It extends southward from the vicinity of Ollerton, for more than six miles, along the banks of the Rainworth-water, and consists of 10,221 acres.
Because of their tenurial rather than geographical origin, the areas covered by liberties could either be widely scattered across a county.
The Manor of Rufford was granted on 12 July 1147 by Gilbert de Gant, to the Abbots of Rufford and his Cistercian monks in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Cistercian monks who lived at Rufford Abbey received many grants and charters and letters patent of prerogative and extraterritoriality and of confirmation of manors and land and franchises from kings, queens, dukes, earls, barons, lords and knights.
The remains of Rufford Abbey have been incorporated into a spacious mansion, situated in a richly-wooded park of 1400 acres; the large hall was altered to its present state in the reign of Elizabeth.
An apartment in which George IV of the United Kingdom slept on one of his visits to the north is still called the Prince of Wales bed-room.