Annoyed at missing Strutt & Parker’s sale of Lordships of the Manor in September? Do not despair, for they are holding another sale of 44 such titles on October 26 at Painters Hall.
A Lordship of the Manor was granted with estates in land by the Crown in the days of the Domesday Book of 1086. Now all that usually accompanies a lordship are some interesting old documents and the knowledge that one owns a fragment of a glorious past. Surviving privileges and land or property are the exception rather than the rule.
Which is what makes this sale rather interesting, because two of the titles up for auction do carry such privileges.
The Channel Islands seignory of the Fief Mauxmarquis in Guernsey, a title dating from the 12th century, carries with it the right to attend the Royal Court in Guernsey. The last Channel Islands seignory sold by Strutt & Parker went in June for £40,500, and Strutt & Parker expect similar interest in this title.
Back on the mainland, the other title of note is the Lordship of Buckenham. This title includes the freehold of what is believed to be the largest village green in England.
Prices are unpredictable in this market. “We expect prices to start at around £7,000,” says Ray Knappett of Strutt & Parker, “but this may be considerably exceeded if the titles include land or property or rights.”
So if you want to leave the auction room as the Lord of Snorescombe, or Shovelstrode, you know where to be next week.
