Althorp is a stately home located in the civil parish of Althorp, Northamptonshire, England. As every great dynasty has its own family seat, the Spencers family is no exception. The Althorp has belonged to the family since 1508 when John Spencer, an English nobleman, knight, merchant, and landowner, bought Althorp.
Over the next centuries, Althorp got its fame among nobility and cultural elite. In the 18th century, the House was owned by John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer who was famous for his heavy spending, especially on estates (he was the one who ordered the construction of the Spencer House located in London to this day). During that time there were numerous parties, balls, picnics in the gardens hosted in the Althorp which were attended by the elite of society of that time. John loved to hire musicians to play entertaining guests and to organise spectacles, dance competitions, sack races, etc. When John married Margaret Georgiana Poyntz, about 5000 guests were invited to celebrate this event. Althorp became known as "a place of indulgence and festivities".
George John, 2nd Earl Spencer was John's son who inherited Althorp after his father's death in 1783. He was very interested in literature and after some time created one of the largest libraries at Althorp. This place became known as "a major cultural hub of England" during his time. His hobby and love for collecting books became an obsession in later years when he was trying to get all the volumes ever published in Britain! George John was seeking for every ancient and rare book or manuscript. This became a real problem for the Spencers, as the family also started to have economic problems after the Napoleonic Wars. After his death, George John left a debt of £500,000 which passed to his son, John Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer.
In 1922, the estate was inherited by Albert Spencer, 7th Earl Spencer. At that time the Spencers had more difficult troubles due to debts. A large number of belongings and some collection of Althorp had to be sold out due to that reason. Fortunately, the estate was not occupied by any military camps or hospitals during the Second World War, unlike many other estate and country houses in Britain.
Edward John, 8th Earl Spencer inherited Althorp in 1975 and made a wine cellar inside. This attracted a lot of people but it didn't help to sell that much.
Lady Diana Spencer grew up in Althorp with her two sisters and younger brother, Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer who is now the owner of the estate and lives there with his wife.
Althorp was Diana's home until her marriage to Charles, prince of Wales.
The interior of Althorp represents a marvelous art collection. There is also a big library, a china museum, picture gallery, a billiard room, drawing rooms and many other rooms and buildings that are part of Althorp estate.
Check the interior of Althorp here: https://spencerofalthorp.com/
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