POWDERHAM CASTLE, DEVONSHIRE,
Drawn & Engraved for DUGDALE's ENGLAND & WALES Delineated
Line engraving, artist and engraver not known
This is what Dugdale had to say:
"Powderham Castle is an ancient structure, originally
built for the protection of the coast ; it contains some very
spacious apartments, furnished in a most splendid manner, and
decorated with paintings of considerable merit. The park and
plantations are about ten miles in circumference ; the Belvedere
tower, occupying an elevated position above the castle, commands
several elevated and extremely beautiful views"[1].
There is another, somewhat more informative, description from
approximately the same date as the engraving was published:
"Star Cross is a very pretty village and sea-port, situated
on the River Exe ; about 8 miles S. S. E. from Exeter, 7 N.
from Teignmouth, and 4 N. from Dawlish : it is in the parish
of Kenton, and hundred of Exminster. The chief attraction of
this place, besides its pleasant situation, in 'Powderham Castle',
the noble seat of the Earl of Devon ; supposed to have been
originally built by Isabella de Fortibus, the last descendent
of the great family of Rivers, who died in the reign of Edward
I. This castle was much improved by the late Lord Courtney.
The park, grounds, and plantations of 'Powderham', occupy a
space of nearly ten miles in circumference. Upon the summit
of the highest ground is 'Belvidere', a lofty tower of triangular
shape, with an hexagonal turret rising at each corner, erected
by Lord Courtney, in 1773; this building commands a great variety
of the most beautiful scenery, and is itself a conspicuous
object from the British Channel"[2].
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The above antique steel engraving was published in "Curiosities
of Great Britain. England and Wales Delineated: Historical, Entertaining,
and Commercial", alphabetically arranged by Thomas Dugdale, Antiquarian, assisted
by William Burnett. Published in 11 volumes by J. Tallis, London
c1845. Also in 4 volumes by L. or J. & F. Tallis, also in 2 volumes
by L. Tallis, 1854-60. Two of the Devon engravings are published on this web site. There are 7 Devon line
engravings in total, all anon, apart from the title (not on this web site). Hand tinting added at a later date.
In the collection of, provided by and © Ann Andrews.
Intended for personal use only.
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References:
[1] Dugdale, "England
and Wales Delineated", Volume 9, page 1341.
[2] "Pigot & Co.'s Directory
of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, ... Devon ..., Gloucestershire", 1844. [Part 1]
Also see on this web site:
Gentleman's Magazine Library : Devon, which has an
entry about Powderham
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