Guernsey - Sausmarez Manor
 Stately Homes |
The present-day manor house, with its geometrically precise Queen Anne facade, stands on the site of a much older structure; only a fragment of the ancient original remains, in the form of an outhouse containing stonework dating back to the Norman 13th century. Since those early days the house has had Regency and Victorian additions and today is an interesting mixture of many periods. However, the wonderful facade is its most enduring feature, built between 1714-18, replacing an earlier Tudor structure.
The long-term occupants of the manor, the de Sausmarez family, has for many centuries endured as one of Guernsey's most revered dynastic families, serving as bailiffs, governors, naval officers and Foreign Office dignitaries. Early records refer to one William de Sausmarez in 1254, who served as Seigneur of Samaras in St Clement, Jersey, before acquiring his new fief in St Martin's parish, Guernsey.
Sausmarez Manor remains a fine example of a hereditary seigneurie, although the family did not always live here. 1557 witnessed Seigneur George de Sausmarez dying with no heir apparent, the consequence of which saw the manor eventually pass out of the family hands for the first time in 300 years. The new owner was one John Andos, and for almost two centuries the Andos family held sway at Sausmarez Manor, providing the parish with six Seigneurs before the house returned once more to its original owners in 1748.
One of the best preserved 18th century buildings in the Channel Isles, it remains almost alone of the island manor houses open to the public. As a museum it enjoys a refreshing lack of austerity due primarily to its still being a functioning lived-in home. However, all the trappings of a stately home are here, exquisite tapestries, wonderfully varied paintings and a magnificent collection of antique furniture. Included is the log of the famous sailing ship Centurion, and its historic voyage during which it captured the fabulous Spanish treasure ship Manilla, the richest prize ever taken. Captain Philip Sausmarez died during this engagement at the age of 37 years, after sailing round the world with Anson. That the occupying Nazis didn't disrupt the manor with their intended plans of utilising it as a hospital, was rather touchingly due to Sir Havilland de Sausmarez's refusal to have anything as modern as electric lighting in the house.
Among the attractions in the manor grounds is a narrow-gauge railway line and the renowned Doll's House Collection, the latter contained in a Tudor barn. Anyone interested in the world of miniatures will be fascinated by this collection.