Manor of Worksop

The Manor of Worksop is a feudal entity in the Dukeries area of Nottinghamshire, England. Held in Grand Serjeanty by a lord of the manor, it was originally connected with nearby Worksop Manor, a stately home.

History

Under the feudal system in late and high medieval England, tenure by serjeanty was a form of land-holding in return for some specified service, usually the discharge of duties in the household of the king or other high-ranking noble. Allegedly created to commemorate the Danegeld (c.1163), it is said that the Worksop serjeanty was already known in the time of King Alfred if not earlier. In 1327 tenure was passed to Worksop Manor from Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire. In 1541 Worksop Manor was held by George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, before passing to the Dukes of Norfolk, in whose family it remained until 1840. The estate was then sold to the Dukes of Newcastle of nearby Clumber Park who owned it until the 20th century. The land and the lordship then passed to corporate owners. In 1994 the title was bought by John Hunt, a retired transport manager of Worksop, for a reported £40,000.

Privileges

The lords of the manor of Worksop traditionally belong to the people involved in coronations of the British monarch. Holding the serjeanty requires the lord of the manor of Worksop to render to the Sovereign a pair of white gloves, and also to support their right arm while carrying the sceptre.

Lords of the manor since 1761

• 1761 (coronation of George III): The 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (acting as deputy to the 9th Duke of Norfolk)^[1]
• 1821 (coronation of George IV): The 12th Duke of Norfolk^[2]
• 1831 (coronation of William IV): The 12th Duke of Norfolk^[3]
• 1838 (coronation of Victoria): The 12th Duke of Norfolk^[4]
• 1902 (coronation of Edward VII): The 7th Duke of Newcastle^[5]
• 1911 (coronation of George V): The 7th Duke of Newcastle^[6]
• 1937 (coronation of George VI): The Earl of Lincoln (acting as deputy to his father, the 8th Duke of Newcastle)^[7]
• 1953 (coronation of Elizabeth II): None, as the manor was then under corporate ownership. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Woolton) presented the Glove.

References

1. The London Gazette: no. 10142. p. 4. 22 September 1761. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
2. The London Gazette: no. 17732. p. 1608. 3 August 1821. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
3. The London Gazette: no. 18848. p. 1869. 13 September 1831. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
4. The London Gazette: no. 19632. p. 1518. 4 July 1838. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
5. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 27489. p. 6875. 28 October 1902. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
6. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 28535. p. 7100. 26 September 1911. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
7. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 34453. p. 7056. 10 November 1937. Retrieved 2008-06-26.