Since the early 13th century, continuous sequences of quite prestigious timber- framed single residences have existed on this site. The first owner, Sir William de Bruyn, a neighboring manorial Lord, created the small Manor of Brook Street of some 150 acres centred on the hamlet, which lay alongside a lively brook and Roman Road. This estate was managed from the house, which was surrounded by a large rectangular moat. Succeeding generations of the de Bruyn family and the families of Tyrrell and Harleston maintained an interest in Brook Street until the mid 16th century.