At the start of the 14th century, Robert Thorpe built the tower as an extension to an existing fortified manor house.

Thorpe had worked his way to relative wealth through the local Peterborough Abbey, and the tower may have been something of a status symbol.

[3] The paintings show religious, secular and moral themes and the quality is comparatively good for a provincial work.

[5] Historian Clive Rouse considers that "no comparable scheme...of such completeness and of such early date exists in England".

[6] The property is now owned by English Heritage and is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Monument protected by law.