The History of Sulgrave Manor

Sulgrave was originally a priory which surrendered to the Crown during the dissolution of the monastery. In 1540 three manors were sold together which included Sulgrave and was purchased by Laurence Washington a Wool Merchant and former Mayor of Northamptonshire.

In time he would be referred to as 5th times great grandfather of George Washington, the first president of the United Sates in 1789

The manor remained in the family for 3 generations before being sold to a Reverent Moss Hodges in 1673 and later purchased by the trust in 1914

In the 18th century The Culworth Gang were very active in the area, notably William Abbot the Parish Clerk of Sulgrave and a member of the Culworth Gang allegedly hid ill gotten gains in the church collection box and never performed a service without two loaded pistols. He was eventually caught and transported overseas for highway robbery

800 Years of History

Southwick Hall dates back to the 1300’s and has been home to only 3 families.

This is a venue with so much history, its difficult to fit it all in.

The house was owned from the 1300’s by the Knyvet family who were wealthy wool merchants.   One member of the Knyvet family was Lord Chancellor to Kind Edward III.   This family remained at the house until the15th century, after which, the Lynne family took ownership.

The Lynne family included scientists, lawyers, and an MP over the years so were considered a wealthy, noble family.  The MP was supposedly closely associated with the execution of Mary Queen of Scots and it is believed that the execution Warrant is hidden within the walls of Southwick Hall…

During the Victorian Era, the Capron family took over the house and estate and still own this property today.  During the last 200 years, there have been many additions to the estate such as stable blocks and these would become places of work during the World Wars for evacuees, Land Girls and Prisoners of War.

800 years of history all in one place!  This is a prime location for ghostly goings-on!!

The History of Abington Manor

If you love history then you will love this location.

The Manor House would have been at the centre of the village listed in the Domesday Book.

The name Abington is Saxon and probably means Ab’s farm and was definitely a settlement at the time of Domesday.

The manor house we see today was built in the 15th Century and was home to Shakespeare’s last remaining relative, his granddaughter Elizabeth Bernard who is buried at the church not far away.

In 1669, vast parts of the original Manor House were demolished to make way for a larger, more lavish extension, retaining of course, the Great Hall and Oak Room.

In 1845, Abington Manor was sold to a Londoner who leased out the Manor to Dr Octavius Pritchard who used the property as a mental asylum. It remained as an asylum until 1892. Conditions in the asylum are not believed to have been overly cruel or unpleasant, however it has been reported that during this time two patients hung themselves. The property further exchanged hands in 1897 when it was given to the people of Northampton. It has remained as a museum until present day.