The Mickleton Lease

A copy of the Mickleton Lease was contained in the Mickleton Chest. The lease documents the history of Mickleton Manor from 1560 - 1660.

What is the lease?

A leasehold tenancy for 1000 years, agreed between members of the Bowes family, ancestors of the current Strathmore family, and four local yeomen farmers. The yeomen paid £1569-5/- to the Bowes family for the lease, which will revert to the 'lord' in 2607.

Where?

The lease includes land within the parishes of Mickleton, Lunedale and Holwick. ('The Townships, Hamlets, Villages and fields of Mickleton, Kelton, Brigg Bank, Bowbank, Thringarth, within the Forest and Chase of Lune and Holwick').

When?

The Lease was signed on 4th November 1607 during the reign of James I. ('this indenture made in the 5th year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord James, by the Grace of God, King of England Wales and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, and of Scotland').

Download a copy of the full booklet orignally published by the Mid Teesdale Project Partnership in 2007. PDF format 450Kb.