Manorial lordships up for grabs

Titles originate from the time of Henry V and earlier

Ordinary citizens are being offered the chance to become Lords of the Manor with the auction of historic titles.

Five feudal baronies in Suffolk, Scotland and Ireland and 32 manorial lordships across England are going under the hammer in London on Thursday.

New owners can call themselves "Lord of X", but cannot be known as "Lord X", and cannot sit in the House of Lords.

Titles are for sale in areas including London, Cambs, Norfolk, Herts, East Sussex, Worcs, Staffs, and Berks.

The feudal baron of Eye in Suffolk has a guide price of £45,000.

One title sold previously came with rights to a harbour Jonathan Chaplin, Strutt and Parker

Bidders with at least £40,000 to spare, could have the right to hunt rabbits in wastelands and forest in south London if they become the lordship of the manor of Bermondsey.

Jonathan Chaplin of Strutt and Parker, who are holding the auction at Ironmonger's Hall, Barbican, confirmed several bids had already been received.

"A lot of the titles come with ancient grants. Many of them have not been used for a long time and research into the titles may show that the grants may still be able to be used," said Mr Chaplin.

"One title sold previously came with rights to a harbour. The government wanted to rebuild the harbour and the title owner received £4m - but that is a complete extreme."

Some of the titles give the owner rights governing local markets and fairs.

Lordships on offer at the auction Smallburgh Catts, Norfolk, starting at £11,000 Stretton Sugwas, Herefordshire, starting at £8,500 Plumpton, East Sussex, starting at £7,500 Dunclent in Stone, Worcestershire, starting at £7,000 Hamstall Ridware, Staffordshire, starting at £6,750 Great Raveley, Cambridgeshire, starting at £6,000 Burlton, Shropshire, starting at £7,000

Title owners will be able to apply to the College of Arms for a personal coat of arms for their exclusive use.

Manorial lordships date back 1,200 years to Saxon times when they formed part of the feudal system.

Title holders

A 1922 property act allowed lordships to be sold separately from the estate they related to, but they continue to be conveyed in the same way as property.

Title-holders include the boxer Chris Eubank, who is lord of the manor of Brighton, having bought the title in 1996 for a reported £45,000.

Djibril Cissé, the Liverpool footballer currently on loan to Marseilles, is lord of the manor of Frodsham, a title that came with his Merseyside home.

The feudal baronies of Castle Knock in County Dublin, Carrigaline in County Cork, Clanwilliam in County Tipperary, all in Ireland; and Glendochart in Perthshire, Scotland, will also be auctioned off by Strutt & Parker.