Sir Benjamin Slade, who previously said he was looking for a 'good breader' at least 20 years younger than him, has lost a High Court battle with his ex wife over a home in their divorce trust fund12:48, 02 Jun 2026An eccentric aristocrat who appeared on ITV looking for a "castle-trained" wife to give him a "male heir" has lost a court fight with his ex-wife over a £1.2m fortune.‌Sir Benjamin Slade divorced Lady Pauline Slade, who he was married to for 12 years, in 1994. She was handed a £1.2m trust fund as part of the divorce - made up of a £585k house and an "income fund" worth around £651k cash. A massive court battle was trigged after Lady Slade moved out of the Somerset house, where Sir Slade has been living since putting his manor house up for sale last year.‌The 7th Baronet has previously appealed to the public in his search for a wife while setting out a long list of bizarre requirements, including not being a Scorpio, not being Scottish and being at least 20 years younger than him.‌The legal battle started after Lady Slade moved out of the Somerset home, called Old Farm, in 2023 and demanded it be sold off by trustees so she could use the cash to pay off her debts and boost her money.Her ex husband then hit back and claimed she did not have the right to sell the home, in Lower Rydon, as she supposedly was only able to live there rent-free for life or buy a replacement home. He claimed that The Old Farm was never intended to be an "income producing asset" as her income was meant to flow from a dedicated cash fund - now worth around £651,000.‌The dispute was escalated to the High Court as trustees for the ex wife's divorce fund asked a judge if she was able to sell the home and keep the money from the sale.The baronet's barrister, Robert Deacon, told the court that Lady Slade moved out in 2022 or 2023, later penning a letter in August 2024 "confirming that she had no intention of living in the property again".‌In her letter, Lady Slade explained that: "I have wanted to sell Lower Rydon for years. I have no intention of living at The Old Farm again and no wish to buy a further property. I give my full consent to the trustees to sell the house, land and outbuildings and for the money to be invested, to enhance my income, and all debts to be paid from the proceeds."Master Julia Clark ruled against Sir Slade and in favour of his ex wife, deeming the purpose of the divorce fund was to provide her with income "during her lifetime", adding that the trust fund includes the property.‌The judge said: "There is in my judgment no basis for concluding that if Lady Slade does not direct the purchase of a replacement property that the overall purpose of the trust comes to an end, or that Lady Slade's interest in the net proceeds of sale ends and reverts to Sir Benjamin."The baronet is a direct descendant of one of the Duke of Wellington’s generals - General Sir John Slade, the first baronet - who was once criticised by the Iron Duke for his inept handling of cavalry. His family's seat is the Maunsel House, in Somerset, has been put up for sale at £3.5m by the eccentric aristocrat.Sir Slade previously offered £50,000 a year to find a bride, while sharing a long list of odd demands. Along with people 20 years his junior, he wanted a wife he could use a shotgun, play backgammon and loves ballroom dancing. He also ruled out "Guardian readers, Scorpios, drug users, alcoholics, Scots, and anyone under 5'6".Article continues belowHe famously also appeared on ITV's This Morning in 2018 with his odd search for a wife. Sir Benjamin's first wife, Pauline Myburgh, 79, was the daughter of Devon county cricketer and British Army officer Major Claude Myburgh.