Broadlands

The Palmerston Room, And the Gun Room

Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (1784-1865) became the owner of Broadlands at seventeen, like his father. He was a political giant and statesman. His forthright policies as Foreign Minister and Prime Minister boldly expressed Victorian Britain's confidence in her commercial strength; in the great fleet that protected British interests all over the world; and in her right to play a leading role in international affairs.

He was no Victorian in the narrow sense of the word and he was handsome and warm-hearted, a 'character' popular with the public. He is the only Prime Minister to have twice increased his majority by an appeal to the electorate. In spite of his preoccupations with state affairs, he found time for the people of Romsey and their affairs. Like other owners of Broadlands he was elected High Steward.

A prodigiously hard-working man, Palmerston still managed to be a sporting country gentleman. The coming of the railway in 1840 gave him more opportunities to enjoy life at Broadlands. Before this he regularly travelled the 80 miles from London to Broadlands for the weekend either on horseback or later by coach. The large portrait over the fireplace shows Prime Minister Palmerston on horseback outside the Palace of Westminster. He died in of fice two days befo re his 81st birthday, still Prime Minister.

Other portraits in the room show the 1st Lord and Lady Palmerston, the 2nd Lord Palmerston, the 3rd Lady Palmerston and her brother, Prime Minister Melbourne. Confidential papers and plans of the Crimea sent to the 3rd Lord Palmerston in 1855 are displayed on the desk at which he stood when working.

The associations with the Palmerstons are carried through to the Gun Room where the sporting interests of Broadlands and its owners are reflected.

The pictures above the fireplace are coloured engravings by George Stubbs of Prime Minister Palmerston's race horses."James Bell, Gamekeeper to the Rt. Hon. Viscount Lord Palmerston," is depicted on the large jug kept in this room.

Of the various trophies mounted on the walls, two were shot by Lord Mount batten in India in 1948. The large antlers are a plaster cast from the Battenberg Stag which died in Upper Hesse in 1763. It was found to have a record 32 'points' on its antlers. A painting and an engraving of the stag by Eger and a silver medal struck to commemorate the animal are displayed. Lord Romsey's guns are displayed in the cabinet and Lady Romsey keeps her salmon fishing rods and tackle in this room. The walking sticks arranged on the wall were collected by Lord Mountbatten. Broadlands has always attracted many distinguished visitors with such historically rich treasures and continues to do so to this day.