Wychnor Hall

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Wychnor Hall (or Wychnor Park) is an early 18th century country house near Burton on Trent, Staffordshire which has been converted to a Country Club offering seven timeshare apartments. It is a Grade II listed building.

It is reputed that King James I stayed at the hall in 1621 and 1624.[1]. The present hall dates from the time of Queen Anne but was much altered and extended in the mid 19th century.

The house was for many years the home of the Levett family ( relations of Levett of Milford Hall).[2][3] Theophilus Levett was Steward (Town Clerk) of the City of Lichfield 1721-1746, and his grandson and namesake was Recorder of Lichfield and in 1809 High Sheriff of Staffordshire. (Theophilus Levett was named for Theophilus Hastings,7th Earl of Huntingdon, who was a family friend.) Theophilus Levett's son John Levett was MP for Lichfield, and his grandson Theophilus John Levett was MP for Lichfield from 1880 to 1885. The family originated in Sussex.

There are a number of curious customs associated with Wychnor, at least one of which was said to have begun with Sir Philip de Somerville, who owned the manor of Wychnor in 1338. A flitch of bacon was kept in the hall (later replaced by a wooden effigy of same).[4] That flitch of bacon could be claimed by anyone who had been married for one year and did not repent of their choice.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ A Topographical History of England (1848) Samuel Lewis p 564 from British History Online
  2. ^ History of Wychnor, A Survey of Staffordshire: Containing the Antiquities of that County, Sampson Erdeswicke, 1820
  3. ^ A survey of Staffordshire, Sampson Erdeswicke, 1820
  4. ^ Handbook for Travellers in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire, John Murray, London, 1874
  5. ^ History, Gazeteer, and Directory of Stafforshire and the City and County, William White, 1834