East Riddlesden Hall facts for kids
East Riddlesden Hall is a fascinating old house from the 1600s. It's located in Keighley, a town in West Yorkshire, England. Today, the National Trust looks after this special place, keeping it open for everyone to explore.
Contents
The Hall's Story
Who Built East Riddlesden Hall?
East Riddlesden Hall was built in 1642. A rich man named James Murgatroyd had it built. He was a "clothier" from Halifax, West Yorkshire, which means he made and sold cloth. The hall is a very important historical building. It is called a Grade I listed building, meaning it has special protection.
What Can You See at the Hall?
The hall sits on a small hill. From here, you can see the River Aire as it flows away from Keighley. There are many interesting things to see inside. You can explore the living areas on two floors. Look for the two beautiful Yorkshire Rose windows. These are round windows with patterns like a rose.
Outside, there is a lovely walled garden. You can also see the remains of the Starkie wing, which was once part of the house. The hall even has stories of several ghosts!
How the Hall Changed Over Time
James Murgatroyd and his wife Hannah made the hall bigger in 1648. They used local stone from Yorkshire. James also built other stone houses in the area. In the main hall, you might spot a small fireplace above the big one. This shows where the first floor was not fully built.
James Murgatroyd was a "Royalist." This means he supported the King, Charles I of England, during the English Civil War. You can see symbols and drawings that show his support for the King. For example, the building now used as the tea room has carvings of King Charles I and his wife, Henrietta Maria of France, at the very top.
The Murgatroyd Family Legend
The Murgatroyd family is famous for a funny story. Some people believe they inspired characters in an old comic opera called Ruddigore. This opera was written by Gilbert and Sullivan. It is even said that one of the writers, W. S. Gilbert, often stayed at the hall.
The Murgatroyds were known for their wild behavior. A legend says the River Aire even changed its path because of them! The river now makes a wide U-turn around the meadow, as if it's trying to stay far away from the hall. Members of the family were sometimes fined or even sent to prison. The character Sir Despard Murgatroyd in Ruddigore is thought to be based on James Murgatroyd.
East Riddlesden Hall on Screen
East Riddlesden Hall has been a popular place for filming movies and TV shows.
- In 1992, it was used for the film Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights.
- It was also used for a TV version of Wuthering Heights in 2009.
- The hall appeared in an episode of the Sharpe TV series called Sharpe's Justice in 1997.
- The BBC Television series 'Gunpowder' used the hall as a filming spot in 2017.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in West Yorkshire
- Listed buildings in Keighley
