Feudal Lordship of Winterborne Saint Martin

Return to Home
The Ancient Feudal Manor and Lordship
of Winterborne St. Martin (Dorsetshire)
The Barony

"The Ancient Feudal (purported) Barony of Winterbourne St. Martin (Dorsetshire)"

It is claimed the barony "continued in the lines of Robert fitz Pain until such time as the owner sold all right to the title to the investment portfolio of a bank from where the present owners derived ownership".

From the last member of the Fitz Pain family in 1355 to de Sergiana's claimed Barony in the ownership of a present day investment bank is a bold leap of faith across a void of over seven centuries. This Barony does not exist for some or all of the following reasons

The sellers of this claimed Barony have no documentary evidence or letters to prove title. This is confirmed by their lawyers.

It is not referred to in Dugdale's "History of the Baronage of England" published in 1675.

It is not referred to in Sir Bernard Burke's Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited and Extinct Peerages of the British Empire published in 1883

The College of Arms know nothing of this title.

The Harleian Society know nothing of this title. It is not mentioned in their Visitations.

The Manorial Society of Great Britain state the title does not exist.

J Hutchins, History and Antiquities of Dorset 1870 third edition states "the manor was a member of de Lincoln's Barony" Had it been the seat of the Barony, it would have been referred to as such

Robert fitz Payn was a baron but not by succession from Alured de Lincoln IV. The title was conferred on him twenty one years after the death of Alured de Lincoln IV. An inquisition in 1285 confirmed the title of baron ("tenet in capite baronie de domino rege") to coincide with the festival of the Purification Saint Mary. This is further confirmation that the fitz Grip and de Lincoln barony was not passed on to the fitz Payn family

The contemporary record of the Bishops Registers of Simon Gandaro (1297-1315) and Roger Martival (1315-1330) mention Robert Fitz Pain on many occasions. In the early years, he is referred to as a knight. In later years, he is called Lord of Okeford Fitz Pain. They only refer to him in his capacity of patron of Winterborne St Martin.

Hutchins and the Parish records refer to Robert Fitz Pain as Lord of the Manor.

Hutchins states Robert Fitz Pain "was the last in this family when he died in 1355 holding the Manor". Accordingly there were no "lines of Robert fitz Pain" through which a title might pass.

Hutchins states the principal seat of Fitz Pains barony was Okeford Fitzpain and he was the last baron.

The fitz Grip/de Lincoln barony came to an end in 1264 in the death of Alured IV.

The fitz Pain Barony ended on the death of Rober fitz Pain II who died without issue

If the Barony is claimed because of the fitz Pain advowson; this was sold by Robert fitz Pain, the son, in 1348 and eventually reverted to the Abbot of Abbotsbury.

In 1538 the Crown under King Henry VIII dissolved the Monastery at Abbotsbury and all lands were disposed of "ut de corona" (not under honour).

Today, under the Patronage (Benefices) Measures 1986 advowsons may not be sold.

If title there was, the present Lord of the Manor is advised he has the strongest claim by lawyers who act for both the successors estates of the Strangways (1538) and the Napier (1591).
Return to Top of Page
Return to Home

	The sellers of this claimed Barony have no documentary evidence or letters to prove title. This is confirmed by their lawyers.
	It is not referred to in Dugdale's "History of the Baronage of England" published in 1675.
	It is not referred to in Sir Bernard Burke's Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited and Extinct Peerages of the British Empire published in 1883
	The College of Arms know nothing of this title.
	The Harleian Society know nothing of this title. It is not mentioned in their Visitations.
	The Manorial Society of Great Britain state the title does not exist.
	J Hutchins, History and Antiquities of Dorset 1870 third edition states "the manor was a member of de Lincoln's Barony" Had it been the seat of the Barony, it would have been referred to as such
	Robert fitz Payn was a baron but not by succession from Alured de Lincoln IV. The title was conferred on him twenty one years after the death of Alured de Lincoln IV. An inquisition in 1285 confirmed the title of baron ("tenet in capite baronie de domino rege") to coincide with the festival of the Purification Saint Mary. This is further confirmation that the fitz Grip and de Lincoln barony was not passed on to the fitz Payn family
	The contemporary record of the Bishops Registers of Simon Gandaro (1297-1315) and Roger Martival (1315-1330) mention Robert Fitz Pain on many occasions. In the early years, he is referred to as a knight. In later years, he is called Lord of Okeford Fitz Pain. They only refer to him in his capacity of patron of Winterborne St Martin.
	Hutchins and the Parish records refer to Robert Fitz Pain as Lord of the Manor.
	Hutchins states Robert Fitz Pain "was the last in this family when he died in 1355 holding the Manor". Accordingly there were no "lines of Robert fitz Pain" through which a title might pass.
	Hutchins states the principal seat of Fitz Pains barony was Okeford Fitzpain and he was the last baron.
	The fitz Grip/de Lincoln barony came to an end in 1264 in the death of Alured IV.
	The fitz Pain Barony ended on the death of Rober fitz Pain II who died without issue
	If the Barony is claimed because of the fitz Pain advowson; this was sold by Robert fitz Pain, the son, in 1348 and eventually reverted to the Abbot of Abbotsbury.
	In 1538 the Crown under King Henry VIII dissolved the Monastery at Abbotsbury and all lands were disposed of "ut de corona" (not under honour).
	Today, under the Patronage (Benefices) Measures 1986 advowsons may not be sold.
	If title there was, the present Lord of the Manor is advised he has the strongest claim by lawyers who act for both the successors estates of the Strangways (1538) and the Napier (1591).