It was added in 1310 by the first Robert Thorpe to a manor house that had been fortfied in 1263 by Sir Willaim de Thorpe. The interior contains the best-surviving example of English mediæval wall paintings in northern Europe, which survived under a layer of whitewash. This varied "spiritual encyclopedia" of worldly and religious subjects includes the Wheel of Life, the Nativity and King David. It is thought that either this Robert or his son Robert were responsible for commissioning the paintings in the Great Chamber.
Most of the estates of the Thorpe family, including Longthorpe Tower, subsequently passed to the family of Wyttilbury of Milton and Marholm when ,in 1391, John Wytilbury assumed the arms and insignia of William Thorpe. These holdings were later acquired (at the end of the fifteenth or early in sixteenth century) by the Fitzwilliams of Milton. They still belong to their descendant , Earl Fitzwilliam , by whom the Tower was presented in 1947 to the nation.
- Today's opening times
- Open for pre-booked guided tours only on the first Sunday of the month from 1 April – 30th September. To book please call 01536 203230 during office hours.
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