Lordship of the Manor is the oldest title in England. The Manor predates the Normans and was the basis of the Feudal system. In the 11th Century some church leaders describe society as contain three classes of people, those who protect the Kingdom either by prayer and swords or those who tilled the land.

By the time of Edward the Confessor (reigned 1042-1066) the Lord of the Manor was the most important person in village affairs. Whether collecting taxes for the king or dispensing justice, in the Manorial Court at which he had the power to inflict death.