The Sitwell Family
Prepared By Alexandra Sitwell & Renishaw Archivist, Christine Beevers
The Beginning
The Sitwell family’s long association with Eckington and the surrounding areas stretches as far back as the 13th century. By the end of the 16th century Robert Sytwell (died 1599) had purchased the land and created the estate, beginning Renishaw Hall’s remarkable heritage story.
The original Renishaw Hall, an H-shaped manor house, was built in the early 1620s by George Sitwell(1600 – 1667), a wealthy ironmaster. His direct descendants were quiet, scholarly country gentlemen who quietly managed the estate, amassed rents and royalties, collected books and paintings – and married heiresses.
William Sitwell (1696 – 1776), a wealthy merchant, significantly increased the family’s fortune but, as a bachelor, spent little time at Renishaw. The direct Sitwell line ended with his death when Renishaw passed to his nephew Francis Hurt of Sheffield (1728-1793). This dynamic, cultured and now very wealthy branch of the Sitwell family heralded an exciting new chapter in the history of the Hall, the gardens and the wider estate.
Following his father’s death in 1793, his eldest son Sitwell Sitwell (1769-1811), inherited Renishaw and an immense fortune. He immediately embarked on an ambitious building and modernisation programme for the Hall. Two large wings were added extending from each side of the original house, and architectural features such as the Stable Courtyard (1795), the Gothic Temple (1803) and the Gothic Lodge (1807) appeared in the Renishaw landscape.
Sitwell Sitwell’s refined tastes brought the finest objects – furniture, paintings and tapestries- into the family’s collection, but unfortunately, he had little time to enjoy the fruits of his success. His sudden death in 1811 at the age of 41 brought this whirlwind period of change at Renishaw to a close. The early decades of the 19th century were to prove rather more challenging.
A Period Of Misfortune
Sitwell Sitwell’s son, Sir George Sitwell 2nd Baronet ( 1797-1853), was a different character from his flamboyant father. Renishaw became a much-loved and charming family home for the shy and somewhat reserved Sir George, his Scottish wife Susan Tait and their large family of nine children.
Sadly, Sir George was one of the unluckiest members of the Sitwell family. His father’s expenditure on such a grand scale, the consequences of his solicitor’s dishonest practices, and decreasing land values saw his annual income plummet. The only option was to sell parts of the estate and most of the contents of Renishaw Hall. He died in 1853, leaving his eldest son Sir Reresby with the problem of securing Renishaw’s future.
Throughout his tenure at Renishaw, Sir Reresby (1820-1862), now the 3rd Baronet, struggled with the burden of his father’s misfortune. Continuing financial difficulties almost resulted in the loss of Renishaw in 1854 when the whole estate, including the Hall, was put up for sale. Fortunately (for future generations), no interested buyers could be found.
The sad passing of Sir Reresby in 1862 placed the management of the estate in the determined and capable hands of his young widow Louisa, Lady Sitwell (1827 – 1911). In the mid-19th century, Louisa had a sharp mind for business and determination for the estate to survive for her eldest son to inherit.
Finally, in the 1870s, Renishaw’s fortunes changed for the better when a rich seam of coal was discovered on the estate securing the return of the Sitwell fortune. With troubled times now in the past, the coming of age of Sir George Sitwell 4th Baronet (1860-1943) in 1881 was a time of celebration and anticipation.
Renishaw's Renaissance
With the family fortune restored, Sir George had the financial means to follow in the footsteps of his ancestor Sitwell Sitwell. He set about re-furnishing the house and, when possible, buying back some of the treasures his grandfather had sold. Sir George’s interests were many and diverse.
His most outstanding achievement was undoubtedly the creation of Renishaw’s famous Italianate gardens, designed and laid out mainly between 1886-1936. His blueprint for the gardens combined his love of Italy with the ‘formal garden’ movement of the late 19th century and the key elements of a classical Italian Renaissance garden.
The Literary Trio
Many of Sir George’s talents and traits are recognisable in his three children – the writers and poets Edith, Osbert and Sacheverell, known as the Sitwell ‘Literary Trio’ and key 20th-century cultural figures. Their individual careers spanned more than half a century, and they championed the avant-garde with determination and great gusto.
Dame Edith Sitwell (1887-1964) was a prominent literary figure and poet who embraced her individuality and unique appearance and is best known for her iconic performance poetry compellation Façade set to music by William Walton in the 1920s. In the 1950s, she was famously pictured with Marilyn Monroe, discussing their shared passion for poetry. Dame Edith recalled their ‘unlikely’ meeting during a televised interview with John Freeman in 1959, expressing her admiration for Marilyn and their enjoyment of spending time together.
Following Sir George’s death in 1943, his eldest son Osbert became the 5th Baronet (1892-1969). His most celebrated literary achievement was his monumental five-volume autobiography, reminiscing his childhood at Renishaw and many aspects of the Sitwell family history. Sir Osbert is celebrated for the diverse and fascinating British early 20th-century art collection he brought to the hall. Many works by John Piper make an unforgettable background to the Sitwell family’s home.
Sir Sacheverell Sitwell, the 6th Baronet (1897 – 1988), the youngest of the Trio, most naturally gifted and prolific of the Literary Trio, became a well-known poet and writer on many aspects of the arts. When Sir Osbert died in 1969, Sir Sacheverell inherited the baronetcy but continued to live at the other family home Weston Hall in Northamptonshire, with his wife, Georgia.
In 1965 their eldest son (Sacheverell) Reresby (1927- 2009) took over the reins at Renishaw from his uncle Osbert later becoming the 7th Baronet in 1988. Sir Reresby was married to Penelope, Lady Sitwell, granddaughter of the Earl of Granard, and they had one daughter, Alexandra, Renishaw’s current chatelaine.
A New Dawn
After Sir Sacheverell’s passing in 1988, his eldest son Sir Reresby inherited the title of 7th baronet. By this time, Sir Reresby was married to Lady Sitwell, the niece of Bernard Forbes, 8th Earl of Granard and had one daughter, Alexandra.
When they acquired Renishaw, it became increasingly apparent that change was needed. Over 50 years, they embarked upon multiple indoor and outdoor projects, recapturing the timeless and majestic roots of the hall whilst forward-thinking for future generations. Their tasks ranged from the upheaval and re-landscaping of the Italianate gardens to gilding and reupholstering furniture. With the help of the Renishaw People, Sir Reresby & Lady Sitwell successfully restored Renishaw’s character and charm.
In 1988, the estate was opened to the public for the first time. Sir Reresby led the guided tours, providing guests with anecdotes and his heritage findings. His passion for storytelling came through on every tour.
Present Day
Sir Reresby died in 2009, and Alexandra is now in the driving seat. She is married to Rick Hayward, and they have two children, Rosie (29) and Bertie (27). The family have embraced life at Renishaw, and they, in turn, have made changes to suit their everyday life. A major re-hang of the picture collection has taken place to display more of Sir Osbert’s 20th collection.
They have instigated a lot of restoration and refurbishment to the furnishings and fabric of the house. The hall has recently undergone a total re-wire and re-plumb – probably one of the biggest projects the house has undergone since Sitwell Sitwell’s additions. They have also overseen some major re-planting in the garden – notably the new design scheme in the large borders on the main lawn.
Alexandra, Rick, Rosie and Bertie continue to value and cherish Renishaw Hall and the gardens – their family home.
