Norton

Norton les two miles to the north of Presteigne and its history is very closely associated with that place. The bounds of the Manor appear to be conterminous with the parish of Norton. It is fortunate in the case of thsi Manor that there is a book written by W. H. Howse entitled "Presteigne Past and Present" (Jakemans Limited, Hereford, 1945) and also a paper contributed by him to the Transactions of the Radnorshire Society (Volume XIV, pp. 43 to 51), entitled "Court Rolls of Norton." These have been largely drawn on in compiling these particulars.

The Lordship of the manor was conveyed by William Horne to John Tamworth in 1563 and from the latter it descended in 1624 to Christopher Tamworth. John Powell bought it in 1634. From him, the Lordship passed to James Powell in 1650 and Robert Powell jointly with his wife Joyce, daughter of Humphrey Longmore, Mayor of Worcester, in 1663. Joyce survived her husband, and married Charles Creede, who by virtue of his wife's title became Lord of the manor in 1679. He died in 1687, and the Manor devolved upon Joyce until 1693, when she sold it to Littleton Powell for £1,050. He lived at Stanage and presented a large silver flagon to Presteigne Church. In 1713 the Lord of the Manor was Thomas Harley and it was still in the hands of that family in 1811. This Thomas Harley was Member of Parliament for Radnorshire 1698 to 1715 and he was cousin of Robert Harley, first Earl of Oxford. The Earl of Oxford was named as owning the Manor at the end of the 18th century.

The Manor was later acquired by Richard Price, M. P., for Radnor 1799 to 1847. It may be mentioned here that Presteigne once had its own Race meeting, which according to Mr. howe originally took place on Broad Heath Common, but in later years was sometimes held at Norton Manor. A Hereford paper of 1842 records that "these races came off with great éclat on 2nd September, under the stewardship of Richard Price, whose polite demeanor was the theme of praise." The last of the meetings took place in the 18709s. Sir Richard Green-Price, of Norton manor (who died in 1887) was a keen supporter. He also, with other members of his family, took a large part in forming a Polo club in 1874; the games were played on Broad Heath, by the racecourse.

On 25th June, 1923, the Norton Manor estate was conveyed by Sir Frederick Richard Powlett Milbank, Bt. to the present Vendor, Major Archibald Lindsay Careless. The Manor was included in this sale under the following description:

"All those the Manors or reputed Manors of Norton and Presteigne in the County of Radnor together with all Chief and other Rents Heriots and Fines and all Quarries of Slate and Stone and rights of Sporting and all other rights and privileges whatsoever appertaining to the said Manors respectively."

Although the Manor of Presteigne was included in this Conveyance, it has been ascertained that the Commoner of Crown lands claims that it belongs to the Crown. This Manor is therefore expressly excluded from the Sale.

Included in the sale of the Manor is the Hill known as Farrer's Hill or Furrow Hill of about 200 acres together with such other wastes in the parish as still form part of the Manor. This is shown on the copy of Ordinance Map on the opposite page. The Lord owns the soils of this land and is entitled to sport over it, cut and carry away any timber, saplings or underwood growing on it (subject as to timber to any Government license that may be necessary), work and carry away any minerals or mineral substances in or under such wastes, all of these subject, of course, to any rights of commoners to take turf, underwood, etc., for their own use, according to ancient custom. The Lord also has the right to let the shooting and has, in fact, exercised this right. John Morson, formerly of Norton Manor, hired it for many years at varying rents up to 1952. It was let during 1953 and 1954 at £40 per annum, since when it has been retained by the Vendors. The Vendor would be willing to value the game and pigeon shooting for 1956 at £10 p. a. if the purchaser cared to let it.

A purchaser would, it is presumed, be entitled to ask the appropriate Authorities to enter in o wayleave agreements in respect of telegraph, telephone and electricity poles, kiosks, etc, erected upon the Manorial wastes.

Rights, customs and incidents

It may be mentioned here that Presteigne once had its own Race meeting, which according to Mr. howe originally took place on Broad Heath Common, but in later years was sometimes held at Norton Manor.
"All those the Manors or reputed Manors of Norton and Presteigne in the County of Radnor together with all Chief and other Rents Heriots and Fines and all Quarries of Slate and Stone and rights of Sporting and all other rights and privileges whatsoever appertaining to the said Manors respectively."
The Lord owns the soils of this land and is entitled to sport over it, cut and carry away any timber, saplings or underwood growing on it (subject as to timber to any Government license that may be necessary), work and carry away any minerals or mineral substances in or under such wastes, all of these subject, of course, to any rights of commoners to take turf, underwood, etc., for their own use, according to ancient custom.
The Lord also has the right to let the shooting and has, in fact, exercised this right.

Associated manorial documents / archive references

• Court Books: 1713-1827
• Admission of John Radnor to the Bach Farm and other lands in the Parish of Norton dated 31st January, 1894
• Conditional Surrender dated 3rd February, 1894, by the said John Radnor (a copyhold or customary tenant of the said manor) of the above lands to secure £2,600 and Interest.
• It may be mentioned that there are a number of earlier records of this Manor held by the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. These are as under:
• Receiver's Accounts for the Mortimer Estate, including a section on Norton: 1384
• Extracts and Lists of Contents of Bundles of Records (NLW.MS.4541): 1566-1699
• Court Rolls (NLW.MS.766): 1607-17
• Court Rolls (NLW.MS.767): 1635-89
• Transcripts of Court Rolls, etc. (NLW.MS.4540): 1678-1734; 1694-1706; 1699; 1701; 1721
• Insurance of Records: £100, premium 5/- p.a.
• Commencement of Title: Dated 25th June, 1923
• *See catalogue appendix for extracts from "Presteigne Past and Present" and the "Court Rolls of Norton"

Historical holder / succession information

1. James Powell in 1650 and Robert Powell jointly with his wife Joyce [source claim requiring identity review]
   1650|1663 · passed_to · historical_holder_or_transferee
   Source wording: From him, the Lordship passed to James Powell in 1650 and Robert Powell jointly with his wife Joyce, daughter of Humphrey Longmore, Mayor of Worcester, in 1663.
2. Joyce survived her husband [source claim requiring identity review]
   1679 · lord_of_manor · historical_holder_or_transferee
   Source wording: Joyce survived her husband, and married Charles Creede, who by virtue of his wife's title became Lord of the manor in 1679.
3. Richard Price, M
   purchased_by · historical_holder_or_transferee
   Source wording: The Manor was later acquired by Richard Price, M.