Burghley 500 Symposium: William Cecil, Lord Burghley, as Patron of the Arts
A wide-ranging exploration of the diverse activities of Lord Burghley, one the most important patrons of art, architecture and horticulture in the Elizabethan period, held at the Garden Museum as part of celebrations for the 500th anniversary of his birth
This one-day symposium is part of a series of events organised by Burghley 500 to celebrate the quincentenary of the birth of Lord Burghley, who was most famous as a political survivor and Elizabeth’s right-hand man, yet was far more than a politician.
His diverse activities as a patron of architecture, painting, sculpture and horticulture will be covered, ranging from 'his greatest greatness and only happiness' – his gardens – to 'a house fit for a Queen' at Theobalds, Hertfordshire.
The symposium will be held online, via Zoom, on 19 April from 10:00 am, and is hosted by the Garden Museum, London, itself built on the site of the burial of John Tradescant, gardener to the Cecil family.
The Garden Museum will handle bookings for the event which will also be recorded. Please use the link below to the Garden Museum website to make a booking, and consult the Burghley 500 website for a full programme of connected events.
Further information and booking:
gardenmuseum.org.uk/events/burghley-500-symposium/
In association with the Lord Burghley 500 Foundation:
www.lordburghley500.org
Programme
10: 30: welcome from Christopher Woodward, Director of the Garden Museum
10:40: introduction by Lord Salisbury
10:50: Convener, Dr Claire Gapper
10:55 – 1140: Dr Jill Husselby, ‘“My Principal House”: Dynasty and Politics; Aspects of architecture at Burghley House’
11:40 – 12:25: Dr Emily Cole, ‘A House fit for the Queen: The plan and interiors of Theobalds, Hertfordshire’
12:25 – 1:10: Mark Griffiths, ‘That excellent Art of Simpling: Lord Burghley, John Gerard and the triumph of flora’
1:10 - 2:15: Lunch break
2:15-3:00: Dr Paula Henderson, ‘ “His greatest greatness and only happiness”: Lord Burghley and his gardens’
3:00-3:45: Karen Hearn, ' "Dearest above all": The portraits of Mildred Cooke Cecil (1526-89)'
3:45 – 4:30: Dr Nigel Llewellyn, ‘Lord Burghley’s monument in Stamford’
Discussion and closing remarks, including information on future Burghley 500 events
Image: Lord Burghley on his little white mule, unknown artist, c.1585. Courtesy of the Marquess of Salisbury/Hatfield House.