William Blathwayt (?1649-1717) constructed Dyrham Park between 1692 and 1704, a house and garden made to reflect his professional status, embodying his interconnected roles within political, military, and especially colonial administration. The house contained a rich assemblage of materials and objects which communicated then and now these colonial connections. Blathwayt described colonies as ‘enlarging His [Majesty’s] Empire and Revenue very considerably’ and at Dyrham Park this ambition found material expression.
Rupert is the National Trust Senior National Curator for Research and the South West. He has written extensively on Dyrham Park, William Blathwayt, and the colonial connections the Blathwayt family.
This lecture was part of the ‘Changing Perspectives’ series in early 2023.
You can watch the recording here
