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Badminton House is a large country house in Gloucestershire, England, that has been the principal seat of the Dukes of Beaufort since the late 17th century. The house was bought by Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester, in 1612, and modernised by his son, Sir Thomas Somerset, in the 1620s. The house was further renovated and extended in the 18th century by the fourth Duke, who succeeded his brother in 1745, and it was around this time that the game of 'battledore and shuttlecock' was played at Badminton House, which may have been the origin of the sport of badminton. The house has beautiful gardens and is set in a deer park that hosts the Badminton Horse Trials.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Badminton, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom |
| Building Type | Country House |
| Listing | Grade I Listed Building |
| Land Area | 52,000 acres (21,000 ha) |
| Gardens and Park | Grade I on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens |
| Date of Construction | 17th century |
| Previous Owners | Boteler family, Edward Somerset, Thomas Somerset |
| Current Owners | 12th Duke and Duchess of Beaufort and the Somerset family |
| Notable Features | Tudor-style ornate roof timbers, Stables, Barns, Blacksmith's shop, Worcester Lodge |
| Adjacent Structures | Parish church of St Michael and All Angels, Burial Place of the Somerset family |
| Sport | The game of badminton was invented or popularised here in 1863 |
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What You'll Learn
The house was modernised in the 1620s by Sir Thomas Somerset
The history of Badminton House can be traced back to the 13th century when the land was held by the "Badimyncgtun" family. In 1612, Edward Somerset, the fourth Earl of Worcester, purchased the manors of Great and Little Badminton from Nicholas Boteler. A century earlier, the land was recorded as "Badimyncgtun" in the Domesday Book of 1086, and it had been held by the family since 1275.
Edward Somerset's third son, Sir Thomas Somerset, is credited with modernising the old house in the late 1620s. He made significant alterations to the original structure, leaving his mark on the estate. Sir Thomas added a new T-shaped gabled range, giving the house a distinctive appearance. Additionally, evidence suggests that he was responsible for constructing the present north and west fronts of the building.
Sir Thomas Somerset's contributions to Badminton House were not limited to aesthetics. He played a crucial role in establishing the house as a prominent estate. The modernisation efforts undertaken by Sir Thomas elevated the status of the house, transforming it into a notable residence. His work laid the foundation for subsequent generations of the Somerset family to continue enhancing and expanding the estate.
The house was passed down to Sir Thomas' great-nephew, Henry Somerset, who became the third Marquess of Worcester and the first Duke of Beaufort. The dukedom of Beaufort was created by Charles II in recognition of Henry Somerset's service to the Royalists during the Civil War. The Beaufort family's association with Badminton House continued, and it became their principal seat in the late 17th century.
The Badminton Estate has witnessed centuries of history and has been in the possession of prominent families, including the Botelers and the Somersets. The house has undergone various alterations and expansions over the years, reflecting the changing tastes and needs of its residents. Today, it stands as a testament to its rich historical legacy.
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The Dukes of Beaufort acquired the property in the 17th century
Badminton House, a large country house in Gloucestershire, England, has been the principal seat of the Dukes of Beaufort since the late 17th century. The property was acquired by the Dukes when they moved from Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire, which had been ruined in the Civil War.
The history of Badminton House dates back to 1612 when Edward Somerset, the 4th Earl of Worcester, purchased the manors of Great and Little Badminton from Nicholas Boteler. The name "Badimyncgtun" was recorded a century earlier and had been held by the Boteler family since 1275. Edward Somerset's third son, Sir Thomas Somerset, inherited Badminton and modernised the old house in the late 1620s, building a new T-shaped gabled range. He also likely constructed the present north and west fronts of the house.
The dukedom of Beaufort was created by Charles II in 1682 and granted to Henry Somerset, the 3rd Marquess of Worcester and great-nephew of Sir Thomas Somerset. As the first Duke of Beaufort, he carried out extensive works on the house, gardens, and grounds. The third duke further adapted the house by incorporating gabled ranges around a courtyard and extending the old house eastward to create a new set of domestic apartments. He also added a grand Jonesian centrepiece to the north front.
Successive Dukes of Beaufort continued to make significant enhancements to Badminton House, including the fourth duke, who renovated and extended the house in the Palladian style with the architect William Kent in the mid-18th century. The current Duke and Duchess of Beaufort remain committed to preserving and improving the estate, ensuring its legacy for the future.
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The fourth Duke renovated and extended the house in 1745
Badminton House, a large country house in Gloucestershire, England, has been the principal seat of the Dukes of Beaufort since the late 17th century. The house was bought by Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester, in 1612.
The Dukes of Beaufort acquired Badminton House in the late 17th century, moving there from Raglan Castle, Monmouthshire, which had been ruined in the Civil War. The third Duke adapted the house by incorporating several gabled ranges around a courtyard and extending the old house eastwards to provide a new set of domestic apartments. He also added a grand Jonesian centrepiece to the north front.
Successive Dukes continued to make significant changes to the house, adding pediments, pavilions, and cupolas, and involving some of the foremost architects and landscape designers of their time.
The house gave its name to the sport of badminton, which is believed to have been invented there in 1863 by the children of the eighth Duke. The North Hall at Badminton House is the same size as a modern badminton court, and it is thought that the game evolved from an older game called 'battledore and shuttlecock', which was played without a net.
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The game of badminton was invented at Badminton House in 1863
Badminton House is a large country house in Gloucestershire, England, that has been the principal seat of the Dukes of Beaufort since the late 17th century. The house was bought by Edward Somerset, the fourth Earl of Worcester, in 1612, and has been passed down through the generations, with each generation making significant changes to the property.
In December 1863, an article in the Cornhill Magazine, a Victorian literary journal, mentioned the game being played in England and referred to it as "badminton". This article provides evidence that the game had evolved from "battledore and shuttlecock" and was being played at Badminton House. The North Hall at Badminton House is the same size as a modern badminton court, measuring 13.4m by 6.1m, and it is believed that a string was rigged up across the middle of this hall in 1863 to play the new game.
According to tradition, the children of the eighth duke invented the game during the hard winter of 1863 in the Great Hall, as a featherweight shuttlecock would not damage the life-size portraits of horses by John Wootton. The game was played with a string or rope stretched across the hall, and participants hit the shuttlecock over the string to each other. Over time, the rules became more sophisticated, and the game evolved into the sport of badminton that we know today.
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The house was occupied by Queen Mary during World War II
Badminton House is a large country house and Grade I Listed Building in Gloucestershire, England. The house has been the principal seat of the Dukes of Beaufort since the late 17th century. During World War II, Queen Mary stayed at Badminton House. Accompanied by her staff, who occupied most of the building, Queen Mary's stay was to the inconvenience of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort.
Queen Mary's stay at Badminton House during World War II was marked by a series of events. In the early days of the war, Queen Mary experienced air raid alarms, taking shelter in the basement with her grandchildren, Prince Edward and Princess Alexandra of Kent, until the 'all clear' was given. As the war progressed, Queen Mary demonstrated her stoicism and resilience, travelling to Buckinghamshire to offer comfort to the widow of the Duke, who had passed away in an air accident in August 1942. Despite the dangers and uncertainties of the war, Queen Mary maintained her routine, spending her mornings clearing ivy from the house and local woodlands with her "Ivy Squad" and "Wooding Squad".
Badminton House itself played a significant role during Queen Mary's stay. The house served as a safe haven, with Queen Mary initially taking refuge in a reinforced room on the ground floor during air raids. However, she eventually chose to remain upstairs in bed during these incidents. The house also provided a space for Queen Mary to engage in activities such as solving crossword puzzles and clearing ivy, contributing to a sense of normalcy during the war.
Queen Mary's presence at Badminton House during World War II left a notable impression. Her staff occupied most of the building, and her niece, the Duchess of Beaufort, later remarked that Queen Mary "lived in all of it". Queen Mary's stay at Badminton House exemplifies how historic sites like Badminton House played a role in providing refuge and solace during turbulent times in history.
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Frequently asked questions
The Badminton Estate dates back to the 17th century. The house was bought by Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester, in 1612.
Badminton House is the principal seat of the current Duke and Duchess of Beaufort.
Badminton House is famous for being the birthplace of the sport of badminton. The game was invented there in 1863.
The house was renovated and extended in the Palladian style by architect William Kent in the 18th century.
Yes, the estate features several notable buildings, including the Grade I-listed parish church of St Michael and All Angels, built in 1785, and the Worcester Lodge, designed by William Kent in 1746.
