CHARLECOTE STAIRCASE INTRODUCTION The work was carried out by Francis Smith (1672-1736) of Warwick, an Architect and Builder also known as Smith of Warwick. After the Great fire of Warwick in 1694 Francis Smith gained his reputation rebuilding and repairing the buildings damaged by the fire. Joel Lobb a carver of Warwick supplied: Fifty feet of Modillion Cornish Modillion Cornish is the decorate moulding round the top of a wall etc. Four Corinthian Round Capitals The Corinthian Round Capital is the top part of a column. Two Pilaster Capitals A Pilaster Capital is half of a Corinthian Round and fits flush to a wall. It is recorded (L6/1097) that in April 10th 1717 Joel Lobb was paid 15 for the work above. At about the same time as the stairs were installed a new Minstrel Gallery was also installed. It is possible that the Corinthian Round Capitals and the Pilasters were used on the Minstrel Gallery. When the Kitchen and bedrooms were built in 1829-1831 the ceiling from above the staircase created by Triumph and Virtue was removed and placed above the Great staircase in the South wing. Francis Smith 1672 1736 was succeeded by his son William Smith 1705-1747 and on his death his business went to William and David Hiron who over the years also worked at Charlecote. It is possible that about 1720 not only the stairs were erected but also the stud partition with lath and plaster on one side, the wood panelling as well as the doors to the stairs could also have been installed at this time.
An example of upright and cross bracing for stud, lath and plaster and timber insert for fixing door frames etc.. 1. Upright and cross bracing for stud. 2. Lath and plaster 3. Timber insert for fixing door frames etc. 1 1 2 3 Col. George Lucy s second wife Jane Bohun was a very fashionable lady. She found it very difficult to climb a spiral staircase in her wide skirts and therefore George had the Grand staircase built. Behind painting number 6 on the top landing there is a large linen cupboard Visitors sometimes like to open the door to the left of the window thinking it is a secret door but all there is behind the door is a turret staircase leading to the attic flat, (now a National Trust holiday flat.)
WALL ON TOP LANDING Members of the Lucy family outlined in RED PAINTINGS 1 2 1. The Hon Robert Moore 2. Batchelor George Lucy 3. Jane Bohun 2 4 4. Sir Ewen Cameron 1 THE HON ROBERT MORE by Dahl The Hon Robert More gave this painting to Col George Lucy. When Col. George died in 1721 the Hon. Robert More married Jane Bohun, George s second wife...2 BATCHELOR GEORGE LUCY 1714-1786 by Thomas Gainsborough 1727-1788 The painting cost 8 guineas, plus 3-3s for a three quarter Frame Burnished Gold and 7s for a case. George liked the picture so much that he had Thomas Gainsborough paint him another portrait. This painting was hung in the Rectory at Hampton Lucy for a time; it is now possibly in the family wing. The second painting cost the same as the first painting.
3 JANE BOHUN by the school of Dahl Jane Bohun was the daughter of George Bohun of Coundon, Coventry. The marriage brought Spitalfields in London into the Lucy family. On the death of Col. George Lucy Jane married the Hon Robert More. 4 SIR EWEN CAMERON, 1st BARONET OF FASSIFERN 1740-1828 by Sir Henry Raeburn 1756-1823, Sir Ewen married Louisa Campbell in 1767; they had 3 daughters and 3 sons. The eldest son, Duncan, married Mary Cameron. Duncan and Mary had one daughter, Christina. Christina married Alexander Campbell and they had two daughters, Christina and Lucy. Christina married Henry Spencer Lucy.
THE WALL BACKING TO THE RIVER Family members of the Lucy family outlined in RED 5 7 10 6 9 8 5. Thomas Williamson Ramsay 6. Katherine Ramsay 7. Vice. Admiral Sir William Fairfax 8. Robert Ramsay 9. Thomas Williamson Ramsay (son of 5.) 10. Sir William Ramsay Fairfax 5 THOMAS WILLIAMSON RAMSAY 1756-1838 by Sir Henry Raeburn 1756-1823 Thomas Williamson married Elizabeth Ramsay; they had three sons and four daughters. The Eldest daughter, Archibald Montgomerie Ramsay Williamson married Sir Henry Fairfax 1st Bt. d1790. Thomas Williamson s eldest son Thomas was presented with the Centre piece on the Dining table at Charlecote; it was presented for being a Humane Administrator by the inhabitants of the Provinces of Bombay. 6 KATHERINE RAMSAY by Henri Pierre Danloux 1753-1809 Katherine was the daughter of Robert Ramsay of Camno, Perthshire. She married Sir Alexander Mackenzie 6th Bt. of Coul. They had one son Sir George Stewart Mackenzie 7th Bt. of Coul 1780-1848.
7 VICE ADMIRAL Sir WILLIAM GEORGE FAIRFAX 1737-1818 by Sir Martin Archer Shee 1769-1814 Vice Admiral Fairfax married Hannah Spears, then Margaret Charters. He had 1 son and 3 daughters with Hannah. Their son Sir Henry Fairfax married Archibald Montgomerie Williamson Ramsay d1844. They were the Grand Parents of Ada Christina Lucy. The Admiral s daughter Mary first married Samuel Greg 1780-1807 then Dr. William Somerville. Mary was a scientist and was encouraged by Dr. William Somerville. The Somerville college is named after her. The painting was bought about 1798 by Mary for 20; she gave the painting to her nephew Sir Henry George Fairfax, the Great Grandfather of Sir Edmund Ramsay Fairfax. On returning to Port after the battle of Camperdown in 1797, William George Fairfax was knighted by the King. 8 ROBERT RAMSAY OF MAXTON 1761-1814 by Henri Pierre Danloux 1792. Robert Ramsay of Camno had a daughter called Katherine Ramsay (6.) 9 Thomas Williamson Ramsay 1798-1871 Son of Thomas William Ramsay (1756-1838).
THE WALL LOOKING TO THE RIVER Members of the Lucy family outlined in RED 10 10. Sir William Ramsay Fairfax 10 SIR WILLIAM RAMSAY FAIRFAX, 2nd BARONET of HOLMES 1851-1902 by Attilio Baccani 1859-1882 Sir William 2nd Bt. was the son of Sir Henry Ramsay Fairfax 1790-1860 and Archibald Montgomerie Williamson Ramsay d1844. He served in the Crimea and was present at Sebastopol; he was painted in the uniform of a Colonel and he is wearing a Medal and Clasp and also a Turkish Medal. He was A.D.C. to the Governor of Malta 1860-64 and also A.D.C. to Viscount Templar, commanding West District 1865/6. He was a Justice of the peace and Deputy Lieutenant of Roxburgh. Sir William married Mary Anne Pawson; they had a son Sir Henry Ramsay Fairfax 3rd Bt. 1870-1944 who married Ada Christina Lucy 1856-1943.
WALL OF THE BILLIARD ROOM Members of the Lucy family outlined in RED 11 11. Sir Henry Ramsay Fairfax Lucy 12. Lady Ramsay Fairfax 12 13. St Cecelia 13 14 15 14. Madonna and Child 15. Head of St. Peter 11 SIR HENRY CAMERON RAMSAY FAIRFAX LUCY 3rd BARONET of HOLMES 1870-1944 After Edward Borthwick 1871-1955 Sir Henry son of Sir William and Mary Pawson. Sir Henry was educated at Eton and was called to the Bar of the Middle Temple 1902. He served as Staff Lieut. Remount Department in South Africa in 1901. He was a J.P., Deputy Leiutenant for Warwickshire, a J.P. and D.L. for Roxburghshire. Henry married Ada Christina Hammond Lucy 1866-1943. They had 4 daughters and 3 sons. The eldest surviving son Sir Montgomerie never married and lived most of his life farming in Kenya. Montgomerie gave Charlecote to the National Trust 1946. Their second son Brian married Alice Buchan. When Sir Montgomerie died Brian inherited Charlecote. 12 LADY RAMSAY FAIRFAX by Fanny Sutherland (1834-1924) Mary Anne Pawson was the daughter of William J. Pawson, Shawdon, Northumberland. She married Sir William Ramsay Fairfax. They had 2 Daughters and 3 sons. The eldest son Sir Henry Ramsay Fairfax married Ada Christina Hammond Lucy.
13 ST CECILIA The painting was bought by George Hammond Lucy for 180. at Lord Radstock s sale. St Cecilia was the Patron Saint of Music and Church Music, because as she was dying she sang to God. Her feast day is celebrated on November 22nd. It is supposed that she was a noble lady of Rome, who with her husband Valerian and his brother Tiburtius, suffered Martyrdom by the prefect Turcius Almachius. The prefect sought to have Cecilia killed. The official tried to smother her with Steam, but the attempt failed. Next, they tried 3 times to chop off her head, again they failed. She survived for 3 days and did not die until she was given Holy Communion. There is a group of Sisters of St Cecilia; the women are Consecrated Religious Sisters who shear the lambs wool used to make the Palliums of new Metropolitan Archbishops. The lambs are raised by the Cistercian Trappist Fathers of the Tre Fontane (Three Fountains) Abbey in Rome. 14 MADONNA AND CHILD After Sir Anthony Van Dyck 1599-1641 There is no information about this painting or how it came to Charlecote. 15 HEAD OF ST PETER. Artist Unknown possibly dating 1700-1799 According to the New Testament, Peter was one of twelve Apostles. He was chosen by Jesus from his first Disciple. Peter was originally a fisherman. The painting was bequeathed to Charlecote by the Rev. John Lucy, Rector of Hampton Lucy.
WALL TO THE GREAT HALL Members of the Lucy family outlined in RED 16 16. Bat. George Lucy 17. Sir Edmund Lucy and Family 17 16 BACHELOR GEORGE LUCY 1714-1786 by Charles Lucy George was travelling in Italy trying to trace a male relative when he met Charles Lucy, the Artist. George must have spoken to Charles Lucy about paintings he would like. There is a letter in WRO, L6/1378 from Charles Lucy (a distant relative) from Bologna to George Lucy asking for an annuity of 25 or 30 offering to send History Pictures that could be purchased in England under a considerable price. The Rev William Lucy d1723 decided that his brother Fulke was not suitable to run Charlecote because 16 he was idle and extravagant. Rev William also decided that Fulke s sons, Thomas and George, should inherit. The Rev William also decided that if Thomas or George had no male heir Charlecote should go to the male heir of his sister Alice, who married the Rev John Hammond. Thomas inherited in 1723 but was ill, he suffered with epilepsy and died in 1744, Rev William s Wife Frances looked after Thomas and the estate until Thomas died. George Lucy better known as Bachelor George Lucy inherited Charlecote in 1744. 17 Photograph of Sir Edmund with Patrick, Lady Erica and Mary, Sir Edmund s sister. They are cutting a cake on the 50th anniversary of the property being given to the National Trust.
FURNITURE Starting at the top of the staircase and working down. 1 CHAIR A pair of Chairs with tapestry covered seats. The heraldic pattern on the seat bears the Lion rampant Gules armed Or (A red lion rampant with gold claws) which is the charge on the Fairfax Arms but not the full Coat of Arms. 2 COMMODE The word Commode comes from the French word meaning Convenient or Suitable. It also comes from the Latin Adjective Commodus. Originally Commodes were introduced in French furniture about 1700 in the form of a low cabinet or Chest of Drawers about the height of the Dado Rail. Commodes were introduced in England about the mid 18 century. Thomas Chippendale used the term French Commode Tables to describe the term used in the Cabinet Maker and Upholster Directory of 1753. The Commode was described as a Chest of Drawers with a graceful Curved front and Curved Ends. It would also have a Marble top to match the Fireplace of the room it was to be placed in. 3 SIDE TABLE Oak side table, which matches one in the Ebony Dressing Room. No other information known.
4 CHAIR An X frame chair with lion mask and feet. The back rail is decorated with a Cherub s head. The valance is of Red Velvet. 5 GOTHIC TABLE One of a set of four Gothic tables finely carved in oak. It came from the Fonthill Sale 1823, Lot 478. They cost 16 guineas. The tables, when at Fonthill Abbey, stood in the King Edward s Gallery with the Pietre Dure table. George and Mary Elizabeth had two more tables made to match the original four tables. The two new tables had a cross on them similar to the Latimer cross which is on the original tables, the two new tables also had a draw in the front rail. 6 DUTCH HIGH BACK CHAIR This chair is one of six purchased by George and Mary Elizabeth. They were bought from Samuel Isaacs of 131, Regent Street, London. The original chairs date from 1710, and are in the style of Daniel Marot. The chairs at Charlecote are reproductions; the original chairs were sold to an American museum in 1920 s. The originals are possibly in California.
7 LATE 19th CENTURY ARMCHAIR Copy of a late 19th Century Armchair with upholstered seat and back insert. The top rail has an Eagle carved in it. 8 OAK COFFER The definition of a Coffer is a box or chest, especially one for valuables. The term is also used for Treasury Funds. Sgraffito is a painting technique where the artist scratches into the top layer of the paint to reveal areas of the surface underneath. The method is best suited for oil paints as they stay wet longer. The tools used are brushes, painting knives, needles and brush handles. 9 MAHOGANY GLASS TOP SHOWCASE. Inside the showcase is a letter from Oliver Cromwell to Richard Lucy to attend the Barebones Parliament in 1653. There is a letter from Sir Thomas I written in 1591 to a Master Bagot. There is also a very interesting document about the accounts and servants wages from 1573-1587.
10 Dutch Cabinet Possibly made between 1700-1710 by Jan van Mekeren 1658-1733 The layout of the drawers inside the cabinet suggest its use was to store linen- the use today is to store Winter dust sheets. L6/1118 is a receipt at WRO from William Buchanan dated 24th February 1837 for furniture, one of the items was the Dutch Cabinet which cost 50. There are only seven known cabinets attributed to Van Mekeren. The cabinet is made of Oak and the marquetry is made from veneers of kingwood, tulipwood, rosewood, ebony, olive wood, holly etc. Jan van Mekeren excelled in the skilful use of different woods to create a refined polychromy. (Polychromy is the art of using different woods and colours in furniture, Architecture etc.) Dutch floral marquetry may well have been developed about 1650 by Pierre Gole 1620 1684, a cabinetmaker from the Netherlands who worked at the French court.
TEXTILES 1 Staircase Carpet The carpet was made to replace the original carpet; the new carpet was an exact copy of the original and was made in the year 2000. 2 FLEMISH TAPESTRY An 18th century Flemish Tapestry depicting a scene from the Marlborough Campaigns. The frame is a bolection moulded type 3 FLEMISH TAPESTRY An 18th century Flemish Tapestry depicting a scene from the Marlborough Campaigns. The frame is a bolection moulded type.
GENERAL OBJECTS 1 CLOCK We have been unable to find any information about this clock. If anyone knows anything please advise us and we will compile some information. This is a eight bell clock, possibly a ships clock which could have belonged to Vice Admiral William George Fairfax 1739-1813 2 Large brass Lantern The lantern has six panels and was wired for electricity in 1830. Electricity was introduced into Charlecote in 1822 by the Rev John Hammond Lucy.