Hatfeild Hall
Hatfeild Hall
Write Up By Shaun Parkin
Hatfeild Hall was built between 1598 and 1608 for Gervase Hatfeild and his wife Grace (formerly Grace Savile of Stanley Hall). There had been a house, then called Woodhall, on the site of Hatfeild Hall long before the Hatfeilds came to Stanley.Woodhall was owned by Robert Fleming in the 14th century, whose estates passed via his daughter, Cicely, the wife of Robert Waterton, to her son, also called Robert, who was Master of the Horse to Henry the Fourth.
Earliest known picture. probably from 1760s
Woodhall came into Savile hands in the early 16th century when one of the Saviles married Catherine Chaloner, daughter of its then owner, John Chaloner. This couple’s great-grandaughter, Grace Savile, married Gervase Hatfeild, from whom the present hall takes its name. The Hatfeilds, with whom the hall was to remain associated for almost 300 years claimed to derive their descent from Beda, lord of Hatfeild in Holderness, before the Norman Conquest.
1770
One of the earliest entries in the Wakefield Parish Church register is of the baptism of Francis, son of Gervase Hatfeild, on July 29, 1613. Gervase himself, the founder of the Stanley branch of the family, was buried in Parish Church on June 4, 1654. Hatfeild Hall passed from the Hatfeild family in the early 19th century, to the stepson of John Hatfeild-Kaye’s brother, Francis, who had married a widow, a Mrs Harter, of Manchester.
1897
Later, John Hatfeild-Kaye’s two surviving sisters, Dorothy and Catherine adopted Mrs Harter’s elder son, John, and he succeeded Dorothy to the estate in 1816.The Harter’s, it seems, never lived at Hatfeild Hall, instead they chose to let it to a succession of tenants until it was finally sold to a Wakefield Solicitor, Herbert Beaumont, on 3 November 1897.
1930
After Herbert Beaumont’s death on January 2nd, 1917, his daughter and son negotiated the sale of the Hatfeild Hall property to the West Riding Asylums Board.The sale was completed in October, 1920, and the Hall became a hospital for 50 mentally- handicapped women.The Hall remained hospital property for the next 65 years until it was sold to a local wine bar owner in 1985.
1987
The Hall was destroyed by fire in the early hours of new years day, 1987. Only part of the shell of the building was saved, but in recent years it has been returned to its former glory and is now owned by Normanton Golf Club. The building is now used for private functions with a club house to the rear of the building.
Hall just before building work started in 2000
Hatfeild hall as it is today after being restored
Photo by Callum Parkin Aged 13
Thank you to Shaun for the above write up
Hatfeild Hall and the Hatfeilds
Article from 1899
Hatfeild Hall, the former home of the Hatfeilds, is situated in the Vale of the Calder, in the township of Stanley, about two miles north-east of Wakefield. It is well shielded by old forest trees on the west side, but the south and east sides are open. The view from the windows embraces the easterly windings of the Calder, and various little woodland pictures towards Newland Hall and Normanton. The home park of about 80 acres is encompassed by plantations, which enclose a fertile expanse of meadow land. The adjacent collieries and wagon-ways, with an increasing population, have, however, somewhat impaired the beauty of the scenery, and interfered with the privacy of the estate. Many of the fruit trees in the gardens and near the Hall are of great age, but still vigorous and productive. Some fine yew trees stand on the west side of the lawn, and on east there are two mulberry trees which are worthy of particular mention. They appear to be very old; the limbs have for a long time have been held up by chains, props and stays. The largest is four feet thick, but is hollow, and is growing in two separate parts. Some years ago a gooseberry bush had taken root in the rugged of one of the mulberry trees. The gooseberry was growing in the bark, about four feet from the ground, and flourished as a parasite in the manner of the mistletoe. The singular gooseberry bush was in leaf on April 7th, 1892 and promised a fair crop of fruit. The mulberries may have been planted by Gervase Hatfeild, who first acquired the Hatfeild property. Stowe says that the mulberry was first planted in England 1609; Shakespeare planted a mulberry tree in his garden at Strafford. A phial which contains some of the juice of the fruit of Shakespeare’s tree is still preserved in the Strafford Museum. A gentleman named Gastrell, who had purchased Shakespeare’s house, cut this historic tree down in 1738, but a silversmith purchased it, and it was converted into memorials. A cup carved from Shakespeare’s mulberry tree was given to Garrick in 1769; it was sold afterwards by auction for 121 guineas. James 1st tried to introduce mulberry and silkworm culture, but failed owing to the coldness of our springs, and the lateness of the leafing of the tree. There is a proverb which says; “After the leafing of the mulberry there is no more frost” that is to say about the 20th of May.
The front windows inside the Hall contain painted glass, with arms and portraits of members of the Hatfeild family. Round the principle staircase are tablets of wood affixed to the wall, about 30 in number, containing painted arms and inscriptions, but not in genealogical sequence. The pedigree of the Holderness Hatfeilds began in the time of Edward the 2nd, but in the windows are mentioned several of the Hatfeilds before that reign. The first is on a pane in what is called the Oak room. There is a figure in Saxon costume, and below it an inscription thus translated: - “Ethelwolf, a noble Saxon father of Bede, Thane, ancestor of the family of Hatfeild in the time of King Edward the Confessor” On a on the stairs is an early Hatfeild, but no date: - “Gwen de Haytefeld, Kt, Lord of Haytefeld in Holderness.” On one of the coloured pains below: - “Waulter, Seigneur, living in the time of William the 2nd, giving orders to his standard bearer” Portrait above of Waulter and a standard bearer in mail, with sword and bow, a shield on the standard. On another pain beautifully tinctured, in one of the bay windows: - “Stevani de Hatfeild. He was summoned 29 of Edward 1st (1301), and also by Edward 3rd to attend them in their wars with horse and arms. He married the daughter of Henry de Hastings, and had issue Walter Harl MSS No 1088. There is his seal annexed to several of his characters.” Portrait above a knight on horseback, in yellow, with Hatfeild shield, a sword and curious helmet. On another pain, with a slightly different inscription, Stevani is called “Esteven de Hatfeild, Chevelier.” A square in the drawing room contains: - “Walter de Hatfeld, Seigneur de Hatfeld. He was living in the reign of Richard 1st.” Picture of a knight in amour on horse back, with bow and arrows and a shield of Hatfeild. Next pain to Esteven:- “Waulter de Hatfeld, Cheveher, Seigneur de Hatfeld. He married the daughter of Consatble of Holderness, and was living in the time of King Edward 1st, had issue Stephen, Thomas and others.” Knight above in amour, bearing a standard with shield and sword; cloak, ermine. All the above members of the Hatfeild family are depicted in the windows or on the tablets before the Holderness pedigree begins. The next in order is one on of the tablets: - “Walter de Haytefeld, time of Edward 2nd; had issue Stephen, first son, Thomas, second son and Simon third son. Abbott of Waldon who died 1336.” Hatfeld arms: - Ermine on a chevron sable, three einquefuila argent. Stephen gave to the Abbey of St. Mary, York, all his fisheries in the manors of Waseand, Seaton, Hornsea, and Agnes Burton in Holderness, and was also a benefactor to the Abbey of Meaux.
The most eminent person of the family was Thomas, second son of Walter. He was elected Bishop of Durham, the 8th of May, 1345. A portrait of him as Bishop in full robea, with shield of Hatfeild, appears on a pane in the middle compartment of one of the windows, with this inscription: - Dr Thomas de Hatfeld, Bishop of Durham, Secretary of State, Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, Chief General at the Battle of Durham, and Siege of Calais, the 20 King Edward 3rd. His retinue in the field was three bannerettes, 48 knights, 136 squires and 80 archers on horseback. He held the see 36 years till his death. Living an exemplary life of goodness and beneficence equalled by few, and though he expended large sums in public buildings, in aims to the poor and in hospitality and good house keeping, yet he died very rich and gave more gifts to the Church of Durham than any of his predecessors.”
Poulson’s “History of Holderness” (1840) gives a short sketch of him. It says :- “The Bishop, besides other ecclesiastical preferment’s, was tutor to Edward, Prince of Wales, and his spirit, sense, and loyalty recommended him to his Sovereign as a fit depository of the extraordinary powers which encircled the Northern mitre. Chamber describes him as a tall and unbending under the load of years, grey headed, of venerable, lofty, and commanding aspect. He headed a body of troops in conjunction with the Lord Percy, in order to repel the inroads of David King of Scotland, who was defeated with great slaughter. The banners taken upon this occasion were placed upon the shrine of St Cuthbert in Durham Cathedral. On his own banner were displayed the paternal arms of his family- Ermine, a chevron sable, impaled with the see of Durham.” Hutchinson, in the “History of Durham” (1785), gives a longer account of the Bishop. In that work it is stated that he restored many parts of the Castle of Durham, which from their antiquity and neglect were in want of repair. The throne in the Cathedral was erected by Hatfeild, under the arch of which he prepared his own tomb, and gave lands near Auckland called Enknoll for the maintenance of a priest to say Mass there. He built a tower to the Castle of Durham, and rebuilt the Bishops Hall and the Constables Hall, with offices and other necessary apartments thereto. He erected a sumptuous palace in the Strand, London, for the residence of himself and successors whilst attending Parliament, or in their services at Court, which he devised by will accordingly. He was founder of a Friary at Northallerton for Carmelites, and was a great benefactor thereto. In 1354 the king issued his mandate to his Admiral in the North Seas to grant the Bishop three ships from ports of Tyne or Hartlepool, properly equipped and manned to convey him to Parliament. In 1377 the King granted an inhibition against the Archbishop of York’s visitations and extortions within the See of Durham; and in the same year the Bishop granted a toll on certain merchandise brought to Durham to defray the charges of paving and repairing the walls of the city. In 1378 by letters patent he appointed William D, Elmeden gaoler and porter of the Castle of Durham, with certain profits annexed to that office among which are fees for sealing the measures to be used in the city. In this year the Bishop granted to Ralph, Lord Neville, a market and fair at Staindrop. In 1366 John de Carow having through ignorance seized a Royal fish cast upon his land, and being questioned for it by his character or deed acknowledged his trespass and as the fish belonged to the Bishop in right of his church of Durham, he agreed to pay 100 marks damage. At his death the Bishop gave to the convent the stock which he had in Weardale, estimated at 400 marks and upwards; his jewels and insignia together with 300 marks in silver, a red vestment embroided with figures of gold besides many silver vessels and valuable ornaments. One article among the things given to the convent was a thorn Christ wore during his passion, which the Bishop had received as a precious relic by the gift of Edward 3rd. After a tedious illness he died at his manor of Aleford, near London, 7th of May 1381, and was buried with great funeral pomp in the tomb he had prepared for himself in the Cathedral Church of Durham, whereon is his effigy and many coats of arms, but no inscription. In the Heralds Offices, among the Dugdale MSS, there is a beautiful drawing of the tomb, and also an engraving of it in Grose’s Antiquarian Repertory.
On one of the tablets in the staircase there is the following curious inscription: - “Wyllyam Haitfeild, of Wilford, Notts, Esq. His will was proved 18th of March 1554, by which he gave his son Henry his flagot cheyne of fine Angel gold, containing 223 links, in weight 36 ounces and all his plate, rings, jewels, and gold, and all his estates at Wilford and in Balne. And gave legacies to Sir John Thorpe, his priest, and others, and willed that when his son Henry arrived at the age of 16 years that he should take to wife daughter of Robert Eyre, Esq.” Grose says that Henry Haitfeild afterwards according to his fathers will, married the Said Anne Eyre, and resided at Wilford, near unto his father and hard by his stall, leaving issue Gervase and William, second son, to whom he gave 100 marks and his lands at Wilford and Tollerton.
The Holderness Hatfeild’s ended in Maud, daughter and heir of John, marrying William, third son of Sir Marmaduke Constable of Flamborough, Knight. Maud died in 1560. One of the Hatfeild’s founded the chapel of St Helen at Hatfeild. “Robert Hatfeld, Esq, will was proved at York in 1451, by which he ordered his body to be buried in the chapel of St. Helen at Hatfeild. “Robert Hatfeild, Esq., was escheator for Yorkshire. His will was proved at York in 1451, by which he ordered his body to be buried in the chapel of St. Elen at Hatfeld, and thereby also gave maintenance for a priest to celebrate daily for his soul after his death, and that of Maud de Boynton, his wife. This chapel he built and founded.” This appears on one of the painted squares. The chapel was accidentally destroyed by fire many years ago. It was the burial place of the Hatfeild’s.
Gervase Hatfeild, son of Henry of Wilford mentioned earlier appears to have been the first who came to Hatfeild Hall at Stanley. On one of the tablets he is described thus :- “Gervase Hatfeild, of Stanley, son and heir of Henry, married Grace, daughter and sole heir of Edward Savile, of Midgley, alias Stanley Hall, Esq., descended from Sir John Saville, of Thornholl, Kt. Built this house, Anno 1608.” Arms of Saville, and Hatfeild above. On one of the coloured squares Gervase is again mentioned with a slightly different inscription:- “Gervase Hatfeld, Esq., son of Henry, Married Grace, sole daughter and at length heir of Edward Saville, of Midgley, Esq. By her he had John and others. Built Hatfeild Hall on the site of Woodhall in Stanley. Anno Dom 1598.” It is difficult to say which of the two dates is correct, but Gervase Hatfeild is entered in the earliest Wakefield Church registers. John, as son of “Jarvis” Hatefeild, was baptised September 1602. John Savile resided at Midgley, alias Stanley Hall. His son Edward married Catherine, daughter of Alverey Copley, Esq., of Batley, on 22nd November 1574, and by her had Grace, only daughter. It was through the marriage of Grace Saville with Gervase Hatfeild that the first Hatfeild became possessed of the Stanley property. The grandfather of Edward Savile married Catharine, daughter of John Chaloner, owner of Midgley in Stanley. The Woodhall estate, called a manor, had previously belonged to Watertons. “Robert Waterton, Knight, holding the manor of Woodhall in Stanley of the Lord King in chief, alienated the said manor to Lionel Lord Welles. Escheats 21 of Henry 6th.” William Warterton, of Warterton, in Lincolnshire, married the daughter and heir of Thomas Methley, of Methley, and had Robert Waterton, Kt., and five daughters, which Sir Robert married Cicerly, daughter and heir of Robert Fleming, of Woodhall in Stanley, Esq., by whom he had issue Sir Robert Waterton of Methley, Master of the Horse to Henry 4th, who at the time of his death was seised of the manors of Methley. Woodhall in Stanley, and other great possessions. (Grose.) Gervase had by Grace, his wife, John, son and heir; Henry, second son; Thomas third son, to whom his father gave Iveridge Hall, in the parish of Rothwell; Francis, fourth son, who lived at Stanley Grange, and left Anne his daughter and heir, married to William Harrison; Elizabeth; William, fifth son; and Grace married to Mr Edmund Dancer, merchant of York. The above Anne left £50 towards erection of alms houses in Ouchthorpe Lane, Stanley. In 1602 Gervase compounded for his copyhold estate in Stanley, and sold his estate at Tollerton, Notts, to John Pondack, of Gumerston. In his will, proved June 28th 1654, he ordered his body to be buried in the parish church at Wakefield near unto his deceased wife Grace. He left his estates to his eldest son John, his saddle gelding to his brother William, and made his son Francis executor of all his goods and chattels except heirlooms in the capitol house at Stanley. He was buried June 4th 1654 in Wakefield Church near the alter, and his arms – Ermine, on a chevron sable, three cinquefoils argent, impaling the arms of Saville, along with an inscription, were carved upon a raised tombstone, which was noted by Dodsworth among others, but which has long since disappeared. He signed his name Gervas Hatfeild. John the son and heir of Gervase, married Mary Francle, daughter of Brian Frankle, of Alwoodley, near Harewood. Their marriage settlement is dated 3rd of May, 1 of Charles 1st. They left issue Gervase, John and Jane. John Hatfeild is commemorated on one of the tablets in the hall. Gervase the second, the son of John married two wives. The first was Catherine, daughter of Thomas Duckworth, of Padiham, Lancashire, who had 18 children. The father died at Hatfeild Hall in 1701, and was buried in Wakefield Church. His name appears on one of the tablets in the hall. The baptisms of the children are entered in the Wakefield registers. The second wife of Gervase was a daughter of Mr Playce, of York, who also died at Hatfeild Hall in 1701, and there lay in state, and was buried in Wakefield Church.
Oswald, second son of Gervase succeeded to the estate, and married two wives. The first was Sarah, daughter and heir of John Challowe, Esq., of Grantham, and relict of Mr Buller, but by her he had no issue. To his second wife, Mary, daughter of Matthew Hall, he had issue John, born in 1698, and Frances, who was married to Mr Joseph Moon, of Leeds, and had only one daughter, Eleanor, married to Mr Dana. Oswald is commemorated on a tablet thus :- “Oswald Haitfeild, of Stanley, gentleman, born there 26th of September 1656; married Mary, daughter of Matthew Hall, of Leavanthorpe in Swillingon, Esq., which family was possessed of that place ever since the time of King Edward ye Third.”
John, the son of Oswald, married in 1729 Esther, the only daughter of Jonas Kaye, of Milshaw Hall in Kirkburton, Esq., and heir to her brother, John Kaye, and by her had issue John, born at Hatfeild Hall; Francis; Jonas, a lieutenant in the army, who died in the East Indies; Charles also an officer in the East Indies, who died there; Oswald who died young; Esther, Sarah; Dorothy; Susan; and Catherine.
John, son and heir of John, F S A., deputy lieutenant and justice of the peace, added the name of Kaye to his own by Royal authority, according to an order in the will of his uncle, John Kaye Esq. He married, at St James’s Church in London, May 30th 1772, Augusta Anne, only surviving daughter of William Wentworth, of Henbury, Dorset, Esq., who was born in 1700 and was Gentleman Usher to Frederick Prince of Wale, and adopted heir to his uncle John, the last Lord Arundel. He was the oldest son and heir of Peter Wentworth, next brother to Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, on whom the said Earl, his brother, and his issues male entailed by will his estate sat Wentworth Castle, Wakefield, and elsewhere in Yorkshire. The titles of Barm Rabey, Newmarch, and Oversley were vested in him by descent after the death of William, the present Earl without issue. (Burrells MSS)
John Hatfeild Kaye had issue by Augusta Anne, his wife, a son named Wentworth, born at Hatfeild Hall, August 25th 1777, whose sponsors were the Earl of Strafford, Lord Viscount Gage, and Lady Bankes, and on whom his grandfather, William Wentworth, by his will entailed the late Lord Arundels estate his own. The said Wentworth Kaye died in his infancy, and this branch of Hatfeilds came to an end. (Burrels MSS.) Wenworth Kaye was baptised 28th of August and buried at Wakefield 9th of October 1777.
Mr John Kaye, of Butterly, left all his estates by will dated 1745, to his nephew in law John Hatfeild Kaye, exept £500 to his sisters and £50 a year to the brother of John Hatfeild. His estates consisted of 20 messuages, 20 cottages, 20 lofts, 5 mills, 20 barns, 10 dove houses, 6 kilns, 20 gardens, 300 acres of meadow, 350 acres of pasture, 200 acres of wood, 700 acres of turf and heath, and 500 acres of moor and common pasture, all of which seems to have been left to John Hatfeild Kaye and his heirs. Lord Strafford and Mr Wentworth were admitted to the greater part of the estate of Mr Kaye, to hold it in trust as a marriage settlement of Mr Kaye and Augusta Anne Wentworth at the Court Baron at Wakefield in 1772. In 1783 the Hatfeild Estate was valued at £6000, two houses in Northgate, Wakefield at £1050, and his reversionary estate in the west at £1600. Augusta Anne Wentworth was sister to the 5th and last Earl of Strafford, and succeeded to his estates including the ancient Heseldon Hall at Wakefield, the residence of her great grandfather. In 1802 she left her Wentworth Castle estate to F W T Vernon, Esq.
Francis Hatfeild, the brother of John Hatfeild Kaye, married Mrs Harter 6th October 1802 at the Collegiate Church at Manchester. Before this second marriage Mrs Harter had two sons, John and James Collier, the former of whom was adopted by the surviving sister of Francis Hatfeild, and took the name Hatfeild. In his early years he resided with his aunts in law and succeded at their death to the Hatfeild Hall Estate, which was then encumbered, but by dint of great care he paid off the mortgages and added to the estate. He resided at Wakefield when not abroad, and let Hatfeild to tenants. He was good to the poor of Stanley, and yearly gave a bale of cotton, which cost £20. The dole was continued by his brother, James Collier Harter, Esq., of Broughton Hall Manchester, his successor, Mr John Hatfeild (Harter) died at Wakefield in 1850. The mansion with the park and various other property, were sold on 3rd of November 1897, by Mr Harter, of Cranford Court, the last of the owners in the Hatfeild and Harter line.
John Hatfeild Kaye was an antiquary, and is said to have formed collections towards a history of Yorkshire. He and his sister Dorothy painted the miniature picture sand coats of arms (about 190) which are in the windows and on the staircase tablets. There is a view of Hatfeild Hall, rather faded, on one of the pains; and also a view of Kirkstall Abbey, and various allegorical and Scriptural pictures. On the south side of the park there are some cottages which were built by Gervase, grandson of the first Gervase. On a stone over one of the doors there are the initials “G. H.,” and date 1661. In one of the cottages lives an old man named Herrington, whose fore elders were servants under the Hatfeilds. In 1892 Herrington had in his possession some pictures painted by Dorothy Hatfeild. One is “Lucrecia” and is signed Dorothy Hatfeild and dated 1787. Another is entitled “Artemera, wife of Mosoleum,” dated 1788. Another entitled “Jahel, wife of Heber the Kenite,” dated October 16th 1784. Another, “Rubens and his two wives.” Another is the “Achievement of Mr Jos. Moore,” who married Francis, daughter OF Mr Oswald Hatfeild of Stanley. Arms of Moore impaling Hatfeild; crest, a Negro boy; a small picture framed. There are some others in the possession of Mr Ryecroft, of Wakefield, but they’re mostly coats of arms and portraits of the Hatfeild family, without date, all doubtless painted by Dorothy Hafeild. The work room of Miss Hatfeild in the hall is an apartment about 12 feet square, the walls of which are adorned with floral festoons in fresco, and with coloured shields. Like many other old Yorkshire mansions, Hatfeild Hall is said to be haunted. Long ago a young daughter of one of the Hatfeilds was drowned in a fishpond, and a stone statue was setup in the pond to her memory. This little lady, attired in white, walks the gloomy passages in the dead of night.
A monument was put up in St Johns Church, Wakefield in 1818, by Mr John Hatfeild (Harter) to the memory of the following:-
Augusta Anne Hafeild Kaye, died August 25th 1802, aged 65
John Hatfeild Kaye, FSA. Died May 6th 1804, aged 72
Francis Hatfeild, brother to John Hatfeild Kaye, died intestate July 1st 1804, aged 63
Esther Hatfeild, died April 2nd 1785, aged 53.
Sarah Hatfeild, died October 26th 1803 aged 67.
Susan Hatfeild, wife of Ralph Hanson, Esq., died July 3rd 1812 aged 65.
Dorothy Hatfeild (will dated 19th September, 1815), died January 31st 1816, aged 79.
Dorothy the artist and Catherine were the last of the family to inhabit the home of their ancestors. I am informed that the two first mentioned and the two last only are interred in the vaults beneath St. Johns Church
Hatfeild photos from 1897
Taken from the Hatfeild Estate sales brochure
The Tragic Story Of Annabel Hatfeild
Annabel Hatfeild is said to have drowned in the fish pond at the hall, it is said her pet dog summoned aid but with vain attempts to save her she died. In the now Annabel suite in the hall was a ornamental plaster ceiling made up of five oval framed scenes that told the sad story of Annabel, the outer four depicted the the girl who drowned and her dog going for help. The final scene was in the middle of the room showing the parents attempts to save the girl. The ceiling survived the fire but was destroyed by workmen. Today the room that the ceiling was in is now called the Annabel Suite. A new ceiling has been added depicting Annabel's death that is similar to the original. During the time the Hall was used by the West Riding Asylums Board, many nurses who worked at night told of an apparition of Annabel Hatfeild, a young girl clothed in a misty white shroud, who drowned in the garden pond.
The pond where it is said Annabel Hatfeild drownd.
For most of the last century the pond was dried up and overgrown.
It was not until the golf course was built that it was cleared and has started to refill with water. It is said a statue was placed in the middle of the pond in memory of Annabel, this has long since gone.
The Mulberry Bush
Throughout the Hall’s history, a Mulberry tree has continued to thrive in the garden and still bears fruit today. Legend has it that a cutting from the Hatfeild Hall Mulberry Tree was taken and planted in the grounds of Wakefield prison. As it began to grow, the prisoners would exercise around it and to keep their spirits up, composed what later became the nursery rhyme, “ Here we go round the mulberry bush”. In the rebuilt hall today there is a suite named after the legend.
The Mullberry Bush in 2010
Photo taken by Shaun Parkin
Hatfeild Hall Outbuildings
Photos taken by Shaun Parkin
In the last 30 years the outbuildings have all been destroyed, all that remains is part of the old coach house.
Coach House
Coach House at Centre, Summer house to right, Hatfield Hall can be seen between coach house and summer house. Building to left of photo appears to be a lodge
Summer House
Coach House around 1987
During this period much of the stone and timber from this building was stolen
Coach House remains in 2010
Photos From Around The Estate In 1979
Taken by Shaun Parkin
Photos from 1986
Photos taken around September that year, just months before the fire.
Photos by Shaun Parkin
As far as we know the above photos were the last to be taken before the fire. The car in the photo dates the picture to within a few months
Wakefield Express story about the arson attack on Hatfeild Hall
Looters have gone back to Hatfeild Hall since the historic building was damaged in a £750,000 arson attack and “cleaned it out” of fixtures and fittings, the distraught owner revealed this week.
Mr Jayme Fernandes who took over the building with partner Sean McMaster about two years ago and turned it into a leisure centre, branded the thieves as “heartless”. “The people who have done this are just hooligans” he said. “They must be sick to go around in this way”. “They’ve taken all sorts of items including two valuable fireplaces, fridges, freezers, microwaves, barbecue sets, all the light fittings, decorations and wicker chairs from the restaurant”. “They’ve cleaned the whole place out; they must have come in a wagon or something and taken everything they could lay their hands on”.
Mr Fernandes said he had been devastated by the fire at the Hall on Aberford Road, Stanley in the early hours of New Year’s Day but had been upset still further by the mean actions of the raiders. “It’s really been a case of adding insult to injury. I never thought anyone could be so mean as to steal from the Hall after what happened”. Mr Fernendes tried to get the building boarded up after the firemen finally put out the blaze but his insurance company told him to leave things exactly as they were. As a result thieves were able to get in and plunder thousands of pounds worth of goods from the building, now converted into a restaurant and bar complex. Vandals have also got into the Hall and caused damage. A council spokesman said the Hall was listed because of its architectural quality and historical interest.
Officials were "very saddened” by the blaze and subsequent looting spree. “We are very concerned about two fireplaces that were stolen” said the spokesmen. “Both are very unusual, one is made of marble, the other of oak” Experts reckon that one of the fireplaces could fetch as much as £1000 if sold in one of the top London auction rooms. “It is of high standard and in keeping with the rest of the building. It was ripped from the best room in the Hall which escaped more or less unscathed by the fire” he added. “Raiders seem to have taken an awful lot of stuff. They must have moved quickly, getting in and out in no time at all”. A spokesman for Wakefield CID said yesterday “We are aware of the problem, it has been reported and we are investigating it along with the arson attack. It is unfortunate this happened but there we are”. Youths have been seen on the premises but have been chased of by passers by and members of the public. “They seem to have been helping themselves. If anyone sees anything suspicious or has noticed anything untoward in the past I would be grateful if they contacted the police. As of yet we have been unable to identify those responsible”.
Pledge to reopen arson hit Hall
Owners of Hatfeild Hall, which was destroyed in a New Years Day arson attack, which caused damage worth £750,000, hope to reopen the historic building by the summer. Co-owner Mr Jayme Fernandes this week described the fire which ripped through the first floor and roof of the Hall as “a big blow” but pledged “we will carry on” And he hit out at opportunist thieves who have looted the premises since the blaze. He had been forced to make it more secure because of them.
Mr Fernandes took over the disused Hall; formerly the Wakefield Authorities Western Headquarters about two years ago and soon gained permission to reopen it as a family leisure centre, complete with children’s play area. “We opened only last year and were aiming to expand the venture” he told the Express. “Now all our expansion hopes have been delt a blow by the fire”. “We had a lot of plans for the place, especially the upstairs rooms. The whole thing is very upsetting, but we will carry on”.
Mr Fernandes said business had been “steady” since the Hall had reopened as a restaurant and it was beginning to make a name for itself. “1987 was going to be a year of consolidation for us, but now we will be concerned with getting the place open again. We are aiming to be open by the summer which is our busiest time” Mr Fenandes said it was impossible to estimate how much financial damage had been caused, but Wakefield police have put it at £750,000. “One thing we have to be thankful of is that although the interior was badly affected the building itself is ok. The stone work is irreplaceable so that is a blessing” he said. Investigations are still being carried out by Wakefield CID, but a spokesman this week confirmed that the blaze was being treated as arson. More than 50 firemen from stations throughout the county battled for more than one and a half hours to bring the blaze under control. The fire broke out early on New Year’s Day and at its height 13 tenders and special appliances had to be used. Fire experts have pin pointed the start of the blaze to an upstairs room.
A spokesman for Wakefield fire brigade said there had been “extensive” damage to the roof and first floor rooms. “There was also some water damage, but we were able to keep this to a very minimum by shifting furniture” he said. Detectives hunting the arsonists appealed for the public to come forward. Hatfeild Hall was built between 1598 and 1608 for Gervase Hatfeild and his wife Grace, but lost most of its Jacobean features when it was converted to the gothic style about 1775 and gained arched windows and battlements. After a variety of owners it became the property of the area health authority, but became empty again in 1982. Mr Fernandes and his partner then took it over.
Mending
The two firemen injured tackling the Hatfeild Hall blaze were both on the mend this week. Fireman David Whitfield, aged 24 who is based at Wakefield sustained a badly bruised left instep and ankle when falling debris struck him as he was ascending a flight of stairs in the burning building. Fireman Glynn Booth, based at Rothwell, received a badly gashed hand. Both men were taken to Pinderfields Hospital for treatment and later released.
The failed three million pound hotel plan
In August 1987 the arson hit property and surrounding estate was bought by Whingate Properties of Leeds who chose architects David Ward Associates of Roundhay to turn the boarded up wreck into a luxury hotel. The plan was given the go ahead by Wakefield Council Planners, who to start with deferred the plan as the proposed extension to the Hall was out of keeping with the original building. The plans when passed included restoring the old hall and providing 12 five star bedrooms together with meeting rooms and lounge bar, also adding an 73 bedroom extension to the Hall, that would be three star accommodation, including conference facilities, restaurant, and a conservatory overlooking an ornamental pool. The design of the extension was to be in keeping with the original hall and would have been built from stone and welsh slate. There would have also been extensive leisure facilities in the halls seven and a half acres of land including a swimming pool, golf course, tennis courts and a gym. Building work started in 1990 on the conversion but soon ran into financial difficulty after only a limited amount of work had been done to the roof and in clearing out the inside of the Hall. Receivers were appointed to handle the affairs of Whingate Contractors.
Architects plans for how the hotel would have looked
Photos of the rebuilt Hall in 2010
Photos by Shaun Parkin
Hatfeild Hall Painting
In the 1980s the painting below of Hatfeild Hall sold for £7000, it appears to have been painted from where the road bridge is on driveway today.
The Hatfeild Chapel
This Chapel is said to have existed on the Estate up to it being destroyed by fire at some point in the 19th Century. The most likely site for the Chapel would be behind the Coach House at the back of the Hall. An 1842 map of the Estate shows the Coach House complex, but behind this is shown another building complex. It is therefore possible that this was the missing Chapel
Tram Road
The 1842 map also shows a tram road crossing the Estate from Ouchthorpe to where Aberford Road meets Lime Pit Lane. At this point it appears to follow the 19th century tram route down to the Basin at the Calder, this would have been part of the local railroad. Many branches joined this route from the local pits to the basin at Stanley Ferry in those days, carts were pulled by horse on these early lines.
1842 map of Hatfeild Estate
Spa On The Hatfeild Estate
In 1827 a Mr W.H. Gileby M.D reported that during boring operations to find coal seams on the estate they hit on water at a depth of 80 yards, the report said the water was "simmering with bubbles of air that were pepetually rising". Many local people visited the spring to drink its water, they claimed it was benaficial to their health. The water cointained as much soda in one pint as other waters contained in several gallons. The spa was in use for many years until the spa dried up.
1980s Building Work On The Hall
Before closing in the early 1980s the Hall was used as offices for the West Riding Asylums Board for several years. A year or so before it closed local authorities are rumoured to have spent almost £250 000 rebuilding the right hand bay on the Halls front elevation to lift the window cill height, and to remove the halls gothic style wall capping.
The Hall in the late 1970s when in use as offices
The Hall After closing as local as West Riding Asylums Board offices early 1980s, note the new stone work on the right hand bay and the removal of the wall cappings.
On the trail of spook Annabel
Mrs Elizabeth Peacock claims to have seen the ghost of Annabel Hatfeild in the early 1960s when she was a nurse at the then hospital for mentally handicapped women. She saw the ghost whilst doing her night round and describes the incident as seeing a young girl, with flowing hair drift towards her then disappear. She commented that the ghost “seemed to be quite a friendly spirit”
Documents From A 1970s Hospital Magazine
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