Image ID: 03787

Winkburn Hall

Courtesy of Reg Baker

Winkburn Hall
Winkburn
England

Looking S.W. from the lawn. Left is the Church of St John of Jerusalam. Some time in the twelfth century both church and town of Winkburn were given to the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, one of the military orders of the religious, who were introduced into this country about A.D. 1100. The Knights retained possession until the seizure of monastic property by Henry VIII, when Winkburn reverted to the Crown, and was granted by Edward VI to William Burnell, Esq., and Constance his wife, with whose descendants it still remains. In 1588 the manor appears to have been occupied by Elizabeth, Countess of Rutland, as there are in the Belvoir Manuscripts numerous letters from her ladyship dated from Winkburn. John, Earl of Rutland, died in March, 1587-88, and it is probable that the house would be taken for awhile by the widow, as affording a peaceful seclusion from the troubles and anxieties of public life at the Court of Queen Elizabeth. After the temporary occupation of Winkburn by the Duchess as tenant, the owners resumed possession of their estate, the head of the family resident at the Hall being William Burnell. The Winkburn Hall that we see today is a 'William and Mary' period house, most probably built around 1700 as a two-storey house; the attic was added in the late 18th century. White's Directory of 1853 quotes the following:- 'Edward Valentine Pegge Burnell Esq. is the sole owner, and lord of the manor, who resides at the Hall, a handsome brick mansion, overlooking the vale of the little River Winkle, near the east end of the village. It has recently been enlarged and considerably improved, and has a diversified and well wooded park of 80 acres.'

Date: 01/06/1986

Organisation Reference: NCCE000356

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