History Lesson

We went out early while the sun was shining and before the family arrived for Sunday lunch!
Lyveden New Bield was designed and built for Thomas Tresham who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1575 but by 1580 he had converted to Catholicism which dramatically contributed to his social and economic downfall.  His considerable income was generated  on the Lyveden estate where livestock and crops thrived.  This building was likely to be more of a lodge where he could entertain  and indulge in his lavish lifestyle rather than his main home.  He never recovered from debts incurred by  this social life, religion related fines (£8000 between1585-1605), imprisonment, and expenses trying to keep his son out of prison. On his death in 1605 the estate passed to his son Francis who was involved in the Gunpowder Plot and died later that year in the Tower of London.  The estate passed to Thomas' younger son whose social rise was only matched by his rising debt and Lyveden New Beild was left derelict.  Surrounded by some of the earliest designed gardens in the country.the property is now owned by the National Trust.
Thanks to notowennewitt for hosting Derelict Sunday