Monument record 1332/1/0 - The Manor of Gawsworth

The Manor of Gawsworth. In Domesday it is listed as Gouesurde and was held by the Earl of Chester. Later the manor was granted to Hugh, son of Bigod, entitled to his own mill and court. Since C12, the manor has been held by five families - the de Orreby family 1130-1316; the Fitton family, Knights & Baronets 1316-1662; the Earls of Macclesfield 1662-1702; and the Earls of Harrington 1727-1937; and the Roper-Richards family since 1962. The descent of the manor through these families has involved two celebrated incidents. The 'Cheshire Will Case', in the mid C17, resulted in the manor passing from the Fittons to the Earls of Macclesfield; and the duel of 1712, when two cousins, Lord Mohun and the Duke of Hamilton, who were both married to Gawsworth claimants, where both were killed (1).

<1> Richards R, 1957, The Manor of Gawsworth (Book). SCH3207.

<2> IPC Media, 1897-Present, Country Life, Aslet C 1986 (Newspaper-Magazine). SCH993.