Heskin Hall, Lancashire, England.
Tudor Style & Notorious Families of the Era; Murder, Mystery and Intrigue.
Heskin Hall
Heskin Hall is a delightful abode hidden away in the Lancashire countryside with a rich and opulent history. Quoted as ‘a fine example of Tudor architecture’, construction started on the new hall in 1548. Being a Lancashire lass I was familiar with Heskin Hall but had never been there in person. (in this lifetime).
Heskin Hall, home to the mysterious De Heskin Family
Heskin had a fabulous fifteen hearths and the Hearth Tax of 1666 records it as the largest property on the manor.
The hearth tax was established to pay for the royalty, (support the household of King Charles II) can you believe the audacity? It was also known as chimney tax. Probably depended what your abode was. Paupers did not have to pay.
A drawing room at Heskin Hall complete with one of the many hearths throughout
The restoration of the monarchy in 1660 brought this about. Each householder was to pay on shilling, twice a year on specific days; Michelmas, 29 September and Lady Day 25 March. Lady Day was the Feast of Annunciation and Michelmas, The Feast of Saints or Feast of Michael and All Angels.
Some of the families that resided there were the Dudleys and the Molyneux’s. Edmund Dudley came to a terrible end in the Tower of London on treason charges. But the ‘Dudley’ family were a law unto themselves.
Dr Joanne Paul, An expert in Tudor History has written a very intriguing book, which I have not had chance to read but certainly will be perusing with glee, entitled the House of Dudley. The blurb reads:
‘A shocking and extraordinary story of the most conniving, manipulative Tudor family. Each Tudor monarch made their name with a Dudley by their side (or by crushing one beneath their feet.’
Wow. I mean some statement. It gives an excellent idea with what the Dudley family were about and a glimpse into the ‘chessboard’ of Tudor society. One day you can be Queen and the next in the grim confines of a prison, with your head on the block.
Edmund was Grandfather to Robert Dudley alleged lover of Elizabeth I. We can only presume he was quite a catch in his day. His father John Dudley had failed to prevent the accession of Mary I so naturally that brought the beginning of the downfall of his family. But not for long.
With Elizabeth’s accession Dudley was on the way up again, he became privy councillor, then Lord Steward of the royal household, in 1564 Dudley became Earl of Leicester. Was this a conciliation prize for forgoing her hand in marriage?
Robby Dudley lets call him that or Dudders, now stop it. He had two wives, one Amy Robsart mysteriously ‘slipped’ down the stairs on the morning of 8 September 1560 at Cummor Place and died, what a tragedy. Or was it?
The dashing Robert Dudley
The second was the fabulously named Lettice Knollys, Elizabeth I was incandescent with jealous rage and Lettice was banned from the court.
Elizabeth had sacrificed love for duty.
She was head over heels in love with the cad that was Robert Dudley, her love for him was the lasting test of commitment to her kingdom.
Although tempted to break her vow of celibacy and marry her greatest love, she chose the lonely option of princely duty.
Are there ghosts at Heskin Hall? I had a strange experience as I was there and felt the presence of something otherworldly.