Cliveden’s second owner, George Hamilton, 1st Earl of Orkney, could not have been more different from its first. Made an Earl by Queen Anne in the same year that he bought Cliveden, Hamilton was a favourite courtier and famed soldier, having fought in several great battles of the time against the French.
Jonathan Swift described Orkney as “an honest, good-natured gentleman”, who went on to achieve high political office, including that of Governor of Virginia from 1710 to 1737 (although he never visited America). For himself, Orkney desired a grand and grandiloquent country house at Cliveden to reflect his eminent social position.
He and Lady Orkney developed ambitious plans to remodel the House, most of which came to fruition. These included adding East and West Wings, and building the Blenheim Pavilion (1727) and Octagon Temple (1735). Much time and effort were also spent on the gardens, and the plan as it exists today is mainly as a result of his vision. The gardeners to Queen Anne, George I and George II were all involved in the work.
The earliest recorded royal visits to Cliveden took place during Orkney’s ownership, namely by George I in 1724 and Queen Caroline in 1729. Sadly neither Lord or Lady Orkney were to live much longer, the Earl passing away in 1737. Reports record that he was buried ‘without funeral ostentation whatsoever’ at nearby Taplow Court.
Cliveden, 1696-1737 - The First Earl of Orkney
