Anthony Fortescue
Eton-educated High Sheriff of Cornwall who was found dead in grounds of his historic country estate he had lovingly restored from ruins
- Anthony Fortescue, 69, was found dead on Boconnoc Estate in Cornwall
- Police say he had been shot but are not treating his death as suspicious
- His wife Elizabeth, 67, paid tribute, saying: 'We will miss him so deeply'
- Mr Fortescue was 'plagued by ill-health' over the past year, his friend said
The Eton-educated High Sheriff of Cornwall has been found dead in the grounds of his historic country home.
The body of Anthony Fortescue, 69, was discovered on the 7,500-acre Boconnoc Estate in Cornwall - lauded as being one of England's finest country estates - on Monday.
Police say Fortescue had been shot but they are not treating his death as suspicious. After his death was announced, his family said: 'We will miss him so deeply.'
Anthony Fortescue, the Eton-educated High Sheriff of Cornwall,
has been found dead in the grounds of his historic country home
A police spokesman said: 'We received reports just before midday of an incident involving a firearm at the Boconnoc estate in Cornwall.
'A local man, 69, was pronounced dead at the scene and his next of kin has been informed. Police are currently investigating the matter but are not treating the death as suspicious.
'A file will be prepared for the coroner.'
In a statement released today, his wife Elizabeth said: 'Our daughters Clare and Sarah and I are so proud of all that Anthony created at Boconnoc. We and all the team at Boconnoc will miss him so deeply.'
The Boconnoc Estate added: 'It is with great sadness that the Boconnoc Estate confirm the untimely and sudden death of Anthony Fortescue at his home yesterday.
'The police are continuing with their investigations but have confirmed to the family that there are no suspicious circumstances.
'In recent years, Mr Fortescue has been instrumental - with his wife Elizabeth and two daughters, Clare and Sarah in revitalising the Estate and restoring Boconnoc House.'
The Boconnoc Estate, near Lostwithiel, Cornwall, commonly believed to be one of the most beautiful locations in Cornwall, dates from the Domesday Book of 1086.
Anthony Fortescue, 69, pictured with his wife Elizabeth, was discovered on the 7,500-acre
Boconnoc Estate in Cornwall, lauded as being one of England's finest country estates
Officers say Fortescue (pictured at his home) had been shot and are not treating his death as suspicious
The Grade II-listed house, set in Cornwall's largest park, is said to have been used by Charles I who hid in one of the bedrooms - now known as the King's bedroom - during the Civil War.
Merchant Thomas Pitt purchased the estate with the proceeds of the famous Pitt Diamond in 1717, which he sold to the Regent of France before it ended up in the hilt of Napoleon's sword.
Pitt's grandson, William, became Prime Minister.
The property was used by American forces during the Second World War with the grounds used as an ammunition dump in preparation for D-Day in 1944.
The estate lay empty for nearly 30 years following the death of Anthony's great uncle in 1969 and fell into disrepair.
But together with his wife, 67, whom he married in 1977, Mr Fortescue started a labour of love and undertook a mammoth restoration in 1997.
Construction workers carry out the massive task of renovating the 13th Century
Boconnoc House in Cornwall after it fell into serious disrepair
He sold some redundant barns to pay for the repairs and the finish restoration, completed in 2011, won a string of awards.
Mr Fortescue talked previously about the responsibility he felt towards the estate, saying: 'I've always said that I'd never destroy the estate by going mad on the house.
'I don't mind taking on the house to a certain figure, but I'm not a bottomless pit.'
The estate has been used as a film locations for movies including Rosamund Pilcher's Indian Bride, scenes from the 1993 film of The Three Musketeers and the BBC 2 production of Daphne.
In recent years the estate has promoted itself as an upmarket wedding and events venue, with mid-week wedding receptions starting from £3,950.
The house, its historic grounds, the gardens and deer park within
are now used for weddings, corporate days and private parties
The stunning house stands at the end of a two-mile drive which leads through a deer park and caters for up to 240 guests.
More recently, Mr Fortescue turned heads in London when he used his right as the High Sheriff of Cornwall to drive a flock of sheep over London Bridge.
The day before he died, Mr Fortescue had attended the Remembrance Sunday service in Bodmin in his role as High Sheriff.
Bodmin mayor Lance Kennedy said the news of his death had come as a shock.
'I was chatting to Mr Fortescue on Sunday. He mentioned he was about to go into hospital for a hip operation, otherwise he seemed in good spirits. I'm saddened and shocked to here he has died,' Mr Kennedy told the Cornishman.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE, also said Mr Fortescue played an 'important role in Cornish life.
The house, set in Cornwall's largest park, was bought in 1717
by Thomas Pitt with the proceeds from the famous Pitt Diamond
and has been home to three British prime ministers
'In particular, his restoration of Boconnoc House has been a triumph of inspiration and optimism,' he said.
'After ,ore than ten years work, the House is now triumphantly restored, winning many awards and now being well used again for many and varied events.
'Running many other businesses from furniture making to holiday cottages, Anthony brought new life to the Boconnoc Estate.
'During his year as High Sheriff, although plagued by ill-health, Anthony did a great deal, including recently driving a flock of sheep across Tower Bridge to raise money for charity, in pursuance of an ancient right.
'The day before he died he had spent the whole day attending Remembrance Services in Bodmin, Truro and Carbis Bay.
'Anthony achieved an enormous amount in his life and was much loved by all who knew him. He was a family man and a true gentleman. He will be very much missed, but his achievements will live on.'
The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year.
The origins of the Office date back to Saxon times, when the Shire Reeve was responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order within the shire, or county, and for the collection and return of taxes due to the Crown.
The office is now an unpaid privilege with ceremonial duties.
Sheriffs are appointed annually by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council, except in Cornwall where the appointment is made by the Duke of Cornwall.
He leaves his wife and two daughters Clare, 33, and Sarah, 31.
- An earlier version of this article stated that Boconnoc House Ltd was £387,000 in debt. We would like to make clear that there are no outstanding debts owed and financial affairs of the company and the Fortescue family are both sound. We apologise to those concerned.
