Dismantling of the Hunstanton Lordship

Lords of Hunstanton have enjoyed the Title, Lord High Admiral of the Wash, allowing them to own as far out into the Sea (The Wash) as far as they could throw a spear. (see book Keepers of the Kingdom) In modern day it also translates to the Hunstanton Estate having responsibility over breached whales on the beach.

Since the Spring of 1496, the land of Hunstanton had grown into an unique community that was supported by the Manorial Lordship.

By the 15th Century, Sir Roger le Strange (c.1446-1506), Esquire to the Body of Henry VII, had the opportunity to buy out his neighbouring Lord which resulted in amalgamation of the Hunstanton land holdings.

In 1894, 400 years on, a transfer of power to local councils was initiated by the passing of Local Government Act 1894. then in the 20th Century (1940’s) the Welfare system created a well needed support system for those on low incomes.

19th Century Hunstanton Heir, Henry Styleman le Strange who had produced high quality crops (wheat and corn) had already started to encounter challenges when his community began opting for cheaper food imports from abroad. This was perhaps a sign of changing times.

The transfers from Estate owners to Lloyd George’s Government in the 1940’s led to financial struggles of many ancestral homes being sold after WW2, and Hunstanton Hall was one of them.

It was under the 34th Heir of Hunstanton, when the day to let go arrived. This heir, Bernard le Strange (1900-1958) was a Grandson of Henry Styleman le Strange (1815-1862) who built the Town. He had been instilled, no doubt, with a sense of duty to the Town’s development. 

He went ahead and sold the ancestral home and its contents in 1949 “to save the Estate”. The contents included the Hunstanton Hall Organ traced across America to Historic St. Lukes Church (see restoration details). His marriage breakdown coincided with this and after a brief 3 year marriage they became estranged, which likely would have completed with a settlement figure from his Estate.

The incremental dissection of power - perhaps still evolving forced him out of the centuries old ancestral home. It was auctioned through Cruso and Wilkins.

Bernard le Strange - Background

Bernard was the 25th great-grandson of Ralph of Hunstanton, and married a little later in life, in October 1943, aged 43. He did not have any children to pass on his inheritance to. So it was passed to his first Cousins.

As a youth of 19 years, he had lost both parents. Prior to his becoming heir, his older brother Charles had assumed ‘Heir Duty’ in 1919. Bernard inherited the Hall in 1933 having already fought in WW1 and had served in both World Wars before he was married.

Bernard’s aim in selling the ancestral home was to save the Estate from crippling Taxation rates. Upon selling, he and his author wife Glwadys, the Marshioness of Townshend (of Raynham Hall), went their separate ways - they became ‘estranged’ as one might say. He retired in Jersey, while she went to live in London.

In one sense, Bernard has saved the Estate for it still thrives under le Strange Family, albeit, excluding the Home. In those days the National Trust could not afford to buy out too many properties like Hunstanton Hall, so that was not an option.

During my childhood the Family had the opportunity to once again keep their foot in the door. The last Miss le Strange, x2 great Grand-daughter of Henry Styleman le Strange lived in the West Wing between the 1960’s-1980’s, but the old led roof began to leak so the Family home (but not the Estate) was left for the last time.

Today, the modern Family continue to be proactive and involved as committee members of the local council, helping in decision making processes for the modern Town.