Grafton Regis Manor

In the civil parish of Grafton Regis. In the historic county of Northamptonshire (Modern Authority of Northamptonshire, 1974 county of Northamptonshire).

Manor House now mainly C17 and C19 incorporating parts of the earlier manor house. The manor house was largely destroyed by fire in 1643 during Civil War siege. This was site of manor acquired by Henry VIII in 1526. Grafton was one of Henry VIII's favourite houses. He spent several weeks there in most years of his reign from 1527 onwards, typically arriving towards the end of August and leaving in early October, often as part of a progress that included a visit to Ampthill either before or afterwards. No later sovereign showed as much interest in Grafton. About £170 was spent in 1551-3 and £450 in 1553-4 on repairs to the mansion, which was described as the queen's 'stately honor house' in 1558, but Elizabeth visited Grafton on only three occasions, in 1564, 1568 and 1575, each of which led to minor expenditure.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SP75874688

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 343016
Further information may be available from the holder of the county Historic Environment Record. In particular 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website, or elsewhere.

• Web site links
  • http://www.grafton-regis.co.uk/framecd.html
• Books
  • Riden, Philip and Insley Charles (eds), 2002, 'Grafton Regis' VCH Northamptonshire Vol5 p142-76 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22784
    Thurley, Simon, 1993, The Royal Palaces of Tudor England (Yale University Press) p49, 130, 157, 189
    Colvin, H.M., Ransome, D.R. and Summerson, John, 1982, The history of the King's Works, vol4: 1485-1660 (part 2) (London) p92-6
• Antiquarian (Histories and accounts from late medieval and early modern writers)
  • William Camden, 1607, Britannia [http://www.philological.bham.ac.uk/cambrit/huntseng.html#norts4]
• Other sources, 'grey' literature, unpublished works, etc. (Theses, in-house reports and other such)
  • The History of Grafton Regis and the Grafton Estate on CD (Grafton Regis Millennium Committee)