( 392 )
FURNITURE AND PICTURES AT COBHAM
HALL IN 1672.
When the last Duke 0£ Richmond and Lenox died in 1672, at
Elsinore in Denmark, his executors, Sir Charles Bickersta:ffe,
Martin Forster, Esq., and Arthur Capel, Earl 0£ Essex, caused an
inventory to be made 0£ the goods and pictures then contained in
Cobham Hall. By the courtesy 0£ the Earl 0£ Darnley, and by the
kindly help 0£ his lordship's sister, the Lady Elizabeth Oust, I am
enabled to print this inventory, and to give some information
respecting various portions 0£ the £urniture and pictures. The
whole of these goods and chattels 0£ the Duke seem to have
remained, intact at Cobham Hall until 1703, when Lady Katherine
O'Brien died. They had been bequeathed by the Duke to his
widow, £or her use until she married or until she died ; after her
ma.rriage or a£ter her death,· the :furniture and pictures were to
go, together with the Hall and Park, to the Duke's sister Lady
Katherine O'Brien £or her Ii£. After her death they were to pass
to her son Donatus O'Brien, his heirs and assigns.
The Duchess did not desire to reside permanently at Cobham,
so when Sir Joseph Williamson married Lady Katherine O'Brien
in 1678, he seems to have purchased all the interest of the Duchess
in the house and furniture. Thus were they kept unchanged until
Lady Katherine died. Meanwhile her son Donatus had been
drowned in 1682. He left a widow, the Lady Sophia O'Brien (nee
Osborne), who afterwards married Lord Lempster; but his ultimate
heir was his sister Katherine, who married Lord Cornbury, afterwards
Earl 0£ Clarendon. When Lady Katherine O'Brien died, the
:furniture was removed from Cobham to her London house in
St. James's Square, and there it was sold by auction, on the 11th 0£
May 1703. The sale realised £1805 14s. 9d. This sum was
divided into two moieties, one 0£ which was no doubt appropriated
by Lady Lempster (widow 0£ Donatus O'Brien); and the other
moiety would ,go to Katherine, Lady Oombury, to whose interests
her father-in-law the old Earl of Clarendon would attend.
Lady Elizabeth Oust discovered that the pictures from Cobham
Hall were not sold until 1704, when some letters about them were
written to Viscount Weymouth o Longleat, who ultimately purchased
twenty or more. The writer, named Robinson, spoke 0£
these pictures as being part of those which had fallen to Lord
Clarendon's share (on behalf of his absent son Lord Oornbury, then
Governor 0£ New York). When Lady Emma Oust, sister 0£ Lady
Elizabeth, was at Longleat not long ago, the present Marquis of
00:BHA'.M HALL, A.D. 1672. 393
Bath pointed out to her those portraits, from Cobham, which his
ancestor Lord Weymouth had purchased.
The first Earl 0£ Darnley had many 0£ the old Cobham pictures,
at his London house, in Arlington Street. He married Lady
Theodosia Hyde, daughter 0£ the third Earl 0£ Clarendon ; the
pictures were.hers.
A SCHEDULE OF yn "GOODS w0n••wERE IN yB DUKE'S HOUSE .A.T
CoBH.A.M: & ye Outhouses there at ye time 0£ ye said Duke's
decease [A.D. 1672].
IN THE DrNEING RooM.
One round Table, one Spanish table & two turkey
worked carpets ................................. ............. ..
Twenty Turkey chaires at 88 per ehaire .................... .
Three window. curtain rods & 3 white caleico Curtains .. .
£ 8. a.
8 10 0
8 0 0
1 6 0
One picture 0£ the Dutchesse dowager* & 2 children.
One picture. .0 £ Queen Mary.
My Lord's first Dutchesse (Elizabeth Ro,r;e1·s of B1•yanston).
One peice 0£ Prince Rupert.
M:y Lord .A.1.1biguy:s picture ( George, La, .LI.., iva-s tlie Dulce' s fatlier).
One peice of naked Venus ..
One large peice 0£ our Savior.
One peice 0£ a Grecian Lady.
One peice 0£ Lady Carnarvan ( sistm· of tlie 1st Earl of Essex).
One peice 0£ Lady Essex ( the Dulce' s cousin Laity Eliz. Percy
ma1·ried tlie 1st Earl of Essex).
One peice 0£ ye Lady Howard & Madm Brunkard.
Four gilt branches .. . . .. . . . .. . .. . . .. .. . . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. • 1 0 0
One brasse Cisterne & £ountaiue .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. . .. 5 0 0
One pr 0£ Andirons wth brasses, one p1• 0£ Iron Doggs,
one p1' 0£ brasse Tongs,. • one Iron fork, 2 brasse locks 2 15 0
IN THE PASS.A.GE,
One greene. cloth skreen wth 12 leaves, one large guilt
branch & 3 pikes .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. .. . . .. . .. .. . . . . .. . .. • . .. . .. .. . 2 0 0
Two Iron locks & two bolts . ... . . . .. . .. .. .. .. .. ..... .... .. .. .. .. . 0 18 0
IN THE DitA WING Roo1rn.
Six peices of 11 foot Landskip Tapistry hangingst .. .. .. 87 10 0
One Christan Candlestick:j: .. ... . . .. .. .. . .. .. ... . ... . .. . .. .. .. . 40 O O
* The Duchess Dowager was Mary ( daughter of the 1st Duke of Buckingham)
widow of James Stuart, 4th Duke of Lenox. Her two children were: (1) Esme,
5th Duke of Lenox, who died in August 1660, aged 10 years; and (2) Lady
Mary Stuart, who in 1664 married Richard Butler, Earl of Arran, but died in
1667. This Dowager Duchess of Lenox married Colonel Thomas Howard as
her third husband. She died in 1685.
t These were sold for £57 to Mr. Billingsmews, in 1703, when they were
described as of Antwerp make, 5 ells deep, containing about 172 ells altogether.
:t: The value of this candelabrum or chandelier should be noticed. Lord
De L'Isle has, at Penshurst Place, five very early specimens of crystal chande394
COBHAM lrALJ; •
£ s [
Two brasse guilt branches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 0
One large Cabinet . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . .. . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . 60 0 0
One picture in a guilt frame, two elbow chaires ........... .
One stand & a skreen . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . 0 15 0
One looking glasse .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. .. . .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . .. . 4 0 0
One window curtain & ro·d....................................... 0 12 0
One.brasse lock & bolt ... ..• ................... ............. ....... 1 0 0
IN THE LADY DuTORESSE's CHAMBER.
One brasse lock and bolt ..................... : ........ :.. ... ... 1 0 0
Six peices 0£ 11 £oot dep tapistry hangings, 0£ Cleopatra* '70 0 0
One crimson damaskt bed all compleat vizt one bedsted &
curtain rodds 4 curtaines & 4 Cantoneere double
valence,. head. peice & tester & bases & counterpoint
& cupps, one. elbow chaire, three back chaires, & 4
stooles . . .. .. . .. .. .. .. . . .. .. . . .. . . . . .. . .. .. . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 40 0 0
One filock materasse, one feather bedd & bolster, one
holland Quilt, two downe pillows, & 2 blanketts...... '7 0 0
One dressing table & stand, & a skreen .. . .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. 3 0 0
One p1·e of Andirons with brasses ............................. .
One pre o:E doggs, two pr of Tongs & a fire :fork ......... .. .
One window Oallico curtain & rod .. . . .. .. . . .. .. .. . .. . .. .. . . . 0 12 0
IN THE PASS.A.GE,
One brasse lock & bolt, one Iron lock ..................... ... 1 1'7 0
IN THE WAITING GENTLEWOMAN'S ROOME.
One bedsted, a materasse, one tester & head peice &
Counti;poi1,1t, i:4 c_lott4 &; . curtains & Vallence, 2
Tables., & a leather cl;).rpeji, - a closestoole . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 10 0
Three peices o:E Tapistry hangings, two window curtaines
& a rodd ........ ; . .. . .. .. . .. . . .. .. . . .. .. . .. . .. . . .. .. . . .. . .. . .. 16 5 0
IN THE Lonn DuxE's BEDCHAMBER.
One brass lock and bolt ... . .. .. .. .. . . . . .. . .. .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . . . . . 1 0 0
Four peices 0£ green Landskip 11 foot deep, & a small
odd peice ............................... .,. ......... ............... 81 5 0
One bedsted & curtain rods, 4 curtaines & Vallence 0£
green cloth imbroidered & lined with sarcenet, &
liers. Tradition at Penshurst calls them.Elizabethan, but at least four of them
are certainly of the middle of the seventeenth century. In 1'703, two of the
Cobham chandeliers of crystal, with taft'ety cases, were sold for £14 to Mr.
Gamblin.
* In 1'703 at the sale in St. James's Square Mr. Cure bought, for £45,
"'7 pieces of imagery tapestry hangings, 12 foot deep, of Cleopatra." I believe
that some of these are now in the great picture gallery at Cobham Hall, on the
floor. Probably in the lot purchased by Mr. Cure there was also included" Onr,
peioe of tapistry of Marcus Aurelius," valued at £16, which is mentioned, with
other tapestr,r, in the wardrobe.
t Mr. Hibbert bought this crimson damask bed, in 1'703, for £25 : 10.
INVENTORY OF. FURN.tTURE, .A.,D, 1672. 395
,, . . . .. . . £ s. d.
tester & head peice & inward valence 6£ ye same ·silk,
. & quilt, one great chair & 3 stools, & earpet, & table 10 0 0
One cabinet of walnut-tree & a table suitable to it . . . . . . 7 O 0
One guilt stand & skreen .............. ; ........... ... ... ... ... 0 5 0
One canvas-materasse; 1 fustjan qui.lt, 1-blanket, 1 feather
bed &.d-0wne-bolster, two pillows:. .......... ........... · 7 0 ()
Two callico window curtains & r.odds ......... : ....... ., .... : 0 16 0
One pr of Andirons wth brasse & 1 pr of Tongs . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 7 O
One Lock & spring ........ , ..........................._ ............ O 3 O
· In the 0LOSSETT.
One Couch frame & leather cha.ire .. .. .. . . .. . .. . .. . . .. . .. .. . 0 10 0
In my L.A.DY's dL0SETT,
Hangings of. Oamlett as to the Roome suitable, & 2 stands,
3 cushions & 2 chaires .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. 4 10 0
One brasse lock & bolt .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . .. . . .. .. l O 0
In.. the ClI.4.MllEn OVER MY L» Dmn:'s.
Two window curtains & rodds ... .-.. .. . ..... .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. . 0 16 0
One lock & ·one spring bolt .. . .. .. . .. . . .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .. . .. .. 1 10 0
In the PASS.A.GE (a servants' clianiber).
One couch bed, 1 £eathe1• bed & bolster, 1 rugg & blankett
& one-canopy, &-two-.curtaines of green serge, 5
chaires, one elbow chair, one Table & turkey work
carpet ............................................. ": ... ...... 4 0 0
One brasse ketch & bolt.......................................... 0 10 0
ANOTHER SERVANTS' CHAMBER,
One brasse ketch & bolt.......................................... 0 10 0
One bedsted wth green kersey curtaines, 1 feather bedd
& pillow, a rugg & blankett, a Turkey work chaire &
two old sto.oles, a table, & closestoole . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 3 12 0
In the DACK. STAIRCASE.
One_ guilt branch ................................ .............. : .. . 0 5 0
In the Piss.A.GE to the servants' chamber.
One guilt branch .. • .. .. .. ... .. . ... ... .. .. . . .. .. . . .. ... . .. ... .. .. .. . 0 5 0
·upon the ST.A.IRES. BACK DOORE. '.
One brasse lock .. . .. . . .. . .. .. . .. . .. . . .. .. . . .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . .. .. . .. . 1 0 0
In the CHAMBER NEXT THE ALCOVE.
Two locks & four spring bolts .................. ,., ... ,, .... ,.. 3
Four peices 0£ Tapistry Allacay hangings 12 foot deep ... 12
One bedsted & rodds, £our curtaines & valence & inward
valence & head cloth & teat.er .& counterpoint, Two
0 0
0 0
396 COEHAM HALL.
elbow chaires, 6 folding stooles & carpet, all of black
embroidered sattin, ye curtaines lined with sarcenet,
£ 8, il.
one table & elbow chair of Parragon... . . .. . .. . .. . . .. .. . . 15 5 0
One feather bed, bolster & quilt of fustian, two blanketts
& 1 fustian blankett . .. . .. .. .. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . . .. .. . . . .. .. . • 8 0 0
Three white window curtaines & 2 rodds...... . . . . .. . .. .. . .. • 1 4 0
One pr of D.oggs. & a broken Iron.............................. 0 2 0
In the 4"LCOYE Ro_q-
Three peices of Tapistry hangings . . . . .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. .. . 44 0 0
One bedsted & 3 curtaine rodds ...... ...... ...... ...... ... ... 1 0 0
Three elbow chair.ea, .twelve folding stooles covered with
canvas ......................................................... 8 0 0
One Oabinet, one large looking glasse, one table, 2 stands,
all of fine wood of Indian work ........................... 60 0 0
One large ChristiallOaudlestick & two small Standions • 45 0 0
A voider* & a Trencher box of ye Mother of Pearle, & 5
peices of Oheyney . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . .. • 5 0 0
One picture of my Ld Strafford... .. . .. . . .. .. . .. . .. . . .. .. .. .. .. . 20 0 0
One perspective _peice .. . . . . .. . .. . .. . . .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. . .. 2 0 0
Three white window curtaines & rod .. . .. . . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . 1 4 0
One brasse lock & bolt, & 2 spring b"olts .. . . .. .. • .. . .. .. .. .. . 1 10 O
In the ANTICHA.:MBER.
A brass lock & bolt, & 2 spring bolts .. • . .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. • 2 10 0
Four peices of Tapistry hangings of Marcus. Aurelius ... 40 0 0
One garland of .. :fffow:l;lr peice, 2 braeis!3. i;i,conses, guilt, set
out with Christlls. ... ...... .... ... ......... ... ...... ...... ... 2 0 0
Two window curtaines & one. Rodd .. . . . .. . . . .. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. • 0 16 0
One LITTLE Roo:ME next the Stairhead.
A bedsted & 3 Taffaty curtaines & valleuce, feather bed
& bolster, 1 rugg & 1 blankett, 1 Spanish table, 1
chaire, 1 stoole, 1 warming pan........................... 8 10 0
One stock lock & key .. . . . . . .. .. . .. . . .. .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . 0 1 0
In the p ASSA.GE & STAIRES.
Three Guilt branches . . . . .. . .. . . . .............. : : : .... '..... . .. . .. 0 15 0
. In the P ASSA to y0 prNEIN.G Roo:r,rn.
Two tables . .. . .. .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . 1 0 0
One horse peice.
In' the two CLOSSETS wthin y0' passage.
One armed chair & Turkey Oarpet, & table & back
chair ...... ........................... ......... ...... ......... ... 1 0 0
* A "voider" was used by the servants (when clearing the dinner table) for
removing the plates, etc.
INVENTORY OF FURNITURE, A,D, 1672. 397
£ s. it.
In the LAllY STEWART'S room.
One bedsted, 1 feather bed, bolster, & 1 quilt ... ... ... ... 2 10 0
One great chaire, 2 leather chaires, 1 serge chair, 1 stoole
& 2 black stooles, 1 Turkey carpet, 1 table............ 1 6 0
Tapistry hangings, 6 peices, old ... ... ... ... ...... ... ... ... ... 8 0 0
One Corte cuRboard & window curtains & rodds, 1 pr of
Doggs w h brasses, 1 stand .................................. 11 0 0
One stock lock & key . . . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . ... ... .. . . . . . .. . .. .. . 0 1 0
In the LINNEN ROOM.
A. bedsted mat & corcls 'stri1;•a: stuffs curtaines, 1 feather
bed, 2. bolstrs, 2 ruggs, 3 blanketts, one leather
carpet, one stock lock & key . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. . . 2 15 0
In the RED BEDCHAMDER.
One stock lock & key............................................. 0 1 0
One bedsted & rod, 1 p1• of Red cloath curtaines & double
vallence, & counterpoint tester & head cloth, &
carpet, 6 back chaires £ringed wth gold & silver
fringe· a great ·parte of · ye £ri:rige lost, y0 curtaiiies
lined with Sarsenet . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . . ... .. . .. . .. . 14 0 0
Two feather bedds, 1 bolster, 2 pillows, 1 fustian quilt,
one rugg, & 1 blanket ........._ ...... ...... ............ ... 5 0 0
Five peeces 'of 'Tapistry old hangings, a table, a pr of
Doggs & a deal cupboard, a prof bellows ... ...... ... 8 8 0
In the CLOSET adjoyneing.
One hal£headed bedsted, a Mattrass, a flock bed & bolster,
1 feather bolster, & Rugg, a Table & wooden chaire,
a close stoole .. . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . .. . .. 1 15 0
In S" CHARLES BrcKERSTAFF:rn's roome.
Five peices 0£ Tapistry imagery hangings . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . 16 0 O
One bedsted & suite of serge curtaines lined wth Sarscenet
to tye up wth strings, headcloth, & tester & quilt of
ye same-lineing, 9 pr of strings, 4 caps, 7 bl. chaires 8 O O
Two feather bedds one bolster, 1 fustian guilt a canvas
matterasse, two blanketts, one rugg, one pillow . . . . . . 7 O O
One window curtain & Rodd, one table, 1 pr of Doggs &
a Chymny·peice·& a stand ...... ::: ................ .':...... O 12 O
In the CLOSETT adjoyneing.
One hal£headed bedsted, a Mattrasse, & flock bed a feather
bolster, a rugg, a close stoole & Quilt . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . 1 10 0
One lock & key . .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . . .. .. . .. . . . . 0 1 0
In the THREE G.A.RRETTS.
Four half headed bedsteds, 1 feather bed, . 4 feather
bolsters, 1 quilt, 4 purple curtaines, 2 black chaires,
one box, 2 cubbords, 1 couch, 2 Tables, 1 chest, 1
leather chaire, 1 stoole ........................ , ,. . . .. .. . . . 4 10 0
398 COBHAM HALL. ·
. £ s. a,,
In my L» Du1n;i's BEDCHAMBER at ye end 0£ ye Gallery.
One bedsfa:\d .. & rodd, 4 curtaines & vallence 0£ yellow
flowered sattin lined with sky color' d sarcenet, tester
& head cloth & inward valence, & quilt 0£ the same,
£our cupps, 1. carpet, & 4 back chaires . . .. .. .. .. . .. .. . . . 20 0 0
One holland quilt, 1 fustian quilt, 1 feather bedd, 1
bolster, q bbnk!:l.tts .,, .., . .........., ..... ... ... .. ... . .. . ... ... . . . 7 0 0
1 large· lool,;i.ng .glas, a .Glo!:!El stoqle, a pim 0£ doggs . .. . .. 2 8 0
Two Guilt suites of Armor lined wth blew in ye head peice,
2 plaine suites of Armor ...... ......... ...... ... ......... 8 0 0
.A.n Umbrella & a weather glasse a window curtaine of
callico & rodd & a wainscot chest........................ 0 15 0
. . . in
.
·one RooME Ul'ON THE STAIRES.
Two peices of hangings of Cloth & Guilt leather 1 window
curtaine .. & Rodd, one bedsted, 2 peices of strip'd
stu:ffe abt it ye old quilts, 1 feather bolster, 1 rugg, 1
blanket, 1 box, 1 table, one chaire, 1 stoole, & 1
pillow .................. ":··· ... ... ...... ... ... ... ...... ...... 2 10. 0
. .In the BILLIARD ROOME.
Two peices 0£ old Tapistry, one round table & Turkey
carpet, & a Billiard table ...... :.. . . . .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 12 0 0
.. In thei RooME NEXT the Billiard Roome.
One pewter still & n old table................................. 1 0 0
In Mn GLOAT'S CHAMBER.
One half headed bedsted, a feather bed & bolster, & two
coverlidds ::::::.::::: ... : .. ::: ... :::.: .... :::;.;:::............ 8 5 0
In the PANTRY . .
One couch bed £raine, a feather bed, a bolster, 1 rugg, 2
blanketts, 5 leather back chaires, a Napkin presse &
bread binn, 1 candle box, & a little table............... 4 2 6
In the FIRST ROOME BACKWARDS IN yB NEW BUILDINGS.
Three peices 0£ ffl.atcap hangings, a Table, a wicker chaire
& a stand . .. . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . .. . . .. . .. .. . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . 12 0 0
In the SECOND ROOME BACKWARDS.
Four old peices of ffl.atcaps, 2 Tables, 2 stands . .. . . . . . . . . . 14 0 0
One picture 0£ our Savior.
One chymny peice of.the 4 Evangelists.
Five peices ol' "Tapistry, a 'table, & cusliiori, . a chaire &
curtain rodds .. . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . .. .. . . . . . . . 18 0 0
In the WORLDS END one pr of staires.
The hangings 0£ green cloth & Guilt leather 1 bedsted &
:rod, -$ .. curtaipeii ,{k, vttllenP.e teiiter & head peice &
INVENTORY OF fIS'fOLS .ND GUNS, .A.D. 1672. 399
counterpoint;. all of red cloth laced, 1 carpet, two
window ,eurtai-nea .& rods, 1 Table 1 arm'd cha ire, 3
folding stools, 2 . stands, .. 2 old .. quilts, 2 feather
bolsters,-1 rugg-&. 2 blanketts, 1 Pallet bed, 1 feather
bed, & bolsters, 2 ruggsi -a• blankett & a flock bed
In. the WORLDS END.
£ s. a.
9 0 0
]!"ive peeces of f!ia;tsrap hangings ... :: : .. .. . . . ...... ; .. . .. . .. 12 0 0
In the-chamber at the GALLERY END two pair of staires.
One bedsted,"o:tie·Materasse, 1"£eather bed & bolster, 1
·pillow,· t·rugg,"2'blanketts, ·2 chai:res; 'l ·stoole, 1
table: .. ::: . . ..... ::: ... ::: ....... :· ............................. 4 0 0
1 Stocklo
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Cobham Hall: Letters to the last Duke of Lenox, A.D. 1667-72. With Notices of the Dutch Fleet in the Thames, A.D. 1667; and the Walsingham Pedigree
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