Last Friday we left work early and popped up the A59 to Rufford Old Hall. We've been wanting to visit this beautiful Tudor Hall for a long time, but have not found the opportunity, until Friday.
Rufford Hall is a fine Tudor house with a beautiful and colourful garden, home to five centuries of Lancashire and Hesketh family history. Built in about 1530 for Sir Robert Hesketh, only the Great Hall survives from the original structure. A brick-built wing in the Jacobean style was added in 1661, at right angles to the Great Hall, and a third wing was added in the 1820s.
There is some evidence to suggest that Shakespeare may have performed in the Great Hall. In about 1580 Shakespeare had been sent, by his Stratford schoolmaster, to be an assistant teacher in the household of Alexander Hoghton at Lea Hall near Preston, and the "wilim Shakeshaft nowe dwellynge with me", referred to by Hoghton in his will, is almost certainly Shakespeare. In his will Hoghton, who died in 1581, had bequeathed to Sir Thomas Hesketh his musical instruments and "playe clothes". By about 1585 Shakespeare had joined a company of players kept by Lord Strange, son of Lord Derby, probably having been recommended by Sir Thomas. It is possible that Shakespeare was a member of the "Hesketh Company of Players" who visited in about 1585. The date coincides with Shakespeare's absence from Stratford-on-Avon following a bout of deer-stealing from neighbouring parks, particularly that of Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecote.
It is claimed that for about six months in the early 1580s, Shakespeare may have stayed at the house. The National Trust, which now owns the premises, is keen to exploit any Shakespeare connection and argue the Great Hall in the building may have been converted quite easily for theatrical use. Additional evidence to support this claim is that musical instruments and stage costumes were left to to Sir Thomas Hesketh. "And if he will not keep and maintain players then it is my mind and will that Sir Thomas Hesketh knight shall have the same instruments and play clothes....And I most heartly require the said Sir Thomas to be friendly unto Fluke Gyllome and William Shakeshafte now dwelling with me and either to take them into his service or else to help them to some good master as my trust is he will."
Whether or not there is a Shakespeare connection, Rufford Old Hall was well worth a visit, and we were really pleased that we had made the time to enjoy the Hall and gardens.