Building record 3382/0/3 - The Obelisk

White sandstone obelisk on pedestal. Erected by order of Lord Strafford, of Boughton Manor in 1764.

{1} White sandstone obelisk on pedestal. About 100 feet high on ground, highest in neighbourhood, about 450 feet above sea level. Erected by order of Lord Strafford, of Boughton Manor, friend of the 4th Duke of Devonshire, educated here when young by his tutor the Rector of Boughton. Originally bore an inscription: "This Obelisk was erected in the year 1764 in memory of His Grace William Cavendish Duke of Devonshire. There in the Rich, the Honour'd, Fam'd and Great, See the false seat of Happiness Compleat." See George E Stevenson, A Short Guide to Boughton. William 4th Duke of Devonshire (1720-64) was Prime Minister 1756-57.

{4} Obelisk erected by William Wentworth in 1764, dedicated to the memory of William Cavendish, the Fourth Duke of Devonshire. The Obelisk is a Grade II Lsited Building. It is the earliest Egyptian-style monument in Northamptonshire and is constructed from a number of small stones. It originally stood on a raised mound of circumference of about 55 yards, and edged by rough stones to a depth of two feet. The site was the highest point in the district and it is possible to see line of horizon all around.

{6}800m SE of hall & now engulfed by housing stands an obelisk; erected 1764 by Lord Strafford; dedicated to memory of William Cavendish 4th Duke of Devonshire 1720-64; had lived at Boughton as young man.

{8} Three photos dated 1993;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 16/107 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), H14 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN1000.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.109 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Scott S., 1995, The Follies of Boughton Park, (unchecked) (Book). SNN44220.

<5> Stevenson G.E., 1946, A Short Guide to Boughton, (unchecked) (Guide). SNN48114.

<6> English Heritage, 1994, Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England (1994, Northamptonshire), (checked) (Report). SNN1324.

<7> Sutherland D.S., 2003, Northamptonshire Stone, p.67 (unchecked) (Book). SNN104515.

<8> Photographs of buildings in Northampton (Photographs). SNN114989.

Record last edited

May 13 2024 2:15PM