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.
| # | 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 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.
Memorandum respecting a sale of the manor of Woodmancote and other estates in Sussex to Sir Edward Seymour (1m).
Original bundle 31
Admission of John Joseph Fourle of Southampton buildings, co. Middlesex, attorney of Joseph Legg Postlethwaite and William Charles Rickman Property as described in Add Mss 32,931
VCH Closing Statement
“Woodmancote descended with Racton to the Earls of Dartmouth.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 4, pp. 126-132
With index
Draft court roll, and precept to constable of Manor of Woodmancote.
Manor of Woodmancote cum North Nibley and property in Dursley, Uley, North Nibley and Newington Bagpath (Sheppard, Bengough trustees, Blandford) Original bundle order
Lease (1) Mayor, Burgesses and Commonalty of Bristol city, lord of the manor of Woodmancote (2) Thomas PHELPS of Dursley, clothier Six acres and a half with 9 ruinous cottages in the manor of Woodmancote recently held by James HARDING Rent: 12/- a year and suit of court Term: 99 years Consideration: £55 Witnesseses: corporation seal in bad condition appended; Charles CHURCHMAN, James HOLLIDGE, Chamberlain of the city of Bristol
With index
Admission of Charles Marshall Parcel of land called Partridge croft; parcel of land nr. the Street in Woodmancote part of land called Norys's copyhold, parcel of land called Furry close, adjoining Milk Hill
pp. 1-37 Courts, Sep. 1466 to May 1587 Index pp. 38-100 Courts, Apr. 1590 to May 1683 p. 37 Survey of the Manor, 1691
Woodmancote covered within the Westbourne parish entry.
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VCH Sussex, Vol. 4
pp. 126-132
