Gentry Estates and Wellbeing in Northwest England, c.1550-1730

Atherton, Nathan (2024) Gentry Estates and Wellbeing in Northwest England, c.1550-1730. Doctoral thesis (PhD), Manchester Metropolitan University in collaboration with the National Trust.

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Abstract

This thesis explores how greenspaces were understood to be beneficial for wellbeing in the early modern period, using three gentry estates, Little Moreton Hall (Cheshire), Rufford Old Hall (Lancashire), and Speke Hall (Merseyside), as its primary case studies. All three properties are located in the northwest of England and were previously owned by the Moreton, Hesketh, and Norris families, respectively, which are now under the ownership of the National Trust. Exploring notions of wellbeing through a wide variety of thematic strands, chapters examine how greenspaces offered sensory, recreational, spiritual, and social experiences which benefitted the gentry. The thesis argues that greenspaces' benefits were multi-layered, providing physical and mental betterment and respite, as well as devotional spaces, and increases to personal and familial reputation. Building on the developing discourse of historical wellbeing by applying it to greenspaces, the north-western focus of this thesis provides much-needed attention on the landscape usage of the lesser gentry and the region in general, which have been overlooked in previous studies. Using archival material related to the properties in the form of legal documents, account books, letters, and maps alongside contemporary printed horticultural, medical, and other guidebooks reflective of the flourishing of popular print, as well as drawing comparisons with other gentry estates, this thesis provides both a qualitative study of the three estates, and quantitative examination of wider notions of the interplay between greenspaces and wellbeing at other gentry homes and society more widely. This research is in collaboration with the National Trust and considers how the information and findings developed during this project can be used to offer fresh interpretations at the three sites.