Knigthon Gorges

The Elizabethan Manor House at Knigthon Gorges had a colourful history of ownership until its sad demolition in 1821. Research paints an interesting picture of how the great house came into decline: Sir Henry Englefried had once described the Manor House to be considerable and beautiful. It was only its history that was strange and tragic, with the violence and sex-problem that still happen today. They play a big part in its life and death.

This is the story of Knighton Gorges. A s far as it is known, it is a story of successive tragedy. The front, to the north, is from the age of Elizabeth 1st. The windows are large, divided by stone, millions square-headed. The whole house, except for the chimneys, contains several large and convenient rooms, of which were very elegant. The north front had a drawing room on the first floor, which is spacious and handsome with a very long gallery. A very low roof and ill-lightedlessness eerily extends through the centre of the house. There are no painted glass windows, except one coat of arms. But this appears to be of an older date.

The story of Knighton Gorges can also be traced back to the 27th December 1170, when Becket Aragediea of Canterbury was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral by four knights. Reginald Fizure, Richard Brito, William Tray and Hugh de Morvile are thought to be the knights who scattered, maybe because of the horror that may sweep England and the Christian world. Louis, King of France, was supposed to be echoing the ill-feeling of outrage shown by the English people. He wrote a letter to the Pope, pushing him to punish Henry 2nd, describing Henry as a persecuter of God, a noro in cruelty, a Julian in the murders. Hugh de Morville was supposed to have fled to the Isle of Wight for safety to Carisbrooke Castle. When the uproar following Becket's murder had calmed down, he retired to his home at the Manor House Knighton. Apparently he lived there for the next 30 years. He was never brought to justice, but could not have had peace on his mind during his time away in the year 1200. He was succeeded by his son John. But in the next generation, the male line failed. In 1256 the Manor House of Knighton was passed on to Ralph de Gorges. Three years previously he married Ellen de Morville. The Gorges family lived at Knighton for the next one hundred years and they changed the name to the Manor House Knighton Gorges.

The fisrt Sir Ralph went on a crusade in 1270, and come back two years later penniless, and passed away shortly after. His son Ralph (2nd), who was born in 1254, also went on a crusade in the year 1274. He did better than his father, for he returned a very rich gentleman. But his fortune did not last long, however, as he was reported to have been fighting in France in th year 1294, and he passed away in a French prison. His son Ralph (3rd) inherited Knighton Gorges. Theobald de Gorge was recorded as the Lord of the Manor House Knighton Gorges in the year 1365. He was picked out to organise the defences of the district surrounding Quarr Abbey with Reynold Orlander the Lord of Nunwell as his Lieutenant.

Knighton Gorges was then passed on to the Hacket family of Wolverton in Bembridge. John Hacket, (who was Sir John Gilbert of Whitecombe in Somerset) married Joan Gilbert, who passed away in the year 1502. When he died, he was buried in Quarr Abbey in 1563.

The descendants of Joan Gilbert sold the Manor House Knighton Gorges to Anthony Dillington's family who held Knighton Gorges for two hundred years , rebuilding the Manor House and becoming a very important Isle of Wight family. But with the Dillingtons, tragedy struck for Knighton Gorges. Anthony Dillington married twice, his first wife being Ann Reade, a welsh woman, with whom he had two sons and four daughters. His second wife was a widow of a Southampton merchant called Goddard Anthany. Ann's (first wife ) eldest son Robert is mentioned in the Oglander memoirs, and consequently we know very little about this gentleman. He passed away childless in the year 1604.Sir John Oglander (mentioned earlier) was very qualified to to write about the Dillingtons, for his mother was Ann Dillington, the eldest daughter of Anthony and Ann mentioned above, making Sir Robert Dillington his uncle. Sir Robert was in trouble with the authorities in the year 1588, over a disagreement with Sir George Cary, the Captain of the Isle of Wight . The latter, who was top Captain who styled himself as Governor, was not popular at all with the Isle of Wight gentry for his high-handedness and autocratic Manor House, and particularly by the vigorous way in which he

reorganiseed all of the island's defences against the threat of the Armada in the year 1588. Later, with hindsight, it was grudgingly admitted that his efforts had been very successful. But at his time, he had many detractors, the most outspoken being Sir Robert Dillington, and for a short time he was committed to a fleet prison in London. He was only released after a spirited appeal signed by some of the gentleman of the Isle of Wight, as well as Sir Robert's younger brother Tristram. Tristam had married Cecily Goddard. It was Tristram and Cecily's son,

Robert, who inherited Knighton Gorges from his uncle in the year 1604. Sir John Oglander did not have a very high opinion of this young Robert Dillington, and was nothing, if not forthright, about for the friends he knew. He certainly paints an interesting picture of Robert Dillington, who as forecast, went on to be a rich gentleman, buying not only Mottistone, but also purchasing the Manors of Westover, Calbourne and Budridge.

In the year 1628, Robert bought a Baronetcy. One of the 40 that were distributed by Duke of Buckingham to his chief following in line for money. They sold to the highest bidder, the best price being ?150 to ?200. The Dillingtons continued to hold Knight Gorges for the next one hundred years, the next male of their line being the tragic figure of Sir Tristram Dillington, who passed away in 1721. His life and death remain a mystery, which probably will never be solved, though several conflicting accounts have been put forward on his death. One story says that he passed away in 1721, committing suicide. Though whether he shot himself, of drowned in the ornamental lake, it is not clear. Opinions also differ as to whether he was a bachelor or married, and if whether he had four or five children. One of the interesting facts of his life that have been somewhat overlooked, is the connection with Yarmouth, at the Western end of the Isle of Wight. At this time, the Borough of Yarmouth was in a very sorry state. Being riddled with corruption, the Council of the Coporation, consisting of a few self-elected men who were in it only for what they could get out. A struggle for control of the council was developing before the 18th century, between the Holmes family ( who had been in control since Sir Robert Holmes became governor of the Isle of Wight and who passed away in the year 1692) and family friend of Anthony Morgan (esq Tristram Dillington). In the year 1708 he was elected Chief Burgess of Yarmouth. The council met once a year only, two or three Burgesses being present, and as the struggle for power developed, attendances improved. Gradually, the Morgans ousted the Holmes. Until 1716, Morgan and Dillington , and their associates were in full control. Sir Tristram, who was the Mayor of Yarmouth (at that time) died in 1718, and Anthony Morgan followed him in 1719. What really happened to Dillington, and whether he died in 1719 of 1721, no-one will ever know.

But the contact between the Manor House, Knight Gorges and Yarmouth did not end with his death. His immediate successors where his sisters Mary and Hannah, and some years later, the estate was passed on to his nephew Maurice Bocland. In the year 1732, Bocland became a Chief Burgess of Yarmouth. He represented the Borough as one of thr Members of Parliment in 1733 and 1740, and sudsequently became Mayor in the year 1747 and 1750. Then finally the Manor House, Knighton Gorges estate, was passed to Bocland's grandson George Maurice Bisset. He was the last phase of its eventfulhistory which had began at the time of 1800. The house was visited by Sir Henry England, who described it in some great detail, in the history of the Isle of Wight. Richard Worsley also refers to this chapel-like building, and states that it was built by the third Sir Ralph de Gorge,Maurice Bisset

The Manor House became the centre of fashionable society, with so many well known people in the world of art, including David Garrick and sir Joshua Reynolds, being among the visitors. Bisset himself became very friendly with Sir Richard Worsley, Captain of the Isle of Wight, but his wife in due course, became one of the innumerble lovers. In the year 1781, they eloped, and the subsequent scandle not only put a end to the romance, but also ruined the career of Sir Richard, and drove Bissett into an almost hermit-like existence. In the seclusion of Knighton Gorges, he lived for at least another 40 years, marrying and having two daughters, the eldest being Jane Harriet Bisset. She fell in love with her cousin, a clergyman. His name was Fenwick, and for some reason her father did not like the idea of them marrying. Bisset swore that if they disobeyed his wishes and married, they would never set foot in Knighton Gorges again. But, in spite of this they went on to marry. In the year 1821, a dying George Maurice Bisset moved into his gardener's cottage, and had the ancient Manor House pulled down stone by stone until nothing was there, just the cellars, which still remain today. The once proud gateposts are still visible , and can be seen overlooking the Vale of Newchurch.The Elizabethian Knighton Gorges Manor House was demolished back in 1821 and is believed to have been one of the most beautiful houses on the Isle of Wight, but one that seemed destined to bring only unhappiness to whoever owned it.

The Ghosts of Knighton Gorges
With its history of smugglers, murder, suicide, malice and insanity, Knighton Gorges is described as being the most haunted place on the Isle of Wight. The area of Knighton is also an environmental magnet for ghostly manifestation. The reappearance of the house itself every New Year's Eve at midnight is of particular interest, and warrants investigations and gatherings of Islanders at that time of year. Although the Manor was demolished in 1821, the story of it and its ghosts dates back to 1920. A young traveller wanted to take shelter on the night of 31st December, and walked up the drive to the Manor, which appeared to have a party in full swing. On his walk up the driveway, he heard the thundering of horses hooves and the wheels of a carriage. He dived out of the way to avoid being hit, only to discover that there was nothing there. He could hear music and laughter, and peered through the window to see people dressed in Georgian costume. Assuming it was a fancy dress party, he banged on the door, only to receive no reply. Believing that the music was too loud for him to be heard, he decided to walk to the next Manor for shelter. Whilst having his meal, he enquired about the other Manor with the party, only to discover that it had been demolished 100 years previously, and that no party was taking place.

Accounts of other ghostly sightings are plentiful, with a coach and horses, strange lights, phantom revels, and stone gargoyle style creatures appearing on the gate pillars. Dark shadowy figures have also been seen around the grounds, with reports of a black knight on horseback. The apparition of a woman with no face has been seen in the lane, and phantom voices have been heard by the gateposts screaming "Get Out". Accounts of car trouble, as well as feeling unwell or extremely cold are also connected with the site. With these accounts of ghostly experiences and spooky phenomena, Knighton Gorges is full of intrigue and curiosity.