At the time of the Domesday Survey, the manor of Bradbourne formed part of the lands of Henry de Ferrers and included a church and a priest. Subsequently, the manor was held from the de Ferrers family by the de Caucels. In the reign of King John, the manor of Bradbourne was conveyed to Godard de Bradbourne by Sir Geoffrey de Caucels, and it was held by that family till the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, when it passed to Sir Humphrey Ferrers, who had married Jane Bradbourne.