Country Houses and the British Empire: How Imperialism Transformed Britain’s Colonial Countryside

Gain insights into the British Empire’s reach by examining its colonial houses

The British country house has always been part of the nation’s heritage, but the latest historical research suggests that it is even more than that. Colonial houses have deep, complex interrelations with the British Empire itself.

If you’d like to understand exactly how country houses were connected to the wider world and were considered ‘global’ rather than simply ‘British’, this six-week course from the University of Leicester is for you.

Discover the links between colonial houses and imperial history

This course takes a new look at the roots and reach of the British empire; it focuses on the typical country house and the objects it contains.

Examining these objects will give you a unique understanding of the connections that recent historical research has found between Britain’s empire and its colonial homes. Ultimately, you’ll see how Britain influenced and was influenced by the countries that it colonised.

Delve deeper into the effects of British colonialism

The effects of British Imperialism were felt by the people who lived in the former colonies, and by those who were brought to or born in 17th- and 18th-century rural Britain.

On this course, you’ll get a chance to unpack the political, social, and cultural effects of British imperialism. In so doing, you’ll be able to understand and participate in important reparative history efforts.

Learn about British history from experts in the know

As an authority on all aspects of the British Empire, The University of Leicester is a clear choice for a course that takes a fresh look at the history of British colonialism.

This course is designed for anyone interested in British history, especially the sociocultural reach and influence of the British empire. Heritage professionals, writers, and teachers will find it especially engaging.

• Introduction to British country houses’ connections with empire
• Introduction to the course
• Objects
• Summary of the week
• Transatlantic slavery, the British slavery business and its impact on British country houses
• Introduction to transatlantic slavery
• Abolition and compensation
• Penrhyn Castle
• The Atlantic World: Commodities and goods and their continual presence in country houses
• Sugar
• Mahogany
• Cotton
• The relation between Britain and India, including the East India Company and the British Raj
• The East India Company
• Powis Castle and Tipu Sultan
• The Raj
• African and Indian people in rural Britain and their presence in British country houses
• Evidence of African and Indian people in country estates
• Depictions of black people
• Learning more about enslaved people in 18th century Britain
• Presenting histories of empire in British country houses
• Contemporary Artistic Responses
• Gatekeeping
• Emotional labour and cultural connections
• Summary