Ten things you never knew about… Chequers

1. The estate surrounding the building known as Chequers covers about 1,000 acres.

2. A building has been on the site since the 12th century but the present house dates back to 1565.

3. In the same year, Elizabeth I ordered that Lady Mary Grey, sister of Lady Jane Grey, be detained at Chequers for marrying without royal consent.

4. During the First World War, Chequers was used as a convalescent home for injured British officers.

5. The name Chequers may be a reference to Elias Ostarius, a 12th century owner of the manor. Ostarius means an usher of the Exchequer.

 

6. Ostarius’s coat of arms bore the chequer board of the Exchequer, said to be an aid to calculations.

7. … or the house’s name may derive from the chequer trees (Sorbus torminalis) in its grounds.

8. In 1921, Lord and Lady Lee gave Chequers to the nation as a retreat for the PM. Lloyd George was the first to use it.

9. In 2016-17, £888,000 was spent on Chequers.

10. “It is not possible to foresee or foretell from what classes or conditions of life the future wielders of power in this country will be drawn,” (Chequers Estate Act 1917).