According to English Heritage (October 1993), "The structure was built in the later part of the 15th Century as two separate house with central open halls, the more substantial one receiving a wing at right angles soon afterwards.  The Halls were floored over in the 16th Century and, notably, the right angled wing was partially remodelled in the mid-18th Century - and the Venetian window inserted - to create a fine fashionable Drawing Room.  Despite these and other modernisations through to the 19th Century, at the time of dismantling it was considered that an unusually large amount of the original structure had survived intact".

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The UK property specialists at Bidwells report that, as of Q4 2016, Grade II* listings accounted for just 6% of all listed buildings.

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The timber-framed building dating from the late 15th Century was dismantled in 1982 (with listed consent) to make way for a new development.  It was during its demolition when English Heritage became concerned that the building was discovered to be historically and more significantly important than had been previously recognised.  English Heritage stated in a letter dated 21st October, 1993, "Had this been realised sooner, no doubt a more compelling case for retention in situ would have been made, for here was potentially Grade II* material".  The Royal Commission for Historic Monuments analysed the structures and they were recorded.  The parts were carefully dismantled and stored in expectation that re-assembly elsewhere might be undertaken.

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Later studies conclude that the structure was built as one house, most probably as a large house for a wealthy merchant with an open central hall containing no cross beams but decorative arch braced collar trusses, which form a graceful gothic arch in the cathedral ceiling and a warehouse store forming one wing of the building.

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The medieval structure was purchased in 1982 by Stanley J. Seeger (1930-2011) who was regarded as one of the greatest post-war art collectors of our time.  In 1980, Seeger had bought the Grade I listed Tudor manor house Sutton Place, the former home of the American oil magnate Paul Getty, near Guildford in Surrey, for £8 million in 1980 (equivalent to £33,690,000 in 2018).  At the time, this was the highest price ever paid for a British property.  It was the intention to reassemble the building within the grounds of Sutton Place.  Following the purchase, the structure was stored at Ladygrove Farm on the Sutton Place estate.

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When purchased, the inventory of the structure was described as follows:

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• House Frame

• Large stone fireplace with four-centred arch

• Small stone fireplace with four-centred arch

• Plain stone fireplace

• Later stone fireplace with cast iron grate

• 2 Victorian cast iron and tiled fireplaces

• 2 cottage grates

• Cottage plank doors

• Damaged Palladian window and sash frame

• Various sash and casement windows

• 1 damaged 17th Century panelled door with scratch mouldings

• 1 17th Century door with unusual applied diamond panels

• 1 early 18th Century fielded door with decorative hinges

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Seeger sold Sutton Place in 1986 and the structure was purchased by Master Woodcarver, Colin J Mantripp, who had worked with Seeger for many years and had undertaken restoration and renovation works in many of Seeger's properties.  Since that time, the structure has been kept in dry storage at Lillyfee Woodcarving Studio, the business premises of Mr Mantripp.

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In addition to the original inventory, now included are:

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• Measured plans showing the numbered beams.

• Architects plans for reassembly and construction

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This rare structure is now available for sale.  Please contact Colin Mantripp on 01494 671690 for more detailed information.

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