This week we need to look at the Tempest connection at Broughton Hall. We start with evidence that in 1353, William de Rimington had a licence for a chapel within his manor house at ‘Brocton in Craven’ in addition to the existing church of St Oswald (Later renamed All Saints.) built between 1120 to 1151. These domestic chapels were often in the gatehouse as this meant access could be given to privileged villagers without them entering the house.
In 1405/06 Roger Tempest of Bracewell, son of Richard, married a rich widow, Catherine Guillot. Her family were owners of Guillot Place, a large stone built house at Broughton and 3,000 acres of land. Remember that in those days, barring any legal provisions established beforehand a husband had control of his wife’s assets. In this case it seems as though Catherine was well advised because she retained ownership of the house and estate. Nevertheless the lad had done well! In 1469 Catherine willed the house and estate to her son by Roger, another Richard Tempest.
The original Guillot Place was sited on the level ground next to the brook in front of the present hall and in 1597 a new hall was built named Broughton Hall and the old building demolished. Only remnants of the 16th century build remain, embedded in the core of the 18th century rebuild which is what we see today.
Thinking back to William de Rimington and his domestic chapel, the tradition of the domestic chapel was carried on by the Tempests. As we have noted earlier, the family were Roman Catholic and in later years when this was a controlled religion they were recusants and suffered penalties for this. Despite this they supported the chapel in the hall and for many years, right up to the 20th century it was a Catholic place of worship. The Broughton Tempests also founded a convent at East Marton, again, well into the 20th century. They also survived far better than the Bracewell branch and are still connected with the hall today.
One clue as to why they did so well might be found in the 1717 map of the Bracewell Estate when it was being bought by a man called Weddell. The map shows that the old medieval field system of strips was still in place. This indicates that in an age of agricultural revolution the Bracewell Estate was still being run on feudal lines and was hopelessly out of date. This may be one of the factors which led to Richard, son of Nicholas and heir to Bracewell dying in debtor’s prison despite the assets of his bride at Bowling. Broughton Estate was better managed and this is perhaps why the Tempests there fared so well over the years.
I have no doubt I shall learn more but we have seen enough in the last two weeks to show that this important Craven family has a history in the area going back at least 800 years. A very creditable legacy!
Broughton Hall in about 1800.
