Lord Byron’s teenage haunt for sale
Our house historian tracks down a property where the teenage Lord Byron spent many happy summer holidays doing what he knew best
My latest adventures researching the history of houses has recently led me to an exciting discovery in a house involving the poet Byron. Byron had not only been a regular visitor to the house, but had in fact joined with some friends to perform amateur dramatics there, as well as getting himself embroiled in a love affair with the daughter of the house.
Today, Burgage House is a Grade II listed Georgian home for sale with Chesterton Humberts in Southwell, Nottinghamshire. However, during the early 1800s Burgage House was home to the Leacroft family, including teenagers, John and Julia. The Leacrofts were good friends with John and Elizabeth Pigot, who lived nearby in The Burgage, as well as the young Byron, who came to visit his mother at Burgage Manor.
Byron first came to Southwell during his school holidays from Harrow in 1804 and he was soon spending many holiday breaks with his friends the Pigots and Leacrofts. The teenagers became close friends and during the summer of 1806 they decided to amuse themselves by staging amateur dramatics in the drawing room of Burgage House, which was said to have “converted into a neat theatre for the occasion”. The friends staged two plays with Julia Leacroft and Byron playing the lead roles. However, when the dramatics were over, flirtations between Byron and Julia continued and the young pair soon became the talk of the town. By January 1807 it was widely accepted that the two would marry, however, Byron had no such intentions and scandal soon ensued in the quiet town of Southwell.
It has been suggested that Julia’s brother John challenged Byron to a duel for his sister’s honour, but nothing eventuated as Byron made a swift exit from Southwell. Byron’s escapades with Julia Leacroft did, however, leave the world with two poems, firstly, To Julia [1806], later re-titled To Lesbia and secondly, To a Lady [1807] where Byron describes an assignation in the garden.
Burgage House has seen many changes over the years, but I still like to imagine Byron walking through the front door or secretly meeting Julia Leacroft in the garden!
* Find out more about Burgage House
* Find out more about Melanie
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Bringing the quintessential English rural idle to life via interiors, food and drink, property and more Country Life’s travel content offers a window into the stunning scenery, imposing stately homes and quaint villages which make the UK’s countryside some of the most visited in the world.
-
Life is a Cabaret, old chum — especially when you try the Country Life Quiz of the Day
Classic movies, compound interest and the Sacking of Rome take their places in Thursday's quiz.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Reader event: Why Sir John Soane matters
Almost two centuries after his death, the architect’s work continues to inspire both classic and contemporary designers. At a Country Life event in March, four leading design experts will explore his creative legacy.
By Giles Kime Published