Could Alan Sugar be tempted to pay to become Lord of the Manor of Chigwell?

Auction company hopes to tempt Chigwell residents including Alan Sugar into bidding for lordship

Alistair Kleebauer, Senior reporter Tuesday, June 19, 2012
6:04 PM

Alan Sugar has already been made a Baron but for just £7,500 he could also become the Lord of the Manor where he lives in Chigwell.

Manorial Auctioneers of London is offering the lordship for sale on behalf of the Earl of Stradbroke, whose ancestor inherited it more than a century ago.

Though any rights afforded by it are largely “nominal” nowadays, the auction company is hoping to tempt some of the wealthier residents of the town into bidding.

Its sales brochure mentions some of its well-known inhabitants including Baron Sugar, footballers Ashler Cole and Jermain Defoe and Mark Wright of TV programme The Only Way Is Essex.

Auctioneer Robert Smith said: “It’s not expensive for the man or woman who has everything and it has a lot of history behind it.

“Charles Dickens thought Chigwell was the most beautiful place on earth.”

New Lords or Ladies of the Manor can use their title on their passports and they enter into the Manorial Society of Great Britain, which holds functions throughout the year including an annual reception at the House of Lords.

A buyer could also hold a “court leet” or manorial court – a traditional Medieval function which allowed the Lord jurisdiction over his area.

The practice remains popular today, according to Mr Smith, for its ceremonial aspects including at Warwick Castle.

The brochure gives a snapshot view of Chigwell history including its connection to William Penn, the founder of the American state of Pennsylvania.

He was taught at Chigwell School.

Offers in the region of £7,500 are anticipated.