‘A Pretty Impudent Countenance’: John Vanbrugh's Seaton Delaval

‘I hope I may be forgiven, if I make some faint Application of what I say of Blenheim, to the Small Remains of ancient Woodstock Manour… it was rais'd by One of the Bravest and most Warlike of the English Kings; And tho' it has not been Fam'd, as a Monument of his Arms, it has been tenderly regarded as the Scene of his Affections. Nor amongst the Multitude of People who come daily to View what is raising to the Memory of the Great Battle of Blenheim; Are there any that do not run eagerly to See what Ancient Remains are to be found of Rosamonds Bower… But if the Historicall Argument Stands in need of Assistance; there is Still much to be said on Other Considerations. That Part of the Park which is Seen from the North Front of the New Building, has Little Variety of Objects Nor dos the Country beyond it Afford any of Vallue, It therefore Stands in Need of all the helps that can be given… So that all the Building left, (which is only the Habitable Part and the Chappel) might Appear in Two Risings amongst ‘em, it wou'd make One of the Most Agreable Objects that the best of Landskip Painters can invent’ (Dobrée & Webb, 1928d; Ridgway & Williams, 2000).