Baron Clitheroe

Barony of Clitheroe

Argent, a mullet sable pierced of the field
Creation date 20 June 1955
Monarch Queen Elizabeth II
Peerage Peerage of the United Kingdom
First holder Ralph Assheton, 1st Baron Clitheroe
Present holder Ralph Assheton, 2nd Baron Clitheroe
Heir apparent Hon. Ralph Assheton
Remainder to 1st Baron's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten[1]
Seat(s) Downham Hall
Armorial motto Nec arrogo nec dubito ("I am neither proud nor hesitant")[2]

Baron Clitheroe of Downham in the County of Lancaster is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in the 1955 Birthday Honours for the Conservative politician Ralph Assheton, who had previously served as Financial Secretary to the Treasury.[3] He was the son of Ralph Cockayne Assheton, for many years a member of the Lancashire County Council, who had been created baronet of Downham in the County of Lancaster, on 4 September 1945. Three months after being raised to the peerage, Lord Clitheroe succeeded his father in the baronetcy. As of 2017, the titles are held by the first Baron's son, the second Baron, who succeeded in 1984.[2]

In the immediate aftermath of World War II, Ralph Assheton also acquired title to the manorial and mineral rights as well as land holdings within the former Honor of Clitheroe. These were purchased out of the Clitheroe Estate Company following its administration in 1945. They included the Lordship of the Forest of Pendle. The Clitheroes' land agent, Michael Parkinson of Ingham & Yorke, continues to style himself "Steward of the Honor of Clitheroe". Parkinson is also "Chief Steward of the Forest of Bowland".

The Assheton family, also spelled Ashton, descends from Ashton-under-Lyne and can be traced to the 10th century. The military commander Sir John de Assheton (or de Ashton) was among their ancestors.[2]

Assheton baronets of Downham (1945)

Barons Clitheroe (1955)

The heir apparent is the present holder's son Hon. Ralph Christopher Assheton (born 1962).
The heir apparent's heir apparent is his son Ralph Anthony Assheton (born 1998).

References

  1. ↑ "No. 40517". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 June 1955. p. 3593.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mosley, Charles, ed. (2003). Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knighthood (107 ed.). Burke's Peerage & Gentry. pp. 827–829. ISBN 0-9711966-2-1.
  3. ↑ "Four Barons in Honours LIst". The Times. The Times Digital Archive. 9 June 1955. p. 8.

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