By Win Hayhurst

It’s a constant source of amazement to us at Borwick Hall that so many local people have no idea what we do there or anything at all about the history of this lovely old place, so I’ll try to clarify the situation somewhat.

In 1066 the Manor of Borwick was part of the Earl Tostig’s Lordship, recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1086 as Berewic. It was one of seven manors grouped around the Beetham area under Count Roger de Poitou. The immediate owners were the De Berwick family and a certain Patrick de Berwick was mentioned in the records as a juror in 1228.

In the year 1499, Thomas Whittington was the owner through family descent. He was succeeded by his brother and later his son, Thomas. This Thomas died in 1517, leaving a widow Mary (nee Redmayne) and two daughters but no sons. The gentle Ghost of Borwick – Oh yes, we do have one I – whose presence has been felt by many, may be one of these daughters, Elizabeth Whittington, whose death was never recorded. Margaret, the other daughter, married into her mother’s family of Redmayne and her life and death are recorded. In 1548, George and Margaret Redmayne settled the Manor on their sons, Thomas and Marmaduke.

In 1567 Robert Bindloss bought part of the Manor and acquired the rest in 1590. By this time he was becoming wealthy and famous as a wool merchant in Kendal, but unfortunately he died in 1595, having first built the Manor as we know it today. His son Christopher succeeded him but he died five years later and Robert Bindloss the second came into the Manor. This Robert was knighted in 1617 and was Sheriff of the County of Lancaster in 1612-13. His son Sir Francis Bindloss died in 1628 so the Manor then passed to Sir Robert’s grandson, another Robert.

This Sir Robert’s life is very fascinating, but there is only space to briefly outline his life. He married, in 1652, Rebecca, daughter of an Alderman and Sheriff of London. His wealth created a new phrase in the North, ‘As rich as Sir Robert’, he was little affected by the Civil War and seemed to be very careful to be on the ‘winning’ side. He was created a baronet by Charles I in 1641 but by 1645 was a member of the Parliament’s Committee for Lancashire and was elected M.P. for Lancashire, displacing a Royalist member. Yet again, the future King Charles II was entertained at Borwick in 1651, on his way to Worcester, and when Charles regained the throne, Sir Robert Bindloss, Bart., was elected Knight of the Shire and was County Sheriff from 1671-75. He died in 1688 and was buried in Warton Church.

There is an interesting sideline to Sir Robert’s life at Borwick. He had a personal chaplain, Dr Richard Sherlock, who used one of the rooms at Borwick as a chapel. He was a very strange figure with long flowing hair as he vowed he would not have his hair cut until the King was restored to the throne. One of our ‘regular’ visitors to Borwick has vowed that he has seen this strange figure walking in the gardens of the Hall, but I cannot vouch for this personally:

Lady Bindloss continued to live at the Hall after her husband’s death but the ownership of the Manor passed to their only daughter, Cecilia, who had married William Standish. Daughter Cecilia’s son, Ralph, was captured during the Stuart rebellion in 1715, imprisoned in Newgate for many months and convicted of high treason. He was pardoned (we don’t know how or why) and returned to Lancashire where he later married the daughter of the Duke of Norfolk. Again, there were no male heirs and their daughter married Thomas Strickland (from the Strickland family of Sizergh). In 1854 the estate was sold to George Marton of Capernwray for a reputed £28,000.

The Hall then became empty for many years until 1912 when J. A. Fuller—Maitland (music critic of the Times, 1889-1911) became tenant. He undertook a tremendous amount of restoration, installing a bathroom and bringing a large collection of musical instruments including an organ to the Hall. He died in 1936.

From 1940-45 the Hall was used by the Army. Then, for a short time, it was a Country Club and, eventually, it became a family home again, cherished and loved by Mr and Mrs Howarth. In 1970, when it had become a little too much for them to manage, it was sold to the Lancashire Youth Clubs Association to be used for residential courses for youth training. This is a voluntary organisation which is still largely dependent on local authorities for grants and the generosity of ordinary people who give their time and money in order to help young people to develop values.

One item of interest: we have a very old chair at the Hall which is irreverently called by the staff, ‘Charlie’s Chair’. It is purported to have been given to the Hall by Charles II when he stayed there. We hope this story is true; we like to think it is.

So, from Pele Tower in the 13th century, to Tudor Manor House, to family home, to a Residential Youth Training Centre, it has had a chequered career, but the character has remained true. It is still a gracious, dignified Hall with a most beautiful old Spinning Gallery in a cobbled courtyard. To qualify for a grant under the Historic Buildings Trust, the Hall is open to the public for three weeks only every year. These three weeks are usually in August so, if I have aroused your curiosity, you may come and see for yourselves in August 1983. Look out for advertisements of times, etc, in the local press. In the meantime, take my word for it, it is being put to very good use and being cared for very carefully.

Published in Mourholme Magazine Issue 3 Spring 1983