The estate was granted to Sir Christopher Hatton in 1577 after a commission was set up by Queen Elizabeth I, headed by John Aylmer (Bishop of London) to investigate the claims that Sir Christopher Hatton should be granted the freehold of the land after he acquired a 21 years lease on the estate and spent a sum of the £1,887 5s 8d () on renovations and repairs. The commission declared in June 1577 that Ely Place should stay with Bishop Cox if he could reimburse Sir Christopher Hatton in whole for the outlay but he could not.
The estate was granted to Sir Christopher Hatton in 1577 after a commission was established by Queen Elizabeth I, headed by John Aylmer (Bishop of London), to investigate claims that Sir Christopher Hatton should be granted the freehold of the land after he acquired a 21-year lease on the estate and spent £1,887 5s 8d on renovations and repairs. The commission declared in June 1577 that Ely Place should remain with Bishop Cox if he could reimburse Sir Christopher Hatton in full for the expenditure but he couldn't.