Temple Newsam Through Time
1086
The Manor of Neuhusam, meaning ‘new houses’ listed in the Doomsday Book.
1155
The estate is granted to the Knights Templar, who build a preceptory by the River Aire. This gives rise to the name Temple Newsam.
1307
The Templars are suppressed and the estate is confiscated.
1488
Estate inherited by Thomas, Lord Darcy, a powerful nobleman and military figure.
1520
The first inventory for ‘the New Manor Temple Newsam’ is made, indicating the house was newly built. It was a four-sided house built around a courtyard, and was the largest in house Yorkshire.
1537
Lord Darcy is executed for his role in the Pilgrimage of Grace, a rebellion against the Reformation. Temple Newsam is seized by Henry VIII.
1544
Henry VIII grants Temple Newsam to his favourite niece Margret Countess of Lennox and her husband, Matthew Earl of Lennox.
1545
Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, the father of James I of England, is born at Temple Newsam. His mother plotted to make him king of England and Scotland.
1565
Queen Elizabeth I confiscates Temple Newsam after the marriage of Lord Darnley to Mary Queen of Scots which was a threat to her – and Protestant – rule.
1566
Mary Queen of Scots gives birth to her and Darnley’s son, James. James becomes the first king of both Scotland and England in 1603.
1567
Lord Darnley is assassinated.
1603
James I gives Temple Newsam to Ludovic Duke of Lennox.
1622
Temple Newsam is bought for £12,000 by the ruthless self-made businessman, Sir Arthur Ingram. His family own Temple Newsam for the next 300 years.
1630s
Sir Arthur Ingram rebuilds large parts of Temple Newsam House. Following a fire in the East range in 1636, the house is reconfigured into the u-shaped form you see today
1642
An apothecary (medicine) bill for Arthur Ingram includes ‘China Drinke’. This is the earliest mention of tea in Britain.
1661
Sir Arthur Ingram’s grandson and now owner of Temple Newsam, Henry Ingram, is made a peer, becoming the 1st Viscount Irwin.
1688
Arthur Ingram become the 3rd Viscount Irwin and inherits Temple Newsam. His wife, Isabella Machell, gives birth to nine sons, all of whom die before her in 1764.
1710s
The East Avenue is created by William Etty.
1720
Rich, 5th Viscount Irwin, loses huge amounts of money after investing in the South Sea Company whose share price collapses
1730s and 40s
Henry, 7th Viscount Irwin makes many changes to Temple Newsam. This includes the creation of the Picture Gallery and Library, and the stables block.
1762
Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown is employed to transform the park.
1790s
Frances, Lady Irwin remodels the South wing, removing the kitchen and creating many new rooms for her daughters and grandchildren.
1807
Isabella, Marchioness of Hertford and the mistress of the Prince of Wales, inherits Temple Newsam from her mother, Frances.
1820s
Lady Hertford creates several interiors you see today.
1827 -1828
Lady Hertford creates the Chinese Drawing Room
1868
The Prince and Princess of Wales visit Temple Newsam
1871
Hugo Francis Meynell Ingram, the last descendant of Sir Arthur ingram, dies in a riding accident. [check] His widow, Emily, inherits his vast estates.
1886-1897
Emily Meynell Ingram remodels many rooms in the house, making it appear more ‘Tudor’.
1894
Temple Newsam is visited by the Duke and Duchess of York
1909
600 acres of the estate is bought by the City of Leeds for a sewerage works by compulsory purchase.
1914-1918
The house is used as a hospital during the First World War, with the South wing is used for recovering soldiers.
1922
Temple Newsam is purchased by the City of Leeds for £35,000. The contents are sold or removed by Edward Wood.
1938
Temple Newsam becomes a museum of decorative arts. Many new collections start to arrive at the house under the ambitious Director of Leeds City Art Gallery, Philip Hendy.
1942-1945
Ground-breaking modern art exhibitions are held during the World War Two. Many interiors are modernised at this time, removing historic features.
1942
Large-scale opencast mining in the park is started for the war effort. This, however, continues until the 1980s.
1948
Lord Halifax gifts 85 paintings previously at the house.
1965
Thomas Chippendale’s writing table for Harewood House is bought for a record price, still on display at Temple Newsam house today.
1983
The restoration of the house begins under the curator, Anthony Wells-Cole.
1996
The Picture Gallery is restored to its 1746 appearance.
2011
The Raby Cistern, the second largest silver wine cooler in the world is bought.
2024
The Butler’s Pantry is restored.
Current day
You can visit Temple Newsam House by General Admission or special event to find out more about it's history. Take in the beautiful landscape on a Rooftop Tour, delve into the spooky cellars over Halloween, there are events for all seasons.
