The charities have a long history of charitable giving going back 400 years.
The family of William Hatcliffe was established in royal circles and had been granted extensive lands and buildings in the Manor of Lee by Henry Vlll. William rose to a position of responsibility in the Court of James l. He was an Avener; that is responsible for the royal horses.
He died days after making his Will dated 15th May 1620. The provisions were challenged, and it was not until 1622 that the ruling of the Court of Chancery confirmed that the provisions should be put in place as he directed.
This meant that the four Hatcliffe Trusts, which still exist today, came into being. One Trust, the Estate Charity, was directed to hold the capital assets and, after deducting expenses, distribute the income in fixed proportions to the three ‘daughter’ charities, one of which is our charity, The Lee Charity of William Hatcliffe.
