Melville House
Encyclopedia
Melville House lies to the southside of Monimail in Fife
. It was built in 1697 by the architect James Smith
(c.1645 - 1731) for George Melville, 1st Earl of Melville
, incorporating the 14th Century Monimail Tower. The Melville State Bed was given to the Victoria and Albert Museum
in London in 1949 where it is described as " the most spectacular single exhibit in the Victoria and Albert Museum's British Galleries". During the 20th Century the house was used to billet Polish
soldiers during World War II
and later as reform school for boys.
It is the most expensive repossessed property in Britain.
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
. It was built in 1697 by the architect James Smith
James Smith (architect)
James Smith was a Scottish architect, who pioneered the Palladian style in Scotland. He was described by Colen Campbell, in his Vitruvius Britannicus , as "the most experienced architect of that kingdom".-Biography:...
(c.1645 - 1731) for George Melville, 1st Earl of Melville
George Melville, 1st Earl of Melville
George Melville, 1st Earl of Melville was a Scots aristocrat and statesman during the reigns of William and Mary.In 1643, he succeeded his father as Lord Melville.-Career:...
, incorporating the 14th Century Monimail Tower. The Melville State Bed was given to the Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum , set in the Brompton district of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, England, is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects...
in London in 1949 where it is described as " the most spectacular single exhibit in the Victoria and Albert Museum's British Galleries". During the 20th Century the house was used to billet Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
soldiers during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and later as reform school for boys.
It is the most expensive repossessed property in Britain.