THE HISTORY OF STANSTED HALL

In 1438, Elizabeth, wife of  John de Vere, 12th Earl of Oxford inherited the Hall and Estate.  After the Battle of  Towton in 1461 the Earl and his Son were arrested, their land was confiscated and later they were both beheaded.  The estate became the property of  the Duke of  Norfolk but was later restored to the de Vere family by Henry  VII in 1485.  It remained in their possession until 1582.  The 17^th Earl was Great Chamberlain of  England when Stansted Hall was sold out of  the family.

Sir Thomas Middleton was the next owner, a wealthy man who helped to finance Sir Walter Raleigh's exploration and who had been Lord Mayor of  London until 1613.  The Estate remained in the Middleton family until 1715, when another Thomas Middleton, MP, died, leaving five daughters but no son.  William Heath, MP, whose descendants succeeded him as Lord of the Manor until 1808, then bought the title.

Miss Bethia Ellis became the next owner, and on her marriage Stansted hall became the property of the Fuller-Maitland family, but she disliked the residence and allowed it to fall into ruin.  It was William Fuller-Maitland, an art collector, who had the Hall rebuilt when looking for a suitable residence in which to house his priceless collection.  The house was designed by Robert Armstrong, who combined Tudor style with nineteenth-century building techniques, in which he included two Adam fireplaces from the old Hall and ceilings created by an Italian artist.  Work began in 1871 and by 1876 the mansion was ready, but Fuller-Maitland died before he could enjoy his new home.  The family continued to live at Stansted until 1921.

Arthur Findlay bought the Estate in 1923 when he retired from business life.  At forty years old, he soon found himself active in local affairs as a magistrate, farmer and author.  During the war he and his wife, who held a commission in the British Red Cross, loaned the Hall for use as a temporary hospital.

In 1964, Arthur Findlay gave Stansted Hall to the Spiritualist movement for use as a college for the advancement of  Psychic Science.

ARTHUR FINDLAY

Stansted Hall, built in 1871, was bequeathed to the Spiritualists' National Union under the will of  J. Arthur Findlay, MBE, JP, a former Honorary President of  the Union, and in accordance with his wishes is administered by the Union as a College for the advancement of  Psychic Science.  Mr Findlay bought the estate in 1923 upon his retirement from business and first mooted the idea of  a Spiritualist College at Stansted to the Union in 1945.  After personal contacts with three successive Union Presidents a will was drawn up and in 1954 the National Council accepted the proposed bequest of  Stansted Hall with an endowment.  This was followed by a later gift in the form of  stock to be used for furnishing and decorating, and in 1964, a year after the death of  his wife, Mr Findlay transferred the Hall, grounds and endowment to the Union.  Mr Findlay passed to the higher life in July 1964.

The Arthur Findlay College offers facilities unequalled anywhere in the world in the Spiritualist movement as a residential centre where students can study Spiritualist philosophy and religious practice, Spiritualist healing and awareness, spiritual and psychic unfoldment and kindred disciplines.  Courses, lectures and demonstrations are all offered by leading exponents on a weekly basis, together with the additional features of  a library, museum, lake, magnificent grounds, recreational facilities and well-appointed accommodation.

For bookings or further information please send an s.a.e. to the General Manager at the address below.

For an AFC Student Programme, please enclose a cheque for £2.25 (UK), £2.70 (Europe) or £3.60 (all other countries). Cheques are to be made payable to The Arthur Findlay College.
General Manager: Ms Deny Horsfield

Arthur Findlay College
Stansted Hall
Stansted
CM24 8UD
Tel.: 01279 813636
Fax: 01279 816025

Email: afc@snu.org.uk

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