The restoration of Charles II in 1660 and the return of many exiles from Europe brought new ideas as to how country houses should be built and used. We will see how the restrained Restoration style of houses like Belton evolved into the exuberant Baroque of Blenheim. 1. 10.00-11.00. Estate owners; who was building or rebuilding their country houses. 2. 11.00-11.15. Coffee. 3. 11.15-12.30. From Restoration to Baroque; an architectural evolution. 4. 12.30-13.30. Lunch. 5. 13.30-15.00. Group study: Learners will be provided with a range of documents from and about the period. 6. 15.00-15.15 Tea. 7. 15.15-16.00. Life in these houses, Conclusions.
Course aim
This course aims to examine how English Country Houses evolved architecturally in the period 1650 – 1725 and how they were used by their owners as both homes and status symbols.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Recognise who could be a great estate owner in the period.
- Understand the ways in which Country Houses architecture evolved in the period.
- Describe the key features of great households in the period.
What else do I need to know?
You will not need to bring anything beyond an interest in the history and architecture of English country houses 1650-1725.
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Day School: Restoration and Baroque Houses and their Families







