Squerryes Court

Squerryes Court, an early Georgian style country house in Kent, was the home of the de Squerie family in the 13th century, after which it had many different owners; John Warde bought the property in 1731, and his descendants still live there [1]. The present house dates from the late 17th century, although it has undergone much remodeling and restoration since then [2]. Squerryes Court represented Hartfield in the 2009 verison of Emma, and can also be seen in Pirate Radio and Foyle's War: Series One, Episode One (The German Woman).

Squerryes Court

Jane Austen gives us no detailed description of the Woodhouse country home, Hartfield, in the text of Emma; we are to gather that it is quite fine indeed, as Emma is of very high social status. Hartfield is the center of Emma's world, and the decision to use Squerryes Court, with its warm and inviting interiors, is perfect for the setting of the mini series. Squerryes Court contains an impressive collection of English, Italian 18th century, and Dutch 17th century paintings, as well as many family portraits which are displayed throughout the house [3].

Some of the artists represented by the collection at Squerryes Court include van Dyck, Romney, Gainsborough, Rubens, Hals, Rembrandt, and Caravaggio [4]. The very high taste of the Warde family is transferred upon the Woodhouse family as Squerryes Court is used as Hartfield. During the filming of Emma, the most valuable artworks were taken down to prevent damage, but the crew still used extreme caution during the production [5].

Emma

Emma

The Squerryes Court art collection contains two portraits of Colonel James Wolfe, one of which can be seen during the filming of Emma; this work depicts Wolfe at age fifteen in his scarlet ensign's uniform, with a frank and pleasant countenance. This is the only portrait of Wolfe painted from life by a professional artist; all others were made after his untimely death during the Seven Years' War [6]. A portrait of Wolfe's mother is also displayed at Squerryes Court, representing a young, good-looking, kind woman [6]. This celebration and remembrance of Wolfe at Squerryes Court is explained by the fact that he played at the country house as a boy [4].

Emma

sketch of the portrait of James Wolfe at age fifteen

Emma

Other portraits at Squerryes Court include those of Frances Bristow, wife of John Warde, and her sisters, the Countess of Buckinghamshire and the Countess of Effingham [4]. Perhaps these are the women who are nobly depicted in the impressive full-length portraits in the entrance hall. Their elegance and influence parallel that of Emma; it is fitting that the first portraits visible in the entrance hall of Squerryes Court are of women, as Emma plays such an important role at Hartfield.

Emma

Emma

Foyle's War

Foyle's War

The rooms at Squerryes Court are connected by short hallways, creating a much cozier feeling than the large, medieval houses that many other period pieces use [5]. In addition, the abundance of family portraits in seemingly every room of the house creates a very personal atmosphere. This level of comfort and charm, while still retaining elements of magnificence, is very indicative of country houses during the Regency period [7].

Emma

Emma

Emma

Pirate Radio

Emma

The warm, bright, cheering qualities of Squerryes Court mirror the personality of Emma herself; she has created a home that reflects her taste and character, attractive and inviting [5]. As we see the many Warde family portraits in Squerryes Court, we can imagine that they are members of the Woodhouse family, establishing a long-standing link between Emma and her country house. In the use of Squerryes Court, with its many paintings by old masters and family portraits, Emma's world comes to life in a way that no other country house could have achieved; Hartfield is visually epitomized.

Bibliography:

[1] The National Heritage List for England. "Squerryes Court." Accessed April 29, 2013. http://list.english-

                heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1000223.

[2] The Heritage Trail. "Squerryes Court, Kent." Accessed April 29, 2013. www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/

                manor%20houses/squerryes_court.htm.

[3] The DiCamillo Companion to British & Irish Country Houses. "Squerryes Court." Accessed April 29, 2013. 

                www.dicamillocompanion.com/Houses_detail.asp?ID=1820.

[4] Robertson, Canon S. "Squerryes Court, the Camp, and the Pictures." Archaeologia Cantiana 16 (1886): 134-141.

[5] PBS Masterpiece. "Squerryes Court." Accessed April 29, 2013. www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/locations/

                squerryescourt.html.

[6] Webster, J.C. "A Visit to the Birthplace of James Wolfe, the Conqueror of Quebec." The Canadian Magazine 9 

                (1897): 22-31.

[7] Musson, Jeremy. English Country House Interiors. New York: Rizzoli, 2011.