Lords and Ladies

Hugh Hare, also known as Lord Coleraine, bought the building in the 1620s. He had lots of houses so rarely visited and died by choking on a turkey bone - said to be caused by laughing and drinking whilst eating.

His son, Henry Hare, 2nd Lord Coleraine, was married to Constantia Lucy - also known as the Ghost of Bruce Castle (see our Ghostly Goings On page). Henry built the clock tower at the front of the building gave us the name Bruce Castle, and had some fancy paintings made. 

His grandson was also called Henry. He had three libraries and kept over 10,000 books at Bruce Castle. His daughter Henrietta was named after him and grew up at Bruce Castle. Henry wanted Henrietta to have the house when he died but it wasn't that simple...

Henrietta's parents had never married and her mother was French, and because of this the law at the time said Henrietta could not inherit the house. Her husband James had to get an 'Act of Parliament' to allow her to stay in her own home!

By this point, Bruce Castle was starting to look a bit tired. James and Henrietta wanted a more fashionable house so they added extra rooms, created a new front door and put in a flushing toilet - which was a luxury for the time!