Papers relating to the Worksop Manor Estate, Nottinghamshire, 1824-1905.

This material is held atUniversity of Nottingham Manuscripts and Special Collections

Scope and Content

This is a small collection which reflects both the rural and urban nature of the Worksop estate. There are papers relating to individual farms, including an extensive series of correspondence recording a dispute over land and tenant right at Bridge House Farm, occupied by Joseph Beard. Another significant series relates to the break up of the Steetley Magnesia Works. Other correspondence covers subjects such as water supply, estate boundaries, local rates, telegraph and telephone communications etc, and is mostly with Joel Haslam, the Duke of Newcastle's receiver and agent. The collection includes a number of maps and plans. These reflect both individual properties and the estate as a whole, as well as features such as sewers, river banks and the like.

Issues of urban development are also illustrated, with the collection containing papers relating to the maintenance and building of roads, drainage, lighting and even proposals for a new cemetery. The ultimate disposal of the estate is recorded through sale particulars dating between 1890 and 1904.

Administrative / Biographical History

For many years the Worksop Manor Estate in Nottinghamshire rested in the hands of the Howard family, Dukes of Norfolk. It had come into the family in 1606, following the marriage of Althea, daughter and heiress of the Earl of Shrewsbury to Thomas, Earl of Arundel (grandson of the 4th Duke of Norfolk). After descending through the cadet branches of the Howard family, the estate finally emerged into the senior line with the succession of Thomas Howard, 8th Duke of Norfolk in 1701. For some time afterwards, Worksop Manor became the principal family seat. In 1839, however, Bernard, 12th Duke of Norfolk, sold the Worksop estates to Henry Pelham-Clinton, 4th Duke of Newcastle under Lyne, who was consolidating his family's land holdings in Nottinghamshire.

The Duke of Newcastle's ownership of the manor lasted for little more than 50 years. In 1890 the Manor House and surrounding park land were sold to Sir John Robinson, with much of the remainder of the estate also being sold in separate lots.

Arrangement

The material is arranged by series, in chronological order.

Access Information

Accessible to all registered readers.

Other Finding Aids

Copyright in all Finding Aids belongs to the University of Nottingham.

In the Reading Room, King's Meadow Campus:

Typescript catalogue, 72 pp.

On the World Wide Web:

Catalogue available through website of Manuscripts and Special Collections, Manuscripts Online Catalogue.

Conditions Governing Use

Photocopies and photographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on the condition of the documents.

Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Keeper of Manuscripts and Special Collections (email mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk).

Custodial History

The papers were purchased by the University of Nottingham in 1986.

Related Material

At The University of Nottingham: Estate and official papers of the Dukes of Newcastle (Ne A-X). Also three other estate deposits, (Ne 3), (Ne 5) and (Ne 6).

Hull University Archives: Papers relating to the sale of the Worksop Manor Estate of the Duke of Newcastle (DX 103/5-20).