de bene esse: Edwardian Tudor-style £11m mansion that has been in the same family for 140 years after being won over a game of cards

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

With its beautifully decorated hall, stunning array of rooms and 1,100 acres of land, this Tudor-style mansion built exactly 100 years ago is currently on the market for a cool £11m.
But legend has it the property fell into the hands of the current owner's family more than 140 years ago after it was won in a game of cards.
The current form of the mansion on the Hamptworth Lodge Estate, situated within the New Forest National Park, in Wiltshire, was designed by Tudor expert Harold Moffat between 1910 and 1913 after he inherited it in 1884.
The estate itself has been in the same family however since 1870, when it fell into the hands of the great-great uncle to the current owners.

Mansion: The Hamptworth Estate has been in the hands of the same family since 1870, but was rebuilt between 1910 and 1913

Impressive: The Great Hall features the sister organ to the one at Salisbury Cathedral

Detailed: The mansion was designed in a Jacobean style by Tudor expert Harold Moffat

James Grillo, head of the country house department at estate agents Chesterton Humberts, said: 'The family who own it now, legend has it that it was won in a game of cards.'
Oxford professor Mr Moffat, who at the time was one of the foremost world-renowned experts in Tudor furniture, developed the site after it was passed on to him.
Mr Grillo said: 'He already owned another estate in Herefordshire but when he inherited this estate he knocked down the original house and built a Tudor mansion to show off his collection of Tudor furniture.

'The building was completed in 1913 - it is 100 years old this year.
'It is a Tudor-style house to look at in every way but it was actually an Edwardian build.'
Originally one of the original Royal Hunting Lodges in the New Forest, the estate is currently being sold as four separate lots, or altogether for a total of £11m.