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DARLTON
DARLTON CHURCH—EXTERIOR
N Domesday Survey Darlton is spelt " Derluvetun", in 1205 "Derleton", in 1331 "Derlyngton", in 1475 and 1612 "Darleton", and subsequently "Darlton". The first part of the word appears to be the name of a Saxon family or tribe. In "Place Names of Nottinghamshire" it is stated that the word means the "tun or farmstead of Deorlaf".
It is mentioned in Domesday as one of the four Berewicks of the Manor of Dunham. It belonged to the kings of England down to the sixth year of the reign of Charles I., except for some short periods. When the Count of Flanders held the Manor and Soke of Dunham in the time of Henry II., he paid annually into the Treasury for the farm of Derleton £7, in addition to £60 he paid for Dunham. The entry occurs in the Pipe Rolls every year from 1156 to 1175. In 1201 and 1202 the Count of Bologne paid £50 for Dunham and £10 for Derleton. In 1205 Roger de Fontibus was ordered to pay 20 marks from his land in Carleton, Derleton, Ragenhill, to sustain Richard de Lexington and Ganfer de Tovus in the King's service. In 1217, Henry III. gave Derleton to Philip Mare who had been a great favourite of his father, King John. "The King to all free tenants, and others of Derby, Meleburn, Edenstow, and Derleton, greeting! Know that we have granted to our beloved and faithful Philip Mare the towns of Derby, Meleburn, and Derleton, with their appurtenances, for his sustenance in our service, during our life. And therefore we enjoin you that ye pay regard and answer to the same Philip in all things concerning the matters which pertain to the aforesaid towns."
Mr. C. Brown in "Nottinghamshire Worthies" pp. 59 and 228, says, the first volume of the Close Rolls abounds with references to Philip Mare. "With King John he was in constant communication. The King regarded him as a trusty counsellor and a firm friend. In proportion as royalty showered its favours upon him, the barons, who were in rebellion, withdrew their countenance. In the Magna Charta a clause was inserted binding the King to remove from his bailiwicks certain injudicious advisers of whom the barons did not approve. In this clause occur the names of Philip Mare and his brothers, and his nephew Geoffry, and their retinue." On the accession to the throne of Henry III. Philip Mare was restored to public favor. He served the office of Sheriff of Notts and Derbyshire, and in 1216 had temporarily entrusted to him Newark Castle.
In 1225 Gerald de la Barr held lands of the King in Carlton, Ragnall and Darlton.
In an Inquisition Edward I. (1272), Darlton is held by the King.
In reign of Edward II. (1307 to 1327) the tenants of Derelton and Ragenhill were exempt from assizes, juries and recognitions, because they held land of the King.
In 1327, Edward III. "granted (among other things) to Isabella, the Queen mother, £14 of the yearly farm of the towns of Derlington and Ragenhull in the county of Nottingham, £10 of the yearly farm of the town of Retford in the same county. To have to the same Isabella for the term of her life as dower". (The joinctures made to the Queen of England 1 Edward III.)
The entry in the Patent Rolls for this grant is:—" Grant to Queen Isabella for life (in furtherance of a resolution of parliament for her service in matter of the treaty with France and. in suppression of the rebellion of the Despensers and other lands etc, assigned to her by way of dowery should be increased in value from £4500 to 20,000 marks a year) of the following £15 of the yearly farm of the town of Derlington and Ragenhill in co Notts''.
According to another entry, date Nov. 15, 1331, she appears to have "surrendered the land which she was paid as a dower", but the grant was renewed of £14 of the town of Derlyngton and Ragenhill. Reference is again made to this surrender in 1345. "Whereas Queen Isabella of her own will surrendered into the present King's hands all the lands which she held in dower, as well as those granted to her for life, the farm of the towns of Derlyngton and Ragenhull co Notts amongst others; for the filial affection which he has for his said mother he has granted that she shall have all fines, ransoms, and amercements of all men tenants of and in the castles, honours, manors, commons, towns, lands, hundreds, forests, chases to other places aforesaid and their fees. Mandate to the treasurer and barons of the exchequer to cause their letters to be enrolled at the exchequer and to permit the Queen to enjoy all the liberties specified therein." (Patent Rolls).
During the reign of Edward III. Reginaldus de Petbrigg was appointed custodian of the Manor of Maunefield and farm of Lyndeby and water-mill of Crabton and town farms of Derlington and Ragenhull, Retford, Amhale, and water-mill of Retford in co Notts. (Originalia).
May 24, 1382, Grant to Queen Anne of £14 from the farm of Derlington and Ragenhill co Notts '' in part of satisfaction of lands and rents of yearly value of £4,500 as dower." (Patent Rolls).
On June 4th, 1403, "Grant to the King's consort the Queen in part deductions of 10,000 marks yearly granted to her for life at the exchequer by letters patent the farm of Derlyngton and Ragenhill at £14." Same date, "Grant to the King's consort Joan, Queen of England, ibid". Same date, Ditto in lieu of another grant to her by letters patent, surrendered because of imperfect specification, ibid."
In 1414, the King's tenants in Darlton and Ragnall make complaint to the King that Sir Richard Stanhope had enclosed certain fields and pastures which they formerly had use of, so that they cannot pay the rents and service due from their holdings. (Rolls of Parliament).
On Jan 25, 1463, "Grant to the King's brother George, Duke of Clarence, and heirs of his body from Michaelmas last £14 from the farm of the Manor of Derlyngton and Ragenhull, or the said sheriff." (Patent Rolls).
Feb 18th, 1471, "Grant for life to James, Earl of Douglass, in lieu of a like grant to him by letters patent Nov. 23, 36 Henry VI., which was invalid of £200 yearly from Michaelmas last, viz, £14 from the farm of the town or manor of Darlyn-ton and Ragenhull co Notts." (Patent Rolls).
April 22, 1474, "Grant during pleasure to the King's serviter Thomas Byngham, of the office of receiver of the fee farms and rents in the towns Derleton, Ragenhull, etc., receiving 10 marks yearly at his own hands." (Patent Rolls).
Jan 13, 1475, "Grant during pleasure to the King's servant, John Durant, of the office of Auditor of the fee farms and rents in the towns of Derlington and Ragenhull etc receiving £3. 6. 8 at their hands with all accustomed profits." (Patent Rolls).
Feb 28, 1477, "Appointment during pleasure of Gervase Clyfton Esq as receiver of the fee farms Darlyngton and Ragenhull etc, and grant to him during office of £10 yearly from the issues of the above with all profits, rendering his account at the castle of Nottingham before the appointed officers." (Patent Rolls).
1485. The farmers of Derlington and Ragenhull complain to the King that their "goods and chatties have been taken for the expenses of the King's household." In lieu thereof they were ordered to pay a fixed sum. (Rolls of Parliament).
Nov 24 1485, Grant for life to Thomas Bevercotes ("in consideration of the true and faithful service that our humble subject hath done unto us of tyme passed, for the subduing of our enemies") of the office of one of the King's serjeants-at-arms, with wages of 12d a day (£14 thereof from the fee farm of Darlington and Ragnell co Notts, and £4.5/ of the Exchequer).
In 1543 John Mering held 34½ acres and ½ rood of land, and the close containing 2½ acres, in Darlton of the King. John Mering died 21 March 1543. (Inquisition).
In 1544. The lands of Darlyngton are held of the King for 6/6, yearly 20/-. Thomas Dunham of Lord Borough 10/-yearly fealty etc. Value 10/8 yearly. The said Manors, Darlton etc, are held of Sir Edward Burg, knight, as of his soke of Dunham on Trent by what service they know not. The above manors and premises, including Drayton, are worth yearly besides reprises (i. e., yearly payments out of the manors as rent charges etc) £16. (Inquisition).
On December 16, 1564, Francis Meverell Esq died, and left Sampson Meverell, his son and heir within age; he had the manors of Throwley and Froddswell in Staffordshire, Tiddeswell in Derbyshire, and this manor of Darlton. (Thoroton).
December 11, 1611. Petition of Robert Meverell to Salisbury for a lease, without the clause of "Si quis plus dure voluerit" of certain lands in Darleton, co Notts, with references and reports thereon.
1612. Petition of Robert Meverell to the same. Details the circumstances of his possession of certain lands at Darleton, co Notts, which have been in his family 300 years. Prays for a lease thereof on payment of a reasonable increase of rent, and a fine with the proviso above.
In 1629, Charles I. gave Darlton to Gilbert North Esq, born 1551, who appears to have been the third son of Sir John North, scholar and soldier.
The following is taken from "Abstract of the Title of Mr William Calvert to the Manor of Darlton", now in possession of Mrs. John Langley.
"2nd October, 5 Charles. By letters Patent under the great seal of England the King as well in consideration of the faithful services of Gilbert North Esq one of the gentlemen of the Privy Chamber as for other good causes of his spial grace certain knowledge and mere notion gives and grants to the said Sir Gilbert North his heirs and assigns for ever.
All that his capital messuage of the Manor of Darlton in the County of Nottingham with two Barns and Dovehouses and Kilnhouse and in the edifices thereon, meadow and pasture .... called Eardlie .... and Briery .... Meadow Mare .... Thorney Mare .... East Oldinge .... West Oldinge .... Intack .... Thorney Wimpton .... Hill Wood .... Tonge in west field of Darlton otherwise Darleton .... Becking .... The Honey Hole Field .... 12 acres of meadow in Dunham Marsh, which Robert Meverell then or then late held. All that messe etc then or then late in the tenure of John Lees and his assignes .... Kirkhill .... Wooderoft .... Farr Beckinge. . . . Three roods of meadow in Dunham Marsh. All that cottage then or then late in the tenure of Paul Taylor and his assigns. . . . All that messe then or late etc of Robert Hudson .... Mere Close, Far Close. . . . All that cottage then etc of Peter Burton .... All that cottage then etc John Carlton .... Milner Close .... Wimpton Moor Close .... Little Ley Close which Nicholas then etc by custody. Barthorpe Yard .... Ley Close .... Milner Close .... Woodcroft .... New Close .... Becking Furlong which William Proctor then etc ... . Thort Trees which Thomas Meekley then etc .... Honey Hole Field which aforesaid Paul Taylor etc. All these 40 acres of arable in Darlton Fields which Augustine Earle, gent, then or late held by custody as was said at the yearly rent of 6/3 .... Two acres in Dunham Marsh and all that ancient Windmill which George Neville then held .... Kirkhill and Bethamlees .... lately committed to Rutland Molineaue, Paul Taylor and others.
To hold the same unto the said Gilbert North his heirs and assigns for ever. To be held to the King his heirs and successors as to his manor of East Greenwich in Kent by Fealty only in Fee and common soccage and not in capite nor by Knight's service yielding yearly to the King his heirs and successors for the said capital messuage of Darlton Manor and the rest of the premes in Darlton, Dunham, and Wimpton in the said county of Nottingham before mentioned to be committed to the said Robert Meverell Esq and Elizabeth his wife £6. 13. 4, and for the afore said premes in Darlton, Wimpton, and Dunham mentioned to be committed to Rutland Molineaue, Paul Taylor £7. 5/- at the receipt of the Exchequer or to the Sheriff of the County by half yearly payments at Lady Day and Michaelmas for ever.
22nd February, 1653. The said Gilbert North made his will, and thereby after devising several estates in the County of Dorset, Suffolk, Norfolk unto several persons and for several estates therein named he directed all his aforesaid estates in the county of Nottingham to be sold to his nephew Richard Barrett for the sum of £2000 to be paid to his executors at the time in said will mentioned and appointed Sir Joseph Freeman, Bart, and Adrian May Esq executors of his said will."
In 1657 the property appears to have been sold to Charles Chute and Henry Barker.
On 23rd November, 1721, Edward Chute, son of Charles Chute, by his will gives to Anthony Chute (his eldest son) all his estate .... in Darlton, Wimpton, and Dunham.
On July 4th, 1724, Anthony Chute did sell to Thomas Martin Esq and John Launder, gent, all the aforesaid premises in Darlton, Wimpton and Dunham, or elsewhere in Notts.
On May 13th, 1729, the estate was purchased by William Soresby. He was succeeded by his son Adam, and in 1751 by his grandson William.
In 1756 or 8, William Cartwright of Marnham purchased the Manor and Lordship of Darleton otherwise Darlton for £6000, except mortgage to Waple and two yearly rent charges of £6. 13. 4 and £7. 5-.
In 1764 William Cartwright purchased the great tithes of Darlton and Kingshaugh.
In 1781 William Cartwright died and was succeeded by his son John.
In 1783 Joseph Walker purchased the property of John Cartwright.
In 1793 William Calvert purchased the Rectorial tithes from Joseph Walker.
In 1784 Thomas Gibbons and Michael Eaton appear to have purchased a portion of the property.
Throsby (1797) states "Land is enclosed, and was lately purchased by Mr Calvert, late steward to Mr Walker of Rotherham, Yorkshire, who has been selling portions or farms to different people.
In White's Directory of Notts, 1844, it is stated that the principal owners are Sir William Welby, Bart, Thomas Newstead, John Willmer, and others, but William Mee Esq of Retford is lord of the Manor. The Rev. J. R. Mee is now, 1912, lord of the Manor.
The Award, which is in the hands of the chairman of the Parish Meeting, is dated 1815.