The Great Hall, Blithfield Hall

Description:The Great Hall at Blithfield Hall, in Gothic style showing the elaborate fan tracery ceiling.

The Gothic plaster-work was carried out by Francis Bernasconi in 1822, but the original 16th century timber-framing remains above the ceiling. At either end of the hall hang Staffordshire Yeomanry pennants, and beneath them goats horns from the famous herd of goats that roamed the park. In the centre on a long table there is a glass case containing the family pedigree starting in 1067 and approved by the College of Arms. At the time of this photograph it covered over 900 years.

Blithfield Hall, the home of the Bagot family since 1367, is a medieval house with later additions. The house was re-modelled in a Tudor castellated style in 1820-1824; the architect was possibly John Buckler.