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The Honour of Peverel (also known as the Feudal Barony of the Peak) is a geographic area in the north of England comprising part of the historic feudal barony held by the Norman Peverel family. The honour was granted to William Peverel (c. 1050 – c. 1115) by William the Conqueror. Historians speculate that Peverel was the illegitimate son of William the Conqueror, but this is not supported by any firm evidence.
The Honour is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, and consisted of substantial lands comprising 162 manors including:
William Peverel's son, William Peverel the Younger, inherited the honour, but, accused of treason by King Henry II, forfeited it, and the king then passed it to Ranulph de Gernon, 2nd Earl of Chester, who died before he could take possession.
In literature
The story of the Peverels formed the background to the historical novel Peveril of the Peak, by Sir Walter Scott, set in the 17th century, and published in 1823.