Some domestic arrangements this morning and then to inform my solicitors of my purchase of the Linton Manors and then to write to St John’s College to offer to buy the Little Paxton one! The day then studying manorial rites and rights and exploring a grant of arms that might accompany the matter before back to more domestic reality helping Daniel with his homework and entertaining the girls as his stammer abates. This as Reagan plans to justify his Iranian Arms for hostages deal, The Petersfield Prison Siege ends and Labour looks set to win the Kirby by-election with The Alliance in a good second place and the Tories nowhere.
Another sound night, but tired after this week’s travelling to and fro and somewhat overwhelmed by the task of archive research; I was still reluctant to get up. Eventually washed and shaved ready for breakfast, opting for my working clothes and jeans for a change. Spent some time helping Di with the girls and avoiding upset and then went out to move The Lady back into her accustomed position at the main landing stage, after the bonfire and firework display. Also fed the doves and ducks, before bringing back mail from No 39 and getting the Range Rover round for Pete to clean. To my office after and made a number of phone calls. I was pleased to hear from Nicholas de Zoete that my stockbrokers were willing to disregard all of these onerous terms that they have been sending me and I am to meet him in a week’s time in London, to review my affairs. Also booked the Range Rover in for a 1000 mile service tomorrow, as we are visiting Bedford, and this initial attention is free and included in its purchase price. Also informed my solicitors of the acquisition arrangements for the Lordships of the Manors of Great and Little Linton and ordered a number of affairs. By midday, Diana’s mother had arrived for lunch and I had a good idea. This afternoon I followed it up and composed a letter to the Master of St Johns College, Cambridge, offering to buy the Lt Paxton Lordship and assuring them that, not only would the documents remain deposited with them, but that I would finance further research into their translation and transcription.
I now await his reply. As I sealed my letter in my envelope, resplendent with its embossed and multi-colour coat of arms, I had cause to reflect contentedly on a message I had read from the College of Arms re: Manorial Rites and Rights viz:- ‘A manorial Lordship may be simply a remnant of a feudal age, but it comes with it obligations to Church and community, rites and customs of procedure, tradition and a number of rights and privileges. Obligations may require a pond to be kept clean or even a church roof to be kept in good repair. Rites and customs present a historical panoply of their own from Maypole dancing to Courts Leet and Baron, fairs, markets and mining revenues. A Court Baron may be thought of as a minor court of jurisdiction and many manors may still hold such courts to obtain their incidences. The Lord who holds such a court is raised in gentle status to esquire and in either rank should identify himself in acts and deeds of his jurisdiction by the use of armorial insignia. Indeed, a manorial Lord is hardly worthy of his title, his rites or the rights he may enjoy until he has become a gentleman of coat armour. Being able to bear arms will inspire in him and those who follow him a true sense of dignity, self respect, and historical integrity’. Hear! Hear! My contemplation somewhat disturbed this afternoon my Daniel failing to find a lift to St Neots and me having to drive over to Kimbolton and drop him off at St Neots. Another foray into the dark to tend the ducks, but at least Pete had cleared them out for me and now we might be lucky enough to get some eggs. Time with Daniel on his homework tonight and with Debbie and Della, but now the girls seem to be settling a lot easier and Daniella stutters less. I worked again in my office this evening, clearing up my papers and updating my auction list, somewhat cheered by the thought that I may have found a way of tackling the vast problem of researching manorial records. News today is of President Reagan planning to go on TV to explain why he was supplying arms to Iran in return for getting the release of hostages and the Iran Ambassador in the US is also confirming the deals. The Peterhead Prison siege has ended with the prisoners giving themselves up, releasing their warder hostage and then set fire to the prison building, destroying it completely. A triple murderer was in charge and, when he was away from the others for more than an hour negotiating, his mates assumed there was a double-cross and fired the prison. It seems that Labour will easily win the Kirby by-election according to an exit poll suggesting that the Alliance will be in a good second place, with the Tories due to risk losing their deposit. More rain forecast.