Built / Designed For: Sir Edmund Brudenell

House & Family History: Home of the Brudenell family since 1514, the manor of Deene originally belonged to Westminster Abbey (an annual rent of £18 was paid until 1970!). Famous for its Great Hall of 1571, the original 16th century courtyard house has been repeatedly expanded; one of its noted later additions is the early 19th century Bow Room, which contains the Brudenell Library. This important library was begun in the 16th century by Sir Thomas Tresham and his son-in-law, Sir Thomas Brudenell, 1st Earl of Cardigan. Though no longer in the library, the collection was famous for its manuscript of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and the last copy of "Magna Carta" in private hands.

Collections: Deene contains furnishings of different periods and important portraits, including works by Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough and relics of the Crimean War. Seven of the Brudenell family were earls of Cardigan – the most notable being the 7th Earl, who led the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaklava during the Crimean War (his uniform and the head and tail of his charger, Ronald, are part of the Crimean War collection at Deene).

Garden & Outbuildings: In the mid-20th century David Hicks designed the parterre garden that overlooks the lake.

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: 2.S. Vol. II, p. 170, 1855.

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: 2.S. Vol. I, 1824.

Country Life: XXV, 234, 1909. CLIX, 610, 674, 750, 810, 1976.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Grade II

Current Seat / Home of: Brudenell family; here since 1514.

Past Seat / Home of: Sir Edmund Brudenell, 16th century; Thomas Brudenell, 1st Earl of Cardigan, until 1663; Robert Brudenell, 2nd Earl of Cardigan, 1663-1703; George Brudenell, 3rd Earl of Cardigan, 1703-32; George Brudenell, 4th Earl of Cardigan and 1st Duke of Montagu, 1732-90; James Brudenell, 5th Earl of Cardigan, 1790-1811; Robert Brudenell, 6th Earl of Cardigan, 1811-37; James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, 1837-68.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01780-450-278

Fax: 01780-450-282

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://deenepark.com/

Historic Houses Member: Yes