Monkton House

[1] In the 12th century Cluniac monks of the Order of Saint Benedict founded a monastery at Monkton Farleigh, acquiring land in the neighbourhood.

On the Dissolution of the Monasteries the priory and abbey land, including the manor of Monkton, were given to Sir Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford.

A chimney-piece with heavy carving, believed to be part of an altar tomb from Monkton Farleigh Priory is in one of the bedrooms.

At some point during the English Civil War the household was forced to accommodate soldiers fighting for Cromwell's Parliamentarian army.

Possibly John's building programme stretched his finances as he was labelled a delinquent (1649–50) and his estate was sequestered.