Stoke Park Pavilions, a historic estate in Northamptonshire, has been put on the market for £5.25 million, nine years after the death of Alexander Chancellor, who edited The Spectator and Oldie magazines. The property, described as the remnants of England's first Palladian house, has been home to the Chancellor family for the past 70 years.
Alexander Chancellor's widow, Susanna, had a longstanding affair with artist Lucian Freud. Their relationship, like others involving Freud, was described by one lover as akin to addiction. Susanna Chancellor, granddaughter of Sir Ernest Debenham, made significant provision for Alexander's daughter from another relationship with Emily Bearn, one of Freud's former lovers.
This financial provision for Alexander's extra-marital daughter has led to speculation that it may have impacted the ability of Alexander and Susanna's own daughters, Eliza and Cecilia, to retain the property. The family had hoped to keep Stoke Park, but trustees have now agreed to its sale.
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