This post, the fourth in the series detailing the rooms and contents of Middleton Hall as described in the 1676 inventory, focuses on the “The Chapel” and “The Space Into The Chapel”. Although these areas are named with what should have been an easily identifiable title, there is a considerable lack of certainty over their precise locations. Today, it is known that Middleton Hall only ever contained one private chapel, which was located centrally on the north side of the Hall

This post, the third in the series detailing the rooms and contents of Middleton Hall as described in the 1676 inventory, focuses on the room identified as “The Garret”. At this time, Middleton Hall had only one building with a garret. Today, it would be referred to as the attic of the John Ray Building. When the John Ray Building was constructed in 1647, it included a new architectural feature that had only been introduced to England in the mid-17th century. This was the cre

This post, the second in the series detailing the rooms and contents of Middleton Hall as described in the 1676 inventory, focuses on the three rooms named as “Mr Ray’s Chamber”, “Mr Ray’s Study” and “The Room Betwixt Mr Ray’s and The Still Chamber”. These are the only rooms that specifically mention John Ray by name. The fact that he is named is one of the reasons that the inventory is believed to date from about 1676, which was when he left Middleton Hall. John Ray resided

Over the centuries, many inventories of Middleton Hall have been conducted. These were normally taken upon the death of an owner. One inventory, although being undated, is believed to date to just after Emma, the widow of Francis Willughby, married Sir Josiah Child on 22nd August 1676. It was unquestionably taken before 1687, which was when a further inventory was taken upon the clearance of certain items from Middleton Hall by Francis and Emma’s children. The inventory would

The next two entries in the Middleton household accounts for Sir Henry Willoughby in 1526 both related to the Children of the Chapel and the first of these was dated 9th October. This first entry was described as a payment for three pairs of shoes for the Children of the Chapel and the amount was 18 pence, which was the equivalent of about £33.10 today. The second was described as a payment for books and combs for the Children of the Chapel and the amount was 9 pence, which w

In the Tamworth Herald, on 14th March 1925, it was advertised that an auction was to be held at Middleton Hall on the 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th of March 1925 at the instructions of the executors of the late Egbert de Hamel. The sale was to begin at 11am each day and it added that refreshments were provided. The auction was to include all of the household furniture and, specifically, the contents of the entrance hall, banqueting hall, dining and drawing rooms, library, billiar