
The History of Kentchurch Court
The Scudamore family has been rooted in Herefordshire for nearly 1000 years. Over this time, they established and extended the estate, whilst playing their part in the turmoils typical of the Welsh Marches and serving the county as MPs and High Sheriffs.
11th – 14th Century
Ralph Scudamore Comes to England
The Scudamoresโ history at Kentchurch starts almost 1,000 years ago, long before records in the Domesday Book noted the familyโs estates. In 1042, some 22 years before the Norman invasion would change the lives and landscape of medieval England, Ralph Scudamore left Normandy and made the journey across the Channel at the will of King Edward the Confessor. Under the kingโs command, Ralph used his skills as a stonemason to build a new castle at Ewyas Harold to defend against Welsh insurgence.
On arrival in England, Scudamore chose the nearby village of Corras to be his home. This was a small settlement by the Monnow river, which stood opposite the present Great Corras Farm. Corras was inhabited from the 11th century but has been ruined since 1607. All that remains now is a pond, a well, and scattered remnants of buildings near the bottom of the Kentchurch drive.
The importance of the Scudamores grew steadily over the years, and in the late 14th century, Sir John Scudamore, who stood as Mayor of Hereford from 1386, left the family home at Corras and built the oldest section of todayโs Kentchurch Court. It was an impressive residence, and one which befitted the familyโs status. They did bring a little of Corras with them to their new home, though โ some stone used in the building of Kentchurch came from the chapel at Corras.
15th Century
Times of Trouble
Kentchurch Court and the Scudamores were among Englandโs first defences during the era of turmoil in the Welsh Marches. Though the family officially stood against the Welsh, Sir John was known for harbouring sympathies towards his neighbours across the border, despite being an Esquire to the King. He and the Welsh Prince Owain Glyndwr had a complicated history. Sir Johnโs second wife, Alys, was Glyndwrโs daughter, and after Glyndwrโs defeat Sir John sheltered him at Kentchurch Court until his death. It is thought that Glyndwr may even have been buried here, and legend says his spirit haunts the tower at Kentchurch.
The Scudamores continued their political involvement into the 15th century, with seven Scudamores serving in early parliaments between 1397 to 1448. During the Wars of the Roses, the Scudamores once more played an integral role in determining their countryโs future. The seventh Sir John Scudamore was a devoted Lancastrian supporter, fighting for their cause in 1461 at Mortimers Cross. Two of his sons, Henry and James, were killed in the battle. In such turbulent times, it was wise to be prepared for anything, and it is reputed that a passageway leading to a secret stable under the church was constructed beneath Kentchurch Court, just in case they needed to flee in a hurry.
16th – 18th Century
Home Improvements
Little is known of the movements of the Scudamores in the early 16th century, though in 1535, during the reign of Henry VIII, Joan and Philip Scudamore turned their energies to home improvement, adding east and west wings to the freestanding tower at Kentchurch.
Their son, another Sir John, continued in this aim and further expanded the Kentchurch estate. John served as High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1565, an MP in 1584, and a Justice of the Peace in Hereford.
The family continued to live at Kentchurch Court through the 17th and 18th centuries, with Georgian Scudamores embarking on ambitious, but somewhat stop-start, modernisation projects through this decadent, and forever evolving, period.
19th – 20th Century
Return to Kentchurch
By 1875, however, there were no Scudamores at Kentchurch. The family retained ownership of the house and estate, but lived elsewhere for several decades. The house was let out to various tenants until 1927, when it became home to the family once again.
The twentieth century saw a great deal of excitement at Kentchurch. Playwright George Bernard Shaw was a personal friend of Sybil Lucas-Scudamore, and regularly visited the house. In the spring of 1959, a disastrous flood struck, and it was only thanks to the hard work of volunteers that damaged parts of the house could be restored. The house was used as the set for Channel 4โs Regency House Party, and later featured in an episode of Country House Rescue.

House Tours
A unique opportunity to explore the interiors of our family home and dive into our history. Led by a family member or our historian, youโll find out about everything from famous guests and a freak flood to our star turn on the small screen.
Available year round, by advance booking only, for groups of 5+ people. Tours last around 1.5 hours and tickets are ยฃ15 per person.