Link between Glastonbury Tor and slavery is revealed in National Trust report

By Tim Lethaby

16th Jul 2021 | Local News

Glastonbury Tor is now owned by the National Trust
Glastonbury Tor is now owned by the National Trust

The National Trust has published a report showing connections between 93 of its historic places and colonialism and historic slavery, including Glastonbury Tor.

The survey, commissioned by the trust last September, is part of a broader commitment to ensuring links to colonialism and historic slavery are properly represented, shared and interpreted as part of a broader narrative at relevant National Trust places.

Glastonbury Tor's link to slavery is highlighted in the report, as it has a link to a successful compensation claim as a result of the abolition of slavery.

The report states that, in 1825, the Rev Hon George Neville-Grenville (1789 to 1854) inherited Butleigh Court including Glastonbury Tor.

In 1836, Neville administered compensation of £6,630 5s 6d for 379 enslaved people at the Hope Estate, St Andrew, Jamaica, owned by Richard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos (1776 to 1839) of Stowe.

Neville was acting as trustee for the marriage settlement benefiting the duke's son and heir, Richard (1797 to 1861).

The new report provides the basis for a broader approach, to help contextualise the history of National Trust places.

Drawing on recent evidence including the Legacies of British Slave-ownership project and the trust's own sources, the report also aims to provide greater clarity about the relationship between the historic sources of wealth linked to colonialism and historic slavery, and buildings and collections in the care of the National Trust.

Dr Tarnya Cooper, the National Trust's curatorial and collections director said: "Colonialism and slavery were central to the national economy from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

"As a heritage charity it's our job to research, interpret and openly share full and up-to-date information about our places.

"This includes information about colonialism and slavery where it is relevant. The work helps us all understand what's gone before - now and for future generations.

"This report is the fullest account to date of the links between places now in the care of the National Trust and colonialism and historic slavery.

"This work is in no way exhaustive and we will be adding to it as we do more research. But it is an important foundation to share what we already know to form the basis of our own future research and interpretation at the places and collections that have links to colonialism or slavery and for other researchers. We have much more work to do to explore the wider histories at our places."

The trust's report begins with thematic sections including the global slave trades, goods and products of enslaved labour; compensation for slave ownership; abolition and protest; the East India Company; and the British Raj.

A factual gazetteer lists 93 individual places and collections that have strong historical links to Britain's colonial past.

It has been edited by Dr Sally Anne Huxtable (National Trust head curator) Professor Corinne Fowler of the University of Leicester, Dr Christo Kefalas (National Trust world cultures curator), Emma Slocombe (National Trust textiles curator) with contributions from other trust curators and researchers around the country.

Some of the research from the report has already been used to update the trust's digital content and is supporting a review of visitor information and interpretation at relevant properties.

John Orna-Ornstein, the National Trust's director of culture and engagement said: "These histories are sometimes very painful and difficult to consider.

"They make us question our assumptions about the past, and yet they can also deepen and enrich our understanding of our economic status, our remarkable built heritage and the art, objects, places and spaces we have today and look after for future generations."

A working group of external specialists, chaired by museums and heritage consultant Rita McLean, will be advising and steering the trust in this work in the coming months, and the trust will also be working with other National Trust organisations around the world to connect these histories globally.

     

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