Northborough Manor / Claypoole Manor

Northborough Manor / Claypoole Manor

Ghost of Elizabeth Cromwell

This grade I listed manor is where Oliver Cromwell's daughter Elizabeth once lived with her husband.The political leader frequently visited Northborough Manor, Peterborough, to see his favourite daughter and husband John Claypole who first moved into the property after the English Civil War - which ended in 1651.

According to some reports, Cromwell even spent a Christmas at the Manor, which comprises of two buildings - a eight-bedroom main manor and a separate four-bedroom Gatehouse.During his visit, he slept in a room now referred to as 'Cromwell's closet'. His wife - also called Elizabeth - later died in that very room.

The ghost of Elizabeth has reportedly been seen walking in the courtyard at midnight - Some say Cromwell himself haunts here...

Alternatively called Claypoole Manor for its 16th-century owner, James Cleypole

The historical property also has links to the US, as John Claypole's brothers were involved in the early settlement of the state of Pennsylvania - recognised in 1975 by the Governor of the State who presented a flag to be flown at the property.

The Manor was built between 1333 and 1336 by Roger de Norburgh who received the Estate in the early 14th Century.

Wealthy de Norburgh was Chancellor of Cambridge University, Canon of Lincoln and Hereford and Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry. Although the manor was not his official residence, he built the property to be what was in effect a Bishop's Palace.

It is thought that William de Eyton, the Master Mason and Architect of Litchfield Cathedral, built the Manor.

Over the next 200 years, it was passed between owners before it was bought by James Claypole in 1572.

Claypole extended the Gatehouse for his staff and built the Dovecots. He also built a tomb in the local church before his death in 1599.

It was his great grandson, also called John, that married Elizabeth Cromwell during the Civil War in 1646.

After the war, which ended in 1651, Elizabeth and John moved to Northborough to live with the Claypoles.

Cronwell visited the couple regularly there - spending one Christmas at the Manor as he and John's father were old friends.

One of the rooms is now called 'Cromwell's Closet' - a room over the south porch - as he slept in the room while visiting.

After Oliver died in 1658, his widow - also called Elizabeth - moved to live at the Manor. She is thought to have died in 1665 in 'Cromwell's Closet'.

John Claypole's brothers Edward, James and Norton emigrated and played a role in the early settlement of the state of Pennsylvania.

The link to Northborough was recognised officially by the Governor of the State in 1975 when the State flag was presented to be flown at the Manor.

One of the Claypole brother's descendents was a friend of George Washington. He is thought to have printed the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the Unites States and Washington's Farewell Address to the American People.

John Claypole sold the Manor before his death in 1688.

The Manor eventually became a farmhouse and was restored to its current glory in the early 1970s by architect Roy Genders.

This medieval complex, which consists of the manor, a gatehouse, a dovecote and various outbuildings, was once moated. It all sits behind a tall stone wall, with an arched gate that leads into a courtyard buffering the house from the modern paved road just outside. This wall apparently had been joined to the town’s defensive walls for extra security. It is said to be one of the last remaining medieval defensible homes in Cambridgeshire.

The Grade I-listed 14th century manor where Oliver Cromwell spent Christmases with his daughter was up for sale in 2016 for £1.5 million.

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Photos from /www.rightmove.co.uk unless stated