Lord Farmer - an English Lord involved with the parliamentary House of
Lords in the late seventeenth, and early eighteenth centuries. 
Mentioned in a letter to Lady Sarah Churchill (Duchess of Marlborough)
as attracting hostile criticism.

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 30 Sep 2003 05:22 PDT

Can you give us an idea of what you're hoping to learn? Are you
seeking background information on Lord Farmer, or are you looking for
a copy of the letter, or something else?

The more you can tell us about your precise needs, the better we'll be
able to assist you.

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Request for Question Clarification by journalist-ga on 30 Sep 2003 06:48 PDT

In reference to the passage below, are you certain the actual name was
Lord Farmer or could it be just a title?

"In 1551 the Bishop let the Lordship of Downton manor to a succession
of Lords Lessee (or Lord Farmers). Initially to Sir William Herbert
who was created Earl of Pembroke in the same year. Then for over 100
years it stayed with the Earls until 1662 when Philip, Earl of
Pembroke, was replaced by Sir Joseph Ashe as Lord Farmer. It stayed
with the Ashe family until 1741."
From http://www.downton.org.uk/book/webpage3.html