in the "domesday book" the property is known as "neuhusam" and was owned by ilbert de lacy. before that it had been owned by dunstan and glunier, anglo-saxon thanes. around 1155 it was given to the knights templar, who built temple newsam preceptory some distance from the current house. in 1307 the templars were suppressed and in 1377 by royal decree the estate reverted to sir philip darcy (created 4th lord darcy in 1362 and d. 24 april 1399). between 1500 and 1520 a tudor country house, "temple newsam house", was built on the site. it has been described by some as "the hampton court of the north". it has also been spelled "newsham" in the past.