Somerleyton

At the time of the Domesday Book, the manor of Somerleyton was held by the king. It was named Sumerledetuna and was recorded as having 17 families living in the village. The manor was owned by the Jernegan family from the early 14th century. The family built Somerleyton Hall in around 1579. The hall was bought by Sir Thomas Wentworth in the early 17th century and was substantially remodelled by the Wentworth family as a mansion house. This included a 52 ha deer park which was established by 1652. The estate was occupied by Parliamentarian troops a number of times during the Civil War and was purchased by Admiral Sir Thomas Allin in 1669. It remained in Allin's family until it was acquired…