House & Family History: Chanter's dates from the days of the 1340s college, but few traces of the 14th century building remain today. The current house is enclosed by large brick outer additions by Butterfield, including a third story. The 17th century core of Chanter's is the former Heath's Court, the Dining Room of which was used as Convention Room by Cromwell in 1645. Fairfax stayed at the House from October to December that year. In 1796 the House was purchased by poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge's second-eldest brother, James, with extensions made in the 1840s by Sir John Taylor Coleridge. In 1876 Chanter's was remodeled, with the addition of a large Library and Stables by William Butterfield for John Duke Coleridge, 1st Baron Coleridge, who was the barrister in the infamous Tichborne court case before he eventually became lord chief justice of England in 1880. In May 2006 the 6th Lord Coleridge and his family decided to sell the House, its contents, and the 30-acre estate.

Collections: In August 2006 The British Library purchased The Chanter's House archives of romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the judicial records of Lord Coleridge for "a significant six-figure sum," with £250,000 coming from the National Heritage Memorial Fund toward the purchase. The uncataloged collection consists of over 350 bound volumes and 29 large archive boxes, including an unknown autograph verse manuscript of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and significant copies of his verse. On October 24, 2006 Chanter's contents were auctioned on site by Sotheby's for £1,488,333, including 100 lots from Lord and Lady Norton of Fillongley Hall, Warwickshire. The most expensive of the 492 lots was an £84,000 portrait of the children of The Rev. Edward Coleridge of Eton College by Charles Landseer and Sir Edwin Henry Landseer (lot 68).

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: Sir John Taylor Coleridge, 19th century; John Duke Coleridge, 1st Baron Coleridge, 19th century; Coleridge family here from 1796 until 2006.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

House Open to Public: No

Website: http://www.chantershouse.com

Historic Houses Member: No