The reality of the situation was, however far less Hollywood-worthy. Dickenport might have duped everyone into giving him the hall, but he had no money. The thought of owning a manor house with dozens upon dozens of rooms might sound glamorous, but without the cash to heat them or maintain anything whatsoever, you’re a bit of a prisoner in your own home. We now know that Dickenport effectively lived and slept in the library, and rarely visited the rest of the hall. He couldn’t even afford a bed and resorted to building one out of spare timber.