October 1, 2022
Nicola Denny

The Coat of Arms

History is at the heart of St Osyth Priory Estate, with 1,400 years of legend, myth and mystery woven into the fabric of the estate’s magnificent parkland and collection of ancient buildings.


As restoration and improvements continue across the estate, the preservation of its unique habitats and historic landmarks are of paramount importance – giving new life to this incredible destination within the community of St Osyth.


A poignant moment within this transformation will be the restoration to its former glory of the heraldic crest of the Earl of Rochford, which is set to return to its position on The Gatehouse of the St Osyth Priory Estate before the end of November.


Having overlooked the estate since the 18th century, the Earl of Rochford’s coat of arms was removed from The Gatehouse as an essential part of the schedule of refurbishment. Featuring coronets, lions and a pair of buck horns, the design of the emblem also includes the Latin motto Spes Durat Avorum, which translates as, may the hopes of our forefathers endure.


When Frederic Nassau de Zuylestein, 3rd Earl of Rochford, took possession of the estate in 1721 it became his main seat in England. Quickly, he began an expansive programme of improvements which shaped many aspects of the estate as it is seen today.


In recent years, a multi-million-pound schedule of works on the estate has helped to secure the future of one of the largest collections of ecclesiastical buildings in the country, while also giving the estate a viable economic future with the upcoming launch of a luxury wedding venue, holiday accommodation, a café and a farm shop.


Returning the reconditioned coat of arms to its prominent position on The Gatehouse will be special in so many ways for the team at St Osyth Priory. As well as a symbolic example of the way in which the history of the estate is being restored and given new life for the future, there is a real feeling that the whole approach in the estate’s transformation is in keeping with the Earl of Rochford’s family motto, ‘may the hopes of our forefathers endure’.


William Grinstead, spokesperson for St Osyth Priory Estate, commented: “This is a truly special moment for the estate in what has been a significant programme of change. Restoring the numerous ancient and listed buildings on the estate has been the cornerstone of the project and the team has a very real sense of fulfilling the coat of arms inscription – enabling the hopes of the forefathers of the estate to endure. It is exciting to think that the refurbished crest will stand proud over the estate for many more centuries to come.”

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By Josie Wright September 23, 2025
Historic St Osyth Priory took centre stage for the new series of the BBC’s flagship show Strictly Come Dancing. The multi-award winning TV show launched its new series on Saturday with 15 celebrity contestants meeting their professional dance partners for the first time. More than five million viewers tuned in to watch the show with more catching up on BBC iPlayer. Viewers saw five of the contestants waiting nervously at St Osyth Priory to find out who their dance partners would be. Model and actress Ellie Goldstein, who became the first model with Down syndrome to feature on the cover of Vogue and appear in a campaign for fashion giant Gucci, waited in the formal gardens of the priory, smiling broadly as she discovered she would be partnering former Strictly winner Vito Coppola. EastEnders actor – and Strictly superfan – Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki in the BBC soap, was paired with dancer Julian Caillon who is looking forward to his first year on the show. Shakespearean and TV actor Alex Kingston joyously greeted flamboyant dancer Johannes Radebe outside the priory while TV personality and broadcaster Vicky Pattison was filmed in the stunning panelled Darcy House to meet popular dancer partner Kai Widdrington. England footballer Lioness Karen Carney smiled with delight when she saw dancer and choreographer Carlos Gu. Aerial shots also showed the priory’s scoping grounds and stunning gardens as well as the exterior of the magnificent estate. William Grinsted, managing director of St Osyth Priory Estate, said it was wonderful to welcome the Strictly celebrities and dancers and he said he hoped the venue would be used again in the future. He said: “Everyone was so nice and it was great to have them here. They seemed to be having a good time and they were laughing and chatting with each other. “We have had historians filming here before and, of course, TV presenter George Clarke, who officially opened the restore Gatehouse. But having Strictly to film here was the pinnacle. The estate looked amazing and we are hoping it will lead to more opportunities.” To find out more about the priory and organising an event, click here , call us on 01206 430160 or email info@stosythpriory.co.uk and our staff would be happy to see how we can help you. If it’s good enough for Strictly….!
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