Lordship Title of Melchbourne ID1192

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The Bishop of Coutances held MELCHBOURNE MANOR in 1086. It was then assessed at 10 hides, and was worth £8. In the time of the Confessor, Burret held it, when there were six sokemen there. After the death of the Bishop of Coutances his property reverted to the Crown. It passed some time in the 12th century to Alicia de Clermont, who gave the manor and church of Melchbourne to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. In 1199 the manor was confirmed by King John to the Hospitallers, in whose hands it remained until the Dissolution. Edward VI in 1549 granted Melchbourne Manor to the Earl of Bedford. Dugdale states that on the refounding of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, in Mary's reign, this manor again formed part of the endowment. However this may be, the Earls of Bedford continued to hold Melchbourne until 1608, when Edward Earl of Bedford conveyed it to Oliver St. John. The manor has remained in the hands of the St. John family down to the present day, Lord St. John of Bletsoe being the present lord of the manor.
Other Information:
Listed in the Domesday Book:
Yes

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