Sir Robert Walpole (1676 - 1745) Rebuilt Houghton Hall and M. P. for Kings Lynn (1702 - 1742) when it was one of the Kingdom's premier ports. Britain's first Prime Minister during the reigns of George I and II. Sir Robert was a frequent patron of the Duke's Head where his supporters held balls to celebrate his regular election to Parliament for King's Lynn. He shared the representation of the borough with his brother-in-law, Sir Charles Turner (1666 - 1738), whose uncle John Turner built this hotel.