10 Jul Lordship Title of Steppingley (Crown) ID1279
Posted at 20:02h
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The undertenant in 1086 was William son of Rainald, but for the next 130 years there is no mention of this estate. In the 13th century it reappears in the possession of William son of Richard, to whom in 1219 Gilbert son of William de Den alienated land in this parish. William was succeeded by Walter de Steppingley, who was in possession in 1284 and whose son John held the manor in 1316. John left a widow Nichola and daughter and heir Maud, the former of whom married William Mordaunt and the latter William the son of William Mordaunt, to whom she brought the manor in marriage. After her death it was claimed by Henry son of a brother of John de Steppingley, from whom it appears to have passed to Woburn Abbey, which held it till the Dissolution. In the 17th century the office of steward of the manor was held by the Bruces, Earls of Elgin and Ailesbury, chief stewards of the honour of Ampthill. In 1677 Charles II granted a ninety-nine years' lease of Steppingley to Robert Bruce first Earl of Ailesbury. A lease was obtained in 1771 by John Duke of Bedford, who held Dunstable (q.v.) on the same terms, both manors reverting to the Crown in 1839.
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Listed in the Domesday Book:
Yes