Revolution House: A Historic Alehouse in Old Whittington, Derbyshire

Revolution house, this thatched cottage in the village of Old Whittington hides a secret – it was part of a plot to overthrow a king during the ‘Glorious Revolution of 1688’, built in the 16^th century it was originally a farmhouse dwelling. The owner of the farmhouse was also a tippler, someone who brewed beer, they served refreshments and food to weary travellers, who were travelling between Sheffield, Rotherham and chesterfield. The farmhouse turned in an alehouse in the 17^th century and was named the Cock and Pynot (an old Derbyshire name for a magpie).

In 1688 three men, The Earl of Derbyshire, The Earl of Danby and Mr John D’Arcy met nearby and as the rain came down, they settled in the inn to discuss putting their names to a letter to Prince William of Orange in a plot to overthrow the then monarch King James II, two of the men later became members of the immortal seven.

 The immortal seven were Henry Sydney, Edward Russell, Charles Talbot the12th Earl of Shrewsbury, William Cavendish the 4th Earl of Devonshire, Thomas Osborne the 1st Earl of Danby, Richard Lumley the 2nd Viscount Lumley, Henry Compton the Bishop of London. Henry Sydney was the author of the letter inviting Prince William of Orange to The letter asked William, who was a nephew and son-in-law of James II, to use military intervention to force the king to make his eldest daughter, Mary, William’s Protestant wife, his heir.

 In November the same year Prince William of Orange landed at Brixham with an army to support the signatories and their allies. King James II had already fled to France leaving his daughter Mary and her husband William to become heads of the monarchy. Parliament was reinstated and the named, glorious revolution of 1688 ended. Within the walls of Revolution house sits a replica of the plotting chair in which the men sat; the original chair is now at home in the collection at Hardwick Hall.

The house used to be open free of charge to the public and school groups, with re-enactments taking place there. Guides were available to tell you all the history and the secrets, even showing you where the witchcraft marks were scribbled into the fireplace. These were to prevent evil from coming into the house.

The house with its new thatched roof and neatly trimmed gardens stands there empty and closed for the public. This is a shame at having such a link to local and national history.