The ownership of Birtsmorton Court can be traced for nearly a thousand years, although the early medieval record is incomplete. Below is a summary of the principal owners and families.
Date Owner / Family Notes
Before 1066 Saxon landholders The manor existed before the Norman Conquest.
1086 The Crown / Norman tenants Recorded in the Domesday Book as a manor.
12th–14th centuries de Brute (or Bret) family Early medieval lords from whom the place-name may derive. The manor passed through several related families during this period.
c.1424–1704 The Nanfan family The family's greatest period. Sir John Nanfan purchased the estate in 1424–25 and largely rebuilt the Court. Successive generations enlarged and improved it.
1704–1771 Catherine Nanfan and her descendants On the death of Bridges Nanfan, the last male heir, the estate passed to his daughter Catherine. Through her marriages it entered the Coote family.
1771–1779 Coote family (Earls of Bellomont) Catherine's granddaughter Judith died in 1771, after which the Coote family inherited before selling the estate.
Late 18th century Huskisson family The Court was leased and occupied by the family of William Huskisson, who was born there in 1770. Ownership changed hands during this period.
19th century Several private owners The house underwent restoration by architect Frederick Sandys Waller in 1871–72.
c.1900–mid-20th century Francis Bradley-Birt Author and landowner who commissioned rebuilding of the east range after an earlier fire. He married Lady Norah Spencer-Churchill.
c.1960s–present The Dawes family The Court has been the home of the Dawes family for over 60 years and is now a private residence and wedding venue.
The Nanfan owners in order
The principal Nanfan succession is:
Sir John Nanfan (acquired Birtsmorton in 1424–25; died c.1447)
Richard Nanfan
Sir Richard Nanfan (c.1445–1507), trusted servant of Henry VII
John Nanfan
Giles Nanfan, who remodelled the house around 1572
Several later generations, including Richard, John, and Bridges Nanfan
Bridges Nanfan (1623–1704), the last male owner of the family
Catherine Nanfan, who inherited in 1704
BIRTSMORTON COURT OWNERSHIP
