Renishaw Hall

Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire I found to be faintly ridiculous. It is a house of the seventeenth century with its large, rectangular windows built by an ironmaster turned gentleman by the name of Sitwell who served the puritan Commonwealth as a local administrator. Nevertheless, some late Georgian owner decided to Gothicise it by adding crenelations (battlements) and a few crocketed pinnacles. This gives the unfortunate effect of making it appear medieval or Victorian, both of which are alien to the early-modern walls and windows.

Sadly, those tasked with managing the hall were unable to give entry as “all their tours were full” for that day. Making do with the gardens and lake, which were pleasant enough, I could only then critique the building from without. Although mixing styles can lend a charm and eccentricity to an old house, architectural purists would consider those medieval-style features a bastardisation. I sit in the latter camp, for Renishaw’s battlements are ludicrous, as though one would patrol the roof of this ‘fortress’ dodging arrows when all an enemy had to do was walk in through one of the many, large windows.

I look at some who claim the name of Christ and cannot decide if they are essentially unbelievers with a form of godliness, or true believers so compromised that they resemble worldlings. God knows the heart, of course, and such judgements belong to Him, yet I can still dislike what I see. They claim to be saved and followers of Christ, but their light is dim, their commitment slight, their devotion shallow. I should sooner be Renishaw Hall enduring the scrutiny of an unsympathetic student of architecture than be one of them receiving the gaze of Jesus Christ on the Great Day.

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 1 Kings 18:21

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