Chaperone’s Seat

The original idea was that a young Lady wishing to court a suitable gentleman, would take her place on the Chaperone’s seat, where she would be joined by her gentleman friend. To ensure that decorum was maintained and that nothing untoward was suggested or spoken of, an older member of the household, such as an Aunt, would take the third seat of the chaperone’s seat and listen to the conversation! What a passion killer for prospective young couples of the time! This was a piece of Castle Green House furnishing introduced by Barbara Wood in 1940, although the item is much earlier.

Originally upholstered in a blue/lilac silk damask. As can be seen from the second photograph, it suffered severe water damage and vandalism during the 1980’s at the Castle. 

Sold to Cross Inn Antiques at the auction of Castle items in 2002, it was then in desperate need of re-stuffing and re-buttoning. 

Purchased by Ifor and Myfanwy Lloyd, Pennant, who restored and reupholstered the Sofa, they kindly offered to sell it to the Trust in the summer of 2024.