Yorkshire’s stately home confronted with its racist and bloody past

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Inside the impressive orangery is a rare 18th century ornament that once stood in the extensive pleasure gardens of this Grade I listed estate.

This is a lead cast of an African slave in a feather skirt kneeling as he holds a sundial above his head. It’s uncomfortable to watch and it’s worse when you learn its meaning.

Wentworth Castle, one of Yorkshire’s treasures, was built with the profits of slavery. Thomas Wentworth, who owned, enlarged and embellished this estate near Barnsley, helped negotiate a treaty in 1713 that gave Britain a monopoly on the transport of slaves from Africa to South and Central America .

Read more: 10 abandoned buildings in Sheffield with a fascinating history

Wentworth’s wealth came from this most barbaric industry, either directly or through his inheritance. Due to the very different attitudes of the time – the abolition of slavery within the British Empire would not take place until 1807 – was very pleased with his achievements.

Wentworth decorated her home with ornaments to celebrate them, including the one pictured. It is believed to have been made by Jean Nost II around 1720.

Such reminders of the slave trade fell out of fashion and many were lost or destroyed. The dark significance of the remaining artifacts has been forgotten.

Wentworth Castle, near Barnsley (Image: Dave Himelfield)

But in the mid-1980s, students at Northern College at Wentworth Castle painted the figure white in protest. They were angry at the “forgetting” of the blood money on which the estate was built.

Today the estate is managed by the National Trust. And at a time when Britain is coming to grips with its slave-trading past, the Trust makes no attempt to hide Wentworth Castle’s direct links to it.

Before entering the Victorian Conservatory, a sandwich panel outside alerts visitors to the presence of the statue inside. Inside the ornate veranda, which is full of exotic plants, is another information board next to the statue that explains why this puzzling relic is on display.

He says: “It is a reminder that the trade in enslaved Africans was an important source of wealth that paid for this work.”

The Trust says it is “planning enhancements to the display of this object to provide more detail about its history and context in this historical sequel.”

The Trust says it does not want to “censor or deny” the colonial history that is part of the history of its estates.

A Trust spokesperson said: “At Wentworth Castle Gardens there is a sundial of a kneeling black slave which highlights the legacy of African slavery and the estate’s historic links to the slave trade. and the empire.

Inside the orangery (Image: Dave Himelfield)

“The National Trust cares for places and collections that are linked to world history, which we know can cause upheaval and anger. We do not want to censor or deny the way colonial histories are woven into the fabric of our places.

“We have a lot of work to do to ensure these are fully explored and we are working with partners to address this, through our exhibitions and interpretive work, bringing out the often painful and difficult stories attached at places like Wentworth Castle Gardens.

“At Wentworth Castle Gardens information has been updated and updated for the sundial, and additional warnings are given at both entrances to the conservatory where the statue resides to give visitors the opportunity to make a conscious choice as to whether if they wish to see the statue.

“How the subject matter is presented and interpreted will continue to be reviewed as part of our work with our partners and local communities, as we consider a range of perspectives and voices.”

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