Prestige Titles · Guide

The Historic Lordships of England

From Roman cities to medieval strongholds, the stories behind England's noble titles, city by city.

In short: for a thousand years, English towns and cities answered to lords, from the lord of the manor to the prince-bishops who ruled like kings. Explore the real history behind each one below.

A lordship of the manor was one of the oldest forms of English title. The lord of the manor held the land, ran its courts, collected its dues and held sway over the people who lived and worked there. Some cities answered to a single family for centuries; others to a bishop, an earl, or the Crown itself. Below, explore the real history behind the lordships of England's great cities.

Explore by city

Lord of LondonRoman capital, the Tower, and the Lord Mayor since 1189.Explore → Lord of ManchesterA Roman fort and the manorial lords who ran its markets.Explore → Lord of BirminghamThe family whose 1166 market charter built a city.Explore → Lord of LiverpoolKing John's port of 1207 and the Molyneux constables.Explore → Lord of LeedsA Domesday manor that grew rich on wool and cloth.Explore → Lord of BristolThe great western port and its Earls of Gloucester.Explore → Lord of YorkRoman Eboracum, Viking Jorvik, and the Dukes of York.Explore → Lord of BathRoman baths, Georgian society, and the Marquess of Bath.Explore → Lord of OxfordAncient learning and the de Vere Earls of Oxford.Explore → Lord of CambridgeA bridge over the Cam and its royal dukedom.Explore → Lord of CanterburyThe seat of the Archbishop and the martyrdom of Becket.Explore → Lord of DurhamThe prince-bishops who ruled like kings on the border.Explore →

Want to understand how the ranks fit together? See the full order of precedence, or read a short history of the British peerage.

Become a Lord of your own

You cannot buy a historic lordship or any land, but you can legally change your title to Lord and carry the style yourself, beautifully presented and ready to gift.

Become a Lord →