National Feudal Register and Archive
 | |
| Abbreviation | NFRA |
|---|---|
| Type | Voluntary and non-profit organisation |
| Purpose | Authenticate manorial lordships, English feudal baronies and safeguard records about them |
| Headquarters | Golden Cross House, Strand, London WC2N 4JF |
| Coordinates | 51°30′30.006″N 0°7′44.191″W / 51.50833500°N 0.12894194°W |
Region served | England and Wales |
Operations Director | Dr Evelyn Teach |
| Affiliations | Law Society of England and Wales |
| Website | feudal |
The National Feudal Register and Archive (NFRA) is a voluntary, non-profit organisation focused on verifying and preserving records pertaining to feudal titles in the United Kingdom. Established and operated by solicitors and legal professionals affiliated with the Law Society of England and Wales, the NFRA aims to authenticate legitimate claims of feudal and manorial titles by conducting thorough research within historical documents.
Background[edit]
Feudal titles, such as manorial lordships and English feudal baronies, hold a significant place in the historical fabric of the United Kingdom, closely associated with aristocracy and royalty.[1] However, the past few years have witnessed a concerning rise in fraudulent claims surrounding these titles, which poses a threat to their authenticity and heritage.[2][3] Genuine and legally recognised claims to manorial lordship and English feudal barony titles have become increasingly scarce, resulting in a pressing need to safeguard the integrity of these traditional dignities and prevent the erosion of historical understanding. The absence of reliable and impartial record-keeping mechanisms[4] since the Land Registration Act 2002 poses a significant challenge to the preservation of Britain's ancestral legacy. Hence, addressing the growing problem of fraud related to feudal titles in the UK has become a matter of utmost importance.
Fraudulent activities concerning feudal titles often involve individuals making false ownership claims or fabricating counterfeit documents to support their assertions.[5] Such malpractice leads to confusion and disputes regarding the rightful ownership of these titles, carrying substantial legal and financial ramifications. Additionally, the absence of standardised record-keeping post-LRA further compounds the issue. Without a centralised registry for these titles, tracking ownership and verifying claims becomes a formidable task. This lack of standardisation also facilitates the ability of fraudsters to make false claims and produce counterfeit documentation.
To address these challenges, the National Feudal Register and Archive has been established as a vital institution. It serves as an impartial and objective mechanism, offering a comprehensive evaluation and documentation of the status and validity of feudal titles. By providing a centralised and standardised platform, the National Feudal Register and Archive aims to play a critical role in combating fraud and preserving the integrity of these historical titles.[6]
Function[edit]
The National Feudal Register and Archive maintains records and provides research services relating to feudal titles in the UK. The organisation assists individuals who claim hereditary rights to titles, as well as operational staff from government services and academic researchers, in documenting, establishing, and confirming ownership of alleged feudal properties and positions.
The organisation aims to preserve the historical integrity of feudal titles through rigorous research to verify the validity of claims. Sources consulted include records from the National Archives, universities, the Land Registry, and peerage references. By conducting thorough investigations using primary source documents, the organisation provides evaluations of the legitimacy of assertions about title ownership.
The registration and archival services provided help combat fraudulent or inaccurate claims about feudal titles by establishing a central, objective mechanism for assessing the status and validity of such assertions based on verifiable evidence from official records. Maintaining authoritative records and an open research process helps ensure feudal titles and their histories are accurately represented.
By safeguarding the authentic provenance of legitimate historical titles, the organisation helps preserve this aspect of legal and cultural history for future generations of researchers, genealogists, and members of the nobility. Its goal is to ensure feudal titles respected by law and social convention retain their meaning and continuity by limiting challenges to properly established rights and identities.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "A History of Lordships of the Manor". The Manorial Society of Great Britain. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- ^ "Manorial Lords". www.lautens.com. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- ^ Dobson, Jim. "A Real Game of Thrones: The Big Business of Buying and Selling Royal Titles". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- ^ "Practice guide 22: manors". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- ^ "Warning". Fake Titles. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- ^ Tanelger, Evan (2023-03-31). "National Feudal Register and Archive Protects Authenticity of Feudal Titles in the UK". FOX21 News Colorado. Retrieved 2024-06-18.