Francis Willoughby, 3rd Lord Middleton

The 25th January 2026 is the 300th anniversary of the birth of an owner of Middleton Hall, Francis Willoughby 3rd Lord Middleton, who was born on that date in 1726.

Francis was the eldest son of Francis Willoughby, 2nd Lord Middleton, and Mary Edwards. He was educated at Bury St Edmund’s School and then, in 1744, at Jesus College, University of Cambridge.

Following his father’s death in 1758, Francis inherited Middleton and the remainder of the Willoughby Estates. He continued the Georgian reconstruction of the West Wing and renovation of the Chapel at Middleton Hall, which his father had begun only a few years earlier. He completed that work in 1762.

Francis also succeeded his father as the High Steward of Sutton Coldfield. In 1528, a Royal Charter established that the town of Sutton Coldfield was to be held by a Warden and Society and the inhabitants of the town. It also granted them the right to appoint a High Steward, who were appointed for life. It was originally a judicial role with significant local powers but soon became a symbolic role with solely ceremonial duties. The office of High Steward of Sutton Coldfield became extinct in 1974 when the corporation of Sutton Coldfield merged with Birmingham.

Francis Willoughby, 3rd Lord Middleton. Courtesy of Lord Middleton.

Francis never married and he died on 16th December 1774. The Derby Mercury newspaper reported that he had died at 5am at Wollaton Hall having been seized very suddenly in the night with violent pains in his stomach and bowels, which was thought to be gout, and had carried him off before any remedies could be given. He was interred in the family vault at St Nicholas’ Church, Wollaton, Nottinghamshire, where there is also a funerary memorial for him. His heir for all of his Estates was his younger brother Thomas, who became 4th Lord Middleton.

Funerary Memorial to Francis Willoughby 3rd Lord Middleton, Thomas Willoughby 4th Lord Middleton and Henry Willoughby 5th Lord Middleton in St Nicholas' Church, Wollaton, Nottinghamshire. Photograph taken by Amy Evans.

Further Reading: Kerry Osbourne, High Stewards of Sutton Coldfield, 2021. p6.

Derby Mercury, 16 December 1774, p4.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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