Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Bolsover Castle

This weekend we actually had some sun. In celebration, we went in search of another castle.

Bolsover is unique. It's not a real castle in the sense that it wasn't designed for defense even though the site had previously been occupied by a Norman defensive structure. The only part of the original defense that seem to remain is the curtain wall which is thought to be in the same place as the Norman version.

Bolsover is a 17th century fantasyland. Sir Charles Cavendish bought it in 1612 and created an elegant home based on the "...imaginary golden age of chivalry and pleasure"—now known as the Little Castle.


Inside, the rooms are richly decorated with wood paneling, stenciling, paintings, and elaborate fireplaces. Some of it has recently undergone restoration, but some of the original pieces remain in good condition.

The business room aka Star Chamber


The Serendipity closet

The paintings "...take the visitor on an allegorical journey from earthly concerns to heavenly (and erotic) delights." This includes paintings of the temperments of man, Hercules (to inspire the servants), Roman emperors and empresses, heaven, serendipity, etc.

Outside, the area inside the curtain wall was converted into the Venus Garden—the setting for masques and parties.


Cavendish Jr. soon inherited the castle and built two extensive wings outside the curtain wall to house larger party rooms and an elaborate horse complex. The new Terrace Range buildings housed a gallery (sort of like a mini version of the Hall of Mirrors), a great hall, a withdrawing room, a bedchamber, and a massive kitchen/servant area. On one occasion, they spent $2mill in one day entertaining the Queen and her entourage. The building is now just a shell, but still has impressive views over Scarsdale.






I am pretty sure the horse quarters next door were nicer than the servants' quarters. The huge stone building held a blacksmith, stables, and an indoor Riding House. William Cavendish was said to be the finest horseman in Europe and an expert swordsman. As such, his passion was training other people at his complex—note the elaborate second floor viewing area.


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