William Villiers became Lord of the Manor in 1506, and the family held Hothorpe for about 94 years. In about 1600, Sir Edmund Montague of Boughton House near Kettering, laid claim to part of Hothorpe Manor – a claim dating back to about 1050. This was resolved by the owner of Hothorpe agreeing to pay 25 shillings a year to the Montagues. This right was subsequently transferred to the Spencer Estate of Althorp and was increased to £5 per annum, which is still paid to Earl Spencer.