These papers form part of the larger Manvers Collection, and were generated in the course of the management of the family's estate business. For details about the Pierrepont family and their estates, see the collection-level description for Manvers. In subject matter and date, they complement other groups of papers in the Manvers Collection. There are many areas of overlap between these groups, which are catalogued separately because of the date and manner of their transfer to the University.
The bulk of the material relates to the Holme Pierrepont and 'South Nottinghamshire' estate of the Earls Manvers in Adbolton, Bassingfield, Cotgrave, Cropwell Butler, Gamston, Holme Pierrepont, Lambley, Lamcote, Radcliffe on Trent, Stragglethorpe, Nottingham, Carlton, Gedling and Sneinton.
After the death of the Marquess of Dorchester in 1680, the Pierrepont family were based at Thoresby and used Holme Pierrepont as a second residence, a dower house, or a house for elder sons prior to their inheritance. It was requisitioned by the government during both the First and Second World Wars and left empty during the intervening period. Death duties following the death of the 5th Earl Manvers in 1940 forced the sale of the Holme Pierrepont estate, comprising the Hall, 23 farms, and 5465 acres of land. The Hall was purchased and renovated by Lady Sibell Argles (daughter of the 4th Earl Manvers), who lived there until her death in 1968.