Manor Profile
Westbourne, West Sussex· Westbourne and Singleton Hundred· 1466 – 1953
Also known as: Woodmancote in Westbourne
Woodmancote lies within Westbourne parish and had no separate Domesday entry. The earliest evidence of manorial status is a court roll dating from 1466. The manor descended with the main Westbourne estate through the earls of Arundel.
In 1555 Henry, Earl of Arundel, settled Woodmancote upon his son Henry, Lord Maltravers, and Anne his wife and their heirs male. Lord Maltravers died in 1556 and the manor reverted to the Earl. In 1566 it was included in the estates settled upon Lord Lumley through his marriage to Jane FitzAlan. In 1571 the Earl of Arundel, Lord Lumley, and his wife sold Woodmancote to Arthur Gunter of Racton.
The manor subsequently descended with Racton. Frances Katherine, heir of Sir Charles Gunter Nicholl, married William Legge, second Earl of Dartmouth, in 1755, and the manor has remained the property of the Earls of Dartmouth.
No separate Domesday entry. Woodmancote formed part of the main Westbourne manor held by Earl Roger. The earliest evidence of separate manorial status is a court roll of 1466.
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earls of Arundel (FitzAlan)(Earls of Arundel) | 1571 | descent with honour of Arundel | Descended with main Westbourne manor. Court rolls from 1466. | |
| 2 | Henry FitzAlan(Earl of Arundel) | 1571 | inheritance | Settled upon son Lord Maltravers in 1555 (died 1556). Included in Lumley settlement 1566. Sold 1571. | |
| 3 | Arthur Gunter | 1571 | purchase | Of Racton. Purchased from Earl of Arundel and Lord Lumley. Descended with Racton thereafter. | |
| 4 | Gunter / Gunter Nicholl family | 1755 | inheritance | Descended with Racton through the Gunter family. | |
| 5 | William Legge(2nd Earl of Dartmouth) | 1755 | marriage to Frances Katherine Gunter Nicholl | Married the heiress of Sir Charles Gunter Nicholl in 1755. Manor remained with the Earls of Dartmouth. | |
| 6 | Earls of Dartmouth(Earl of Dartmouth) | inheritance | Held at date of VCH publication (1953). |
Woodmancote Farm House: a 17th-century house enlarged in the 18th century.
Woodmancote was a sub-manor of Westbourne, sold separately to Arthur Gunter of Racton in 1571. Descended with Racton thereafter.
Both Woodmancote and Westbourne lie within the hundred of Westbourne and Singleton.
Woodmancote descended with Racton from 1571 to the Earls of Dartmouth.
Woodmancote covered within the Westbourne parish entry.
VCH Closing Statement
“Woodmancote descended with Racton to the Earls of Dartmouth.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 4, pp. 126-132
