Page 6 - cn - fg -The Spirit of Belvoir -studio format 2024 Palm Beach brochure 19-10-2023

The Collection - Introduction

The Spirit of Belvoir is encapsulated within the material presence of the castle and estate as it represents and forms a statement from the transience of the
collective expression and affirmation of the lives lived.
Each personality enacts their respective script of pursuits, dreams, visions, dramas and tragedies within action and reaction to prevailing circumstances
and consequences of the human condition being played out within this fairy tale setting.
Each life leaves an imprint, whether positive or negative, beneficial or detrimental; all of which constitutes to the Spirit of Belvoir.

The veritable existence and future destiny of ‘Belvoir’ was determined at the end of a changing day for English history, namely at the Battle of Hastings.
This being where William’s invasion force was so nearly defeated by King Harold and his army, if it wasn’t for the Norman’s tactic to fain retreat, and
thereby break Harold’s line of defence.
Robert de Todeni, a prominent Norman baron and standard bearer for William the Conqueror at the battle of Hastings was gifted with land that Belvoir
Castle now stands on, as a reward for fighting along-side William.
Robert de Todeni must have been impressed and enchanted by the views commanded by this hilltop position for he consequently built the first fortified
stronghold and named the place ‘Belvoir’- meaning “beautiful view.”
The vantage point, and therefore the view, has throughout time been a binding aspect of Belvoir, from the moment of Robert de Todeni receiving the gift,
the view has remained in essence the same even though castles have come and gone.
The view or views from this position have surely been seen differently over time, in periods of war and peace, either as protection from enemies or
appreciation of beauty.
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The castle we see today was the creation of Elizabeth, 5 Duchess of Rutland, daughter of the 5 Earl of Carlisle, who’s family seat of the Howard’s was,
and remains today, at Castle Howard.
Elizabeth’s castle was created as a home to be lived in. In terms of aesthetic expression, Belvoir is feminine throughout. What was envisioned and built
was a fairy tale castle which expressed the height of Regency fashion and was set within an equally enchanting setting.
The previous three castles were masculine in concept and appearance. Two were built as strong holds with defence in mind, the third created at the
insistence of the then Countess of Rutland, Frances Montagu .The castle was built by John Webb and was completed in 1668. The design was in step with
the prevailing fashion of the period, being geometric in style and without reference to previous military purposes. The first two defensive castles were
surrounded by farmland and woodland. In the case of the third castle, landscaping had been carried out to the immediate grounds and the inclusion of a
parterre and stable block which extended from the base of the castle.

In contrast, Elizabeth’s vision extended beyond her new castle and immediate terraces to the grounds and parkland beyond, where she created the
Italianate Hillside Garden and the Duchess Spring Gardens with connecting walks through the newly created woodland. Elizabeth also implemented much
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of Capability Brown’s 1780 plan for Belvoir Estate, {which was drawn up for the 4 Duke of Rutland}, with exception to Brown’s proposals for a
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4 Castle, which Elizabeth felt were not romantic or dramatic enough for her envisioned castle.