Titsey Place
Encyclopedia
Titsey Place is an English country house
near Oxted
in Surrey
, England
. It was successively the seat
of the Gresham
and Leveson-Gower
families and is now preserved by a charitable trust
for the nation.
The house has its origins in a 16th century house, which was built by Sir John Gresham
on the site of a predecessor. The mostly Tudor
house was demolished and rebuilt in the 18th century, before being refronted in 1826. Finally a tower was added in 1856.
, Titsey was owned by the Uvedale family. It was then an important house in the area, and its Uvedale owners were High Sheriffs of Surrey
several times between 1393 and 1464, and also several times High Sheriffs of Hampshire
between 1388 and 1493.
The Gresham family reached the peak of their power and wealth in the sixteenth century, and Sir John Gresham
, a rich City of London
merchant, acquired Titsey from the heirs of John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners
, to whom it had been granted by Henry VIII
. Gresham built a new house there near to the parish church
, on the site of an older house. He was Lord Mayor of London
in 1547.
The house and estate passed through several generations of the Gresham family, who were created Baronets
by Charles II
at the time of his Restoration
(1660). Sir John Gresham's heir was William Gresham, whose son was Sir Thomas Gresham
(died 1630). His son and heir was Sir Edward Gresham. The successive baronets were Sir Marmaduke Gresham, 1st Baronet (1627-1696), Sir Edward Gresham, 2nd Baronet (1649-1709), Sir Charles Gresham, 3rd Baronet (1660-1718), Sir Marmaduke Gresham, 4th Baronet (1700-1742), Sir Charles Gresham, 5th Baronet (died 1750), and Sir John Gresham, 6th and last Baronet (1735-1801). Through the marriage of the heiress of the last Gresham, the house passed to the Leveson Gowers, a branch of the family of the Dukes of Sutherland
.
A Tudor
house on the site was demolished and rebuilt by the last Gresham baronet in the 18th century, then in 1826 was given new fronts designed by William Atkinson
. A tower by Philip Charles Hardwick
was added in 1856.
John Preston Neale
's Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen, in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland (1821) notes that "The Mansion... stands in a beautiful dell formed by a range of lofty chalk hills sheltering it from the north."
A Topographical History of Surrey (1844) says of the house -
Many of the Uvedales are buried in the garden of Titsey Place, which contains the former parish graveyard. The last Gresham of Titsey pulled down the ancient parish church
in 1776 and incorporated its site into his park
. In 1865, a large yew-tree
marked the location of the former church.
Sir Henry Leveson Gower (1873–1954), who was born at Titsey Place, was England cricket captain in 1909-1910. Frederick Leveson-Gower
(1871–1946) also played cricket
for England.
The Leveson Gowers remained at Titsey until Thomas Leveson Gower died in 1992. By his Will, a charitable trust was established to preserve the estate for the benefit of the public.
walks along the edge of the North Downs
are used by over 20,000 visitors a year.
English country house
The English country house is a large house or mansion in the English countryside. Such houses were often owned by individuals who also owned a London house. This allowed to them to spend time in the country and in the city—hence, for these people, the term distinguished between town and country...
near Oxted
Oxted
Oxted is a commuter town in Surrey, England at the foot of the North Downs, north of East Grinstead and south-east of Croydon.- History :The town lay within the Anglo-Saxon administrative division of Tandridge hundred....
in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was successively the seat
Family seat
A seat or family seat is the principal residence of a family. The residence usually denotes the social, economic, political, or historic connection of the family within a given area. Some families took their dynasty name from their family seat , or named their family seat after their own dynasty...
of the Gresham
Gresham Baronets
The Gresham Baronetcy, of Lympsfield in the County of Surrey, was a title in the Baronetage of England. It was created on 31 July 1660 for Marmaduke Gresham, Member of Parliament for East Grinstead and Bletchingley. He was a descendant of Sir John Gresham, Lord Mayor of London. The second Baronet...
and Leveson-Gower
Leveson-Gower
Leveson-Gower is the name of a powerful noble family.*Several members of the family:**Baronets of Sittenham**Barons Gower**Earls Gower**Earls Granville**Earls of Sutherland**Marquesses of Stafford...
families and is now preserved by a charitable trust
Charitable trust
A charitable trust is an irrevocable trust established for charitable purposes, and is a more specific term than "charitable organization".-United States:...
for the nation.
The house has its origins in a 16th century house, which was built by Sir John Gresham
John Gresham
Sir John Gresham was an English merchant, courtier and financier who worked for King Henry VIII of England, Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell. He was Lord Mayor of London and founded Gresham's School.-Life:...
on the site of a predecessor. The mostly Tudor
Tudor dynasty
The Tudor dynasty or House of Tudor was a European royal house of Welsh origin that ruled the Kingdom of England and its realms, including the Lordship of Ireland, later the Kingdom of Ireland, from 1485 until 1603. Its first monarch was Henry Tudor, a descendant through his mother of a legitimised...
house was demolished and rebuilt in the 18th century, before being refronted in 1826. Finally a tower was added in 1856.
History
In the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, Titsey was owned by the Uvedale family. It was then an important house in the area, and its Uvedale owners were High Sheriffs of Surrey
High Sheriff of Surrey
-List of High Sheriffs of Surrey:The list of known High Sheriffs of Surrey extends back to 1066 At various times the High Sheriff of Surrey was also High Sheriff of Sussex -1066-1228:...
several times between 1393 and 1464, and also several times High Sheriffs of Hampshire
High Sheriff of Hampshire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Hampshire, the title was often given as High Sheriff of the County of Southampton until 1959.-List of High Sheriffs:*1070–1096: Hugh de Port *1105: Henry de Port *1129: William de Pont de l'Arche...
between 1388 and 1493.
The Gresham family reached the peak of their power and wealth in the sixteenth century, and Sir John Gresham
John Gresham
Sir John Gresham was an English merchant, courtier and financier who worked for King Henry VIII of England, Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell. He was Lord Mayor of London and founded Gresham's School.-Life:...
, a rich City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
merchant, acquired Titsey from the heirs of John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners
John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners
John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners was a statesman and translator, born at Sherfield, Hertfordshire, England, to Sir Humphrey Bourchier and Elizabeth Tilney, and educated at Oxford University. He held various Offices of State, including that of Chancellor of the Exchequer to King Henry VIII, and...
, to whom it had been granted by Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
. Gresham built a new house there near to the parish church
Parish church
A parish church , in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches....
, on the site of an older house. He was Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
in 1547.
The house and estate passed through several generations of the Gresham family, who were created Baronets
Gresham Baronets
The Gresham Baronetcy, of Lympsfield in the County of Surrey, was a title in the Baronetage of England. It was created on 31 July 1660 for Marmaduke Gresham, Member of Parliament for East Grinstead and Bletchingley. He was a descendant of Sir John Gresham, Lord Mayor of London. The second Baronet...
by Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
at the time of his Restoration
English Restoration
The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
(1660). Sir John Gresham's heir was William Gresham, whose son was Sir Thomas Gresham
Thomas Gresham (died 1630)
Sir Thomas Gresham , of Titsey Place in Surrey, was an English landowner and Member of Parliament.Born about 1547, the eldest son of William Gresham by his marriage to Beatrice Guybon, Gresham was the grandson of the City of London merchant Sir John Gresham, who was Lord Mayor in 1547.On his...
(died 1630). His son and heir was Sir Edward Gresham. The successive baronets were Sir Marmaduke Gresham, 1st Baronet (1627-1696), Sir Edward Gresham, 2nd Baronet (1649-1709), Sir Charles Gresham, 3rd Baronet (1660-1718), Sir Marmaduke Gresham, 4th Baronet (1700-1742), Sir Charles Gresham, 5th Baronet (died 1750), and Sir John Gresham, 6th and last Baronet (1735-1801). Through the marriage of the heiress of the last Gresham, the house passed to the Leveson Gowers, a branch of the family of the Dukes of Sutherland
Duke of Sutherland
Duke of Sutherland, derived from Sutherland in Scotland, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom held by the head of the Leveson-Gower family. It was created by William IV in 1833 for George Leveson-Gower, 2nd Marquess of Stafford...
.
A Tudor
Tudor dynasty
The Tudor dynasty or House of Tudor was a European royal house of Welsh origin that ruled the Kingdom of England and its realms, including the Lordship of Ireland, later the Kingdom of Ireland, from 1485 until 1603. Its first monarch was Henry Tudor, a descendant through his mother of a legitimised...
house on the site was demolished and rebuilt by the last Gresham baronet in the 18th century, then in 1826 was given new fronts designed by William Atkinson
William Atkinson (architect)
William Atkinson was an English architect best known for his designs for country houses in the Gothic style. He undertook almost fifty commissions, broadly distributed in the north of England and the Scottish lowlands, London and the surrounding counties, with occasional excursions to...
. A tower by Philip Charles Hardwick
Philip Charles Hardwick
-Life:Philip Charles Hardwick was a notable English architect of the 19th century who was once described as "a careful and industrious student of mediaeval art"...
was added in 1856.
John Preston Neale
-Life:Neale's earliest works were drawings of insects. While in search of specimens in Hornsey Wood in the spring of 1796, Neale met John Varley the water-colour painter. Together they projected a work to be entitled ‘The Picturesque Cabinet of Nature,’ for which Varley was to make the landscape...
's Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen, in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland (1821) notes that "The Mansion... stands in a beautiful dell formed by a range of lofty chalk hills sheltering it from the north."
A Topographical History of Surrey (1844) says of the house -
Many of the Uvedales are buried in the garden of Titsey Place, which contains the former parish graveyard. The last Gresham of Titsey pulled down the ancient parish church
Parish church
A parish church , in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches....
in 1776 and incorporated its site into his park
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
. In 1865, a large yew-tree
Taxus baccata
Taxus baccata is a conifer native to western, central and southern Europe, northwest Africa, northern Iran and southwest Asia. It is the tree originally known as yew, though with other related trees becoming known, it may be now known as the English yew, or European yew.-Description:It is a small-...
marked the location of the former church.
Sir Henry Leveson Gower (1873–1954), who was born at Titsey Place, was England cricket captain in 1909-1910. Frederick Leveson-Gower
Frederick Leveson-Gower (cricketer)
Reverend Frederick Archibald Gresham Leveson-Gower was an English cricketer. Leveson-Gower was a right-handed batsman who played as a wicketkeeper....
(1871–1946) also played cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
for England.
The Leveson Gowers remained at Titsey until Thomas Leveson Gower died in 1992. By his Will, a charitable trust was established to preserve the estate for the benefit of the public.
Present day
Since 1992, the house and gardens have been restored, and they are both open to the public in the summer. In the wider estate of 3000 acres (1,214.1 ha), miles of woodlandWoodland
Ecologically, a woodland is a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade. Woodlands may support an understory of shrubs and herbaceous plants including grasses. Woodland may form a transition to shrubland under drier conditions or during early stages of...
walks along the edge of the North Downs
North Downs
The North Downs are a ridge of chalk hills in south east England that stretch from Farnham in Surrey to the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent. The North Downs lie within two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty , the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs...
are used by over 20,000 visitors a year.
See also
- Titsey WoodsTitsey Woods-External links:*...
- London to Lewes Way (Roman road)London to Lewes Way (Roman road)The London to Lewes Way is a long Roman road between Watling Street at Peckham and Lewes in Sussex. The road passes through Beckenham and West Wickham, then crosses the North Downs above Titsey, on the county boundary between Surrey and Kent, and is overlain by Edenbridge High Street.The road...
- Leveson-GowerLeveson-GowerLeveson-Gower is the name of a powerful noble family.*Several members of the family:**Baronets of Sittenham**Barons Gower**Earls Gower**Earls Granville**Earls of Sutherland**Marquesses of Stafford...
- River Eden, KentRiver Eden, KentThe River Eden in West Kent is a tributary of the River Medway. It travels through the Weald of Kent from the border with Surrey, rising from the source in Titsey parish, Surrey, grid reference TQ 420 551, about 350 metres north of Clacket Lane motorway services, and flowing...
- Hazelwood SchoolHazelwood SchoolHazelwood School is an independent prep school located in Limpsfield, Surrey.The school's history began in 1890 when the institution was established as a boarding school for boys aged 8–13 by Edward Baily and his wife Ruth....