Thoresby was enclosed … in 1683 by William Pierrepont, fourth Earl of Kingston [sic]. His house … was remodelled in 1685-7 from one built in Charles I's reign [1625-49] by a team of the most excellent craftsmen, several of whom first appeared at Court and are later found at Chatsworth. [These included] John Nost and C. G. Cibber, carvers. It seems that the Office of Works, rather than Talman, formulated this novel country house type. The rectangular silhouette (preceded only by … Nottingham Castle of 1674) recognizes Italian palaces as the source of the design. The house burned down as soon as it was finished and an attic storey, which existed by 1690, was added at the refitting. Was Talman involved at this or a later stage? Vanbrugh includes the fifth Earl among those who regretted employing Talman. (1)
Built c.1671 (sic) ... Built of brick with stone dressings on a courtyard plan. The main front of thirteen bays was two storeys high with an attic surmounted by a balustraded parapet. … burnt down 04/04/1745, when all that was saved were the plate, some family writings and the best furniture. A carved sphinx by Cibber from the gardens of the first house still survives in the stables courtyard of the present Hall. (2)
See M17810 for second Hall (on this site), M4546 for third Hall (c. 300m to the north), M9579 for sphinx.

<1> Pevsner N, 1979, The Buildings of England: Nottinghamshire 2nd ed., p 348-9 (Monograph). SNT4.

<2> Jones PE, 2006, Lost Houses of Nottinghamshire, pp 56-58 (Monograph). SNT1893.