Earlier Houses: The Abbey of St. Mary and St. John the Evangelist was founded in 1232 on the site of the current house by Peter de Roches, Bishop of Winchester, for Premonstratensian canons, also known as the white canons.

Built / Designed For: Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton

House & Family History: The abbey was seized during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and granted, through bribery and coercion, to Thomas Wriothesley, who converted the main abbey building into a private home that he named Place House. By the late 18th century the house was seen as old fashioned and out-of-date; thus, the Delme family, who'd lived here since the 1740s, abandoned Place House specifically with the idea that the house would become an eye catcher in the park—a romantic ruin, a trend that was then popular among country house owners. The transformation of the house into a ruin was greatly helped along by the locals, who freely took the stone from Place House for use in their own homes. They even removed interior elements; the Bugle Hotel in Titchfield, for example, contains a large fireplace removed from Place House. The house has had an impressive history of royal visitors. The 2nd Earl of Southampton entertained Edward VI and Elizabeth I here during the 16th century; the 4th Earl hosted Charles I twice in the 17th century (1625 and 1647); and, in 1675, Charles II visited Edward, 1st Earl of Gainsborough (first creation), at Titchfield. The 3rd Earl of Southampton was a patron of Shakespeare, so it's not a surprise that it's claimed that "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Romeo and Juliet," were first performed at Place House.

Garden & Outbuildings: The 1st Earl of Southampton's gatehouse (see "Images" section), the most complete building that remains on the site today, incorporates the nave of the medieval abbey's church.

Country Life: XLV, 338, 1919.

House Listed: Scheduled Ancient Monument

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton, 1537-50; Henry Wriothesley, 2nd Earl of Southampton, 1550-81; Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, 1581-1624; Thomas Wriothesley, 4th Earl of Southampton, 1624-67. Edward Noel, 1st Earl of Gainsborough (first creation), until 1689. Henry Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort, until 1741. Delme family, 1741-81.

Current Ownership Type: English Heritage

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

House Open to Public: Grounds Only

Phone: 01329-842-133

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No