Inventories

 

Schedule of furniture and household goods attached to the lease of the Hitchin Priory estate, June 1622 (DE/R F16)

 

1660 inventory D/ER/F31

 

1742 Inventory D/ER/100. The stables

 

1742 inventory D/ER/100. The new parlour

 

1742 inventory D/ER/100. The state room

 

1742 inventory D/ER/100. The long gallery.

 

1742 inventory D/ER/100. The red room

 

1742 inventory D/ER/100. The kitchen and servants hall

 

1742 inventory D/ER/100. Store rooms

3 carts, 2 ploughs and 3 chamber pots

While Ralph Radcliffe was away in London, the Priory was leased to Sir Edward Radcliffe in 1622, possibly when he retired from his position at court as James I’s physician.  The papers at HALS connected with this lease list in detail the Priory estates – they consist of the Priory itself plus 117acres of land in and around Hitchin. 

For the first time we have a description of the Priory in detail – consisting of a hall, little parlour, dining chamber, my lady’s chamber, Mr Radcliffe’s chamber, maid’s chamber, men’s chamber, gallery chamber, 2 lofts, linen, pewter, brass, brewhouse, milkhouse, stable, little room by the kitchen and clock chamber.  In addition there are 3 carts, 2 ploughs, collars and various harness and 3 chamber pots!

The inventory starts with the animals: syx beastes; one lyttle bull and seaven hoggs and piggs.

In the hall tables, chairs and other things

When the next Sir Edward died in 1660, a brief inventory was attached to his will. It shows how the family fortunes had declined as a result of the Civil War, as it is very brief and none of the goods appear to warrant full descriptions.

One bedstead with blew damask curtains

 By 1721, the family’s fortunes had revived as a result of their success in the Levant trade, and the inventory of 1721 is extensive. Every room is described in detail with all it furniture and fittings, doubtless in the latest style.