This image and the information below is taken from "A Series Of Picturesque Views Of Seats Of The Noblemen & Gentlemen Of Great Britain and Ireland", Edited by Rev. Francis Orpen Morris, BA (Vicar of Nafferton in the East Riding of Yorkshire). It was published by William MacKenzie in London in (I believe), 4 volumes. The first 80 views were published in 1866 and a further 160 over the next 10 years. The whole works were republished in 1875.

The Picture is a result of the collaboration between Benjamin Fawcett of Driffield, Yorkshire - who was the leading provincial colour printer of the age - and the water colour painter, Alexander Francis Lydon.

This stately residence is situated in the hundred of Bosmere and Claydon, four miles south-east from Debenham, and eight from Ipswich, in a beautiful park, comprehending four hundred acres, which contains some of the finest oak-trees in the county, many of them of great age, and is abundantly stocked with deer, there never being less than seven hundred head, among which are some remarkably large stags.

The hall has been the principal seat of the family of Tollemache from the period of its erection, and here Sir Lionel Tollemache was honoured by a visit from Queen Elizabeth, for five days, from August 14th to the 18th inclusive, in the year 1561. Her Majesty was entertained with great splendour and sumptuous hospitality, and during her visit stood godmother to Sir Lionel's son, and at the same time presented his mother with a lute, which is still preserved.

Very few innovations have been made in the mansion, and, with regard to its exterior appearance, it exists in all its pristine grandeur. It is a quadrangular structure, entirely of brick, environing a court, and completely surrounded by a terrace and moat. The approach is by drawbridges, on the east and south fronts, which are raised every night.

The family flourished in the greatest repute, and in an interrupted male succession in this county, from the arrival of the Saxons in this kingdom, to 1821, having bourne a conspicuous part in the annals and history of the county for above thirteen hundred years.

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Last modified: Tuesday, 30 September 2008