H is for House

There are records for the Manor of Lackham that go back to Anglo-Saxon times when it was part of Aelfstan's lands, one of the richest Wiltshire thegns (a man who held land from the King).

Following the Norman Conquest it was given to William d'Eu. There was a manor house on the Lackham site in the early Norman Period where King William I was entertained. Later, it was described as: “Of various periods from the Norman downwards and presented an appearance of rude grandeur rather than the beauty of regular architectural proportion. It stood completely embosomed in woods. The great hall was hung with armour.”

This house was demolished and replaced around 1793-1795 by the present day Lackham House although this too has undergone a number of structural changes including the addition of a third storey to accommodate the burgeoning family (13 children!) of one of its owners Captain Rooke. In 1831 he purchased the estate for
£30,000 and in all probability rescued the house from ruin as it was advertised as ‘soon to be pulled down' on the Sale Poster.

At the end of the 19th century a number of other significant additions and changes were made to the House by its then owner George Llewellen Palmer. Details of these and other building developments, the families and a degree of scandal can be found in a number of publications by local author Tony Pratt.

To find out more or indeed if you have any other evidence that might be useful to Tony in his research into Lackham, he would be delighted to hear from you: Tel 01249 445189. Chetwynd222@aol.com

Extracts taken from: 'The Manor of Lackham its owners and some historical connections' by Tony Pratt (Publ. 2002)