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The LilIeshall Collection
The LilIeshall Collection Project
SA ref 972/1/1/1
The opportunity to purchase the records of the Lilleshall estate, part of the Duke of Sutherland’s English estates, in 2005 presented a rare opportunity for Shropshire Archives to develop a multi disciplinary project to improve both the physical and intellectual accessibility of this important collection. Shropshire Archives was awarded a grant of £349,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the project. Additional financial support came from The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust, the MLA/V & A Purchase Grant Fund, the Friends of the National Libraries, the Friends of Shropshire Archives and the Walker Trust.
The collection, comprising approximately 2.5 cubic metres, or 250 archive boxes, had been deposited with the then Shropshire Record Office in the 1950’s. The collection includes important material relating to Lilleshall Abbey, Wombridge Priory and Shrewsbury Abbey. Deeds from land formerly held by Lilleshall abbey include property in Derbyshire, Warwickshire, Kent and Norfolk as well as many areas in Shropshire and Staffordshire.
The estate maps within the collection are also very significant, including some outstanding maps dating from the late 16th to the early 17th centuries. The collection is an essential source for the local history of Shropshire, and a very valuable resource for the study of medieval life including the religious houses. It is of local and regional significance.
The final report of the project can be found by clicking on the link on the left of this page.
Online resources
Estate map of Kynnersley and the Weald Moors, 1587 (SA ref 972/7/3/3)
The catalogue to the collection consisting of over 6,000 records is now available online.
Use the advanced search function at the top of this page. Click the box for Shropshire Archives and enter 'Lilleshall Collection' to access the whole catalogue.
In addition to text records you will find images of many of the medieval deeds and colourful estate maps.
Transcripts and translations of over 100 of the medieval latin deeds and documents are available as pdfs.