Earlier Houses: There was probably an earlier house on, or near the site of the current house.

House & Family History: The English political theorist and philosopher Sir Robert Filmer was seated at East Sutton Park in the 17th century. Sir Robert's best-known work, "Patriarcha, or The Natural Power of Kings," defends the divine right of kings on the basis that the authority of all modern countries derived from the Biblical patriarchs. Published posthumously in 1680, the book endorses patriarchy at every level of human society as the natural order of things. During World War II East Sutton was requisitioned by the government and served as a youth detention center (a borstal); it became a prison after the war.

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.s. Vol. I, p. 104, 1854.

Country Life: XIX, 666, 1906.

House Listed: Grade II

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir Robert Filmer, 1629-53; Sir Edward Filmer, 1653-68; Sir Robert Filmer, 1st Bt., 1668-76; Sir Robert Filmer, 2nd Bt., 1676-1720; Sir Edward Filmer, 3rd Bt., 1720-55; Sir John Filmer, 4th Bt., 1755-97; Sir Beversham Filmer, 5th Bt., 1797-1805; Sir Edmund Filmer, 6th Bt., 1805-34; Sir John Filmer, 7th Bt., 1834; Sir Edmund Filmer, 8th Bt., 1834-57; Sir Edmund Filmer, 9th Bt., 1857-86; Sir Robert Marcus Filmer, 10th Bt., 1886-1916; Filmer family here from 1418 until 1916.

Current Ownership Type: Government

Primary Current Ownership Use: Other

Ownership Details: Today HM Prison East Sutton Park, a women's open prison and young offenders institution.

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No