England Lord of Knaresborough
The Lordship of Knaresborough
Knaresborough Castle was where the knights who murdered Thomas Becket hid in 1170. The Honour was held by the Crown and later the Duchy of Lancaster. John of Gaunt held the castle. Mother Shipton, the legendary prophetess, was said born in a cave nearby. Sir Henry Slingsby was executed in the Civil War.
The lordship system in England traces its origins to the feudal structure established after the Norman Conquest of 1066. William the Conqueror divided England into manors, each governed by a lord who held authority over the land and its inhabitants. Knaresborough was part of this system, with local lords holding manorial rights that included the administration of justice, collection of rents, and management of common lands.
Throughout the medieval and early modern periods, the lords associated with Knaresborough played important roles in the governance and development of the area. English lordships carried both privilege and responsibility\x{2014}lords were expected to maintain order, support the church, provide military service to the Crown, and invest in the prosperity of their estates. Many of the buildings, roads, and institutions that shaped Knaresborough were established under lordly patronage.
Knaresborough and the Peerage
The Honour was held by the Crown and Duchy of Lancaster.
View the full Peerage Hierarchy ChartNotable Lords of Knaresborough
The Becket murderers hid at Knaresborough for a year before the Pope ordered them on a penitential crusade to the Holy Land.
England Noble Surnames
Explore the noble heritage of England's most prominent family names and discover their connections to the peerage.
Become a Lord or Lady of England
While the historic lordship of Knaresborough is part of history, you can still legally hold the title of Lord or Lady of England today. From just £55.
