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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Petworth House
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(23km/14m NE of Chichester) Medieval house largely rebuilt in 1688–93 for the 6th duke of Somerset, to the design of an unknown architect. Only the Marble Hall survives from the late 17C. The staircase, with murals by Laguerre, was rebuilt after a major fire in 1714. The famous Carved Room, looking very much of the 17C because of its panelling and the magnificent picture surrounds by Grinling *Gibbons, was in fact created in this form in 1794–5. J.M.W. *Turner frequently stayed at Petworth and there is an entire room of his paintings; the 3rd earl of Egremont was his major patron and provided the artist with a studio in the house. The park, laid out in 1752–6, is one of the masterpieces of Capability *Brown.
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