| Barony Clitheroe | |
|---|---|
  Argent, a mullet sable pierced of the field | |
| Creation date | 20 June 1955 |
| Created by | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Peerage | Peerage of the United Kingdom |
| First holder | Ralph Assheton, 1st Baron Clitheroe |
| Present holder | Ralph Assheton, 2nd Baron Clitheroe |
| Heir apparent | Hon. Ralph Assheton |
| Remainder to | 1st Baron's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten[1] |
| Seat(s) | Downham Hall |
| Motto | Nec arrogo nec dubito ("I am neither proud nor hesitant")[2] |
Baron Clitheroe ofDownham in the County of Lancaster is a title in thePeerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in the1955 Birthday Honours for theConservative politicianRalph Assheton, who had previously served asFinancial Secretary to the Treasury.[3] He was the son ofRalph Cockayne Assheton, for many years a member of theLancashire County Council, who had been createdbaronet of Downham in the County of Lancaster, on 4 September 1945. Three months after being raised to the peerage, Lord Clitheroe succeeded his father in the baronetcy. As of 2017[update], the titles are held by the first Baron's son, the second Baron, who succeeded in 1984.[2]
In the immediate aftermath of World War II,Ralph Assheton also acquired title to the manorial and mineral rights as well as land holdings within the formerHonour of Clitheroe. These were purchased out of the Clitheroe Estate Company following its administration in 1945. They included the Lordship of theForest of Pendle.
The Assheton family, also spelled Ashton, derive fromAshton-under-Lyne. The military commander SirJohn de Assheton (or de Ashton) was among their ancestors.[2]
The family seat isDownham Hall, nearDownham,Lancashire.
Theheir apparent is the present holder's son, the Hon. Ralph Christopher Assheton (born 1962).
The heir apparent's heir apparent is his son, Ralph Anthony Assheton (born 1998).
Sir Ralph Cockayne Assheton, 1st Baronet (1860–1955)[citation needed]Ralph Assheton, 1st Baron Clitheroe (1901–1984)Ralph John Assheton, 2nd Baron Clitheroe (born 1929)