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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Goodwood House
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(6km/4m NE of Chichester) House which has developed from a hunting lodge bought in 1697 by the 1st duke of Richmond, the illegitimate son of *Charles II and Louise de Kéroualle. The present building is largely the creation of the 3rd duke, who in 1760 commissioned *Chambers to rebuild the house and later employed James *Wyatt to enlarge it. He also brought back many of its most precious contents from his time as ambassador to *Louis XV – French furniture, *Sèvres china and *Gobelin tapestries on the theme of *Don Quixote.
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In the last years of his life the same duke inaugurated the races on top of the downs, to the north of the house, which have been an annual event since 1801. The main meeting, traditionally known as Glorious Goodwood, is held over five days in July. The oldest race, the Goodwood Cup, has been held since 1812; but the Stewards' Cup (first run in 1840) and the Sussex Stakes (1841) now have a higher profile. From 1948 to 1966 Goodwood was also the scene of top-class motor racing, on the perimeter of a wartime airfield, until the greater speed of modern cars made the track too dangerous.
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