There is an air of nobility these days about Bradford-bred historian and writer Philip Baxter.

That's because the 69-year-old semi-retired lecturer's fascination with St John's Church has led him to inherit the ancient title of Lord of the Manor of Baildon.

His Lordship, a former Bradford Grammar School pupil, now holds one of the oldest titles in England, one which dates back to the Norman Conquest.

At one time the title would have meant the right to hold markets or fairs on the land, the right to mine and quarry within the manor, fishing rights, timber rights and the rights of free warren, free chase and free forest.

Now it is largely ornamental, but Mr Baxter said he was "incredibly proud" to have inherited the 700-year-old title, along with a diploma and a silver insignia from the Manorial Society of Great Britain.

Mr Baxter said: "Sadly all the moor land which once came with the title has been sold off, probably to Bradford Council.

"My only remaining right is a say in the appointment of the vicar, which is more than other Lords of the Manor who, today, are left with absolutely nothing.

"My family in Baildon dates back four centuries and I have lots of family, mainly cousins, still living in Baildon, so I am delighted to inherit the title."

His journey to nobility began last year when he was researching a book - Baildon Church History.

Historically, the church and the Lords of the Manor have always been linked, because the Lord owned most of the surrounding land. So as part of the research Mr Baxter contacted the then Lord of the Manor, whose family, the Maudes, have held the title for the last two centuries.

Previously it has been held by the Baildon family, who gave their name to the village and built their family seat, Baildon Old Hall, on the edge of the settlement.

Mr Baxter, who lived in the vicarage in Baildon before moving to Wiltshire, said: "I told the current Lord of the Manor I was going to write a book about the manorial history of Baildon and he said I seemed more interested in the title than him, so why should he not pass it to me.

"I am particularly proud because my family is not a noble family. We are working class people from Baildon. My ancestors worked around the mills and I was in the textile industry. It makes a nice change to now be Lord of the Manor."