There are a number of royal halls littered across Yorkshire with interesting histories and bstories behind them - including one right here in Leeds.
Many people may not know that a much-loved stately home right here in West Yorkshire was once the home of a Princess - the daughter of one king, sister of two more, and aunt to a Queen.
Harewood House
Harewood House, in West Yorkshire, is a Grade I listed building. It was constructed by the architect John Carr between 1789-1771 for Edwin Lacelles, the 1st Lord of Harewood.
The building was later altered by the 3rd Lord of Harewood, Sir Charles Barry, who built it into an Anglo-Italian style before further alterations were made in the 1930s, according to Historic England. Its owners have direct links to the slave trade and they used their profits from overseas colonies to fund their lifestyles.
Henry Lascelles, who owned the house when the Slavery Abolition Act was passed in 1833, owned 1277 slaves and recieved £23,309 in compensation for the loss of their slaves.
It became a Royal residence when Princess Mary, Countess of Harewood and her husband moved into the house when he became the 6th Earl of Harewood in 1929.
Princess Mary was the daughter of King George V, Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather - making her the current Queen's aunt - and sister of both Edward VIII and George VI. In 1922 she married Henry Lascelles, Viscount Lascelles who later became the 6th Earl of Harewood.
She featured in the first Downton Abbey film, played by Kate Phillips, when the King and Queen visited the fictional Crawley family in their Yorkshire mansion.
Now, Harewood House is open to the public and is well known for its events, such as food and drink festivals, exhibitions and Jubilee events. You can also hire out the House for events such as filming.
But as well as Harewood House, there are more Royal residences elsewhere in Yorkshire
Goldsborough Hall
This building is Grade II* listed and can be found in the village of Goldsborough in North Yorkshire. Historic England say the building was constructed around 1625 for Sir Richard Hutton.
It was then modified in the 18th century for Robert Byerley and then modified again by Richard Carr for Daniel Lascelles. The Hall has been a home, school, hotel and nursing home over the years.
The hall was Princess Mary's home after her marriage, before her husband become the Earl of Harewood and they moved down the road to the bigger house.
If you visit the hall now, it can also host wedding events as well as serving food. You can also book a tour of the gardens.
Allerton Castle
Allerton Castle is a Grade I listed historical structure near Knaresborough in North Yorkshire. A Grade I listing is only given to a site of “exceptional national, architectural or historical importance,” meaning the Castle is considered to be unique.
According to Historic England, the modern building was constructed between 1848-1851 and possibly incorporates an earlier house on the site. The modern building was constructed by architect George Martin for the 18th Lord Stouton.
The older house on the site was constructed by the then Duke of York to rebuild a house dating from 1721. That Duke of York was Prince Frederick, second son of George III and brother of George IV. According to legend, he was the inspiration behind the nursery rhyme "The Grand Old Duke of York", because the the workmen he set to build the castle's Temple of Victory on top of a large mound, which is still visible from the A1 today.
These days, Allerton Castle can host weddings, business conferences and tours. It belongs to the Gerald Arthur Rolph Foundation for Historic Preservation and Education, named after the American businessman who bought the site in 1983.
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