Stonyhurst is a remarkable establishment, in both architectural and other ways. It is physically situated in remote Lancashire countryside to the east of Clitheroe between the rivers Ribble and Hodder. The land had been owned by the Shireburn family since the early 14th century. Sir Richard Shireburn (1522-94) was a successful Catholic Elizabethan follower of the Stanley family and started to build a substantial house at Stonyhurst in the late 16th century. He was responsible for the great gatehouse and southern façade. His work was continued by his grandson Nicholas. The last Shireburn was the autocratic Mary, the wife of the 8th Duke of Norfolk. She died in 1754 and the estate was inherited by her cousin Edward Weld of Lulworth.