£12 million Shakenhurst on sale after death of owner

Shakenhurst Hall is on the market for £12 million after the tragic death of talented artist and heiress Amanda Severne. Read the story of its last owner:

She was the last of a dynasty stretching back a thousand years which could have graced any history book.

But when Amanda Severne died tragically of cancer in May 2008, it would eventually mean that Shakenhurst Hall in Cleobury Mortimer, which has a lineage that stretches back to the Domesday Book, would be put on the market for the first time with a price tag of £12 million.

Ms Severne inherited the magnificent estate for just 55 weeks before her tragic death.

Her father Michael Severne handed ownership over to her in 1990 but lived at the elegant principal Grade II listed Georgian-style house until his death in 2007.

Ms Severne was a book illustrator, renderer and coordinator in the animation business. She worked on Pink Floyd's film The Wall, and Raymond Briggs' The Snowman.

Artist

A fine graphic artist in her own right, she created many works, some of which are featured in the brochure for Shakenhurst.

Her husband, Dr Nick Stirling, with whom she has two children, said: "Although she didn't live the country life she had all the skills required to be mistress of a country mansion.

"She was a fine carpenter, painter and decorator, and electrician, and quite capable as a plumber.

"A fiercely loyal, loving and generous friend she had many godchildren and a tight group of life-long friends who continued to gather at Shakenhurst in the summer and at New Year throughout her life. She was also a fine seamstress."

When she died, Dr Stirling gave her store of materials, threads, and about five sewing machines to a charity in Birmingham which trains Bengali first generation immigrant women in dress making skills.

The history of the estate can be traced back to just after the Domesday Book. Michael Severne's ancestors, the Meyseys, have owned Shakenhurst since 1349.

The direct line of descent through the Meyseys was broken in the early 20th century, when the last Meysey, Mrs Wicksted, left the estate to her godson Hugh Gurney, secure in the knowledge that the other Meysey descendants, principally the Severnes of Thenford and Wallop and the Clives of Whitfield were well provided for.

In 1950, Michael Severne met Mrs Gurney during an unplanned visit to Shakenhurst.

By coincidence, it was the day of the memorial service for her son, Peter.

Mrs Gurney only understood his relationship to the estate when he pointed to his signet ring and an armorial plate.

They became friends and upon her death, she left the estate to Michael, a direct descendent of John de Meysey.