From Baronetcy to bankruptcy
The 700 year history of the Crofts came to an abrupt end in 1746 when Sir Archer Croft declared bankruptcy after investing in the 1720 South Sea Bubble.
Eventually Sir Archer ended up selling the castle and the estates to the self made millionaire Richard Knight, a local Ironmaster.
Croft reclaimed
After 170 years, in 1923, Croft was reclaimed by Lady Katherine Croft. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s the castle was brought back to life by Katherine and her children.