Page 4 - Demo

LYVEDEN
NEW BIELD
Tresham’s unfinished dream
This month I’m visiting one of the most enigmatic places in Northamptonshire. The never completed pleasure house of a man who met his death in 1605 encumbered by massive debts. I’m visiting Sir Thomas Tresham’s Lyveden New Bield.
Sir Thomas was clever, well educated, and well connected. He was part of the Roman Catholic elite at a time when this was politically difficult and against the spiritual direction
of Queen Elizabeth I. Whilst not actually forbidden, there were massive financial penalties to pay for not following proscribed Protestant practices. These Tresham was willing to pay in order to maintain his Catholic beliefs and practices.
Tresham celebrated his beliefs architecturally. His folly known as the Triangular Lodge near Rushton is justifiably famous for its religious symbolism, and was completed during his lifetime. Inspired by his folly, Tresham set
about a grand design in the grounds of his Lyveden Manor home. This included a massive landscaping project, and the construction of a garden lodge designed both for pleasure and for spiritual inspiration, with symbolic decoration well understood 400 years ago. These beautifully executed designs look mysterious to our 21st century eyes, and indeed there are symbols where the meaning still remains obscured.
The landscaping included seven terraces up from the ‘Olde Bield’ Manor House, a moated orchard, a mile-long labyrinth to be planted with red roses and raspberries, spiral mounts, canals, all leading to the beautiful cruciform lodge.
The lodge was designed with a great hall, parlour and bedrooms positioned upstairs to enjoy the glorious views. Servants rooms below included a buttery and kitchen equipped with
a roasting fireplace and bread oven. Outside decorative friezes and motifs refer to the passion