Lord Field?

When people hear that I hold the title Lord, they often assume it’s something I’ve bought—like one of those novelty “Lord of the Manor” certificates. I usually find myself explaining that the title Baron of Fielden has actually been in my family since 1392.

I remember my father having to do the same. So, to save time and satisfy curiosity, I’ve decided to share the background here for anyone who’s interested.

The title Baron of Fielden is a historic feudal honour, originally granted to the Field family by the English Crown during the reign of Henry IV, in recognition of their loyal service.

A Baron is formally referred to as “Lord”, and the correct way to write the title is: The Rt. Hon. The Lord Field

Origins

Following the Norman Conquest, many of William the Conqueror’s loyal generals and noble supporters were granted land across England. Among them was the Fielde family, who received a substantial tract of land south of a small market town called Bedford. Within this estate, a modest settlement emerged and was named Fielden in honour of the family.

In 1392, for their service and loyalty to King Henry IV—particularly in support of his Prussian crusade—the Fielde family were awarded the hereditary title Baron of Fielden. Though the title conferred baronial status,  his only granted them rights over the lands surrounding the hamlet and limited local governance, consistent with the feudal structure of “lesser barons,” who held rank and responsibility but were not entitled to seats in the royal court. This rule remains today an ‘lesser barons’ are not allowed into the House of Lords.

Evolution Through the Centuries

In 1528, Lord Thomas Field, the 7th Baron of Fielden, married Lady Jane Fiennes, daughter of Sir Thomas Fiennes, 8th Baron Dacre, who resided at Herstmonceux Castle. The family subsequently relocated to Bishopstone Manor, whose lands stretched along the Ouse Valley from Newhaven to Lewes, encompassing the villages of Piddinghoe and Rodmell.

Eventually, the original land in Fielden was sold, and the hamlet was absorbed into the growing expansion of Bedford.

By 1645, during a period of anti-French sentiment due to the Anglo-French wars, Lord Edward Fielde, the 12th Baron, anglicised the family surname from “Fielde” to “Field.”

With the passage of the Tenures Abolition Act of 1660, all feudal baronies were stripped of legal standing. Thereafter, such titles were no longer tied to land ownership but instead recognised as baronies by writ—hereditary and symbolic, but devoid of governing power.

Modern Succession

1930s

Lord Leslie Charles Field, the 20th Baron, shifted the family’s focus from agriculture to property development. Within a decade, he had constructed and let over 250 homes in Newhaven—housing 1 in 8 local residents at the time.

1950s

He pioneered one of the UK’s first affordable homeownership schemes. Acknowledging the financial burden of renting versus mortgages, he devised a cooperative building model: training individuals in basic construction skills and enabling them to build or modernise homes they would ultimately own—without deposits and with low-interest mortgages. The scheme delivered an average of 18 houses per week over seven years, supported by a workforce of more than 300 people. He also owned 23 companies, including the Peacehaven Building Society.

Walton Hall

Lord Field received a European Heritage Award nomination for the meticulous restoration of both his English country estate, Walton Hall in Warwickshire, and Pitfour Castle in St Madoes, Perthshire.

If you click on the link to Walton hall you will see some people sitting for dinner. I’m the small boy at my grandfathers table - note my mother and father sat on a separate table behind. They we not allowed to join us.

1957

While on military leave, his first-born son, Leslie Robert, fell in love with Marie Marks, a chambermaid in one of the family’s hotels. Lord Leslie Charles attempted to block the marriage on the grounds of social class, but the court overruled him. As a result, Leslie Robert was disinherited and removed from the family trust—on the condition that this would only be reversed if he divorced Marie. He never did, and they remained married for over 60 years.

1974

Lord Field’s eldest daughter, June, married Polish Count Vonvorvoski, a WWII intelligence officer, and was thereafter styled Countess Vonvorvoski.

1988

Lord Leslie Charles Field died while in tax exile on the Isle of Man. His estate was divided among his children—excluding the estranged eldest son, Leslie Robert Field. However, as the hereditary barony could only pass to the first-born son, Leslie Robert became the 21st Baron of Fielden.

2017

Following his death, the title passed to his son, Leslie John Field, who became the 22nd Baron of Fielden.

Leslie John does not have a son therefore on his death the peerage will become extinct.

Coat of Arms

The Field family crest bears the Latin motto: “Sapientia donum Dei” — “Wisdom is the gift of God.”

Interesting but I still think you got it from ebay…

If I came from noble bloodlines, I’m sure there’d be far more information available online. But as a ‘lesser baron’, there’s some coverage like the entry in the encyclopaedia Brittanica —just not a great deal.

Because the title isn’t plastered all over the internet, even after I have explained it to them, many people still think my title is one of those ‘Lord of the manor’ things that can be purchased online. So let’s put this to bed with some evidence.

A ‘Lord of the manor’ title holds no legal importance so the holder is still ‘Mr Jones, Lord of the manor of pigpen’ or whatever. It’s a bit of fun but it cannot be used on legal documents.

A real title has to be provided on all legal documents - in fact its illegal to use ‘Mr’.

When it comes to adding titles to legal identification documents (Especially your passport) the British Goverment and passport office does a very thorough background check. They don’t make mistakes.

Your family name must have a patent of nobility registered with English Heritage, you have to be a direct descendent of the original holder with your bloodline traceable with the national archives and Debretts.

Only if all three of these are correct and documented will the Goverment add your title to a Goverment supplied identification document like these below.

It takes three times as long to get a passport, longer to hire a car or get through an airport, and you never receive preferential treatment in hotels or restaurants—mostly because people assume you’ve just bought the title online.

In truth, it’s more of a nuisance than a privilege.