Country Houses - Essay | Norland
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Hall
Country Houses in Jane Austen's novels - Persuasion
Kellynch Hall
There are not many references to Kellynch Hall in the novel - I
realised on re-reading the novel that my view of Kellynch Hall had been strongly
influenced by the films.
However we do know that Kellynch Hall was the seat of Sir Walter
Elliot, and was a house which had ‘a character of hospitality and ancient dignity to
support’. There was a neighbouring market town, a church and a modern Lodge where
Lady Russell lived, all called Kellynch, and all in the county of Somerset. It is
interesting that the name ‘Kellynch’ is actually Irish!
Kellynch Hall was part of a good, large property. There was a park,
plus lawns, groves, gardens, shrubberies, and pleasure gardens. The actual size is not
stated but since the comparatively insignificant Winthrop, which Charles Hayter in Persuasion
is to inherit, is not less than 250 acres, Kellynch must have been considerably larger.
The Hall would not have been built by Sir Walter, but inherited. It was probably old,
considering the comment of ‘ancient dignity’ to support. Any improvements made
are likely to be of the furnishings for fashion.
It was the best home in the district and had drawing rooms, breakfast
room, butler’s room, laundry, and apartments (dressing room). The furnishings consist
of pictures and books, the furniture is ‘worth preserving’ and looking glasses -
with which Admiral Croft deals summarily:
…sending away some of the large looking-glasses from my dressing
room which was your father’s... Such a number of looking glasses... now I am quite
snug, with my little shaving glass in one corner, and another great thing I never go near.
The family have status with their title and this house befits that
status. It must have been impressive, for Anne just for a moment thinks that an
association with Mr. Elliot may be good, as it would make her mistress of Kellynch Hall,
...of having the precious name of ‘Lady Elliot’ first revived
in herself, of being restored to Kellynch, calling it her home again - her home for ever,
was a charm which she could not immediately resist
It was obviously however finally not enough for her to marry him.
The lack of details sets up the personalities of the main characters.
The perceptions of Sir Walter and of Admiral Croft do more to demonstrate their
characters, and are more amusing, than a detailed description of the Hall would achieve:
1. Sir Walter sees the home as the best and it is a privilege to the
tenant to be allowed to rent it. His conceit does not see other homes as its equal. He
initially thinks he can impose restrictions on where his tenant can go, because any tenant
would see it as a ‘great honour’ to rent Kellynch. He does not long see the
shame in having to rent the Hall.
There are few among the gentlemen of the navy, I imagine, who would not
be surprised to find themselves in a house of this description. [Chapter 31]
‘I suspect,’ said Sir Walter coolly, ‘that Admiral Croft
will be best known in Bath as the renter of Kellynch hall. [Chapter 18]
2. Admiral Croft is more down to earth and does not really care about
the status of the home - he admits that he cannot find a better in the district but thinks
his opinion would be a compliment to Sir William.
And take it altogether, now that we have been into most of the houses
hereabouts and can judge, there is not one that we like better than this. Pray say so,
with my compliments. He will be glad to hear it [Chapter 13]
The small improvements he makes prove that Admiral Croft likes a
practical home, being content with the people and places circumstances provide:
We are always meeting with some old friend or other; the streets full
of them every morning; sure to have plenty of chat; and then we get away from them all,
and shut ourselves into our lodgings and draw in our chairs and are as snug as if we were
at Kellynch, ay, or as we used to be even at North Yarmouth and Deal. We do not like our
lodgings here the worse I can tell you, for putting us in mind of the home we first had at
North Yarmouth. The wind blows through one of the cupboards just in the same way.
The irony in all this is that the unconceited Admiral Croft can afford
Kellynch while Sir Walter cannot. It is doubtful whether Sir Walter will ever be able to
live at Kellynch Hall again.
The closest I could find to my vision of Kellynch is Levens Hall in Cumbria. Levens
Hall tower was built in 1303 but the main house is Elizabethan (1558-1603) and so could
probably be described as ancient in the 1800s. The gardens and park around this home are
one of the main attractions and have been added to over the years. The ‘pleasure
grounds’ of the Elizabethan era, which Kellynch is also stated to possess, are here
replaced by Victorian topiary gardens.
Nerida Richards
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