File MS 13933-13934, 470X6-470X9 - Miscellaneous records of the manor of Fakenham Lancaster

The Earl of Atholl is named as lord of Fakenham with Thorpeland in the Nomina Villarum of 1316 [NRO, NNAS S2/26/1]. At an inquisition taken in 1358, Queen Isabella, was found to have died in possession of the manor [IPM 1:10/447]. At an inquisition held in 1371, Sir Robert Knolles was found to have held the manor, jointly with his wife Constantine. They held it of the king and it included a market held every Thursday. Accoring to the inquistion Sir Robert 'died beyond the seas' and so the date of his death and his heir were not known [IPM 1:13/88]. However, Knolles had not in fact died; he was presumed dead for a time after his unsuccessful 1370 expedition to France, as part of Edward III's renewed hostility with France. Upon his return, Edward seized his properties as recrimmination for his failure [ODNB]. According to Blomefield the manor was granted to John of Gaunt, with Wighton manor, in June 1472 and thus became part of the Duchy of Lancaster. Sir Lawrence Jones, Bt, of Cromer, is given as lord of the manor in White's Trade Directory (1845). Sir Wiloughby Jones is lord at the time of the Inclosure Award of 1870 [NRO, C/Sca 2/111] and in White's Trade Directory (1883).
Last transaction dated: 1908; lord of the manor: Sir Lawrence John Jones, bt; Steward: Algernon Digby [TNA, HMC 5/6].