Hoghton, near Chorley
Lancashire
England
Circa Date: 1560-63 w/17th, 18th, 19th & 20th century alterations and additions
Pronunciation: HORTON
Status: Fully Extant
House Open to Public: Yes
Country House: Yes
The house from an atmospheric circa 1904 postcard
The house (on the hill) from an 1829 engraving
Earlier Houses: There have been at least two earlier houses on the site of the current house, the first of which was probably built circa 1100.
Built / Designed For: Thomas de Hoghton
House & Family History: In August of 1617, James I stayed at Hoghton for three days; this visit has contributed to the legend of the knighting of a loin (a side of beef, called the prime rib in the USA) as "Sir Loin" by the king during his Hoghton visit. This tale of the knighting of a cut of beef is variously told of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles II, though only the first is chronologically possible, based on the entry of the word into the lexicon. For many Americans, this legend was first introduced by Warner Bros., who inserted the Sir Lion legend into two of their short cartoons: 1949’s “Rabbit Hood” and “Nighty Night Bugs” (1958). Though there is great debate about the subject, it's possible that a young William Shakespeare visited Hoghton in the 1580s.
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. 241, 1853.
Country Life: XVII, 198 plan, 234. 1905.
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Grade II
Current Seat / Home of: Sir Bernard de Hoghton, 14th Bt.; de Hoghton family here since the 12th century.
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Thomas de Hoghton, 16th century; Sir Richard Hoghton, 1st Bt., until 1630; Sir Gilbert Hoghton, 2nd Bt., 1630-47; Sir Richard Hoghton, 3rd Bt., 1647-78; Sir Charles Hoghton, 4th Bt., 1678-1710; Sir Henry Hoghton, 5th Bt., 1710-68; Sir Henry Hoghton, 6th Bt., 1768-95; Sir Henry Philip Hoghton, 7th Bt., 1795-1835; Sir Henry Bold-Hoghton, 8th Bt., 1835-62; Sir Henry de Hoghton, 9th Bt., 1862-76; Sir Charles de Hoghton, 10th Bt., 1876-93; Sir James de Hoghton, 11th Bt., 1893-1938; Sir Cuthbert de Hoghton, 12th Bt., 1938-58; Sir Anthony Mary de Hoghton, 13th Bt., 1958-78.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
House Open to Public: Yes
Phone: 01254-852-986
Fax: 01254-852-109
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.hoghtontower.co.uk/
Historic Houses Member: Yes