Monument to Thomas Hutton 155m west of the Archer Pavilion

Summary

A monument dedicated to Thomas Hutton of Somerset, erected by Henry, Duke of Kent in the early C18.

Reasons for Designation

The Hutton Monument, 155m west of the Archer Pavilion, Wrest Park, is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Artistic interest: the statue is an unusual carved monument of the early C18 with good quality detailing and materials;
* Historic Interest: it was commissioned by the Duke of Kent (1702-1740) to commemorate his friend Thomas Hutton and is associated with the early C18 designed landscape at Wrest Park;
* Group Value: for its contribution to the structural and aesthetic composition of a Grade I Registered Park and Garden and its association with many other listed building.

History

Wrest Park belonged to the Grey family from the Middle Ages until the early C20. In 1702, Wrest became the property of Henry de Grey who, by 1710, had become the Duke of Kent. Henry was determined to improve the status of Wrest. At this time the gardens to the south were enlarged, alterations made to the water courses, and a number of garden buildings were constructed. A summer house was placed by the mill pond and a greenhouse was added to the Orange Garden. The architect Thomas Archer was responsible for many of these structures including the Pavilion (Grade I) which marked the southern limit of the garden as defined by the Old Brook. The alignment of the Old Brook is still maintained as the boundary between the parishes of Silsoe and Gravenhurst. Cain Hill was incorporated into the landscape as an eye catcher, its presence emphasised by the geometric axis which, eventually, led east from the house and north-east from the Archer Pavilion partly in the form of avenues.

In the 1720s additional land was acquired, various alterations to the canals were carried out and several garden buildings were commissioned, from the Italian architects Filippo Juvarra and Giacomo Leoni, but also from others, predominantly Nicholas Hawksmoor, William Kent and James Gibbs. Of these the Temple of Diana (now demolished), the West Half House (Grade II) and the East Half House (Grade II) were built. The allees (avenues) and squares, either side of the Great Canal, were also created by 1726 marking the peak of the formal garden at Wrest. Two plans drawn by Rocque in 1735 and 1737 illustrate some of these changes. In 1729 work resumed with additions including an amphitheatre to the north of the bowling green and the creation of the serpentine canal. A greenhouse (on the site of the current Orangery) and the addition to, and enlargement of Bowling Green House (Grade II*) were also completed, both by Batty Langley.

The monument to Thomas Hutton of Somerset House was erected in the early C18 by Henry, Duke of Kent. Little is known of Hutton, save that he was a friend who also 'took great delight' in Wrest Park. It appears to be in its original position and is recorded in the plan of the estate of 1735 and the 1831 'Views of Wrest'.

Details

MATERIALS: red brick structure faced with pale yellow brick laid in Flemish bond to the west and side elevations. The central plaque on the west elevation is made from Italian marble set in a frame of Portland stone.

PLAN: the Monument takes the form of a pedimented wall.

DESCRIPTION: the monument is approximately 2.5m high. The west elevation projects slightly, with a brick band below the central plaque and simple brick mouldings to the pediment. The rear elevation reveals the coarse red brick structure, partially supported by a short buttress at the base. The inscription is carved in an Italian marble plaque at the centre of the west elevation. It reads: 'To the Memory/of/Thomas Hutton Esq/ of Somerset House/Who often took great delight/In this Place/And/Whose Company was always/Usefull and Agreeable/To his Friend/Henry Duke of Kent.'

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

37754

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Roscoe, I, Hardy, E, Sullivan, M G, A Biographical Dictionary of Sculptors in Britain 1660-1851, ((2009))
Smith, N, Wrest Park, Bedfordshire, English Heritage Guidebook, (2008)

Other
Cole, D, Beresford, C and Shackell, A, Historical Survey of Wrest Park, (2005),
Donald Insall Associates, Wrest Park, Bedfordshire, Conservation Management Plan, (2009),
Davies, J P S , Report on the Garden Ornaments at Wrest Park 1700-1917, (2007),

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