Michael Stanhope was born at Shelford Manor. He was the son of Philip Stanhope, 1st Earl of Chesterfield and his wife Catherine, daughter of Lord Hastings. Colonel Michael Stanhope was in charge of the Royalist forces at the battle at Willoughby Field, Nottinghamshire. He was killed during the fighting, which took place there in the year 1648. After the battle he was laid to rest among his men in Willoughby church. A monument to him and his men, can still be seen there to this day.