 When Richard died , the trust he had set up stated that , should the trustees agree by majority that the estate should be sold , such a sale should be completed within 12 months , and to the highest bidder . The house and estate of 1 @,@ 000 acres ( 400 ha ) of farmland , 650 acres ( 260 ha ) of woodlands , plus 30 houses and cottages , were listed for sale by Savills in three main lots ( total estimated at £ 15 million ) ; with Christie 's contracted to secure the sale of the house and estate contents via a separate auction ( total estimated at a further £ 15 million ) . 
