Baron Clitheroe

Baron Clitheroe of Downham in the County of Lancaster is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in the 1955 Birthday Honours for the Conservative politician Ralph Assheton, who had previously served as Financial Secretary to the Treasury.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was the son of Ralph Cockayne Assheton, for many years a member of the Lancashire County Council, who had been created baronet 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. Template:As of, the titles are held by the first Baron's son, the second Baron, who succeeded in 1984.<ref name="burke">Template:Cite book</ref>

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 former Honour of Clitheroe. These were purchased out of the Clitheroe Estate Company following its administration in 1945. They included the Lordship of the Forest of Pendle.

The Assheton family, also spelled Ashton, derive from Ashton-under-Lyne. The military commander Sir John de Assheton (or de Ashton) was among their ancestors.<ref name="burke"/>

The family seat is Downham Hall, near Downham, Lancashire.

Assheton baronets of Downham (1945)

• Sir Ralph Cockayne Assheton, 1st Baronet (1860–1955)<ref name="burke"/>
• Sir Ralph Assheton, 2nd Baronet (1901–1984) (created Baron Clitheroe in 1955)

Barons Clitheroe (1955)

• Ralph Assheton, 1st Baron Clitheroe (1901–1984)<ref name="burke"/>
• Ralph John Assheton, 2nd Baron Clitheroe (born 1929)<ref name="burke"/>

The heir 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).

Line of succession

• File:Ulster.svg Sir Ralph Cockayne Assheton, 1st Baronet (1860–1955)Template:Cn
  • File:Coronet of a British Baron.svg Ralph Assheton, 1st Baron Clitheroe (1901–1984)
    • File:Coronet of a British Baron.svg Ralph John Assheton, 2nd Baron Clitheroe (born 1929)
      • (1) Hon. Ralph Christopher Assheton (born 1962)
        • (2) Ralph Anthony Assheton (born 1998)
      • (3) Hon. John Hotham Assheton (born 1964)
        • (4) William Hotham Assheton (born 1992)
        • (5) James Charles Assheton (born 1999)
    • Hon. Nicholas Assheton (1934–2012)
      • (6) Thomas Assheton (born 1963)
        • (7) Noah Frederick Assheton (born 1991)