Holdenby House Gardens and Falconry jobs and careers

About Holdenby House Gardens and Falconry

In 1583 Holdenby Palace was built by Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor and favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. It was the largest and most magnificent house in England, built around two courtyards with 123 huge glass windows. After Hatton died in 1647 the house became the Palace of King James I and then King Charles I, which then became King Charles prison for 5 months after being defeated in the Civil War. In 1647 Cromwell sent Cornet Joyce with 500 soldiers to remove him, the spot near our arches field is marked where he was standing upon his arrest. King Charles I was executed in 1649. After the Civil war in 1660, the palace was sold to a Parliamentarian Adam Baynes who demolished most of the house brick by brick to pay for his army reducing the house to an eighth of its original size which is what stands today. In 1709 it was brought by the Duke of Marlborough, since when it has descended the female line to the Lowther family who still reside there today. Holdenby has lost little of its magnificence with beautiful state rooms and fascinating contents.