The house dates back to the fourteenth or fifteenth century, and was significantly altered twice, in the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. It was built on land purchased by Sir
John Fortescue (c.1394-1479), who was
Chief Justice of the King's Bench. During
World War II the house was run by the
American Red Cross for rest and recuperation for
United States Army Air Forces bomber crews. In 1970 the house was the location of an attempted murder and arson. The current Earl has three daughters and no sons. Therefore the family has been involved in a campaign to change inheritance laws. It was listed as a
grade II building by
English Heritage on 25 August 1960. ==Architecture==