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Robert
was succeeded by his son, Thomas Wylde II, who on his death three
years later was succeeded by Robert Wylde II. This Robert Wylde
was a barrister and Royalist Officer who was among those responsible
for surrendering the garrison at Worcester to Parliamentarian forces
in 1646. He and his wife Ann had seven children, his eldest son
Thomas Wylde III inherited the estate in 1650.
In 1695
Robert Wylde IV inherited a small estate at Glazeley in Shropshire
which was to become the familyâs main residence in his son Thomas
Wylde IVâs lifetime. Thomas stood as MP for Worcester 1701-1727,
an expensive business which impoverished the family. The Commandery
was therefore leased out and eventually mortgaged for £1500.
A Family Home
Thomas
Wylde wished to highlight his role as a prominent citizen by owning
a home outside the city walls. The Commandery had been bought to
provide this country retreat, however, having been designed as a
monastic hospital it required major improvements.
The
wealth of the family was reflected in the style in which they lived.
The Wyldes would therefore have been keen to furnish their home
in the latest style and make use of rich fabrics and the best in
decorative features which included oak panelling as extra insulation.
It was not only in the Commandery that such improvements took place.
The late 16th century saw the end of communal living conditions
offered by rooms such as the Great Hall and the development of smaller
rooms allowing greater comfort and privacy for family members.
Following
a dispute with the City authorities about the smell from the town
ditch, now the canal, the family abandoned the western wing for
the eastern wing. Improvements to this area continued into the next
century with doors, windows and decorative features in the latest
fashion being added. Outside, the gardens, at this time extending
to the hill beyond, were redesigned with a formal avenue of trees
leading to a deer park. The result of this constant improvement
was to create a building which today has features from the medieval
period right through to Victorian.
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