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Tue 12 Oct
2010
Charles Crosbie – Rufford Old Hall and the Hesketh Family |
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Charles Crosbie
said he would concentrate on the history of the Hesketh family
rather than Rufford Old Hall. However, this did not detract from
what was to be an interesting look at the fascinating history of
this local family.
Charles is the Education Officer at the National Trust Tudor
great hall that is, Rufford Old Hall. He arranges school visits
to the hall and manages a team of volunteers involved in the
teaching programme.
The Hesketh family can trace its connection with Rufford Old
Hall back almost 700 years. Charles, though, started with the
current Lord Hesketh, which gave a flavour of the background to
this aristocratic family. Educated at Ampleforth, a minister in,
both, Thatcher’s and Major’s government, a former country seat
in Northamptonshire, and a financial backer of the Hesketh Team,
the 1970s Formula 1 winning racing team, which included the
driver, James Hunt. Lord Hesketh, however, is now resident in St
Tropez. |
Charles Crosbie |
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Rufford Old Hall |
Rufford Old Hall |
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Back to the
mid-13th century, though, and it all started with a Hesketh from
Hesketh Bank that purchased land next to Martin Mere to profit
from the fish and fowl. There followed, over generations, a
series of descendants marrying into rich families. The Hesketh’s
could claim connections with kings and queens down the
centuries, though it never reached the ‘premier league’ of the
Grosvenor and Devonshire families. |
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The Hesketh’s
can rightly claim a Shakespeare connection. They had set up a
company of actors, which he was part of but he was principally
employed principally as a tutor to the children.
Time constraints meant Charles had to ‘skip’ about 300 years but
did say they were traditionally a strong Roman Catholic family.
By 1861 they were Anglican and a family member, Thomas George
Hesketh, became MP for Preston. His marriage into the Fermor
family in 1867 created the link with the family home in
Northamptonshire.
A later Thomas George, educated at Eton and Sandhurst, fought in
the Zulu War in late 19TH century but went to Africa by yacht,
the ‘Lancashire Witch’. Later adventures took him to the USA and
married into a rich American family. |
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Rufford Old Hall |
Along
with the description of colourful family characters down
through the ages Charles also explained the social and
economic background that dictated the environment these
people lived in.
It was because the family was based in Northamptonshire
and the imposition of taxes that led to the first Baron
Hesketh giving Rufford Old Hall to The National Trust in
1936.
Charles’ sweep through the Hesketh family history proved
to be a success highlighted by a lively question and
answer session.
Peter Robinson
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