Lot Essay
Thar arms are those of Pennington impaling those of Compton, as borne by John, 1st Baron Muncaster, born in 1737. He spent his early life in the army, becoming a Colonel, and was later M.P. for Milborne Port 1781-1796, for Colchester 1796-1802 and for Westmorland 1806-1813. In 1783 he was created Baron Muncaster and in 1793 succeeded his father as a baronet. He married in 1778 Penelope, daughter of James Compton, great-grandson of the 2nd Earl Northampton. He corresponded extensively with William Wilberforce and was the author in 1792 of Historical Sketches of the Slave Trade and its Effects in Africa. He largely rebuilt Muncaster Castle and improved the park there by planting many thousands of trees and stocked it with the best breeds of cattle. He died in 1813 aged 73 (Complete Peerage).