Members of The Friends of Markenfieldās Archive & Research Group, Alan Robiette and Eleanor Hart spent a number of months researching a letter written to Sir Thomas Markenfield (V) during his exile in the Low Countries. Few personal documents remain pertaining to Thomas, which makes this one ā housed in the Harleian Manuscripts at the British Library ā all the more special. Bearing a message from Markenfield ā āyour is poor but prayeth hard for youā ā the letter is not all that it first seems.
The Daily Telegraphās Book of the Year, 2021
Adrian Tinniswood OBE FSA, Senior Research Fellow in History at the University of Buckingham and Visiting Fellow in Heritage and History at Bath Spa University: part academic and part raconteur. His work running Buckinghamās postgraduate programme in Country House Studies, and his career as a writer covering all things historic house, has given him a unique insight into their social history.
From lions at Longleat to Christine Keeler at Cliveden. Join us on a lively tour as Swinging London collided with traditional rural values. Capturing the spirit of the age and proving that the country house is not only an iconic symbol, but a lens through which to understand the shifting fortunes of Britain in an era of monumental social change.
Archbishop Longley will reflect on the Chapel of St Michael Archangel at Markenfield Hall as a place of ecumenical prayer and welcome, alongside his responsibility as Roman Catholic Co-Chairman of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and his continuing work on interfaith relations.
Fountains Abbey and Markenfield Hall stand just one mile apart, as the crow flies. Fountains Abbey Archivist William Barber explores the relationship between the owners of the Markenfield estate and theĀ monks of Fountains Abbey from the mid 12th century to November,Ā 1539 when that house was dissolved. It is based on information to beĀ found in the few remnants that survive from the Markenfield papers, andĀ the more plentiful, but still fragmentary, abbey records, the earliest ofĀ which are the monastic charters recording donations of land and otherĀ resources to the house during the first two centuries of its existence.
Although the Markenfields had a beautiful domestic Chapel in the heart of the house, at an early stage they established their own chantry chapel dedicated to St Andrew on the East side of the North transept of Ripon Cathedral, where two mediaeval monuments to two notable members of the family remain: both Sir Thomas Markenfields, one (d. 1398) the great-great-grandfather of the other (d.1497). They are all that is left of what must have been, before the reformation, a very fine place of worship and family mausoleum. These are their stories.
A study of the Parish of Markenfield Hall: a most unusual parish, partly because of its unique 14th century moated hall and also
because, over the centuries, the parish has remained small, itsĀ boundaries almost identical with those of the estate. Unlike
surrounding parishes, no hamlet or village has grown up aroundĀ the hall. Through the ages the name has changed from
Merchefeld to Markenfield with the main variants beingĀ Merchingfeld, Merkingfeld, Markynfeld, Merkyngefelde,Ā Markinfeild and Markingefeild. In addition, it has been aĀ manor, parke, mannor, hall and today it is the Parish of Markenfield Hall.
The North aisle of Ripon Cathedral is dominated by a glorious stained glass celebration of the Grantley family - the owners of Markenfield Hall. The windowās artist was Thomas Willement, who was heraldic artist to George IV and artist in stained glass to Queen Victoria.Ā Almost uniquely within the Cathedral church, this window has no religious or ecclesiastical content.Ā Instead it is āa celebration of dynastic splendourā.Ā The Grantley window was the first new window to be erected in Ripon Minster after its elevation to Cathedral status in 1836.Ā At that time, the Cathedralās windows included many coats of arms, including two small representations of the Norton arms, but this was going to be a much grander affair. Explore the panels in detail with Dr Brian Crosse.