| Date |
Event |
| c.1066 |
William the Conquerer grants the manor of Laxton to Geoffrey Alselin. In the next generation it passes through the female line to Robert de Caux |
| late 11th century |
A Norman motte and bailey castle is built. Laxton Castle becomes the administrative centre for Sherwood Forest (until the late 13th century) |
| c.1230 |
The manor passes into the hands of the de Everingham family |
| 1408 |
The manor passes to John Roos |
| 16th century |
A three-gabled brick house, 'Laxton Hall', is built in the grounds of the Norman castle |
| 1618 |
Gilbert Roos sells the manor to George Villiers, Marquess of Buckingham |
| 1625 |
The Marquess of Buckingham sells the manor to London merchant Sir William Courten |
| late 1620s |
Francis Roos sells the last part of the Roos estate in Laxton to Sir William Courten |
| 1635 |
Mark Pierce surveys the manor of Laxton |
| 1640 |
The manor is sold to Robert Pierrepont, 1st Earl of Kingston-upon-Hull |
| c.1660-1678 |
Court case over ownership of Cocking Moor, or Westwood Common |
| 1680-1681 |
Dispute between Laxton and Moorhouse residents over rights of common in Laxton |
| 1684 |
The manorial court is held only once per year from this point, rather than twice |
| 1726-1732 |
Minority of Evelyn Pierrepont, 2nd Duke of Kingston-upon-Hull. The manor of Laxton is administered by trustees who consolidate the estate by buying and exchanging land. Westwood Farm, Brockilow Farm, Knapeney Farm and Copthorne Farm are carved out of the edges of the village |
| early 1730s |
Enclosure of the common meadows and abolition of grazing rights on the sykes |
| 1736 |
A survey of the 2nd Duke of Kingston's estate in Laxton is made |
| 1751 |
Sir Bryan Broughton's estates are offered for sale, and split between numerous small freeholders |
| 1788 |
The manor of Laxton passes to Charles Medows (1737-1816), who assumed the surname Pierrepont. He was made Earl Manvers in 1806 |
| 1789 |
A survey and plan of Earl Manvers' estate in Laxton is made |
| 1820 |
A survey and plan of the 2nd Earl Manvers' estate in Laxton is made |
| 1862 |
A survey and plan of the 3rd Earl Manvers' estates in Laxton is made by Thomas Huskinson |
| 1867 |
The 3rd Earl Manvers becomes the only substantial landowner in the parish, with enough land to enclose unilaterally if he wished |
| 1903-1908 |
Substantial re-organisation and consolidation of the open fields. Strips joined together and reduced in number from 1,162 to 263 |
| 1906 |
The 4th Earl Manvers becomes the only owner of land in the open fields of Laxton |
| 1908 |
New regulations for grazing in Laxton are drawn up |
| 1952 |
The 6th Earl Manvers sells the manor of Laxton to the Ministry of Agriculture |
| 1953 |
Cocking Moor, otherwise known as Westwood Common, is enclosed |
| 1979 |
The Government announces the sale of Laxton |
| 1981 |
Laxton is bought by the Crown Estate Commissioners |