Barony Titles
Barony titles are reserved for a fortunate few clients. It is estimated that just 300 feudal baronies ever existed in England, but it will only be possible for a few of these to made available through ourselves.
If you would like a Barony Title then please email us with your requirements. It should be noted that due to their rarity prices start from £7,500.
Barony Title of Lavendon
County: Buckinghamshire
Parish: N/A
History from: 1066
History to: 1233
Of interest…
William the Conqueror grants Geoffrey de Montbray, the warrior Bishop of Coutances, the Barony of Lavendon. Geoffrey announces the new king in English at William's coronation. The barony stretches across 12 counties. In 1069 Geoffrey plays a key role in suppressing English rebellions. William the Conqueror deals with the north, while Geoffrey occupies London, Winchester and Salisbury. In 1075 Geoffrey fights for the King in the Revolt of the Earls, led by the Earl of Norfolk. He captures the earl in his stronghold of Norwich. Geoffrey is appointed a commissioner of the Domesday project so that William the Conqueror could increase tax revenues. The Barony passes to William the Sewer, Geoffrey's chamberlain, who is listed in the Domesday Book. Circa 1100 Halneth de Bidun is granted the barony by King Henry. Halneth becomes a monk and dies in 1156 leaving six sons. The eldest John inherits the barony. John founds Lavendon Abbey. John's son dies without issue (childless) before 1185 leaving the barony to his five sisters. In 1204 the sisters are dispossessed by William Briwerre (or Brewer) who receives a royal grant. William is a loyal servant of Prince John and receives considerable wealth for his service. William is appointed High Sheriff of Nottingham whilst King Richard is on crusade. He is used as the notorious adversary of the fictional Robin Hood. He is appointed one of the justiciars to administer England whilst King Richard is on crusade. He also serves as High Sheriff of Cornwall. In 1207 William is also appointed High Sheriff of Somerset and Dorset. He later receives the appointments of High Sheriff of Sussex and Hampshire. In 1224 William retires from the world and lives as a Cistercian Monk in Dunkswell Abbey. He dies in 1226 leaving a son and heir also William. He has served as High Sheriff of Devon and Northumberland and now serves as a Forest Judge. He dies in 1233 and the barony is permanently divided among his sisters and is lost.
Barony Title of Nocton
County: Lincolnshire
Parish: Not applicable
History from: 1068
History to: 1350
Of interest…
Norman Darcy, a soldier, is granted the barony of Nocton by William the Conqueror. It contains lordships from Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. It remained with the family until 1265 when Norman Darcy fought at the Battle of Evesham for the defeated barons. He had the barony confiscated along with his other lands. The following year with the Dictum of Kenilworth he has the barony returned. In 1283 Norman is summoned to Parliament as Baron Nocton, as was his son Philip from 1297 to 1307. Philip joined the revolt by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster against King Edward. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Boroughbridge and had the barony confiscated. Philip has the barony restored to him and leaves it to his son and heir Norman. He serves as a Knight of the Shire and Member of Parliament for Lincolnshire. The barony is lost in 1350 when it is divided among heirs.
Barony Title of Abington
County: Northamptonshire
Parish: N/A
History from: Post Norman Conquest
History to: 1349
Of interest…
The Barony of Abington was first granted to Richard Engaine, William the Conqueror's artificer (weapons engineer). When he died the barony passed to his son also Richard. From him it passed to his son Vitalis (or Vital). Vitalis died without issue (childless) and the barony was taken by his widow Alice to her second marriage with Humphrey Bassingburn, who became baron by the right of his wife. Humphrey died and Alice married her third husband Nicholas Bassingburn (the son or her second husband from a previous marriage). He also became baron by the right of his wife. Nicholas died leaving a son and heir Humphrey the sixth baron. Humphrey joins Simon de Montford's rebellion and fought against King Henry at the Battle of Evesham. It was a crushing defeat for the barons. Humphrey loses the seat of the barony but later regains it by an agreement with the recipient from the Crown. In 1273 Humphrey got into financial difficulties but was relieved by the Dowager Queen Eleanor, who paid his debt to Elias a Jew of London, in exchange for some of his manors. He did retain Abington. Humphrey was succeeded by two further Humphreys. When the last Humphrey died, his three sons having pre-deceased him, his heir was his grand-daughter Margaret. She was married to Walter de Colvile who was a baron by writ and the feudal barony of Abington is not recorded again. Nearly 700 years had passed since the barony title was used prior to the current owner who acquired the rights through Manorial Counsel Limited.
Barony Title of Cogges
County: Oxfordshire
Parish: Not applicable
History from: 1076
History to: 1485
Of interest…
The Barony of Cogges is formed from the overlordships of the manors of Waddard who had accompanied William the Conqueror on his invasion of England. The first baron was a Norman, Manasser I de Arsic. He builds Cogges Castle by the river Windrush inside a defensive moat. The third baron is Manasser II who is also Sheriff of Oxfordshire. The forth baron Alexander pays £20 toward Richard the Lionheart's ransom. Alexander satisfies his military service due from the barony by fighting in Normandy. The fifth baron, Robert fights in Pitou, France. Robert sides with the barons against King John and is part of the famous defence force in Rochester Castle. When the castle falls Robert is taken prisoner and his lands confiscated. He is ransomed for funds to maintain Oxford Castle. On the accession of King Henry he recovers his lands and the barony. Robert attends King Henry at the siege of Bytham Castle. In 1230 Robert dies with no male heir and the barony is divided between his two daughters. One daughter sells her half to the other. The barony is sold to Walter de Gray, Archbishop of York who is appointed Guardian of England while King Henry is travelling in France. The nineth baron Sir Robert de Grey fights for Edward I in Wales. The tenth baron is summoned to Parliament as Baron Grey of Rotherfield. John fights at the Battle of Falkirk against William Wallace and the Scots. The eleventh baron falls from grace with King Edward. During an audience with the King he gets into an argument with Lord Zouche and draws a knife. Both lords and imprisoned but are later released. John fights for King David II of Scotland. In 1344 John is a founding member of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. John fights at the Battle of Crecy. The fifteenth baron is regarded as one of the wealthiest barons in England, who is not holding an Earldom or Dukedom. Sir Francis is made Constable of Wallingford Castle and at Richard III's coronation he bears the third sword of state. Sir Francis is appointed to guard the south coast to prevent the landing of Henry Tudor. He fights at the Battle of Bosworth Field and after the battle is lost he flees. His lands pass to the Crown and the barony is not granted again.
Barony Title of Ashby
County: Lincolnshire
Parish: Not applicable
History from: 1162
History to: 1572
Of interest…
Once used by the descendant of the Saxon King Aethelred the Unready. The previous Barons had been wardens and governors of Castle throughout Britain and even High Sheriff of Yorkshire. The 5th Baron was one of the Council of Fifteen responsible for ensuring King Henry III acceped the Provisions of Oxford (England's first written constitution). The 7th Baron comes to the aid of King Edward III who was short of money lending him wool from his Yorkshire estates. The 8th Baron was appointed an Admiral of the Fleet. The 9th Baron is made Keeper of the Forests north of the Trent.
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