Brougham Hall facts for kids
Brougham Hall is an old, important house in the village of Brougham. It's near Penrith in Cumbria, England. Today, it's a museum where you can learn about its long history.
Contents
The Story of Brougham Hall
Early Owners and Important Families
The de Burgham family might have owned land here even before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. They were allowed to keep their land after the Normans took over this area around 1092. A person named Wilfred de Burgham was recorded during the time of King Henry II.
The de Burghams kept their land by serving the Vieuxpont lords. These lords lived at Brougham Castle, which is very close to the Hall. Over time, parts of Brougham Hall were sold to different families.
Lady Anne Clifford's Influence
In 1654, Lady Anne Clifford, 14th Baroness de Clifford bought one part of Brougham Hall. She already owned Brougham Castle. Lady Anne made many improvements to the Hall. She rebuilt its chapel, called St. Wilfrid's, finishing it around 1659.
After Lady Anne died in 1676, her lawyer, James Bird, bought her share of the Hall. He was the first person since the de Broughams to own the entire building. However, the Bird family line eventually ended.
The Brougham Family Returns
In 1726, the Hall was sold to John Brougham of Scales. He was from a different part of the old de Brougham family. John Brougham was a very successful person in the 1700s. He worked for the government's tax service in England and was also a lawyer.
Oldest Parts of the Hall
The oldest part of Brougham Hall is its gateway, which was built in the 1200s. The main part of the Hall, known as the Tudor Hall, was built later, between 1480 and 1520. The guardhouse, built in the 1600s, was added by James Bird.
The Hall was also near a battle in December 1745. This was the Clifton Moor Skirmish, fought between the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart and the King's forces.
Lord Brougham and Royal Visits
Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux, became very powerful. Because of him, Brougham Hall was made much bigger between 1830 and 1847. An architect named Lewis Nockalls Cottingham designed the changes. Henry's brother, William Brougham, 2nd Baron Brougham and Vaux, mostly managed the building work.
After these changes, important people from London and even royalty started visiting Brougham Hall. In 1905, King Edward VII himself came to visit.
Challenges and Secret War Work
After World War I, Brougham Hall, like many large houses, faced money problems. The owner at the time, Victor Brougham, 4th Baron Brougham and Vaux, sold the Hall in 1934 to try and pay his many debts. It was then sold again to be taken apart.
From 1941 to 1945, during World War II, Brougham Hall had a secret job. It was used as a hidden place to develop new tanks. This project was called Canal Defence Light (CDL). There is a special plaque at the Hall to remember the people who worked there during the war. There is also a bunker that was used during that time.
Saving Brougham Hall
After World War II, the Hall was left empty and fell into disrepair. But in 1967, Christopher Terry bought it. Mr. Terry and his wife, Alison, decided to stop the Hall from falling apart completely.
Today, volunteers are working hard to fix up Brougham Hall. It is now open for visitors throughout the year.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Eden District
- Listed buildings in Brougham, Cumbria
- Brougham Castle – a nearby ruined castle
