Celebrity Genealogy      Research - My Family

Nellie Lisa Bass: A Glimpse into a Historic British Family and Rangemore Hall

Nellie Lisa Bass, the wife of my fourth cousin Colonel James Evan Bruce Baillie of Dochfour, caught my attention while researching the Baillie family. Her portrait, exuding grace and poise, inspired me to explore her fascinating family history.

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The Bass Family: Brewing, Royalty, and British Heritage

Nellie Lisa Bass was part of the notable Bass family, descendants of William Bass, founder of the iconic Bass Brewery. Established in 1777 in Burton-upon-Trent, Bass Brewery became famous for its Bass Pale Ale, which was once the best-selling ale in Great Britain. By 1877, Bass Brewery had grown to become the largest brewery in the world.

Over the years, Bass Brewery acquired several other breweries and continues to exist today, having been acquired by Interbrew (now Anheuser-Busch InBev) in 2000, then sold to Molson-Coors due to UK government regulations. Interestingly, the Bass Pale Ale brand remains with Anheuser-Busch InBev. The brewery’s iconic red triangle logo was the first registered trademark in the UK and is still used today. Notably, a bottle of Bass Ale even appears in Monet’s famous painting, "A Bar at the Folies-Bergère."

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Rangemore Hall: The Bass Family Estate

The wealth of the Bass family allowed them to build Rangemore Hall, an opulent estate that would eventually pass down to Nellie Lisa Bass, the 2nd Baroness of Burton.

Rangemore Hall evolved over the years:

• 1822: The estate began modestly.

• 1850s: Expanded by Michael Thomas Bass, head of Bass, Ratcliff & Gretton Brewery.

• 1860: Michael Thomas Bass and his family took residence.

• Late 1800s: Michael Arthur Bass, his son, further expanded the estate, adding the Edward VII wing between 1898-1901 in preparation for a royal visit.

 

King Edward VII visited Rangemore Hall twice—once in 1902 and again on January 5, 1907—accompanied by Queen Alexandra and, discreetly, his mistress Alice Keppel. A private room was arranged for the king and his companion to ensure privacy.

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Nellie Lisa Bass and the Legacy of Rangemore Hall

Nellie Lisa Bass inherited Rangemore Hall after her father’s passing. Following the death of her first husband, she remarried but was widowed again. By 1949, the estate had become too large for her needs, and she sold it to Staffordshire County Council, which converted it into a school for the partially deaf.

Today, Rangemore Hall is a listed historic building that has been divided into luxury flats, preserving its architectural grandeur for generations. A historic photograph of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra’s 1907 visit is also available for viewing.

To explore the luxury of Rangemore Hall today, see the detailed guide here: Rangemore Hall Luxury Flats