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The Fitzherbert Family – one of Derbyshire’s most well-to-do families who, among their assets, owned Caribbean land plantations which fed their local wealth.

They had sugar plantations in Barbados and Jamaica and in a family will, the father, William, bequeathed the Barbados plantation called Turner's Hall to his son, Anthony.Ìý

They still own Tissington Hall which is a famous hall in the county and William was the first baronet of the Hall.

While the Slave Trade existed, other local and national families, not just the Fitzherberts , saw their wealth increase.

The assets of the British Empire spread far and wide. Consequently, the modern British economy has benefited financially , via slave trading profits passing through family wills and businesses established or enriched with slave funds then, thriving to this day.

Tissington Hall itself was built in 1609 for Francis Fitzherbert possibly incorporating parts of an earlier hall.

The property had become a seat of the Fitzherberts around 1465 when Nicholas the second son of John Fitzherbert of Somersal married the Tissington heiress.

Improvements were made to the house by William FitzHerbert in 1670 and it was remodelled at the end of the 18th century.

A major restoration took place in 1910 when the library wing was added. The house contains some fine furniture and furnishings. The terraced gardens were laid out in 1913 and offer lovely views over the surrounding countryside.

The present owner Sir Richard FitzHerbert opened Tissington to the public for the first time in 1998 and it may be visited at various days during May to August.

Devon Daley