HOUSE AND ESTATE
HISTORY
16th century
The Knights and the building of Chawton House
In April 1551, the land was sold for £180 to John Knight, whose family had been tenant farmers in Chawton since the thirteenth century and who had prospered sufficiently to wish to acquire a large estate. The medieval manor house was replaced by John Knight's grandson, also called John, with the largely Elizabethan house that can be seen today. The building work began in 1583 and continued for some thirty years. The family contributed £50 to Elizabeth I's fighting fund for the Battle of the Armada for which they were rewarded with a commemorative fireback (dated 1588) which can still be seen in the Great Hall.
