Feudal Title Index & Research ~ C-E

The research below is not our own but has instead been gathered from dozens of printed auction catalogues from the past century. They are faithfully reproduced here in grateful tribute to the historians who crafted them and so that their efforts might survive into future decades.

Note: Readers should offer grateful thanks to Stephen Johnson, Chairman of Manorial Services, for allowing us to reproduce his work here. Equally, we are thankful for the sponsorship, efforts, and camaraderie of the Lord of Finchingfield who so nimbly navigates between the 11th and 21st centuries.

(Abolished) Feudal Superiority of Caberstone, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Note: Scottish feudal superiorities were abolished as part of the AFT 2000. We reproduce this for historical purposes only.

Lot #29 Manorial Auctioneers’ Partnership – October 1990

THE LANDS of Caberstone form part of the ancient Burgh or Town of Aberdeen. The lands came into the possession of the Marischal College of Aberdeen. The College in 1765 “feued” out the lands for building, retaining the old right of Superiority. It received annually 42 bolls. 3 firlots and 2 pecks of bear (old measurements of barley, etc.) plus £68 9s 6d in feu duty. Several of the tenants (vassals) at Caberstone still pay feu duty to their Superior. A number of very fine Georgian buildings were erected at Caberstone in the 18th century. These were at one time the town houses of the Aberdeenshire lairds and gentry. Ancestors of Sir Thomas Innes of Learney, a recent Lord Lyon King of Arms in Scotland, owned property here. There are to be seen on the walls of the buildings the coats of arms of the old families of Menzies of Pitfodels and Irvine of Drum who were Scottish Feudal Barons. The family of Irvine of Drum is particularly interesting.

On 1 February 1323, King Robert the Bruce of Scotland granted the Royal Forest of Drum, near Aberdeen, to his armour-bearer and secretary, William de Irvine (Irvine) of Woodhouse in Dumfriesshire. The forest had been a royal hunting ground for many years. The Irvines lived at Drum Tower or Castle (now owned by the National Trust for Scotland), which had probably been erected in about 1286 by the master mason Richard Cementarius (Richard the Mason), the first recorded Alderman or Provost of Aberdeen. Richard was also responsible for the old castle of Aberdeen (now vanished) and the still existing and picturesque Brig of Balgownie, also at Aberdeen.

In 1324, Richard de Irvine was given a Royal Charter of the Barony of Drum. The ownership of Drum carried with it the hereditary office of King’s Forester but an unexpected difficulty arose for it was discovered that the office of Forester had previously been given to Alexander de Burnard (Burnett). An adjustment had to be made, and Burnard was given, by way of compensation, nearby lands in the Barony of Leys. In their armorial bearings, the family of Irvine and the family of Burnett (burnard) still display the original charges borne by the King’s Forester - the Irvines, a silver shield emblazoned with nine holly leaves, in three bunches of three, and the Burnetts, the holly leaves differenced by the addition of the Forester’s Badge, a black hunting horn.

The Charter granting the lands of Drum to William de Irvine is worth quoting:

“Robert by the Grace of God, King of Scots, to all good men of this land greetings. Know that we have given granted and by this our present charter confirmed to William of Irvine our beloved and faithful man, of our forest of Drum outside our park, except the lands given to Alexander called Burnard in the same forest, to be held by the said William and his heirs of us, and of our heirs in fee and heredity, by all its right and ancient boundaries in woods, plains, meadows, pastures, roads, moors, marches, streams, ponds, lakes, fish-ponds, multures and mills, in hawking and fishing and hunting, with pit and gallows, sok and sake, toll and team, infang and thef, with rents and with all other liberties, commodities and assessments and just pertinents named and unnamed”.

The Irvines were required to pay a feuduty to the monarch for their lands of one chalder (measure) of barley on the feast of St Andrew the Apostle. The third “Laird” Sir Alexander de Irvine was one of the heroes of the Battle of Harlaw (1411) when the Highland Army of Donald of the Isles was halted by the Aberdeenshire gentry. The Highland host at Harlaw was commanded by the Lord of the Isles’ nephew, the Chief of the Macleans, called Red Hector of the Battles. The Chief and Irvine of Drum encountered and slew each other, probably on the very spot where there now stands Drum’s Cairn. There is a tradition that Maclean of Duart (ancestor of Lord Maclean, late Lord Chamberlain to Her Majesty the Queen) and Sir Alexander Irvine the heirs of those who fell on the field of Harlaw exchanged swords as a sign that no feud or animosity remained between the two families.

At the Drum Stone near Aberdeen, the Lord of Drum made his final arrangements in the event of his death before the Battle of Harlaw and made provision for his son Alexander and, in the event that Alexander also did not survive the battle, for his brother Robert, to marry Elizabeth de Keith, daughter of the Marischal of Scotland. Alexander, the fourth Lord of Drum, had the duty of leading the vassals of the Abbey of Arbroath (seat of Scottish independence) under the Brechinock, the consecrated banner of St Colomba (bringer of Christianity to Scotland) in the King’s army.

In 1439, in the troublous times after the murder of King James I of Scotland, Irvine was chosen Captain and Governor of the town of Aberdeen. In 1440. he was continued in this office which was unknown before and has never since been revived. In 1456, he founded in the St Nicholas Church of Aberdeen (beside Caberstone) the chantry of St Ninian the Confessor. In the south transept of the church, which is now known as Drum’s Aisle, he provided a monument of himself and his lady, with their effigies in stone lying on an altar-tomb surmounted by a stone canopy of pointed Gothic. There is also a monumental brass, one of the few preserved in Scotland. It contains separate inscriptions and shields of Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum and his wife Dame Elizabeth de Keith. The stone canopy was re-erected in the 1950s at the Chapel of Drum Castle.

The ninth Laird, another Sir Alexander Irvine, who died in 1630, was very wealthy and increased the size of Drum Castle. He was also a considerable benefactor and bequeathed lands for the maintenance of poor widows, poor maids and for the education of children. In his will, he wrote: “Because it hath pleased God the Lord, of his Mercy, to prolong my days for the education and provision of all my bairns (children), and both then and since that time hath blessed and increased my means, whereof, lest I should prove forgetful in not rendering back a part for sacred and pious uses, I leave ten thousand Pounds Scots money”. Bursaries were provided for the education of children and students at Marischal College and at the Grammar School of Aberdeen (both institutions beside Caberstone). Sir Alexander’s widow is remembered in Aberdeen by the street name Drum’s Lane (also at Caberstone) which was laid out on the grounds of Lady Drum’s Hospital, a dwelling for widows and spinsters for whose maintenance she mortified (gifted) the town council of Aberdeen with 3000 merks Scots. The Irvine family continued to reside at Drum Castle until the 1970s.

At Caberstone, No. 2 Little Belmont Street with Nos. 8 and 10 Back Wynd is a particularly interesting building of about 1787; as is the Old Town’s Schools of 1840. The Schools building is of the E-plan with unfluted G-doric colonnade between wings. The centre has been brought forward, tetrapstyle with pediment, and the building is fronted by good cast-iron railings and gates. Close by is the former Central School and Aberdeen Academy: a three-storey Renaissance style structure with leaded corner dome and R-doric columns at the windows.

Note: The Vendor of the Superiority of Caberstone will donate the total proceeds of the sale of this Superiority to The Shaftesbury Homes and “Arethusa” childrens charity (Patrons: H M The Queen and H M Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother). The Auctioneers will also remit their usual commissions and fees in connection with the sale of the Superiority to the charity.

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Lordship of the Manor of Calverton, Nottinghamshire

Lot #6 of Manorial Services Auction - Winter 2025 - Stephen Johnson

Everyone has heard of Robin Hood and his adventures in Sherwood Forest but unlike the stories and movies, this was not a great tract of trees spread across the land but a forest as was conceived by the Normans, as an area in which the king could hunt and which was subject to its own special laws.

A great survey of the Forest was made in 1609 and Calverton was one of 20 manors found in the South Walk division. It lies 7 miles north east of Nottingham on low-lying sandy soil by Dover Beck. The restrictions placed on agriculture and grazing in the Forest appears to have led to Calverton developing a more ‘industrial’ economy than many similar ones, with woodworking and textiles being important. It is primarily known at the birthplace of The Revd. William Lee, who invented the stocking frame in 1589. This was the main industry in the village until the 19th century when it became a centre of coal mining.

In the great Survey of 1086, known to us as Domesday, Calverton is recorded as a being a berewick of the manor of Blidworth and was recorded as having;

6 bovtaes of land to the geld There is 12 oxen

There are 7 villans and 2 borders have 2 ploughs

There is a church and a priest and 2 acres of meadow

Woodland pasture 8 furlongs long and 3 broad

Worth 40s

The presence of a church and a priest would likely explain why Calverton became a separate manor under the ownership of Roger Pictavensis. The descent from the 11th century is rather fractured, as the Lordship was divided into a number of fees, or moieties. For instance, in 1270 the Chapter of Southwell and Breewood Priory held and John Vylers held one-fourth of a fee of the honor of Lancaster. In 1276 William Botiller held a fee here, and in Crophull, under Edmund, Earl of Lancaster. In 1280 Adam Everingham held a fee and 1286 Robert Everingham also held a fee. In 1318 Breewood Priory had a charter of privileges. In 1341 Ralph Vylers gave lands to Worksop Priory; and Sampson Strelley held lands here. It seems as though the Vylers family were the Lords of the manor during much of this period though in 1346 Alexander Gonaldeston held some new inclosures in a place called Wikes, within Sherwood Forest and in 1476 Robert Rempston held rents here.

The descent of the manor after the 15th Century is extremely difficult to determine but by the 18th century the manor had become the property of the Pelham family although the exact date of the acquisition remains uncertain. This ownership is confirmed by a variety of manorial documents deposited by the family in the 20th century at Nottingham University Library. In 1711 it seems to have been part of the inheritance of Thomas Pelham, the nephew of the Duke of Newcastle upon Tyne, who had died childless. A year later, the already rich Pelham became ‘fabulously’ rich when he inherited his father’s estates in Sussex and his title of Baron Pelham of Laughton. His combined lands gave him an income of £32,000 a year, an astronomical sum in 1712. He not only controlled vast lands but these gave him considerable political influence and when George I came to the throne in 1714, Pelham was raised to the peerage as Viscount Houghton. Within the year he was raised yet again and was given the titles Marquess of Clare, and Duke of Newcastle upon Tyne. He quickly formed a friendship with the new king and was appointed to the Garter in 1718. There followed a rapid political rise, culminating in him becoming Secretary of State for the Southern department in 1724 which was essentially the position of foreign minister. He became one of the dominant politicians of the 18th century. Newcastle served as the Foreign Minister under Walpole from 1730 to 1739 and he played a major part in formulating the Treaty of Vienna in 1731 This effectively reorientated Britain policy away from Europe towards a more mercantilist outlook. His actions and accomplishments are too many for this short history but can be summarised by naming the positions he held. He served as Minister of War from 1739 and then as Foreign Minister once more from 1748 to 1754. After the death of Henry Pelham in March 1754 Newcastle ascended to the position of Prime Minister. However, his two and a half years in this post proved the least successful of his career and after a series of blunders he was forced to resign in November 1756. This wasn’t the end of his career, since he remained as Minister of Finances under Pitt. He finally left office in 1767 and died a year later.

The Manor of Calverton remained as part of the estate of the Dukes of Newcastle into the 20th century. The 10th and final Duke died in 1988 thus making the title extinct. but the estate had passed into the hands of Trustees who sold the Lordship to the present owner not long afterwards.

Please note that the mines and minerals are reserved from the sale.

A Selection of Manorial Documents in in the Public Domain:

1323-1324: court rolls Nottingham University Library, Manuscripts and Special Collections

1329-1329: court roll Staffordshire County Record Office

1329-1329: rental

1334-1335: court rolls

1340-1340: court roll

1375-1376: court rolls

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Lordship of the Manor of Calthorp, Suffolk

Lot #24 of Manorial Holdings Auction - December 1989

THOUGH NOT mentioned in Domesday, Calthorp almost certainly is described among the lands described as belonging to Earl Hugh and Roger Bigot, later Earl of East Anglia, under the Lordship of Barnham. It emerges that its present name in the reign of Henry III when it was held by William Calthorpe who held it of the Honor of George’s.

According to the Charter Rolls, William Calthorpe had free warren within his Manor in 1271 and another William Calthorpe had the same sporting rights confirmed by Charter of Henry VI in 1449. Shortly after, the Manor passed to the Peytons, later Baronets, who represented by Major Charles Peyton, Lord of the Manor of Isleham, Cambridge, and a distinguished member of the Manorial Society.

The ancient Lordship and seat of the Peytons, Peyton Hall Manor in Boxford, was conveyed in 1982 by the heiress of the last Peyton Baronet to a local businessman. John Peyton sold the Manor in 1548 to Sir John Croftes. Sir John Croftes’ eventual successor, also John, was created a Baronet in 1660 and on his death in 1664 without issue he was succeeded by his wife Dame Bryers. On her death, five years later, she left Calthorp to Edward Progers, son of Col Progers of Monmouthshire, an equerry to King James I. Progers was a great favourite of the King and received the following letter from Charles II’s adviser in exile, the Duke of Hamilton:

Dear Ned, I fear my last letters to you from Stirling are miscarried wherein I gave you a large account of your Master’s condition which (now being surprised with the sudden going of his bearer) I cannot possibly do, more than to tell you that the late misfortune (ie the King’s defeat at the Battle of Worcester) a party of his had in Fife by the imprudent carriage of one of his general persons doth not discourage him from prosecuting his designs of going into England with his now upon the march and a durand within 20 miles of Carlisle, it is his positive pleasure that you make all the haste you can to him and I hope you shall not need to fear a purge. Farewell.

Appended to this letter is a note in the handwriting of the King and signed “CR”:

The army being on their march I could not write to you myself, pray make all the haste you can. Remember my services to ….. CR.

This extraordinary man died at the great age of 92 in 1713, apparently of the anguish of cutting teeth! By the middle of the 18th century, Calthorp had passed into the hands of Charles Second Duke of Grafton and it remained in the Dukes of Grafton until very recent times. The Lordship lies in the parish of Barnham about 9 ½ miles from Bury St Edmunds.

Documents associated with this Manor:

Rentals 1706-10 (Suffolk RO Bury)
Court Books 1672 - 1859
Draft Court Books 1720 - 1820
Abstracts 1714 - circa 1735

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Lordship of the Manor of Cannington, Somerset

Lot #9 of Manorial Auctioneers – November 2007

Catalogue transcribed by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

LYING ABOUT three miles from Bridgwater, the extensive parish of Cannington can lay claim to a history dating back to the will of King Alfred. It is low-lying land, situated on the Somerset marshes with parochial enclaves scattered over a wider area of former marsh. There is evidence that the area has been inhabited since the Mesolithic period and Cannington Hill is topped with an Iron Age barrow, called Cynwit Castle. By the 19th century, the pretty village was noted for the ‘unrivalled salubrity of air’ and was popular with early tourists.

The Lordship of the Manor of Cannington has an ancient lineage. It is first mentioned in 899 as a royal estate in the possession of King Alfred the Great and at this time would have been in the centre of his kingdom of Wessex. At his death it passed to his son King Edward the Elder and appears to have remained in the possession of the English kings who followed him. By the time of the Norman Invasion of 1066 it was found to be an estate held by Edward the Confessor. By the time of Domesday Book of 1086 the Lordship was still a royal possession:

“The King holds Williton and Cannington and Carhampton. King Edward held them. They have never paid geld nor is it known how many hides are there. There is land for 100 ploughs. In demesne are 11 ploughs and 11 slaves and 30 coliberts: And 38 villains and 50 bordars with 37 ploughs. There are two mills rendering 5s and 104 acres of meadow. Pasture five leagues in breadth and woodland 4 leagues in length and 2½ leagues in breadth. It rendered £100 and 116s 6d.”

Soon after this, Cannington was granted out, possibly to William de Falaise. By the 12th century it was in the hands of his son-in-law, William de Curci and in 1138 his son, or grandson, Robert granted the Lordship to a house of Benedictine nuns in the parish which Curci had founded in the same year. The priory held the Manor for the next 400 years and was dissolved on the orders of Henry VIII in 1536. By this time, some of the estate had been leased to Sir Edward Rogers and it was to him that the Manor was granted three years later by the King. Rogers was a courtier who had served the Tudor dynasty well. Details of his early career are rather vague and he is said to have fled to France in 1526 after committing an unknown offence. By the 1530s though he had returned and enjoyed a close relationship with the king and received a number of sinecures and posts such as being keeper of and Master of Game in a number of royal parks. He served as the Bailiff of Hammes and Sangatte in the Calais marches until 1540. The dissolution of the monasteries brought him a good deal of land. As well as Cannington, he was granted the lands held by nearby Buckland monastery and the Manor of Redway. In 1544, on Henry’s last attempt to invade France, Rogers was present at Boulogne as captain of 200 footmen. After his patron’s death in 1547, he was knighted at the coronation of Edward VI and he was sensible enough to avoid being part of the Seymour faction which ruled England until its downfall in 1549.

After Seymour’s removal, and subsequent execution, Rogers was one of a group of advisers who regularly attended the king. Within a year, however, he was cast out of the inner circle and arrested. The reasons for this are not understood, but he was soon readmitted. After Edward’s death, Rogers found himself ostracized from the new regime. As a protestant he vocally opposed the restoration of Catholicism under Mary Tudor

and in February 1554 he was arrested for his supposed part in a rebellion led by Thomas Wyatt and was sent to the Tower of London. After paying a hefty fine he was eventually released in July of the following year. When Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1558, Rogers was immediately restored to influence. He was made Vice-Chamberlain and a Privy Councillor. In 1559 he was appointed Comptroller of the Household. Until his death in 1568 he kept up an active and energetic routine and was involved in many aspects of the running of the Elizabethan regime.

On his death, Rogers’ estate passed to his eldest son George who lived until 1582. His son, Edward, succeeded him and lived until 1627 when Cannington devolved to his son Sir Francis Rogers. From him it passed to Hugh in 1638 and then from him to his uncle Henry in 1653. Henry also died childless, in 1672, and under the terms of the original grant the Lordship reverted to the Crown. Charles II granted the estate to Thomas, Lord Clifford who lived for only a few months before his death in 1673. Clifford had begun life as the second son of an obscure country gentleman at Ugbrooke in Devon in 1630. He rose to prominence after the Restoration of Charles II in 1660 as a defender of the royal interest and of Catholic toleration. In the mid 1660s though he emerged as a fierce advocate of aggression towards the Dutch and he was knighted in 1664 for his stance. When war broke out that year he was found lucrative employment in the administration of the conflict and earned a reputation as a sound economic manager. He did not merely ‘sail’ a desk, but was aboard ship during the Battle of Lowestoft in June 1665. After showing considerable diplomatic skills he was appointed ambassador to Denmark and Sweden. In 1666 he succeeded to the post of Comptroller of the King’s Household and became a leading figure at Court. In 1669 he was given the task of entering into secret negotiations with the French which resulted in the secret Treaty of Dover in 1670. The contents of the

Cannington then passed to Clifford’s widow Elizabeth and then to his son Hugh. It has remained in the family to the present day and the 14th Lord Clifford is the current Lord of the Manor.

The Lordship occupies some 4,000 acres (1,600 h) and 54 acres of foreshore. The Rogers’ almshouses were built in 1672 by the Lord of the Manor, mentioned above, when the male line died out. John Pym MP was born here and played a crucial role in the Long Parliament of 1640 in trying to limit the King’s power, so much so that Charles I entered the Commons with Black Rod and his guards to arrest five Members, one of whom was Pym. Forewarned, they had already left the Palace of Westminster by boat, causing the King to quip, “I see the birds have flown.” The ritual today of Black Rod being turned back from the doors of the Commons, when summoned to hear the Queen’s Speech in the House of Lords, dates from this attempted arrest.

The village of Cannington lies on the River Parrett. Most of the houses date from the 18th and 19th centuries, but a few are a century older. There is an important agricultural college here.

Documents associated with this Manor:

Deeds 1775-1777 Somerset RO

Rental 1604

Lease 1607

Abstracts n.d. National Archives

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Lordship of the Manor of Cantley Netherhall, Norfolk

Lot #4 of Manorial Services Auction - February 2022 - Stephen Johnson

The Lordship of the Manor of Cantley Netherhall is an ancient one and its history can be traced back for the best part of a thousand years. It takes its name firstly from Cantley, which may have a variety of meanings. The Saxon Canta’s Leah denotes land perhaps belonging to a man from Kent found in a wooded area, or Leah. Alternatively it may come from the Norse Kant, which means a marginal or border area and this may have belonged to Canter - a Swedish name. Netherhall means that the manor was found predominantly in the southern part of the parish, as opposed to the Upperhall in the northern.

The earliest reference to the Manor comes from William the Conqueror’s great survey of England, made in 1086 where it is recorded as being a possession of Hugh de Gournay. His most notable contribution to the historical record came in 1084 when he was one of the founders of Caen Abbey. The family took their name from their town of origin in Normandy and Hugh’s father was a Norman commander at the Battle of Mortimer against the French in 1054.

Hugh died in around 1084 and was succeeded by his son Gerard who made an excellent marriage to Editha, the daughter of the magnate, Earl William de Warren. He is notable as the founder of Lessingham Priory on the coast near Cromer as well as being a cosignatory to the foundation deed of Caen Abbey. He was succeeded in his estates by his son Hugh (II) and then his eldest son Hugh (III) who was a supporter of Henry II’s eldest son, Richard. He followed Richard on Crusade to the Holy Land and was present at the siege of Acre between 1189 and 1191. Hugh’s loyalty to Richard extended into the succeeding reign of his younger brother, John and he was a prominent supporter of the Barons who opposed the king. As a result his English estates were seized by the Crown and Cantley administered by a royal official but by the time of Hugh’s death in 1223 they had been returned to him by Henry III.

Hugh’s successor, also called Hugh (IV), didn’t tarry in flouting the wishes of the king. He is said to have “highly incurred the King’s displeasure,” by attending a tournament in Nottingham that he had been expressly forbidden to take part in. Soon afterwards he went one step further and “boldly presumed to hunt with Hound and Horn for the space of three days, in the King’s Chase at Bristol, without leave, and contrary to the command of the Foresters. Whereupon the Constable of the Castle of Bristol was required to seize all his Lands, Goods, and Chatties, within his Liberty.” On this occasion the king stopped short of stripping Hugh of his lands but his card was surely marked and he largely disappears from the record until his death in 1239.

Hugh’s heir was his only daughter Julia and through her marriage Cantley passed to, William Bardolf the feudal baron of Wormegay, near to King’s Lynn. In 1254 Bardolf was granted a right of Free Warren for his demesne land in Cantley and is likely to have established a park as a result. At his death in 1289 Cantley is numbered among his numerous manors and estates which spanned eight counties. Initially it passed to his widow, Juliana, who died in 1294. Her heir, Sir Hugh was born in 1255 and once he had inherited his parents’ estates he was summoned by writ to the Parliament of 1294, where he was addressed as the first Baron of Wormegay. He was a military man and he accompanied Edward I during his campaign in Gascony and then , in 1300, he travelled with the king to Scotland, serving in the king’s army under the command of the Earl of Leicester. In the same year, possibly whilst he was away with the king, Cantley and his estates were the subject of an organised raid. On March 22 a Commission of Oyer and Terminer - a court of inquiry - was established to investigate the taking of ‘deer, hares and rabbits’ from Cantley and other Manors belonging to Bardolf. As well as traditional game ‘eyries of sparrowhawks, herons, spoonbills and bitterns’ were also removed suggesting a well organised operation.

When Sir Hugh died, in 1302, the Manor of Cantley was recorded in some details and was noted as containing the following demesne; A Capital Messuage and 8o acres of arable 10 acres of meadow, several pasture, a salt marsh, 6 acres of rushes, 4 acres of wood, a windmill, rents of 21 free tenants and 90 customers and cottagers, hens, works etc and pleas of court and view of frankpledge.’ This was evidently a complex but populated Manor. The numerous customers would have small plots, not much more than allotments and perhaps some rights to collect birds on Cantley marshes. Many of their feudal parcel survived into the 18th century, and in some cases the 1930s.

Sir Hugh was succeeded by his son Sir Thomas, who was summoned to the first Parliament of Edward II in 1307 and served this wayward monarch and his successor until his own death in 1330. The Manor remained in the hands of the Bardolf family until the mid 15th century when they passed by marriage to John , first Viscount Beaumont. After Beaumont’s death in at the Battle of Northampton in July 1460 the Manor was inherited by his son, William. This Beaumont was staunchly Lancastrian and fought with them at the bloody battle of Towton on 29 March 1461. He was taken prisoner after the battle and in Parliament Edward publicly stripped him of his lands, which were placed in the hands of William, Lord Hastings. This situation lasted until 1470 when Henry VI was restored to the throne and the Lancastrians were for a moment, pre-eminent once more. This brief hiatus was ended at the Battle of Barnet in 1471 and Beaumont fled to Scotland.

In 1515 Cantley Netherhall was granted to Sir William Arundel, Lord Matravers and this family held it until 1544 when it was sold to the Crown. In 1557 Queen Mary sold the manor to a successful lawyer, Thomas Gawdy. He was succeeded by his son, Henry who followed his father into the law and was made Sheriff of the county in 1608. Earlier he had been made a Knight of Bath in James 1’s first honours list in 1603. After his death in 1620, Sir Henry was succeeded by his son Sir Robert Gawdy, who resided at Claxton Castle and married Winifred, the co-heir of Sir Nathaniel Bacon of Stifkey. In 1703 the last of the Gawdys, Sir William died without a male heir and Cantley Netherhall passed to his daughter Jane, wife of the unusually named Harbord Harbord and he became Lord of the Manor on his father-in-law’s death.

The Harbord family were owners of an estate at Gunton but Harbord Harbord had begun life as Harbord Cropley and this was his name when he married Jane, but on the death of his uncle, John Harbord, he changed his name in order to inherit. Harbord died childless in 1742 and the Manor came to his nephew, Sir William Habord.

Like his uncle, Sir William changed his surname, to Harbord by Act of Parliament, on his inheritance (from Morden). He also reunited the divided Rant estates by marrying Sir William Rant’s granddaughter, Elizabeth. In 1745 he was created a Baronet and died in 1770. His son, and heir, Sir Harbord Harbord sat as a Whig MP for Norwich from 1768 to 1786 and was made Groom of the Bedchamber to George III in 1763. As a reward for his royal services, Harbord was raised to the peerage as Baron Suffield in 1786. In around 1806 Suffield sold the manor to William Henry Gilbert who died in 1832. His estates then descended to his son William Alexander who, like his father, resided at the manor house and by the time of his death in 1887 was the owner of most of the parish. His successor, Lt.-Col. Herbert Henry Gilbert, was a Justice of the Peace and an officer in the 20th Hussars. He died in 1932 and the Manor passed to Geoffrey Gilbert. The last of the family, Patrick, inherited the title in 1968 and sold the manor to the present owners.

Cantley Netherhall lies in the parish of Cantley in the Broads area of the county, on the North bank of the River Yare.

Documents associated with this manor in the public domain:

1527-1528: court roll The National Archives

1486-1580: minutes, with suit of court

1559 Norfolk Record Office

1500-1600: lists of tenants, 16th cent

1553: estreats

1563-1590: court book (draft)

1564: rental

1577-1598: court book

1611-1613: minute book

1614-1618: minutes

1625-1651: court books (2)

1697-1925: court books

1718-1781: minute books

1731-1768: rental

1788-1869: minute books

1794-1807: rentals

1875-1876: fine and fee book

1875-1879: minute book

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Lordship of the Manors of Carlton, Bedfordshire

Lot #2 of Manorial Holdings Auction - December 1989

THIS LORDSHIP is not given the status of a Manor in the Domesday Survey. It is situated in the parish of Carlton and bounded on the west by the River Ouse; across the river lies Buckinghamshire.

In 1086 there were several landowners in the parish, among them Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, a half brother of William I. His estate consisted of 1 hide and 1 virgate and was held by Herbert son of Ivo who in turn had 2 sokemen holding of him, a most unusual case of an undertenant also having undertenants. On the Bishop’s death in 1097 he held by gift of the Crown no less than 439 lordships throughout the country.

The next reference we have to this Lordship is in the 13th century when it appears to have come into the possession of the Pavenham family. The Testa de Nevill records that John de Pavenham held land in Carlton by one fifth of a Knight’s fee, while an inquisition taken in 1269 described his land there as a messuage, 4 1/2 virgates of land, 6 acres of meadow and 12 acres of wood which is almost identical in size to the land held by Herbert son of Ivo.

The Pavenham family continued to possess this lordship with that of Pavenham until 1348. It then passed through the hands of several families, including the Lucys. Alice Pavenham married as her first husband Thomas Lucy and their son Sir William de Lucy, of Charlecote, Warwickshire, KB, entered into possession of the Lordship in 1471. On his death in 1492 he was succeeded by his son Edmund Lucy a soldier of very high repute who commanded a division of the royal army at the Battle of Stoke in 1487. Edmund’s great-grandson Sir Thomas Lucy, MP for Warwick 1584, was the last member of this family to hold the Lordship. In 1564 it was sold to Agnes Adams and in 1594 to William Goddard whose descendants continued to hold it until 1704. Eventually it was acquired by the Alston family, who held until until the early part of this century. The present owner is Lord Luke.

Documents associated with this Manor:

Court Rolls 1-9 Henry VIII PRO

Court Roll 1670 Beds RO

Part of Court File 1600

Rental 1670

Map showing ownership of reiver meadows nd

Draft Court Roll 2-4-1597 Northants RO

(Court Baron of Lewis Mordaunt, Kt)

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Lordship of the Manors of Carlton and Camblesforth, Yorkshire

Lot #2 of Stanford & Son's 'Second Auction' - Dec 1955

Although these two Manors are independent of each other they always seem to have been held jointly. At the Domesday Survey both Manors were held by Ernuin (a priest of the King's thegns, who held Camblesforth) and Ulcete, of Kiddal and Parlington. Previously Carlton had been held by Wegga or Wiga on behalf of the King.

Between the years 1130 and 1139 the two Manors were included in the Priory founded at Drax by William Paynel. Later Drax Priory descended to his second son Fulk Paynel and it appears to have been forfeited to King Stephen. In 1226/28 the Manors were held by Hugh Paynel, probably grandson of William. In 1224 they were held by John de Bella Aqua (John Bellew) while in 1302/03 they were in the hands of the co-heirs of Peter de Bruiz.

During the reign of Edward I (1272-1307) the manors were granted as "Free warren" to the Abbots of Snaith. In 1482 Carlton and Camblesforth are recorded as Chapels of Ease under Snaith Abbey, and after the Dissolution of the Monasteries (1539) the holdings became part of the Peculiar Court of Snaith, conducted by the Abbots of Selby. From this point until 1723, which is the date of the earliest record in the possession of the present Lord, there is an absence of reliable information re the ownership of the Manors. By then, however, it had come into the hands of the Stapleton family, for the first Court in the book shows Nicholas Stapleton as Lord. In the same book, which ends in 1783, Courts were held for two more members of the family, both of them Thomas. Later books show that Miles Thomas Stapleton had succeeded by 1821 and he was summoned by writ to the House of Peers in 1840, he being one of the o-heirs to the Barony of Beaumont, which had fallen into abeyance in 1507 on the death of the 7th Baron. he, therefore, became the 8th Baron and on his death in 1854 he was succeeded by his son Henry, then only six years of age. The title deeds which will be handed over to the purchaser show numerous transactions relating to that family estates during the last half of the century culminating in a sale by auction in 1893 at which the two Manors were sold to Henry Edwards Paine and Richard Brettell for £1,040. The former acquired the latter's share in 1900, and since Mr. Paine's death in 1917 the Manors have remained in the hands of his devisees and their trustees until recently sold to the present Vendor.

Despite the sale of the Manors and other property, Carlton Towers remained in the family and is the seat of Baroness Beaumont (Mona Josephine Tempest Fitzalan-Howard) in whose favour the Barony was called out of abeyance in 1896 by letters patent. She married in 1914 Bernard Edward, 3rd Baron Howard of Glossop. It is interesting to note that the Beaumont/Stapleton connection with Carlton dates back to the 15th Century, during which Joan Beaumont, sister of the 7th Lord and 2nd Viscount Beaumont married, as her second husband, Sir Brian Stapleton of Carlton.

The first entry in the earliest book to be handed to the purchaser reads:

Maner de Carlton Cur Let Baron et Visus Frankpledge of Nicholai Stapylton domini Manerii praedicti decio die Octobris anno domini 1723 Johannes Simpson Gent. Senescheli ibidem.

...and so on, through the subsequent books, the Stapletons and Beaumonts figure as Lords. Many of the courts have a fuller title, viz., "The Court Leet, Court Baron and View of Frankpledge of etc."

When dealing only with copyhold properties the Courts were termed Customary Courts, because the law which was administered was "according to the custom of the Manor."

Examples of disciplinary action taken at these courts follow:

30th April 1755: Fines inflicted on 14 persons at 1/- each and on five persons at 6d. each for non-attendance at Court; on a man and wife for trespass 2d; for taking wood one fine as high as 6/8d.; on several for dikes in default; on another for a staith and bank in default, the last bearing the heavy find of 13/4d.

May 1737: Fine of £1 6s. 8d. for a gote wall and bank in default.

The main business of the Courts concerned dealings with land transfers on purchase, succession or mortgage, involving admissions, surrenders, conditional surrenders (mortgages), warrants of satisfaction (discharge of mortgages) etc.

Then there were the periodical appointments of officials including constables, deputy constables, pinders (impounders of stray cattle, etc.), byelawmen and affeerers, who determined market value or fines.

In the Minute Books among the records we get a glimpse of the organisation of the Manor. Here "They say the bank should be eight feet high above the bottom of the drain. When the flood reaches the bottom of the pinfold it should run over Mr. Eddells Bank." "The foreman of the jury stated that in consequence of the Dry Summer, and being compelled to let in tidal waters, the Jury do not wish to enforce the above fines on the undertaking...that the above drain should be properly dressed out as soon as practicable." Elsewhere eight persons are named as "a committee to enquire into and determine the Height of little Marsh Bank."

The records show that the Lords had duties to the community and were suitably dealt with (at any rate in this Manor) if they erred. For example, on one occasion the Lord was fined 1/0- for not clearing out his part of the Millcarr (carr=bog) Drain. Later he incurred the much heavier fine of £2 for non-repair of the drain leading to Way Bridge Clough (clough = valley), but the jury subsequently remitted the fine on an undertaking that the drain would be properly dressed out. Another Court appears to have been specially called to hear "compliant against Lord Beaumont" for allowing accumulation of warp in a drain. He was fined £1 19s 0d. Dowager Lady Beaumont was also in trouble and fined £10 for non-maintenance of two gates and a fence. Fines were levied, or threated, in turn on the Railway Company, the Carlton Waywardens, the Selby R.D.C., the Surveyor of Highways and others, mainly for drain offenses.

A final entry - out of numerous others of equal interest - is found in 1784. The bailiff summoned Mr. Luke Bell, gentleman, to serve on the Jury "he being a resiant (resident) in the Manor and owing suit and service and liable to serve our Sovereign Lord the King and the Lord of the said Manor as a juryman." He defaulted and was fined 2/6, but later, upon his attendance improving, the fine was reduced to 6d.

All of which goes to show that the men of Carlton were a sturdy race, ready to stand up for their rights and those of the community, whether the offender was a Lord or Lady, Corporation or Commoner.

The successions of Stewards, who were Presidents of the Court and usually given a free hand by the Lords, is of interest, some of them having a lengthy term of office:

John Simpson: 1723-1762

Thomas Simpson: 1762-1781

George Simpson: 1781-1783

Wm. Bullock: 1783

George Townend: 1783-1797

Henry Gill: 1797-1803

John Peirson: 1803-1821

John Peirson, Jnr.: 1821-1826

Wm. Shearburn: 1826-1846

Edward E. Clark: 1846-1894

G.F. Beaumont and his Sons: 1894-1955

It will be seen that the Simpson family held the office for 60 years, Edward E. Clark for nearly 50 years and the (Essex) Beaumonts for over 60 years.

The Carlton Records ar of immense value to the student of social and economic history, for they presnt a most interesting picture of the Open Field System of land tenure and of the trasntion therefrom to Close Fields. In the early books there is constant reference to copyholders having strips in the various town fields. The usual description is "land lying dispersedly in the several town fields." Sometimes reference is made to "the Common Right upon Camblesforth Common."

By the beginning of the 18th Century each copyholder appears to have had his parcel of land in each field in a fixed position. There is no indication of change of strips by lot or rotation. Holdings, however, had not acquired any distinctive names. The exact position of each plot is described by the simple, but rather labourious, method of naming the holders of adjoining lands to the north, the south, the east, and the west of the plot. References such as "the birk furlong," "land bounded by a stinting," "the butts furlong, " flatt," "furshott," and "the long gares" (long tapering strips into the corner of a field) are sufficient evidence that the plots were still retaining their "strip" shapes. Fairfield, Middle Field, Little Field are mentioned. There were other odds and ends of land, such as "furshott called the Long Hards," "Coblerhill - the butts furlong," "a flatt called Gingerhill," "the butt Hole Field," and "Two hemp lands in the Old Garth."

Generally speaking, houses in Carlton were not named int he 17th Century. They were usually de scribed as "the messuage occupied by..." Many houses are mentioned as having a garth - presumably a biggish garden. Some of these messuages were perhaps country-houses of city folk, for there are many instances of purchases of small parcels of land by merchants of Kingston-on-Hull and tradesmen of York and Pontefract and other places. The "Free School at Drax" had lands in the Manor of Carlton. So did the Nonconformist chapel. There is recorded, in November 1844, the purchase of a plot of land (42ft by 33ft) for the "use of the people called Methodists in the connexion established by the late Reverend John Wesley." There were no less than 15 trustees named - eight farmers, three drapers, yeoman, miller, cooper and shipbuilder. Among the occupations met with (but not usual in these days) are Keelman, Innholders (not Innkeepers), Mercer, Apothecary, Linen-draper, sawyer, currier, fellmonger and flaxdresser.

A great event happened for Carlton and Camblesforth at the turn of the century 1799/1800. Parliament passed an Act for them - an Enclosure Act "for dividing, allotting and inclosing Open common, Fields, Ings, Marshes, Common, Commonable Lands, and Waste Grounds...of Carlton and Camblesforth." It would be interesting to discover who was the prime mover in bringing about this piece of legislation. Could the Lord and tenants not agree to a voluntary scheme of enclosure, or were they not able to agree upon an equitable distribution of land? It took eight long years to complete the operation. Three gentlemen were appointed as Commissioners under the Act, namely, Mr. Richard Clark, the younger, of Rothwell Haigh, Mr. William Dawson of Tadcaster and Mr. Joseph Dickinson of Beverly Park. They issued their awards in march 1808 - awards which changed the face of the land. The Court Book enumerates the awards made to 38 copyholders, most of whom also held freehold land. The largest allotment was 29 acres. Although, the awards in Carlton covered 322 acres, of which 200 acres (or thereabouts) were copyhold. The Lord of the Manor was granted plots "for tithes." Allotments of purely freehold property are not shown in the Court Book. A century earlier the Open Fields were named as Middle Field (apparently the largest), Townend Field, Millfield, The Ings, Butthole Field, North Field (taken out of Middle Field). In the Enclosure award the Middle Field is not mentioned. In its place appears the Common.

Piecing these awards together, in the manner of a jig-saw puzzle, one can roughly establish the position of the old Open Fields. The Middle Field (Common) lay in the north west, the Townend Field around the centre, that is, around the Newland Road/High Street cross-roads, the North Field near Camblesforth, the Butthole Field south of North Field, east of Townend Field and north of Newland Road, the Mill Field north and south of the Newland Road and the Ings east of High Street along the river.

Records to be handed over are:

Manor of Carlton:

Court Books: 1723-83; 1783-1814; 1815-1851; 1851-81; 1881-93

Call Rolls & Verdicts: 1802-1808

Enrolment Book commencing 1839

Minute Book: 1853-1893 (with Call Roll commencing 1849)

Bundle of Surrenders & Warrants of Satisfaction: 1809-93 (186 documents)

Quit Rentals: 1849-66 (including Camblesforth); 1868-82; 1877-82; 1883-89; 1890 & 1891; 1892 *& 1893

Particulars of tenants properties, admissions, etc.

Draft Compensation Agreements in a file

Manor of Camblesforth:

call Rolls and Verdicts: 1803-16

Call Roll & Minute Book: 1816-41

Minute Book: 1842-69; 1870-93

Quit Rentals: 1819-26; 1884-93

Insurance of Records: £300, premium 15/- per annum.

Commencement of Title Deed dated 27th February, 1900

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Lordship & Feudal Barony of Carrigaline, County Cork, Ireland

Note: FeudalTitles.com does not guarantee to the validity of Irish feudal titles - which have been abused mightily and exist outside of ANY formal gov't recognition. See: 'Suspicious & Fake Titles' page for more.

Lot #23 of Strutt & Parker Auction – November 2003

(with ancient grant of market and fairs)

The Lordship and Barony of Carrigaline forms the ancient seat of a much larger fief covering many thousands of acres situated largely within the administrative division or Barony of Kerrycurrihy in the south east of the County of Cork. Evidently Carrigaline formed the seat of this ancient Barony since Carrigaline Castle stands on a high limestone crag about a mile to the east of the town and to the north of the Owenabue River as it widens on its way to the sea. Carrigaline is a corruption or Anglicized version of Carraig Ui Leighin or the Rock of Lyne, a family who may have occupied the locality before the Norman Conquest.

Of Carrigaline it is generally supposed that the Castle of Carrigaline was built by the de Cogan's however whilst that family may have built a fortification of the motte and bailey type in the area such as the early Cambro - Norman invaders usually did, it seems likely that the main part of the Castle as we know it was built by the De Prendergasts. The Prendergasts re-named the area Beauvoir referring to the beautiful view from the crags out to sea which name became corrupted to Bevor, sometimes Bever or Beaver which name has survived in several instances locally.

The Cogan's came from or took their name from Cogan in Wales, which name also became Goggin in Ireland at a very early time. The Anglo or Cambro Norman Invasion of Ireland in 1170's was led by Richard Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke and Hugh DeLacey, Earl of Lincoln, they were accompanied by Miles or Milo de Cogan, his father in law, Robert Fitzstephen and his brother Richard De Cogan. Miles or Milo is thought to have married into the welsh family of Gowan or Gowan. Their purpose by invitation of the Irish High King was to quell or subjugate the warring between lesser Irish chieftains. King Henry II arrived in the wake of Richard Strongbow and Hugh de Lacey's armies in 1171 and took homage from most of the Irish chieftains in the locality in the belief that he would restore order and protect their interests. Instead he took from them huge tracts of land as if they were a present and parcelled them out among his own Earls and Knights including much of that formerly held by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster, leaving with Dermot a considerably reduced fief. King Henry II granted a large tract in the south of the County of Cork with its natural harbour to Miles de Cogan, including Carrigaline and the area that subsequently became the Barony of Barnehely. After the capture of Cork City in 1177, Miles with Robert went on a two day pilgrimage to Aghadoe Abbey in County Kerry however unable to bring the entire County of Cork into subjection, Miles and Robert had to content themselves, Miles de Cogan with 4 carucates to the south west and Robert Fitzstephen 3 carucates to the east of the city. They continued on in conquest to the walls of Dublin where after great slaughter the citizens surrendered and Miles was made constable.

Philip De Prendergast accompanied the original Norman Conquest but was evidently not sufficiently rewarded, for in 1207 King John on visiting Ireland, following a weakening in falling in favour of the de Cogans, granted the Barony and Cantred of Kerrycurrihy, west of Cork harbour to Philip. There he built the Castle of Carrigaline and made it his seat. It seems that Philip De Prendergasts initial occupation came from a grant of Philip de Barry, later confirmed by King John for in the same year 1207 Richard De Cogan, brother of Miles was confirmed in the Lordship of Carrigrohane. On Philip De Prendergast's death his estates passed to his son, Gerard who without a male heir they passed through the female line to his daughter, Maria who had married John Fitzrichard de Cogan, a grand nephew of Milo about 1230. From them it passed to their son, Sir John de Cogan born 1232 who governed their fief until 1278. The estates passed to a grandson also John then only 12 years old who came under great pressure in preserving the inheritance. The de Cogans had not rejoined the Normans at the Battle of Callan 1261 but their castles at Macroom, Dunisky and Aglish were nevertheless burned by the revenging forces of Fineen McCarthy. From this time the powers of the de Cogan's steadily declined so that John dying 1311 leaving two sons, again minors, of these Peter the youngest survived and when he came of age 1325 his inheritance was described as including only one broken castle at Carrigaline.

A remote cousin, Geoffrey de Cogan of Aglish succeeded to what was left of the de Cogan estates and his endeavours to protect his territories in Muskerry from the ravages of the Barretts made his headquarters at Carrigaline. His son Robert described as Lord of Kerrycurrihy after his succession in 1388 served for a period as Sheriff of Cork. By the middle of 14th century the power of the Norman settlers had weakened considerably at a time when the Kings of England were involved in battling against each other in the Wars of the Roses. Robert, son of Geoffrey de Cogan found it expedient to convey or subjugate all of his estates in the County to the powerful James Fitzgerald, Earl of Desmond. A popular version graphically described by Sir Wareham St Ledge in 1589 provides a version. He claims that Miles the Great de Cogan in 1438 being old and blind and in need of protection had a son and a daughter whom he had married to Cormac Ruadh McCarthy of Muskerry on the understanding that McCarthy would give him the protection he needed. He was particularly concerned that his brother, Geoffrey de Cogan to whom he had rented the castle and lands of Ballinrea was refusing to pay rents due. Miles relying on the terms of the wedding contract requested McCarthy to use friend of Geoffrey to call to Ballinrea to persuade him to pay. Despite a long but apparently friendly argument that two men failed to agree and were seen going in the direction of a wooded valley below the castle, McCarthy on horseback and Geoffrey on foot. Apparently the argument became hostile, Cormac drew a knife and stabbed Geoffrey leaving him dead beneath his cloak. The body was found by Geoffrey's sons within a short time and they immediately set off for Carrigaline Castle thinking McCarthy would have gone there. Instead they found the young son of Miles who they demanded let them enter. He refused and they hanged him, forced entry and kept Miles prisoner at Carrigaline for a month until he escaped making his way to Cork to seek assistance of Lord Barry. Lord Barry's demands were too high so he turned to the Earl of Desmond who promised protection provided that Miles made over all the Cogan lands to him as overlord. With little alternative Miles agreed and Desmond went after the eight sons of Geoffrey de Cogan, killing or banishing six of them and granting the surviving two a much reduced share of land. The Earl of Desmond took occupation of Carrigaline and continued there, the 15th Earl James granting it to his brother "the Black Hearted Maurice" as a reward for murdering James the 14th Earl known as the "the Court Page" on Palm Sunday 1540. In 1562 the 16th and last Earl of Desmond Gerald was imprisoned in London, mortgaged his lands in Carrigaline to Sir Wareham St Ledger and was subsequently attainted in 1595. Sir Wareham St Ledger account is dated 1589 and following the forfeiture Queen Elizabeth I confirmed Sir Wareham in those estates.

In 1588, Sir Richard Boyle was appointed first Sub-Escheator then Escheator General (liquidator for the crown) of forfeited lands in Munster. Richard first purchased from Sir Walter Rayleigh 1602 some 12,000 acres in Cork, formerly a part of the de Cogan estates and subsequently from Sir Wareham St Ledger the Granville share of the Desmond lands. Whilst a pardon was issued to William de Cogan of Barnehely, 1574 for his part in the Desmond rebellion the de Cogans failed to recover, the final downfall recorded in the Earl of Cork's session in Youghal when William de Cogan was indicated for high treason. In 1616 Richard was created Lord Boyle and in 1619 Baron of Youghall and in 1620, Viscount Dungarven and Earl of the County of Cork. These were turbulent times though Richard the Great Earl was a survivor, in the civil war 1642 raising two troops of horse and with four sons engaged on the side of Charles I. Four of his sons became peers in their own right and all of his daughters married into nobility however the Great Earl died 1643 at the age of 77 leaving extensive estates to his son Francis and it was he who took a letter to Charles II then in exile to Brussels inviting him to return to Ireland and regain his throne. For his services Charles II created Francis Earl of Orrery and in 1665 Governor of the city and County of Cork. In 1669 Carrigaline or Bover with Barnehely passed to Richard Boyle's second son, also Richard later elevated to Viscount Shannon and who changing allegiance fought for William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne 1690. On the death of the second Viscount Shannon, 1740 it passed to his daughter and heiress Grace Sackville, Countess of Middlesex on who's death her life interest passed through her husband, the second Duke of Dorset then to her cousin, the 1st Earl of Shannon who in inherited it 1778.

Extract from the British Government Select Committee Report to the House Commons 1837 to enquire into the operation of debt jurisdiction of Manor Courts confirmed the Manor of Carrigaline Alias Bever, in the hands of the Earl of Shannon holding jurisdiction over the parishes of Carrigaline, Barnehely, Kilmoney, Liscleary, Monkstown, Marmalane, Templebredy, part of Kilpatrick and part of Ballinbar with Manor Courts held at Carrigaline, Rafeen in Lisclery, Passage West in Marmalane, Monkstown, Ahamartha for Templebredy and Ballyduhig for and near to Ballinabue. The date of the patent is noted as 8 June in the 5th year of King Charles I and reflects the extent of this part of the Earl of Shannon's Estates inherited through the Great Earl of Cork.

Documents and Reference Works relating to the Lordship and Barony of Carrigaline

Release by Maurice Lord of Fermoy to Robert Fitzgeoffrey Cogan
Land in Munster — Sixth year of Henry IV

Grant by Robert Fitzgeoffrey de Cogan to James Fitzgerald
Land in Munster — 17th year of Henry VI

Roche's Map covering the Baronies of Kinelea and Kerrycurrihy, Co. Cork,
Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Geraldus Cambrensis History of the Conquest of Ireland — Twelfth Century
Ed. Wright George Bell & Sons, London 1881

Sir Wareham St Ledger Tract — c. 1589

Will of the Great Earl of Cork — 1642

Accounts of the Great Earl of Cork and diary records — Seventeenth century

Samuel Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland — 1837

The Lismore Papers dedicated to the Duke of Devonshire — 1885

Journals of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society — 1904

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Lordship of the Manors of Charingworth, Gloucestershire

Lot #11 of Manorial Auctioneers – November 2007

Catalogue transcribed by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

THE LORDSHIP of the Manor of Charingworth lies in the parish of Ebrington, 2 miles north of Chipping Campden. Its history can be traced back to the Norman Invasion of 1066. After William had subdued England its estates and manors were taken from their Saxon owners and distributed among the new king’s supporters. Charingworth was given over to Ralph de Tosny, who was still holding it at the time of Domesday Book of 1086. The entry here reads:

“Ralph de Tosny holds Charingworth and Roger holds of him. There are 10 hides. Beorhtmaer held it. In demesne are 3 ploughs and 13 villains and 2 bordars and 1 radknight with 6 ploughs and 9 slaves and female slaves altogether. It was worth £8, now £6.”

A radknight was a tenant who gave service to his lord on horseback.

De Tosny was the son of Roger de Tosny, one of the most powerful noblemen of Normandy. He first comes to historical attention in the 1040s as a witness to many charters. In 1054, he was Duke William’s standard-bearer when Normandy was attacked by the French and over time became one of the Duke’s most trusted and feared deputies. He had a reputation for belligerence and had a number of violent quarrels with other Norman barons during the 1060s. One of these, with the Montgomerys, led to his exile from Normandy and in response, Tosny destroyed the town of St Evroult. However, needing Tosny’s skills, wealth, and power, the errant baron was welcomed back to court and he remained at the centre of William’s plans. It is supposed that prior to the Battle of Hastings, Tosny declined to bear the French colours because he was too eager to involve himself in the battle. Once England had been conquered, though, Tosny found that his material reward was all that he had expected and lesser members of his family reaped bounties too. It is possible that William was restricting Tosny’s potential power base in England to allay any threats of rebellion against him or other Normans. However, in 1075 his nephew Roger, Earl of Hereford, fell from power and Tosny received a good portion of his lands, probably including Charingworth. By this time, Ralph was no longer in England and in fact he only returned across the Channel once and seems to have taken little interest in his new estates.

When William died in 1087, Tosny supported the cause of William Rufus, who had succeeded to the throne of England as William II and fought on his behalf against the French in 1098. When William died, two years later, Tosny took advantage of the situation to avenge a series of simmering grudges, most notably with his Norman neighbours, the Beaumont family. Tosny died two years later and his estates descended to his son, Ralph.

The fate of Charingworth after this period though is slightly obscure. It is next recorded during the reign of Edward II (1307–1327) when it was in the possession of Edward Burnell who was born in 1282, the son of Sir Philip Burnell and Maud FitzAlan. He was raised to the peerage as Lord Burnell in 1311 and was married to Maud, the daughter of Hugh le Despenser, Earl of Winchester. He died in 1315 at which time the male line

became extinct. Little is heard of Charingworth until the 1350s, when Gilbert Chastelyne is recorded as receiving a grant of free warren for the Manor. From him it appears to have passed to Richard Stafford, who died seised of the Manor in 1380. It devolved to his widow Maud and on her death seems to have been alienated to Richard Turstan, who died in 1413.

Soon afterwards Charingworth passed to the Greville family and John Greville died seised of it in 1445. The family then held it for the next hundred years. Another John Greville died seised of the Lordship in 1548 and was succeeded by his son Edward. Edward Greville received livery of the estate in 1558. The descent of the Lordship after this period is rather unclear. By the end of the 16th century it was in the hands of John Arras who had previously leased it from Ludovic Greville. Little is known of this family, but at the end of the century they became united with another local landowning family, the Barnsleys, on the marriage of Thomas Barnsley and Mary Arras. It seems then that the Lordship passed to the former family, who held it until the mid 19th century, when it was purchased by the Earls of Gainsborough who held considerable local estates, including the Lordship of the Manor of Chipping Campden. The present Earl is the current Lord of the Manor of Charingworth and the descent of that family appears on page 29 of this catalogue.

Documents associated with this Manor:

Deeds 1564-1589 Leicestershire RO

Deeds 1350-1580 Centre for Kentish Studies

Annuity 1580

Courts 38 Hen VIII - 2 Edw VI National Archives

Court Rolls

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Lordship of the Manors of Chepstow, Monmouthshire

Lot #13 of Manorial Auctioneers - Undated but Post-2002

Catalogue gifted & transcribed for the archive by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

Home of Chepstow Races

CHEPSTOW is a market town lying on the border of England and Wales. The town is dissected by the River Wye, which forms the ancient boundary between the two countries. The parish consists of 1,396 acres and the town itself has grown rapidly in the 20th century with the race course after spending most of its existence as a market town. It was founded in the 7th or 8th century, replacing an earlier settlement which had been destroyed. It first appears in the Liber Landavensis, a list of churches and property belonging to the see of Llandaff in the bull of Pope Honorius II to Urban, bishop of Llandaff. In the 16th century the antiquarian Leland describes the early history of the town in his Syllabus Antiquarium Dictionum:

New Gwent, in Welsh Castell Gwent, in English Striguil. Whence also the earls of Striguil deducing their origin from the earl of Ogy, a Frenchman of whom Richard, a man most illustrious both by his descent from the Clares and most distinguished everywhere in war, first of all the Normans, who came into England, went to Ireland and returning victorious having married Eva, daughter of Dermot, ruler of Leinster, laid open to Henry the Second, King of England, a mighty window for possessing the island. Later people called this city Chepstow, that is, the marketing place. But I call this New Gwent in distinction from the old one which was four miles away.

After the Normans had overrun the area in the late 11th century, the lands around Chepstow, also known as Striguil, were granted to William Fitz-Osborne, Earl of Hereford, who was a second cousin of William I. Fitz-Osborne led the Norman force which captured the surrounding Forest of Dean and seems to have done so without much opposition. Any Welsh resistance came in the form of Caradawg ap Gruffyd, Prince of Gwent, who is recorded in Domesday Book as laying waste to four villages. He seems to have quickly given in, however, since he was present with Fitz-Osborne at the consecration of the church in Monmouth by Herwald, bishop of Llandaff in 1069. On his death in the same year, Caradawg was succeeded by his son Wan the Weak, who caved in to Fitz-Osborne completely.

The Lord of Chepstow was then in a secure enough position to erect a castle in the town, probably on the site of a demolished Welsh stockade. The castle was built on a prominent site on rocks above the River Wye and it consists of an oblong outer wall enclosing a number [of] court yards and central hall. This hall had actually been begun in 1067 and survives today, making it the oldest stone fortification in Britain. There are traces of even older buildings in parts of the castle. The archway over the main door into the Hall is constructed with bricks taken from a Roman fort which stood in the town. Over the course of two centuries various Lords of Chepstow added parts to the castle until it resembled the archetypal design of a Norman castle. Remarkably, much of the structure still stands and it is considered by many to be the most important castle in Wales, after Harlech.

In 1071 William Fitz-Osborne, under the personally delivered orders of Queen Maud, was sent to Flanders to aid Arnulph, the Count. He was slain in battle here and was buried in the Abbey of Cormeilles, which he had founded. He was succeeded in his land and titles, including the Lordship of Chepstow, by his son Roger. The second Earl joined the rebellion against William, led by his brother-in-law, Ralph de Guader, Earl of Norfolk. The rebels were defeated at the battle of Fagadon, near Norwich, to where Roger fled. He managed to hold the East Anglian town for a short time but was soon forced into surrender. He was captured and imprisoned until his death.

William I confiscated Chepstow and its castle, and granted it to Gilbert de Clare, also known as Gilbert Strongbow, the second son of Gilbert de Clare of Tonbridge, and brother of the Earl of Hertford. Gilbert was an ambitious man and was given permission to drive his forces into Wales to secure new land. He captured the lands formerly held by Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, whose estates stretched to Aberystwyth, on the West coast. In 1138 he was created Earl of Pembroke, and died ten years later. He is buried in Tintern Abbey, Cornwall. He was succeeded as Lord of Chepstow by his son Richard, also known as Strongbow, who was considered to be the most powerful noble of his day. Richard successfully invaded Ireland and subdued much of the island. To cement his newly conquered lands Richard married Eva, the daughter of Dermot, Earl of Leinster.

Richard had no male heir and his only child was Isobel, wife of William Marshal, hereditary marshal of England. William’s marriage to Isobel brought him the Lordship of Chepstow and the Earldom of Pembroke. Marshal was a confidant of King John (1199–1216) and was considered at the time to be one of this troubled King’s most sensible advisers. After John’s death and until his own in 1219 he was Protector of England, during the minority of Henry III (1216–1272). Marshal is buried in Westminster Abbey. He was succeeded by his eldest son William, who had been one of the Barons who coerced John into signing the Magna Carta. William spent a lot of his time in Chepstow and undertook a great deal of new building on the castle.

In 1228 he received special permission from Henry to remove ten giant oaks from the Forest of Dean to be used in the erection of the castle tower. The Marshal brothers proved to be unlucky, however, and they died one after another in a short time, all succeeding to the Earldom of Pembroke and none producing any heirs. After they had all passed away the Lordship went to their sister, Maud, wife of Hugh Bigod, the third Earl of Norfolk, who became Lord of the Manor.

Norfolk was succeeded by his son Roger, the 4th Earl, who was a powerful nobleman and entrusted by Henry III (1216–1272) with the guardianship of Alexander, King of Scotland, for which he received 500 marks. Roger had a high reputation as a soldier and was considered an eminent example [of] the chivalrous art. He was skilful on the battlefield and in tournaments where he was the champion of his day. In the famous tournament at Blithe in Nottinghamshire in 1237, which resulted in a general conflict between northern and south barons, Norfolk was considered to have won. He distinguished himself fighting in France but then became embroiled in a dispute with King Henry. The chronicler William Dugdale notes:

The Earl of Norfolk, making a just apology for Robert de Ros then charged with some crime, which endangered his life, had very harsh language given him by the king, being openly called traitor; whereat, with a stern countenance, he told the king that he lied; and that he never was, nor would be a traitor; adding ‘if you do nothing but what the law warranteth, you can do me no harm’ ‘Yes’ quoth the King ‘I can thrash your corn, and sell it, and so humble you’ To which he replied ‘If you do so, I will send you the heads of your threshers’. But by the interposing of the Lords then present the heat soon passed over, so that shortly after, he was, together with the Earl of Leicester and some others sent on an embassy to the King of France, to treat with him for restoring some rights which he withheld from the King.

After the victory of the Barons, who railed against Henry’s favouritism of foreigners, at the Battle of Lewes in 1264, Norfolk was made governor of Orford Castle, Suffolk and he was assigned the Marshalship of England.

Roger was succeeded in his estates, including the Lordship of Chepstow, in 1270 by his son Roger, the 5th and final Earl of Norfolk. Roger fought for Edward I in France and Scotland and despite marrying twice bore no children. Roger agreed that on his death his title and possessions would be given to the Crown. He returned his Marshal’s rod on payment of £1,000 annually, surrendering the title to the King on the condition that it would be returned to him if he produced an heir. No heir was forthcoming and on his death, Chepstow once more became the property of the Crown.

Like William Marshal, Roger had added a great deal to Chepstow Castle and most of the remains which can be seen today can be dated to his tenure. An inquisition of 1306 shows that Roger held the Lordship from the King by knight service and that, after paying for the upkeep for the castle, it was worth nothing to him. The Lord received the best fish from the Wye, 32 bottles of the best beer, and the payment of tolls into the city, fines from the evil-doings of bakers and the suit of three burgesses. The barton of the Manor and castle comprised two large woods, containing 251 acres. There was a park, which was home to a number of wild beasts, now known as Chepstow Park. Another area belonging to the Manor was a chase known at Whitewood.

It had been the intention of Edward I to grant Chepstow to his youngest son Thomas de Brotherton but the King died before his wishes could be carried out. Instead it fell to Edward II (1307–1327) to make the gift, in 1312. As well as the Lordship, Thomas was created Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England. During the reign of Edward II however the castle at Chepstow was seized by Hugh le Despencer, the King’s favourite. In 1310 a commission had been established to investigate whether Despencer had trespassed onto the manorial land and to how he managed the castle. It was found that he had left the castle in very poor condition.

Thomas de Brotherton held his estates until 1338 when he surrendered them to his nephew, Edward III (1327–1377). Chepstow was then held by his daughter Margaret and passed to her grandson, John de Hastings, Earl of Pembroke. After his death in 1389 it passed to Thomas Mowbray, Earl of Nottingham, who was created Duke of Norfolk by Richard III in 1397.

Mowbray was one of the most powerful men in England though his relationship with Richard II (1377–1399) was not initially cordial. In 1388 he took part in the rebellion of Earls of Arundel, and Warwick against Richard’s favourite, the Duke of Ireland, helping to defeat the Duke at Radcot Bridge. He marched to London, bringing up the rear with Arundel and was among those who insisted on an interview with the King. Nottingham agreed to take supper with Richard, who was forced to issue a warrant for the arrest of the Duke of Ireland for treason. Once Richard had shaken off the tutelage of the Barons he became anxious to placate Nottingham, making him Earl-Marshal of England and giving him the responsibility to protect England’s northern border with Scotland. Throughout the 1390s Nottingham was a central player in national politics and in 1397 Richard recognized this by making Nottingham’s title of Earl-Marshal hereditary.

Nottingham seems to have rewarded his King with a loyalty he previously lacked, as in that same year was he instrumental in the arrest and execution of his brother-in-law the Earl of Arundel. Nottingham was granted swathes of Arundel’s land [in] Sussex and Surrey, and in 1397 he was created Duke of Norfolk. His position was still precarious as Richard still remembered his treason and his advisers urged him to get rid of his former enemy. Richard embroiled the Earl of Hereford in the affair when the Earl admitted to the King that Norfolk was concerned for his safety. Hereford was jealous of Norfolk’s power and readily gave a skewed account of a conversation he had had with Norfolk. The King used this to summon both parties to appear before him at Lilleshall. Hereford duly attended and was pardoned for any treason he may have committed, but Norfolk failed to show up. He did appear before Richard at Oswestry to plead his innocence and he challenged Hereford to combat, a court of Chivalry. The contest was arranged to take place in a specially prepared field outside Coventry. Both men appeared in magnificent armour, but before the battle commenced Richard ordered Norfolk’s immediate exile to Germany. Norfolk was forced to leave that day and died without ever returning to England. Hereford was also exiled and the story is the opening of Shakespeare’s Richard II.

Norfolk’s son and heir John, defied Henry VI and was executed in 1432. Chepstow again coming into the hands of the Crown. For a time it remained a Royal manor, but later came to Sir John Howard, grandson of the 2nd Duke. He swapped it for other lands with William Herbert, Earl of Huntingdon. From him it then passed to his son-in-law, Charles Somerset, who was created Earl of Worcester in 1513. Somerset was the illegitimate son of Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and was knighted in 1497. After his marriage he attained great wealth and was summoned to Parliament as Lord Herbert. After a successful military campaign in France, in which he was instrumental in the taking of Terouanne and Tournai, he was created Earl of Worcester. He died in 1526 and was succeeded by his son Henry, the 2nd Earl. Henry’s son, William, the third Earl, is mentioned in an extensive rental of Chepstow Manor, as Lord in 1567. William’s grandson, Henry was created Marquess of Worcester by Charles I in 1642 after his stout defence of Raglan Castle during the early phase of the Civil War. Henry’s son, Edward, who succeeded his father to the Lordship in 1646, was a zealous Loyalist and was appointed Lord Lieutenant of South Wales in 1642. In 1644 he was sent by Charles to Ireland, where he was created Earl of Glamorgan. He survived the war and died in 1667. Among his personal papers were a number of manuscripts he had written, one of which vividly describes the application of the steam engine, almost 60 years before the machine was successfully invented.

Henry, the 2nd Marquess, was created Duke of Beaufort, in 1682, and, like his father, was a committed supporter of the Stuarts. He refused to take the oath of allegiance to William III in 1688 and retired from public life. From this time on the Dukes of Beaufort’s political influence was much reduced and instead they consolidated their position as wealthy landowners and well as Lords of the Manor of Chepstow and hereditary keepers of Raglan Castle.

The Lordship of the Manor of Chepstow remained with the Dukes of Beaufort until the 1960s, and it was under their tenure in the 18th and 19th centuries that the town grew and prospered. In the medieval period it had consisted of a walled enclosure of 113 acres. The town wall, known as Port Wall begins at the River Wye and much of it still remains. The main entrance to the town in the Welsh Gate. After the Civil War the town began to expand, becoming an important regional industrial centre. The port of Chepstow was an important one, since for a long time it was the only one in Gwent, except for Newport, at which large ships could dock. By the 18th century the town had developed a strong overseas trade, dealing in the import and export of wine, deals, hemp, flax, pitch, tar, timber, iron and cider. At this time, the Duke of Beaufort, as Lord of the Manor of Chepstow possessed the fishing rights to the Severn from Cone Pill to the New Passage and in the Wye from Brockweir to the mouth of the river. The rent of fisheries in 1770 was said to be £300. Chepstow was also a centre of shipbuilding, bell making and clock-making.

Today Chepstow is as much known for its race course as itself. The race course lies within the manorial extent of Chepstow, in the grounds of Piercefield House and is the home of racing in Wales, annually holding the Welsh Grand National, a few days after Christmas. Past winners of this event include the immortal Rag Trade and Corbiere, both of which went on to win the Grand National at Aintree. Its first meeting was held in August 1926, making it the youngest of Britain’s 59 racecourses though it is considered by many to be one of the most picturesque courses in Britain, and extremely popular with fans of the sport. It has witnessed some of the most famous incidents in racing, including Sir Gordon Richard’s world record of 11 straight victories at a meeting in 1933 and Frankie Dettori becoming the first teenager in 35 years to ride a 100 winners in a season. It also saw the greatest jockey of all time, Lester Piggott, win his comeback race after five years in 1990, at the age of 54.

The Beauforts sold Chepstow to the Curre family whose trustees sold to the present owner. The Lordship of the Manor is being offered privately for sale by a member of the Manorial Society.

Numerous documents associated with this Lordship which will be handed over to the purchaser, are at the Auctioneers, where they may be inspected by appointment.

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Lordship of the Manor of Chickering Hall or Chickering with Wingfield, Suffolk

Lot #1 of Manorial Services Auction - Fall 2025 - Stephen Johnson

In association with Strutt & Parker

At the time of the Domesday Survey of 1086 the lands which would would eventually form the manor of Chickering Hall were held by Roger de Poictou. He is recorded as holding an estate of 24 acres of wood, half an acre of meadow and half a plough team. This unprepossessing estate was added to over the couple of centuries to become the Lordship.

Chickering Hall is found in the parish of Wingfield, between Diss and Fressingham. It is chiefly known for being the site of Wingfield Castle, the ancient home of the Wingfield family and later the De La Poles, who became the Earls and Dukes of Suffolk and later claimants to the throne. This Lordship took its name from Jeffrey de Chickering, who was recorded as Lord of the Manor in 1311 and gifted lands here to Hoxne Priory.

The manor house, known as Chickering Hall, still stands but is now a farm house. Parts of it date from the 15th and 16th Centuries with 19th Century alterations. It is thought that the original manor house was built in the 12th Century, though some sources date this even further back the beginning of the 11th century. Archeological evidence shows that Chickering formed a separate settlement to the main village in this period and may have had its own church which later became a Chapel of Our Lady.

By the end of the 14th Century the manor came into the possession of the De La Poles (some history of this family can be read in the the entry for Eye Sokemere in this catalogue) In 1436 there is record of William de la Pole gifting land and the income of the manor of Chickering Hall to Wingfield College. This had been established by Sir John de Wingfield in the parish in 1362 near to Wingfield Castle. Sir John, a close friend of Edward, The Black Prince, received a significant par t of the ransom paid for the release of King John II of France in 1356. He used par t of his wealth to create the college for the education of priests.At its foundation it was to support a master, nine priests and the education of three poor boys. When the college was assessed for its income in 1535 it was found to be £19 14s 5d per year. As well as being Lords of the Manor of Chickering the college received money from lands in Sydehamcum-Esham, Stradbroke, Walpole, Benhall Robert, Middleton, and Raydon Wingfield.

The College was dissolved in June 1534 and the Manor of Chickering Hall was taken by the Crown. Five years later it was granted to Thomas Southwell. In 1543 it was granted once more, this time as a freehold, to Sir Robert Southwell, Master of the Rolls. Southwell came to prominence as the tutor to Thomas Cromwell’s son, Gregory. Through his service to Cromwell he married Margaret, the daughter and heiress of Sir Thomas Neville. In 1536 he entered the service of the King and became a solicitor of the court of augmentations. In 1542 he was made Master of the Rolls and was knighted. As a servant of the Crown he was able to amass a large landed estate and this included Chickering. He continued as Master of the Rolls until 1550 and was still on good terms with the regime of Edward VI. After the kings death in 1553 he witnessed the document which vested the crown to Jane Grey but he swiftly switched his allegiance to Mary after this succession fell apart. He served Mary in a number of capacities, and was sheriff of Kent in 1554 during the rebellion of Sir Thomas Wyatt in 1554. He died in 1559 and the manor of Chickering passed to his son, Thomas.

Thomas died in 1567 and the title descend to his son, Sir Robert Southwell, who married Elizabeth, the daughter of the Earl of Effingham. Southwell had a distinguished naval career, being Vice-Admiral of Norfolk from 1585-1598. During this time he fought the Spanish Armada in 1588, in command of the Elizabeth Jonas. He died in 1598 and Chickering passed to his son, Sir Thomas, who sold it, in 1621, to Alexander Prescott. Prescott died within weeks of its purchase and it then descended to his son, Sir John Prescott, High Sheriff of the county in 1627. He died in 1640 and the Manor passed to his son, William. He lived for just two more years and then it passed to his sister Jane, who was married firstly to Sir Thomas Fisher and secondly to William, son of Lord Maynard. It therefore came to this family.

Jane and William had no children, and after Jane’s death in 1675, William married Susan, daughter and heiress of Thomas Evans of Bow in Middlesex. When William died in 1704 the manor came to his son, Thomas. He attended Christ’s College, Cambridge and then devoted his time to looking after his estates at Hoxne and at Passenham in Northamptonshire. He became the MP for Eye in 1710 and was later employed as the Commissary-general of Stores in Minorca from 1717. From 1723 Thomas gained the position of Commissioner of Customs a post he retained until 1730. He never married and on his death in 1742 his estates passed to his cousin, William Maynard, later the 6th Lord Maynard.

William Maynard was Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk from 1762 to 1769 and died unmarried in 1775. Chickering passed to his great-nephew, Thomas Hesilrige. On his death in 1817, the manor passed to his cousin, Viscount Maynard, who quickly sold the estate to Mattias Kerrison. He was known locally as the ‘Bungay Millionaire’ having made money through the development of the Staithe navigation. The manor eventually passed as part of the estate to the Maskell family and their descendants in whom it remains.

Until the 19th century the Lords of Chirckering had lived at Hoxne Hall. This this was demolished and rebuilt as Oakley Park by Sir Edward Kerrison.

A selection of Documents associated with the Manor in the Public Domain:

1540-1542: minister’s accounts, with other manors The National Archives

1631-1650: rental, Suffolk Archives - Ipswich

1652-1666: court roll

1667-1667: rental (quit rents)

1670-1738: court book

1721-1729: rentals (quit rents)

1738-1780: court book

1744-1744: rental (quit rents)

1755-1771: rental (quit rents)

1772-1830: rental, Suffolk Archives - Ipswich

1781-1926: court books

1886-1887: rental, with other manors

1887-1897: minute book, with other manors

1887-1906: quit and free rent accounts

1894-1899: collector’s quit and free rent accounts

1900-1905: quit and free rentals

925-1925: rental, with other manors

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Lordship of the Manor of Chilworth, Hampshire

Lot #36 Manorial Auctioneers’ Partnership – October 1990

THE Lordship of Chilworth covers approximately 1,540 acres and is situated in the New Forest division of the county, about five miles from Southampton. At the time of the Domesday Survey it belonged to Bernard Pancefoote, to whom it, with four other manors in Hampshire, had passed from Earl Godwin, the father of King Harold II. It was assessed at two hides, with land for two ploughs, one in demesne, with four villeins who had one plough. There was a church with four serfs and three houses in Southampton. It was a worth £10 and afterwards £8 but in 1086 only £4. In the middle of the 13th century the Overlordship of the Manor passed from the Crown to the Bohuns, Earls of Hereford and Essex, and remained in that family until the end of the succeeding century, after which no trace of their retaining any title to Chilworth is found.

The Bohn Psalter is now kept by Exeter College, Oxford, where the Manorial Society of Great Britain held its Annual Conference last month. Agnes Peverel was holding lands in Chilworth as early as 1230, when a dispute concerning the boundary between her estate and that of the Abbot of Hyde in North Stoneham was settled by perambulation. She or a namesake still held the same, for half a knight's fee, in 1270, and her son Thomas, who died in 1306, left Chilworth to his grandson and heir William Peverel. William's property in Chilworth is described as a Manor in the inquisition taken at his death in 1337. His son Henry died in 1363 and two years later Chilworth Manor was sold by his son Thomas to Sir Thomas Tyrell, Knight, of Essex, who before 1372 conveyed it to John Dacombe, in whose family it remained for the next century. In 1537 it was purchased by John Dowse who, dying in 1558, left it to his youngest son Thomas in tail male.

During the latter half of the 16th century, Thomas and Richard Dowse, grandsons of John Dowse, succeeded in recovering the sum of £300 from John Dacombe, which they claimed under the agreement made between John Dacombe and John Dowse when the Manor was sold. Richard, who in 1602 succeeded to the Chilworth estate on the death of his father, shortly afterwards conveyed the estate to John More, serjeant at law, who died in 1620. His son and heir survived him only a few months and Chilworth passed to a younger daughter Anne, wife of Edward Hooper of Hurn Court and from then to their son Sir Edward, who held the Manor in 1676, the entail having been barred in 1671. Before 1714, however, the Manor with the advowson had passed to Gilbert Serle, probably by purchase. The Serles continued as Lords of the Manor for the next century.

In 1825, Peter Serle conveyed the Manor of Chilworth to John Fleming, who was to enter into possession on Peter's decease, subject to the payment of a jointure of £600 to Charlotte Malazena Serle. Mr Fleming obtained the Manor in 1827 and it has remained in the possession of his descendants ever since. Lords Wood here was the ancient hunting of the Lords of the Manor and Chilworth Common survives. Grave and clay have not been taken here since last century.

The Lordship lies on the road between Romsey and Botley.

Documents associated with this manor:

Survey 17th Century Hants RO

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Lordship of the Manor of Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire

Lot #16 of Manorial Auctioneers – November 2007

Catalogue transcribed by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

THE ANCIENT BOROUGH town of Chipping Campden is perhaps one of the loveliest in England and its honey-coloured limestone buildings can be found adorning any number of items of memorabilia, and it is one of the most visited attractions of the glorious Cotswold Hills. It can trace its wealth to the emerging wool industry of the 14th to 16th centuries and many of its most splendid buildings date from this period. Its most well known features are the elegant High Street, the beautiful arched market hall and the spectacular parish church of St James’ which houses any number of splendid monuments, including a huge one to Sir Baptist Hicks, a Lord of the Manor of Chipping Campden.

The town is also well known for its annual festival of Summer Games, perhaps the oldest surviving such occasion, which dates back to 1610. The games are notable for the self-explanatory sport of ‘shin-kicking’ for which the only protection afforded the competitors is a good stuffing of straw down their breeches. Once the games have finished there is a torch-lit procession back to town and on the next day, fancy-dressed locals enjoy the Scuttlebrook Wake.

The Lordship of the Manor of Chipping Campden can be traced back to Domesday Book for which it receives the following entry:

“The Earl himself holds Chipping Campden. Earl Harold held it. There are fifteen hides paying geld. In demesne are six ploughs; and 50 villains and 8 bordars with 21 ploughs. There are 12 slaves and 2 mills rendering 62 [shillings] 2d. There are 3 female slaves. It was worth £30. Now £20.”

The Earl in question was Hugh Lupus (the Wolf), Earl of Chester, a holder of gargantuan estates throughout England and it appears that the overlordship of the Manor remained with the Earls for some centuries afterwards. The descent of the Lordship itself is obscure for the next 100 years. It is not until the first year of the reign of King John (1199) that it is next recorded as being held by Guinar Briton. He may well have left it to the Church since in 1206 it is noted as being in the possession of the Archbishop of Canterbury, John de Grey. In 1216, though, Sir Ralph de Somery died seized of the Manor and its fairs and markets, perhaps indicating that it was on some kind of lease from the Earls of Chester. This may well explain the variety of owners over the next few decades. A few years later, it was found that Serio died seized of Chipping Campden and that it then passed to his widow, Anne. In 1246 Roger de Somery was granted the right of free warren and market and fair, in direct competition to the burgesses of the town, who had their own charter five years later and were exempted from Somery’s tolls.

The Lordship then seems to have undergone some division, a number of holders of separate moieties appear, such as John Strangeways, Ralph Cromwell, and John de Ludloe. It is not certain that when Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, is recorded as Lord of Chipping Campden in 1296 whether this meant he owned all or part of the Manor, or perhaps even just the overlordship. By the middle of the next century it is recorded as being held by William de Ludloe, a descendant of John de Ludloe, though again, Sir Richard Stafford is noted as holding part of it in 1381. It must still have been in moieties since Thomas de Ludloe is recorded as holding Campden twelve years later and Sir Richard Stafford a further share in 1399.

The Ludloes continued to hold their share well into the next century, as did the Staffords. By the reign of Henry VII (1485–1509) Chipping Campden seems finally to have been reunited under the single ownership of the Molyneux family from whom it passed to Cicely Fitzherbert. Eustace Fitzherbert died seised of the Manor in 1517. From this family it came to the Russells, but the details of this transfer appear to be lost. In 1556, Sir John Russell died seised of the manor and he was succeeded by his son Sir Thomas. Chipping Campden was then taken into the possession of the Crown, possibly as forfeit, since it is noted that Queen Elizabeth granted it to Sir Thomas Smith. He was succeeded by his son Anthony, who sold it to Sir Baptist Hicks.

Hicks was the third son of a rich London trader, Robert Hicks, and inherited his father’s mercer business at the White Bear in Cheapside. His brother Sir Michael Hicks was a secretary to Lord Burghley, Queen Elizabeth’s chief minister and a friend of Robert Cecil, later Earl of Salisbury. These connections enabled Hicks to supply large quantities of silks to the Court and he became a money-lender to prominent figures in society, including the Earls of Shrewsbury and Pembroke. His activities as a money-lender garnered him a reputation as something of a hard dealer and he complained of this to his brother “when others … goe awaye with the gaines and yet byte to the bone” but nevertheless Hicks was a vital figure for James I and his son Charles I and is understood to have made loans to the Crown to the amount of £33,000. Since the Stuarts were generally hard up and always looking to raise funds, they organised a number of schemes including the sale of royal estates and Hicks had a lucrative business in selling and reselling these. Such was the immense fortune that he amassed it was said that both of his daughters and coheirs collected inheritances of over £100,000 each, a quite staggering sum for the times. In 1603 Hicks was knighted and there followed a number of rewards which culminated in his elevation to the peerage as Baron Hicks of Ilmington and Viscount Campden of Campden in 1628. He died a year later and is immortalized with a magnificent memorial edifice in St James’ church, Chipping Campden.

After Hicks’ death, his titles and estates passed by a special remainder to his son-in-law, Edward, Baron Noel, and with them came the Lordship of Chipping Campden. Edward was a notable figure in Rutland and served as Sheriff for the county in 1608. He died in 1642. Among his last actions were raising troops locally for the King’s army just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. His son and heir Baptist, 3rd Viscount Campden, served in the royalist army as a Colonel in a horse regiment and was later fined £9,000 by Parliament for his involvement in the war. In 1645 his house at Campden was burnt down by a fellow royalist, Lord Bard, in a seemingly pointless attempt to prevent its being captured by Parliamentary forces. Baptist died in 1682 and was succeeded by his eldest son Edward who was elevated to the Earldom of Gainsborough in the same year. Eight years later his son Wriothesley died and the titles and estates, including Chipping Campden, passed to his cousin Baptist Noel the 3rd Earl. He lived until 1714 and was followed by his son, also Baptist, the 4th Earl. On his death in 1750, the Earldom descended first to his eldest son Baptist, who died whilst travelling in Switzerland in 1759, and then his second son Henry. On the latter’s death though the Earldom became extinct and the estates devolved to his nephew, Sir Gerard Noel Edwardes. When he died in 1838 his son, Charles, became Lord of the Manor of Chipping Campden. Three years later he was raised to the peerage with the reactivated title of Earl of Gainsborough. His son Charles was the second Earl, and his son Charles the third. The 3rd Earl died in 1926 and his estates passed to Arthur, the 4th Earl, who served as a private secretary to the Pope. His son, Anthony, is the 5th and present Earl and the Lord of the Manor of Chipping Campden.

The town and parish cover an approximated 4,600 acres (1,700 h) whose boundary is probably coincident with the manor. Chipping Campden lies about 90 miles west of London and 7 miles west of Shipston-on-Stour. There are many memorials to the Lords of the Manor in St James’ church. There is a monument to Sir Thomas Smith Kt, Lord of the Manor in 1593, his two wives and thirteen children. In the Noel Chantry is the recumbent effigy of Sir Baptist Hicks, 1st Viscount Campden, Lord of the Manor, and his wife Elizabeth, under a canopy supported on 12 marble columns. There is a monument to Penelope, daughter of Edward Noel, Viscount Campden, and Juliana (Hicks) his wife. There is a memorial to the wife of the 2nd Viscount, and another to Henry Hicks MA, dated 1708. He was vicar for 50 years. The church of St Michael and All Angels, at Broad Campden, was built in 1868 to the memory of Charles Noel, 1st Earl of Gainsborough of the second creation. The 4th Earl gave the land for the Roman Catholic church of St Catherine of Alexandria.

The Town Hall was erected in 1627 by Sir Baptist Hicks, 1st Viscount Campden, and contains a full-length portrait of Sir Gerard Noel, Baronet, in his robes as High Steward of the Corporation in 1824. The Campden and District Historical and Archaeological Society was formed in 1984. The town has plentiful accommodation and is within an hour of Blenheim Palace, Stratford Upon Avon, and Warwick, which has one of the finest medieval castles in Europe. The Chipping Campden Community Trust, a registered charity (Hon. Sec. John Kohler), makes grants to local organizations in the parish. The trust also employs two health adviser nurses for the over-70s which is a free service. The nearest railway station is Moreton-in-the-Marsh, five miles distant. Stratford and Evesham are both 10 miles’ drive, and Oxford 15 miles away.

Documents associated with this Manor:

Court Records 1782, 1814 Gloucester RO

Court Order 1771-1795

Court Rolls 1562-63

Court Roll 1788 Birmingham Archives

Court Leet 1778-1811 Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

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Lordship of the Manor of Churston Ferrers, Devon

Lot #29 of Manorial Auctioneers - Undated but Post-2002

Catalogue gifted & transcribed for the archive by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

AT THE TIME of Domesday Book (1086), the Lordship of Churston Ferrers was held by the Norman, Iudael, who also held the Lordship of Brixham. The entry reads:

Iudael holds Churston Ferrers himself. Ulf held it before 1066. It paid tax for 1½ hides. Land for 6 ploughs. In Lordship 2 ploughs; 7 slaves; ½ hide.

3 cottagers, 8 villagers and 7 smallholders with 4 ploughs and one hide.

Woodland, 15 acres; pasture, 12 acres; 1 cob; 6 cattle; 8 pigs; 120 sheep.

Value formerly and now 60s.

After this time it came into the hands of the Ferrers family who had travelled to England with the Conqueror and had received ample reward for their endeavours. The founder of the family was Henry de Ferrers, the son of Walkelin, Lord of St Hilaire, Normandy, who served as a Domesday Commissioner. He is traditionally said to have been the ‘equine controller’ of William’s army and had six horseshoes emblazoned on his coat of arms. He received the Lordship of Tutbury, Staffordshire, and control of the castle as a gift for his services for the Norman cause. His son, Robert, fought for Stephen, leading the charge at the Battle of Northallerton in 1138. For this act of valour he was created Earl of Derby. Robert was succeeded by his son, also Robert, the second Earl. Robert was a deeply religious man and spent much of his life devoted to the munificence of the church. He was buried at Merevale in Warwickshire at an Abbey he founded, wrapped in an ox’s hide. His son William was also a great benefactor to the Church, but seems to have played a small role in public life.

The fourth Earl Robert, however, was deeply involved in political life and joined the rebellion against Henry II (1154–1189) in 1173. He marched at the head [of] the men of Leicestershire and sacked Nottingham, a stronghold of the King. He is famed for his violence towards the townsfolk, with many being put to the sword by Derby’s men. Later in the struggle Derby was forced to retreat to Tutbury, which was besieged by the King’s forces and captured. As was the custom of the day, Derby was merely forced to submit to the King’s authority, though the castle was demolished. Derby was succeeded in his estates by his son William, who sensibly refrained from emulating his father and returned to the family’s religious work.

William, the fifth Earl, was a companion of Richard I (1189–1199) and accompanied him to the Holy Land during the third Crusade. He was killed at the siege of Acre in c. 1190. He had evidently redeemed himself of some earlier misdemeanour since at some point Tutbury Castle was temporarily removed from his possession and given to Prince John. His successor, William, the sixth Earl of Derby, fought to establish Richard’s authority in England after the King had returned from his captivity in Germany. In reward for his assistance, Derby received an invitation to sit with the rest of the peers at Richard’s great council at Nottingham in 1194. At Richard’s second coronation, Derby held one corner of the canopy over the King’s head. After Richard’s death, Derby swore fealty to his successor John and was present at the new King’s coronation. John obviously held him (or his power) in high esteem as he received a number [of] Lordships and a mansion house in London. Derby was so pleased with his rewards that he served John loyally throughout his troubled reign, never once siding with the barons who forced John to sign Magna Carta. On John’s death in 1216, Derby pledged his allegiance to Henry III and aided the King’s forces in quelling the rebellion of Henry de Braybroke. In the same year, his forces defeated rebels holding Lincoln. Derby married Agnes, the sister of his boon companion, Ranulph, Earl of Chester, and received the Lordship and Castle of Chartley, Staffordshire, as a consequence.

His son and heir, William, the seventh Earl, was unfortunate to be affected by gout throughout his life. In his English Chronicle, Matthew Paris writes of the Earl:

This noble [Earl] had, from his earliest years, laboured under an infirmity in his feet called the gout, as his father had before him, and from whom he inherited it as it were. He was usually carried from place to place in a litter or a carriage. One day, as he was proceeding on his journey, his servants, through careless driving, allowed his carriage to be upset on a bridge (at St Neots in Huntingdonshire), and although he escaped with his life at the time, he was never properly sound in body afterwards, and soon after went the way of all flesh.

Robert was a minor at the time of his father’s death and his estates were held by Peter de Savoy, the King’s father-in-law, for 6,000 marks until he reached maturity. As soon as he came into possession of his lands Derby began a campaign against Henry III, rallying to the cause of Simon de Montfort. His first act was the plunder and destruction of Worcester, and the King, in response, sent a force under Prince Edward to Staffordshire, and laid waste to Derby’s estates. Once again Tutbury Castle was destroyed. Derby was present with de Montfort at the Battle of Lewes in May 1264 when Henry was defeated. In the next year, when de Montfort was defeated by Prince Edward, Derby was forced to throw himself on the mercy of the restored Henry. He duly received a full pardon, but was forced to pay 1,500 marks and present a solid gold cup, payment for which he generated by selling a Lordship in Northamptonshire.

Derby was forced to swear an oath of allegiance to Henry, but what should have been a strict restraint was ignored a few months later, when he formed an army in Derbyshire and fought a battle against Prince Henry at Chesterfield. Derby managed to escape the field by hiding himself under a woolsack and finding refuge in a church. He confided in a woman in the church, but she reported his whereabouts to the Prince’s men and Derby was captured. He was taken to London and imprisoned in the Tower. Henry stripped him of all his land and titles, the estates being gifted to Henry’s second son, Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Leicester. He was kept in the Tower for three years but was released after many appeals to the King in 1269. Derby made an agreement with the King to buy back his lands for payment of £50,000. This sum was never paid and the Earldom of Derby became extinct.

Churston Ferrers became the inheritance of the last Earl’s son John, as his mother’s heritage. John was treated with some magnanimity by King Edward I, but had inherited his father’s turbulent spirit and in 1277 joined the Earl of Hertford in opposing the collection of subsidies granted by Parliament to the Crown. A civil war was only just averted by Edward’s confirmation of Magna Carta and he declared that in future no tax would be imposed without the consent of Parliament. Ferrers was pardoned and a year later fought for Edward in Scotland. His valour was such that he was raised to the peerage, as Baron Ferrers, and was summoned to Parliament. He continued to serve the Crown and was constituted as Seneschal of Aquitaine in 1311.

It is probable that the Ferrers family held the Manor until the 15th century by which time it had passed to a cadet branch of the family. On the marriage of William Ferrers’ daughter and heiress Joan to Richard Yarde of Bradley it became the possession of this family who held it until [the] 18th century when it passed through the marriage of Susanna Yarde to Sir Francis Buller, one of the Justices of the King’s Bench. Sir Francis was the third son of James Buller of Morval in Cornwall and the grandson of the Earl of Bathurst. Born in 1746 he was educated at Ottery St Mary Grammar school and in 1763 entered the Inner Temple in London as a pupil of the celebrated William Ashurst. By 1765 he was successfully established in business as a special pleader and in 1772 was called to the Bar. His rise after this was rapid. His early cause célèbre was the libel trial of the Duchess of Kingston for bigamy. In 1777 he was created a king’s counsel and three days later was appointed as second judge for Cheshire, the youngest man ever to be given this honour. Perhaps his most famous judgment was that a man was allowed to thrash his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb, a comment which earned him the nickname, Judge Thumb. In 1794 he took his place [as] judge for the Court of Common Pleas. He died in 1800. Sir Francis’ grandson, John, was raised to the peerage as the 1st Baron Churston of Churston Ferrers and Lupton in 1858, and his descendant, Lord Churston, is the current Vendor. The descent of the Churstons lies on the previous pages. Churston Ferrers is an attractive village lying on the south side of Torbay and is bounded on the West by the navigable River Dart. It is one and a half miles from Brixham.

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Lordship of the Manor of Churwell, Yorkshire

Lot #14 of Manorial Auctioneers – November 2007

Catalogue transcribed by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

CHURWELL IS situated in the parish of Batley, five miles south-west of Leeds. It is not mentioned in Domesday as it was part of the Manor of Batley at that time. The entry for Batley reads:

“In Batley Dunstan, Steinulfr and Vestarr had five carucates of land taxable where two ploughs are possible. Now Ibert has there six villagers and four smallholders with five ploughs. There, a priest and a church. Meadow, two acres; woodland pasture, three furlongs long and three wide. Value before 1066, 20s; now the same.”

The Ibert mentioned as the holder of the Lordship was Ibert de Lacy, who had arrived with William the Conqueror and was granted significant land holdings in northern England. Ibert’s descendants included the Earls of Chester, Lincoln and Hertford. The overlordship continued with the de Lacy family until the death of Alice, suo jure Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, in 1348. Thereafter it passed to the Duchy of Lancaster, which was eventually merged with the Crown

By the 12th century, the Copley family, of Batley Hall, were Lords of Churwell and Batley. The first of this illustrious line, whose descendants include the Dukes of Westminster and the Earls of Wilton, was Adam Copley, married to Ann, daughter of Thomas Rishworth, of Rishworth, Halifax. He died fighting at York and left a son, Hugh, who left two sons, Rafe and Adam, Vicar of Halifax. Rafe Copley married Jane and had a son, Adam, who died young, leaving a son, Thomas. Thomas had two children, Hugh and Rafe. Hugh succeeded his father as Lord of Churwell during the reign of Henry III (1216–1272) and married the daughter of Sir William Cromwellbotham. His son, Rafe, married the daughter and heiress of Adam Batley, of Batley, and left a son, Adam. Adam Copley founded the Chantry of Our Lady in Batley Church, the charter bearing the date 8 June 1334. He acquired by marriage estates at Oxenhope which remained in the family until sold by the second Earl of Wilton in the 19th century.

Adam had a son, John, who died in 1397. John’s son, Sir Richard Copley, died in 1434 leaving an heir, Lionel, by his first marriage. Lionel, an armiger, died in 1508 and was buried at Batley. His son, John, succeeded him as Lord of Churwell and married Agnes, daughter of Sir Geoffrey Pigot of Clotherham, Yorkshire, and died in January 1509, shortly after his father. He was buried beside his father and mother in the churchyard at Batley.

His son, also John, died in 1543 and was succeeded by his son, Alverey, who died in 1597 and his son, Edward, died in 1616 leaving eight children living. The eldest of these, Alverey, succeeded to his father’s estates and he died in 1631. His eldest son, John, married Sarah, daughter of Brian Cooke, of Wheatley, Yorkshire, who received from her father £2,000 on her betrothal. John died while fighting for the Royalist cause during the Civil War and was buried in Batley on 19 August 1643. He left no issue and was succeeded by his younger brother, Edward, who was punished by the parliamentary forces for his loyalty to the King. Most of his estates were confiscated and he died in 1676 a comparatively poor man. His son, also Edward, succeeded and died without issue in 1716. His brother, John, inherited the remaining estates and was Rector of Thornhill. He married Ellen, daughter of James Diggles of Manchester. John died in 1732 and was succeeded by his son, also John, who died without issue in 1746. His estates passed to his three sisters as co-heirs and Churwell passed to Eleanor, whose second marriage was to Sir Ralph Assheton, Bt. They had two daughters, Mary (who married Sir Harbord Harbord Bt, later Baron Suffield) and Eleanor, who inherited Churwell. She married in 1769, Sir Thomas Grey Egerton, who was created Baron Grey de Wilton in 1784 and Viscount Grey de Wilton and Earl of Wilton of Wilton Castle in 1801.

The Earl died in 1814 without male issue and his only daughter, Eleanor, married Robert Grosvenor, who was created Marquess of Westminster in 1831. His descendant, the present Duke of Westminster, is one of the richest men in Britain. The Earldom of Wilton and the family estates did not pass to the Grosvenor family, however. The title had a special remainder to the second son of Eleanor, daughter of the first Earl of Wilton, and it was duly inherited by Thomas, who became the second Earl of Wilton and who took the surname Egerton by Royal licence in 1821, when he came of age. He sold Churwell shortly afterwards to William Legge, fourth Earl of Dartmouth, in whose family it remained until the 1990s. The descent of the Legges lies on the following pages.

Documents associated with this Manor:

Court Rolls and other papers 1724-1865 Bradford District Archives

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Lordship of the Manor of Circum Cum Wilcocks (alias Fransham Parva), Norfolk

Lot #27 of 'Beaumont Collection' Auction - Nov 1954

in the Parish of Little Fransham

At the time of the Domesday Survey, Ralph de Tony held this Manor under King Harold. Later it came into the Le Strange and Beauchamp families. Richard Mevill, Earl of Warwick, was subsequently Lord but lost the Manor on his attainder. Henry VIII granted it to Sir Thomas Bullen (afterwards Earl of Wiltshire and father of Ann Bullen, better known as Anne Boleyn).

There were no Courts Leet entered in the Court Rolls of this Manor as the Parish of Little Fransham was dealt with at the Courts enrolled in the Records of the Manor of Great Fransham (see Lot 26).

There are many interesting entries in the Court Rolls and Books and a particularly interesting plan is enrolled with the Conveyance from Charles Metcalf to the Lynn and Dereham Railway Company on 7th February, 1872. This shows three adjoining strips of land stated to be parts of the Manors of Great Fransham, Mills on the Moor, and Circum with Wilcox.

The Manorial Records (insured for £200, at a premium of 10/0 per annum) to be handed to the purchaser are:

Court Rolls: 1670-84; 1689-1705; 1679-1726

Court Books: 1727-90; 1791-1852; 1853-78

Other records (not the property of the Vendors) at the Central Library, Norwich include:

Court Rolls: 1458-1508; 1577-8

Bailiff's Account Rolls: 1334-1443 with omissions

Mersoirs Accounts: 1383-1474 with omissions

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Lordship of the Manor of Clayton, Sussex

Lot #7 of Strutt & Parker Auction – November 2003

In the Hundred of Buttinghill

Includes the ancient grant of fairs

Clayton formerly Claitona and Claitune is a parish and a manor that lies within the Hundred of Buttinghill to the north of Brighton in the County of Sussex. The parish of Clayton extends to 1,414 acres, it is a long, narrow, irregular shape running up the side of the South Downs. The village is situated at the southern end of the parish at the foot of the downs. In the centre of the Parish, a mill north of the village of Clayton, the road from Lewes to Hurstpierpoint crosses the road north from Brighton at a point known as Stone Pound, so called as the parish pound used to be situated nearby. Buttinghill, the mound where the Hundred Courts were anciently held is situated beside the road to Hurstpierpoint.

The manor of Clayton was held from Edward the Confessor by Azor and after the Norman Conquest, was held of William de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, by the wife of the William de Wateville who also owned the neighbouring manor of Keymer.

The Domesday Survey of 1086 shows that Clayton had land for seven ploughs and land for twelve ploughs. Now it lordship two ploughs, twenty-six villagers and five small-holders who have fourteen ploughs. A church, twenty-three acres of meadow, fifteen pigs at woodland. Nine sites in Lewes at four shillings and seven pence. The manor was valued before 1066 at ten pounds, but by 1086, the value had reduced to eight pounds.

With the death of William de Wateville's wife the manor of Clayton was retained in demesne by the Earls of Surrey and descended with the Barony of Lewes until 1415 when the property was divided. Half of the barony with its manors passed to the Duke of Norfolk where it descended and the other half to the Earls of Derby. In 1575, Henry, the Earl of Derby, sold his moiety of the manor of Clayton to Richard Culpeper and in 1588 Richard Culpeper conveyed it to Anthony, Viscount Montagu.

In 1610, the Duke of Norfolk and Earl of Arundell sold his half of the manor to Edward Middleton of Hambmond Place. Edward mortgaged it in 1621 to Robert Broomfield. By 1666 it was included within the lands owned by Sir Edward Broomfield. In 1678, Sir Edward sold his share of the manor to Frances, Viscount Montagu then she became the owner of the entire manor.

The manor of Clayton descended with the heirs to Viscount Montagu until the end of the eighteenth century. With the death of the eighth and last Viscount in 1793, the manor was conveyed to Sir Richard Bedingfield, who was a son of the aunt of the eighth Viscount. Evidently on his death, the manor reverted to Elizabeth, the sister of the 8th Viscount and wife of William Steven Poyntz. In 1825, she conveyed to George Courthope, who immediately reconveyed it to William John Campion.

William John Campion died in 1869 and was succeeded by his eldest son William Henry Campion on William's death the manor passed to his son Sir William Robert Campion KCMG DSO who was a Member of Parliament for Lewes, Sussex, 1910-1924 and Governor of Western Australia 1924-1931. Sir William was awarded the DSO in 1917. The manor has descended with the family

Documents associated with the Manor of Clayton in Sussex

Acc 1475/6 Sussex Record Office
Acc 1481 " "
Acc 1497-99 " "
Acc 1523-24 " "
Acc 1532-34 " "
Court Books 1588-1922 " "
Acc 1620-36 " "
Survey 1732 " "
Survey 1746 " "
Survey (some missing) 1750 " "
Plan 1783 " "
Survey 1783 " "
Plan 1807 " "
Rolls 1858 " "
Rolls 1859 " "
Enfranchisements 1868-1899 " "
Enfranchisement Oct 30th 1868 " "
Enfranchisement April 10th 1899 " "

Other References

Manorial soc. List 1913 p.17

Agricultural List 1925 p.59

Kelly's Directory to 1930

Victoria County History 1940

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Lordship of the Manor of Clayton Wickham, Sussex

Lot #26 of Strutt & Parker Auction – November 2003

Clayton Wickham lies within the parish of Clayton formerly Claitone and Claitune. The parish lies within the hundred of Buttinghill to the north of Brighton in the County of Sussex. The parish of Clayton extends to 1,414 acres, it is a long, narrow irregular shape running up the side of the downs. In the centre of the parish, a mile north of the village of Clayton, the road from Lewes to Hurstpierpoint cross the road north from Brighton at a point known as Stone Pound, so called as the parish pound was formerly situated nearby. Buttinghill, the mound where the hundred courts were anciently held, is beside the road to Hurst behind Ham Farm. Clayton Wickham lies to the North West of the crossroads.

The manor of Clayton Wickham was held from Edward the Confessor by Azor and after the Norman Conquest was held in 1086 by the wife of William de Wateville. The manor was held of both of them by Alwin.

The Domesday Survey of 1086 shows that Clayton Wickham had land for three hides. In Lordship 1 plough; 3 villagers with 1 plough 3 parts of 1 site in Lewes at 15 pence.

It was in 1565 held of the Lords of the Barony of Lewes by service of 1/10 of a knights fee. In the 14th century it was held by the family of Wysham. In 1327 John de Wysham and Howise his wife were possessed of land in Clayton; in 1356 orders were given to distrain the heir of John Wysham for relief of half a fee in Wysham. In 1398, Sir William Wysham gave seisin of a manor of 'Wykham' to Robert Oxenbridge and others. Nothing further is known of the history of the manor until John Culpeper died seized of it in 1565, leaving it to his son Thomas who was succeeded in 1571 by his son Edward. The latter died in 1630 and his son Sir William Culpeper mortgaged the manor in 1647 to Walter Burrell. In 1649 it was acquired by John Vinall and William Vinall was shown as holding it in 1664.

The manor remained in the Vinall family until 1717 when William Vinall sold it to John Bridger. Wickham remained in the Bridger family until the early 19th century when it was sold by Harry Bridger to William John Campion about 1825.

William John Campion died in 1869 and was succeeded by his eldest son William Henry Campion on William's death the manor passed to his son Sir William Robert Campion, KCMG DSO who was a Member of Parliament for Lewes, Sussex 1910-1924 and Governor of Western Australia 1924-1931. Sir William was awarded the DSO in 1917. The manor has descended with the family.

Documents associated with the Lordship of the Manor of Clayton Wickham

Held at Sussex Record office includes survey in 1732

Other References

Manor Society List 1913 Page 17

Kellys Directory 1918

Agricultural List 1925 Page 59

Victoria County History 1940

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Lordship of the Manor of Cleckheaton, Yorkshire

Lot #2 of Bernard Thorpe Auction - March 1987

This important lordship is in the Wapentake of Morley, West Riding of Yorkshire, between Halifax and Dewsbury. The area of the manor is about 5,000 acres.

In the Domesday Survey, of 1086, it is recorded that Ilbert de Laci was lord of the manor. In King Edward the Confessor’s time, before 1066, the lordship belonged to two freemen, Dunstan and Raventull.

Ilbert de Laci was one of the greatest Norman landowners. His descendant, Robert de Laci, was present at the coronation of King Richard I and he fought with Richard on Crusade at the siege of Acre.

His son, also Robert, Lord of the Manor of Cleckheaton, was one of the barons present at the sealing of Magna Carta. He was created Earl Chester and Earl of Lincoln.

By 1246, Clemencia de Lungvylers was lord of the manor. On the 11th June 1246, John de Lungvylers, who was son and heir, inherited the lordship and took homage of King Henry III for two knights’ fees.

In 1354 an enquiry was held as to the extent of the lands held by John de Lungvylers. The report, which is dated 5th November 1354 gives interesting information about land holdings and customs in this area of Yorkshire.

For many generations this lordship has belonged to the ancestor of the present lord of the manor.

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANOR:

1 Call books 1790-1812

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Lordship of the Manor of Cockfield Hall

Lot #19 of 'Beaumont Collection' Auction - Nov 1954

in the Parish of Cockfield

Cockfield is situated about 7 miles South of Bury St. Edmunds. Originally vested in the Abbott of St. Edmunds by a gift of Earl Alfar, the Manor remained in the Abbey until the Dissolution, when it was granted by the Crown to Sir Robert Drury. The Manor and the Advowson were in 1545 granted to Sir John Sprying; this much we have from Copinger (Vol. I,p. 74).

On the death of Sir William Spring in 1648, it passed to Sir Thomas Robinson of Kentwell Hall, Long Melford. It left the Robinson family when Sir John Moore bought it in the early 18th century.

Sir Henry followed and was succeeded by Richard Moore who was High Sheriff of the County in the year 1812. Later Lords were Edward Wenham Martin, John Wright (1834) and John Cuddon of Norwich (1839).

A Court held in 1840 is recorded as having taken place "at the Rectory House" and another later in the same year "at the Punch Bowl Inn," Cockfield. We learn from Copinger that the Cuddons were not in possession of the Manor House.

The Misses Manning became Ladies of the Manor in 1853, but the Cuddons remained Stewards for some years. Frederick Charlsey and others acquired the Manor in 1895 and it passed to George Frederick Beaumont by purchase. His first Court recorded was held in 1899 at the "King's Head Inn."

The custom here was to eldest son upon the death of a tenant intestate. Encroachments, tree felling misdemeanors and other items of interest beside the normal business of admissions, common fines and so forth can be found in number.

A feature of this Manor is the number of greens within its bounds. Viz., Windsor Greens, Buttons Green, Cross Green, Colchester Green (this latter much encroached upon in the past and now almost non-existent) and The Great Green containing ten acres of land. The last mentioned Green was cultivated during the last war and was in 1950 purchased by the Parish Council of Cockfield for £ 150 from the Vendors; it is now used as a playing field.

For many years the late Mr. and Mrs. Ruffell were bailiffs, the widow succeeding her husband on his death. Their granddaughter, Miss Ann Ruffell, has recently been appointed bailiff.

The manorial documents (insured for £200, premium 10/- per annum) to be handed over are:

Court Rolls: 1651-85; 1693; 1696-97; 1699; 1700-01; 1703; 1709; 1711; 1718-20; 1724-31; 1747-48; 1769

Court Books: Copies and drafts 1669-85; 1686-89; 1724-31; 1732-39; 1740-43; 1755-58; 1758-64. Books dated 1710-20; 1747-73; 1773-1807; 1808-19; 1819-40; 1840-72; 1872 to date

Alphabetical Table of tenants 1625-1719

Survey Book: Contains the folios of surveys made 1581-83

Rentals: dated 1795 and 1817, a number of rough sketches of commons and wastes, a bundle of presentments of juries, notices of courts, copies of surrenders, etc., 1703-29.

The 1st enrolled transaction is a license to F. J. W. Smith to construct and maintain a roadway over Colchester Green mentioned above to enable him to have access to his cottage a the other end of the Green.

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Lordship of the Manor of Cockthorpe, Norfolk

Lot #15 of Manorial Auctioneers – November 2007

Catalogue transcribed by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

TO DISTINGUISH THIS village of ‘Thorpe’ from the numerous Thorpes in East Anglia, it was given the appendage of ‘Cock’ to denote that it was situated near water. The settlement lies six miles north-west of the small market town of Holt and near to the Norfolk Marshes at Stiffkey. The 14th century parish church of All Saints was, until recently, derelict, but has been restored and bears the memorials of a number of Lords of the Manor. At the time of Domesday Book, which was compiled by the commissioners of William the Conqueror in 1086, the Lordship belonged to William, Bishop of Thetford:

“In Cockthorpe there were 2 free men. Now William de Noyers holds them of Bishop William (of Thetford). They have 100 acres of land, half an acre of meadow and (there) have always been 1½ ploughs. Before 1066 it was worth 20s now it is worth 30s.”

The ownership of the Lordship appears to have then been transferred with the see to the bishopric of Norwich which then became overlords of Cockthorpe with the actual lordship being leased to their tenants. We find Thomas Bacon as Lord of the Manor in the early 14th century paying service to the Bishop. He leased Cockthorpe to Ralph de Resham and his wife Joan but eventually it passed to his ancestor, Bartholomew Bacon. His heir was his sister Isabel who married Sir Oliver Calthorpe. The Manor remained in her name until her death in 1411 when it passed to her son Richard who died in 1438 and who is buried in the parish church of All Saints. His wife Margaret survived him for 40 years and although she remarried, at her death in 1478, she directed in her will that she be buried with her first husband and that a priest should pray for their souls. Their successor was their eldest son John who was one of the last English landowners to found a monastery, at nearby Blakeney.

John’s son and heir was Christopher who is recorded as holding Cockthorpe in 1542 and who was also the Lord of Sturston by right of his wife Alianore. He died in 1547 and like his forbears was buried in the village. James Calthorpe, his heir, rebuilt All Saints and is buried in the north side of the chancel. James, his son, succeeded to the estate and was knighted by King James I and was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1615.

Christopher, his heir, lived until 1640 when the Lordship passed to his son James. By this time, the family had a considerable estate in the area which included not only Cockthorpe, but the Lordships of Blakeney and Langham Parva. James sold this Lordship to his kinsman Sir Henry Calthorpe who trained as a lawyer, being called to the bar in 1616. He rose to prominence in 1625 when he was appointed solicitor-general to Queen Henrietta, the wife of Charles I. For a man in royal employment he took a number of risks in defending those who sought redress against the King. In 1627, for instance, he spoke on behalf of Sir John Corbet who had been imprisoned by the King for refusing to contribute to a forced loan, known as ‘benevolence’. Three years later he defended the right of Members of Parliament to try one of their own number. Despite these cases, Calthorpe prospered under Charles’ regime and was given the post of Recorder of London in 1635 at the behest of the King himself. Within a few months he had been knighted, but lived only for a short while before his death in 1637. His son, James, inherited Sir Henry’s large estates and is supposed to have been knighted by Oliver Cromwell during the Commonwealth, and Cockthorpe then descended to his son Reynolds from whom it passed to his heir, Sir Henry Calthorpe KB.

Sir Henry lived until 1788 but died unmarried and childless. The Calthorpe estate passed to his nephew Sir Henry who assumed the name Gough and was elevated to the peerage as the first Baron Calthorpe of Calthorpe. Sir Henry sat as a Member of Parliament for Bramber between 1774 and 1790 and received his peerage in 1796. On his death, the Lordship of Cockthorpe came to his eldest son, Charles, who died childless in 1807 when it was inherited by his brother George, who carried the Gold Spurs at the coronation of King George IV. He too died unmarried in 1851 and was succeeded by his brother Frederick, the fourth Baron. By special licence, George was allowed to use the name Gough instead of Calthorpe but this did not apply to his son and heir Frederick, who succeeded his father in 1868. The seeming reluctance of the Calthorpe Barons to marry was reflected in Frederick who died without children in 1893 and the estates passed to his brother Augustus. The sixth Baron was a well known figure on the agricultural scene and was a great enthusiast of hunting. He spent most of his time at the family estate at Perry Hall, near to Birmingham, and he served as High Sheriff for Staffordshire in 1881. At his Elvetham estate in Hampshire he kept a well known herd of pedigree shorthorn cattle as well as celebrated examples of Southdown sheep and Berkshire Pigs. As well as a patron of the countryside he was also keen to promote the interests of Birmingham and in 1900 he presented 28 acres of land towards the development of the city’s university. He died in London in 1910.

His brother Sir Somerset Calthorpe succeeded him as Lord of the Manor of Cockthorpe and it remained with the family until conveyed to the present owner. The Calthorpe peerage died out in the 1980s and the family are now represented by the Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe Baronets. The village of Cockthorpe, formerly a separate parish, is now in the parish of Binham. It lies about five miles east-south-east of Wells and seven miles north-east of Walsingham.

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Lordship of the Manor of Coggeshall in Exning, Suffolk

Lot #10 of Stanford & Son's 'Third Auction' - Sept 1964

This place is situated in the north-west corner of the County and in the Domesday Survey it was actually taken as being in the County of Cambridge. As a result of the scourge of plague in the year 1227 the inhabitants of Exning fled from it and set up a new market nearby which gave rise to the appellation Newmarket.

Exning was the birthplace of St. Etheldreda, a daughter of Anna and Hereswitha, King and Queen of the East Angles in 630. This Manor was granted by Henry II to the Countess Adelone. Later it was vested in Philip de Welle who died in 1332. His son and heir, William, died in 1349; and the Manor then passed to his daughter and heiress, Joan, who was married to Sir Henry Coggeshall. He died in 1375 and the Manor passed to Sir William Coggeshall, who married Antiochia, daughter and heiress of Sir John Hawkwood. We find the Manor in 1388 in John de Coggeshall and Richarda, his wife, and in 1428 in John “Rotley” and Margaret, his wife. The following year a fine was levied by Edmund Morys and John Greene. In 1440 we find a pardon to Sir William Tynderne and others for having acquired the Manor from Mr. Greene and Margaret, his wife. This was in respect of the “Manor called Coggeshall” a grant in chief without Licence. After being in the Greene family for a time, it passed to Anthony Cage. He was called upon to show why the Manor should not be seized into the hands of the Queen and apparently he put up a good defence, for in 1585 he was granted a Licence to alienate the Manor to John Cotton, who afterwards became Sir John Cotton.

The Manor then passed through the Cotton family and was eventually sold to Henry Edwards Paine and Richard Brettell of Chertsey, in Surrey. This was in August 1900 and on 30th July, 1902, Mr. Brettell’s half share was purchased by Mr. Paine. In his will dated 10th September, 1914, Mr. Paine devised all his Manors to Emma, Elizabeth Freeman (wife of his stepson, Alfred James Freeman) and Sarah Freeman (wife of his other stepson, Herbert Langford Freeman), in equal shares as tenants in common. After several appointments of new trustees, in 1954 the Manor of Coggeshall, Essex, was sold to be the only time since the original grant that this Manor and the Manor of Exning Hall alias Cottons were in separate ownership. In 1963 Mr. Beaumont sold the Manor of Exning Hall to Mr. J. Wentworth Day, who was born in Exning. Mr. Day re-sold the Manor soon after he acquired it to R. S. Gibson of Landwade Hall, Exning.

The following records will be handed over on completion:

23rd August, 1902: Acknowledgment of Satisfaction from Miss Flanders to the Stewards of two Manors.

15th April, 1905: Enfranchisement Deed between the Lord of the two Manors and Robert Stephenson.

22nd June, 1909: Warrant of Satisfaction between Edward Hugh Leach of Newmarket, veterinary surgeon, and Frederick Percy Allison of Stetchworth and E. A. Webb, Iron founder.

17th December, 1907: Draft admission of Messrs. Cole Ambrose and Charles Cole Ambrose to land in both Manors.

7th June, 1910: Conditional Surrender by E. A. Webb to Alfred Harold Ruston and Albert Alexander Ruston of 12 Cottages in Oxford Street, Exning known as Vine Terrace Nos. 4 to 15 (inclusive) for securing the payment of £460 and interest.

1852–1900: Minute Book covering this period of transactions in both Manors. There is a Memorandum in this book stating that Alexander Cotton died on 24th May, 1860.

In the conveyance of the Manor of Cottons Hall to Mr. Wentworth Day, Mr. Beaumont acknowledged the latter’s right to production of the documents of title specified in the Schedule thereto, which related also to the Manor of Coggeshall in Exning. These documents were as under:

11th August, 1900: Conveyance between Elizabeth and Brettell, Norman Scott Brettell and Montague Cecil Scott, and Henry Edward Paine.

29th August, 1929: Appointment of new Trustee, Richard Brettell of the first part and Owen Warner of the second part.

10th March, 1936: Appointment of new Trustee between Owen Warner and Herbert Langford Freeman.

15th July, 1937: Appointment of new Trustee between Owen Warner and Evelyn Annie Beresford-Jones.

5th November, 1954: Conveyance Owen Warner and Evelyn Annie Jones of the first part and John Lionel Beaumont of the second part.

The owner therefore of the Cottons Hall Manor and his successors in title will be entitled to ask for production of the above documents, and for delivery of copies thereof, as they remain in the custody of the owner for the time being of the Coggeshall Manor. These documents contain a very long Abstract of Title of over forty pages and trace the title back to 1850.

There is an Enclosure Award dated 1812, the copy of which runs to 92 foolscap pages of typescript and there is also an Enclosure map. Copies of both will be handed over on completion. The Award is most interesting and it appears that the Lords of the two Manors have certain rights in 60 acres of heathland used for exercising racehorses. Any information that can be obtained from the Jockey Club or elsewhere will be communicated to any interested persons or an announcement will be made with regard thereto by the auctioneer in the saleroom.

The title shall commence with a conveyance on sale dated 11th August, 1900. The vendor will convey as beneficial owner.

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Lordship of the Manor of Cokesputt, Devon

Lot #12 of Manorial Auctioneers - Undated but Post-2002

Catalogue gifted & transcribed for the archive by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

The Manor of Cokesputt is found in the parish of Payhembury and is four miles north of Ottery St Mary and six miles east of Honiton. The parish received its name from the Saxon for the inhabited place near the old fort and is traversed by the River Coly. Included within it is the impressive Roman fort of Hembury, which is of considerable size and affords a commanding view over the surrounding area.

Cokesputt was formed from an estate which belonged to the nuns of Polsloe. This Benedictine institution was constituted in around 1160 by William, Lord Brewer and was a small house of some 20 nuns. Cokesputt, a fairly large Manor, formed one of a number of estates held by the Polsloe, which, despite its land holdings, was considered to be one of the poorest priories in the county. A list of known prioresses reads:

Avelina (c1218)

Isobel de Brente (c1256)

Margaret de Morchard (1267–1297)

Margery de Swyndone (1308–1321)

Matilda de Bloyhou (1321–)

Margery de Wydepole (–1347)

Juliana of Bruton (1347)

The Lordship remained with Polsloe Priory until the reign of Henry VIII (1509–1547) when it was dissolved, in February 1538. It was then granted to Thomas Goodwin. On Goodwin’s death it passed to his daughter who was married to a member of the Crane family of Suffolk. Afterwards she married into the Stump family, who held it for several generations.

In the 17th century Cokesputt was held by the Wright family, and in 1772, Bernard Wright noted, to a local historian, Mr Chapple, that, I have in my possession an extensive manor in the parish of Payhembury, called by the name of Cokesputt … belonging to my ancestors; for which I pay annually a chief-rent for the manor, and another audit or chief-rent to the King’s majesty for Okehampton-castle. This rent was said to have arisen as a payment of reparation to the King for damage done by Wright’s ancestors to Okehampton Castle during the Civil War in the 17th century.

At the beginning of the 19th century Cokesputt was purchased by Sir John Kennaway. Sir John was the grandson of William Bastard of Garston and the third son of William Kennaway of Exeter. After an unpromising education at that city’s grammar school he entered the service of the East India Company as a soldier. On his first voyage to the east, in 1772, his ship was wrecked at the mouth of the Ganges. Subsequently his first few months of service in India made such a poor impression on him that it was only through the imploring advice of an older friend that he was persuaded to remain abroad. He obviously went on to prosper since in 1780 he was made a captain and then served under Sir Eyre Coote in the Carnatic Campaign against Hyder Ali. Hyder had made himself rajah of Mysore and was threatening Madras. Kennaway took a continuous part in the arduous campaign until its conclusion in 1786 and on his return to Bengal was promoted to aide-de-camp to Marquis Cornwallis, the governor-general. Cornwallis soon recognized the instinctive diplomatic skills which Kennaway possessed and sent him on a difficult mission to negotiate with the nizam of Hyderabad. Kennaway was so successful in courting the warlord that he persuaded the nizam to sign a treaty of alliance with the company. For this Kennaway was created a baronet in 1791. In the same year he again produced a diplomatic coup in concluding a lucrative treaty with Tippoo Sultan. Sir John was the first European to live in Hyderabad but ill health forced him to return to England in 1794. He died in Devon, in 1836.

Sir John was succeeded in the Lordship of Cokesputt by his son, John, who served as Sheriff of Devon in 1866. The third baronet, also John, was MP for Devon 1870–85 and for Honiton, 1885–1910. He was succeeded by his son John, in 1922. The family held the manor until recently (1984) and it is now offered by Trustees.

(Heraldic shield illustrated on this page: Kennaway; with engravings of a knight’s helm and a lady in medieval dress.)

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Lordship of the Manor of Coldham, Kent

Lot #8 of Manorial Services Auction - 2004 UNPUBLISHED/ABORTED - Stephen Johnson

THIS LORDSHIP lies in the parish of Capell, and forms the south east portion of the parochial extent. It was originally known as Caldham, after its earliest known lords and gets its name from from its exposed and cold situation. Little is known of the manors early history except that it formed part of the land held by the Caldham family, to whom it gave their name. This family have left little impression in history save for their family arms for which we have the description: Gules, a fefs, ermine, between these martlets, argents.

Evidently, by the reign of Richard II (1377-1399) the Lordship had passed from this family to that of Baker. This family were supposedly of very good repute, possibly merchants, and they owned a rather peculiar chaÊncel in Folkstone church. The Baker’s lived in Coldham and remained there until it was in the hands of John Baker. He was a gentleman porter off Calais during the reigns of Henry V (1413-1422) and Henry VI(1422-1461). We also have a record of the Baker arms, Argents, on a sess, nebulee, sable, a tower, triple-towered, of the first, between three keys of the seccond. It is thought that this was created as an allusion to his office.

John Baker died in (17 Hen VI) without a male heir and Coldham subsequently passed to his daughters in moieties. The exact divisions are unknown but after a few years it became united in the ownership of Robert Brandred in the right of his wife, Joan, the fourth daughter of John Baker.

Towards the end of the reign of Henry VI, Coldham came into the possession of Sir Thomas Browne of Beechworth Castle. This family had come to prominence at the beginning of the reign of Richard II when Anthony Browne, was created a knight at the coronation of the new kiÏng. Sir Anthony was succeeded by his eldest son Sir Robert who lived during the reign of Henry V. His son was Sir Thomas Browne. He was a successful beaurocrat and became treasurer of the household of Henry VI and served as sheriff of Kent in 1444 and 1460. He married Eleanor, daughter of Sir Thomas Fitz-Alan of Beechworth Castle, and through this union inherited this ancient property. Sir Thomas’ eldest son and heir was Sir George, but it was from his fourth son, Anthony, that the Coldham Browne’s sprang. Sir Anthony was the standard-bearer of England, and esquire of the body of the king, governor of Queenboro Castle and finally constable of the Castle of Calais.

This Sir Anthony had only one son, also Sir Anthony, who was knighted in 1523, by Henry VIII (1509-1547) after the successful siege of Morlaix. A year later he emulated his father and was made an esquire to the body of the king. From this time until Henry’s death, Sir Anthony was a close friend of the monarch. In 1526 he was Òmade lieutenant of the Isle of Man, during the minority of the island’s owner, Edward, earl of Derby. Two years later he was sent by Henry to France to invest Francis I with the Order of Garter (an honour Sir Anthony received in 1549) . He was sent again in 1530 to a conference with the Pope in connection with Henry’s proposed divorce from Catherine of Aragon.

As a result of the Dissolution of the monasteries, Browne was granted Battle Abbey, which he mostly razed. He also built a house in Southwark, London, which he bestowed for descendants, the Viscount Montague. Along with this gifts came the manors of Godstow in Sussex and Brede in Kent, which included a large portion of Hastings. On the death of his half-brother, William Fitzwilliam, earl of Southampton, he inherited Waverley and Bayham abbies and the extensive Cowdray estate in Midhurst.

In 1540 Browne was sent to the court of John of Cleves to act as proxy at the marriage of his daughter Anne, to Henry. He does not seem to have been˝ affected by the spectacular failure of this marriage and 1543 he was accompanying the Duke of Norfolk in an expedition against the Scots. In 1545 he was made eyre of all the King’s forest north of the Trent and in the same year was made standard bearer to the King. As the old king was dying, Browne had the uneviable task of telling Henry that his end approached. For his bravery and loyalty the king made Browne a guardian of Edward VI (1547-1553) and to Princess Elizabeth and left him a personal legacy of £300. Browne survived his master by only one year, dying at Byfleet in Surrey in 1548.

By this time Browne had parted with Coldham, having exchanged it for other properties in 1540. This swap had been with William Wilsford, an other citizens of London, to hold in capite. Four years later they sold the Lordship to John Tufton Esq. Tufton and his descendants, the earls of Thanet continued to hold Coldham. Lord Hothfield, the current Lord of the Manor, is the present representative of the Tufton family.

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Lordship of the Manor of Colerne, Wiltshire

Lot #10 of Cluttons Chartered Surveyors - Winter 1993

Colerne, Wiltshire, is six miles west of Chippenham. The manor occupies the whole parish. The name means 'house where charcoal was stored'.

William of Wykeham endowed the College with Colerne in 1389 at the same time as Stert. In 1447 the College obtained the right to a weekly market on Fridays and a yearly fair on the 28th, 29th and 30th August, celebrating the decapitation of St. John the Baptist on 29th of that month.

The market was evidently an attempt to revive the initiative of Walter de Dunstanville, who had obtained a charter for one from Henry III. As in Great Horwood the privilege had lapsed by 1729. It is strange the market was not viable, because a rental of 1665 lists thirty seven tenants of the manor, with two mills on the By Brook, a corn mill and a fulling mill.

The last court was held in 1917 and the last sale of land was in 1932. In the archives are court rolls from 1356, copies of leases, and nineteenth century maps.

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Lordship of the Manor of Colne Wake and Colne Engaine, Essex

Lot #1 of Stanford & Son's 'Third Auction' - Sept 1964

(otherwise known as "Little Colne")

Morant, the Essex Historian, says of this Manor (vol. II, p. 221):

“There are two Manors in this Parish (1) Wakes Colne, and (2) Crepping Hall. Wakes Hall stands low on the North side of the River Colne. It is a very ancient building; part of which has been burned down.” Reference to the plan attached to the particulars of sale of the Wakes Hall Estate will show the position of this building (No. 268) and also of the modern Hall (No. 183).

It is curious that properties in Wakes Colne and Colne Engaine should be referred to in the full title of the Manor as in Little Colne. The compiler of these particulars has no information as to why Little Colne is referred to, but that is the exact title given to the Manor in the Conveyance to Joseph Beaumont of Coggeshall, Essex, on 27th February, 1869, and by the Copyhold Commissioners in their Report of 1870 on the enfranchisement effected by Mr. Beaumont in 1869. Perhaps some local historian can throw light on this. Could a possible explanation be that the Manors of Colne Priory and Earls Colne, both at one time large Manors and now owned by Colonel G. O. C. Probert, C.B.E., and Sir Reuben Hunt respectively, were regarded as the main Manors, while the other Manors being sparsely populated and lying outside the main village were regarded as Little Colne.

The Manor of Crepping Hall, which included land in the parishes of Wakes Colne and Chappel, was sold by the Executors of the late Mr. G. F. Beaumont in the first Auction of Lordships of Manors for £450 to Mr. H. C. Percival of Wakes Colne and Goldington was sold in the same sale to Mr. A. C. Westwood of Clacton-on-Sea for £360. Other Colne Manors are Berewyck Hall in White Colne, of which Colonel and Mrs. Crawford are the owners, and Overhall and Shreves in Colne Engaine, but these are not included in this sale.

The Manor of Colne Wake, according to Morant, went in 1349 to Margaret, wife of Edmund of Woodstock, Earl of Kent, youngest son of Edward I, “who was cruelly beheaded for design to release his brother, Edward III, from imprisonment”. He left two sons who died without male issue and the Manor came to his daughter, Joan, “She was, again according to Morant, on account of her beauty, styled ‘the Fair Maid of Kent’”. She had three husbands, the third in 1361 being Edward, Prince of Wales, by whom she became mother of King Richard II.

Coming down to modern times we find John Lay (A Great Tey family) Lord in 1811. That was the year in which a survey book was brought up to date and a Map drawn by Isaac Johnson of Woodbridge, Suffolk. This Map measures 30in. by 25in. and the properties surveyed are numbered and coloured. It will be handed to the purchaser on completion of his purchase and in the meantime can be inspected at Mr. J. L. Beaumont’s office at 79 Church Street, Coggeshall, upon an appointment being made by letter or postcard. Coloured photographs can be had (delivery about two weeks after order placed) at a reasonable price.

Among the properties scheduled and coloured on the above-mentioned Map are blacksmith’s premises opposite Colne Engine Church, which was apparently the same property as that now occupied by H. W. Bone & Co. Ltd. Philip Hills is shown as the owner of Mill Brook and Dunmow Field. One Sheep appears as the tenant of 35a.37a.4p., including Langley Meadows and Langley Green. Mrs. Sarah Collier and John Start are shown as the tenants of 39 and 10 acres respectively near Booses and Gallifants Greens. In the recently published book, The Common Lands of England and Wales, by L. Dudley Stamp and W. G. Hoskins (Collins, 1947), Booses is given as Rooses. Its area is stated to be 1½ acres.

It might be mentioned that Joseph Beaumont, who was a Solicitor practising at Coggeshall in 1863, purchased this Manor solely for the purpose of a quick profit. Under Copyhold Acts, passed early in the last century, it was possible for Lords to require tenants of copyhold lands to enfranchise their lands either in consideration of a lump sum payment or of an annual rent charge. It was also possible to negotiate terms privately without calling upon the copyholders themselves by the Acts. Anyhow, Mr. Beaumont proceeded to negotiate with the tenants of this Manor so effectively that, having completed his purchase on 27th February, 1869, by the end of the year twenty-eight enfranchisements had been effected and the Manor was, so he thought, dead. The title deeds and the Court Rolls were therefore put away and he probably thought no more about them. He would have been surprised and no doubt glad, if he had known that in just under 100 years his grandchildren or great-grandchildren would benefit from the sale of the Manor and share in the net proceeds of sale. The same happens in several other Essex Manors. Mr. Beaumont acted for Charles and James Taylor of Bow End, Braintree, Dr. Thomas Simpson of Coggeshall, Sidney Pattisson of Woodlands, Coggeshall (now Messrs. Beaumont & Sansom’s offices in Church Street) and later of the Abbey, Coggeshall (now Mr. M. Brew) and Richard Tupper of The Hamlet, Little Coggeshall (now, under a rearrangement of parishes, Little and Great Coggeshall have become simply Coggeshall).

The Manors of some of these persons or their descendants are included in this auction, viz., Rendham Barnes, Westhorpe Hall and Worlington Scales in Suffolk and Bures at the Mount in Essex.

For the benefit of those who are interested in the terms upon which copyholders could convert their properties into freehold, i.e., enfranchise them, either by voluntary agreement with the Lord or under an Award of the Ministry, the following were matters to be taken into account. A good many properties were subject to heriots on death or alienation. Originally, the Lord was entitled to seize the best beast or chattel on the property at the time of seizure, but in most Manors by the 19th century it was the practice to substitute a money payment. In the report of the Copyhold Commissioners referred to the payments ranged from £10 to £20. In arriving at the amount payable on enfranchisement timber was taken at one third of its value and minerals at so much per acre, usually 10/-. Quit rents were taken at 25 years’ purchase and compensation for loss of periodical fines on death was calculated at so many years’ purchase, based upon the age of the tenant then enfranchising. If he was, for example, 60 years old his expectation of life was nil, so the compensation for loss of fines was as high as five years’ purchase, whereas if he was an infant it could be as low as 2½ years’ purchase seeing that the Lord might have to wait eighty years or more for his fine on death. The terms of the enfranchisement of the twenty-six copyholders in this Manor are set out in the Schedule to the Commissioners’ Report.

A good deal of local history can be culled from the plan or the Particulars of Sale of the Wakes Hall Estate. Although details are not given in the copy to be handed over, the compiler of these particulars knows from office records that the late Mr. Joseph Beaumont having acted for the Skingley family, that the total proceeds for the three lots was £14,590. The price for the Hall and Grounds was just over £12,000, the purchaser being Charles Page Wood. There was a number of mortgages paid off on the proceeds, including mortgages amounting to £8,000. Green & Co., Bankers at Colchester, and Hunt & Tewell of Earls Colne. The final balance, after all mortgages, interest and costs had been paid, gave the Vendor, Mr. Henry Skingley, just over £100. The plan attached to the particulars is also of interest in giving names of adjoining owners. These include Walter Skingley, Osgood Hanbury, Mrs. Mayhew’s Trustees and E. Brett.

The Records of the Manor which will be handed over on completion, except those for 1830–99 which are held by the County Council as having been presented by Major Round of Birch Hall, are as under:

Court Rolls: 1380–99; 1400–03; 1462–82; 1509–45; 1651–60; 1683–84; 1686–91; 1701–15; 1727–33; 1732–60; 1760–68; 1758–78; 1779–1819; 1820–1852.
Presentment Roll: 1732–68.
Survey Book: 1735 (with additions, 1811).
Map prepared by Isaac Johnson of Woodbridge in 1811 in connection with the additions referred to.
Particulars of Tenants and Properties: 1869.
Particulars of Sale by Suridge & Son of Wakes Hall and the Lane Farm, 1883.

It is interesting to note from the particulars of tenants and properties that Mr. Beaumont’s Steward of this Manor was Mr. Frank Bawtree, predecessor of the present firm of Bawtree & Sons, of Witham and Kelvedon.

The village green shown on the Map as Booses Green has a P.O. Box and a large number of telegraph, telephone and electric poles on the Green itself as well as on the grass verges leading from it. The Vendors have not taken any steps to claim wayleave agreements with the authorities concerned, but it will be open to the purchaser to negotiate for rentals which might give him a small annual income.

The title to the Manor shall commence with the Will of Joseph Beaumont, who died on 18th July, 1889, and the Vendors sell as Trustees for Sale under the Will of George Frederick Beaumont. The actual Conveyance cannot at present be found, but the date and parties appear in the 1870 Report of the Copyhold Commissioners to whom it had to be produced in connection with the Enfranchisement referred to. The deed appears therefore to be dated 27th February, 1869, made between John Thomas Ambrose, Thomas William Nunn and the Rev. John Richard Nichol of the first part, Henry Skingley of the second part, Catherine Skingley of the third part and Joseph Beaumont of the fourth part. The Purchaser shall not raise any objection or requisition in respect of the absence of the said Conveyance.

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Lordship of the Manor of Compton Beauchamp, Berkshire

Lot #4 of Hobbs & Chambers Auction – July 1966

Extract from Skeats's “The Place Names of Berkshire”.

Not far from Dragon Hill. (There is another Compton, near East Ilsley, which gave its name to Compton hundred.) Called COMPTON BEAUCHAMP, it is described as being held by Guido de Bello Campo, Earl of Warwick, and Alicia his wife; Guido de Bello Campo being a Latin rendering of Guy Beauchamp. Spelt COMPTON, CUMPTON, COMPTON BEAUCHENE. The Domesday Book has Contone. The dative CUMTUNE occurs in an Anglo-Saxon charter dated 955. The nominative is CUMTUN. The prefix is from Anglo-Saxon CUMB, a hollow valley, a combe; a word of Celtic origin, as seen by comparison with the Welsh cwm, a combe, a hollow in the hillside. The sense is “town or farm in a combe”.

History of the Manor

In 955 King Edred gave to Alf 8 hides in Compton, and these Alfe gave to the abbey of Abingdon. No later evidence, however, has been found to connect the place with the abbey, and in 1086 William Fitz Ansculf was holding the 5 hides at which it was then assessed. The overlordship followed the descent of his manor of Bradfield (q.v.) of which the manor was a member.

It is not known at what date the manor came into the hands of the family of Beauchamp, but William de Beauchamp was holding it as one knight's fee in the second half of the 13th century, and it had acquired its distinctive name of COMPTON BEAUCHAMP by 1281, when, however, it had already been the subject of a subenfeoffment. The mesne lordship thus created followed the descent of the earldom of Warwick.

No evidence has been found to show how the manor came into the hands of Nicholas de Eketon and Margery his wife, to whom it was quitclaimed by Ralph de Limey in 1286. Nicholas died before November, 1289, and was succeeded by Peter, his son. In 1293 Ralph de la Stane and Agnes his wife settled the manor on Peter and Joan his wife and the issue of Peter, with contingent reversion to Agnes and Ralph. Peter was attainted for the household of Queen Isabel in 1313, and remained in the royal service until at least 1330; he is at last mentioned in 1337, when he was granted an exemption from serving in ministerial offices against his will. His son, John de Eketon, occurs in February, 1361–62; he was coroner of Berkshire in 1369, when, being infirm and aged, he made a settlement of the manor on himself, Margery his wife and his heirs. Ralph, son of John, made over his reversionary right in the manor to Guy de Brienne and Richard Micheldevere in December, 1385, and Margery released her right in the manor to the same persons in the following year.

The fee of John de Eketon was said to be holding the fee in 1402, this heir being, perhaps, Thomas de Eketon, brother of Ralph, who had died without issue. Thomas was not, perhaps, in actual possession, for in 1414, after his death, his son Richard recovered the manor, under a plea of the settlement of 1293, against Thomas Wallop and Robert Knyghtshome.

By 1428 the fee had passed to Sir Robert Shottesbrooke, kt. His daughter Eleanor married John Cheyne, who settled the manor on their son John and his issue with contingent remainder to Roger, a younger brother. Sir John died in 1497 and John, his son, two years later; Roger had died before this date, and the manor descended to John Cheyne, his son. The next owner was Thomas Fettiplace, who made a settlement of it on himself and his heirs in 1513 and died ten years later. Nicholas, his posthumous son, died in March, 1524–25, Elizabeth his widow two months later, and Compton then passed to Katharine sister and heir of Nicholas, aged four. Katharine married Sir Francis Englefield, and they made a settlement of the manor on themselves and their issue in 1544. The marriage was, however, childless. Sir Francis, who had been in great favour at the court of Queen Mary, retired to Flanders, “in hope of the recoverie of his healthe” shortly after the accession of Elizabeth. The queen took his lands into her own hands, but granted the manor of Compton Beauchamp to Nicholas St. John and George Fettiplace for the use of Katharine. Katharine died in 1579, and was succeeded by Sir John Fettiplace, the great-grandson of Richard brother of Thomas Fettiplace, her father. Sir John died in 1580, leaving a son Bessel, who conveyed the manor in 1589 to Sir Henry Poole, kt. The latter died in 1616, leaving a son Henry, who died the manor in the following year to Sir Gabriel Pyle. His son and heir Sir Francis succeeded to the property in 1626, and was created a baronet two years later. He made a settlement of the manor shortly before his death in 1663, and was followed by his son Sir Francis, who made a conveyance of the manor in 1639. He died in February, 1648–49, leaving three daughters and co-heirs, Anne afterwards wife of Francis second duke of Richmond, Elizabeth afterwards wife of Thomas Strickland, and Jane afterwards wife of Edward Richards of Yaverland, Isle of Wight. On the ultimate division of the estate, Compton Beauchamp was assigned to Jane and Edward Richards.

Their son Edward Richards died in 1728, having bequeathed the property to his daughter Ann in tailmale with contingent remainder to John Wright, whose son William Wright succeeded on the death of Ann Richards in 1771. In this same year William Wright bartered the entail, and the later devise of the manor to his sister Mary; she in 1796 devised it to her nephew John Atkins, M.P. for the City of Oxford, with the proviso that he should take the additional name of Wright. John Atkins-Wright died in 1823; his widow was lady of the manor in 1837, and it remained in the possession of the family until 1846, when it was acquired by the second Earl of Craven. The present earl is the lord of the manor.

In 903 Edward the Elder confirmed to Tata son of Ethelwulf land in HARDWELL (Hordwelle, Hordwella, x cent.), of which a grant had been made by his grandfather Ethelwulf; Tata granted it to the abbey of Abingdon, a gift which seems to have been confirmed by Edwy, King of the West Saxons, in 1015. The abbey retained the overlordship until it fell into abeyance.

In 1086 the 3 hides here were entered under the neighbouring holding of Uffington, 6 hides in the two places being held by Gilbert de Columbars of the abbot. Another Gilbert de Columbars was living in 1176–77. By the middle of the 13th century the lordship was in the hands of Matthew de Columbars, who died childless in or about 1273, his heir being his brother Michael. Michael granted his manor of East Tytherley to Sir John de Cobham, a grant which suggests an explanation of the fact that in 1307 the hamlet of Hardwell was held of the fee of Henry de Cobham. From at least the middle of the 13th century the tenancy in demesne was in the hands of a younger branch of the family of Columbars. Geoffrey de Columbars was sent to this district to take the oaths before the assizes of 1224–25. He was dead before Easter, 1258, when his manor of Hardwell had passed to Samson Foliot. His tenant at that date was Ralph Foliot, to whom Samson in 1268 made a pleas feoffment to him and his issue with contingent reversion to Samson and his heirs. The issue of Ralph must have failed, for in 1284 the fee was in the hands of Henry de Yleis as grandson and heir of Samson. Henry obtained a grant of free warren here in 1300 and died in or about 1307, when his son Henry succeeded him. Shortly afterwards Henry assigned this manor to his mother, Hawise, in dower; she held it for two years and then demised it to her son in exchange for a fixed rent of £100 under condition that the manor should revert to Hawise should she survive her son. Henry was made keeper of the town of Oxford in 1311, and joined the baronial party, forfeited his lands here, which were granted to Peter de Eketon. By February, 1326–27 both Henry and Hawise were dead, and Alice, widow of Warin de Lisle and sister and heir of Henry, made good her claim to the manor. She obtained a renewed grant of free warren here in 1336. From this time until the close of the 17th century Hardwell followed the descent of the manor of Kingston Lisle (q.v.) passing into the hands of the family of Hyde.

In 1724 William Sheldon and Anastasia his wife made a conveyance of a fourth part of the manor. Edward Sheldon was in possession in 1747, but died before 1783, when Margaret his widow and Edward Sheldon sold the manor to Thomas Bennett. It is now the property of Lord Craven.

There are no Manorial documents to be handed over on completion of the purchase of this Lot.

The Historical Manuscripts Commission and the Berkshire Record Office have no knowledge of the existence of any documents relating to this Manor.

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Lordship of the Manor of Coppenhall (aka Hyde or Hyde Coppenhall), Staffordshire

Lot #8 of Manorial Auctioneers – May 2008

Catalogue transcribed by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

THIS LORDSHIP, also known as Hyde, or Hyde Coppenhall, can be found in the eponymous parish. It lies four miles from the ancient town of Penkridge and is very rural, comprising a mixture of pasture and arable land.

The Lordship is ancient and a reference to it can be found in Domesday Book:

Robert (Earl of Stafford) himself holds 1 hide in Coppenhall, and Burgraed holds of him.

3 free men held it. There is land for four ploughs.

In demesne is 1 plough and 8 villeins and 6 bordars with 3 ploughs.

It is worth 12s.

Robert, Earl of Stafford was overlord of Coppenhall and it is likely that the actual Lord of the Manor on the ground, was in fact Burgraed. The overlordship remained with the Staffords for many centuries. Burgraed appears to have been succeeded by Ulpher de Coppenhall from whom it descended to Geoffrey de Coppenhall. His son, known as Robert Fitz Geoffrey, had received the Lordship by 1222, but by this time a separate moiety had been granted away to the Bagot family and this may well have formed the core of the present Lordship of Coppenhall or Hyde, since the latter was the named land held by William Bagot in 1182. He was succeeded by his son William. The relationship between these two estates remains rather confusing but by the end of the 13th century it appears that the Bagots had achieved ascendancy and the Coppenhall family had diminished in importance or merely become extinct. In 1276, William Bagot received a settlement of the Lordship of Hyde Coppenhall and in 1303 his son, also William, received a grant of free warren in the Lordship and he is described as the Lord of Coppenhall in 1316. After this time, and before his death in 1324, he sold the Manor to Ralph Stafford.

Coppenhall remained in the Stafford family, as part of its baronial estates for the next two centuries. In 1461 the Lordship passed to Sir Humphrey Stafford of Hooke. He hailed from a cadet branch of the family who had settled in the West Country. Little is known of his early life but after the death of his father at the hands of Jack Cade's rebels in 1450, he inherited the family lands and in 1460 the larger estates of a cousin from Hooke, leaving him as one of the biggest landholders in Dorset.

During the Civil War of the 1450s and 60s, Stafford was firmly in the Lancastrian camp, a loyalty which arose from his family ties with the Earl of Wiltshire, one of the leaders of that party. He took an active part in what became known as the Wars of the Roses and in 1460 he was captured by Yorkist rebels at Calais attempting to defend the town. As a matter of expediency, he affected an instant conversion to the Yorkist cause and when they eventually took power later that same year Stafford entered Parliament as MP for Somerset. His conversion was not merely ephemeral since he fought for his new party in battle, at Mortimer's Cross, in February 1461 and then at the bloody battle of Towton a few weeks later. In the aftermath of this battle he was knighted.

With the Yorkists now firmly in power, Stafford was well rewarded for his support with a number of lucrative government positions and elevation to the House of Lords as Lord Stafford of Southwick. Within a few months he had garnered enough land and influence to make him one of the dominant political and economic figures in the whole South-west, especially after gaining control of the extensive and ancient Courtenay estates in Devon. Among his positions were the stewardship of the Duchy of Cornwall and the keeper of Dartmoor, but these were just the most notable of the many offices which he was granted. This swathe of official offices culminated with his elevation to the Earldom of Devon in May 1469. The profusion and variety of papers bearing his signature are witness to Stafford's incredible work rate on behalf of Edward IV (1461-83).

He sat in judgment on a myriad of courts and legal sessions throughout the period and also found time to fight the Scots in 1462 and in 1468 was sent on a diplomatic mission to Brittany. By the end of the 1460s, he had established himself as a firm favourite of the King. However, as rapid as his rise had taken him, his downfall was swifter. By 1468 the Earl of Warwick (the 'King Maker') had become frustrated with his own lack of influence with the king and had begun to plot and agitate against him. He identified Stafford as one of the prime evil counsellors who, he argued, were undermining royal authority. Stafford's reputation in the country was low even before he was summoned by Edward to help defeat a northern rebellion led by the shadowy Robin of Redesdale. He was in joint command of a force of 7,000 men with the Earl of Pembroke, but the two argued fiercely over tactics and Stafford split the force to camp separately. This loss of troops proved fatal for Pembroke who was consequently beaten by the rebels at the battle of Edgcote. With his army and support in disarray, Stafford fled west but was captured and executed at Bridgewater on August 17, 1469. He died childless, and this led to a series of legal actions over the settlement of his estates.

The Lordship of Coppenhall was then taken by another Humphrey Stafford, claiming his right through a lineage from the Staffords of Hooke. However, this was disputed and in 1473 descendants of the Earl's aunt Alice dispossessed Humphrey Stafford. These included Elizabeth and her husband Sir John Coleshill and Anne with her husband John Willoughby. The son of the latter couple, Sir Robert Willoughby was confirmed as Lord of the Manor in 1483 and he was later raised to the peerage as Lord Willoughby de Broke. He died seised of the Manor of Coppenhall in 1502 and this was found to be worth £7 and held from the Earl of Stafford.

Lord Willoughby was succeeded by his son Robert and it remained in the family until 1552 when it was conveyed for life to Anne Neville, a granddaughter of Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. Afterwards the Lordship returned to the Willoughby family and has remained as the possession of the barons until the present day. The current Lord of Coppenhall is the 21st Baron Willoughby de Brooke.

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Lordship of the Manor of Cottesbrook (aka Cottesbrooke), Northampton

Lot #6 of Bernard Thorpe Auction - March 1987

Lot #13 of Manorial Auctioneers – May 2008

Catalogue transcribed by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

((1987 Catalogue Begins))

This lordship is nine miles from Northampton and six miles from Welford in the Guilsborough Hundred of Northamptonshire. The area of the manor is about 2,800 acres.

At the time of the Domesday Survey in 1086, Walterius Flandrensis held this lordship from William the Conqueror. There were two carucates and a half, one carucate was in demesne, and four servants, one maiden, a priest, ten villeins, and five cottagers had one carucate and a half. There was also a mill.

In the reign of King Henry II, William Boutevilein was lord of the manor. He founded Pipwell Abbey.

In 1240 an arrangement was made by which Saer de Wahul granted to the Dean of York the custody of all the lands in the manor lately belonging to William Boutevilein, and the wardship of his heir until he should have come of age. The same year it is recorded that William Boutevilein had two knight’s fees in Cottesbrooke.

His son, Robert succeeded to the lordship. He was slain in 1314 with the Earl of Gloucester in Scotland. In 1315, Nicola, his widow, was certified to be lord of the manor.

In 1317 Nicola married Robert de Ardern and she obtained a grant of free warren from King Edward III for herself and her husband. She was succeeded by her son, William, but by 1346, Thomas Wale was lord of the manor.

In the time of Henry V, the lordship belonged to Robert Boutevilein who, in 1417, before leaving for foreign parts, conveyed the lordship to the Duke of Clarence and other trustees for the time of his absence from the Kingdom, with remainder to his son William. He died, lord of the manor in 1422 and his son duly succeeded him, but, on his dying childless, the lordship came to his cousins Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Hertesborne, and Elizabeth, one of the sisters of Robert Boutevilein.

In 1493 Sir Reynold Bray became lord of the manor. He was succeeded by Sir Edward Bray, who conveyed the lordship to William Lane in 1549. He died in 1599 and the lordship came, in 1637 to John Longham, Alderman of the City of London and an ancestor of the present lord of the manor.

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANOR:

1 Royal Charter, King Edward II 1317

((2008 Catalogue Begins))

COTTESBROOKE is a small village, but widely reckoned to be one of the most beautiful in the east of England. The village is dominated by Cottesbrooke Hall, occupied by Elizabeth, Empress of Austria, during a visit to England in 1877 and which she used as a base for an extensive round of hunting trips throughout the county. It is thought that the house and village were used by Jane Austen as the model for the setting of Mansfield Park. Cottesbrooke lies around 8 miles north of Northampton.

The Lordship of Cottesbrooke is ancient, and is recorded in Domesday Book:

Dodin holds from Walter the Fleming 1 hide and 1 virgate of land in Cottesbrooke.

There is land for 2½ ploughs.

In demesne is 1 plough, and 4 slaves and 1 female slave

and a priest and 10 villeins and 5 bordars with 1½ ploughs.

There is a mill rendering 12d.

It was worth 10s, now 30s.

Walter the Fleming was Lord of the Manor, but soon afterwards it descended to the Boutevilein family. William Boutevilein was recorded as Lord during the reign of Henry II (1154-1189) and he is noted as the founder of nearby Pipewell Abbey. After Boutevilein's death he was succeeded in his estates by his son Robert who was killed fighting with the Earl of Gloucester at the Battle of Bannockburn on June 24, 1314. His widow, Nicola, became Lady of the Manor and in 1317 she married Robert de Ardern and was granted the right of free warren over her Cottesbrooke demesne. After her death she was succeeded by her son, William Boutevilein, but by 1346 he appears to have leased out the Lordship, and Sir Thomas Wale is recorded as Lord of the Manor in that year. Wale was one of the favourite knights of Edward III (1327-77) and was a founding member of the Order of the Garter, created by Edward in 1348. He fought in Gascony, where he died, in 1352.

The Boutevilein family remained as Lords of the Manor in the 14th century and are next recorded in 1422 when Robert Boutevilein died seised of Cottesbrooke, leaving it to his son William. With his death the family expired and there follows a rather obscure period of descent during which Cottesbrooke appears to have changed hands on a number of occasions. In 1550 though it was found to be in the possession of William Lane. He died in 1569 and the Lordship then passed to his son, Peter. Unfortunately the younger Lane was regarded as a lunatic and control of the Cottesbrooke estate fell to his two sisters. During their stewardship the Lordship became divided into seven parts. One was purchased by Sir William Saunders. He sold his moiety to Sir John Carey, and in 1638 he sold this to Sir John Langham. Four years later Langham purchased the remaining parts of the Lordship to become the sole owner and Lord of Cottesbrooke.

Langham was a native of Northamptonshire and his family had been landowners and gentry for two centuries. Langham was an ardent supporter of the Stuart monarchy, and during the Civil War and Commonwealth period had loyally served their interest. In 1648 he had been briefly imprisoned in the Tower of London for refusing to publish a proclamation abolishing the monarchy. When Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660, Langham was made a baronet and he settled at Cottesbrooke Hall, where he was buried after his death in 1671. He was succeeded as Lord of the Manor by his son, Sir James, who served as Sheriff of Northamptonshire and sat as MP for Northampton during the Commonwealth [sic — recte Restoration] Parliaments. He died childless in 1699 and Cottesbrooke then passed to his brother Sir William. He had also served as sheriff of the county and was widely admired as a man of great learning and generosity. He took over his brother's political interests and was MP for Northampton during the 1670s and 1680s. After his death he was succeeded by his eldest son, Sir John, who lived until 1747.

After Sir John's death, Cottesbrooke passed to his eldest son, Sir James, but he survived for just two years before being succeeded by his brother Sir John. From him it then passed to his nephew, Sir James Langham, who served as sheriff of Northamptonshire in 1767 and as an MP for Northampton until 1790. He died in 1795 and the Lordship then descended to his son Sir William. The Lordship of Cottesbrooke remained with the Langham family into the 20th century.

The family seat of Cottesbrooke Hall is one of the most beautiful examples of houses built in the Queen Anne style and was built under the auspices of Sir John Langham during the first decade of the 18th century. It houses the Woolavington Collection, perhaps the most important collection of sporting paintings in Europe and includes paintings by George Stubbs and Sir Alfred Munnings.

The Lordship occupies about 2,800 acres and lies on the road between Northampton, Welford and Leicester, about nine miles north of the county town. Langham's Hospital for two widowers and six widows was founded in 1651 by Sir James Langham. The descent of the Langhams lies on the following pages.

Documents associated with this Manor

Rentals 16th century Northants RO

Surveys 16th century

Deeds 17th century

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Lordship of the Manor of Cotton Hempnalls with Skeith, Suffolk

Lot #21 of Stanford & Son's 'Second Auction' - Dec 1955

The village of Cotton lies 6 1/2 miles north of Stowmarket and just to the west of Ipswich to Norwich main road. Wickham Skeith adjoins it and also Mendlesham, of which place the Manor is included in this sale.

At the time of Edward the Confessor, according to Copinger, "the soc belonged to the King and Earl except over Wireva and son. Walter de Dol was seized on the day on which he made forfeiture" (Dom. Book ii, fol. 216)...It was also said that "All these do their customs at Rickinghall."

At the Domesday Survey Robert Malet had a holding here consisting of 74 acres , one bordar, 1 1/2 ploughteams and one acre of Meadow valued at 11/0. It was six furlongs and eight perches long and six furlongs broad and paid in geld 12d.

According to Copinger (vol. III, page 246) "In the time of King Henry I Sir Robert de Sackville held the lordship of the Manor of Eye." In 1266 it devolved to Robert, son of John de Thorpe, who was grated confirmation of free warrant by Henry III. Following him were Sir Philip de Bocland (1272); Sir Ralph de Heimenhale (1367); and Sir Robert de Heimenhale (1370). In 1389, "Sir Robert released his Manors in the parishes of Cotton, Wickham Skeith and Yaxley to Sir George Felbrigg." In 1469, "this Manor and also that of de Skeyth were given to Johannie de la Pole (Duke of Suffolk) by the Archbishop of Canterbury and others" (B.M. Harleian Charter). Charles, Duke of Suffolk, held the Manor in 1539 and when Henry VIII in 1540 divorced Anne of Cleeves, his fourth wife, he granted her this an several other manors, £4,000 and the title "The King's Sister" as settlement. In 1556 the Manor again vested int he Crown. Thomas, Duke of Norfolk was the next grantee in 1560. In 1562 Sir John Tyrell was Lord, followed by John Rudlande (1591); Anthony Wroth (1711); George Fowke and Mary his wife and Francis Goate (1754); Thomas Clarke (1762); James Matthew (1804); Edward Venn (1829) and Edward Beaumont Venn. Under the will of the last-mentioned it was sold by the Trustees in 1872 to John Hewitt of Norwich, a land agent, for £2,160. In 1885 Matthew Sallitt Emerson purchased the Manor from Henry Rushiner Upton, together with the Manors of Haughley, Circum cum burgh, Akenham, Netherhall in Old Newton and Earl Soham. All of these Manors were sold by Mr. Emerson in 1887 to Joseph Beaumont of Coggeshall and from him they passed to George Frederick Beaumont.

Points of Interest in connection with this Manor are as under:

The Fines on Death and Alienation were "arbitrary."
Custom of Descent was Borough-English, i.e., youngest son.
Fines for non-attendance at Courts were usually 3d.
Court in 1872 was held at the Railway Inn, Cotton.

A sketch of Cotton Hempnalls Hall appears on page 255 of Copinger (Suffolk Manors, Vol. 3). This was the Manor House; the lordship of the Manor became separated from the Manor House on the sale of the Venn Estates in 1872. It is now dilapidated and unoccupied; it still has a wide moat around it.

There were according to Coppinger, three other Manors in the Parish, viz., Cotton Brasiework, Campines or Champains, and Gypswich.

The Records to be handed over are:

Court Books: 1689-1768; 1768-1812; 1813-52; 1854-1935

Minute Books: 1837-74

Rentals: 1869-74

Steward's Workign Particualrs: 1887-1935

These show the tenants' names, area and description of properties, rents, calculations for fines and enfranchisements, names of the tenants' solicitors and much other interesting information.

Particulars of Sale on 6th August, 1872, by Gerard Turner at Golden Lion Hotel, Ipswich of 450 acres with rents totaling £23 1s. 6d.

Insurance of Records £300, premium 15/- p.a.

Commencement of Title: Deed dated 21st March, 1887.

The Court Rolls of this Manor are referred to in the Sixth Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Record Office (App. ii, 86) and rolls and rentals for 1331 are said to be among Add. Charters int he British Museum (see I.Q.D. 5, Henry IV; 3-7 Henry IV. 26)

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Lordship of the Manor of Covington, Huntingdonshire

Lot #5 of Manorial Services Auction - February 2022 - Stephen Johnson

Two and a half miles from Kimbolton Station lies the parish and manor of Covington. The parish consists of 1,294 acres of land, mostly light clay soil, divided roughly in half between pasture and arable. The two main buildings in the village are the parish church of St Margaret and Covington Hall, a 17th century house.

The Lordship of the Manor was first recorded in Domesday Book in 1086 and was recorded as consisting of 18 villagers, 5 lord’s plough teams and 8 freemen’s plough teams. It was valued at £10. The pre-Norman owner had been Aschel but by 1086 it was in the hands of Roger de Ivry. He was the son of Roger Perceval, who had arrived in England with the Conqueror and who had been granted a large fief in Oxfordshire. Roger had inherited Covington at the time of his father’s death in 1079. This Roger was forced into exile after William II siezed the throne in 1087 and he died in Normandy soon afterwards. Covington was seized by the Crown and remained in its possession until 1110. Henry I granted the De Ivry estates to the De Walery family and Bernard was recorded as holding one and a half fees here in 1210. This Lord was named Bernard, who died a few years later in 1212. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Thomas who died a mere seven years later, leaving an only child, Annora, who had married Robert de Dreux.

The overlordship of the manor descended with the Earls of Cornwall after it was seized from De Dreux by Henry III. The manor itself resided with the Bayeux family, who had held land here as feudal tenants of Roger de Ivri. Full de Bayeux held the manor and advowson in 1228 and his son or grandson, John was dealing with Covington in 1271. Robert de Bayeux did homage to the Earl of Cornwall for Covington at the beginning of the 14th century. The family was becoming more powerful in the county and Robert served as sheriff in 1310. His son and heir, Sir Richard was sheriff in 1332 and held a number of other offices. During the middle of the 14th century there was a complicated division of the manor between various member of the Bayeaux family and Sir Richard Burton. Both the Bayeux and Burton families remained in control of Covington until the end of the 14th century when it is found that the manor resided in the possession of John de Bayeux, who inherited it in 1397. In 1428 he was assessed for feudal service as holding the fee of Covington but the overlordship of the Earls of Cornwall appears to have lapsed. After his death sometime after 1446 it passed to his widow, Margaret and after her death in 1468 it was vested in her daughter from her second marriage to Robert Stanhope, also Margaret. In 1479 Margaret granted the manor and advowson of the church of St Margaret, to William and Thomas Sapcote. Presumably brothers, they were succeeded by William’s son, Sir Guy Sapcote who left two daughters as his heirs, Elizabeth and Anne, with Covington eventually passing to the latter.

Anne firstly married John Broughton of Toddington and after his death, Sir Richard Jerningham. Jerningham was a well connected scion of a Suffolk family who entered service as a Gentleman of the Chamber to Henry VIII when he came to the throne in 1509. As such he was liable to a number of duties, one of which was to travel to Germany to purchase armour for the king. Two years later he accompanied Henry (presumably clad in Jerningham’s armour) during his campaign in France and was knighted at Tournai in September 1513. He was further rewarded with the governorship of the city until it was returned to the French in 1519. Famously he was called out as one of the sad and ancient knights appointed to the Privy Chamber later that year. The Chronicler, Edward Hall wrote

divers of the Privy Chamber which had been in the French Court, and banished them the Court for divers considerations, laying nothing particularly to their charges . . . which discharge out of the Court grieved sore the hearts of these young men, which were called the King’s minions. Then was there four sad and ancient knights put into the King’s Privy Chamber, whose names were Sir Richard Wingfield, Sir Richard Jerningham, Sir Richard Weston and Sir William Kingston

Despite this criticism, Jerningham accompanied the king to the famous meeting with Francis I of France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold, where he fought in the joust. He served Henry in various diplomatic capacities until his death in 1526.

After the death of Jerningham, Anne married for a third time, to John Russell, the first Earl of Bedford (second creation) and eventually the manor passed to Edward, the third Earl. In 1594 he settled the manor of Covington for life, on his father-in-law, the courtier, Sir John Harington. In 1614 Bedford sold Covington for £3,475 to two London lawyers, Christopher Turner and John Lootes. The former’s son and heir, Christopher Turner was created a Baron of the Exchequer, one of the judges of the Pleas, which settled matters of common law. At his death in 1675 the manor appears to have entered another division between members of the Turner family and its precise descent is difficult to discern or describe since it was divided into as many as nine shares or moieties. The principal share was held by the Dukes of Manchester and it through this line that the manor was unified and eventually passed down to. In 1918 the 9th Duke sold the manor to Benjamin Measures JP. He was succeeded by his son Charles before the title was sold to the ancestor of the present owner.

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Lordship of the Manor of Craigstown, Leitrim, Ireland

Lot #5 Manorial Auctioneers’ Partnership – October 1990

(As spoken by the present Lord of the Manor, the Rt. Hon. John Godley VI, 3rd Baron Kilbracken of Killegar, DSC, MA)

THE EARLY history of the Manor of Craigstown is provided in great detail in the Rent Book drawn up in 1750-52 by Richard Morgan, Esquire, the Dublin merchant and landowner who had purchased it in 1734. Photostats of this document, which is in Morgan's own handwriting, are available and the original is at the Manorial Society. It shows that the lands involved, which had previously belonged to the O'Rorkes, were granted by Charles I in 1640 by Letters Patent to two brothers, Sir James Craig and Dr John Craig, their heirs and assigns, at a yearly Crown Rent of £23 14s 5 1/2d, having been "erected into the Manor of Craigstown, with the usual jurisdiction and Privilege of holding Courts, appointing Seneschal &c".

The property ran to 3,409 Irish acres (about 4,500 statute acres) embracing 22 townlands in County Leitrim, running down to the County Cavan border, from Cornawallen in the north through Killegar and Drumergoul to Aghavore in the south. Sir James was already a prominent Scottish "planter", having purchased a separate estate of about 2,000 acres in 1611, as part of the Plantation of Ulster, at Croaghan, only five miles from Craigstown though in County Cavan. Here he had built and fortified a castle, from which he could now also administer his newly granted Manor. But his enjoyment of Craigstown would be extremely short lived. The Great Rebellion broke out in 1641, within 12 months of its grant, and there was at once fierce fighting in the area. It was in Coaghan Castle (also known as Castlecraig) that many of the hard-pressed Scottish settlers sought refuge.

Under Craig's leadership they resisted the siege of the rebels for six months until his death in April 1642. Soon afterwards, in June, the garrison was forced to capitulate. All were then, rather surprisingly, allowed to return unharmed to Scotland, where the Craigs still held a sizeable estate. It is not known how long a term elapsed before their Irish lands were restored to them - soon after the "reduction" of Ireland by Cromwell in the 1650s or not until after the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. We learn only that all their holdings in both countries duly passed "in a Lineal Descent" to Thomas Craig, Esquire, "a Scotch gentleman who resided altogether in Scotland". On his death in 1690, he had only one child, Hellen, an eight-month-old baby. This enabled his younger brother, Robert, to practise three full decades of Chancery. The estate in Scotland was entailed, and therefore correctly passed to him. He then made the journey to Ireland, produced the Scottish deeds, and successfully pretended that Craigstown, too, was governed by them and had therefore also become his property. In fact, Craigstown was not entailed and should have gone immediately to Hellen, his baby niece. So, for more than 30 years, Robert was to enjoy all the rights and privileges of Lord of the Manor at Craigstown, collecting the rents there as well as from the Scottish estate.

No details are known about the family's property in County Cavan at Castlecraig or whether it was subject to similar trickery. But his long-delayed deserts were on their way. Though he should have been very comfortably off, we learn that he "contracted many and great Debts (in Ireland) particularly with George Deniston, merchant"; and eventually, in 1728, came to an agreement with his creditors to sell Craigstown to pay his debts. He did not get away with it. Hellen, in the meantime, had married in 1707, at the age of 17, the son of a nobleman, The Hon William Carmichael; had presented him three years later with a son, John Carmichael, and had died in 1718 without ever having left Scotland or been aware of her Irish property.

When news reached William Carmichael of the intended sale of Craigstown, his suspicions were somehow aroused. He finally sought out the relevant Letters Patent, discovered long lay that the estate should have passed to his wife, Hellen, 38 years previously when she was a baby, and on her death to his son, John, now aged 18. He forthwith "caused Ejectment to be brought in the Exchequer for the said lands", at once putting a stop to any sale. Six years of litigation followed, involving two Acts of Parliament, before John Carmichael could conclusively prove he was his grandfather's true heir and became undisputed Lord of the Manor of Craigstown with an unencumbered estate. We are not told how Robert's creditors fared out, but presumably they could be satisfied through the sale of his lands in Scotland, which may well have led to his bankruptcy. He was already an old man. It certainly seems unlikely that he could have been forced to repay the rents he had filched for 38 years from the rightful owners.

John Carmichael had no Irish connections of any kind and no thought of leaving Scotland. He put Craigstown up for sale by private tender, and it was purchased by Richard Morgan on 19 June 1734 for £5626 8s 4d, or about £1.25 a statute acre. An Indenture of that date, of which a photocopy is available, bears the signature and seal of John Carmichael, and comprehensively transfers the Manor to Richard Morgan

"together with all and singular the Rights Members Priviledges Appendances & Appurtenances thereunto belonging.....and also all Houses Out Houses Gardens Orchards Edifices Buildings Lands Meadows Pastures Feedings Commons Bogs Turbaries Woods Underwoods Mines Minerals & Royalties Ways Paths Water Water Courses Mills Mill-ponds Fishings Fisheries Waifs Strays Deodands Courts Leet Courts Baron Profitts Franchises Priviledges Emoluments Hereditaments and Advantages whatsoever to the said Manour".

Morgan's Rent Book gives extremely full details of all his tenants and their leases. Townland by townland he lists the name or names of the tenants, the acreage involved, the rent per acre (subdivided according to quality), and the particulars of each lease together with "some Observations". For example, the townland of Killigar (sic), where Killegar House would be built by his great-grandson, John Godley, some 80 years later, was then tenanted by one John Murray. Its 116 acres 28 perches of arable land was let at four shillings an acre a year; its 21 acres 2 rods of "rushy pasture" at 2s 7p; and its 2 acres 2 rods of "bog" at 6d, for a total "Real Value" of £26 1s 91/2d a year. The lease was "for 3 lives or 31 years which shall last Longest, Viz the said John Murray, Richard Murray his Son & James Connely, commencing 1st May 1733". The highest rent charged was in "Langhine" (now Laheen) where Thomas Johnston paid 5s 6d for the best section of his holding. The above figures are Irish measure.

It is instructive to consider what these figures mean in terms of today's money. Inflation since 1734 has been far lower than is generally believed. A chart published by The Economist estimated that prices in 1734 had trebled by 1815 but had returned by 1895 to almost precisely the same level. Since then they have multiplied about 50 times. We can therefore reckon that Morgan bought his land at only about £62 a statute acre in today's money. Rents, however, were correspondingly low: the average figure at Craigstown would have been the equivalent of only £3.00 a year per statute acre today, with a maximum for the best land of about £10.30.

The Manor descended in due course to my family through the marriage of Richard Morgan's only daughter, Mary, to the Rev Dr William Godley, Rector of Mullabrack, County Armagh, in 1731. He gave her a generous marriage portion, but left Craigstown to his only surviving son, Richard junior. It was only on the death of the latter in 1784 without issue, despite two marriages, that it passed to the rector's son, John Godley, a Dublin barrister, as his mother's heir. However, this inheritance was disputed, because Richard junior, it transpired, had left all his property to build and endow a school for impoverished Protestants in Dublin, and it had to be shown that Craigstown should be excluded from this bequest because by now it had been entailed, as Richard junior must certainly have known. This litigation was not to take more than two decades, again involving a couple of Acts of Parliament. The Godley's right to the Lordship of the Manor were finally established in 1807, the year after the barrister's death. He was succeeded by his son, John Godley II, who forthwith decided to build a "Big House" on the estate and to farm two of the townlands himself. Those he chose were Killegar and Drumergoul. He completed the Georgian mansion, Killegar House, where I am now writing these words, in 1813.

During the 19th century, the Irish Land Acts came into force, which enabled tenants to purchase their holdings on very favourable terms. My family were one of the very few that actively encouraged them to do so. This would result in the sale by 1922 of all the manorial land except two untenanted townlands mentioned above, which I still own today - about 420 acres. By then the property had passed direct from John II to his grandson, John Arthur Godley, who in 1909 had been created Baron Kilbracken of Killegar in the peerage of the United Kingdom. I am the elder son of his elder son. A map of the Manor may be inspected at the offices of the Manorial Society.

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Lordship of the Manor of Crepping Hall, Essex

Lot #4 of 'Beaumont Collection' Auction - Nov 1954

(Located in the Parishes of Wakes Colne and Chappel)

These Parishes lie on both sides of the road from Colchester to Cambridge, 8 miles North West of Colchester.

According to Morant, this Manor belonged to Aluard in Edward the Confessor's reign, and at the time of the Domesday Survey, Richard Fitz-Gilbert, Lord of Clare, was Lord.

Morant says: "Under Richard de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, that died the 47th of Henry III, Hugh de Cressye held two parts of a fee in Crephinge." This family took the name of this Manor as their family nae and they were "somewhat considerable," "for Walter de Crepping had leave to hunt in Essex; a privilege not granted to mean persons." (Vol II p. 223). In 1348 the Manor belonged to Margarete Bacon and later to the Earls of Oxford, "who were deprived of it for their strict adherence to the Lancastrian cause." Richard III granted it in 1483 to John Howard, Duke of Norfolk, and it was restored to John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, by Henry VII.

Subsequent owners included Christian Turner, Thomas Smyth, John Fletcher Mills (1830) and Charles Alexander Crickitt (1784) whose steward was Edward Gepp. At a Court held by his executors on 28th July, 1806, James Brand and William Farrow constituted the homage.

In 1860 the Manor was still in the Crickitt family, Bridges Harvey of Blue Bridge House, Halstead, being Steward. In 1923 it was conveyed to George Frederick Beaumont.

The fines in the Manor were arbitrary and there are instances of a heifer, a horse, and a roan being taken as heriots. The custom descent was to the eldest son, although there is an entry in a Court held in 1607 of the admission of the youngest son. Many later admissions of eldest sons show that this must have been an error.

Minerals and other rights reserved to the Lord on enfranchisement of copyhold land under the Copyhold Act, 1852 were usually included in the transactions, but in some cases they were excluded and the purchaser would be entitled to the profits from any gravel pits which may be found worked on land where the rights were excluded.

The Lord claimed estrays, for in a Court held in October 1652 a young heifer and a ram, the latter after being in custody for "one year and a day and after 3 proclamations," were claimed by the Lord and seized by his bailiff.

There is in Colchester Castle Museum a grant from Albert de Queinteville to the Church and Canons of St. Julian and St. Botolph of Colchester of all his land homages and rent at Crepping which he held of Hugh, son of Stephen. In return the Canons gave him forty marks. His seal is appended and the witnesses were Hugh, Abbot of St. Johns, Hugh Fitzstephen, Maurice de la Haye, and many others. The fact of the Abbot being a witness enables the date of the deed, which itself is undated, to be put at about 1140, as he was abbot from 1132-48. This is the oldest document in the Museum.

The manorial documents (insured for £100, premium 5/- per annum) to be handed over are:

Court Books: 1784, 1855-1902
Sundry: Rentals, drafts of admissions, surrenders, enfranchisement deeds, etc.

The following Rentcharges, issuing out of property formerly coyphold of this Manor and created in satisfaction of the amount found to be payable upon enfranchisement, are included in the sale of this lot:

Mrs. Carden, Wakes Colne - - £10 18s. 6d.
J. W. Hines, Aldham - - £2 0s. 0d.
C. Brome, Aldham - - £1 12s. 6d.
All payable on 1st January and 1st July

The last two mentioned rentcharges represent an informal apportionment of a rentcharge of £3 12s. 6d.

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Lordship of the Manor of Crofton and Whinnow, Cumberland

Lot #13 of Manorial Holdings Auction - December 1989

IN COMMON with great tracts of land in Cumbria, Henry I granted the Manor now known as Crofton and Whinnow to Hubert de Vaux or Vallibus, and it remained in Hubert’s successors (whose descent is given below) until the reign of King Stephen when it was held by Hildred de Carliell.

In King John’s reign, the Manor had passed to Gilbert de Dundraw one of whose co-heiresses brought it to Stephen de Croften. Some 170 years later, in 1390, the Croften heiress Margaret, daughter of Sir John Croften, brought the Lordship to Isold Briscoe of Briscoe, near Carlisle. It remained in this family, created baronets in 1782, until very recent times when it became the property of the present owners. The Lordship lies in the parish of Thursby, about 4 miles north-east of Wigton.

There are no documents associated with this Manor:

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Lordship of the Manor of Crowhurst, Surrey

Lot #35 Manorial Auctioneers’ Partnership – October 1990

CROWHURST lies two miles east of Godstone and 24 miles south of London. Gibbs Brook, forming the boundary between the Manors of Crowhurst and Oxted, flows into the River Eden and thence to the Medway. At Domesday, Crowhurst was almost certainly accounted under Oxted, and it is not until the 13th century that we find the first recorded Lord of Crowhurst, Robert, son of John de Stangrave, in 1278. Lands and rents here were held, however, in the early part of the century by John and Thomas de Itsey, though they are not referred to as the Lords. At any rate, Robert de Stangrave obtained a grant of free warren, a clear mark of manorial status, from Edward I in 1303, and the Manor remained in the family until 1338 when it was sold to John Gainsford, presumably being sold to hold the Lordship for the next four centuries.

In 1418, John Gainsford obtained Crowhurst Place from John atte Hall, it presumably being outside the Manor at the time. On his death in 1450, he was succeeded by his eldest son, also John, his younger son, William, founding the Gainsford line of Cowden, Kent.

Interestingly, when Lordship and house were put up for sale in 1723, they were purchased by Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, the wife of the celebrated Great Duke of Blenheim and Ramillies fame. She gave the Lordship to the Marlborough Almshouses and the house was sold. But in 1905, the Reverend George Gainsford, of Hitchin, a descendant of William who founded the Kent line, purchased the house, though not the Lordship which had passed to the Greenwell Baronets, who would not sell the Lordship. But to return to the history of the Manor, William's elder brother died in 1460 and his son and grandson were both knighted, the second Sir John being twice Sheriff of Surrey. He died in 1540 and was succeeded by Erasmus Gainsford, a younger son of Sir John and his sixth wife, Grace Warham. In 1669, the Lordship was held by Erasmus Gainsford, grandson of the first Erasmus. He was succeeded by his son, John, who married twice, having a daughter by each marriage, Elizabeth, who married Henry Christmas, and Mirabella, who quitclaimed her interest to her sister. Henry was succeeded in 1706 by his son, Gainsford Christmas, and his daughter Mary, wife of Thomas Bates.

By 1720, Elizabeth Christmas and Mary Bates were in possession and they agreed to sell Crowhurst to Edward Gibbon, a director of the South Sea Company and grandfather of the celebrated historian, but at about the same time the South Sea Bubble burst and Gibbon was unable to make good his purchase. Three years later, Crowhurst Place and Manor were conveyed to Sir John Eyles who sold it the following year to Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. The Lordship was acquired by Sir Bernard Greenwell in the following century.

Crowhurst covers approximately 2,112 acres.

Documents associated with this Manor:

Recovery R Mich         21 Charles II, rot 146         PRO
Chart Roll              31 Edwl, m1, no 5              PRO
Chan Inq pm (Ser a) lxiv, 121                         PRO

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Lordship of the Manor of Cumnor, Berkshire

Lot #9 of Bernard Thorpe Auction - June 1986

The Chronicles of Abingdon Abbey state that the Lordship of Cumnor, which is in the Harmer Hundred of Berkshire, was given to the Abbey by King Caedwalla. After the devastation of the Danes, the manor was seized by King Alfred and remained in the Crown until it was again granted to the Abbey by King Eadred by a charter to Abbot Ethelwold, dated 955. It is likely, however, that King Eadred only held the manor for life and that his grant was repudiated by his successor, for, in 968, King Edgar made a new grant to the Abbey. Be this as it may, by the time of the Domesday Survey, in 1086, it is recorded that the Manor of Cumnor had always belonged to the Abbey of Abingdon.

In 1086 the manor consisted of 30 hides of land. There were in the manor two mills worth fifty shillings a year and a fishery on the Isis worth forty shillings a year. At this time also the Manors of Seacourt and Wytham, which were later separate lordships were part of the Lordship of Cumnor.

In 1252 the Abbot was granted a charter of free Warren in the manor by King Henry III. The manor remained in the ownership of the Abbey until the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The last abbot, Thomas Rowland, must have been more favourably disposed towards His Late Majesty King Henry VIII than his brother abbots at other religious houses. Whereas many other abbots were deposed or executed for their insolent behaviour to their sovereign Lord the King, the Abbot of Abingdon was given a grant of the Lordship of Cumnor for life. He became Sir Rowland Cumnor when he surrendered the Abbey to the King in 1538.

In 1547 the Manor of Cumnor was sold by the King to his doctor, George Owen. He died, lord of the manor in 1558, having settled the lordship on his son William and daughter-in-law Ursula. In 1561 Queen Elizabeth I seized the manor for the payment of a bond of £500 due to the Crown from William Owen.

The Queen granted a lease of the manor to Richard Sirslowe. His interest was transferred to Anthony Forster in 1570. This Anthony Forster must have wanted the lordship badly, for he had purchased it from William Owen in 1561, but he had been dispossessed by the Crown later the same year because of the outstanding bond.

Anthony Forster died in 1572 and left the Lordship of Cumnor to his patron Robert Earl of Leicester. Two years later the Earl sold Cumnor to Lord Norreys of Rycote. At some stage the interest of the Crown was purchased because the Norreys continued to hold the manor in fee simple, until the lordship came via the late Earl of Abingdon to the present owner.

The Manor of Cumnor is practically co-extensive with the parishes of Chilswell, Henwood, Bradley and Swinford.

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANOR:

1 Royal Charter of King Henry III 1252

2 Court rolls and books 1575 – 1848 (not consec.)

3 Customs c. 1658-60

4 Rental c. 1785 and 19th cent. (copy)

5 Customaries of manors and rentals c. 1785-91; 1785 – 1791

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Lordship of the Manor of Cursons in Stanfield, Norfolk

Lot #17 of Stanford & Son's 'Second Auction' - Dec 1955

In the Parishes of Stanfield, Brisley, East Bilney and Horningtoft

The following is from Blomefield (vol. X, p. 51):

"Thirty-Three freemen held here 2 carucates of land under Stigand the Archbishop of Canterbury, who had the soc and protection of them, to whom there belonged five borderers with six acres of meadow, all which was possessed by William Earl Warren, at the survey."

"This was valued then at 31. per ann. but the soc was in the King's manor of Mileham."

"The aforesaid freemen, etc., held with this, and in other places under Stigand, 10 carucates."

"This lordship came to the Earl Warren on an exchange for lands at Lewes in Sussex, and was held by Wimerus, the Earl's dapifer, lord of Gressenhall, and by his posterity; and Joran Foliot was lord of it in the 15th of Edward I and claimed free warren. From the Foliots it came to the Hastings, and to the L'Estranges."

The earliest records to handed over to the purchaser are a few court rolls bound into the first court book; the earliest of these is a roll of 26 October 12 Eliz. (1569), which shows one Simon Cogney as lord of the manor. By 1571 the manor had passed to Thomas Althow, and a son of the same name inherited in 1598. John Athow succeeded in 1621, another Thomas in 1634, another John in 1654, at whose first court the steward noted:

"At this Courte came all the tenants of this manor as well free as copyhould and did attorne tenant to the said John Athower lorde of this manor to putt hym in seisin and possession of theire rents by the payment of everyone of them one penye."

The succession of lords of this manor thereafter, from the records, is: William Taylor (1680); Henry Sidgwick (1685); Christopher Crowe (1693); Spelman Crowe (1711); Richard Warner (1718); Mary Milles, daughter or Richard Warner (1759); Richard Milles, her son (1763); the Hon. George John Milles (1821); George John, Baron Sondes (1836); Henry Edwards Paine and Gorge Frederick Beaumont (1913). The trustees of the will of the last mentioned purchased the Paine half-share during recent years.

Richard Warner was steward of this and many other manors under the Crowe family, and acquired all the manors one by one, including the main manor of North Elmham, where he rebuilt the old manor-house in considerable style. His daughter Mary married into the Milles family of Nackington, Kent, and her son Richard was Member of Parliament for Canterbury.

Records to be handed to the purchaser are:

Court Rolls: 1569-71; 1603, 1608, and 1611 all bound into first court book

Court Books: 1597-1779; 1781-1851; 1852-1916

Rental Books: 1760-1780; 1781-1823; 1856-1907

The Rental Books also included rentals of the Manors of North Elmham Nowers, Beetley, Tofts and Gateley. The purchaser of this Lot will have the benefit of an acknowledgement by the Lord of the Manor of North Elmham Nowers to the Vendors of his right to production and delivery of copies of these books.

Insurance of Records: £400, premium £1

Commencement of Title: Deed dated 25th January, 1913

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Lordship of the Manor of Davillers, Suffolk

Lot #1 of Manorial Services Auction - Nov 2022 - Stephen Johnson

(In association with Strutt & Parker)

Also known as Davillers in Brome, or Brome Hall, this is one of two manors in this parish which survived into the Middle Ages. At the time of Domesday there were three manors, one belonging to Hugh Bigod, another to Hugh de Corbrn and the third to Robert Malet. By the reign of Henry III, at the beginning of the 13th century, this had been reduced to two. This manor was recorded as being held by Bartholomew D’Avilers in the early 1220s where it is described as consisting of 1 messuage with a garden and underwood, 50 acres of arable land, two acres of meadow and two acres of pasture. It was held by D’Avilers by an obscure service that if the king should wish to have Patalium of the towns of Norfolk and Suffolk in his army in Wales, then he shall conduct the said Patalium from the ditch of Saint Edmunds into Wales, and receive at the side ditch 4d ahead for the maintenance for forty days. The meaning of this service is that D’Avilers was required to lead a body of troops across the Welsh border, whenever the king commanded or required him to do so. Whether he ever discharged this service is not recorded.

In 1227 Bartholomew died and the manor passed to his eldest son Richard who died in 1269. In 1253 Richard had received a grant of free warren and for a weekly market and annual fair.(see charter rolls) He was succeeded by his son, Bartholomew (II) who lived only for another seven years, before his death in 1276. He was in turn succeeded by his son, also Bartholomew (III) who died still a young man in 1287. The Manor descended then to his son, Sir John Davillers who survived his father by just one year before passing his estate to his son and heir, Sir Bartholomew (IV). His death, in 1330 meant the end of the Davillers male line and this manor then passed to his three surviving young daughters; Isabella, Cecilia and Margaret but over time the whole manor became vested in Isabella, who was the eldest daughter. She was married to Sir Robert Bacon in around 1350, who was Knight of the Shire in the Parliaments of 1363 and 1369. The couple were succeeded by their son, Sir Bartholomew Bacon who died in 1392 and left his estate, including the manor of Davillers to his sister, Isabel. She was the wife of Sir Oliver Calthorpe of Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk who had been High Sheriff of that county in 1376.

Sir William Calthorpe succeeded to the manor in around 1411. He was married to Eleanor Mantley and died in 1420. Davillers remained in the Calthorpe family for a number of succeeding generations. Sir Philip was the last of the line at his death in 1549. He had married Jane Boleyn, the aunt of the ill-fated Queen but does not appear to have been swept up in the recrimination following Anne’s execution in 1536. The manor passed to his only daughter Elizabeth and her husband Sir Henry Parker of Morley Hall at Hingham in Norfolk. He was a relation of the Boleyn family and was knighted in 1533. He was High Sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire in 1536, and sat as a Member of Parliament for the latter.

In 1550, Parker sold Davillers to Sir Thomas Cornwallis who almost immediately constructed a house here, Brome Hall. From this time therefore manor also become known as Brome Hall or Davillers of Brome. Cornwallis (see Manor of Palgrave) was Governor of Calais which fell to France during his tenure and he was accused of treachery by some. One coined the phrase;

Who built Brome Hall? Sir Thomas Cornwallis!

How did he build it? By selling off Calais!

On his death in 1604, aged 86, a magnificent marble tomb was erected in his honour at the parish church in Brome, which is still on display. His heir was his eldest son, Sir William, who was a leading member of Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex’s colonial expedition to Ireland in 1599 He was knighted for his part in this at Dublin in the same year. On his death Brome Hall passes to his younger son Frederick, who served in the household of Prince Henry, the eldest son of James I and travelled with him to Spain. He was created a baronet in 1627 and knighted in 1630, by which point he had succeeded to the entire Cornwallis estate on the death of his elder brother, William. Being a staunch Royalist, Frederick fought for for Charles I during the Civil War and distinguished himself at the Battle of Cropredy in June 1644 where he rescued Lord Wilmot from capture. Unfortunately, after the Parliamentarian victory his estate was sequestered and he followed Charles II into exile, only returning with the King in 1660. A year later, as a reward for his loyalty, he was created Lord Cornwallis of Eye but died only a few weeks later.

The Brome Hall estate remained in the possession of the Cornwallis family until 1823 when the house and the manor of Davillers were sold to Mattias Kerrison of Oakley Park. The house was in a state a disrepair, and the new owner spent a great deal of money to restore it. The manor eventually passed with the Oakley estate to the Maskell family and their descendants in whom it remains. Brome Hall was demolished in 1953.

The parish of Brome lies on the borders of Suffolk and Norfolk, a mile northwest of the small town of Eye and two miles from Diss.

Documents in the Public Domain Associated with this Lordship:

1563-1564: bailiff’s accounts Mannington Hall

1452-1477: court roll Suffolk Archives - Ipswich

1546-1546: court roll

1551-1551: rental

1553-1617: court rolls (2)

1555-1558: bailiff’s accounts

1556-1556: rentals

1556-1562: account book

1568-1672: bailiff’s views of accounts

1569-1573: minute book

1592-1592: ministers’ accounts

1612-1880: court books

1665/1741: estreats

1670-1679: court roll

1747-1822: minute book

1771-1800 rentals

1793-1797: accounts

1794-1799: surveys

1823-1832: court fines

1835-1835: rental

1884-1884: rental

1887-1897: minute book

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Lordship of the Manor of Denby, Yorkshire

Lot #24 of Bernard Thorpe Auction - June 1986

In the reign of Edward the Confessor, this Lordship belonged to Eduls and Godric but, after the Norman Conquest, the manor came to Elric with the overlordships owned by Ilbert, who held large estates, manors and other overlordships in this part of Yorkshire.

Denby is in the Wapentake of Agbrigg. At the time of the Domesday Survey the manor was unique in the district in that it was the only lordship to have a vaccary. There was at that time three carucates of land and a wood, one league in length and one league in breadth.

The Lordship of Denby has for many generations belonged to the Savile family, ancestors of the present lord of the manor, Lord Savile.

During the centuries through which this family have held this lordship, the lords of the manor have been the High Sheriffs of Yorkshire and frequently statesmen of renown.

Today, Denby is noted for giant pies, first made there in 1788, to commemorate King George III's recovery from mental illness.

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANOR:

1 Court Papers and Court Rolls 1419

2 Court Papers etc. 1610 – 1787

3 Court Papers etc. 1661 – 1799

4 Surveys undated

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Lordship of the Manor of Dengemarsh, Kent

Lot #9 of Manorial Services Auction - 2004 UNPUBLISHED/ABORTED - Stephen Johnson

DENGEMARSH lies within the parish of Lydd and consists of a stretch of land between the town and the coast. Within the extent lies and area known as Denge Marsh and Beach. It is notable today for containing Dungeness Power Station. A great deal of this Lordship was marsh land and area which are included in the manorial extent or Northlade and Northlade Marsh. These are a mixture of fresh and salt water marshland.

Anciently Dengemarsh was a outlying member of the royal Lordship of Wye, about 20 miles to the north. After the Norman invasion of 1066 it was granted along with Wye, to Battle Abbey, one of the most famous religious houses in England. This was founded by William the Conqueror. Before the battle of Hastings he is said to have gazed down on the forces of King Harold and vowed that if God gave him victory that day he was erect a monastery in His honour on the spot of the battle.7 Obviously he won the battle and an abbey was erected at the site. As part of the the abbey’s founding endowment the King provided all the land within a mile and a half radius of the building. As well as this, was provided the royal manor of Wye which included the outlying member of Dengemarsh. Wye is included in Domesday Book with the following entry;

The Abbott of St Martin of the Battlefield holds a Manor which

is called Wye, which answered for 7 sulungs before 1066 and now.

Land for 52 ploughs. In lordship 9 ploughs.

A church; 7 slaves. 4 mills at2 23s 8d; meadow, 133 acres;

woodland, 300 pigs from pasturage.

Value before 1066 £80 and 100s and 6s 8d; when acquired

£125 10s at 20 (pence) to one ora; now £100 at face value; if the

Abbott had had the full jurisdiction it would be assessed at £20 more.

Ralph of Courbépine holds 1 pig and 1 yoke of

Freeman's land of the is manor; he pays 12d. Hugh de Montfort has two

yokes which pay 300 eels and 2s. Before 1066 they pay full jurisdiction.

The Chronicle of Battle Abbey, written in the late 12th century has this to say about Wye:

Out of the Crown Demesne, the illustrious King William also gave Battle abbey the royal manor called Wye in Kent, with all its members seven sulings, that is hides, with all liberties and royal customs, as free and quit as he held it at its most free and quit, and as free as he could give it as any king: namely from all geld and scot and the reset which have been recorded above and from all customs of earthy service.

In other words, William gave Wye with no strings attached. Its importance was cemented with the requirement that whenever there was a gathering of the shires (ie the mediaeval county council), the sheriff was required to inform the bailiff of Wye on his personal stationary, sealed with the sheriff’s seal. Despite the no strings deal, the abbey was still required to pay the earl of Kent, Odo, a small sum. William was insistent that the sh¡eriff respect the ‘all the liberties of the manor of Wye and its royal customs undiminished so that the church and his monks of Battle might possess them all in peace, without molestation’.

To further demonstrate that Battle was a foundation dear to the King’s heart, William granted an astonishing array of privileges to the abbey. Within the mile and a half radius of the abbey the abbot was sovereign. Not even the king could usurp his authority. No taxes or dues were levied. When the abbot was summoned before the king his expenses were to be paid for by the king and he was granted two houses, one in Winchester and one in London to stay at when attendance at court was required. This was most likely to fairly often since the lands given to the abbey were held per baronium and the abbot, or his representative, was required to sit in Parliament. The abbot was given the right to pardon any condemned thief he should casually meet or pass on their way to execution Perhaps the most interesting privilege, in view of William’s jealous hold over his forests, was that whenever the abbot was passing through the king’s forests he was allowed to take one or two beasts, deer for instance, for himselfz. As well as these privileges it should not be forgotten that the abbots of Battle were Lords of the Manor of Dengemarsh.

The Abbey held Dengemarsh with the customs belonging both to land and sea. It had right of wreck and over what were called, grampus, which were porpoises. If one was found on Dengemarsh beach it would belong wholly to the Abbot, but if it was found on Blackwose, Horsmede of Bredelle beaches then the Abbot could only claim the tongue. An interesting case from the reign of Henry I (1100-1135) shows how important manorial rights could be. It is recorded that a ship owned by the King was wrecked in Dengemarsh. It was full laden with goods, bound for Normandy. The king’s officials wanted to retrieve the goods from the beach but it seems that the abbot of the time, Geoffrey, argued that the King’s father had granted his house the right of wreck. Henry was forced to concede that this was true and Geoffrey was allowed to keep the cargo. This shows that even the King could not violate the feudal instruments of manorial rights.

The abbey continued to hold Dengemarsh until its ◊Dissolution in 1539. After this it seems that for a while the Crown retained the privileges that the abbot had enjoyed in Dengemarsh. A lease of land to Edward Tynte, in 1553 shows that the Crown retained rights of all the fisheries, and in particular the sturgeon, porpoises, and all other fishes whatsoever happening within those fisheries and waters, and all the fowling and profits and commodities arising from the said manor of Dengemarsh, later belonging to the abbey of Battell, lately dissolved.

Unlike most of the Lordships obtained by the Crown from the Dissolution of the monasteries it would appear that Dengemarsh proved to be quite lucrative. It was only granted out during the latter years of the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603). She gave the Lordship to the Tufton family of Hothfield who have remained in possession of it until the present day. The family’s current representative, Lord Hothfield is consequently Lord of the Manor of Dengemarsh and the Vendor.

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Lordship of the Manor of Denstone, Staffordshire

Lot #26 of Manorial Auctioneers – May 2008

Catalogue transcribed by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

THE VILLAGE of Denstone lies between the market towns of Uttoxeter in Staffordshire and Ashbourne in Derbyshire, a few miles from Alton Towers, Britain's most visited tourist attraction. It is a largely rural parish and is bounded by the River Churnet, which separates it from the Roman settlement of Rocester. Denstone is surrounded by the Weaver Hills which reach a height of 1,200 feet and lead into the Derbyshire Peak. It is also home to Denstone College, established by Nathaniel Woodward in 1873.

The Lordship of the Manor of Denstone is an ancient one and is recorded in Domesday as being a royal manor, consisting of 2 ploughs in the occupancy of 1 war [villein]. It is likely that it was retained by the Crown until the end of the reign of Henry I (1100-1130) by which time it had been granted out to the powerful Verdon family, who had arrived in England with the Conqueror. Bertram de Verdon was the son of Godfreye, Comte de Verdon, and was succeeded in his estates by his son Norman. At this time Denstone formed part of a baronial estate based on Alton Castle, then known as Alveton, and it is likely that it was Norman who instigated its construction.

After his death, Norman was succeeded by his son Bertram. He was an influential national figure, sitting as a judge, and in 1175 as a baron during a sitting of the Curia Regis. He was Sheriff of Warwickshire from 1168 to 1183 and accompanied Richard I (1189-1199) on his crusade to the Holy Land in 1190. On his death he was succeeded by his son Nicholas, who took part in the Barons' rebellion of 1216, resulting in his estates being confiscated. On the accession of Henry III in that same year these were all returned to him. He was reputedly a great favourite of the new King and enjoyed the security of his estates until his death in 1231. His only child was a daughter, Roseia, who married Theobald de Botiller, and on his death his huge estates in Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire passed to his son-in-law, who retained his wife's maiden name as his own.

On Theobald's death Denstone and the rest of the estates passed to their eldest son John. He married Margaret de Lacy, joint heiress of that family's huge estates in Shropshire, Wales, and Ireland. John was therefore able to combine his already vast possessions with many English Lordships as well as half of the Lacy Palatinate of Meath in Ireland. His wealth made him one of the great barons of the age and his military might was put to good use by Henry III (1216-72) in order to check Welsh advances on the borders. During the civil war between Henry and the Barons, which erupted in 1264, Verdon remained loyal to the initially defeated King, and fought with Prince Edward, who defeated the Barons at the Battle of Evesham in 1265, and led the forces which destroyed Simon de Montfort's last bastion at Kenilworth, Warwickshire.

On his death in 1274 John de Verdon was succeeded in his estates, including the Lordship of Denstone, by his son Theobald. Theobald immediately travelled to Ireland to organize his lands in Meath and to serve as constable of Ireland. He enjoyed great favour with Edward I (1272-1307), but in 1291 he was called before the King to answer charges of transgressions and disorders. He failed to appear at the court and was eventually captured and imprisoned. Such was his standing with Edward however, that he was able to obtain his freedom with a payment of 500 marks. He later served Edward in France and Ireland and sat as a Baron in the King's parliaments. He died in 1309 and is buried at Alton Castle in Staffordshire. He was succeeded by his son Theobald, who had been knighted by Edward I after the Battle of Falkirk, in 1298. In 1313, he was made Justice and Lieutenant of Ireland but was recalled in the aftermath of the Battle of Bannockburn, to fight the Scots. He died in 1316 after what was described as a short but brilliant career, and was succeeded in the Lordship of Denstone by his son-in-law Thomas Furnivall, who was granted the Lordship by King Edward II (1307-27).

The Furnivalls continued to possess Denstone for almost 100 years. In 1332 William Furnivall is recorded as its Lord, and he was succeeded by his son Thomas, who was Lord in 1346. By the early 15th century it had become the possession of John Talbot, first Earl of Shrewsbury, and ancestor of the present holder, the 22nd Earl of Shrewsbury. Born in 1387 [sic: 1388 as printed], Talbot was the 4th Baron Talbot and on his marriage to Joan Furnivall, that family's heiress, became the Lord of Denstone, in 1404. Talbot's life was one of battle. He fought in Wales as a teenager and by 1413 he had been made Lieutenant of Ireland by Henry V.

In 1419 Talbot travelled to France, fighting at the sieges of Melun and Meaux, and later, after warring with his adversary in Ireland, the Earl of Ormonde, he returned to France where he took part in the siege of Orleans. His fame and repute as a warrior was such that Joan of Arc was said to have believed that Talbot led the English forces. He was later captured by the French at Patay where he had fought against overwhelming odds. He remained a prisoner until 1433 when, on his release he joined forces with the Duke of Burgundy, England's ally. He remained in France and is considered to have done much to keep Normandy in English hands. In 1442 he was created Earl of Shrewsbury and made Constable of France. The next year he finally returned to England and was made, for the third time, Governor of Ireland, as well as receiving the Earldom of Waterford and the Hereditary Lord Stewardship of Ireland. In 1452, as the French threatened Calais, Shrewsbury was sent to France as Lieutenant of Aquitaine, with almost regal powers. After a bloody campaign, Shrewsbury made a stand with his English and Gascon troops at Castillon. Despite a brave charge from his men, to cries of 'Talbot, Talbot, St George', the battle was lost and Shrewsbury killed. Despite this loss Shrewsbury remained one of the most famous warriors of his age, on both sides of the Channel. Apparently, French mothers would try to make their children behave, as late as the Napoleonic Wars, at the beginning of the 19th century, with threats of 'A Talbot will come to get you!'

The Lordship of Denstone remained in the possession of John Talbot's descendant, the present Earl of Shrewsbury, Talbot and Waterford. The Manor occupies about 1,700 acres. Denstone College is located here, formed in the 19th century, and re-formed as a foundation for the education of 11-18 year olds. It is something in which the new Lord or Lady of the Manor may wish to become involved.

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Lordship of the Manor of Derbies Court, Kent

Lot #6 of Manorial Services Auction - Fall 2025 - Stephen Johnson

Also spelt, Darbies, or Darbys Court, the manor lies in the parish of Stalisfield in the nationally regarded area known as the Kent Down National Landscape. This part of the county is now counted amongst the most prosperous parts of England has certainly changed since the end of the 18th century when it was described by Edward Hasted in his The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent: Volume 6 as an unfrequented and obscure place, situated in a wild and dreary country, near the summit of the chalk hills, just above Charing, its southern boundary. It lies on high ground, exceedingly bleak, and exposed to north and north-east winds. The land in it is in general a red cludgy earth, of very stiff tillage, very barren, wet and flinty, and the inhabitants, as well as the country, are equally poor.

Derbies Court is found in the northwest part of the parish and it takes its name from the family who are its first recorded Lords. The very early history of the manor is rather obscure. At the time of Domesday Book the manor of Stalisfield was held by Bishop Odo, half-brother of the Conqueror and the Earl of Kent. After Odo’s death in 1097 this manor became the property of Adam de Port and his subsequent heirs and then the property of Arnulf Cade. Cade gifted Stalisfield to the Knights Hospitallers in the 12th century. Since Derbies Court did not appear as part of this gift it seems likely that it was already a separate manor at this time. At some unrecorded point later the Darby family became owners of the manor and from hence it was known as Derbys or by a number of spelling varieties. The family are recorded in the early rolls and Kentish gentry, where their arms, described as Party, per chevron embattled, or, and azure, three eagles counterchanged.

In 1346 Sara de Darbye is noted as paying a quarter of a knight’s fee aid for her lands here which WilliamIn 1346 Sara de Darbye is noted as paying a quarter of a knight’s fee aid for her lands here which William de Darby and the heirs of Thomas Franklyn held there by knight’s service. The descent of the family is unknown from this point until the mid 15th century but an ancestor was John Darbie, an alderman of London and sheriff of the City in 1445. He was an importer of cloth and was a member of the Guild of Drapers. By this time though the manor of Derbies Court had been alienated to Sir Ralph St Leger of Otterden. He was the son of Sir John St Leger of Ulcombe, Sheriff of Kent in 1430 and constable of Leeds Castle. His was a well connected family, his younger brother married Anne of York, younger sister of Edward IV but was executed in 1483 after a failed rebellion against his brother-in-law, Richard III. Ralph died some time before this and Derbies Court passed to his daughter, Joan, and her husband Henry Aucher of Newenden. They were succeeded by their son Henry, who married Alicia Bolyn. His son, John Archer died in 1503 leaving his eldest son, James, as his heir. His son and heir Anthony was one of Thomas Cromwell’s agents who worked in the suppression of the monasteries and held a number of offices with the Royal Household, including Master of the Jewel House in the Tower of London. In 1558 he was Governor of Guines and Master of Calais. During the siege of the town on 7 January 1558 he commanded its defences but could not prevent its capture. He died of wounds received in the fighting there two days later.

It appears that after his father’s death, Edward Aucher sold Derbies Court to Sir Michael Sondes of Throwley. Sondes was a Member of Parliament for Maidstone and later for Queenborough from 1586 to 1604. He died in 1617 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Sir Richard Sondes. His son and heir was Sir George who was created a Knight of Bath by Charles II in 1626. He sat as a Member of Parliament for Higham Ferrer’s until 1629 when Charles decided to rule without Parliament. Sir George was a staunch loyalist of the king and on the outbreak of the Civil War he was named as Deputy Lieutenant for Kent. When the royalist forces were defeated in the county, Sondes suffered the loss of his estates and was imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was not released until 1650 but received his estates back after paying £3500 in fines by the Committee of Compounding. What followed was perhaps one of the most extraordinary and infamous episodes in the history of the English upper classes. In 1655 Sir George’s younger son, Freeman, then 19, murdered his eldest brother, George, 22, whilst he slept. He attacked his brother with a meat cleaver before stabbing him to death with a knife. He immediately confessed to the crime but was taken to Maidstone Assizes. He was tried almost immediately and sentenced to be hanged. The case caused a national sensation and his father was castigated for his alleged poor parenting and mismanaging of their education. He later addressed these charges in pamphlet, ‘A Plaine Narrative to the World, of all Passages upon the Death of his Two Sonnes which was published a few weeks after his son’s execution. No doubt much of the criticism stemmed from his Royalist sympathies.

After Charles II was restored in 1660, Sondes was created Earl of Feversham in 1676. He was succeeded by special remainder after his death in 1677 by his son-in-law, Louis de Duras. He died childless in 1709 and Derbies Court passed, along with the rest of the Sondes Estate, to Lewis Watson, grandson of Sir George. In 1760 he was created Baron Sondes of Lees Court. The manor descended with the barons’ Sondes until the end of the 20th Century, when it was sold to the family of the present owner

A selection of Documents associated with the Manor in the Public Domain:

1300-1300: rental Kent History and Library Centre

1500-1500: rentals (2)

1500-1550: survey (probably demesne)

1508-1509: rental 1578-1578: rental

1643-1653: rentals

1677-1677: arrears of quit rents and rentals

1720-1901: court book, with other manors

1727-1727: rental, with other manors

1810-1840: rental, with other manors (compiled 1815) (1 vol)

1815-1840: rental, with other manors

1890-1925: annual lists of quit rents, with other manors

1933-1935: quit rentals (2)

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Lordship of the Manor of Diddington, Warwickshire

Lot #2 of Manorial Auctioneers – November 2007

Catalogue transcribed by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

Lot #9 of Manorial Services Auction - Nov 2022 - Stephen Johnson

((2007 Catalogue Begins))

THE LORDSHIP of Diddington corresponds to a small settlement which historically formed part of the parish of Hampton-in-Arden, and is now in the parish of Kinwalsey. It lies about six miles west of Coventry and eight miles east of Birmingham.

The first record of the Lordship of the Manor of Diddington occurs in the 12th century when it formed part of a gift to the nuns of Markyate Priory. This institution was founded in 1145 in Caddington, Bedfordshire, as a member of the Chapter of St Paul’s in London, and its origin is shrouded in legend. Roger, a monk, was supposed to have left the priory of St Albans without permission, so that he could find a good place to erect a hermitage. He located an ideal spot in some woods near Caddington. He lived there alone for sometime until a woman named Christine appeared at his door and put herself under his tutelage. These were times when religious sentiment was often bound up with ideals of self-punishment or extreme deprivation, and so Roger imprisoned Christine in a tiny shed next to the hermitage and only allowed her out for a short time each night. She endured four years of this hardship and then began to claim that she could see heavenly visions. Roger took this as a sign of Divine Revelation and released her back to the care of the Priory at St Albans. After a short time, Christine had gathered a number of followers and founded Markyate Priory.

It may well be that Diddington formed part of the founding grant of Markyate, possibly a gift from Roger de Mowbray. In 1190 the nuns leased the Lordship to William de Arden and his son Sir Hugh purchased it outright in 1230 for 30 marks (£20). Sir Hugh was succeeded by his son William who was Lord of the Manor until 1276. The estate was then divided and Diddington passed to William’s widow Agatha. By 1284 it was found to be in the hands of her sister Alice, who was married to John le Lou. In the same year Diddington was sold, along with the Lordship of Knowle, to Edward I who in turn gifted it to his wife Eleanor. Eleanor was born in 1241, the daughter of Ferdinand III of Castille. She married Prince Edward in 1264, but the union proved to be unpopular in England where xenophobia was rife. During her lifetime she became infamous for the amount of land that she concentrated in her own hands, and Diddington was one of the many Lordships of the Manor which she possessed.

Her acquisitions began after the tortuous period of civil war between the barons, led by Simon de Montfort, and her father-in-law, Henry III. After the rebels’ final defeat at the battle of Evesham in August 1265 she was given a number of confiscated estates. She was loyal to her husband and did not put herself out of the way of danger. In 1270, she accompanied Edward to the Holy Land where in June 1272 he was stabbed by an assassin with a poisoned knife. Legend has it that she saved Edward’s life by sucking the poison from his wound. Henry III died that year and when the couple returned they were crowned King and Queen in August 1274. Soon afterwards she expanded her estates by acquiring the debts of English knights who owed money to Jewish moneylenders and then, when the Jews were expelled from England in 1290, she took over the debts.

By the time she became Lady of the Manor of Diddington in 1284, she had become deeply unpopular, but was worth £25,000 per year. Her officials were widely denounced for the severity of their exactions and she would have them harass and punish anyone who angered or crossed her. She was an extremely well educated and cultured woman and promoted universities and writing. She brought a great number of Spaniards to England, causing ill-will. There is no doubting that she was a devoted wife and loved her husband. She produced 16 children with Edward. She had no power in government, though some suspect that she influenced her husband in so far as he became as hard and strict as she. Ironically, at her death of a fever at Lincoln in 1287 she was separated from Edward for one of the few times in their lives. He was in Provence.

After Eleanor’s death, Edward granted Diddington to Westminster Abbey and it remained as a property of the abbey until its Dissolution by Henry VIII in 1541. Until 1559 it became the possession of the Bishop of London, before being returned to the Crown. In 1573, Queen Elizabeth granted it to her favourite, Robert, Earl of Leicester who died in 1588, still a favourite of the Queen’s, who resumed Diddington. The Lordship remained with the Crown until 1622 when James I granted it to Sir Fulk Greville, Lord Brooke.

On September 1, 1628, Greville was murdered by his servant Robert Hayward at his London house in Holborn and his estate passed to his adopted son Robert. Diddington stayed with the Grevilles until it eventually passed to Fulke Greville, the 5th Lord Brooke. He granted it to his second son Algernon in 1710. He was succeeded by his son and heir Fulke who sold the Lordship in 1743 to William Smith. In 1754, his widow Henrietta sold it to Benjamin Palmer. After Palmer’s death in 1772 Diddington descended to a distant cousin David Lewis, and by the end of the century it was divided between Lewis’ son, Henry, and a relative of Benjamin Palmer’s, Jane Wilson. Henry died in 1829 and the ownership of Diddington was consolidated in the Wilson family.

This family had been founded by John Wilson of … Eshton in Yorkshire, whose son, John, sailed with the Earl of Leicester to Holland in 1585 as Queen Elizabeth’s envoy. His son, also John, also had a military career, as a captain of the Dragoon Guards, under Charles I (1625–1649). He was succeeded by his eldest son, another John, who also served in the cavalry, during the reign of Charles II (1660–1685). In turn, his heir John was aide-de-camp to General Mackay and served in the campaigns of the Duke of Marlborough in the early 18th century. Though he had numerous children, this John was survived by only one son, also John, who fought at the battle of Culloden in 1745, during the second Jacobite Rebellion. His only son was William Wilson, a captain of the 3rd Dragoon Guards, and his wife, Jane, inherited a share of the Lordship of Diddington. Their son, the Reverend William Wilson, was Lord of the Manor and was succeeded by his son, also William. The Wilson family retained it until 1887 when it was sold to Mrs J B Clarke. A few years later it was sold once more to Major S G Everitt. From him it passed to his son George and has been retained by his descendants to this day. The senior line of the Wilsons provided the present Wilson Baronets.

Documents associated with this Manor:

Court Rolls 1278 Birmingham Ref Library

Customs 1840

Ministers’ Accounts 1287, 1353–57, 1500–02, 1515–18 National Archives

Court Rolls 1293–1305, 1362–3, 1381–1413, 1436–1457, 1493–94 Westminster Abbey

Notes from Court Rolls 1337–1558 National Archives

Estreats 1556–57

Court of Survey 1592–73

Surveys 1541–42, 1605–6

Rental 1620

Accounts 1371–2 Cambridgeshire RO

View of Frankpledge 1470 British Library

Court Rolls 1478–1671 Warwickshire RO

Custom & Perambulation 1625

Court Papers 1657–1934

Court Rolls 1689–1934

Customary 1574 Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Courts 1805, 1875

Presentments 1870

Memoranda 1876

Survey 1635–36 Coventry City Archive

((2022 Catalogue Begins))

Lying in the extensive parish of Hampton-in-Arden is the manor of Diddington. This estate including a small hamlet of the same name lies to the north of Hampton on Diddington Lane and borders the large Stonebridge Estate to the East.

This manor is known as a reputed manor, which means it was a freehold estate without feudal tenants. The earliest mention of the manor occurs in the 12th century when it was gifted to the nuns of Markyate Priory in Bedfordshire by Sir Roger de Mowbray. In 1190 the priory leased the land to William de Arden and in 1231 Diddington was purchased outright by his son Hugh for 30 marks. Arden was also the Lord of the Manor of Knowle and Kinwalsey. The Manor remained in the possession of the Arden family for several generations. On the death of William de Arden in 1296 it was assigned to his widow Agatha and to his daughter Amice. In 1284 Amice’s husband John le Lou sold Diddington and the Knowle estate to Edward I and Queen Eleanor. The estate was held as a possession of the Queen and a gift from Edward. Although like most dynastic marriages that between Edward and Eleanor was arranged for a political purpose (in this case to secure England’s claims over Gascony) it later developed into a union of deep love and affection. She was only 13 when she was wed to Edward, he was only a couple of years older. They were both in England by 1255 and by all accounts shared a loving and faithful relationship, which was unusual for the 13th century. Edward is not known to have had any extramarital relationships nor fathered any children outside of his marriage. Indeed it was widely reported that the couple shared a harmonious and lively relationship. Diddington with rest of the Knowle Estate was a gift for Eleanor from Edward, and when she died in 1290 was given to Westminster Abbey as part of a large endowment for a chantry to be erected in the memory of her soul. Such was his love for Eleanor that Edward commemorated her with a series of twelve crosses from Westminster to Lincoln. Only two survive - Waltham Cross and Charing Cross.

Diddington remained a part of the Westminster Abbey estates until its Dissolution. In 1541 it was granted to the Bishop of London but in 1559 the grant was revoked and instead the Manor was taken back into the hands of the Crown. In 1573 Queen Elizabeth granted Diddington, with Knowle, to her favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Leicester was one of the most prominent figures in Elizabethan England and a great favourite of the Queen herself. The son of the Duke of Northumberland, Leicester came to prominence early in the reign of his friend, Elizabeth. Indeed, he is often considered the most likely candidate as her husband. His first wife, Amy Robert died in 1560 in murky circumstances, falling downstairs. Unfortunately for Leicester this actually ruined his chances of marrying the Queen The Lordship of the Manor of Diddington, Warwickshire Diddington Hall 32 since the scandal of Amy’s death was so large. He remained unmarried for 18 years, hoping that his chance would come but eventually he married Lettice Knollys, Countess of Essex, and was promptly banned from court. Leicester amassed a great estate in Warwickshire, centred on Kenilworth Castle, ten miles to the south and Diddington was very much part of this process. His lavish lifestyle is well documented and he spent a fortune on his Warwickshire lands and in particular, remodelling and developing Kenilworth . Despite upsetting Elizabeth with his second marriage they were later reconciled and he spent much time with her. When the Spanish Armada was threatening England in July 1588, Leicester was standing at her side when she delivered her famous speech at Tilbury. Leicester died suddenly a few later and Elizabeth was heartbroken, she reputedly locked herself in her rooms for days until the door was forced open by Lord Bughley.

On his death, Leicester’s manor at Diddington reverted to the possession of the Crown where it remained until 1622 when it was granted to Sir Fulk Grevil, Lord Brooke. He had been a faithful servant of Elizabeth and was a Warwickshire man, born at Alcester in 1554. He was also a noted member of the court of James I, who granted him Warwick Castle in 1604. Grevil spent the enormous sum of £20,000 in renovating what had become a dilapidated complex. Grevil was murdered in 1628 by a servant, Ralph Haywood who believed that his master had left him out of his will after promising otherwise. He is buried at the church of St Mary In Warwick. Diddington passed to his adopted son, Robert Grevil who was killed during the siege of Lichfield in 1643 fighting on the side of Parliament. It then passed to his son Francis and in turn, his brothers, Robert and Full, who died in 1710. By this time the Manor had been gifted to Fulk’s son, Algenon, who retained it until 1743 when he sold it to William Smith. In 1754, Smith’s widow, Henritetta sold it to Benjamin Palmer. Palmer may have offered it for sale in 1759 since Warwickshire Record Office hold details of Manor of Diddington, capital messuage and lands adjoining in Hampton-in-Arden along with other lands in the county (WRO CR 299/79/1-6) but appears to have retained it until 1772 when it passed to a relative, David Lewis. By this time it seems that the estate had actually been divided into moieties since when Lewis died a years later he was found to have held it jointly with Henry Greswold, who died in 1823. Eventually the Manor and rest of the Knowle estate passed to a descendent of Benjamin Palmer, Jane Wilson and hence into the hands of this family. In 1887 it was sold to Mrs J B Clarke and later sold to Major G Everitt, in whose family it remained until 1982 when it was sold to Edgar Philips.

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Seignory, Fief, & Domain of Dogmersfield, Hampshire

Lot #30 Manorial Auctioneers’ Partnership – October 1990

(Including historic rights to 25 acres of common at Chatter Alley Green)

THE LORDSHIP of Dogmersfield is roughly coincident with the parish of the same name and covers about 1,700 acres, of which some 25 acres are registered common land on the edge of the Basingstoke Canal, at Chatter Alley. The land was registered by the County Council in 1974, during the incapacity of the then Lord of the Manor, as trustees, and application would need to be made by the new Lord for transfer. It was here that Henry VII and his eldest son, Prince Arthur, met Katherine of Aragon in 1502, prior to her marriage to the Prince of Wales, a marriage that was to have staggering consequences just 30 years later.

In the reign of Edward the Confessor, the Manor was held of the King as an alod by Swein and his Norman successor was Hugh with the Beard. Domesday Book records that there was a church and a mill here, the latter worth 6s. 6d. a year, and the whole annual value of the Lordship at 100s. In the first years of the 12th century, Dogmersfield was acquired by Ralph Flambard, Prince Bishop of Durham from whom it passed in 1133 to Henry I. The King granted it Godfrey, Bishop of Bath and Wells, and it remained in this see until the Dissolution in the 1530s. The Bishops had a summer palace here from the reign of Henry II, Bishop Reginald FitzJocelin being granted a licence by the King to impark what was to become Dogmersfield House, now owned by the Armdale Corporation. Dogmersfield Lake was probably the Bishops' manorial fishpond. Henry II granted Bishop William the right of free warren in 1257 and in 1278 Edward I granted Bishop Robert the privilege of an annual fair on the Vigil of SS Ciricus and Julitta (16 June).

Returning now to the momentous event of 1502. Two years later, Prince Arthur died and the Heir to the Throne became the future Henry VIII. However, his father, concerned to retain the powerful alliance this marriage had cemented with King Ferdinand of Aragon and Castile (Spain), Henry VII obtained papal dispensation to marry his younger son to his widowed daughter-in-law, Katherine of Aragon. The marriage began well enough, but as the years passed and as every son born to Henry and Katherine died in childhood, the one son Henry VIII started to harbour doubts about the validity of his marriage to his brother's widow, and whether the lack of male heirs was not a judgment of God on the wickedness of the marriage. The King's “Great Matter” became urgent in the late 1520s when Henry met Anne Boleyn who insisted on marriage before intimacy. The efforts of the English Court, led by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, to obtain an annulment from Rome met with no success, the Pope being an effective prisoner of Queen Katherine's nephew, the Emperor Charles V, who was also ruler of Spain. Queen Katherine would not consent to divorce and Henry declared himself Head of the Church, had Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, declare the marriage unlawful, and married Anne Boleyn. Under the brief consortship of Queen Anne, the Reformation in England got into high gear and one of the casualties was the Bishop of Bath and Wells whose Manor of Dogmersfield was seized by the Royal commissioners.

It was leased briefly to Sir John Wallop, then, in 1548, Edward VI granted it to Thomas Lord Wriothesly, first Earl of Southampton. Second Lord Southampton died seised of Dogmersfield in 1581, leaving a son and heir, Henry, who died in 1624, and was succeeded by his son, Thomas. Earl Thomas conveyed the Manor in 1629 to Edward Dickenson and William Torry, in trust for William Godson, was was Lord in 1646. and who was holding in 1671, when, as patron of the local church of All Saints, he presented the parson, but Dogmersfield had passed to Edward Goodyer by 1686, whose tomb in All Saints records that he was the Lord of the Manor. Edward was eventually succeeded by his daughter, Martha, wife of Ellis St John, whose son and heir, Paulet, was created a Baronet. Paulet's grandson and heir, Sir Henry, married Jane Mildmay, a great heiress of Essex and Stoke Newington, and the Lordship descended with the St John-Mildmay Baronetcy until sold in 1934 to two local surveyors, from whom it was acquired in the 1950s by the father of the present owner, David Herrington Esquire, Barrister.

The mill mentioned in Domesday probably lay at Pilcot Green where there are some pieces of manorial waste, as there are at Rye Common, where the parish council recently placed a public bench after application to the Lord of the Manor. Chatter Alley used to be the local cricket pitch, but is now woodland.

The Lordship lies adjacent to Odiham, and about six miles east of Basingstoke, to the north of the county.

Documents associated with this Manor:

Copies of Court Roll ............... 1482 - 1759 ............... Hants RO
Copy of Admissions ................. 1521, 1550, 1557 ........ Hants RO
Court Rolls ........................ 1559 - 86 ................ Hants RO
Terriers
(with Odiham & Crodel) ............................ Corpus Christi, Oxford

Court Rolls
with other Manors ................. 1591 - 92

Court Book
with other Manors ................. 1537 - 1663 .............. Hants RO

Stewards Progress Book ............ 1611 - 72

Court Books ....................... 1728 - 35 ................. Hunts RO

Rental & Accounts
with Odiham ....................... 1826 ..................... Univ College Southampton

Rental & Accounts
with Twyford ...................... 1826 - 27, 1835 - 36

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Seignory, Fief, & Domain of Domhue, Guernsey

Lot #5 of Strutt & Parker Auction – November 2003

The name Dom Hue is an important one in the history of Guernsey it is derived from the Saxon times, the name was originally held by a lady converted to Christianity by Bertha the first Christian Queen of Kent. The Saxon lady Domhue founded monasteries in England together with the ecclesiastical fief and chapel of Dom Hue at St Peter's in the wood was founded about the same time. The area of the Seignory and Fief covered land in the parish of St Pierre du Bois, one of ten civil parishes of Guernsey. The present owner of the Seignory and Fief of Domhue is a descendant of the original Guille family of Guernsey who's Norman ancestors lived in or near St Pierre du Bois where the church was dedicated in 1167. The name John Guille appears on the list of gentlemen then present.

Guernsey was originally part of the Duchy of Normandy held by William the Conqueror. His ancestor Charlemagne had been succeeded by ineffective sons and grandsons. Louis the Pious suffered extensive attacks from the Norsemen in the 830's and their conquests caused the Frankish Kings great troubles in Normandy known as Neustria. By 912 the Norsemen had established themselves so well in the Channel Islands and Northern France that King Charles in an effort to exert some control and fealty granted their leader Rollo the Dukedom of Normandy, later subjugated by William Long Sword in return for Rollo becoming a Christian and acknowledging the King of France's supremacy. The bargain was struck at Rouen between Franco, Archbishop of Rouen and Rollo under which Franco opened the proceedings:- "Will you mighty Chieftain go on to make war with the Franks so long as you live? What will become of you, if death surprises you? Do you think that you are God? Are you not a mortal man? Remember what you are and will be and by whom you must one day be judged". Rollo accepted and converted his followers to Christianity and in return took King Charles' daughter Gisla, as his wife. He was succeeded by six Norman Dukes, William I Long Sword, his son Richard I, the Fearless, who married Emma, daughter of King Ethelred of England and mother of Edward the Confessor, Richard II known as "The Good", Richard III his son, who died a minor and Robert the Magnificent who sheltered Edward the Confessor during the reign of King Canute in England. Lastly, William the Conqueror who was Robert's bastard son.

Duke Robert the Magnificent tried to restore Edward to his English Throne, but his fleet was driven back by storms and Edward landed again in the Channel Islands before sailing on to Mont St Michel and safety in Normandy. With the death of Harold Harefoot of England, Edward succeeded in being peacefully restored to the English throne in 1042, bringing many Normans to his court and granting them lands in England. Accordingly Norman historians record that Edward bequeathed the crown of England to William the Conqueror.

In the Norman period the Seigneur of Guernsey known as the Bailiff or Vicomte was responsible for keeping the peace and collecting the Duke's revenues, exercising summary justice. As the Dukes direct representative it was he in the event of threatened invasion that was responsible for raising the people in their own defence.

Between the reigns of William the Conqueror and King John, however, the leaders of Seigneurs of the Channel Islands often had difficulty during the wars between the Kings of England and France in deciding which side to support. By 1209, ten years into King John's reign however, the only possessions in Normandy left to the English monarch were the strip of territory around Bordeaux called Gascony and the Channel Islands. King John however was well aware of the strategic importance of the Channel Islands and in order to strengthen his control he severed his links with the Ducal Court of Normandy and instituted the Royal Courts of Guernsey and Jersey. Under the King's Privy Council and this constitution, the Islands were effectively to govern themselves as a Peculiar of the Crown of England. He visited the Islands in 1213 when he constituted Philip d'Anbigney as Bailiff and through him strengthened the Island's defences. The Islands then enjoyed a period of peace until the Reign of Edward III who claimed the French crown. It had been offered to Philip of Valois and on hearing of Edwards claim, Philip immediately equipped a fleet with a view to taking the Channel Islands. The fleet successfully captured Guernsey but was repulsed at Mont Orgueil Castle by the Governor Drogo de Barentin. This marked the beginning of the Hundred Year War, in turn Edward in 1339 raised his own fleet and routed the French at Sluys on the Belgian coast and reinstated his supply lines across the Channel. His fleet continued to recapture Guernsey having marshalled a number of the island Seigneurs and their troops from St Hillier. The French made later attempts to recapture the Islands but were frustrated by the strength of Mont Orgueil Castle. The Duke of Bourbon besieged the Castle with a force of ten thousand men late in the Reign of Henry III but was after several months repelled on the arrival of the English fleet. The war raged on and the English were again driven out of France during the Reign of Charles II, their only remaining possessions being Calais and the Channel Islands. For his own successful defence of Gascony in the reign of Henry VI, John Talbot was created Earl of Shrewsbury, 1442, but died at Chatillon at the last battle of the Hundred Years War.

The Seignory of Domhue appears to have belonged in the 13th century to the Le Canelly family, one of the most important families on the island holding several Seignories in the locality. In the Norman rolls of 2nd King John, 1200, we find that William Le Canelly paid the King 60 livres Augevin that certain lands at Samersville in Guernsey which he claimed from Matilda Longelat and her son Henry may be taken into the King's hands until the suit he had against them be tried before the Curia Regis (the Court of the Exchequer at Cacu) at Michaelmas following. In 1227 the King ordered his Warden of the Isles, William de St John to give Henry Le Canelly possession of all the lands in Guernsey late belonging to his father William Le Canelly deceased. At the assize held in Guernsey 1254 we find Sir Henry Le Canelly knight mentioned among the Jurats present (archives de la Manche fonds de Mont St Michel). He seems to have died before 1258 leaving two daughters as co heiresses, the eldest Lucia married to Mr Thomas de Vic and the youngest Guillsmotte to Mr Drouet de Saint Martin, Seigneur of Trinity Jersey. At the inquest held 1274 by John Wyger and Ralph de Broughton, Thomas de Vic and Drouet de St Martin were accused by the Juries of the Parish of Torteval, St Peter's in the Wood and St Saviours of having usurped "la mountée" of 8 tenements situated in the said parishes since the time of Drogo de Barentin, Warden of the Isles for the last time 1258-1259. They also had a law suit circa 1265-80 with Lady Felicia de Chesney, widow of Sir William de Chesney, Seigneur of Anneville and guardian of her children, concerning the dues of certain mills (Channel Island documents at Warwick Castle).

Thomas de Vic held in right of his wife half of the fief known as le fief au Canelly, the right of suit of Court at the Chief Pleas of the Royal Court, the right of chase and of Court for his tenants and the right of the 13th charge over the whole manor when property changed ownership. The portion which came to Drouet de St Martin and his wife was that which was divided up as we have seen into a number of minor fiefs in 1463. At the Assizes held 1309, Avice de Vic and Henry de St Martin, Seigneur of Trinity and his brothers John, Drogo, Simon and Philip were summoned to show by what right they claimed certain aids from their tenants in the parishes of Torteval, St Peter's in the Wood and St Saviours also the right of Court for their tenants, suit at the Court Chief Pleas in the King's Court and of chase. They replied that the inheritance was divided between Avice and Henry, denied claiming the royal aid from their tenants but maintained that they and their ancestors had enjoyed the other liberties from time immemorial. Avice de Vic was still possessed of her portion of the fief in 1323 and she seems to have died shortly after when it passed to Thomelin de Vic, probably her cousin. It would seem from this fact that she must have been the grand-daughter of Thomelin de Vic and Lucia de Canelly and heiress of their eldest son otherwise the de St Martins would have been her heirs. Thomalin de Vic sold the Fief to Sir William de Chesney Seigneur of the Fief du Comte d'Anneville who held it in 1331. It remained in the possession of the de Chesney family for nearly two centuries. In 1509 it was sold by Sir Robert Willoughby, second Lord Broche grandson of the heiress of the senior branch of the de Chesneys with all his other Guernsey manors to Nicholas Fouaschin of Guernsey, one of the principal merchants of Southampton, gentleman usher for Hampshire at the Court of Henry VIII. Nicholas Fouaschin did not obtain immediate possession of any of these manors as they had been granted in fee for life by Robert Willoughby First Lord Brohe to his cousin Edmund de Chesney son of John de Chesney at County Devon (of a junior branch of the family) and to his wife Margaret Kirkham. Margaret, Dame de Anneville, widow of Edmund de Chesney was still in possession in 1534. Thomas Fouaschin, son of William, obtained full possession of all the manors purchased by his father from Lord Brohe in 1548 after considerable litigation with Sir Fulk Greville and Margaret his wife, grand daughter and sole heiress of the Second Lord Brohe. Thomas Fouaschin was Mayor of Southampton in 1545 and Member of Parliament for the same until 1555. This great grandson of Thomas Fouaschin Seigneur of Anneville married Alice Metcalfe de Seft and only daughter and heiress of Alice Dame de Anneville who married October 1660 at the French Church at Southampton Charles Andros son of Thomas Andros Seigneur de Sausmary. Through this marriage the Fiefs of le Canelly and Dom Hue passed to the Andros family.

The Channel Island Fiefs are listed in the livres de perchage volumes which are similar to the English Manorial terriers. They generally set out the names of owners of land on the Fiefs, describe their properties and list their manorial dues. A copy of the livres de perchage of 1595 and of 1644 are bound in a Medieval ecclesiastical manuscript. Old parchments were often re-used in this way as binding for subsequent documents and the music written on the document is a section of the Exultat, written for use in a Catholic service although there are later Protestant additions in the volume. The general contents of this livres de perchage reflect the histories of individual fiefs and their use by example pre de la Hanniere referring to growing hemp in a field and l'Aumone an area used for produce donated to charity, les Buttes marking the site of parish archery buttes which practice often took place after Sunday services.

The chief pleas of the Manor or Seignoral Courts of Domhue were held annually on the mounting block or steps of the church of St Pierre du Bois. It was here that the tenants of the fief were required to respond for their properties and failure to do so for three successive years rendered them liable for seizure by the Seigneur, "defaut d'aveu". The Seignoral Court appointed a Bailiff or Chefs de Bouvee responsible for collecting chief rents and charges such as poulage, a tax levied at two chickens per house. Over the centuries the manorial dues have been relinquished or abolished culminating in the abolition of the 13th charge, a former duty payable on the transfer or property, in the middle of the last century.

The Court or Chief Pleas however survives being convened three times a year by the Sovereign's representative being the Bailiff and Chief Justice of the Island Courts, also the Speaker of the Islands Administrative Assembly. Whilst largely a colourful tradition, one of the Courts each year being followed by a banquet, it remains incumbent upon each Seigneur or his deputy to attend or on failure being held "defaut d'aveu".

((Update: The fief of Dom Hue is not held "in capite" - those that owe homage annually at Chief Pleas. This is one of many errors made in this catalogue relative to fiefs.))

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Lordship of the Manor of Donhead, Wiltshire

Lot #5 of Manorial Services Auction - Nov 2023 - Stephen Johnson

Many manors can trace their origin to Domesday Book of 1086, but only a few can be positively identified as existing in the Saxon era, and Donhead is one of these. Covering most of the modern parishes of Denhead St Mary and Donhead St Andrew, this lordship is first recorded in 873 when it was granted by Kind Alfred to Shaftesbury Abbey. Alfred’s own daughter, Ayleva, was the abbess and she personally owned the land in Donhead on which the current parish church of St Andrews was built. A Saxon arch remains within the chancel of the church. The grant was an extensive one, of 40 hides as they stand with their produce and their men. In 956, King Edwy or Eadwig, confirmed the grant and for the next 650 years this manor belonged to the Abbey. Indeed, across its long history until 1989 (give or take two short interludes) the Lordship had only two owners, the Abbots of Shaftesbury and the Arundell family.

Donhead was a large, wealthy manor. This is confirmed by its description in Domesday Book. The entry notes that the manor consisted of 40 hides of land, enough for 32 ploughs. There were 32 villans and 25 bordars. The mills alone were worth 66 shillings a year and the lordship was worth £22 annually, making it one of the most valuable in the county. The name Donhead - meaning the head of waters - reflects an abundance of springs and there was over 15 acres of water meadow in the manor.

Both these former Saxon grants were confirmed by Henry I at the beginning of the 12th Century and the profits from the manor were directed to be made use of for the clothing the nuns with the view for securing their prayers for the health of his [the kings] for the health of his soul. King John renewed the charter in 1205. A survey of the Abbey estate in 1225 notes that there were 131 tenants in the Manor farming both arable and pasture land and there was a large common in the northwest of the manor which appears to have been enclosed by the end of Middle Ages. In 1293 the Abbess of Shaftesbury sought to increase the economic output of the manor by seeking to create a park for hunting and a charter of Free Warren was granted by Edward II in 1293. The manorial court was held by the Abbey’s steward at what later became Berry Court House, the centre of the main demesne farm.

When Shaftesbury Abbey was Dissolved on the orders of Henry VIII in 1538, Donhead was found to be one of it richest manors in Wiltshire and one which had contributed to the houses enormous wealth, much coveted by the King. Its possessions remained with the Crown until the reign of Edward VI when it was sold to Sir Thomas Arundell.

Arundell was a successful courtier who came from a noble background in Cornwall ( his grandfather was the Marquess of Dorset). His connections in the West Country earned him a position in the household of Cardinal, Thomas Wolsey and in 1533 he succeeded his father as receiver-general for the Duchy of Cornwall and was created a Knight of the Bath at the coronation of Ann Bolyen. Arundell was one of the Crown’s most powerful agents in the West County, acting JP for Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset, as well being in command of coastal defences for the region. By the 1540s he was a wealthy and leading member of the royal court and this enabled him to obtain a large landed estate, including Donhead most of which, as we have seen, originated from the former possession of dissolved religious houses. However, he also made a fruitful marriage to Margaret Howard, sister of Katherine, Henry’s fifth wife, and daughter of the powerful and Catholic Howard clan. Unfortunately, what seemed like an ideal match in 1530 seemed less so after Katherine’s execution in 1542 and the effective banishment of the Howard family from court. On the accession of Edward VI in 1547, his connection to the Howards prevented him receiving a peerage title too which he would otherwise have been offered. Furthermore, his own family were staunch defenders of the ‘Old Religion’ and his political progress was severely retarded, even to the extent of being implicated in a rebellion of 1549 and imprisoned. This ended his court connections and in a desperate bid to recover his position he made a pragmatic alliance with the protector, the Duke of Somerset. However, when Somerset was toppled by the earl of Warwick in 1551, Arundell toppled with him and was charged with plotting to murder Warwick. Though he professed his innocence, which was likely, he was nevertheless convicted of treason and beheaded on Tower Hill on 26 February 1552.

The Manor of Donhead was granted to Sir Thomas Grey after Arundell’s execution, but he suffered the same fate after taking part in a rebellion against Queen Mary. The Queen then returned the manor to Arundell’s widow and hence to her son, Matthew, who was knighted in 1574. Thomas Arundell was raised to the peerage as Baron Wardour in 1605. The family were fierce defenders of the Royal cause during the Civil War and Lord Arundell was attainted under Cromwell’s regime in 1653. Briefly, Donhead was held by the Crown, but on the Restoration in 1660 was returned to the family in whose hands it remained until being sold to a private buyer in 1989.

Documents associated with this manor in the public domain:

1373-1422: court rolls Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre

1411-1412: court roll

1420-1421: account roll

1447-1533 court rolls (non-consecutive)

1449-1697: accounts (non-consecutive)

1486-1486: custumal (extracts), with court roll

1517-1518: court and account book

1528-1533: court rolls

1571-1782: court books (non-consecutive)

1649-1901: surveys

1664-1751: lists of residents

1724-1833: stewards’ papers

1748-1838: rentals

1766-1766: accounts

1831-1923: court book

1857-1863: rent accounts

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Lordship of the Manor of Draycott, Derbyshire

Lot #18 of Manorial Auctioneers - Undated but Post-2002

Catalogue gifted & transcribed for the archive by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

THIS MANOR and village is situated on the bank of the river Derwent, about a mile north-west of Church Wilne, just off the A6005 road near Breaston. It was until recently the property of the Earl of Harrington. As happened with many of the towns and villages in this area, the original small agricultural settlement expanded greatly during the Industrial Revolution and served the Nottingham cotton and lace industry. A renowned early industrialist, Mr Towle, founded the first cotton mill here in 1800 and at one time there was a silk mill.

The Lordship is grouped with Sawley and Hopwell in Domesday Book, compiled in 1086 as an “inventory” of lands and owners in England. William the Conqueror wanted to know what he had and who held it. The Domesday commissioners, therefore, listed lands in dispute, for Domesday was not only a tax assessment. To the King’s grandson, Bishop Henry of Winchester, its purpose was that every “man should know his right and not usurp another’s”, and because it was the final authoritative register of rightful possession “the natives called it Domesday Book, by analogy from the Day of Judgment” — the “Last Trump of Doom”. Domesday Book describes Old English society under new management in minute statistic detail. Foreign lords had taken over but little else had changed. The chief landowners and those who held from them are named, and the rest of the population was counted. Most of them lived in villages, whose houses might be clustered together, or dispersed among their fields. Villages were grouped together in administrative districts called hundreds, which formed regions within shires or counties which survive today with minor adjustments. The local assemblies, though overshadowed by Lords great and small, gave men a voice, which the commissioners heeded. Many holdings were described by the Norman term manerium (Manor) and varied greatly in size and structure, from tiny homesteads to vast holdings.

In the present case, the Lordship was held by the Bishop of Chester who, after the King, was one of the biggest landowners in Derbyshire. Domesday records that the Bishop had three ploughs of his own, while 29 villagers and 13 smallholders had 13 ploughs between them. There was a priest and there were two churches. There was a mill, worth 20 shillings, a fishery, and 30 acres of meadow. There was woodland pasture measuring three furlongs by one furlong (approx 330 yards by 110 yards) and there was a small water meadow. The population was perhaps about 200, quite large for the time.

It is uncertain whether Draycott passed to the Prebent of Sawley, along with the Manors of Sawley and Wilne, when the income from these Lordships was awarded to the Treasurer of Lichfield Cathedral in 1255, but it certainly remained under the control of the Bishop of Chester. At the dissolution of the monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII (1509–47), Draycott was allotted to the new Protestant Bishops of Chester in whom it remained until the Civil War in the 1640s when the (Puritan) Parliament ordered the sale of all episcopal lands for the Commonwealth. Known to history as the Long Parliament, it was this body that prosecuted the “English Revolution” and brought Charles I to a Martyr’s death in 1649. The Royalist members withdrew in 1642 and the so-called Presbyterian “right-wing” were purged by Colonel Pride in 1648. The remaining members of this Parliament, known as the Rump, legislated until they were purged by Cromwell a year later. Surviving members reassembled in 1659 and negotiated the restoration of Charles II in May 1660 to much national rejoicing.

Draycott was sold with other local Manors to Nathaniel Hollows and was sold by his family to the Earl of Harrington in the 18th century. The Harringtons are descended by Sir John Stanhope, half-brother of the 1st Earl of Chesterfield. He died in 1638. His great grandson, William Stanhope, held various diplomatic posts in the reign of George I (1714–27) and the first half of the reign of George II (1727–60), becoming Secretary of State for the North (ie Foreign Secretary) in 1740 when he was raised to the Earldom of Harrington, Viscountcy of Petersham of Petersham, and Barony of Harrington. The 8th Earl, Charles Wyndham Stanhope, was aide-de-camp to King Edward VII and King George V, whose mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Lucas de Pearsall, of Wartensee Castle, Switzerland. He died in 1917. The descent of the Stanhopes lies on the following pages.

In the adjacent Lordship of Sawley is Sawley church, the mother church of the area and probably one of the two mentioned in Domesday Book. It has many fine tombs, including that of John Bothe, Treasurer of Lincoln Cathedral who died in 1496.

Documents associated with this Manor

Court rolls: undated — Belvoir Castle

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Lordship of the Manor of Drayton (aka Great Drayton or Market Drayton), Shropshire

Lot #22 of Strutt & Parker Auction – November 2003

(held in chief with ancient grant of markets and fairs)

Market Drayton is an established market town in the north of the County midway between Shrewsbury and Stoke-On-Trent. Early records reveal a Roman villa at Hales and the road known as Leominche Street.

Evidently Great Drayton became established as an Anglian farming settlement elevated above the River Tern and a (mother) parish with a church by the 11th century serving the surrounding satellite hamlets or vills in forest clearances. Earliest known written record appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, not then linked with the Anglo-Saxon "hals" or hales but as "Draitune". The ownership had recently passed from Godwin the Anglo-Saxon Lord to a Norman, William Pantulf, whose lands in Shropshire included 29 settlements then forming the Barony of Wem. Draitune at the time was classed as a berewick or second class manor evidently without a manor house and probably controlled by a bailiff, perhaps due to a recent reduction in the population and with only four male inhabitants recorded apart from the priest. Two of them were ploughmen or oxherds and two were unfree "bordars" but there is no mention of the method of farming other than existence of the demesne land.

William Pantulf, as with many conquering Norman Lords, gifted some of his Estates including the Manor of Drayton to the church for the safeguarding of his soul. In this case, it was the monastery of St Peter at Noron, a cell of the Abbey of St Evroul in Normandy. Little appears to have changed in the following century save for re-building of the church and reference in 1136 to "Dreiton". A Savignica or Cistercian monastery known as Combermere Abbey was founded in 1133 near Whitchurch and in course of time was endowed with the Shropshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire lands. Sometime between 1210 and 1240, Thomas de Gillyng, Abbot of Combermere obtained a perpetual lease of Great Drayton for 20 marks yearly which continued until ownership passed to the Abbey.

In 1245, Henry III charter roles record the grant of market and fair to Draiton and in 1266 the King confirmed the Abbey's possessions including "Magna Drayton in le Hallys" though it appears that Abbot Simon of Combermere had already embarked on the development of Drayton as market settlement following the earlier charter on a Wednesday livestock and general market and a three day fair, September 7 to 9. It seems that this aroused local opposition, perhaps due to the exercise of powers by the Abbey through a Manor Court or that the Abbot had no rights in the church which still belonged to St Evroul Abbey, since in 1280 he occupied the church with his monks and defended it like a castle against Ralph le Boteler, Baron of Wem and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The friction's continued while successive Abbots established control, developed the grange, fixed boundaries of fields and common, built the mill, the "aula" or market hall 1341, and the bakehouse which was in ruins by 1380. The turbulence appears to have continued though to the Dissolution through Abbots exercising their powers beyond the limit leading to a "'Quo warranto" jury 1292 and a fine of 62 shillings levied and in 1331 the Abbey securing by "inspeximus" of the market charter on payment of a mark a year. Throughout the mediaeval period settlers were attracted to the new town by the offer of burgages being building lots for a dwelling with a market stall on the street, some of these sites extending back into the surrounding fields. About 100 of the Abbeys charters concerning the tenancies of burgages have survived and whilst many refer to the tradesman and craftsman in the town, though brief, also indicating the year they were written. Whilst the names of seneshales or stewards are not known, the occupiers of burgages became referred to as Burgesses raising their status by the time Combermere Abbey was closed in 1538. John Massy its last Abbot received a pension and lived out his last days in Chester where he died in 1572.

Sir Rowland Hill born 1497 was descended from the de la Hulle family in south Shropshire with strong connections with the Longslow and Buntings-Dale families. By the late 1540 he had become a wealthy London Mercer with experience in Parliament where his signature appeared alternatively as Rouland Hyll. He was able to purchase large Estates in several counties, much of the former monastery's land including Drayton. He was the founder of the free grammar school in Market Drayton 1555 and the first Protestant Lord Mayor of London 1549 and is recorded as the Lord of Manor of Great Drayton 1545 and 1562. By the late 1540's and 1550's Drayton had become established as a town of timbered and thatched buildings with its layout of streets and surrounding open fields well established. The changes the town was experiencing were both religious and social and in 1550 Sir Rowland Hill secured from Edward VI confirmation of the original charter of 1245 including some of the benefits of the 1331 version such as enforcement of assizes, gallows, the Court of Pie Powder (Pides Poudres) and a Wednesday fair the week before the Passover. From this time clearly his successive stewards were taking firm control of the town, evidence of which appears in the Court records of a bailiff, the constables, two aletasters, two leavelookers and the fixed penalties for "peyns" when breaking manorial orders. Possibly on important occasions he attended the Courts himself since there is record headed "certeyne ordinances and peynes in the greate courtes of Drayton in Hales holden before Sir Rowland Hill Knight". Fixed measures and prices were adopted in his time, for corn the stryke, the half stryke, pecke and half pecke and for ale the gallon at two pence, the pottel at a penny and the quart at a half penny. Bread had to be made in half penny and penny loaves and "strangers" were not allowed to sell it in the town. The Court records provide a fascinating insight into social history.

Without sons or daughters on his death 1562, Sir Rowland devised most of his possessions to members of his family, Drayton to his niece, Alice Gratewood, who had become Alice Corbet marrying 1546, a Judge who died 1556. Alice Corbet's new steward was John Preston, probably from Almington and the Manor Courts became busier though affrays and 'peynes. Some two dozens leases survive in the Corbet archives though evidence of the great re-building between 1560 and 1640 was probably much destroyed by the fire of 1651. When Sir John Corbet, a leading Shropshire Parliamentarian succeeded his brother and Alice Corbet entrusted him with gathering rents, it seems that the then steward Thomas Unton refused to recognise his authority and detained manorial records leading to a Court of Chancery case in 1632. The "crosse howsse" of the 1570's being the market house mentioned in 1631 was evidently destroyed in the fire on 1651 since in October of that year fourteen townsmen contracted with a carpenter to " build frame and reare a markett house for £55, the townesmen to carry the said building being framed to the place were it is to be reared" Two bays of Stoke barn were a gift from the right worshipful Sir John Corbet and a map or sketch was attached to the Manor Court Roll.

On Sir Robert Corbet's death the Market Drayton Estate passed to Colonel Thomas D'Avenant the husband of his daughter Ann. Colonel Thomas D'Avenant who had married 1751, built Grove House about this time and defended his position in 1787 against his son Sir Corbet Corbet in the Court of Chancery. The dispute appears to be connected with the map of 1787 by Samuel Botham and was decided in 1791. Poverty, was rife throughout the District at this time as active administration of the Poor Law by the Parish demonstrated records show the Guardians, overseers, workhouse managers and Colonel D'Avenant himself playing a part in alleviating the situation. Evidently the Estate passed to Sir Corbet Corbet childless at the time of his death in 1823 which Trustees including Sir Andrew Corbet administered until his second son could take over. The town and surrounding farms continued in a state of depression until the canal was cut in the 1830's.

The Tithe Map and Award of 1842 reveals that manor property within the town had substantially reduced subsequent to 1787 though the Corbet family retained its connection and provided a site for the new vicarage. By 1863 the Court Leet had been revived without the Court Baron but was held intermittently, significantly to continue the ceremonial functions in "crying the fair" and holding Court and the dinner and perambulation of the Manor which followed. The bailiff was then known as "Mayor of Market Drayton" and following the ceremony the perambulation of the town became known as "lighting home the Mayor" an ancient and time-honoured custom. The ceremony of the Court Leet in 1908 turned out to be last of an historic Lordship which had maintained Courts since the Abbot of Combermere laid out the town and market place in the mid 13th century. The residue of the Estate together with the Lordship of the Manor passed successively to Herbert J B Adderley, Eustace Parker, T W Charlton and Sir Henry J D Broughton-Bart, Adome Broughton-Adderley to the present owner. The ancient right of markets was conveyed to the District Council in 1921.

Documents Associated with Lordship of the Manor of Great Drayton Alias Drayon In Hales Alias Market Drayton

Date Description Location

1584 Parchment indenture, 1 hanging seal Vendor

1583 Parchment indenture, hanging seal Vendor

1632 Parchment indenture, hanging seal Vendor

1669 Land lease hanging seal Vendor

1680 Land lease hanging seal Vendor

1698 Paper document, 2 seals Vendor

1705 Parchment indenture, 4 seals Vendor

1707 Parchment indenture, 1 seal

1783 4 indentures and 6 part indentures seals in woven Vendor

1878 Schedule of Highways Board Common Funds Vendor

1245 Charter Roll (and other documents) Public Record Office Kew

Documents associated with the Lordship of the Manor of Drayton in Hales als Great Drayton continued...

327/1/C/1/1 Court Rolls of Roland Hill 1558-1561

327/1/C/1/2-8 Court Rolls of Alice Corbett 1567-1577

327/1/C/3/5-7 Presentments 17th Century

327/1/C/4/1-8 Suit Rolls 1703-1829

327/1/C/5/1 Accounts 1667-1668

327/1/C/6/1-2 Rentals 1662-1663

327/1/C/7/1-3 Stewards’ Papers 1701-1900

327/1/C/8/1 Accounts for Mault Mill in Drayton 1668-1682

327/2/2/81/6-14 Sale, Mortgage & Lease Documents 1789-1808

327/2/4/1/8/1/4 Copy of Inquisitions held in Shropshire - 16th Century

Henry de Ferrars 1388, His wife Joanna 1393

Theobald de Verdun 1317 & 1336 William

de Ferrars 1371

327/2/4/1/8/1/5-7 Escheats of Manor Court 1737-1585

Defendant’s response Corbett v Corbett 1632

3390/6/4 Manor of Drayton Suit Rolls 1799-1871

3390/6/5-42 Presentments Court Roll - Court 1809-1843

Baron Sir Corbert Corbert

3390/6/43-74 Estreats Authorisations to Bailiff 1727-1817

extracts of fines levied, declarations distraints

3390/6/75-103 Resients, Jury, Bailiffs & Constables 1823-1908

3390/6/104-145 Notices of Courts, Summonses etc. 1796-1903

3390/6/146-151 Notices of fines levied 1869

3390/6/152-159 Miscellaneous Manor Court papers 1797-1871

3390/8/1-15 Accounts, Receipts & Vouchers 1796-1809

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Lordship of the Manor of Dudstone, Gloucestershire

Lot #21 of Bernard Thorpe Auction - June 1986

The Lordship of Dudstone, in the hundred of Dudstone and Kings Barton, in Gloucestershire, has belonged for many centuries to the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester Cathedral before it was purchased by the Guise family.

General Sir John Guise was lord of the manor in 1848, on his death the lordship came to his son William and from him the manor descended to Sir Anselm Guise, the last lord of the manor.

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANOR:

1 Presentments of Dudstone 1776-1831

2 Court leet presentments 1769-1831

3 Original presentments 1831

4 Rentals 1828, 1840 & N.D.

5 Stewards precepts 1800-1851

6 List of names, etc. 1835, 1840

7 Forms to be observed at courts leet & baron c. 1796

8 Court book 1854-1946

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Lordship of the Manor of Duffield Fee, Derbyshire

Lot #7 of Manorial Services Auction - Spring 2024 - Stephen Johnson

(Including registered manorial rights of mines and minerals - details upon request)

Duffield Fee was one of the most important manors in the North Midlands. It lies five miles north of Derby in an area known as the Amber Valley, on the banks of the River Derwent. The lordship was centred on Duffield Castle, erected to protect the royal hunting ground of Duffield Frith. It was known as a fee because within its control originally lay a number of smaller manors comprising Duffield, Alderwasley, Belper, Biggin, Hazelwood, Heage, Holbrook, Hulland, Idridgehay, Southwood, Turnditch and Windley. It appears that over time the sub-manors were subsequently sold away from the main manor. The area of the fee was roughly the same as the old, extensive parish boundary

The growth of Duffield can be attributed to the invading Normans. There was a small settlement here during the Saxon period, but after the invasion the area was granted to Henry de Ferrers, as part of the great Honor of Tutbury. Ferrers owned a huge amount of land in Derbyshire and Duffield Castle was erected to defend it. A settlement grew up around the castle. The original castle was destroyed in 1173 after William De Ferrers took part in the rebellion of the sons of Prince Henry again his father, Henry II. The family restored its position under the rule of John and a second castle was built on the same site, to the north of the village centre, on a prominence above a bend in the river.

In 1266 de Ferrers fought against Henry III in a rebellion against the king’s perceived favouritism towards foreigners. After a rebel defeat at Chesterfield, Duffield was seized and re-granted to Edmund, Earl of Lancaster. The castle was destroyed, this time permanently.

Duffield remained a possession of the Duchy, and, after the succession of Henry IV, the Crown, until 1628 when it was sold by Charles I to the Corporation of the City of London. Within a year the Corporation sold its interest to Sir Edward Leche, keeping the sub-manors of Heage and Holbrook. Leche was appointed a Master in Chancery in 1619 and knighted in September 1621. He owned other properties in Derbyshire such as Hathersage, Over Padley and Nether Padley as well as land in Suffolk and his main residence at Squerries in Kent. During the Commonwealth period, Sir Edward seems to have benefited greatly as he rapidly acquired the wool and lamb tithes for a number of his Derbyshire parishes and amassed considerable wealth. He died in 1652.

After the death of Sir William Leech in 1673 there was a lengthy legal dispute with Sir Ambrose Philip being Lord of the Manor from 1674 to 1678 and then Philip Jodrell. His son, Paul, was recorded as Lord in 1696. The Jodrell family were members of the Derbyshire landed gentry and could trace their lineage back to the 13th century. The Duffield Jodrells were a cadet branch of the Cheshire family who lived at Yeardsley in Cheshire.

The manor remained with the Jodrell family for the next 200 years when it was sold to Sir Timothy White in 1891. Sir Timothy was the founder of the chemist chain “Timothy Whites” which was a high street staple until the 1980s. In 1976 Sir John White sold the manor to Anne Hayter. After her death it passed to Dr P Kist, who sold it privately some years later.

The area under the jurisdiction of the manor was extensive and stretched for several miles from Duffield itself. The term Duffield Fee appears to have been adopted in the 16th century. According to Derbyshire Record office its use was thought to have arisen as a consequence of a drive to provide some form of administrative coherence to the multiple manors under its jurisdiction. Courts would meet at various places, primarily Belper, Duffield and Windley but matters on all manors were discussed wherever the court took place. The term ‘Fee’ may also have been used to differentiate the manor from the administration of Duffield Frith, which was an area covered by forest law. There are a large number of court rolls and books which survive and which give detailed accounts of the dozens of copyholders and tenants who held land under the Lords of the Manor. It is possible to trace such holdings from the mid 16th Century to the 1920s and they form by far the fullest set of such documents in Derbyshire. Derbyshire Record Office describes the process of the manorial court rather well: Most of the business recorded in the manorial court records for Duffield Fee relates to the transfer of land. . .called copyhold land. This was land that went through the manorial court system when it came to being transferred and passed. The process was that a tenant who wanted to sell his land would “surrender” it to the lord in a formal ceremony held in the court, called the Small Court Baron, which met around every three weeks. The person who was taking over was then “admitted” to the land in a similar ceremony. Deaths of copyholders were also recorded in the court registers, together with the names of heirs or new owners. All this means that the records are extremely name rich.

Through the 19th century, copyhold land was gradually transformed into freehold through a process known as enfranchisement. There are numerous examples of such enfranchisement of copyhold in the manor where manorial rights have been reserved to the Lord of the Manor. The present owner has noted at least twenty examples which cautions are registered at the Land Registry. With research, other such reservations may be discovered.

Documents in the Public Domain Associated with this Lordship:

1511-1808: surrenders and admissions, Derby Local Library

1542-1543: memorandum on customs of copyhold, British Library

1548-1575: court rolls, National Archives

1575-1599: court rolls

1558-1603: directions for reeves, Derbyshire Record Office

1575-1600: duties of officers

1595-1628: court books (10)

1595-1599: draft court book

1596-1596: rental

1596-1596: directions for steward

1596-1596: rental

1598-1604: court book (actions and plaints only)

1598-1598: pains

1598-1598: lists of fines 1599-1608: draft court books (2)

1599-1617: court rolls

1600-1625: rentals

1600-1625: surveys Feudal Barony of 1600-1600: books of customs

1605-1629: court rolls

1610-1628: book of particulars of fines

1611-1611: legal opinion on customs

1614-1625: draft court book

1640-1790: court books (21)

1640-1681: draft court books (7)

1700-1800: extracts from court rolls on customs

1774-1822: verdicts (2 bundles)

1825-1925: court books (9)

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Lordship of the Manor of Dufton, Yorkshire

Lot #10 of Manorial Services Auction - 2004 UNPUBLISHED/ABORTED - Stephen Johnson

THIS AREA’S close connections with Scotland are indicated in the name of this Lordship. Duff is a common word north of border and can be found in the surname MacDuff, which of course, means, son of Duff. It is possible therefore that an early owner of this Lordship was known by that name. The parish of Dufton is very large and constitutes an area of around 16,000 acres, a great deal of which is moor land and mountain. A large waterfall known as Caldron Snout, lies in this parish, on the wilds known as Dufton Fell, and on the newly risen river Tees. Dufton Pike, a mountain reaching a height of 1,578, lies a mile to the north of the village. The area was known until the 19th century for its lead mining. Lead ore would be extracted by digging shallow shafts into the limestone and the area is dotted with abandoned workings.

The earliest record of the Lordship of Dufton occurs in the 12th century when it was in the hands of the Greystock family. Thomas de Greystock, who was married to the daughter of the Baron of Westmoreland, Robert de Veteripont is the first recorded Lord here. It is entirely probable that the family had held Dufton since a few years after the Norman invasion of 1066.

The Greystock family continued to hold the Lordship for many generation s after this. After the death of Robert Clifford in 1316 Dufton was found to be held by William de Greystock for cornage (rental) value of 25s 6d. At the end of this century the Lordship was in the possession of John de Greystock and the rental value had not changed at all.

Ralph de Greystock died in possession of Dufton in 1487 and it passed to his heir, his daughter, Elizabeth. She was married to Thomas, Lord Dacre of Gillsland, whose family had been prominent and wealthy landowners in the area for many centuries. In an inquisition of knights’ fees in the county of Westmorland in 1527, Dufton was found to belong to William Lord Dacre and his ownership continued into the reign of Mary. After the death of George Dacre the Lordship came to one of his sisters, Anne, who was married to Philip, Earl of Arundel. eldest son of the Duke of Norfolk. Their son and heir was Thomas.

This Thomas is known in history for his great love of art, in fact he was named by Walpole as the ‘Father of Vertu in England’. He was born at Finchingfield in Essex in 1585. When he was ten his father, arrested for his part in the plot to have Mary Queen of Scots placed on the throne, died in the Tower of London. As the son of a traitor, Thomas was deprived of his titles and much of his inheritance, though he was known as Lord Maltravers for purposes of courtesy. He was raised by his mother, a woman also known for love of art and virtue. On the accession of James I in 1603 he was granted his father’s estates including the earldoms of Arundel and Surrey. However the king retained much of his property so Arundel remained in dire financial straits. In 1606 he married the daughter and heir of Gilbert, Earl of Shrewsbury and with the money this brought him he was able to buy back much of his families property. It is not known if Dufton was seized by the Crown but since it had descended from his mother’s side it may have escaped. By 1607 it was under his ownership and such was his impact at court that the king acted as godfather to his son, Henry. In 1615 Arundel broke with his family historic ties to Catholicism and became an Anglican and he entered politics in the House of Lords. In 1621 he was appointed earl-marshal of England, a position his descendants, as Dukes of Norfolk, still hold.

This period saw he rise to prominence of the Duke of Buckingham and Arundel was an avowed enemy of Charles I’s favourite. The new king disliked Arundel and after the earl’s son had married the daughter of duke of Lennox, for who the king had intended for someone else, he confined the newly weds at Lambeth Palace. They were then placed in the Tower. Led by an outraged Arundel, the House of Lords ordered their release and the King was forced to acquiesce. Arundel’s relationship with Charle˛s appears to have been patched up, since in 1638 he travelled with the monarch to Scotland and then sent on a number of important diplomatic missions, including visited Emperor Ferdinand II in Vienna. His extensive travels abroad changed Arundel’s views of foreign affairs and he began to work for an alliance with France.

On his return to England he was involved in the preparations for war against the Scots, ‘whom he did not love’. He was appointed captain-general for south of the Trent. It was clear however that he was no soldier, ‘he was a man with nothing martial about him’. After the Scots had taken Newcastle Arundel was questioned by Parliament but no fault could be pinned on him.

In 1641 Arundel became disenchanted with court and made a number of foreign trips at his leisure, collected art and antiquities. He settled permanently at Padua in Italy. In 1644 the House of Lords recalled him but instead he sent £34,000 to aid the Royalist cause in the Civil War. This war saw the captured of Arundel Castle and Howard's lands were seised. His income was reduced to jut £500. He decided to return to England in 1646 but as he prepared to leave he was struck down with a sudden illness and died. He is now remembered as the first great patron of art in England and the collection he personally amassed was the first of its kind. He had works by de Vinci, Raphael and Corregio.

At Arundel’s death the Lordship of Dufton passed to his son Henry who then leased it out, for 99 years to Sir Christopher Clapham. He is notable for having the entire area known as Dufton Wood cut down and then sold. he is said to have made a considerable profit on his investment. Dufton was then sold, outright, to John Winder of Lorton, in Cumberland. He was succeeded in it by his son William. He died without issue and it devolved to his kinsman, Rev Edward Milward. In 1795 Dufton was purchased from the Milwards by the Earl of Thanet. The Tufton family continue to hold it and the current Lord of the Manor is the present representative of the family, Lord Hothfield.

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Feudal Barony of Duleek, Co. Meath, Ireland

Lot #10 Manorial Auctioneers’ Partnership – October 1990

This was a considerable Barony lying in the north-east of the county. The entire Liberty of Meath, as granted by Henry II to Hugh de Lacy, contained only 50 Fees and the importance of this Barony, therefore, can be gauged. The Royal grant in the National Library, Dublin runs as follows:

Henry King of England &c has granted to Hugh de Lacy for his service the land of Meath with its appurtenances by the service of 50 Knights. To hold to him and his heirs as Murcard Ha Mulachly shall it or any other before him. And for increase to the gift all fee which he has or shall acquire about Dublin, while he is the King's Bailiff, to do service to the King at his city of Dublin. He is to have all liberties and free customs which the Kings or any have there. To hold of the King and his heirs well and peaceably, in wood and plain, meadow and pasture, waters and mills, vivaries (enclosed ponds) and ponds, fishings and huntings, ways and paths, and ports of the sea, and all other places and things belonging, with all other liberties which he has there and (the King) can give him. Prince John as Lord of Ireland, later King John, confirmed this grant to Hugh's son in the following terms:

John, Lord of Ireland, Earl of Mortain, has granted to Walter de Lacy and his heirs for their homage and service, the whole land of Meath with all appurtenances as Hugh de Lacy his father held it when he died. And all rights which he ought to have in Ireland. To hold to him and his heirs, of John and his heirs by the service by which King Henry (John's father) gave it to Hugh. The de Lacys were succeeded in the Barony of Duleek by a daughter and heiress Matilda whose descent is given opposite.

The marriage between Elizabeth de Londres with Sir Christopher Preston brought the Barony of Duleek and many other lands and Manors in County Meath into the Preston family. Robert Pouere (or Power), the son of Petroce and Edmund (supra) gave his lands to Thomas Brit, or Byrte, who conveyed them to the Prestons in 1414, thus making the future Viscounts Gormanston one of the largest landowners in the County. The Anglo-Norman monarch invaded Ireland in 1169 and was headed by Richard Strongbow, second Earl of Pembroke, and Hugh de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln and shortly to become Earl of Ulster.

To place the Prestons into their family context, it is necessary to go back to the late 12th century to Maurice FitzGerald who was one of the heroes of the invasion. He was succeeded by his son, William Baron of Naas, County Meath, and he by his son, David, who married Matilda de Lacy, daughter and heiress of Hugh, Earl of Lincoln and Ulster, by his first wife, Lecelia de Verdun. Their grand-daughter and heir, also Matilda, married William de Londres in 1314. On the death of William's grandson, William III, the Barony of Duleek passed to Elizabeth as already noted.

The de Londres family had been prominent in Ireland for two centuries. The first of the name in Ireland is John Londynos who is said to have been a nephew of Henry de Londres, Archbishop of Dublin from 1214 to 1228. Probably through the influence of his powerful uncle, who in addition to being Archbishop was more than once Justiciar (King's representative) in Ireland, John succeeded in securing as his wife, Nicola, the heiress of (?) Tuit Lord of Athboy. He thus took his place among the Barons of Meath.

The Prestons, merchants from Preston, Lancashire, arrived in Drogheda in the early 14th century and in less than 100 years they had married into these illustrious Irish families to emerge as the first Viscounts in Ireland in 1474. The Barony of Duleek remains in the Prestons, Viscounts Gormanston, whose descent is opposite.

Documents associated with this Barony form part of the Gormanston Archives at the National Library, Dublin.

Charter         1280
Charter         1314
Charter         1317
Charter         1340
Charter         1340
Quit Claim      1343
Charter         c1290
Charter         1300
Quit Claim      1342
Charter         1343
Quit Claim      1344

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Lordship of the Manor of Dunclent in Stone, Worcestershire

Lot #31 of Strutt & Parker Auction – November 2003

Stone is a parish situated some two miles to the south-east of Kidderminster within the diocese of Worcester.

Before the Conquest Dunclent belonged to the Priory St Guthiac in Herefordshire and Odo held it of the priory. In the Domesday Survey of 1086 the over lordship is recorded as held under the priory by Nigel the physician from whom it was held by Urse D'Abbet. By 1212 the over lordship had passed to Walter de Beauchamp though little more is heard of this until 1476 when the Manor was said to be held of the prior of Lewes for the service of one knight.

The Domesday Survey records for Stone: Tumi and Alfkil held it as two manors, Urse holds it, there are 6 hides which Herleblad holds of Urse, in demesne are 2 ploughs and 7 villians and 15 bordars with 6 ploughs. There are 4 slaves and a mill rendering 3 Orae. Before the Conquest it was worth 40 shillings now 30 shillings.

Evidently the manor took its name from the family of Dunclent who were Lords there in the 13th and 14th century. In 1280 Robert de Dunclent paid a subsidy of a mark at Dunclent and in 1284 Mary Dunclent probably his widow is recorded as holding. In 1294 and 1316 Clement Dunclent is recorded as the owner holding under the Burells who in turn held the manor of Stephen de Bosco. Clement Dunclent paid a subsidy of 3s. at Dunclent in 1327 and his widow, Amice is recorded in possession on service of a quarter of a knights fee in 1346.

Their son John de Dunclent is recorded as Lord of the Manor in 1351 when he exchanged certain lands in Broom with his brother Edmund for others in Dunclent. John is recorded holding the manor is 1368 though the family line seems to have died out in the 14th century when the manor probably returned to the Beauchamps, William Beauchamp, Lord Bergavenny is then recorded as holding and Lord Bergavenny is recorded as owner in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I though it is believed to have been sold following his death, 1586-7. The visitation of Worcester in 1569 showed that Elizabeth daughter and heir of John Moore of Dunclent had married John Folliott of Stone. The manor appears to have passed to Edmund Brode who by his will, 1599 left the greater part of his estate and a park called Dunclent Park to his son Edward Brode, who in turn sold the manor to Thomas Foley in 1655.

Thomas son of Richard Foley, Sheriff of Worcestershire 1673 was succeeded by his son also Thomas in 1683 and his son. Thomas was created Lord Foley of Kidderminster 1776. It was his grandfather Richard Foley who had amassed a huge fortune during the civil war as an Ironmaster and settled at Great Witley where Thomas Foley was responsible for construction of Witley Court, the Foley family seat.

Thomas Foley had married Grace Granville, 3rd daughter and co heir of George Granville, Lord of Lansdowne at Bideford but died November 1777 to be succeeded by his son, also Thomas. This Thomas Foley was MP for Herefordshire from 1767-1774 and for Droitwich from 1774-77 and appointed Postmaster General in 1783. He married Harriet Stanhope, 4th daughter of William Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Harrington but died in 1793 to be succeeded by his 3rd and only surviving son again Thomas.

This Thomas Foley was a Privy Councillor and Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire and had married Cecilia Olivia Geraldine Fitzgerald, 5th daughter of Robert Fitzgerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster. He died April 1833 and was succeeded by his son, Thomas Henry Foley. Thomas Henry Foley had been MP for Worcestershire 1830-1832 but sold the Manor of Dunclent with others in about 1836-1837 to William, 11th Lord Ward. William was created Earl of Dudley on 17th February 1860, had acquired Witley Court the chief seat of Foley's and enlarged it to a yet more substantial residence. He died May 1885 to be succeeded by his son, William Humble, the 2nd Earl. The Lordship of the Manor of Dunclent has continued to be held by successive Earls of Dudley until the present day.

Documents associated with the Lordship of the Manor of Dunclent

Calendar Close Roll 1296-1302 Kew Record Office

Calendar Patent Roll 1301-1307 " "

Chancery Inquisition Postmortem 1316 " "

Recovery 1573 " "

Feet of Fines Worcestershire 1602

Feet of Fines DIV.CO 1620

Recovery Rental 1802

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Lordship of the Manor of Dunham-on-the-Hill

Lot #28 Manorial Auctioneers’ Partnership – October 1990

(a paramount lordship held in-chief of the Crown)

THE SITUATION of this Lordship accords precisely with its Saxon name, dun a hill, and ham a dwelling place. The FitzAlans, afterwards Earls of Arundel, who were connected by marriage with the Earls of Chester, were the first grantees of this Manor. As a result Dunham became the head of an extensive seigniory comprising the Manors of Alvanley, Helsby, Mickle Trafford, Wimbolds Trafford, Hoole, and Hapsford.

In the reign of Edward II, Edmund FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel forfeited his estates and was beheaded at Hereford. However, his son Richard, was subsequently restored to his father's estates by Edward III, but his son and namesake was beheaded for treason in 1397. Thomas, the 11th Earl of Arundel died without issue in 1415 and his estates, but not his title, passed to his sisters and coheirs. Elizabeth married four times: William Montacute, Earl of Salisbury (1378); Thomas Lord Mowbray, Earl of Nottingham and Duke of Norfolk: best remembers in the opening scene of Shakespeare's Richard II when he challenges Henry, Earl of Hereford and Derby (later Henry IV) to a duel (1389); Sir Robert Gonshill (1401); Sir Gerrard Ufflete (1416). The second sister, Joan, married William Beauchamp, Baron Abergavenny; and the third, Margaret, was the wife of Sir Rowland Lenthall. Under these sisters, William Troutbeck held a lease of part of the Lordship in the reign of Henry V.

In Lord Shrewsbury's archives is a letter from Elizabeth, the eldest sister, confirming Mr Troutbeck holding:

“The Duchesse of Norff; Right dere well belovet, we grete you well, and for alsmycull (forasmuch) as we have given under our greate seale of our armes, unto our servant Norman Baynton, and Margaret his wife, and unto the heirs of Norman, the third part of the manors of Staune Dunham ... with the app’tenuz (appurtenances), of which, William Troutbeck hold of us the thrid part t’me (for the term) of his life yealding to us yerely a certayne rent, as the said William Troutbeck and declare you more pleyneley, we pray you with all oure hart, that ye make fine to be reud before you of thri part of the s’d manoirs, and also of the thrid part of the ferme (farm ie lease) of which the s’d Troutbeck yealds to us and to our sisters, unto the said Norman and Margaret and to the heirs of Norman, and with warrantie written under our great seale at Annesley XX May”.

Over a period of time all of the coheirs sold their moities to William Troutbeck who by 1444 became vested with the whole of the Manor. William's son, Sir William, claimed many rights in a writ of quo warranto in 1466: that part of the Forest of Delamere which lay within the Paramountcy with free warren of rabbits and power to fell and sell the trees, together with free pannage, the right to paster his and his tenants' pigs. Effectively, he became the sole forester for that part of Delamere that lay within his Manorial jurisdiction. The area contained in this “liberty” is specified in the charter: extending “from Stamford Bridge along the King's highway to Northwich, and from Northwich to Darleigh Brook, following the course of Darleigh Brook to the bounds between Rushden and Otton to Yanelegh Mill, and following thence the bounds between Ayton and Alpram to the town of Torpley, and from thence the bounds of the forest to Stamford Bridge”.

Sir William had within this bailiwick criminal jurisdiction and the right to take two bucks in summer and two does in winter with the right to keep greyhounds and hunting dogs for hares, rabbits, and foxes. He had the view of frankpledge in the Manor at Easter and Michaelmas, and a Court Baron every three weeks. He also asserted the right of free fishery in the River Dee, and the office of keeper of Bridge Gate at Chester. The Troutbecks held the Manor for several more generations until it passed to the Earls of Shrewsbury by the marriage of Margaret Troutbeck to Sir John Talbot of Grafton.

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Lordship of the Manor of Dunsby or Dunsby Lordship, Lincolnshire

Lot #6 of Manorial Services Auction - Nov 2023 - Stephen Johnson

In the long history of England there are some settlements which have thrived and become large cities and towns; some villages that have existed for a thousand years more or less unchanged in size whereas others once flourished and have gradually declined. The Lordship of Dunsby in the parish of Brauncewell was one such village. In the Medieval period it was in fact a parish in its own right, with a church and manor house. White’s Directory of Lincolnshire in 1856 notes that some traces of of the foundations of its church and of a large mansion, may be seen on the spot called Old Dunsby . . .The marquis of Bristol is Lord of both manors (Dunsby and Branswell). During the Medieval period both Dunsby and Brauncewell declined after their fields were enclosed for sheep farming. This was a fairly common fate for many villages in this area of the county which lies a few miles north of Sleaford.

This manor is sometimes known as Dunsby Lordship, largely to differentiate it from another Lincolnshire manor known simply as Dunsby which was held by Charterhouse College but which lies 20 miles to the south. It is so named on the plan below and on the Manorial Documents Register at the National Archives. Dunsby’s earlier importance is highlighted by the fact that it was a Domesday Manor. The owner was Geoffrey Alselin and the entry reads;

In Dunsby, in Brauncewell, there are 6 carucates of land to the geld

There is land for 6 ploughs.

Geoffrey and his Nephew have two ploughs

there and 13 Sokemen and 1 bordar with a plough and 6 acres of meadow

This was a not inconsiderable estate belonging to the Norman, Alselin, whose descendants held the lordship until the 13th century when it was divided between the Bardolf and the Everingham families and was said to have comprised 1 knight’s fee. In 1272 one third of this was in the hands of Robert de Everingham, whilst the remainder was held by William Bardolf. In 1370 the manor of Dunsby was part of an estate which was passed to John Ginwell, Bishop of Lincoln, as part of scheme to provide an income to build a chantry at Lincoln Cathedral. Not long after the Bishop’s death it was sold by his executors, John de Warrsop and John de Thorpe of Rippingale to Robert, Abbot of Newbo and the manor remained in the hands of the Abbey until it’s Dissolution under Henry VIII. In 1544 the manor was granted to John Bello and John Bales. Later in the century the estate was purchased by Robert Carr of Sleaford.

The Carr or Carre family, flourished in the area around Sleaford and South Lincolnshire gradually accusing lands such as Dunsby to become one of the wealthiest families in the area. They had originated in Northumberland, near to the Scottish border, and considered themselves as being ‘bred from Saxon stock’. The family prospered until the end of the 17th century, serving the Crown in a number of capacities and accruing land. After another local landlord, Baron Hussey of Sleaford, involved himself in the uprising against Henry VIII, known as the Pilgrimage of Grace, the Carrs were able to obtain the latter’s estates when they were forfeited to the Crown. This added considerably to their growing wealth. In 1590, John Carr was recorded as being Lord of 21 manors in Lincolnshire and the principal landowner in 50 parishes. In 1611 Edward Carr was created a baronet.

Dunsby is included in a codified ledger made of the Carr estates in 1637 alongside their other manors of New Sleaford, Old Sleaford, Quarrington, Spalding Hall, Kirkby le Thorpe, Asgarby, Holdingham, Whitehall, Anwick, Anwarby, Brauncewell, Barrowpies, Little Hale, South Rauceby and Whaplode.

Rochester Carre was named after his godfather, Sir Robert Carre, Viscount Rochester, and Earl of Somerset, who was mentioned in the memoirs of Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector, between 1653 and 1658. The Carres split between Royalists for King Charles I and Parliamentarians. One son, Robert, took control of Asgarby Hall forcibly and was put out by the Cromwells after complaints to the High Sheriff, who sent troops under two colonels to achieve this. At his Restoration in 1660, Charles II granted the property to Robert Carre who had been knighted. Sir Robert settled it on his mother who began improvements to the estate at Asgarby.

The last of the male line was Sir Robert Carr and his daughter and heiress Isabella married the 1st Earl of Bristol, in 1688. The Carr estate thus passed to the Hervey family in whom it remains today. The Herveys are an ancient family. The name is of Frankish origin and derives from ‘warrior of the host’ and the first of the family in England are thought to have arrived with the Conqueror. The present Marquess of Bristol can trace his lineage directly to John Hervey who was born in around 1290. The family achieved national status during the reign of Henry VIII, when Sir Nicholas Hervey was appointed as ambassador to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. John Hervey, the 1st Earl, and Lord of Dunsby served as MP for Bury St Edmunds and was raised to the rank of earl in 1714. His grandson, George, the 2nd Earl, served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1766. Frederick, the 4th earl, was Bishop of Cloyne and later Bishop of Derry but is famed for his great love of travel and there are hotel Bristols, named in his honour in Paris and Vienna. He was described by Sir Jonah Barrington as a man of elegant erudition, extensive learning, and enlightened and classical, but eccentric mind: bold, ardent, and versatile; he dazzled the vulgar by ostentatious state, and worked upon the gentry by ease and condescension. It is likely that it was this earl who inspired Voltaire to comment; When God created the human race, he made men, women and Herveys.

In 1826 the 5th earl was created the first Marquess of Bristol. The present Lord of the Manor of Dunsby is the 8th Marquess of Bristol.

A selection of Documents associated with the Manor in the Public Domain:

1569 Rental Nottingham University Library

1619 Survey Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds

1842 Survey

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(Abolished) Feudal Superiority of Dyce and Farburn, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Note: Scottish feudal superiorities were abolished as part of the AFT 2000. We reproduce this for historical purposes only.

Lot #33 Manorial Auctioneers’ Partnership – October 1990

THIS SUPERIORITY is situated near Aberdeen Airport. The village of Dyce and the Farburn area are still quite rural in aspect. The old parish church was built in the 14th century and contains a collection of ancient symbol stones with elephant and other depictions. There is a pyramid-type monument of 1637 to the memory of Duncan Liddell, a native of Dyce, who became Rector of Julian University and physician to the Court of Brunswick.

Dyce and Farburn belonged to the Skene and Gordon families. This branch of the Gordons was of ancient origin. John Gordon was the elder natural son, by a “handfasting” (common law marriage) with Elizabeth Cruickshank, of Sir John Gordon of Strathbogie (died 1394). He was ancestor of the present Marquesses of Aberdeen and Temair. His grandson, also John Gordon, married Lady Jane Stewart, daughter of the Earl of Athol, brother uterine of King James II of Scotland (1430-1460). The elder son of John Gordon and Lady Jane, another John Gordon, fell at the Battle of Pinkie Cleough in 1547 fighting the English during the minority of Mary Queen of Scots. A descendant, Robert Gordon (1619-1661), was a poet, mathematician, antiquary, and geographer. Another descendant was Alexander Gordon (Lord Auchintoul), a senator (judge) of the Scottish Court of Session in 1688. A second Alexander Gordon (died 1747) who held the additional estate of Pitlurg, was the last Member of Parliament for Aberdeenshire in the independent Parliament of Scotland and the first member for the county in the united Parliament of Great Britain (1708). The family acquired great estates from their Cuming and Skene relatives.

General John Gordon-Cumming-Skene succeeded to Dyce in 1815. The General had served in the Napoleonic Wars and during the Irish Rebellion of 1798-1800. His son, William, was also a soldier and commanded the troops occupying Victoria, Spain, under the Duke of Wellington, at the time of the Peninsular campaign. William died in 1836. His grandson, Alexander, fought in the Zulu Wars in South Africa in the 1870s.

The Gordon-Cumming Skenes sold the Dyce property in the early 1920s. They were the direct descendants of the founders of the house of Gordon. Their burial enclosure can still be found on the banks of the River Don at Dyce. It is a Greek type structure set in a sylvan situation.

Small sums in feudal payment are still collectable from Dyce and Farburn.

Note: Scottish feudal superiorities were abolished as part of the AFT 2000. We reproduce this for historical purposes only.

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Lordship of the Manor of Earlhams in Surlingham, Norfolk

Lot 20 of Strutt & Parker Auction – November 2003

The small village of Surlingham lies a short distance to the south of the Norwich to Yarmouth Road some five miles from Norwich and in a loop of the River Yare from whence it derives its name, "the village of Low Meadows on the south side of the river". Before the Conquest, the estate which became Earlham's was in the hands of Godric the Steward and extended to forty acres of land and three acres of meadow. There were two freemen of Edwin, high-ranking thane of Edward the Confessor and four men who had been free tenants of Edwin together with four smallholders and one plough team. It paid nineteen pence in geld toward every 20s of that tax levied on the Hundred.

At the time of the Domesday Survey 1086, Godric was both tenant-in-chief and Steward of the Kings manors in Norfolk. He had been granted forty one manors in his own right by William the Conqueror and also served as the King's Steward in sixty seven other manors retained by the Crown. Godric was married twice and by his wife Lescilina had a son Herman, whose son Adam assumed the name of Calthorpe where he was Lord. His brother William de Alto Bosco or Hobbies who had several sons from one of which descended the tenth Bishop of Norwich, William de Suffield.

The Lordship and Estate of Earlhams passed to Roger de Veteri Ponte or Vipond, recorded as Lord in 1215. Subsequently to John de Earlham who took his name from the place and perhaps by assumption from the earlier owner. In 1272 the Lord was William de Carlton, a minor in the custody of Sir Richard Boyland recorded as holding assize of bread and ale in his manor. Sir Richard was a Knight of Edward I and Kings Sergeant during the Kings absence. Edward returned from one such journey and is recorded as fining Sir Richard 4000 marks for his extortionate behaviour. William de Carleol subsequently became also Lord of Saxlingham, Thorpe Hall and Wartwell in Norfolk and of Utredly and Crossley in Cumberland. In 1285 Sir Thomas Helgeton or Ellington who owned the adjoining manor of Little Breech acquired Earlhams in Surlingham however his enjoyment was shortlived for Sir Thomas was accused of homicide, was bailed from Norwich jail in October 1273 and in 1278 was removed from the Coronership of Norwich as 'insufficient'. Sir Thomas died in January 1306 when his widow Alice, was pardoned for aiding and abetting a homicide at Great Ringstead near Hunstanton and his combined estate passed to his son, also Thomas de Helgeton recorded as Lord in 1315.

The next known Lord of Earlhams cum Little Breech was John Latimer of Norwich who held in 1381 and was one of the four bailiffs of Norwich in 1363. He died in 1403 leaving to the city ten pounds toward the cost of acquiring from Henry IV its Royal Charter. In 1401 Nicholas Bryant was holding the manors and paid to Latimer half a Knights fee but in 1404 and 1409 it passed to Ralph Dacre then Thomas Dacre who were also Lord of Horsford from 1422. By 1429 it had passed to Thomas Baxter an Alderman of Norwich who sold probably to Thomas Lucas recorded as Lord here in 1446 and 1447. The next known owner of the manor is Katherine Bosard who died in 1520 and whose family came from Ditchingham in Norfolk. She left it to her daughter Margerie who had married Thomas Naunton and from him it passed to their son William Naunton. The estate at the time had an annual income of 26s and 8d in quit rents, although following the Dissolution, land which had belonged to Mettingham College was acquired. The next known owner of the estate was Mr Holditch of Ranworth who may have purchased directly from the Nauntons but who sold around 1578 to Sir Thomas Gawdy. Sir Thomas' main seats were at Claxton Manor House and Gawdy Hall though in addition he was an extensive estate owner in Norfolk, Suffolk and Berkshire. Sir Thomas served as MP for Arundel 1553 and was treasurer of Lincolns Inn 1562, recorder of Norwich 1566 - 1576 and Justice of the Queen's Bench from 1574. He was knighted 1578 but died 1587 and was buried at Redenhall. Sir Thomas' heir was by his first wife Ethelreda, Henry Gawdy, created a Knight of the Bath by James I in 1603 and was Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk in 1608 and 1609. Sir Henry Gawdy sold the capital manor of Surlingham but retained the manors of Earlhams cum Little Breech which he left to his eldest son Sir Robert Gawdy who held his first court on 6th December 1621 and his last in 1639. His heir was his younger brother George Gawdy who held his first court September 1639 but sold 1642 to Humphrey Rant of Yelverton and died the following year. Humphrey Rant was a barrister at law and married Anne, daughter of Sir Anthony Drury of Bestell. When both died 1661 Earlhams cum Little Breech passed to their eldest son William to be followed in turn by his three sons, Humphrey who died 1681, Thomas who died 1741 and James who died 1743 leaving the Norfolk and Suffolk estates to his surviving son, William who also lived at Mendham Priory. About 1758 he sold Earlhams cum Little Breech to James Bransby of Shotesham who sold again in 1768 to John Houghton of Bramerton. It passed to his daughter Anne Amelia Matilda who married Mauritius Adolphus Newton Starck 1792.

Through social development and an Act of Parliament 1809 commissioners were appointed to attend to the enclosure of the commons and wastes of Surlingham. In the same year, those claiming rights and property in the Parish published a statement of their claims. Anne Amelia Matilda Starck claimed 'the manor of Surlingham Earlhams with Little Breech in Rockland with all the rights, privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging and certain freehold marshes and arable lands in Surlingham aforesaid containing 64 acres more or less in the occupation of John Culling; also land in Surlingham covered with water and a right of fishing on the several broads and other public common waters in Surlingham aforesaid and of which manor, marshes, lands and premises the claimant is entitled for her life. She also claimed as owner and in right of the said premises to be entitled to a right of common pasture for all who are commonable cattle, levant et couchant thereon, upon the said commons and waste grounds lying in the said parish of Surlingham at all times of the year'.

The Surlingham enclosure award was not made until 1822 though not for Mrs Starck's advantage for in 1812 or 1813 she sold her manors of Earlhams cum Little Breech to Robert Fellows of Shotesham Hall.

The manor passed through three generations of the Fellows family passing with the lands of the Fellows settled estates to William Cushion of Surlingham, a timber merchant about 1918. It passed to his son Harold George Cushion between 1922 and 1925 who conveyed 1965 to Patrick L. Hovenden of Reigate in Surrey.

The holder of this manor may have a claim to Rockland Broad or other broads in Surlingham and its immediately surrounding marsh under the terms of the enclosure award but subject to any common rights of fishing.

By the conventions and powers vested in him, the current owner of the Lordship of the Manor of Earlhams has reconstituted this as a separate manor together with all interests and rights thereto belonging.

Documents associated with the Lordship of the Manor of Earlhams in Surlingham

Court book 1610-1651 Vendor

Court book 1652-1705 "

Court book 1705-1720 "

Court book 1720-1765 "

Court book 1766-1854 "

Court book 1854-1918 "

Court Minute Book 1879-1893 "

Court Minute Book 1886-1890 Norfolk Records Office

Rental 1889-1919 "

Inclosure Award 1812 "

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Lordship of the Manor of Earls Hall, Sussex

Lot #20 of 'Beaumont Collection' Auction - Nov 1954

and

Lot #1 of Stanford & Son 'Fourth Auction' - Dec 1965

in the Parish of Cockfield

This Parish lies 9 miles South of Bury St. Edmunds.

The name is derived from the de Veres, Earls of oxford, who for may generations were Lords of the Manor. "Like the main Manor of Cockfield Hall," says Copinger (Vol. I, p. 75), "it was held by the Abbot of Bury and from the Abbot Roger, brother of Aubrey de Vere, 1st Earl of Oxford, received a grant of this Manor." Robert, third Earl of Oxford and second son of the above, who succeeded his elder brother in the Earldom as well as in the Lordship of this Manor, was one of the twenty-five influential barons appointed to enforce the observance of the Magna Carta. John de Vere, 7th Earl of Oxford, "shared in all the glories of Edward III's martial reign. He was present at both Crecy and Poitiers and lost his life before the walls of Rheims," 1360.

The 12th Earl, a staunch Lancastrian, suffered the misfortune of so may of his party upon the accession of Edward IV. He, with others, "were brought before the Erle of Worscetre, and juged by lawe padowe that thei should be hade to the Toure Hylle, where was made a scaffolde of viij fote hyzt, and ther was there hedes smytom of, that alle menne myght see; whereof the moste peple were sory." And later we read that the "Erle of Worcetre was juged by such laws as he dyde to other menne," and was likewise beheaded (Copinger).

The Manor remained with the Earls of Oxford until 1548 when it became the property of Edward, Duke of Somerset and a little later *1554) passed to Sir William Spring, Son of Sir John Spring of Cockfield.

A Roll dated 1578 shows Edward de Vere as Lord; then "Sir William Spring" (1747). The descent of the Manor from this date seems to have followed that of Cockfield Hall (Lot 19).

Thomas Cuddon succeeded and held his first Court in 1839. Thereafter the Lords were the same as for Cockfield Hall, George Frederick Beaumont purchasing it form the Trustees of F. Charsley on the 11th April, 1899.

The custom of descent was to the eldest son. The Lord here had the right to timber growing on the tenant's property as it is shown by a typical case in the Court of the 24th April, 1758, when James Moore was presented for having cut down and old some "pollard Timber Trees through inadvertency and humbly prays the Favour of the Lord of this Manor to accept a proper Satisfaction" which the good Lord was gracious enough to do, the consideration having been thirteen shillings and fourpence.

The documents (insured for £300, premium 15/- per annum) to be handed over are:

Court Rolls: 1578-82; 1616; 1630-47; 1651-85; 1710-11; 1724-31; 1732-43

Court Books: 1747-1844; 1844-1914

Survey: 1620-1730

Abstract of Courts: 1608, 1737, etc.

((1954 Catalogue Ends - 1965 Catalogue Begins))

The Parish lies 9 miles South of Bury St. Edmunds.

The name is derived from the de Veres, Earls of Oxford, who for many generations were Lords of the Manor. “Like the main Manor of Cockfield Hall,” says Copinger (vol. I, p. 76), “it was held by the Abbot of Bury and from the Abbot, Roger, brother of Aubrey de Vere, 1st Earl of Oxford, received a grant of this Manor”. Robert, third Earl of Oxford and second son of the above, who succeeded his elder brother in the Earldom as well as in the Lordship of this Manor, was one of the twenty-five influential barons appointed to enforce the observance of the Magna Carta. John de Vere, 7th Earl of Oxford, “shared in all the glories of Edward III's martial reign. He was present at both Crecy and Poitiers, and lost his life from fatigue in the English army before the walls of Rheims”, (1360).

The 12th Earl, a staunch Lancastrian, suffered the misfortune of many of his party on the accession of Edward IV. He, with others, “were brought before the Erle of Worcestre, and jugyd by lawe provided that thei shulde be hade to the Toure Hylle, where was made a scaffolde of wyje to hyzet, and ther was the hedes smyten of, that alle men myght see; whereof the most people were sory”. Later we read that “the Erle of Worcestre was jugyd by such lawes as he dyde to other menne”, and was likewise beheaded (Copinger, vol. I, p. 79).

The Manor remained with the Earls of Oxford until 1548, when it became the property of Edward, Duke of Somerset, and a little later (1554) passed to Sir William Spring, son of Sir John Spring of Cockfield.

A Roll dated 1578 shows Edward de Vere as Lord; then “Sire William Spring” (1747), and at the opening of the earlier of the two Court Books in 1747, John Moore was Lord of the Manor. He was succeeded in 1754 by Henry Moore, who held the Lordship until 1770; he was followed by Richard Moore, who appears to have been Lord until 1826. Edward Wenman Martin held the first of his five Courts in 1828, and the last in 1838. One Court of John Wright is enrolled in 1838, and in 1839 James Cudden held his first Court, continuing in the Lordship until about 1853, when Clarissa Peach Manning, Elizabeth Adelaide Manning, and Louisa Manning, spinsters, became jointly Ladies of the Manor. Later the Manor passed to F. Charsley, from whose trustees George Frederick Beaumont purchased it on 11th April, 1899. Courts were held during his lordship in 1907 and 1908, but nearly all transactions from the middle of the 19th Century until the end of the second Court Book in 1914 were effected out of Court.

The Stewards of the Manor included Charles Moore (1747–1756); Henry Kedington (1756–1766); Isaac Paske (1770–1784); James Harrington (1784–1789); Joseph Harrington (1789–1799); Peter Firmin (1803–1808); Ezekiel Sparke (1808–1814); Timothy Holmes (1818–1828); Henry Pulley (1828–1839); James Cudden the Younger (1839–1848); Francis Thomas Cudden (1851–1865). Later Stewards were Mark Waters (1893); Ernest Saunders (1907); and Horace Frederick Beaumont (1914).

No indication appears in the two Court Books, which cover the years 1747 to 1914, of any large scale enclosure. From about the middle of the 19th Century enfranchisement proceedings are often recorded, and marginal notes trace some of these enfranchisements as far as 1921; minerals were reserved in some instances.

The custom of descent was to the eldest son. The homage shown in the Court Books was seldom more than two members, and later, no homage was enrolled. Amercement for default in attendance at Court was irregular; none appears to have been imposed between 1785 and 1839. In the early records the amount was four pence or six pence, and after its reimposition it was three pence or six pence, apparently quite arbitrarily, until amercement disappeared in 1857. It is of interest that the requirement of tenants to attend “as well freehold as copyhold” is stressed on more than one occasion, and that “for their names” (the defaulters) “they refer themselves to the Stewards Roll”.

A typical case in the Court of the 24th April, 1758, shows that the Lord here had the right to timber growing on the tenant’s property. James Moore was presented for having cut down and sold some “pollard Timber Trees through inadvertency, and humbly prays the Favour of the Lord of this Manor to accept a proper Satisfaction”. In fact, he had to pay only thirteen shillings and four pence. In 1760, Ambrose Ruffell, a copyhold tenant “. . . has lately Dugg up the Common Land . . . and’s Waste . . . and converted the same to his own Use without the leave of the Lord of this Manor . . . and he is amerced the sum of five shillings, and is ordered by the Court that he Desist from so doing . . .”; also John Wellum, Resiant and inhabitant of the said Manor . . . had lately Dugg up the Common Land and the Lord’s Waste, and converted the same to his own Use . . . he is amerced the sum of five shillings and ordered by the Court to Desist from so doing . . .”. In 1792 the homage presented that “Mary Goody, widow . . . had suffered the cottage in her occupation to be in decay & for want of reparation and she is in mercy of the Court and the Bailiff having orders to call upon her to repair the same cottage by the next Court otherwise to be subject to such Fine as the Court may adjudge”.

For inclosing waste, William Sparke, in 1814, was presented and was ordered “to abate the said Encroachment under the fine of thirteen shillings and four pence payable to the Lord of the Manor at the next Court . . .”.

Christiana Harvey was, in 1864, admitted to a property, and “. . . such rents and profits shall be received by her free from the control and engagements of the said Robert Harvey her husband or of any other future husband, and her receipts alone shall be a discharge . . . to the Ladies of the Manor”. George Frederick Beaumont, in 1899, appointed Harry Ruffell as Bailiff, and authorised him “to remove or cause to be removed all gipsies or other persons unlawfully using or occupying the Commons of the said Manor”. He held his Court in 1907 at the King’s Head Inn, Cockfield.

The manorial Documents to be handed over are:—

Court Rolls: 1578–82; 1616; 1630–47; 1651–85; 1710–11; 1724–31; 1732–43.

Court Books: 1747–1844; 1844–1914.

Survey: 1620–1730.

Abstract of Courts: 1608; 1737, etc.

Award of Enfranchisement: (certified copy) Mary Serjeant, Minerals excepted.

The Vendor is Mr. H. Lewis-Evans who will convey as beneficial owner. The title will commence with a conveyance dated 11th April, 1899.

The Solicitor is Mr. R. L. W. Rons, 181a Broadway, Bexleyheath, Kent.

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Lordship of the Manor of Earlstone, Hampshire

Lot #37 of Bernard Thorpe Auction - June 1986

William, son of Baderon, held the lordship, which is in the Evingar Hundred of Hampshire, at the time of the Domesday Survey in 1086. In 1272 there was a dispute over the lordship. Emma, the widow of William Fawkener, claimed the manor by a grant of Walter Treget, the previous lord of the manor, but it was claimed that this grant was invalid. Emma agreed to give up her claim on the payment of 150 marks by Humphry Dunster who was the guardian of Walter Treget's son and heir, William.

William Treget conveyed the lordship to Humphry Dunster in 1283. His son, Geoffrey Dunster, is recorded as lord of the manor in the Feet of Fines of 1316.

In 1374 William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, the founder of New College, Oxford, became lord of the manor. His great-nephew and heir, Sir Thomas Wykeham, inherited the lordship. By a Royal Charter of King Henry IV dated 1402, he was granted free warren in the manor.

Margaret, grand-daughter of Sir Thomas Wykeham, married William Fiennes, Lord Say and Sele, and her grandson, Richard, died lord of the manor. The lordship remained in the Fiennes family until it was acquired by John Beconshaw. He had been outlawed for recusancy before he obtained the manor.

In the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries the lordship was held by the Cornwallis family. The Close Rolls of 1698 record that Cornelius Cornwallis was lord of the manor. The lordship then came to Elizabeth Cornwallis, who was in possession in 1721.

Admiral John Ambrose died lord of the manor in 1771. His son, John Ambrose, conveyed the manor to an ancestor of the present lord of the manor, the Earl of Carnarvon.

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANOR:

1 Pipe Rolls Entry 1164

2 Feudal Aids Return 1316

3 Fine Receipts 1317 & 1364

4 Royal Charter King Henry IV 1402

5 Close Rolls entry 1698

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Lordship of the Manor of Eastbourne Medsey, Sussex

Lot #5 of Manorial Services Auction - Spring 2020 - Stephen Johnson

Also formerly known as Meades, or Eastbourne Medley, this manor formed one of the four divisions of the ancient parish of Eastbourne. Medsey lies in the area of the town now known as Meads, which is south of the town centre between it and the famous cliffs of Beachy Head. Until the middle of the 19th century this was open country with a few farms. Records show that the downlands known as Bullock Down and South Down were used by the tenants of Medsey to pasture their livestock. Until the town of Eastbourne was developed in the 19th century, this area was distinctly rural. In a description for visitors written in 1858,

Homely Herbert writes

the small village at the foot of the lofty hill

through which we are passing in The Meads.; it

consists, as you see, of a few scattered houses,

inhabited chiefly by farmers and fishermen.

It can be clearly demonstrated in many sources, both primary and secondary that the Manor of Eastbourne Medsey belonged from 1611 to 1986 to the Sackville family and their descendants. In a survey of the manors held by the 3rd Earl of Dorset in 1613, Eastbourne Medsey is included. It continues to be mentioned, and accounted for in the Sackville Estate papers into the 20th century. In 1699 for instance it is recorded in the papers of Mr Medley, the Sackville’s steward. An estate rental held at East Sussex Record Office (AMS/ 7072/3/1/5) notes payments of heriots made by freeholders in the manor including one from the Duke of Devonshire, who paid 6 s on presentment of three freehold tenements at the court of 1860. In 1906 it was included in a mortgage of the estate to raise £9,000 for the 8th Earl de la Warr, whose family had inherited the Sackville estate. His father had used Medsey in a similar arrangement in 1877. Throughout the centuries the manor is included in court rolls, rentals, stewards accounts and surveys. A rental of the Duke of Dorset in 1720 noted several rents which emanated from the manor. These included an annual £2 8s 4d from the Bailiff for rents of Assize. Courts, continued to be held into the 19th century, but sporadically. At a court held for the manor in September 1740 Reiner Winter of Pevensey, a cordwainer, was admitted as the tenant of land at Yarborough furlong in Medsey in Eastbourne in 2 parcels, formerly Crundens.

The history of this manor before it came into the hands of Lord Buckhurst in the 16th century is somewhat obscure. It is complicated by the existence of a second manor sometimes referred to as Meads or Brode which belonged to the Cavendish family, the Dukes of Devonshire who developed Eastbourne as a holiday resort. As it has already been noted, the Duke was a free hold tenant of this manor as well as owning his own in the same district. There is some evidence as to the 15th century owners of this manor but it is unclear if they are the same as those for the Sackville Manor. Many of the manors held by the Sackville family were granted to them after the estates of the Bishops of Chichester were seized by Queen Elizabeth, but Eastbourne Medsey does not appear to be one of these. Instead it appears that the lordship formed part of the estate of Michelham Priory When the house was dissolved in 1537 its lands and estates were granted to Thomas Cromwell. There are several rentals of the manor which also include the manor of Brighton Michelham. For instance there are rentals of 1656 and 1685 and court books dating from 1753- 1800. This manor was granted to Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst, by Queen Elizabeth so it seems likely that Eastbourne Medsey was granted to him at the same time.

Born in 1536, Thomas Sackville was the son of Sir Richard Sackville, a first cousin of Anne Boleyn and a privy councillor to Edward VI. Thomas excelled in public finance but was also a poet of some repute. His play, Gordoduc, was first performed in 1560 and was a source of inspiration for Shakespeare’s King Lear. His literary career went hand in hand with his political. He sat as an MP for Westmorland in the 1550s and was employed as a diplomat in the 1560s. In 1566 he was appointed to negotiate a marriage between the Queen and Archduke Charles of Austria but this came to nought. He remained a favourite of Elizabeth (often a perilous position) and she was said to enjoy his company, described by a contemporary as judicious but yet wittie and delightful. In 1567 he was knighted and then created Baron Buckhurst. He was rich, handsome, intelligent and talented, all attributes which endeared him to the Queen. At this point he began to buy land in his native Sussex. Like many courtiers his relationship with Elizabeth waxed and waned but he proved himself a steady hand in organising the defence of the vulnerable Sussex coast against the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Lord Buckhurst took his title from his estate at Buckhurst Park in Withyham just a couple of miles south of Blackham. By the end of the 16th century this had become too small for Sackville and when he was created 1st Earl of Dorset in 1604 he had moved to Knole. Eastbourne Medsey eventually passed, with the rest of the Sackville Estates to to Earls De La Warr who held it until the end of the 20th century.

Documents associated with this manor in the public domain:

1571-1668: survey, annotated to

1668 British Library

1613-1613: estreats, with other manors (1 vol) Kent History and Library Centre

1618-1618: rental, with 17th cent copy

1654-1656: rental

1656-1656: list of quit rents

1751-1751: minutes

1618-1619: rental of demesne leases, with other manors East Sussex and Brighton and Hove Record Office (ESBHRO)

1682-1682: rental

1829-1829: rental, with other manors

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Lordship of the Manor of East Donyland, Essex

Lot #5 of 'Beaumont Collection' Auction - Nov 1954

(In the parishes of East Donyland and Rowhedge)

In the Domesday Book Donyland was, according to Morant, called Dunulanda, belonging at the time of the Survey to Eustace Earl of Boulogne. As part of the honour of Boulogne, it descended to the heiress of that House, Maud, wife of King Stephen. Maud gave it to the Abbot and Convent of St. John's in Colchester in exchange for the church and Tithes of Littlechurch, or Heyham, in Kent, which belonged to that Abbey. The Queen made this exchange at the instance of her daughter, Mary, who was Prioress of the Benedictine Nunnery of Littlechurch. They continued to possess the premises until the Dissolution of the Abbey in 1539 when it became vested in the Crown. Queen Elizabeth conveyed it in 1560 to Sir Francis Jobson. It descended to William Grey in 1595; Sir John Tonstall bought the Estate in the reign of James the First and not long afterwards it came into the Thurston family. Joseph Thurston was Recorder of Colchester in about 1700. He married Mary, daughter of Sir Isaac Rebow, and the Estate was sold after his decease.

David Gansel of Low Layton became Lord of the Manor in 1730, and, according to Morant, made a parka and greatly improved the House and gardens of the Hall. This is now owned and occupied by Capt. Lindsay-Smith, M.B.E. In 1797 the Manor came into the possession of the Havens family and the late Mr. G. F. Beaumont purchased it in 1918 from the Executors of Edward J. Havens.

The Courts were held from 1797 to 1848 at East Donyland Hall, in 1849 at the Ship Inn, Rowhedge, from 1855 onwards at the White Lion Inn, East Donyland, and the late Mr. Beaumont's only Court was held on the 26th March, 1924 at the same Inn when Thomas William Pitt represented the Homage. Ernest William Saunders, his Managing Clerk for many years, was the Steward.

Affixed to the last Court Book is a form of consent dated 21st November, 1924 under the Telegraph Acts 1863-1916 by the late Mr. G. F. Beaumont "to the placing of works, consisting of a telegraphic cable beneath the foreshore of the Rowhedge side of River Colne near Colchester on the understanding that the Postmaster General will make good any damage which may be done to my property in the placing or maintenance of the works. This consent can be terminated by three calendar months' notice in writing on either side."

There are interesting references to encroachments upon the Lord's waste land, license to enclose parts of the waste, and payment of s ums of money for the Lord's Thirds of the value of timber felled and sold (£12 in the case of Samuel Cook at a Court held on 7th July, 1801).

On the intestacy of a copyhold tenant, his property descended to the eldest son as heir-at-law according to the Common law rule of descent.

The manorial documents (insured for £300 premium 15/- per annum) to be handed over are:

Court Rolls: 1514-34; 1752-66; 1775-87; 1789-97
Court Books: 1797-1832; 1832-51; 1851-67; 1867-86; 1886-1918; 1919-1932
Rentals: 1799-1855 and 1696
Particulars of Sale of the Manor: by auction on the 25th May, 1918 by Messrs. Sexton and Grimwade of Colchester

The above particulars contain the names of tenants, their dates of admission, short description of the properties from the Court rolls, amount of Quit Rents and Last Fines. Included in the list are, "Tenements and Land and Wharfage in front of said messuages in Rowhedge Street" (tenant Turner Barnard); "Cottage in Rowhedge Street with oyster pit near the same, part of 'Crackbones'" (Arthur Sparling, former partner in the firm of Sparling, Son & Benham); "Shipyard, Quay and Oyster bed which has ceased to exist"; "Shed, Warehouse and yards with liberty to low water mark" (Pearce Kinsbury); "The Ferry Bridge with the Emoluments" (Capt. Smythies). For the last mentioned copyhold the annual quit rent was £1 and the fine paid on Capt. Smythies' admission was £35.

For particulars of the Map to be sold separately see Lot 5A.

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Lordship of the Manor of East Hall, Essex

Lot #3 of Manorial Auctioneers - Undated but Post-2002

Catalogue gifted & transcribed for the archive by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

Lot #19 of Manorial Auctioneers – May 2008

Catalogue transcribed by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

((2002 Catalogue Begins))

THE PARISH of Ramsey lies on the eastern side of a small navigable creek, three miles west-south-west of Harwich, extending north-ward to the south bank of the estuary of the river Stour, where a small projecting point of land called Ray Island, juts into the estuary at the mouth of the creek, and forms the western side of Harwich Harbour. A fair is held in the village on the 15th June. The parish has generally a fertile soil, and extends eastward to the sea, including many scattered farmhouses. Many Manors are in the area, including East Hall.

Like other estates here, it was held by the De Vere family, one of the leading families of medieval England, who possessed the ancient Earldom of Oxford, except under their attainder in the reign of King Edward IV (1461–83). The descent of the De Vere family lies on the following page. Richard at Pantry and Thomas Holbeck were possessed of it in 1406. Thomas Holbeck, who died in 1480, held the Manor of East New Hall (as it was sometimes known) of Sir Thomas Montgomery, as of his Manor of Great Tey, by fealty, and rent of 5s a year. He had also the Ray in this parish. His heirs were Christiana and Alice, two of his daughters, and Thomas Wilkokys, and Margery, another daughter.

A fine passed in 1543, between King Henry VIII, plaintiff, and William Burnynghyll and Elianor his wife, deforciants of the Manors of East New Hall, and le-Ray, and 300 acres of arable, 31 of meadow, 100 of pasture, 150 of marsh, 80 of wood and £5.00 rent in Ramsey, to be the King's right. The families of Whitmore, Davall, and Burr had it afterwards and then to Lewis-Peak Garland Esq.

In 1557, this estate was granted, among many others, to Sir Thomas White, as parcel of the possessions of William Burnegill, Henry Willcocks and John Broke, co-partners. The Lordship is offered by the Garland Trustees.

Documents associated with this Manor

Court Rolls 1616–1714 British Museum

Draft Court Rolls 1696–1838 Essex Record Office

Court Book 1878–1916

Minute Book 1832–1916

Steward's Book & Papers 1841–1934, 1743–1840

Steward's Solicitor's & Estate Papers 1751–1813

& Correspondence (with other manors)

Rental 1762 British Museum

Quit Rental 1859–1885

Map of Copyhold 1825–1827 Norfolk Record Office

Court Books 1650–1875 Essex Record Office

Minute Books 1774–1831

Minutes & Presentments 1721–70

Survey (with other manors) c1680

Descent of De Vere, Earls of Oxford

Thomas de Vere left his estates to his daughter, Maud, wife of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford. This family is described in Vicissitudes of Familiesas “the noblest subject (sic) in England, and indeed, as Englishmen love to say, the noblest subject in Europe”. He was succeeded by:

- Thomas, 8th Earl of Oxford, died 1371 = Maud, daughter of Sir Ralph Ufford, brother of Robert, Earl of Suffolk

- Robert, 9th Earl and great favourite of Richard II, which King advanced him to be Marquess of Dublin, the first Marquessate created in Britain. In 1386, he was created Duke of Ireland, the first non-Royal Dukedom conferred by a King of England. Because he was in high Royal favour Robert attracted the envy of his fellow peers and fled to Europe, but he returned to England at the head of 5,000 men and was met at Radcote Bridge, on the River Isis, Oxfordshire. Robert was defeated, but escaped back to the Continent. He was killed by a wild boar while hunting in Louvain in 1392. Although the King had been forced to banish Robert, on the Earl-Duke's death, Richard caused his body to be brought to England and buried with full honours. Robert's second wife was a Portuguese girl called Lancerona, said by some to have been the daughter of a carpenter and by others “The Landgravine”, from the German title, Landgraf, who accompanied Richard's Queen, Anne of Bohemia, to England. Lancerona stayed with Robert during his adversity.

- Aubrey (uncle of Robert), restored to all the lands of Robert's, died 1400 = Alice, daughter of John, Lord Fitz-Walter

- Richard, 11th Earl of Oxford, died 1417 = Alice, daughter of Sir Richard Serjeaulx

- John de Vere, 12th Earl of Oxford, went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1435. During the Wars of the Roses, he adhered to the Lancastrian Red Rose of HENRY VI and on that King's deposition by EDWARD IV, he was attainted and beheaded on Tower Hill in 1461 = Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Howard

- John, restored to all his honours and lands during the temporary triumph of HENRY VI in 1471. He joined Richard Nevill, better known to history as Warwick the Kingmaker, but his cause was lost later that year, at the Battle of Barnet, just north of London, and escaped to France where he joined the Lancastrian claimant to the Throne, Henry, Earl of Richmond. John de Vere returned with Henry to England in 1485 and commanded the archers at the Battle of Bosworth, Leicestershire, at which RICHARD III was killed. The Earl of Richmond on becoming King HENRY VII restored John to all his honours and Manors. He married twice, Lady Margaret Nevill, daughter of the Earl of Salisbury, and Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Richard Scrope, but had no issue. He died in 1513 and was succeeded by his nephew

- John, 14th Earl of Oxford, died 1526 without issue when he was succeeded by his cousin = Lady Anne, daughter of the Duke of Norfolk

- John de Vere, 15th Earl of Oxford, a Privy Councillor to HENRY VIII, died 1539 = Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Edward Trussel

- John, 16th Earl of Oxford, died 1562 = (2) Marjorie, daughter of John Golding

- Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, who sat in judgement on the unfortunate MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS. - Edward was the first person to introduce perfumes and embroidered gloves into England and on his presentation of a pair of these gloves to ELIZABETH I, the Queen was so pleased that she had her picture painted wearing them. He died without issue, having dissipated his great fortune.

Transcriber's note

Two values were illegible in the source scan: on p. 1, Lawrence Ireland's age at his father's death is shown as [—]. An apparent inconsistency in the De Vere descent (the numbering jumps from the 9th Earl to the 11th, with no 10th explained) is preserved as printed rather than silently corrected.

((2008 Catalogue Begins))

THE PARISH of Ramsey lies on the eastern side of a small navigable creek, three miles west-south-west of Harwich, extending northward to the south bank of the estuary of the river Stour, where a small projecting point of land called Ray Island, juts into the estuary at the mouth of the creek, and forms the western side of Harwich Harbour. A fair is held in the village on the 15th June. The parish has generally a fertile soil, and extends eastward to the sea, including many scattered farmhouses.

Many Manors are in the area, including East Hall. Like other estates here, it was held by the De Vere family, one of the leading families of medieval England, who possessed the ancient Earldom of Oxford, except under their attainder in the reign of King Edward IV (1461-83). Richard at Pantry and Thomas Holbeck were possessed of it in 1406. Thomas Holbeck, who died in 1480, held the Manor of East New Hall (as it was sometimes known) of Sir Thomas Montgomery, as of his Manor of Great Tey, by fealty, and rent of 5s a year. He had also the Ray in this parish. His heirs were Christiana and Alice, two of his daughters, and Thomas Wilkokys, and Margery, another daughter.

The following note has been taken from the 1937 edition of Burke's Landed Gentry, where the family are described as Garland late of Michaelstow Hall.

Nathaniel Garland, of Woodcote Grove, Epsom, Surrey, was born in 1657, he married Mary Peak and died in 1700 leaving issue. His son, also called Nathaniel is described as of Michaelstow Hall, Essex, and Woodcote Grove, Epsom, Surrey. He was born in 1684 and married Anne Pettit. He died in 1756 having had issue. One of the last of this family was Edgar Walter Garland who was born in 1814 and who died without issue in 1902 at the old age of 88. He is described as a JP for Essex and High Steward of Harwich.

Mr Arthur Nathaniel Garland, late of Michaelstow Hall, Essex, Lord of the Manors of Harwich, Dovercourt, Ramsey, New Hall, Wix Abbey, and Ray, sold Michaelstow Hall and the greater part of the landed estate in 1921.

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Lordship of the Manor of East Markham, Nottinghamshire

Lot #12 of Manorial Holdings Auction - December 1989

THIS LORDSHIP is a large village, one mile north-west of Tuxford and 133 miles north of London. Before the Norman Conquest the chief part of East Markham was held by one Colegrin who paid Danegeld on 3 bovates. The total area of the Lordship was 2 carucates, and its value in the time of Edward the Confessor was 30s. In 1086 Ausger held it of Hugh FitzBaldric (the Sheriff) and it was valued at 20s.

The next reference to the Lordship is in the reign of Henry II, when William Morin, who married Beatrix daughter of Randulf and sister of Robert, granted one bovate of land for 2s per annum to his brother-in-law Robert; he was also granted 1 bovate in Aurington. Confirmation of this transaction was given by Ranulf Morin, William’s son, who died in the first half of Henry III’s reign. He was succeeded by William Morin and his 3 sons married the 3 daughters of Oliver de Lovetot. Robert Morin married Joan, the eldest, Ranulf married Isabell, the second, and William married Alice, the youngest daughter. The descent of the Lovetots is on the opposite page.

At length, all three sisters became co-heiresses of their brother’s estates. In the reign of Edward III it was recorded that Robert Morin, the son of William, held this Lordship of Hugh de Rabaz of Ardingworth by the service of 3s 4d which service Hugh conveyed to Sir Geoffrey de Staunton, Knight, in the 21st year of that King’s reign 1348. In the meantime, Robert and his wife Joane had disposed of their interest, which consisted of 7 messuages, 1 mill, 16 bovates of land and 40 acres of mdward III. Three years later, Sir William settled these lands on Richard de Bingham his son and Annora his wife and the heirs of their bodies with remainder to the rightful heirs of Richard. Joane, the widow of Robert Morin, held the lands for the duration of her life.

By the reign of Henry IV, the Lordship was in the hands of John de Leeke and his wife Isabel, who settled it plus 4 messuages, 64 acres of land, 16 of meadow, and 20s rent on Simon de Leeke and Joane who had previously been the wife of Sir Thomas de Malory, Knight. Joane was the daughter of Sir John Talbot of Swannington, Leicestershire, and bore Simon 4 daughters and co-heirs, one of whom Mary became the second wife of Sir Charles D’Aubeny. Jane, the daughter of Sir Charles and his wife Mary, married Robert Markham of Gotham, Esquire; and he sold his lands here to Robert Staunton of Staunton, Esquire in 1574.

Robert was succeeded by his son William, whose wardship fell to Edward (Manners), 3rd Earl of Rutland a great-grandson of Lady Anne Manners, niece of King Edward IV and King Richard III. It remained in the possession of the Staunton family until it was sold by Colonel William Staunton, who served in the army of King Charles I during the Civil War, to William Cartwright.

About the year 1750 the Lordship was enclosed.

The most recent owner is the late Duke of Newcastle whose family seem to have acquired the Lordship from the Duke of Norfolk with other lands in 1810.

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Lordship of the Manor of East Morden, Dorset

Lot #11 of Manorial Services Auction - 2004 UNPUBLISHED/ABORTED - Stephen Johnson

THIS LORDSHIP derives its name from its position on heath land, south west of Higher Litchet. Morden is a large parish and much of the land, which is arable, lies in flat open country. It is 5 miles from Wareham and 9 miles from Wimborne.

This is an ancient place and is mentioned in Domesday Book, compiled in 1086. The entry reads;

Morden. Four thanes held it before 1066. It paid tax for three hides

and 2 1/2 virgates of land. Land for three ploughs. In lordship 1 plough;

1 1/2 virgates.

8 villagers and 10 smallholders with 2ˇ ploughs and 3 hides and 1 virgate.

A mill which pays 45d; meadow, 14 acres; pasture, 3 leagues

in both length an width; woodland 2 furlongs long

and 1 furlong wide. 14 pigs, 85 sheep, 5 goats.

The value was and is 60s.

At this time East Morden formed part of the whole manor of Morden and was held by Walter de Clavile who was a moderate Norman landholder, having five Lordships locally and another 30 or so spread out across the West Country. He was succeeded in his estates by his eldest son Robert who is recorded as holding knights fee for this Lordship in 1106. The descent of the family is then lost for a generation until we come to Sir Walter de Clavill, probably Robert’s grandson, who is noted for his foundation of Canons Legh priory at Burlescomb, toÑ which he granted the church of Morden in 1161. The founding charter was witnessed by Sir Walter’s brothers, Randulph, Gilbert and Hugh and by his son, and eventual heir, William. After the latter William’s death, during the reign of Richard I, (1189-1199) East Morden came to his son Roger de Claville. As part of the family’s commitment to Canons Legh, Roger granted to that house lands in Hertruthdon in order to pay for a monks to pray for his father and himself. He lived until around 1263 and then passed his estates to his son, John. He settled lands in East Morden on his son John and his wife Isolda in 1318. His heir went on to enjoy his estates only until 1327. This was a year of great upheaval in England with the deposition of Edward II by an invasion force led by his wife, Queen Isabella and her lover, Sir Roger Mortimer. Given this John’s heir was a young child it is possible that Claville was caught up in the ensuing warfare.

The three year old Claville was raised by his mother and is recorded as holding East Morden in his own right in 1347. He died just three years later and his heir, William, was only then only six years old. He survived to manhood but died in around 1373, with his estates passing into the possession of his wife, Johanna. On her death East Morden passed to a kinsman of William’, John Aysshlyn, who had descended from Gilbert Claville, co-signature of the founding charter of Canons Legh.

The descent of East Morden then becomes rather obscure. It seems to have become combined with a parcel of land owned in the parish by the Matravers family from who it descended to the Fitzalan family, who were the earls of Arundel. The last of these, Henry, was recorded as holding the Lordship during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603). He was the 12th earl of Arundel and was born in around 1511 and was named after the king, Henry VIII (1509-1547) was was his godfather. As a young man he entered the king’s service and was a regular attendee at court. In 1533 he was summoned to parliament at Lord Maltravers and three years later sat on the the jury which tried Anne Boleyn. He then received the lucrative position of deputy of Calais, in 1540, in which he served for three very successful years. However, he was recalled to England on the death of his father, William and became the 12th Earl and head of the family. Henry had little time to enjoy his new position since in 1544 he headed to France with the Earl of Suffolk as part of an invasion force. When the English, numbering some 30,000 men, were camped before Boulogne they were joined by the King, who made Arundel a marshal of the field. Thanks to his leadership, the town was stormed and he returned home a hero and was made lord chamberlain, a position he held until the king died in 1547. After the king’s death Arundel was made one of the council of twelve to rule whilst Edward VI was a boy. When Somerset had himself made Protector, Arundel led the opposition and had him removed to the Tower. However, he became pray to the jealousy of another council member, the Earl of Warwick, who drew up a number of blatantly false charges against him and Arundel was removed from the council and heavily fined. As an enemy of Warwick he joined forces with Somerset but this led to his arrest and he was committed to the Tower in November 1551. Arundel remained here for over a year, variously confessing his guilt and retracting it. Finally, in 1552, he was confessed to the Privy Council, was fined and allowed to be set free. On the death of Edward in 1553, Arundel became a partisan of Mary and asserted the r'ights of her succession over that of Lady Jane Grey, who was put forward by the earl of Northumberland. Along with the earl of Pembroke he physically ensured that Mary would succeed by seizing the Great Seal and taking it personally to her. As a reward to new Queen made Arundel Lord Steward of the Household, a position he held throughout her reign.When Mary died in 1558, Arundel was retained by Elizabeth but he was Catholic and had been devoted to her sister so she did not trust him. By this time he was so powerful that the new Queen could not afford to remove him from office. For his part suspicion of Arundel was well placed since he continued to plot and in 1564 was forced to resign as lord steward after a committing a number of ‘sundry speeches of offence’ against the Queen. His public life declined and he was a marginalised figure until the later 1560s when he again gained favour as a diplomat. However in 1569 he settled on a plan to remove Elizabeth and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots and Catholicism, after marrying her to the Duke of Norfolk. The plot was discovered and Arundel arrested; once more being confined to the Tower. He was then taken to Arundel Castle where spent the last few years under virtual house arrest. He died in 1580.

By the time of his death Arundel had already sold East Morden to Philip Stayning. He in turn sold it on to Thomas Erle. The Lordship has since descended with this family and they remains Lords of the Manor.

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Lordship of the Manor of East Woodhay, Hampshire

Lot #16 of Bernard Thorpe Auction - June 1986

This manorial lordship is situated in the Evingar Hundred of Hampshire.

For much of the last thousand years the lordship has belonged to the Bishops of Winchester. It now belongs to the Earl of Carnarvon. His ancestor purchased the manor at the end of the eighteenth century.

For many years Winchester was the Capital of England and the Bishops of Winchester were very powerful, holding a great many manors, consequently they found it convenient, in most cases, to let their manorial lordships for a regular money payment. East Woodhay was so let out to different tenants, although the Bishop did retain a portion for his own use.

In 1346 a return was made showing that the tenants of the Bishop of Winchester were holding one knight's fee in the Manor of Woodhay “quod episcopus solebat tenere preater antiquam tenuram”.

It is interesting to note that one of the Bishop's tenants held forty acres of land in the manor in 1487 for an annual rent of one pound of pepper. Spices were highly prized in those days so one pound of pepper was a significant rental.

In 1648 the Bishop was forced by an Act of Parliament to sell East Woodhay. At the Restoration of the Monarchy the lordship was restored to the Bishop, who continued to hold it until the sale to Lord Carnarvon referred to above.

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANOR:

1 Court roll (copies) with other manors 1573-1711

2 Court rolls and account rolls 16th-18th cents.

3 Court rolls 1505/6, 1518-1712 (not consec.)

4 Inc. in books of fines 1507-10, 1540-1714

5 Inc. in books of surrenders 1598-1728

6 Drafts of courts 1589/90, 1602/3

7 Miscellaneous court papers 17th cent.

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Lordship of the Manor of Ecchinswell, Hampshire

Lot #17 of Bernard Thorpe Auction - June 1986

From time immemorial this ancient Saxon lordship in the Kingsclere Hundred of Hampshire, belonged to the Bishop of Winchester.

In the time of the Domesday Survey of 1086 it was assessed at 7½ hides. There were two mills referred to in the Domesday Survey. In the extent of the manor taken in 1086, it is noted that there were two mills worth 100 pence annually.

As was customary in Church Manors, most of the land and assets were let on leases. In Ecchinswell the Bishop had the most prestigious tenant of all, namely the Queen. He let the site of the old manor house to Queen Elizabeth I for eighty years. After six months she made over the remainder of that lease to Sir Henry Wallop. This deal was done under Letters Patent issued by the Queen in 1570.

By the provisions of the Root and Branch Act of 1648 the Bishop of Winchester had to sell the lordship of Ecchinswell to Nicholas Lore and George Wither. On the restoration to the throne of King Charles II in 1660, the lordship was returned to the Bishop, who continued to enjoy it until the end of the eighteenth century when it was purchased by an ancestor of the present owner the Earl of Carnarvon.

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANOR:

1 Court rolls and books, account rolls, admissions and surrenders 1688-1871

2 Court roll (copies) with other manors 1573-1741

3 Court rolls 1505/6, 1518-1712 (not consec.)

4 Books of fines with Hillclere Bailiwick 1540-1767

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANOR (Ecchinswell, continued):

5 Books of surrenders 1598-1728

6 Misc. court papers 17th and 18th cents.

7 Copy court roll 1713

8 List of quit rents 1789-1801

9 Court costs 1811

10 Copies of court roll 1789-1830 (not consec.)

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Lordship of the Manor of Eggergarth, Lancashire

Lot #1 of Manorial Auctioneers - Undated but Post-2002

Catalogue gifted & transcribed for the archive by the Lord of Finchingfield - a friend to learning

historically held by the service of a rose to the Baron of Warrington

AT THE TIME of Domesday Eggergarth seems to have formed part of the Barony of Warrington. In a survey of 1212, it is stated that Richard le Boteler had given two oxgangs in Eggergarth to Matthew de Walton to hold by knight's service (one-fortieth of a fee); it also says that Henry, son of Gilbert, was holding the Lordship at this time. The monks of Cockersand Abbey were granted a ridding (an unencumbered piece of land) in Eggergarth by Henry de Walton. William de Walton and William de Lydiate held Eggergarth and Lydiate of the heir of Henry le Boteler in 1242 for the tenth part of knight's fee, their two holdings made one ploughland, where 10 ploughlands made one fee. In 1335, Gilbert de Scarisbrick was holding it of the Baron of Warrington, and it continued in this family until it was bought by Lawrence Ireland from James Scarisbrick, possession being given in 1547. There was a 20 year delay in the payment of the purchase money, which caused considerable distress.

There was a mill here from early times, situated on the brook which divides Eggergarth from Lydiate. William, son of Benedict de Lydiate, granted 4s of annual rent from the mill to Gilbert, son of Richard de Halsall. In 1300, there was a dispute between Sir William le Boteler, Adam de Pulle, and his wife Alice on one part, and Gilbert, son of Gilbert de Halsall, on the other. This was about the diversion of the course of the Alt (also known as the Lydiate Brook), which “flowed to the injury of a certain mill in Eggergarth and Lydiate”. An agreement was made for the diversion of the course, and it is interesting to note that this diversion still existed 600 years later and can still be seen now. It was in respect of Eggergarth that Sir Thomas Butler claimed the wardship of Thomas, son and heir of Gilbert Scarisbrick, from the Earl of Derby early in the reign of Henry VIII. He was first awarded the custody of the Manor, but in 1519 the wardship of the heir, and the custody of the Manor, was confirmed to the Earl. In 1598, there was a dispute between Robert Blundell and Lawrence Ireland. Robert asserted that from time immemorial the Lord of Ince Blundell and his servants and tenants and all the people of the Manor had had a right of way from Ince, over Alt Bridge and through Altcar, and thence

“through Lydiate to certain lands called Eggergarth, and Augton, and so to Ormskirk Church and the market, and back the same way by and near a watermill in Eggergarth”.

Of late the tenant of Lawrence Ireland's had stopped the plaintiff's servants and tenants near the mill, on their way to the market, and had told them that henceforth they would not be allowed to pass through Eggergarth. Lawrence Ireland was engaged in many lawsuits. He died on 6 May 1609, leaving a widow and 10 young children, for whose benefit he had in 1605 enfeoffed Sir Richard Molyneux and others of the Manors of Lydiate and Eggergarth. They are stated in the inquisition to be held of Thomas Ireland, Baron of Warrington, in socage by the rent of a rose yearly, their value being £5 clear. His son, Edward Ireland, was only 16 when he inherited, and James I made him a ward of Barnaby Molyneux and Hugh Nelson. He married twice, and had a son by his second wife, Margaret Norris, who became his heir in 1637. An inventory of his property is still extant, endorsed “in the dining chamber in the hall at Lydiate, being a parcel of land within mentioned, in the name of all the Manors and lands within mentioned, to the within named Henry Mossock, James Halsall, and Richard Formby ... in the presence of Robert Blundell and other witnesses. To his son and heir Lawrence he gave a gilt bowl, various household goods including all the brewing vessels, ‘also all the armour with the clock and drum’, and a box containing money.” The manor house was obviously quite substantial, with “a dining chamber, peat chamber, hall chamber, little chamber (or Mistress Clive chamber), buttery chamber, green chamber, canaby chamber, garden chamber, brewhouse chamber, the nurseries, squirrel chamber, ward chamber, rowling chamber, great parlour, green parlour, servants' chamber, cellar, hall, kitchen, buttery, larder, brewhouse, piggon, and dairy.” The residue of his property was to be divided into three equal parts, one for his wife, the other two for his daughters, who were to share equally. Lawrence was only [—] years old on his father's death, and was still under 21 in 1651, when his mother Margaret sent a petition to the Parliamentary Commissioners touching the sequestration of his estate. Like many other Catholics at this time, he was sent abroad to be educated. Because of his religion, two-thirds of the Ireland estate was sequestered, and the widow was allowed a fifth in 1651, to be increased to a third should she prove that she was not delinquent; Gilbert Ireland of the Hutt, a strong partisan of Parliament, was made Lawrence's guardian. Mr Ambrose, the Parliament's agent,

had given reasons which induced him to believe that young Mr Ireland had been brought up in popery; namely, that his mother demanding from him how her son should be maintained, he answered that if she would please he should be brought up in the Protestant religion he might be provided for according to his rank and quality, she replied “she had rather see him hanged”; that he could not hear of him going to church, but that he had been kept secret and conveyed from one papist's house to another, whereof Mr Ditchfield, a papist of Ditton, was one; and that it had then lately been given out that he had been sent beyond the seas, where Mr Ambrose believed he then was.

It was replied that he had been educated at Oxford, and only sent abroad by licence from the Cromwellian Council of State. Colonel Gilbert Ireland refused to accommodate her: “he had heard they were about to marry him (Lawrence) with Mr Ditchfield of Ditton's daughter, an arch-papist, signifying his dislike thereof”. Lawrence came of age in 1655, in which year he granted a lease of Cunscough Hill to John Tatlock. He married Anne Scarisbrick in 1658, but she died six years later leaving two daughters, Margaret and Katherine. In 1664 he settled his estate on his elder daughter and her heirs, with remainder to the younger daughter and her heirs, and further remainders; gave the children into guardianship of his mother, and for himself sought admission into the Society of Jesus. He made his profession in 1666, and was ordained priest, but there is little further record of his career, and his only subsequent connection with Lydiate and Eggergarth was his settling a messuage in the place upon his younger daughter Katherine in 1673; she later became a nun at Dunkirk. He died in York on 30 June 1673, and was survived by his mother who was buried at Halsall in 1695.

The Lordship now passed to Charles Anderton, heir to Sir Francis Anderton, who had married Lawrence Ireland's elder daughter. It is not certain whether Charles Anderton ever resided in the area. He died in 1691: his eldest son Charles was then living at St Omer's, where he died in 1705, and was succeeded by his brother James. The Manors of Lydiate, Melling, Cunscough, and Eggergarth and other Ireland lands were settled to the use of his mother Dame Margaret for life, with remainders to Francis and to his brother Joseph in tail male; then to his sister Mary, the wife of Henry Blundell of Ince Blundell. James, the legal owner, had entered the Society of Jesus in 1703, and drew a pension of £50 from the family estates; he died in 1710, having in 1708 executed a conveyance in order to enable his younger brother Francis to make a marriage settlement. Francis took part in the Jacobite Rising of 1715, and was taken to London and condemned. He was pardoned, but the forfeited estates were recovered by his elder brother Lawrence, who had been a Benedictine, renouncing his vows and his religion in 1724. He died shortly afterwards and left his estates to his brother's children, with remainder to the Blundells. Under this will, the Blundells of Ince Blundell succeeded to these estates after the death of Sir Francis Anderton in 1760. Sir Francis, after his pardon, had lived very quietly at Lydiate Hall, devoting himself mainly to cock-fighting. In the leases granted by him there was always a stipulation with the tenant for “the keeping of a cock”. An unusual dispute followed Sir Francis's death without issue. By the will of his brother, the Blundells of Ince Blundell were the heirs to the Anderton properties, but Dame Margaret, who died in 1720, had also made a settlement of the Lydiate estates: “as for and concerning my Manors or Lordships of Lydiate, Melling, Cunscough, Eggergarth, Aughton, Maghull, and Aintree etc I do hereby give, devise and bequeath the same unto Nicholas Starkie, his heirs and assigns for ever, and to or for no other use, intent, trust, or purpose whatsoever.” The above mentioned Mr Starkie was a lawyer of good repute, who although a Protestant had long acted on her behalf. She wished to secure the estate for Francis, her son, but as he had been convicted of High Treason to have named him directly would have led to forfeiture. After Lawrence Anderton's death, a settlement was drawn up in accordance with Dame Anderton's known wishes. Her daughter, Mrs Blundell, refused to sign it on account of the clause indemnifying Starkie; the latter, who was receiving the rents and was apparently the legal owner, could not see his way to relinquish the clause, but after negotiation and the payment of £1,000 he made all the Lydiate estates over to three trustees, one of whom was his son, for the use of Sir Francis Anderton during life and then to the heirs of his body, all mention of the Blundells being omitted. Mrs Blundell and Mr Starkie predeceased Sir Francis, and the heir, Robert Blundell of Ince, was met by the claims of Edmund Starkie the son and only surviving trustee, who insisted that Dame Margaret had made an absolute gift to his father, of which he intended to avail himself, the allowance to Sir Francis having been an act of compassion to him personally. The Blundells did take possession, but it seems probable they had to compensate Edmund Starkie by heavy payment. Since that time the Manor of Eggergarth remained in the Blundell family until recently.

Documents associated with this Manor:

Rentals — 1692, 1752–4 — Lancs RO

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Lordship of the Manor of Egmanton, Nottinghamshire

Lot #4 of Manorial Holdings Auction - December 1989

THIS LORDSHIP, 12 miles north of Newark and 2 miles south of Tuxford, covers an area of 2,200 acres and was originally in the possession of the Torchard family whose principal Manor in Nottinghamshire was at Hucknall, eight miles south of Mansfield.

In the reign of Edward the Confessor it was held by Vichel who paid Danegeld on 12 bovates, but was held by Raphe de Buron in the reign of William II Rufus and Ralph had two carucates in demesne. The Overlord was Roger de Bully. Osmond, Ralph’s tenant, had 1 carucate. There were also three carucates for 5 villains.

The next reference to the Lordship occurs in the reign of Richard I when Gaufrid Torchard with the consent of his wife Maud, and his son Henry, gave one carucate to the Monks and the Church of the Holy Trinity at Lenton. Henry married Alina, the daughter of William Pitie.

By the end of the 13th century, the Lordship was in the hands of Henry de Winckburne and Albreda, his wife who by fine, 5 Edward II passed the Manor to Alexander de Gonalderston and his heirs. The same Alexander, and Alice his wife, during their lives, by another fine, conveyed it to Ralph or Radulphus de Crumbewell and Avicia his wife during their lives and after their decease to Volker son of Ralph and Avicia during his life, remainder to the right heirs of Ralph. On the death of Volker the Lordship passed to his brother Ralph de Crumbewell, Lord of Tatershale, who then levied a fine on it in 43 Edward II, to Richard de Chesterfield, Richard de Tyssington, William de Wakebrug, and John de la Pole of Asseburn. They then passed it on to Hugh de Apnesley of Rodyngton and others who conveyed it to the Priory of Beauvale.

It remained with the Priory until the Dissolution of the Monastaries by Henry VIII and after that it descended with the Lordship of Newsted until the reign of Elizabeth I. On 27 June 1600, Queen Elizabeth I granted it to Michael Stanhope, Esquire, a Groom of the Privy Chamber and Edward Stanhope, Doctor of Laws. Sir John Holles, 1st Earl of Clare, purchased Egmanton from the Stanhopes in the early part of the 17th century. The fourth and last Earl of Clare left the Manor with considerable other properties in the county to the 1st Duke of Newcastle in whose family it has remained ever since.

Documents associated with this Manor:

Bailiffs Accounts 1431-2 Kent Record Office
Court Books 1568-1575 & 1584-1590 Public Record Office
Valor 1436-38

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Lordship of the Manor of Elberton, Gloucestershire

Lot #26 of Manorial Holdings Auction - December 1989

THE MANOR of Elberton lies in the Lower Division of Berkeley Hundred and in Domesday is written as Eldbertone, meaning an old barton or farm. Five hides belonged to the Manor of Berkeley, the largest Lordship in the country, covering some 28 parishes. It was probably a Roman station for there is remains of a ditch on a hill to the east of the village.

King Henry II granted the Lordship to Robert FitzHarding and he devised it to his son, also Robert, who was married to Alice de Gaunt or Ghent. Robert and Alice had two children, Maurice and Eva. Eva married Thomas Harptree who was descended from Gouel de Yvry, surnamed Lupus (from whom the Norman Earls of Chester), who attended William of Normandy in the conquest of England. Maurice died childless and left much of his estate to the King, but Elberton went to his sister, Eva, who was succeeded as Lord by her son, Robert, who took the surname Gournay in 1231.

The Gournays as they had become now disappear from the records and we can find only one Lord (John Tropyng in 1318) between Robert Gournay and Sir John Walsh was died seised of the Manor in 1546. The Walsh family held until the end of the 16th century and by 1608 George Smith is the Lord of Elberton.

It passed from him to Sir Thomas Cann of Bishops Stoke and from him to Cann Jeffreys, a relation of the infamous Judge Jeffreys of the Bloody Assize in 1685-6. On Cann Jeffery’s death, Elberton became the property of his sister who married Henry Lippincott to form the later well-known landed gentry family of Cann-Lippincott in whom it remains to this day.

There is some manorial waste and a map of the Manor is available in return for a large self-addressed envelope.

There are no documents associated with this Manor:

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Lordship of the Manor of Elkington, Northamptonshire

Lot #28 of Bernard Thorpe Auction - March 1987

This Saxon lordship is six miles east of Rugby and two miles south of Welford in Northamptonshire.

In the Domesday Survey, of 1086, it is recorded that the Earl of Morton held this lordship. There were then three and a half carucates of arable land. Two of these were held in demesne and one and a half were held by three servants and ten villains.

King Henry II granted this manor to the monks of Pipwell Convent. In 1315, the King gave the Abbot and monks of Pipwell a grant of free warren in all their demesne lands in Elkington. The Convent retained the lordship until the Dissolution of the Monastaries when it was vested in His Late Majesty King Henry VIII who granted the manor to Francis Pigot.

Queen Elizabeth I granted the lordship to Roger Mountague, liveryman of the Skinners Company and Citizen of London. His descendant Sir Sidney Mountague conveyed the lordship to William Lord Spencer.

His successor, Robert Earl of Sunderland transferred the lordship to an ancestor of the present lord of the manor in 1674.

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANOR:

1 Royal Charter, King Edward II 1315

2 Royal Letters Patent, King Henry VIII 1541 and 1542

3 Royal Letters Patent, King Edward VI 1553

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Lordship of the Manor of Elland, Yorkshire

Lot #12 of Bernard Thorpe Auction - June 1986

This ancient Yorkshire lordship belonged to Gamel in the time of Edward the Confessor. After the Norman Conquest, the lordship passed to Ilbert, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. At that time there were three and a half carucates of land, a wood, half a league long and four furlongs in breadth, and four acres of meadow.

Soon after 1086 the lordship came to the great Earl Laci. When King William I died he left three sons — Robert, William Rufus and Henry. The Crown of this realm of England should have passed to Robert, but it was assumed by William, and on his death, Henry was crowned King Henry I. Robert was supported in his protests at this situation by the Norman barons and in England by some noblemen, including the Earl of Laci and his son, Ilbert.

At the battle of Tenchebrai, the fortunes of war declared in favour of Henry. The two Lacis, father and son, were banished and the lordship of Elland was forfeited to the Crown. It was first conferred on Henry Traverse and later on Guy de la Val.

In the reign of King Stephen, Ilbert de Laci regained royal favour and was reinstated in the lordship. He died without children and the manor came to Henry de Laci, who founded a Cistercian monastery at Kirkstall in 1147. On Henry de Laci's death, his son, Robert, succeeded to the lordship of Elland. He was one of the barons present at the coronation of King Richard I.

Robert was succeeded by his cousin, the Laci heiress. She married Richard Fitz Eustace, Baron of Halton and hereditary Constable of Chester. Their son succeeded to the two immense family estates and the lordship of Elland. He died on a crusade in the Holy Land. His son, Roger de Laci, Constable of Chester and Lord of the Manor of Elland, fought by the side of King Richard I at Acre.

His son, also Robert, lord of the manor, was one of the barons who was present at the sealing of Magna Carta. He married a daughter of the Earl of Chester and Lincoln and, in 1232, was created Earl of Lincoln in the right of his wife. Their grandson, Henry, was one of the most eminent nobles at the time of King Edward I. He died lord of the manor and third Earl of Lincoln in 1312.

On his deathbed Henry de Laci summoned Thomas Plantagenet, Earl of Lancaster, the husband of his only child and heiress, Alice, and exhorted him to stand up against King Henry II on behalf of the English nobles, who were being supplanted by French courtiers.

The Earl of Lancaster succeeded to the lordship and Laci estates. He rebelled against the King and was defeated at Boroughbridge in 1322.

There were disputes between Lancaster's family and Earl Warren's family, who was Lord of the Manor of Wakefield. These disputes developed into fearful quarrels. The bitterness spread to their tenants, resulting eventually in pitched fights and dastardly murders. Details of these murders are recorded in “The Elland Tragedies, 1330-1350, with recent discoveries of their truth” edited by J. Horsfall Turner, published about 1890.

The Lordship of Elland passed to the Elland family. Sir John Elland, Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1360 was a man of great account. As well as being Lord of the Manor of Elland he was High Steward to the Earl Warren. After the murder of Sir John Elland, his son, also Sir John, and his infant son, the lordship passed through the marriage of their heiress to the ancestor of the present lord of the manor, Lord Savile.

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANOR:

1 Court rolls (with other manors) 1616-1631

2 Rentals 14th cent. and c. 1650

3 Surveys 1604

4 Court rolls, papers, etc. 1363, 1500, 1608-1751, 1609-1785

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Lordship of the Manor of Ellesmere, Shropshire

Lot #3 Manorial Auctioneers’ Partnership – October 1990

(including the historic right to market)

AT THE time of the Domesday Survey, this Lordship was held by Earl Roger of the King. In Saxon times it was held by Earl Edwin. The Lordship consisted of four and a half hides of which Mundret held one and Reginald the Sheriff the other. The hide that Reginald held was afterwards known as Lee. There were also five ploughs with 10 ploughmen plus 36 villagers and 14 smallholders with two priests who had 14 ploughs. Before 1066 it paid £10 in revenue, but in 1086 it was £20. Mundret and Reginald between them had two ploughs and four slaves with four villagers and seven smallholders with three and a half ploughs, all valued at 23 shillings.

Because it was so close to the Marcher Lordship of Oswestry and to Wales, Ellesmere was granted on several occasions to Welsh princes. It was held under Henry I by William Peverel of Dover. There is a charter of William Peverel, confirmed by William II, granting land at Lea, in Ellesmere, to the monks at Shrewsbury Abbey. William and his brother Hamo were dead by 1138 and the inheritance of these mighty Barons was divided between their nephews, William Peverel II and Walcheline Maminot. Orderic Vitalis mentions both in his Chronicle of the civil wars of King Stephen’s reign. William II died in the Holy Land and Walcheline was put out of Ellesmere once Henry II came to the Throne in 1154. The Manor conferred on Dafydd ab Owain, Prince of North Wales, by that King in 1174, when he married the King’s sister Emma; this lady was one of the illegitimate children of Geoffrey, Count of Anjou, the King’s half-sister. It was then granted to Llewellyn, Prince Llewellyn’s of North Wales, who married Joan, illegitimate daughter of King John. As a result of the prince’s rebellion against his father-in-law, he was deprived of the Lordship for a number of years until Henry III restored it to him in the early part of his reign.

On 21 July 1221 the King allowed the prince to hold a weekly market on Tuesdays at his Manor of Ellesmere. For part of the 13th century, it was managed for the King as a forfeit by the Sheriff and then by John de Grey for 15 years from 1253. In 1267 Henry III granted it to Hamon le Strange, in reward for his faithful services to the Crown. Hamon died in the Holy Land and his brother Sir Roger le Strange was confirmed in his possession of it by a grant of 1276.

In 1309, a Royal Commission for taking an extent of the Manor of Ellesmere revealed that there were numerous members attached to it: Croulesmere, Kynewike, Tetneshull, Berche, Newenes, Othale, Lythe, Woctele, Herdewicke, Crikott, Ellesdere, Stokes, Rugg, Mayswayn, Luneyale, and Crohnulle. Roger le Strange died in 1311 without issue and the Lordship reverted to the Crown.

In 1330, Edward III granted it to Eubolo le Strange and his wife Alice, daughter and heir of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, and widow of Thomas Plantagenet, Earl of Lancaster; Eubolo being a cousin of the deceased Sir Roger. Eubolo also died without issue and his estates passed to his nephew Roger 4th Baron le Strange of Knockyn. From the Stranges it descended to the Stanleys, Earls of Derby and from them to the Egertons, Earls and later Dukes of Bridgewater as shown in the pedigree on the following page.

This Lordship is situated eight miles east-north-east of Oswestry. The town is of Saxon origin and in part derives its name from the lake or mere on the east side of the town, which is the largest in that part of the country, being about 116 acres in extent. The ancient castle of Ellesmere, of which not a vestige remains, stood on the hill by the church; it was a frontier fortress during the unsettled period which preceded the subjection of the Principality of Wales in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Documents associated with this Manor:

Computus 1387-1622 Salop RO

Rentals 1650,1711,1754,
temp H VI-17th c

Survey 17th c

Court Books 1602,1637,nd,1806-40,
1668-1700

Presentments 1536-1805,18thc,1793-1805

Suit Roll 1767-77

Court of Survey 1602

Estreat Rolls 1803-6

Court Baron 1737 Shrewsbury Lib

Court Book c1750

Courts

(Ellesmere Hundred) 1522-3 PRO

Courts

(Ellesmere Town) 1522

Court Books

(Ellesmere Hundred) 1530-84

Court Books 1764-1867 Salop RO

Presentments 1720-34

Estreats 1657-1734

Court Papers 1656-1731

List of Officers 1721

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Lordship of the Manor of Ellington, Huntingdonshire

Lot #4 of Manorial Services Auction - Winter 2021 - Stephen Johnson

Most manorial lordships are of an ancient lineage but few can definitively trace their history back to a time before William the Conqueror’s great Domesday Book of 1086. The manor of Ellington however can claim this distinction since it is recorded as being part of the the estate of Ramsey Abbey when it was founded in 969. It formed part of a grant of land between Alfwold, brother of the abbey’s founder, Oswald, Bishop of Worcester, and his wife Alfild. This grant was later confirmed by King Edgar (953-975) and Edward the Confessor (1042-1066) last of the Saxon kings.

After the Norman conquest the manor remained in the hands of the abbey and was assessed in Domesday book as containing 10 hides, around 1,200 acres, which was a sizeable manor for the time and would have provided its monks with a handsome income. It remained part of the abbey’s extensive estate for the entire medieval period. In 1379 it provided one of the Abbots, Edmund de Ellington who was therefore Lord of the Manor until his death in 1396. During one of the periodic assessments of the manor it was found to render to the abbey 40s yearly instead of 5 lbs. of cheese and 5 lbs. of lard and, like all the farm manors, gave 16d. to the poor from Maundy acre on Maundy Thursday.

As Lord of the Manor the abbot had the right of gallows, tumbril (right to check the weight of coins), view of frankpledge and amendment of the assize of bread and ale, waif, warren, hidage from Ellington also the market rights of; tallage, merchet, leyrwyte and other rights such as setting and collecting a poll tax; wardship and marriage of his tenants. These were considerable rights and made the abbot literal lord and master over the villagers.

Ramsey Abbey was dissolved in 1539 and for a few years the Manor was retained by the Crown. In 1547 it was granted to Sir Walter Hendle who died three years later. It was then purchased by Sir John Mason and his wife Elizabeth and included 1000 acres of wood land but was sold within a short time to Gabriel Throckmorton. It remained in the hands of this family until the 18th century. Robert Throckmorton, born in 1607, was close friends of the Cromwell family and invested heavily in the emerging American colonies, spending part of his life there. After his death and the proving of his will, Ellington passed to his oldest son Albion, who died childless in 1681. The family retained their America estates throughout this period and these passed, along with Ellington, until 1720 when the latter was sold to Thomas Handasyd. He was a retired Governor of Jamaica and had spent a lifetime in the armed forces. Born in 1645 in Northumberland he fought in the Anglo-Dutch War of the early 1670s but achieved prominence in 1688 when he accompanied William of Orange to England to claim the throne from James II in what became known as the Glorious Revolution. A year later he commanded an expedition to retake the town of St John’s, Newfoundland, which had been captured by the French. When he and his 300 men arrived at the town he discovered that the French had left and that the conditions there were so harsh that when he eventually arrived back in England only 80 men remained alive. In 1702 he was appointed Governor of Jamaica, remaining in post until his retirement in 1710. His purchase of Ellington was part of the expansion of his estate at Gaynes Hall in Cambridgeshire and he remained Lord of the Manor until 1729.

He was succeeded by his son, Roger who was also a military man. He took part in the resistance to the Jacobite Rebellion in 1715 but afterwards became involved in politics and was elected MP for Huntingdon in 1722. In 1745, during the last and greatest of the Jacobite rebellions, Handasyd was called into action once more and after taking part in the Battle of Prestonpans where the rebels were finally defeated, he was appointed Commander in Chief of Scotland and made lieutenant-general, a position he held for sixth months. He later returned to politics and made only his second yet final speech in the Commons in 1751.After his death in 1763 Ellington passed to his brother Clifford. In 1771 Ellington was sold to Sir William Watson, an early pioneer in the study of electricity, most famously conducting it through 12,000 feet of cable at Shooter’s Hill in London in 1747. He later became a close of ally of Benjamin Franklin in science and politics. Sir William died in 1787 and was succeeded by his son, another William, who was knighted in 1796 and died in 1825. The property passed to his sister Mary, widow of the Rev. Edward Beadon, and in the following year was held by the Rev. John Watson Beadon, apparently her son, who held it until 1835. It then descended to the Rev. Frederick Flemming Beadon, who died in 1880. Lieut.-Colonel Reginald Henry Beadon, his son, held it from 1880 to 1922, when his executors sold it to Mr. Kenneth Hunnybun before passing to the family of the present holders in 1950.

Ellington is described as a curiously shaped parish containing around 2,700 acres of mainly arable land.

Waste in the Manor of Ellington, Huntingdonshire:

The title to the Lordship of the Manor of Ellington is being sold together with a number of plots of land within the village. These include the village green and all of the extents are registered common land under the 1965 Commons Registration Act . The total area measures approximately 6 acres.

The extents which are registered as common land are as follows;

The Village Green (VG22 on the plan)

The Pond (CL36 on the plan)

The Pound (CL37 on the plan)

Thorpe Road Common (CL38 on the plan)

Ellington Common (CL21 on the plan)

Since these plots are registered under the 1965 Act they are classed and protected as recreation areas. The Vendor is not aware of any liabilities or encumbrances on the extents.

The plots of waste are shown on the accompanying plans.

(Note: To request a copy of this map, email seigneur@feudaltitles.com)

Documents associated with this manor in the public domain:

1253-1254 Ministers Accounts British Library

1415-1416 Valor of Manor

1443-1446 Court Rolls

1427-1428 Court Rolls

1454 Court Roll

1513 Court Roll

1290 Court Rolls National Archives

1294-1407 Court Rolls

1425-1469 Court Rolls

1300-1350 Extent

1311-1319 Reeves Accounts

1418-1421 Rental

1441-1448 Rental

1461-1483 Schedule of Rents

1486-1509 Court Rolls

1514-1537 Court Rolls

1590-1710 Rent Roll Huntingdonshire Archives

1591 Book of Customs

1600 Terrier

1672-1889 Admissions

1755-1824 Court Books

1763-1907 Minute Books

1806-1852 Quit Rents

1868-1925 Court Books

1806-1852 Quit Rents

1868-1925 Court Books

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Lordship of the Manor of Elm, Somerset

Lot #31 of Manorial Holdings Auction - December 1989

VERY LITTLE is known about the early history of this Lordship. It is not listed in Domesday Book, but lies 3 miles northwest of Frome and is pleasantly situated on the edge of a deep woody vale, winding through several parishes and exhibiting some very beautiful and romantic scenery.

The earliest record of it is in 33 Edward III, when Sir Thomas Cary, Knight, son and heir of Thomas Cary, released all of his right in the Manor and advowson of the church to John de Edyndone. By 7 Henry V, Elizabeth the widow of Reginald de Brecon, died seised of a moiety of it.

In 36 Henry VI, John Parys, son and heir of John Parys, of Newbury, in Berkshire, granted a lease of this manor for the term of 40 years to Thomas Clerk and Margery his sister. Thereafter it came into the possession of Humphry Stafford, Earl of Devon, who died seised of it in 9 Edward IV. Although not a close kinsman of the great Duke of Buckingham, Edward Stafford, who was beheaded on Tower Hill in 1521 for high treason, he was descended, in the female line from Ralph Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford, the Duke’s ancestor, and was distantly related to the Duke in the male line. Shortly after being granted the dignity of an Earldom by Edward IV, this unfortunate nobleman was beheaded by direct order of the King. He left two daughters but they both died unmarried and thereafter the descent of the manor slips into obscurity until the reign of Elizabeth I, when it was held by Henry Compton, 1st Baron Compton; described by William Camden as “a person of fine wit and solid judgement”. The Baron married a grand daughter of Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, niece of King Edward IV and King Richard III. His son and successor William, 1st Earl of Northampton, died in 1630 having married the daughter and heiress of Sir John Spencer, Lord Mayor of London, in 1593. William’s son, Spencer, 2nd Earl of Northampton, one of the most heroic of the Cavalier commanders during the Civil War, was killed at the battle of Hopton Heath, near Stafford in 1643. Before his death, he sold the Lordship to Robert Webb and Alexander Chocke who subsequently sold it to Thomas Hodges, Esquire from whom it descended to Sir Henry Strachey, 1st Baronet. George Hodges of Wedmore, Elm, Buckland and Streme, Somerset, died leaving 2 daughters and coheirs, the second Jane married John Strachey, of Sutton Court, Somerset, a friend of John Locke the philosopher, and Sir Henry was their great-grandson.

This Lordship remained in the possession of the Strachey family until the early part of this century. The present owner, Baron O’Hagan MEP, is descended from the 1st Baron Strachie.

There are no documents associated with this Manor

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Lordship of the Manor of Emsworth, Hampshire

Lot #27 of Stanford & Son's 'Second Auction' - Dec 1955

In the County of Hampshire

This Manor lies to the east of Warblington where the River Ems flows into the sea; it is a yachting centre and a member of the Port of Portsmouth. In the 14th century the foreign trade was considerable and smuggling was rife. In 1911 it was stated that the fisheries were prosperous, the coast then shelving away to a succession of oyster beds in the harbour. In the 14th century the fishing and profits of the shore at Emsworth formed a valuable item in the revenues of Warblington. The Lord of Warblington also had a weekly market and an annual fair in Emsworth under a grant made in 1239 by Henry III. It is always held on the Morrow of the Translation of St. Thomas, namely 4th July.

In 1230 Henry III confirmed to the Lord, Robert de Courcin, the Manor and Leet of Emsworth and Warblington for the yearly rent of a pair of gilt spurs. In 1280 Robert Aguillon Williams when summoned to show why he took amercement of assize of bread and ale in Warblington pleaded the customs of the Norman tenants. In the early part of the 14th century there was a lawsuit in which the Bardolphs, Robert de Ewer, and Robert Aguillon were concerned.

In 1325 the King’s Bailiff held a Court and in December Emsworth Manor was released to Thomas, the elder brother and heir of William Bardolf according to the grant of Edward I. Thomas Bardolf’s son, John, sold it with Greatham to Nicholas de Averis in 1342. It then descended to the Faulkners, who retained it with they sold Greatham to John Freeland. In 1635 William Faulkner conveyed it to Anthony Browning and Elizabeth his wife, Cotton, widow. It then apparently became, together with the Manor of Warblington, the property of the Cottons.

In 1635 Richard Cotton died and the Manor leaving a young grandson and heir William Cotton, who was a staunch Royalist. In January 1643/4, “The strong house at Warblington”, as the Castle was called, was captured by 60 soldiers and 100 muskets, and Richard Cotton was obliged to compound for his lands. Then followed William Cotton who died in 1736 leaving these two Manors to Thomas Panton, who sold his life interest to Richard Barwell of Stanstead. The latter also bought the reversion from Baroness Willoughby de Eresby and devised the Manor to trust for sale. In 1869 the Lords were Charles Brown, Charles Richard Fenwick, and James Brand, formon Courts were held at the Black Dog Inn, Emsworth, from 1869 to March, 1872, Courts Martin being found until 1871 when that office was taken over by Charles John Longcroft and the Courts were transferred to the Crown Inn, Emsworth. Edward Roy Longcroft acted as Steward from 1878 to 1885, when the two Manors were conveyed by the Trustees of the Wills of Ralph Fenwick and William John Fenwick to Henry Edwards Paine and Richard Brettell, of Chertsey. The former subsequently acquired the latter’s share and both Manors have until sold to the present vendor remained in the hands of the devisees under Edward Paine’s Will and their Trustees.

The following are some extracts from the records of proceedings at General Courts Baron held on the dates mentioned:

31st October, 1637.
Lord: Richard Cotton. Steward: Richard Alwyn.

“We present that John L. Holloway, Isaac Tripp, Nathaniel Sponton and Edward Sissons doo continue Coaves in the Lord’s fishing and we amerce them for soo doings twelve pounds apiece and paine them that they gott in the Lord’s license for restoring them or to remove them before Christmas Day next on pain of 12 shillings apiece.”

29th October, 1688.
Lord: Richard Cotton. Steward: Richard Alwyn.

“And that James Tripp, Edward Sissons have agreed with the Lord to pay both of them for the future yearly on Fryday next after the feast of All Saints two hundred large pil oysters as a rent for their severall ponds.”

7th September, 1691.

Lord: Richard Cotton. Steward: John Marjoram.

“The Homage aforesaid here present for presentment that John Day hath not removed his pales and fences encroachment upon the lands of John Smyth according to a pain enforced the last Court by which he hath forfeited twenty shillings also they present the withes of John Wheeler to hinder the watercourse leading to the Mill, therefore they paine him that he cut down and carry off the said withes before the first day of November next morning under the penalty of five shillings.”

4th February, 1762.
Lord: Thomas Panton. Steward: Thomas Longcroft.

“At this Court the Homage upon their paths presented that by the Custom of the said Mannor No Pigg or Hogg unringed shall be put into the Common or Common Fields or belonging to the said Mannor by any Freeholder or Copyholder of the said Mannor or any person except to sixpence for every Hogg or pigg that shall be found unringed in or upon the said Common or Common Fields to be paid to the Lord of the said Mannor and they further slaught at other customs as they same are enrolled in the Court Rolls of the said Mannor which have been this day read unto them in open Court by the said Steward.”

At a General Court Baron held on 14th April, 1686, for Richard Cotton, at which Richard Alwyn was Steward, the Homage comprised the following:

William Parnell, John Smith, Thomas Till and John Isodyn plus several freeholders of this Manor. The Homage presented the customs of the Manor, which are as follows:

1. The Homage aforesaid here now sworn doo upon their Oaths present that by the customs of the said Mannor the Lord is to have for a fine on default or Alienation of any copyhold within the said Mannor two years Rent.

2. And they likewise present that by the customs of the said Mannor the Lord is to have for a Heriot of a cottage with five Acres of Land and under, six pence on descent or Alienation; and for a fine two years Rent.

3. And they herewith present that by the customs of the said Mannor the Lord is to have for a Heriot for a cottage with a greater quantity of Land, the best live beast, or both goods on descent or Alienation.

4. And they herewith present that all waifs and strays, deodands, creatures and wood, works of the sea, and privileges incident belonging to the lord of the said Mannor according to the ancient customs of the said Mannor.

5. And they herewith present that by the customs of the said Mannor every freeholder is to pay upon his entry unto the Lord for a Relief double the Quitrent.

6. And they likewise present that by the customs of the said Mannor two customary tenants have power to take arrest of a surrender either within or without the said Mannor, so that they present it at the next court holden for the said Mannor, according to the customs of the said Mannor or after the said surrender to be void.

7. And they likewise present that by the customs of the said Mannor, All widdows during their widowhood, soo long as they shall continue so that ought to hold their widow’s course of such copyhold lands as their husbands died seised in Estate of Inheritance within the said Mannor.

8. And they likewise present that by the customs of the said Mannor, All copyholders on request ought have Timber upon their copyholds for necessary occasions thereof, by agreement of the Lord or his substitute if they be any on the said land.

9. And they likewise present that by the customs of the said Mannor All copyholders ought to have and take feeding for their cattle upon the commons, furze for fuel, bushes for repairing their out fences, waste for their hoggs when it happens; the aforesaid bushes and furze being to be assigned by the Lord or his substitute; according to the customs of the said Mannor.

10. And likewise they present that by the customs of the said Mannor No hog or pigg shall be put forth by any freeholder or copyholder from after the first day of May next, but that they shall be sufficiently ringed, in the Common making six pence.

11. And they put a paine on all Persons that have no common that they suffer none of their cattle to feed on the commons, or put agistment cattle thereon on paine of twelve pounds apiece for every head of cattle so offending, as they shall be taken in the said Common. Roping money shall belong to the Hayward.

12. And they paine all the common fences to be repaired by the tenants that have common (according to their several proportions) by the fourth day of May next on paine of six shillings and eightpence who are found making default.

13. And they paine Richard Lang, John Wheeler, and John Leggat to put their several copyhold buildings in sufficient repair before midsummer next on paine of six shillings and eightpence, and are party making default.

14. And they likewise present that no foreigner shall lay any timber or stone, or any other goods on the Lord’s waste without his license on paine of sixpence per head.

14b. And they likewise present Thomas Poole for laying timber on the Lord’s Waste without License and order the same to be removed, and the saw pit rendered up by the tenth of May next on paine of two shillings and sixpence.

15. And they likewise present that there ought not to be any sheep left on the Commons after the tenth day of May next, and paine all that suffer their sheep to be there after that time six pence a piece for often as they are there taken.

16. And they likewise present that by the customs of the said Mannor the tenants on request ought to have timber for repairing of their Common Gates by assignment of the Lord or his substitute.

RECORDS to be handed over are:

Court Books. 1686-1734; 1734-1763; 1763-1800; 1801-1834; 1835-1868; 1869-1886; 1835-1915.
Enfranchisement Particulars. 1885.
Perambulation. 1838.
Particulars of Tenants, Properties, etc. 1893.

Insurance of Records. £350, premium 17/6.
Commencement of Title. Deed dated 9th October, 1885.

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Lordship of the Manor of Ennerdale, Cumbria

Lot #3 of Manorial Services Auction - Summer 2020 - Stephen Johnson

The Manor of Ennerdale lies in one of the wildest and beautiful parts of the Lake District. It includes, in its 13,000 acres, the glacial lake, Ennerdale Water, the most western of the lakes. Ennerdale Valley lies 8 miles from the coast and is surrounded by several fells including Great Borne (2019 ft), Great Gable (2949 ft) and Pillar Mountain (2927 ft).

The small village of Ennerdale Bridge lies two miles from the lake on the River Ehen which flows from the lake. The Churchyard here is the setting for the poem “The Brothers” by William Wordsworth.

There is some dispute as to the derivation of the name Ennerdale. It was thought by some scholars to have come from the Irish name of Lough Eaneth after the wild fowls which breed on the various islands in the lake. Later historians now believe it likely came from the Old Norse Anundar-dalr meaning Anund’s Valley.

The earliest mention of the manor is found in the Register of St Bees, a chartulary of that priory written between 1120 and 1135. It was then part of the ancient Barony of Egremont and was possessed by the powerful Norman lord, William le Meschin. Little more is recorded of it until the 14th century when Thomas de Multon dies seized of Eynerdale within the free chace of Coupland fell. After the death of Thomas’ son, John, in 1334 the manor passed to the Harrington family of Aldingham. The Inquisition post mortem after Multon’s death records the following,

and there are at Enerdale (sic), which is within the Free Chase of Coupeland fell 31 tenants at will, who hold various places (loca) and pay per year £6 4/6d at the terms of Michaelmas and Easter equally. And there is a certain render (reditus) called Dalemale [payment for right of pasture, literally ‘valley money’] coming from the said tenants 29/- per year at the Feast of St James for the whole year. And there is a certain place called Braythemire [now Broadmoor plantation] in the hands of the said tenants, and they pay per year for the same 13/4d at the said Feast of St James for the whole year. And there is there a certain place called Head of Ennerdale (Capud de Eynerdale) in the hands of the said tenants at will, and they pay per year £4 at the said Feast of St James for the whole year. And there are two vaccaries (vacarie) where the lord used to have his own stock (staurum suum proprum) and they are worth per year 60/-’

Ennerdale then passed successively through the Bonville family to the Greys. Lord Bonville married Elizabeth, sole heir of Sir William Harrington. William and Elizabeth had a son, William, who died in 1457 leaving a daughter and heir, Cecily. The Lordship of Ennerdale passed to her and she then married Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset. The Baronies of Harrington and Bonville also passed to Thomas through his wife although these titles were superfluous as he had been created Earl of Huntingdon in 1471 and Marquess of Dorset in 1475. He was, however, found guilty of high treason when Richard III assumed the throne in 1483, on account of his closeness to the dead Prince Edward (briefly Edward V). He escaped to Britanny and returned at the summons of Henry VII who had defeated Richard at the battle of Bosworth two years later. He was subsequently made a Knight of the Garter and died in 1501. His son, also Thomas, succeeded him and served King Henry VIII loyally until his death in 1530. His son, Henry Grey, was elevated in 1551 to the Dukedom of Suffolk and was Lord High Constable of England and Knight of the Garter. He married Frances Brandon, daughter of Charles, Duke of Suffolk, by Mary, sister of Henry VIII and Queen Dowager of France. By her he had two daughters, Jane and Katherine. On the death of Edward VI, Henry Grey proclaimed his daughter Lady Jane Grey Queen of England. This failed, and Jane, her husband, and Henry, Duke of Suffolk, were all executed.

Ennerdale was forfeited to the Crown and the land later granted by Queen Elizabeth to the manorial tenants in 1568 though the Crown remained as Lord of the Manor. The manor was managed for the Crown by a succession of bailiffs, stewards and greaves who administered the estate. During the 17th and 18th centuries the Lowther family became successful and prominent in Cumberland and entered into several leases with the Crown for land and rights in Ennerdale. In 1822 the whole manor was purchased outright from the Crown by William, Earl of Lonsdale and remained in the hands of this family until 198(?) when it was sold in auction to a private buyer.

There are many documents associated with the Manor including:

1515-1516: bailiffs’ account roll, with other manors British Library 1563-1564: surveys, with other manors National Archives 1567-1568: rental (copy) 1604-1636: estreats (4 sheets) 1604-1636: estreats (4 sheets) 1613-1613: estreats, with other manors 1649-1660: parliamentary survey 1664-1668: court rolls 1676-1677: jury’s survey (4 ms) 1679-1679: estreats, with other manors 1632-1633: appointment of bowbearer of forest, Cumbria Archive and Local Studies Centre, Whitehaven 1632-1632: census of deer 1664-1664: appointment of deputy bailiff, collector and bowbearer 1687-1696: call roll 1668-1688: appointment of officers 1824-1827: 19th cent surveys and rental (3) 1673-1766: court book, indexed Cumbria Archive Centre, Carlisle 1702-1899: court rolls (copies), tenants’ papers, and admittances 1703-1885: papers incl boundary, copy of 1650 survey 1703-1854: verdicts 1765-1817: court baron verdicts 1765-1817: court leet verdicts 1765-1765: court book, with other manors 1765-1781: steward’s account book, with other manors 1765-1768: steward’s account books, with other manors (4) 1766-1833: court book, indexed 1768-1817: call book 1834-1933: court book

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Lordship of the Manor of Eshton, Yorkshire

Lot #7 of Bernard Thorpe Auction - March 1987

Eshton is in the Wapentake of Staincliffe and Ewcross, West Riding of Yorkshire five miles from Skipton. The manor comprises about 1,150 acres. The name Eshton means the town of ash trees, esh being the local dialect for ash.

Roger de Poitevin was lord of the manor at the time of the Domesday Survey of 1086. The manor then came to the family of de Eston, who occur as witnesses in early charters. Ranulf de Eston was living in 1186, Sir John de Eston, who was alive in 1314, died without children and was succeeded by his brother Richard.

Richard had a son William, by his wife Juliana, who succeeded him, and was in turn succeeded by his son Robert. This Robert was succeeded by his son William, the last of the name to be lord of the manor.

John de Eshton is chiefly memorable for having contested the right to the earldom and estates of the Earl of Albermarle with King Edward I. The wardship and marriage of the last William were granted by Thomas Clifford, his chief lord to Sir William Rillestone in 1390.

In 1450 Henry de Preston was Lord of the Manor of Eshton. In 1351 the lordship was in the hands of Henry Marton. From him the manor came to the Cliffords, Earls of Cumberland. The Second Earl of Cumberland was lord of the manor when he died in 1570. In 1597 George, Earl of Cumberland conveyed the manor to Robert Bindloss of Barwick Hall. The Bindloss family held the Lordship of Eshton unitl 1648 when the manor was conveyed to an ancestor of the present lord of the manor.

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANOR:

1 Court rolls 1640-74

2 Verdicts, call books 1676-1781

3 Court books 1741-64

4 Estreat of fines 1662

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Lordship of the Manor of Etchilhampton, Wiltshire

Lot #13 of Manorial Services Auction - 2004 UNPUBLISHED/ABORTED - Stephen Johnson

COMPRISING 935 acres the parish of Etchilhampton lies 2 miles east of Devises at the western end of the Vale of Pewsey. It has variously been known as Ashlington and Asheton. The extent includes Etchilhampton Hill which rises to a height of 623 feet.

The first record of the Lordship occurs in Domesday Book, which was compiled 1086. The entry reads;

Etchilhampton. Before 1066 it paid tax for 7 hides. Land for 4

ploughs. Of this land 4 hides in lordship; 3 ploughs there.

12 smallholders, 6 cottagers and 2 Frenchmen who hold 2 hides.

Meadow, 6 acres; p asture 50 acres.

The value was £6; now Edward’ s Lordship, 6 1/2

the Frenchmen’s, 40s.

The Edward in question was Edward of Salisbury. Also known as Edward the Sheriff, he was born around 1060 of uncertain parentage. It is known that he was sheriff of Wiltshire in 1080 as he attested a charter of Queen Maud for the Lordship of Malmesbury. Etchilhampton was one of 33 Lordships he was recorded as holding in Domesday Book in Wiltshire and he had estates in Somerset, Middlesex, Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Middlesex, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire. Edward lived until the reign of William II (1088-1100) and on his death his estates passed to his son, Walter, who was also known as Walter FitzEdward. Like his father before him, Walter served as Sheriff of Wiltshire, this time under Henry I (1100-1135). In 1130 he was recorded as being acquited of paying £4 of Danegeld in Dorset and £7 and Wiltshire, illustrating how long the Danish influence lasted in England. A year later he attended the council of Northampton and on the accession of Stephen, in 1135, he became an advisor of the king, going with him to Westminster at Easter 1136 and at Salisbury in 1139. Like many noblemen of the time he sought to ensure the safe passage of his soul and founded the Priory of Bradenstoke in the county and was a major benefactor in the building of Salisbury Cathedral. He gifted a hide of land to the priory from his Lordship in Etchilhampton and on his death in 1147 was buried at Bradenstoke.

His eldest son was William and may have been styled as the Earl of Salisbury. Like his forbears he held the sheriffdom in Wiltshire but during the chaos of Stephen’s reign (1135-1154), he fought for the Empress Maud, daughter of Henry I, and was present at the siege of Winchester in 1141. When Stephen’s forces finally raised the siege in September of the year William was captured by the Earl of Hertford. For the next two years he was in control of Salisbury for the Empress and then took part in the Earl of Gloucester’s attack on Wilton Nunnery and he died from wounds sustained in the battle. The first Earl of Salisbury to be properly recorded was Walter’s second son, Patrick, who succeeded in 1142.

By 1195 it appears that Etchilhampton had be granted out to William Malwain, which he added to estates he previously possessed in Wiltshire. This family remained in the ownership of a succession of William Malwain’s until 1300, when it passed to a John. He died in 1322 and was succeeded by his son, another John. He held it until 1375 when it came to his son, also John. He lived until 1426 when Etchilhampton passed to his wife Alice who lived for a further ten years. Her son died before her so the Lordship came to her daughter, Joan, whom, in 1441 settled it on herself and her husband, Henry Long.

Henry survived his wife and died in 1489. From him it passes to his kinsman John Ernle, grandson of the last John Malwain. Etchilhampton then passed though this family’s descent until 1729 when it came to the daughter and heir— of Sir Edward Ernle, Elizabeth. She was married to Henry Drax and was succeeded by he two sons in turn, Thomas Ernle Drax and Edward. It then came to the latter’s daughter, Sarah, the wife of Richard Grovesner. Etchilhampton then descended to her son, Richard and then daughter Jane, in 1828. On Jane’s death, in 1853 the Lordship passed to her daughter, Maria Caroline Sawbridge Erle Drax and then her younger daughter Sarah, who was married to Colonel Francis Plunckett Burton (who died in 1865) and on her death it passed to her daughter Ernle Elizabeth Ernle-Erle-Drax, who later became Baroness Dunsany and died in 1916.

On the death of Lady Dunsany Etchilhampton passed to her son the Hon. Reginald Plunckett Ernle Erle Drax and it has remained with that family until the present day.

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Lordship of the Manor of Eye Sokemere, Suffolk

Lot #7 of Manorial Services Auction - Fall 2025 - Stephen Johnson

Previously held by Thomas Becket

Also known as Eye Sodemere, this manor forms part of the parish of Eye, a few miles from the market town of Diss. Its history is one of kings, queens, earls and even a saint. The manor is found in Domesday Book, where it was the property of Robert Malet. Before the Conquest it had been held by the thegn, Edric. Malet was Lord of the Honor of Eye and was made Lord Chamberlain of England by Henry I. Within a year of Henry coming to the throne in 1100, Malet was exiled for supporting the king’s brother, Robert, Duke of Normandy, and his lands were seized and confiscated. This manor formed part of the estate then granted to Stephen, Earl of Bolougne. Stephen became king of England in 1130 and the manor was devised to his son, William, who died childless in 1160.

Eye Sokemere then reverted to the Crown and it was granted by Henry II to his Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. One of the most famous men in English history, Becket was murdered by four knights, acting on the orders of the king in 1170. “Who would rid me of this turbulent priest?” is perhaps one of the most well known utterances any king. Becket was later canonised and is the subject of countless plays, books and films. On his death, this manor passed back to the ownership of the Crown.

Richard I granted the manor to Henry, Earl of Brabant and Loveyne and it then passed to his son and heir, Godfrey. On his death in 1226 it passed back to his father but then to Godfrey’s son, William. In 1230 Eye was granted to Richard, Earl of Cornwall, second son of King John. His son Henry of Cornwall was the holder in 1236 and in 1256 it was in the hands of Edmund, 2nd Earl of Cornwall, who served as Regent of England from 1286 to 1289, whilst Edward I was in France. On his death, without heirs, in 1300, the manor passed between a succession of the elite of England. Firstly, Edmund’s wife Margaret, sister of Gilbert de Clare, held the manor until her death in 1316. It was then granted to Hugh de Audley and his wife Margaret, former wife of the north’s Piers Gaveston. A few years later it was granted to Isabel, wife of Edward II.

In 1330, Edward III gave Eye Sokemere to his nephew, John de Eltham, Earl of Cornwall. An entry in the Patent Rolls of 1331 notes that John was granted an enlargement of the grant which included all corn and livery of servants in the manor. John died childless in 1337 and once more the manor was granted by the Crown, this time to Robert de Ufford, Earl of Suffolk. The grant included Eye Castle, the town and manor, the Honor of Eye and the manor of Thordon. The whole estate was valued at £207 12s. When Suffolk died, in 1368, the estate passed to his son William de Ufford, but on his death, in 1381, the whole reverted once more to the Crown. In the same year, the whole estate, including Eye Sokemere was gifted to Queen Anne, the first wife of Richard II. Her tenure lasted only until 1385 when Richard saw fit to reward his chancellor, Michael de la Pole with it. He was created Earl of Suffolk at the same time. Pole was a friend and confidant of the king, but history has not looked upon him kindly. He was described by his contemporary, the author, Jean Froissart, as devious and a useless advisor who aroused unwarranted suspicion of the King’s uncle, John of Gaunt. After the forces of rebellious Barons, known as the Appellants had defeated Richard’s army at Radcot Bridge in December 1387, Pole was forced to flee England, and died in exile in 1389.

On the accession of Henry IV in 1399, Pole’s son, Michael was restored to his father’s estates and was allowed to become Earl of Suffolk. He was a loyal follower of the king and spent much of the next decade fighting in France, where he died, at the siege of Harfleur in 1415. Pole’s son, also Michael, the 3rd Earl of Suffolk, was with his father in France and died a few weeks later at the Battle of Agincourt. Michael’s brother, William the 4th Earl, survived both Harfleur and Agincourt and lived until 1450 . He was created the 1st Duke of Suffolk in 1448. He was a close friend of Henry VI and one of the dominant figures at court in the first half of the 15th century. As the senior military commander in France he was blamed for the disastrous defeat at Orleans, in 1429, where the French, led by Joan of Arc drove the English from the city. Suffolk is depicted by Shakespeare in Henry VI parts 1 ands 2.

John de la Pole, the 2nd Duke of Suffolk ,held the manor of Eye Sokemere until his death in 1491. His son, Edmund, the 3rd Duke, was proclaimed by his supporters as the Yorkist claimant to the throne through his mother, Elizabeth, who was the daughter of the 3rd Duke of York. He travelled to the Tyrol in 1501 to join with the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I, who proclaimed him, “The White Rose” or claimant to the English throne. He was declared an outlaw by Henry VII and was arrested in 1506 and imprisoned in the Tower of London He remained a prisoner for seven years before being executed on the orders of Henry VIII in 1513.

Eye Sokemere, like much of the Poles’ Suffolk estates, was granted to Charles Brandon, the newly minted Duke of Suffolk. On the death of the 2nd Duke in 1551, the manor passed back to the Crown and was gifted to Princess Mary. She became Queen in 1553 and on her death, five years later, the manor remained as a possession of the succeeding Queen Elizabeth. Various leases of the land were made during her reign, notably to Edward Hoining in 1598 and later, in 1610, it was leased to Henry, Prince of Wales, eldest son of James I. Later, the manor formed part of the dower of Queen Henrietta, wife of Charles I and Katherine, Queen Dowager of Charles II but was finally sold by the Crown in 1698, to Charles, 4th Lord Cornwallis.

The manor remained in the possession of the family until 1823. Charles’ son, Charles, who was born in 1700, was created Earl Cornwallis in 1762. His son Charles, one of the most famous generals of the American War of Independence and Governor-General of India, was created Marquess Cornwallis in 1792. Eye Sokmere was sold to Matthias Kerrison of Bungay, who served as MP for Eye in the 1820s. He was succeeded by his son, General Sir Edward Kerrison of Oakley Park who commanded a regiment at the Battle of Waterloo. His son, Sir Edward 2nd Bt., died childless in 1886 and his estates, including this manor, passed to his sister, Agnes. She was married to Lord William Bateman but held it as Lady Bateman after her husband’s death. In 1920 the manor was purchased with the rest of the Oakley Estate titles by Adolphus Maskell in 1924. On his death in 1937 it passed equally to his daughters, Hilda Parker and Ruby Malpass. Hilda died in 1959, and Ruby in 1964. Subsequently the manor remained in this family until it was sold in 2010 to the present holder.

A selection of Documents associated with the Manor in the Public Domain:

1395-1397: reeve’s accounts National Archives

1409-1411: minister’s accounts

1614-1616: court roll

1640-1640: court roll

1621-1622: survey and perambulation

1681-1683: estreats

1417-1418: reeve’s accounts (copy, 1580) Suffolk Archives - Ipswich

1446-1447: bailiff’s accounts

1548-1577: court book

1577-1583: minute book

1600-1678: court books

1620-1621: court roll

1651-1668 court roll

1658-1721: admissions (4)

1669-1670: verdicts (5)

1669-1673: presentments (24)

1674-1674: surrenders (8)

1674-1678: verdicts

1689-1697: rental

1689-1691: suit roll

1750-1750: particulars of customs

1761-1932: court books (4)

1763-1794: rentals,

1774-1822: minute books (2)

1780-1791: rental for the bailiff’s waste

1793-1797: accounts of court profits

1794-1794: survey, including list of customs

1797-1797: court fees book

1798-1799: surveys

1800-1800: rental

1823-1832: court fines received, with other manors 1835-1835: rental 22

1884-1884: rental

1887-1897: minute book, with other manors

1887-1906: quit and free rent accounts, with other manors

1894-1905: collector’s quit and free rent accounts

1925-1925: rental

1931-1931: court book

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Lordship of the Manor of Eytchden, Kent

Lot #14 of Manorial Services Auction - 2004 UNPUBLISHED/ABORTED - Stephen Johnson

THIS ORIGINAL name for this Lordship was Hacchesden and it lies next to heath land on the north-east part of the parish of Bethersden. It has also being recorded as Haccesdene, Hecchindenne, Hatchwelden and Hathwoldinden. This parish, lying mostly on the Weald of Kent, consists of 4,000 acres of arable an coppice land. The head of the River Medway runs through the area.

At the time of the Norman Conquest, in 1066 this Lordship formed part of the manor of Boughton Aluph, which in turn was held of the honour of Bologne. In Domesday Book, surveyed in 1086, this was found to be in the possession of Count Eustace and the entry reads;

The count himself holds Boughton Aluph.

Earl Godwine held it and it was assessed at 7 sulungs, then as now.

There is land for 33 ploughs.

In demesne are 3 ploughs and 67 villeins with 5 borderers.

There is a church and 17 slaves ans 2 mills rendering 7s 2d

and 26 acres of meadow and woodland 200 pigs.

In this time of Edward the Confessor it was worth £2ˇ0

thand afterwards £30 and now £40.

The first recorded Lord of the Manor of Eytchden was William de Hacchesden, who lived during the reign of Henry III (1216-1272). Little is known of him or his forbears and it appears that he may have been the last of the line because by the reign of the next king, Edward I (1272-1307) it was in the possession of Stephen de Bocton. He died in 1286 and was found to beholding Eytchden by service of a knight’s fee. He was also the Lord of the Manor of Boughton Aluph.

Soon after this time Eytchden passed into the Burghersh family. The first or second of these was Stephen de Burgersh, who obtained a charter of free warren for the Lordship in 1307. He died two years later and it then appears to have passed out of this family to the Aldons. In 1363, Stephen de Aldon died siesed of Eytchden. Its descent after this is unknown, but by the end of the reign of Edward III (1327-1377) it had passed to the ownership of Sir Thomas Tryvet. It is probable that he was married to the daughter of de Aldon because he possessed the Lordship by the right of his wife.

Sir Thomas died in 1389 and Eytchden came to his daughters and co-heirs,

Joan and Anne. From one of them, which one is uncertain, the Lordship passed in marriage into the ownership of the Brockhull family of Saltwood. This family remained in possession of it until 1213 when it was sold to John Darell, a former tenant of the manor. The Darrells made little impression on history but remained as Lords of Eytchden until the reign of James I (1603-1625) when it was sold to Nicholas Tufton, earl of Thanet. In 1729 his descendant Thomas, earl of Thanet sold of all the woods in Eytchden to trustees in order the the profits could be used for charitable purposes. It has remained in this family until the present day, and the present Lord of the Manor is Lord Hothfield the current representative of the family.

Perhaps the most notable resident of the area was Hadrian Saravia who lived here at the beginning of the reign of James I. He is famous as being a ‘divine’ or theologian of the Anglican church. Saravia was born in France in 1531 and was raised a Calvinist. In 1560, during the repression of Protestantism Saravia fled to the Channel Islands where he became a schoolmaster in St Peter Port. He then moved to Southampton, as headmaster of a grammar school. Whilst on an extended trip to Holland in 1585 he wrote to Queen Elizabeth, urging her to annex the Low Countries as a Protestant protectorate. This brought him some notice in England and w¡hen he was forced to flee once more he returned to England and he was given a position of rector of Tattenhall in Staffordshire. In 1590 he published his first great work, De Diversis Gradibus Ministorum Evangelii. In this work he defended the Protestant ethic especially as regard to a rejection of the Catholic tradition of church authority and organisation. As a reward Savaria was appointed to one of the prebendaries of Canterbury in 1595 and in the same year was made Vicar of Lewisham. Here be befriended Richard Hooker, perhaps the greatest Elizabethan Anglican theorist. In 1604 he dedicated to James I a treatise on the holy Eucharist which remained in continuous print until 1895. In 1607 he was nominated as one of the translators of Scripture for the production of the King James Bible, the founding text of modern English. Two years later he obtained the vicarage of Great Chart and moved to Bethersden where he spent the rest of his life.

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Feudal Titles

Feudal Titles

Feudal Title Index & Research ~ C-E

(Abolished) Feudal Superiority of Caberstone, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Lordship of the Manor of Calverton, Nottinghamshire

Lordship of the Manor of Calthorp, Suffolk

Lordship of the Manor of Cannington, Somerset

Lordship of the Manor of Cantley Netherhall, Norfolk

Lordship of the Manors of Carlton, Bedfordshire

Lordship of the Manors of Carlton and Camblesforth, Yorkshire

Lordship & Feudal Barony of Carrigaline, County Cork, Ireland

Lordship of the Manors of Charingworth, Gloucestershire

Lordship of the Manors of Chepstow, Monmouthshire

Lordship of the Manor of Chickering Hall or Chickering with Wingfield, Suffolk

Lordship of the Manor of Chilworth, Hampshire

Lordship of the Manor of Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire

Lordship of the Manor of Churston Ferrers, Devon

Lordship of the Manor of Churwell, Yorkshire

Lordship of the Manor of Circum Cum Wilcocks (alias Fransham Parva), Norfolk

Lordship of the Manor of Clayton, Sussex

Lordship of the Manor of Clayton Wickham, Sussex

Lordship of the Manor of Cleckheaton, Yorkshire

Lordship of the Manor of Cockfield Hall

Lordship of the Manor of Cockthorpe, Norfolk

Lordship of the Manor of Coggeshall in Exning, Suffolk

Lordship of the Manor of Cokesputt, Devon

Lordship of the Manor of Coldham, Kent

Lordship of the Manor of Colerne, Wiltshire

Lordship of the Manor of Colne Wake and Colne Engaine, Essex

Lordship of the Manor of Compton Beauchamp, Berkshire

Lordship of the Manor of Coppenhall (aka Hyde or Hyde Coppenhall), Staffordshire

Lordship of the Manor of Cottesbrook (aka Cottesbrooke), Northampton

Lordship of the Manor of Cotton Hempnalls with Skeith, Suffolk

Lordship of the Manor of Covington, Huntingdonshire

Lordship of the Manor of Craigstown, Leitrim, Ireland

Lordship of the Manor of Crepping Hall, Essex

Lordship of the Manor of Crofton and Whinnow, Cumberland

Lordship of the Manor of Crowhurst, Surrey

Lordship of the Manor of Cumnor, Berkshire

Lordship of the Manor of Cursons in Stanfield, Norfolk

Lordship of the Manor of Davillers, Suffolk

Lordship of the Manor of Denby, Yorkshire

Lordship of the Manor of Dengemarsh, Kent

Lordship of the Manor of Denstone, Staffordshire

Lordship of the Manor of Derbies Court, Kent

Lordship of the Manor of Diddington, Warwickshire

Seignory, Fief, & Domain of Dogmersfield, Hampshire

Seignory, Fief, & Domain of Domhue, Guernsey

Lordship of the Manor of Donhead, Wiltshire

Lordship of the Manor of Draycott, Derbyshire

Lordship of the Manor of Drayton (aka Great Drayton or Market Drayton), Shropshire

Lordship of the Manor of Dudstone, Gloucestershire

Lordship of the Manor of Duffield Fee, Derbyshire

Lordship of the Manor of Dufton, Yorkshire

Feudal Barony of Duleek, Co. Meath, Ireland

Lordship of the Manor of Dunclent in Stone, Worcestershire

Lordship of the Manor of Dunham-on-the-Hill

Lordship of the Manor of Dunsby or Dunsby Lordship, Lincolnshire

(Abolished) Feudal Superiority of Dyce and Farburn, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Lordship of the Manor of Earlhams in Surlingham, Norfolk

Lordship of the Manor of Earls Hall, Sussex

Lordship of the Manor of Earlstone, Hampshire

Lordship of the Manor of Eastbourne Medsey, Sussex

Lordship of the Manor of East Donyland, Essex

Lordship of the Manor of East Hall, Essex

Lordship of the Manor of East Markham, Nottinghamshire

Lordship of the Manor of East Morden, Dorset

Lordship of the Manor of East Woodhay, Hampshire

Lordship of the Manor of Ecchinswell, Hampshire

Lordship of the Manor of Eggergarth, Lancashire

Lordship of the Manor of Egmanton, Nottinghamshire

Lordship of the Manor of Elberton, Gloucestershire

Lordship of the Manor of Elkington, Northamptonshire

Lordship of the Manor of Elland, Yorkshire

Lordship of the Manor of Ellesmere, Shropshire

Lordship of the Manor of Ellington, Huntingdonshire

Lordship of the Manor of Elm, Somerset

Lordship of the Manor of Emsworth, Hampshire

Lordship of the Manor of Ennerdale, Cumbria

Lordship of the Manor of Eshton, Yorkshire