DOI Artikel:
Jones, Sydney R.: Haddon Hall: an old English home
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19430#0025
HADDON HALL
sandstones. The lime-
stones of Derbyshire
have much in common
with those of Yorkshire
and Westmorland, and
differ from the stones
of the Cotswolds and the
South-Western Coun-
ties. They are cold in
colour and hard to
work. Partly because
of the nature of the
materials used, and
partly through physi-
cal conditions, geo-
graphical situation, and
human temperamental differences, the stone buildings in the north of
England are unlike those in the south. They are more rugged in appear-
ance, and the operation of a conservative vein of thought is visible in the
details. The extremely solid walls, the low-pitched gables, the ponder-
ous roofs, and the heavy character of the doorways, windows and orna-
ments suggest the nature of the country, and the mental outlook and con-
ditions of life of the northerner. These influences are most strongly
expressed in the common types of local work, in the farmhouses and cot-
tages and barns. Many examples can be seen in the towns and villages
round about Haddon—at Youlgreave, Stanton-in-the-Peak, Rowsley,
Bakewell, and in the Lathkill valley. Haddon Hall, of course, is a more
ambitious instance of building. It was always the home of a powerful and
wealthy family who could command the best of education and luxury
which their times offered. Something of this can be discerned in the
scale, design, and arrangements of their house. Nevertheless, the same
forces that developed the local style of architecture of the humble people
were at work while the Hall was building. The harmonious effect of the
house and its surroundings has been noted earlier in this article. The
stone walls, rising from a natural foundation of limestone rock, blend so
well with the landscape that they might be part of it. The reasons for this
harmony are not far to seek. The local stone gave the materials for build-
ing, and they were fashioned by generations of craftsmen who were born
and reared among the neighbouring hills, and steeped in the traditions of
the locality. The workings of their minds can be traced in the stones they
wrought. These men were evidently opposed to change in style or
fashion, and the keynote of their work was simplicity. The same motives
15
PIERCED PATTERNS FROM EXTERIOR LEADWORK
sandstones. The lime-
stones of Derbyshire
have much in common
with those of Yorkshire
and Westmorland, and
differ from the stones
of the Cotswolds and the
South-Western Coun-
ties. They are cold in
colour and hard to
work. Partly because
of the nature of the
materials used, and
partly through physi-
cal conditions, geo-
graphical situation, and
human temperamental differences, the stone buildings in the north of
England are unlike those in the south. They are more rugged in appear-
ance, and the operation of a conservative vein of thought is visible in the
details. The extremely solid walls, the low-pitched gables, the ponder-
ous roofs, and the heavy character of the doorways, windows and orna-
ments suggest the nature of the country, and the mental outlook and con-
ditions of life of the northerner. These influences are most strongly
expressed in the common types of local work, in the farmhouses and cot-
tages and barns. Many examples can be seen in the towns and villages
round about Haddon—at Youlgreave, Stanton-in-the-Peak, Rowsley,
Bakewell, and in the Lathkill valley. Haddon Hall, of course, is a more
ambitious instance of building. It was always the home of a powerful and
wealthy family who could command the best of education and luxury
which their times offered. Something of this can be discerned in the
scale, design, and arrangements of their house. Nevertheless, the same
forces that developed the local style of architecture of the humble people
were at work while the Hall was building. The harmonious effect of the
house and its surroundings has been noted earlier in this article. The
stone walls, rising from a natural foundation of limestone rock, blend so
well with the landscape that they might be part of it. The reasons for this
harmony are not far to seek. The local stone gave the materials for build-
ing, and they were fashioned by generations of craftsmen who were born
and reared among the neighbouring hills, and steeped in the traditions of
the locality. The workings of their minds can be traced in the stones they
wrought. These men were evidently opposed to change in style or
fashion, and the keynote of their work was simplicity. The same motives
15
PIERCED PATTERNS FROM EXTERIOR LEADWORK