DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6911#0164
110
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
3
ftoilanfcj House,
KENSINGTON,
The seat and property of Lord Holland, derives its present name from Henry
Rich, Earl of Holland, whose father-in-law, Sir Walter Cope, built it in the year
1607- It was completed, and materially decorated by that Earl, who is said to have
employed for the purpose the most eminent artists in their respective departments.
The stone piers at the entrance, (one of which is partly shewn in the annexed
print,) were designed by Inigo Jones, and executed by Nicholas Stone ; and some
of the interior ornaments are the productions of Francis Cleyn. " There is still ex-
tant a beautiful chamber adorned by him at Holland-House, with a ceiling in gro-
tesque, and small compartments on the chimneys, in the style, and not unworthy of
Parmegiano. Two chairs, carved and gilt, with large shells for backs, belonging to
the same room, were undoubtedly from his designs, and are evidences of his taste."*
This house is built of brick, with dressings and decorations in stone, stucco, and
wood. From the principal part of the mansion diverge, at right angles, two
wings, consisting of offices, &c. and a piazza is attached to, and projects from
three sides. The other side of the court, or area before the house, is bounded
by a stone palisade.
Among the distinguished characters who have possessed Holland-House may be
named the Earl of Holland, who was twice made a prisoner in his own habitation ;
first by King Charles I. for challenging Lord Weston; and afterwards by command
of the Parliament, for having endeavoured to restore the monarch, in August, 1648.
During this period of domestic anarchy, Holland-House was a place of frequent
meetings for the disaffected members of parliament; with whom the noble possessor
occasionally coincided; but at other times opposed; for he was an active, but waver-
ing politician. As a just reward for his faithless conduct, he was beheaded by order
of the high court of justice in March, 1649.f Soon afterwards General Lambert
fixed his head-quarters here. The house, &c. was, however, restored to Lady
Holland, and during the close of the London theatres by the Puritans, several plays
* Walpole's Anecdotes, &c. In his Works, vol. iii. p. 252, 4to. is a portrait, with an account of Cleyn; and
in the same volume are some biographical particulars of Nicholas Stone,
t See Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, 8vo. vol. iii: p. 174—271.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
3
ftoilanfcj House,
KENSINGTON,
The seat and property of Lord Holland, derives its present name from Henry
Rich, Earl of Holland, whose father-in-law, Sir Walter Cope, built it in the year
1607- It was completed, and materially decorated by that Earl, who is said to have
employed for the purpose the most eminent artists in their respective departments.
The stone piers at the entrance, (one of which is partly shewn in the annexed
print,) were designed by Inigo Jones, and executed by Nicholas Stone ; and some
of the interior ornaments are the productions of Francis Cleyn. " There is still ex-
tant a beautiful chamber adorned by him at Holland-House, with a ceiling in gro-
tesque, and small compartments on the chimneys, in the style, and not unworthy of
Parmegiano. Two chairs, carved and gilt, with large shells for backs, belonging to
the same room, were undoubtedly from his designs, and are evidences of his taste."*
This house is built of brick, with dressings and decorations in stone, stucco, and
wood. From the principal part of the mansion diverge, at right angles, two
wings, consisting of offices, &c. and a piazza is attached to, and projects from
three sides. The other side of the court, or area before the house, is bounded
by a stone palisade.
Among the distinguished characters who have possessed Holland-House may be
named the Earl of Holland, who was twice made a prisoner in his own habitation ;
first by King Charles I. for challenging Lord Weston; and afterwards by command
of the Parliament, for having endeavoured to restore the monarch, in August, 1648.
During this period of domestic anarchy, Holland-House was a place of frequent
meetings for the disaffected members of parliament; with whom the noble possessor
occasionally coincided; but at other times opposed; for he was an active, but waver-
ing politician. As a just reward for his faithless conduct, he was beheaded by order
of the high court of justice in March, 1649.f Soon afterwards General Lambert
fixed his head-quarters here. The house, &c. was, however, restored to Lady
Holland, and during the close of the London theatres by the Puritans, several plays
* Walpole's Anecdotes, &c. In his Works, vol. iii. p. 252, 4to. is a portrait, with an account of Cleyn; and
in the same volume are some biographical particulars of Nicholas Stone,
t See Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, 8vo. vol. iii: p. 174—271.