Fawsley, Daventry, England

The following is from the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.

HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT

The manor of Fawsley was bought in 1416 by Richard Knightley, a successful Staffordshire lawyer. It remained in the hands of that family until the 1930s. The present house was begun by Richard's grandson, also Richard (died 1534), who married a wealthy Northamptonshire heiress. Sir Richard Knightley (died 1615), who inherited in 1566, entertained the Queen at Fawsley in 1575. After a century of long minorities and premature deaths Lucy Knightley (died 1738), who inherited in 1728, began building again in 1732. The family represented the county in Parliament throughout the 18th century, and in 1798 Sir John (died 1812) was created baronet. Building continued under his nephew Sir Charles (died 1864) and the latter's son Rainald (died 1895). The house was unoccupied after 1913, and the contents were sold in 1914. The last baronet, Rev Henry Francis Knightley, died in 1938 and the house passed to the sixth Viscount Gage. The house and the former park remain (1998) in private ownership.