl Craven not merely a transient and evanescent impulse,
but enduring to the end, and manifesting itself in studious care to
protect and soothe that royal lady in the decline of her fortunes and
the close of her life. Well did he establish the truth of his family
motto,--
VIRTUS IN ACTIONE CONSISTIT.
[Illustration:
From a drawing by J. D. Harding. Day Son, Lithʳˢ. to The Queen.
WARWICK CASTLE, WARWICKSHIRE.]
WARWICK CASTLE,
WARWICKSHIRE.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account