The Hungerford Family and Codford St Peter

The Hungerfords were one of the largest West Country magnate families. Their family seat was Farleigh Hungerford in Somerset near Trowbridge. They had a colourful family history including murder, incest, treachery, execution, disgrace, bankruptcy, but they also possessed great wealth and wielded considerable influence.   The family acquired the manor of Codford St Peter in 1455, when the Mautravers heiress, Eleanor, married Walter, Lord Hungerford. This was controversial because Eleanor’s son from her first marriage also held a claim to the manor. The Hungerfords, however held the manor within their family until 1684 when the spendthrift Sir Edward Hungerford sold it to pay off his debts.