Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Sunday 12 February 2023

Bradgate Park


The BBC News website reports that money has been given by Historic England to finance a survey of the remains of Bradgate House In Leicestershire. This early sixteenth century house built by the Grey family, Marquesses of Dorset and, briefly, Duke of Suffolk whose three daughters were potential heirs to the throne in the mid-sixteenth century, is now a fragmented ruin but its historic and architectural importance is considerable.


The history of the house at Bradgate is set out by Wikipedia at Bradgate House, Bradgate Park and that of the neighbouring Grey family property at Groby Old Hall. These also have links to articles on the somewhat chequered history of the Grey family from the fifteenth century onwards.

Both buildings are on interest for their early use of brick as a building material. This was also used by the first Lord Hastings for his never-completed castle just to the south of Groby at Kirby Muxloe. The history of this extremely well documented building operation in 1480-83 and of the castle is set out in considerable detail at Kirby Muxloe Castle


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