Helsington Laithes Manor

The original building is believed to date from the 13th Century, when the Manor of Helsington belonged to Margaret de Ros. The West end of the main block is of medieval origin, probably late 15th C. It is said to have a chapel with a pre- Reformation window. Helsington Manor was owned by Marmaduke de Thwenge. At his death in 1323 it passed to his son, William de Thwenge and in 1374 the property, in the estate of Thomas de Thwenge, passed to Robert de Lumley.
The year 1511 brings the first reference to Helsington Laithes which passed to Sir George Lumley.  The House then came into the hands of Henry VIII, who in 1539 leased it to Sir Thomas Seymour, for 21 years from Michaelmas 1540.
 

The tenure was then held by Thomas Bellingham and in 1544 his son, Alan Bellingham, purchased the house from Henry VIII for £137.10s.

The next year he was granted the Lumley fee in the Barony of Kendal by Elizabeth 1. Some years later he purchased several other estates including Levens Hall estate which stayed in Bellingham's ownership until February, 1689. Having amassed substantial debts they were forced to mortgage and then sell the estate. It was bought by Colonel James Grahme for the bargain price of £24,000, the estate being valued at £40,000 in 1711.

James Grahme died on 26 Jan 1730 and his estate passed to the family of his only surviving child, Catherine who’s husband, Henry Howard was created Earl of Suffolk in 1745. Henry Howard died in 1779 and the Levens Estate passed to his Aunt, The Hon. Frances Howard. She Married Richard Bagot in 1783 who assumed the surname Howard.

They had one daughter, Mary, who in 1807 married the Hon. Fulke Greville-Upton, who also assumed the name of Howard upon his marriage. He died in 1846 and the estate passed on the death of his widow in 1877, to her nephew, General the Hon. Arther Upton. When he died the estate passed to Mrs. Howards' fathers great, great nephew, Lt. Col. Josceline Fitzroy-Bagot.

He was succeeded by his son, Alan Desmond Bagot and then by his uncle Richard Bagot who was a well known author. Richard Bagot was unmarried upon his death and so the estate passed to his great nephew, Oliver Robin-Gaskell J.P., who was the second son of Sir Alan Bagot's elder sister, Dorothy by her marriage to Mr. Henry Mellville-Gaskell. He then assumed the name Bagot in 1935 and was succeeded by his son.