10 Jul Lordship Title of Backenhoe ID1008
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The MANOR OF BACKENHO is first found mentioned in 1377 and was attached to the barony of Wahull, being held of the Greys. Sir John Ragon, kt., died seised of it at this date, when it passed to his son Sir Reginald Ragon. He, who was Sheriff of Bedfordshire in 1396 and 1402, died some time previous to 1441, in which year his widow Elizabeth granted the manor to Thomas Aydrop and other trustees representing her son Thomas Ragon. Some years later, between 1446 and 1452, Katharine widow of Thomas Ragon and wife of Robert Ekelston complained that these trustees refused to grant her seisin of the manor in accordance with the will of Thomas Ragon. She appears to have secured recognition of her rights, for in 1452–3, together with her husband, she alienated Backenho Manor to John Heton. Twenty years later William Heton transferred the manor to John Earl of Wiltshire, who died in 1503, when Backenho passed to Edward Duke of Buckingham, his kinsman and heir. He was attainted for high treason and executed on Tower Hill 17 May 1521, his lands escheating to the Crown. Backenho was the subject of a life grant to Nicholas Harvey in 1522, the reversion of this manor being conferred on Robert Tyrwhitt in 1534. He did not long retain it, for in 1562 it had passed to William Ryce, who at that date alienated to Richard Tyrrell. In 1578–9 Edward Tyrrell obtained a licence to alienate the manor to Robert Bacon. This may have been preparatory to the sale which in 1581 took place between Edward Tyrrell and Sir Edmund Anderson of Eyworth (q.v.). He retained it for a few years only, alienating it in 1596 to George Smythe, who died seised of the manor in 1609, his son Thomas being at this time upwards of forty years of age. In 1618 Thomas Smythe was declared to be a lunatic and unable to control his estates, and his charge devolved on George his son and heir, who had attained his majority. Thomas Smythe's death took place in 1631. George Smythe was holding the manor in 1637, but in 1672 had given place to William Smythe, whose name occurs in settlements of the manor in 1674, 1682, and finally in 1693, in which year a genuine alienation took place to John Lawson. The latter held Backenho in 1738 and 1739. In 1753 John Lawson, probably a son of the above, and Theodosia his wife were in possession, and between this date and 1792 it passed to James Stuart and May his wife. This property was retained by the Stuarts till late into the 19th century. In 1860 Colonel George Stuart died owning Backenho, at this time a farm, which he left to his nephew.
Other Information:
Manorial Counsel Limited has created a new legal right to bring the titles of this lordship back into use.
Listed in the Domesday Book:
No