Manorial Society of Great Britain

CAN YOU HELP?

The 5th and 6th Lords Hothfield (father and son, the 6th Lord succeeding to the peerage in 1991) have sold the following Manors at different times:

Great Ripton, Kent

Meers Court, Kent

West Rainham, Kent

Warehorn, Kent

Bongate, Cumbria (formerly Westmorland)

Ogle, Cunbria (formerly Westmorland)

The above six Lordships were sold on behalf of the 5th Lord Hothfield by Bernard Thorpe and Partners jointly with Historical Records Agency between 1986 and 1988.

Appleby, Cumbria (formerly Westmorland)

Brough, Cumbria (formerly Westmorland)

The above two Lordships were sold through Bridgethorpe Holdings Limited on behalf of the 6th and present Lord Hothfield in about 1999-2000.

We would ask the present holders of these Manors to get in touch with us which may be to their advantage.

Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire: The Town Council of Wootton Bassett has apppointed a Town Crier, Sword, and Macebearer, the first such appointment since 1915, we understand. This appointment traditionally lies in the gift of the Lord of the Manor, who made the previous appointment, but in the absence of the whereabouts of the present Lord, the Council has made a temporary appointment. The last known Lord of the Manor was Sir Henry Meux, Baronet, who died in 1900 and was succeeded by his wife. The Baronetcy is now extinct, and we would ask the heirs or assigns, who think they may represent the present holder as Residuary Legatee, or their solicitors, to get in touch with us so that the appointment can be regularized.

Leckhamstead, Bucks: The last known Lord of Leckhampstead was J L Greenway JP in 1939. We would ask the heirs or assigns, who think they may represent the present holder as Residuary Legatee, or their solicitors, to get in touch with us.

Manor houses and solemnization of marriages: We have been asked by a Metropolitan Authority whether we have any evidence that manor houses were used for weddings, in the sense that such properties in the past may have enjoyed a licence for marriage ceremonies to take place, or an opt out of such registration licence, being a general right to hold a ceremony as appurtenant to the Manor. Alternatively, we would be glad to hear from anyone whose Manor may enjoy, or may have enjoyed, this right under royal charter.

Lewknor, Oxfordshire: This Manor was sold in about 1987 by the Earl of Lindsey and Abingdon and we would be glad to hear from the Lord of the Manor after an inquiry by English Heritage.

Lordship of Dembleby, Lincs: A firm of Lincolnshire solicitors has manorial documents which belong to the Lord of this Manor and which they would like to pass on to him or her. The last known Lord was Richard Buckworth, of Cockley Cley Hall, Norfolk, in 1915, and his heris or assigns should communicate with the Society.

Manorial Society of Great Britain

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