History - The House And Its Owners
Boom and Bust 1688 - 1758
After several years of retrenchment and the early death of Edward second Viscount Irwin in 1688, the property was
inherited by his brother Arthur, the third Viscount. His wife, the heiress Isabella Machell, from Hills, near
Horsham in Sussex, brought with her two parliamentary seats as part of her marriage settlement, thereby ensuring
the family had a stake in power-politics. They produced nine sons, seven of whom lived to middle age and five
of whom inherited the title as successive Viscounts Irwin. The youngest produced their only grandchild, Charles
the ninth and last Viscount Irwin. After Arthur's death in 1702 Isabella retained control of the family's affairs
until her own death at Windsor aged 94 in 1764.
During their ownership, and that of their two eldest sons, Temple Newsam experienced a period of great expansion.
The engraved bird's eye view gives an impression of the park just before its modernisation by William Etty.
Within the house the collection of paintings was greatly enhanced as a result of the Grand Tour of Edward fourth
Viscount Irwin (1686-1714). His correspondence with his mother records the purchase of thirty landscapes,
seascapes and battle scenes by the Venetian artist Antonio Marini.
Rich, fifth Viscount (1688-1721) made a great political alliance with his marriage to Anne, daughter of the Earl
of Carlisle, from Castle Howard. They made considerable improvements to the house, including the purchase of much
new silver and the construction of the underground passage beneath the courtyard between the north and south
wings. However, in 1720 he speculated wildly in the South Sea Bubble and died intestate, leaving enormous debts.
The property remained heavily mortgaged until the arrival of the next heiress in 1758.
Henry and Anne and the creation of the Picture Gallery 1738 - 1745
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