COLL LIV 03
Reference code
COLL LIV 03
Title
Clewer, Berkshire; Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire; Worplesdon, Surrey
Level
Series
Administrative / Biographical history
These three livings were acquired in 1692/3 in exchange for Petworth, co. Sussex, which was granted to Eton by Henry Earl of Northumberland, Eleanor his wife, and their sons Thomas and Henry Percy on 29 May 1445. The exchange was a three-way one; the Duke of Somerset wishing to obtain Petworth but having no suitable living to offer the College in return transferred the rectories of Kirby Overblows and the vicarage of Long Horsley to the Crown, who gave Clewer, Farnham Royal and Worplesdon to the College as compensation for Petworth. The exchange was confirmed by Act of Parliament but in 1760 the Duke's heir, Lord Egremont, presented to Kirby Overblows. When Worplesdon next became vacant in 1771 the Crown therefore presented, and a complicated and lengthy lawsuit followed. In the end Eton's right to these livings was upheld, not only because of the Act of Parliament but also because the real difficulty lay between Lord Egremont and the Crown, a query having been raised as to the right of the Duke of Somerset to transfer the living to the Crown. The Crown's title to the livings that came to Eton was good and it was entitled to make the transfer. Worplesdon was one of the most prosperous College livings, always held by a Fellow.
Date
1766 - 1781
Associated material
See ECR/54/281-283
Location of this record in the archive hierarchy
Click the hyperlinked text below for further details.
(Click here to scroll to the current record within the hierarchy)