The second earl did not enjoy Knole for long, since he died in January 1609. His two sons, in turn, inherited the title and estates, first Richard Sackville, third earl of Dorset (1589–1624) and then the much more politically significant Edward Sackville, fourth earl of Dorset (1590–1652). None of these earls lived permanently at Knole. In the first earl's case, this was no doubt due to the renovations. The third earl lived mostly at court, though he is known to have kept his hunting horses and hounds there. His wife, Anne Clifford, did live there for a time during the couple's conflict over her inheritance from her father, George Clifford, third earl of Cumberland. In 1623, a large part of Knole House burnt down.