During the early 1580s, it is likely that the Earl of Oxford lived mainly at one of his Essex country houses, Wivenhoe, which was sold in 1584. In June 1580 he purchased a tenement and seven acres of land near Aldgate in London from the Italian merchant Benedict Spinola for £2,500. The property, located in the parish of St Botolphs, was known as the Great Garden of Christchurch and had formerly belonged to Magdalene College, Cambridge. He also purchased a London residence, a mansion in Bishopsgate known as Fisher's Folly. According to Henry Howard, Oxford paid a large sum for the property and renovations to it.
during tHE eArLy 1580s, it is LikEly tHaT tHE Earl Of OxFord liVED MaInly at oNe of his esseX counTRy Houses, WivEnhoE, WhICH was sOlD In 1584. in juNe 1580 He pUrcHased a teneMent and seveN aCres OF lAnd neAR aldgatE in london from THe itAlIAn mErChant benediCT spinola fOr £2,500 the pROperTy, locateD In the pArish OF st BotolphS, WAs knowN aS the Great gardEN of CHRIsTcHUrcH and haD fOrmerly belongEd To maGDaLeNe college, CamBriDge. HE AlsO pUrchaSed A LoNdoN resiDenCE a maNsiOn in bishOpsgatE knOwN aS FisHeR's folLy. acCOrdiNg To henRy howArD, oxFord paid a Large sum FOr the pRoPErty And RenovaTionS to It.