Brampton

IN THE PARISH of Marton lies the Lordship of the Manor of Brampton. This is centred on the long village of the same name. It is an extensive manor, and lies 2 miles north of Appleby and the land here is used mainly for pasture and for arable production. The extent of the Lordship includes both Brampton and the Hamlet of Brampton Croft.

The early history of this Lordship is obscure but it formed part of the Barony of Westmoreland and may have been held by the early owners of this estate, namely the Stuteville, Morvilles and Veteriponts. The first record of the Lordship occurs in 1310 when it is recorded as being held by Ralph Gre ystock from the Clifford family. It may have been that this ancient family held Brampton before this time, but there is no evidence to confirm this. The family had originated in the figure of Lyolf, who may have arrived with William the Conqueror, in 1066. He was evidently a feudal vassal of Ranulph Meschines, Earl of Chester, since this nobleman gave Lyolf land at Greystock in Cumberland.

The family continued to act as loyal servants of the Barons of Westmoreland and during the reign of Henry III (1216-1272) Thomas de Greystock married Christian, the daughter of Roger de Veteripont. Thomas was succeeded by his son Robert, who in turn was succeeded in the family estates by his brother, William. This Greystock fought the Welsh in 1258 and was married to the daughter of the powerful Roger de Merlay. This union brought him the Lordship of the Manor of Morpeth in Northumberland. William’s son, John was an advisor to Edward I and distinguished himself in battle against the French in Gascony. He was twice summoned to Parliament as a baron and fought the Scots in numerous campaigns. At his death, in 1305 his estates were settled on his cousin, Ralph, whose father had been Lord of Grimthorpe in Yorkshire.

This Ralph is the first mentioned Lord of the Manor of Brampton. In 1283 he married Margery Corbet, a wealthy heiress. He fought in several campaigns against the Socts, including Edward II’s disastrous war which ended in defeat at Bannockburn. For these northern nobles, the war with Scotland was a constant fight to preserve their lands and wealth. In 1314 Ralph was appointed governor of Berwick Castle and was a warden of the Marches. The next year he was governor of Carlisle and founded a chantry at Tynemouth for his kinsman John and all his ancestors. Ralph died in 1316 and was succeeded by his son Robert who enjoyed his estates for only 12 months. Brampton then descended to his son Ralph, who had been born in 1298. Ralph was also summoned to Parliament as a Baron in 1321 and 1322. By a special dispensation from the Pope, Ralph married the daughter of Lord Audley, the enemy of Edward II’s favourite Hugh Despencer. When Sir Roger Mortimer and Edward’s Queen, Isabella, invaded England and deposed the King, in 1327, Greystock appears to have aided the rebellion. He had arrested Sir Gilbert de Middleton at his castle at Mitford, the prisoner somehow arranged for his captor to be poisoned.

After his death, Brampton passed to Ralph’s eldest son, William, who was summoned to Parliament as a baron in 1357. This Greystock fought with the Black Prince, Edward, in France and from Edward III was granted permission to crenelate his mansion at Greystock. Greystock was then made governor of Berwick Castle but after being summoned to attend the King in France, the castle was taken by the Scots. This was said to have greatly offended Edward, but since Berwick’ governor had been absent at his bequest, Greystock was pardoned for the loss. Brampton passed to William’s eldest son, Ralph, known as the 5th Baron Greystock. He was a warden of the Marches, a position granted to him by Richard II (1377-1399). In 1378 he headed a forced which evicted the Scots form Warwick Castle and two years later was commanded by Richard to take an army north to confront the old enemy. However he was taken a prisoner by George, Earl of Dunbar at Horseridge, in Glendall. He was ransomed form an impressive 3,000 marks and his brother, William went to Dunbar to be taken hostage in his place. This act of brotherly love cost William his life as he died of plague whilst imprisoned. Ralph was married to the daughter of Roger Lord Clifford.

On Ralph’s death, in 1417, the Lordship of Brampton passed to his son Sir John, the 6th Baron Greystock. This nobleman was again appointed to help protect England from its northern neighbour, this time as governor of the Scottish castle of Roxborough. He held this position for 4 years and was paid the enormous some of £1,000 per year to do this, a payment which rose to £2,000 if there was war. On the accession of Henry IV in 1422, Greystock was appointed to the commission established to treat for peace with King James of Scotland. Two more commissions followed, each failing and Greystock was then summoned to relieve the siege of Berwick in 1435.

After Greystock’s death it appears that Brampton passed into the possession of the Lancaster family. John de Lancaster is found to hold the Lordship during the reign of Edward IV (1461-1483). It then passed to his son, John, who was holding it during the reign of Henry VII (1485-1509). From John it descended to his son, or grandson, Edward Lancaster. It continued in this family’s possession until the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603) when the line ended with three daughters. The Lordship was then divided into three portions until being reunited in the possession of the Tufton family, who were the Earls of Thanet. The current descendent of this family, Lord Hothfield is the present Lord of the Manor of Brampton.

Historical holder / succession information

1. his son Sir John, the 6th Baron Greystock [source claim requiring identity review]
   1417 · passed_to · historical_holder_or_transferee
   Source wording: On Ralph’s death, in 1417, the Lordship of Brampton passed to his son Sir John, the 6th Baron Greystock.
2. Lord Hothfield
   current_holder_statement · catalogue_stated_current_holder
   Source wording: The current descendent of this family, Lord Hothfield is the present Lord of the Manor of Brampton.