Built in 1270 as the abbots house for St Marys Abbey which is situated behind

the manor.
Henry was appointed Head of the church of England in 1534.
The abbey was dissolved during Henry VIIIs Dissolution of the monasteries in
1539 and so the manor was retained by the crown and no longer used by the
abbey for its previous purpose.
It became the Head Quarters for the council of the north, using the current
refectory caf as the council chamber.
Remaining features generally date back to the 1560s
In 1561 it became the official residence of the President of the council
Under the Earl of Huntingdon between 1572 to 92, several extensions were
added including residential wings and service buildings.
Henry VIII, Charles I and James I all stayed here
1st courtyard added later
Building from 1560 onwards was done re-using stone work from st marys abbey
Charles I coat of arms above the main entrance. N is backwards
Bullet holes in second court yard from Civil war.