The House from "Morris's Views of Seats," 1880s.
The Castle from a circa 1950s Johnson Brothers plate from the Old Britain Castles in 1792 series
The House as seen in the 17th century, from an 1804 copperplate engraving from 'ngland Delineated.'
Earlier Houses: At least two earlier buildings existed on the site: a Norman castle and a 16th century house, bits and pieces of which were incorporated into the current Castle.
House & Family History: The name of the Castle, meaning "beautiful view" in French, dates to a famous Norman castle built in the 11th century by Robert de Todeni (later Robert de Belvedeir), Standard Bearer to William the Conqueror. This castle was mostly destroyed by Lord Hastings in the 15th century during the Wars of the Roses. The Castle ruins laid untouched for years, until rebuilt in the 16th century by the 1st Earl of Rutland, using stone from the recently dissolved Croxton Abbey and Belvoir Priory. This Castle was also demolished -- this time in 1649, during a siege by Parliamentarians during the English Civil War (during the Civil War Belvoir was a notable stronghold of the king's supporters; Charles I spent a night here on his way into Lincolnshire during the war). The Castle was rebuilt again in the 1650s and 1660s, when it was noted for its plantations on the top of the hill (see engraving in the "Images" section). Belvoir, as seen today, is based on the 17th century Castle, designed on the courtyard plan of a Norman castle, with enormous alterations and remodelings that took place between 1801 and 1830 to the designs of James Wyatt and his office. The interiors were redone to the taste of Elizabeth, 5th Duchess of Rutland (1780-1825); the most notable and famous of the new rooms is the famous Elizabeth Saloon, named after the duchess. Belvoir is at the center of Catherine Bailey's 2012 book, "The Secret Rooms: A True Story of a Haunted Castle, a Plotting Duchess, and a Family Secret."
Collections: Belvoir contains works by Poussin, Holbein, Rubens, Reynolds, and Govelin. A painting of Cheveley Park (a former seat of the dukes of Rutland, now demolished) by Jan Siberechts, 1671, is today in the collection at Belvoir. The collection also includes Mortlake tapestries, Chinese silks, furniture, porcelain, and sculpture. The Rutland Psalter was sold to the British Museum in 1984.
Comments: Pevsner called Belvoir "…much the beau ideal of the romantic castle." In 1846 "White's Directory" cited Belvoir as "by far the most superb architectural ornament of which Leicestershire can boast."
Garden & Outbuildings: The Statue Gardens were constructed into the hillside below the castle and named after the 17th century sculptures on display. Thomas Barlow designed the stables for 1st Duke of Rutland. The Belvoir Estate today comprises approximately 15,000 acres.
Architect: Matthew Cotes Wyatt
Date: Circa 1820-30Architect: John Thorpe
Designed: Gallery between Rosse and Stanton Towers on the South Front of the CastleArchitect: John Webb
Date: 1655-68Architect: Benjamin Dean Wyatt
Date: Circa 1820-30Architect: James Wyatt
Date: 1801-13Architect: Jeffry Wyatville (Wyattville) (Wyatt)
Date: 1816Vitruvius Britannicus: C. IVth. pls. 47-50, 1739.
John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. II, p. 61, 1853.
John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. II, 1819.
Country Life: XCI, 851 [Plate], 1036 [Plate], 1130 [Plate], 1942. CXX, 1284, 1402 plan, 1456, 1500, 1956.
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1995
Reference: pgs. 979, 1030, 1105, 1119
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300072074
Book Type: Softback
Title: Movie Locations: A Guide to Britain & Ireland
Author: Adams, Mark
Year Published: 2000
Publisher: London: Boxtree
ISBN: 0752271695
Book Type: Softback
Title: Disintegration of a Heritage: Country Houses and their Collections, 1979-1992, The
Author: Sayer, Michael
Year Published: 1993
Publisher: Norfolk: Michael Russell (Publishing)
ISBN: 0859551970
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1995
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300072074
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Grade II
Seat of: David Charles Robert Manners, 11th Duke of Rutland; Manners family here since the 16th century.
Past Seat of: Robert de Todeni, later Robert de Belvedeir, 11th century. William d'Aubigny (Albanie), 13th century. Robert de Ros (Roo), 13th century. George Manners, 11th Baron de Ros, late 15th-early 16th centuries; Thomas Manners, 1st Earl of Rutland and 12th Baron de Ros of Helmsley, 16th century.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
House Open to Public: Yes
Phone: 01476-871-002
Fax: 01476-870-443
Email: info@belvoircastle.com
Website: http://www.belvoircastle.com
Historic Houses Member: Yes