Hellens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hellens |
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The house viewed from the east
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Much Marcle |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°59′47″N 2°29′44″W / 51.996294°N 2.495558°W |
Hellens Manor, also known as Hellens House, is a very old and historic home. It is located in the village of Much Marcle in Herefordshire, England. This house is one of the oldest homes in England. It is mostly built in the Tudor, Jacobean, and Georgian architecture styles. However, its very first parts were built way back in the 1100s.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Early Owners of Hellens
Long ago, before Hellens Manor was even called Hellens, the land belonged to Earl Harold Godwinson. He was in charge of the area called Merkelan, which included Hellens, starting in 1057. Harold later became King of England. He died in 1066 at the famous Battle of Hastings.
After Harold's death, William the Conqueror took over England. He gave this land to his trusted helper, Walter de Lacy. Walter then gave parts of the land's income to two old monasteries in France. The whole village was valued at £30 in the Domesday Book. This was a lot of money back then! By 1096, the land was given to the de Balun family. Members of this family later witnessed the signing of the important document called Magna Carta.
Hellens, which was then called Helyons, is first mentioned by its name in 1180. By this time, the de Balun family had become the official Lords of the Manor.
Important Families and Events
In 1275, Sir Walter de Balun married Yseult, who was the sister of Lord Roger Mortimer. After Walter died, Yseult married Sir Hugh Audley. You can see statues of them in the local church. It is said that Yseult, Roger, and others waited in the great hall at Hellens in 1326. They were waiting for the Great Seal of England to be brought to them. This seal was taken from King Edward II, who was held in Monmouth Castle.
In 1337, Hugh Audley was given the title Earl of Gloucester. This was because he married Margaret de Clare, who was the granddaughter of King Edward I. Hugh Audley passed away in 1347. The ownership of Hellens Manor then went to his nephew, Sir James Audley. Sir James was a famous warrior. He fought in important battles like Crecy and Poitiers. He was also one of the first Knights of the Garter.
Sir James lived and fought in France. He rented Hellens Manor to Walter de Helyon. Walter then passed it to his daughter Joanna when she married Richard Walwyn. Their son later bought the full ownership of the manor around 1403. The house kept the name Hellens, after Walter de Helyon. A wooden statue of Walter de Helyon is in the St Bartholomew's church in Much Marcle.
The Walwyn family continued to own Hellens for many years. When William Noble married into the family, he added their name to his own. The house later went to Edward Walwyn, a great-nephew. His descendant, Ely, married into the Cooke family. Charles Cooke, who was a Member of Parliament for Hereford, was born at Hellens.
Later, from 1909 to 1922, Alec and Ursula Whalley rented the house. Ursula was the sister of famous people like the poet Lascelles Abercrombie and the town planner Patrick Abercrombie. In 1930, Blanche Walwyn Cooke sold Hellens to Lady Helena Gleichen. Lady Helena was a great-niece of Queen Victoria. When Lady Helena left Hellens, the house was sold to Hilda Munthe.
Hellens Today
Today, Hellens Manor is still a family home. But it is also a busy place for many cultural events. It is owned and managed by the Pennington-Mellor-Munthe Charity Trust. This Trust helps support the well-known Ledbury Poetry Festival. The Trust also created the Hellensmusic festival, which happens every May. They also have concerts throughout the year. Famous musicians come to play, relax, and teach talented young students. The Trust also supports a program called Back to the Wild CIC. This program teaches outdoor skills and is based on the Hellens estate.
What You Can See at Hellens
Hellens is like a living museum that shows much of England's history. It has many interesting items. These include old books, furniture, paintings, and other beautiful objects.
Inside the House
You can find items connected to famous historical figures inside Hellens. These include things related to Anne Boleyn, Mary I, Elizabeth I, Charles I, and Charles II. There are also items from the people who lived in the house over hundreds of years. For example, a special pardon from Queen Elizabeth I for Richard Walwyn is on display.
One interesting story is about 'Hetty Walwyn's Room'. This room is named after Mehitabel, who lived there in the 1700s. She was kept in this room by her mother after she tried to run away. On one of the windowpanes in her room, there is an old message. It says, "It is a part of virtue to abstain from what we love if it will prove our bane." This means it's good to avoid things we like if they are bad for us.
The Gardens and Grounds
The gardens at Hellens are designed in the old Tudor style architecture and Jacobean patterns. They include a walled knot garden, which has plants woven into patterns. There is also a yew labyrinth, which is like a maze made of tall hedges. You can also find a Physic Garden, which grew plants for medicine. A 17th-century octagonal dovecote is also there. This was a building for doves or pigeons.
There is also a lovely woodland and pond walk. You can see an old cider mill, which is still used every autumn. During the "Big Apple weekend," they use it to make perry (from pears) and cider (from apples). The stables at Hellens have an old Derby coach.
You can also see restored barns from the 1500s. These are called the Tythe and Wain Barns. They are used for concerts, school visits, and community events. The Georgian Stables have also been updated for people to live in.
