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peerage  of  Cttglanb; 

i 

GENEALOGICAL, 
BIOGRAPHICAL,  AND  HISTORICAL. 

GREATLY  AUGMENTED, 
AND    CONTINUED    TO    THE    PRESENT    TIME, 

BY 

SIR  EGERTON  BRYDGES,   K.  J. 


IN  NINE  VOLUMES. 
VOL.  IV. 


LONDON: 

PRINTED  FOR  F.  C.  AND  J.  RIVINGTON,  OTRIDGE  AND  SON, 
J.  NICHOLS  AND  CO.  T.  PAYNE,  WILKIE  AND  ROIilNSON,  J. 
WALKER,  CLARKE  AND  SONS,  W.  LOWNDES,  R.  LEA,  J.  CUTHELL, 
LONGMAN,  HURST,  REES,  ORME,  AND  CO.  WHITE,  COCHRANE, 
AND  CO.  C.  LAW,  CADELL  AND  DAVIES,  J.  BOOIH,  CROSBY 
AND  CO.  J.  MURRAY,  J.  MAWMAN,  J.  BOOKER,  R.  SCHOLEY, 
J.  HATCHARD,  R.  BALDWIN,  CRADOCK  AND  JOY,  J.  FAULDER, 
GALE,  CURTIS  AND  CO.    JOHNSON  AND  CO.  AND  G.  ROBINSON. 

1812. 


Mo 


T,  F'.eiislej.  Printer, 
Bolt  Court,  Fleet  Street,  Londou. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  IV. 


EARLS. 

Page 

Poulett,  Earl  Poulett 1 

Cholmondeley ,  Earl  Cholmondeley 1(5 

Harley,  Earl  of  Oxford  and  Mortimer 37 

Shirley,  Earl  Ferrers  . 85 

Legge,  Earl  of  Dartmouth 105 

Bennet,  Earl  of  Tankerville 125 

Finch,  Earl  of  Aylesford 134 

Hervey,  Earl  of  Bristol • . . .  139 

Cowper,  Earl  Cowper ...  lt>2 

Stanhope,  Earl  Stanhope 171 

Sherard,  Earl  of  Harborough 180 

Parker,  Earl  of  Macclesfield 19O 

Fermor,  Earl  of  Pomfret 197 

Graham,  Earl  Graham 209 

Waldegrave,  Earl  Waldegrave 232 

Ashlurnham,  Earl  of  Ashburnham 249 

Howard,  Earl  of  Effingham 264 

Stanhope,  Earl  of  Harrington 284 

Wallop,  Earl  of  Portsmouth 2gl 

Greville,  Earl  Brooke  and  Earl  of  Warwick 330 

Hobart,  Earl  of  Buckinghamshire 362 

!374 
542 

Wyndham,  Earl  of  Egremont 401 

Harcourt,  Earl  Harcourt 428 

North,  Earl  of  Guildford 454 

Yorke,  Earl  of  Hardwicke . .  486 

Vane,  Earl  of  Darlington 499 

Fox,  Earl  oj  Ilchester ' „ 529 

$*?■  The  Reader  is  requested  to  turn  also  to  the  Addenda  at  the  end  of 
the  Volume  for  the  latest  dates,  and  a  few  corrections,  of  every  article. 


THE 


PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


EARLS. 


POULETT,    EARL    POULETT. 

Having  treated  of  the  original  of  this  family  in  that  of  the  Mar- 
quis of  Winchester,  Vol.  IT.  p.  367,  I  shall  begin  with  Sir 
Thomas  Paulett,  or  Poulett,  eldest  son  of  Sir  John  Paulett,  by- 
Elizabeth  his  wife,  daughter  and  co-heir  of  Sir  John  Creedy  of 
Creedy,  in  com.  Devon.  Knight. 

Which  Sir  Thomas  Paulett,  married  "Margaret,  daughter  and 
heir  of  Henry  bBoniton,  Esq.  by  Alice  his  wife,  daughter  and 
heir  of  John  de  Boys,  and  had  issue  two  sons,  Sir  William  Paulett, 
and  John  Paulett  of  Gothurst,  in  com.  Somers.j  also  a  daughter, 
Elizabeth,  married  to  Robert  Burton,  and  fecondly  to  William 
Bigberye,  Esquires. 

His  eldest  son,  Sir  William  Paulett  (knighted  by  Henry  VI. 
for  his  valiant  behaviour  in  the  wars  of  France)  married  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  and  heir  of  John  Deneband  of  Henton  (commonly 
Hinton)  St.  George,  in  the  county  of  Somerset,  Esq.  by  whom  he 
became  possessed  of  that  lordship,  which  came  by  the  Giffards, 
who  had  it  by  the  heir  of  Poutrals  ;c  and  the  Denebands  were  of 
Pescayth  in  Monmouthshire. 

a  MS.  menes  meipsum.  b  Ibid. 

C  John  and  George  Powtrell  owned  Hinton  St.  George,  in  the  reign  of  Rich.  I. 
and  K.  John.  The  latter  devised  it  to  his  only  daughter  and  heir,  married  to 
John  Giffard.  His  daughter  and  heir,  Alice,  married  Sir  Philip  Denehand,  whose 
son,  William,  gave  a  moiety  of  this  manor,  in  29  Henry  III.  to  his  brother  Ha- 
mon.     Collins  s  Somersetshire,  I.  166 

VOL.  IV.  B 

a 


2  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Leland,  in  his  Itinerary,  mentions  most  of  the  above  facts 

thus  j 

ct  The  eldest  manor  place  of  the  Paulettes  in  Somersetshire  is 
now  clene  downe.     But  yet  it  bereth  the  name  of  Pauktte,  and 

is  a  3  miles  from  Bridgwater.     There  was  one Benlaudc 

in  Somersetshire,  a  knight  of  good  estimation  about  Henry  the  V. 
tyme,  and  this  Denbaude  gave  this  title  in  many  of  his  writinges : 
Dominus  de  Postcuith  in  Gallia.  One  of  the  Paulettes  married  the 
heir  general  of  this  Denbaude,  and  so  was  the  Paulettes  landes 
welle  augmented  in  Somersetshire.  And  Mr.  Paulette's  father  that 
is  now  buildid  stoutely  at  Henton  in  Somersetshire,  the  which 
longed  in  tyme  past  to  the  Denbaudes.  Paulet,  that  is  now,  bought 
Sandforde  lordship  of  the  kinge.  Paullet  hath  a  nother  lordship 
hard  joyning  to  Sandford  called  Hawberton,  and  is  well  woodid, 
but  Shelford  hath  little.  Paulet  of  Somersetshire  landes  cummith 
thus  together  by  heyres  generales.  By  Boys  cam  Hawberton  lord- 
ship. Then  did  Arundel  and  Paulet  devide  a  peace  of  landes  of  ' 
the  Cantelupes.  Then  cam  a  peace  of  land  by  Rayne,  and  a  no- 
ther be  Beauchamp  of  the  West  Countery,  and  after  cam  Henton, 
Denbaudes  lande.d" 

Sir  William  bad  issue  one  son,  Sir  Amias  Paulettj 

And  four  daughters,  Christian,  first  married  to  Nicholas  Chi- 
chester, secondly  to  Henry  Hull,  and  thirdly  to  Willam  Martin  j 
Anne,  wife  of  Sir  William  Cary  of  Cockington,  Knight;  Flo- 
rence, to  John  Ashfield  j  and  Alice,  to  Sir  John  Paulett,  .Knight, 
by  whom  she  was  mother  to  William,  the  Jirst  Marquis  of  Win- 
chester. 

Which  Sir  Amias  was  knighted  for  his  gallant  behaviour  at 
the  battle  of  Newark  on  Trent,  June  ltfth,  1487,  when  the  Earl 
of  Lincoln  and  Lambart  Simnell  were  defeated.  He  was  like- 
wise one  of  the  ecommanders  of  those  forces  against  Perkin  War- 
beck  :  and  in  15  Hen.  VII.  bearing  the  title  of  one  of  the  Knights 
of  the  king's  body,  was  f  commissioned  with  Robert  Shirburn, 
Dean  of  St.  Paul's,  in  consideration  of  their  loyalty,  industry,  fore- 
sight, and  care,  to  receive  all  such  persons  into  favour,  as  were 
adherents  to  Perkin  Warbeck,  by  fine  or  otherwise,  as  to  them 
shall  seem  most  proper.  This  commission  they  managed  so  dis- 
creetly, that  (as  Hollinshed  observes)  s  "  Equity  therein  was  very 
well  and  justly  executed.'* 

d  Leland's  Icin.  VI.  iz.  «  Holinshead's  Chron.  p.  784. 

f  Rymer's  Feed.  torn.  XII,  p.  j66t  g  Chron.  p.  785. 


EARL  POULETT.  3 

It  is  further  memorable  of  him,  that  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VII. 
when  Cardinal  Wolsey  was  only  a  school-master  at  Limington  in 
Somersetshire,  Sir  Amias  Paulett,  for  some  misdemeanor  com- 
mitted by  him,  clapped  him  in  the  stocks :  which  the  Cardinal, 
when  he  grew  into  favour  with  Henry  VIIT.  so  far  resented,  that 
he  sought  all  manner  of  ways  to  give  him  trouble,  and  obliged 
him  (as  Godwin  in  his  Annals  observes51)  to  dance  attendance  at 
London  for  some  years,  and  by  all  manner  of  obsequiousness  to 
curry  favour  with  him.  During  the  time  of  his  attendance,  being 
commanded  by  the  Cardinal  not  to  depart  London  without  licence, 
he  took  up  his  lodging  in  the  great  gate  of  the  Temple  towards 
Fleet-street.  And  in  7  Henry  VIII.  when  the  Cardinal  was 
made  *  Lord-Chancellor,  he  re-edified  the  said  gate  (now  called  the 
Middle-Temple  gate)  and  sumptuously  beautified  it  on  the  out- 
side with  the  Cardinal's  arms,  cognizance,  badges,  and  other 
devices,  in  a  glorious  manner,  thereby  hoping  to  appease  his 
displeasure.  Having  been  so  great  a  benefactor  to  the  society  of 
the  Middle-Temple,  hek  was  chosen  Treasurer  thereof  in  12 
Henry  VIII.  and  departed  this  life  in  1538.  His  last  will  bears 
date,  April  1st,  1538,  and  the  probate  thereof  June  25th  follow- 
ing !.  He  orders  his  body  to  be  buried  in  the  church  of  Chers- 
comb,  in  com.  Somersetshire,  and  was  a  benefactor  to  the  cathedral 
church  of  Wells,  and  to  the  churches  of  Henton,  Cherscomb, 
Chard,  Crookhome,  Ylminster,  South-Peterton,  Dynington,  and 
the  abbey  and  convent  of  Ford.  He  bequeaths  all  his  lands,  goods, 
&c.  to  his  son  asd  heir  Sir  Hugh  Paulet,  Knight,  whom  he  made 
sole  executor,  charging  him  to  be  loving  to  his  sons  John  and 
Henry,  and  to  help  them  to  preferment. 

He  married  two  wives,  first,  Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  John 
Paulett,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  (grandfather  of  William  Marquis  of 
Winchester)  j  and  sister  to  Sir  John  Paulett,  who  had  married  his 
sister  Elizabeth  j  and  secondly,  *Lora,  daughter  of  William  Kella- 
Avay,  of  Rockborn,  in  com.  Southamp.  Esq.  but  had  issue  only  by 
the  last,  viz.  the  three  sons  mentioned  in  his  will 5  and  one 
daughter,  Elizabeth,  married  first  to  John  Sidenham,  Esq.  j  se- 
condly to  William  Carswell,  of  Carswell,  in  Devonshire,  Esq.;  and 
thirdly  to  Francis  Coppleston,  Esq. 

Sir  Hugh  Paulett,  his  eldest  son,  was  knighted  for  his  ser- 
vices in  the  French  wars,  at  taking  Brey  at  the  siege  of  Bou- 

h  P.  2g,  ,  i  Dugd.  Orig.  Jurid.  p.  138. 

*  Ibid,  p  2x1.  l  Ex  Regist.  Dingley  in  Cur.  Prxrog.  Cant. 


4  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

logne,  1544,  in  the  presence  of  Hen.  VIII.  In  30  Hen.  VIII.  in 
consideration  of  his  services/"  he  had  a  grant  from  the  King,  to 
him  and  his  heirs,  of  the  manor  and  borough  of  Samford-Peverell, 
in  Devonshire;  and  on  February  24th,  31  Hen.  VIII."  was  made 
Supervisor  of  all  the  manors,  messuages,  lands,  &c.  belonging 
to  Richard  Whiting,  late  Abbot  of  Glastonbury,  attainted.  On 
May  11th,  33  Hen.  VJII.  he  had°  a  grant,  to  him  and  his  heirs, 
of  all  the  King's  lands,  tenements,  woods,  &c.  called  Upcrofte, 
and  Combe,  in  Crukerne,  in  the  county  of  Somerset.  He  was 
Sheriff  of  Dorset  and  Somersetshire,  in  2g  and  34  Henry  VIII. 
and  1st  of  Edward  VI. 

In  3  Edward  VI  he  was  p  Knight  marshal  of  that  army  com- 
manded by  the  Lord  Russell  (Lord  Privy  Seal),  sent  against  the 
rebels  of  Devonshire  and  Cornwall,  who  had  besieged  the  city  of 
Exeter;  and  being  defeated  by  the  King's  forces,  fled  into  So- 
mersetshire, where  this  Sir  Hugh  followed  them,  and  at  King's- 
Weston  again  vanquished  them,  and  took  their  leader  prisoner. 
For  these  services  he  was,  the  year  following,  ^made  Governor  of 
the  Isle  of  Jersey,  and  of  Mount-Orguil  castle. 

In  the  6th  year  of  Q.  Elizabeth,  he  was  one  of  the  principal 
commanders,  who  so  valiantly  defended  Newhaven  against  the 
French  jr  and  when  Montmorency,  Constable  of  France,  by  a 
trumpet  to  the  Earl  of  Warwick,  summoned  him  to  surrender, 
this  Sir  Hugh  Paulett  was  sent  by  the  Earl  to  assure  the  Constable, 
that  the  English  were  prepared  to  suffer  the  last  extremity,  before 
they  would  yield  up  the  town  without  the  Queen's  orders.  And 
when  the  forces  were  greatly  reduced  by  the  pjague  and  pesti- 
lence, so  that  the  Queen,  in  compassion  to  those  brave  soldiers 
that  were  living,  gave  directions  to  the  earl  of  Warwick  to  sur- 
render the  town,3  Sir  Hugh  Paulett  was  the  principal  of  the  Com- 
missioners that  managed  the  conference  with  the  Constable  of* 
France,  for  the  capitulation. 

Dr.  Fall,  in  his  Account  of  the  Island  of  Jersey,  writes,  That 
this  Sir  Hugh  Paulett  was  Treasurer  to  Henry  VIII.'s  army  at 
the  siege  of  Boulogne ;  Governor  of  Havre  de  Grace,  when  the 
town  was  in  the  hands  of  the  English ;  reputed  one  of  the  best 
and  most  experienced  captains  of  his  time,  and  a  zealous  pro- 
moter of  the  reformation  in  the  Island  of  Jersey;  of  which  he  was 

m  Priv.  Sigil.  30  Henry  VIII.  n  Bill.  Signat.   31  Henry  VIII. 

o  Priv.  Sigil.   33  Henry  VIII.  P  Holinshead,  p.  1026. 

9  Rymer,  tom.  XV.  p.  261.  r  Camden's  History  of  Queen  Elizabeth 
in  History  of  England,  Vol.  II.  292.  *  Stow's  Annals,,  p.  655. 


EARL  POULETT.  5 

Governor  twenty-four  years,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Sir 
Amias  Paulett,  in  13  Eliz. 

He  married  first  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Walter  Blount,  of 
Blount  Hall,  com.  Staff.  Esq.  but  had  no  issue  by  her;  secondly 
Philippa,  daughter  and  heir  to  Sir  Lewis  Pollard,  of  King's  Nym- 
ton,  in  Devonshire,  Knt.  by  whom  he  had  issue  three  sons,  Sir 
Amias  Paulett,  Nicholas,  and  George,  as  also  a  daughter,  Jane, 
wife  of  Christopher  Coppleston,  of  Coppleston,  in  Devonshire, 
Esquire. 

His  eldest  son,  Sir  Amias  Paulett,  succeeded  him  in  the  go- 
vernment of  the  Isle  of  Jersey,  as  was  said  before ;  and  was 
knighted  18  Eliz.  In  the  year  \5yQ,  he  was  Embassador  to  the 
French  King  j  which  high  office  he  discharged  to  the  entire  satis- 
faction of  his  royal  mistress,  who  expressed  it  in  a  letter  which 
she  wrote  to  him  from  Greenwich,  Ocf.  22d,  1579,  stiM  preserved 
in  a  large  collection  of  his  MSS.  among  the  family  papers.  He 
lived  upon  terms  of  great  intimacy  and  friendship  with  all  the 
statesmen  of  his  own  period,  and  with  many  of  the  principal  no- 
bility of  Queen  Elizabeth's  court ;  several  of  whom,  in  their  fami- 
liar epistles  to  him,  have  left  ample  testimonies  of  their  esteem 
for  his  private  worth,  as  well  as  of  their  approbation  of  his  public 
merits.  The  Lord  Treasurer  Burleigh  expresses  the  estimation  in 
which  his  character  was  held  at  that  time,  in  a  letter  written  to 
him  just  before  he  set  out  on  his  embassy  to  France.  "  I  can  give 
you  no  better  council  than  yourself  hath  in  store :  change  not 
your  manners  with  the  soil  you  go  to:  confirm  by  your  actions 
abroad,  the  good  opinion  you  have  at  home,  namely  for  your  reli- 
gion and  discretion."11 

In  27  Eliz.  the  keeping  of  Mary  Queen  of  Scots,x  was  chiefly 
committed  to  his  fidelity;  who  so  honourably  discharged  his  trust 
therein,  that  when  Secretary  Walsingham  moved  him  to  surfer  one 
of  his  servants  to  be  bribed  by  the  agents  of  the  Queen  of  Scots, 
the  better  to  gain  intelligence,  he  would  on  no  terms  consent  to  it. 
Yet  though  it  has  been  said,  that  the  custody  of  Mary  Queen  of 
Scots,  was  taken  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Earl  of  Shrewsbury,  be- 
cause he  had  treated  the  unhappy  prisoner  too  leniently  j  .  Sir 
Amias  is  reported  to  have  behaved  very  differently:  "  Even  the 
short  period  of  her  days  that  remained,"  says  Robertson,  "  they 
rendered  uncomfortable  by  every  hardship  and  indignity,  which 

1  Fall's  Account  of  Jersey,  p.  91.  u  Harding's  Biogr.  Mirror,  II.  7^. 

*  Camden's  Hist,  praed.  p.  501. 


O.  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

it  was  in  their  power  to  inflict.  Almost  all  her  servants  were 
dismissed,  she  was  treated  no  longer  with  the  respect  due  to  a 
queen ;  and  though  the  rigour  of  seventeen  years  imprisonment 
had  broken  her  constitution,  she  was  confined  to  two  ruinous 
chambers,  scarce  habitable  even  in  the  middle  of  summer,  by- 
reason  of  the  cold,"  &:c.  Robertson  adds,  that  "  after  the  publi- 
cation of  her  sentence,  she  was  stripped  of  every  remaining  mark 
of  royalty-}  the  canopy  of  state  in  her  apartment  was  pulled  down  j 
Poulett  entered  her  chamber,  and  approached  her  person  without 
ceremony,  and  even  appeared  covered  in  her  presence.  But 
Poulett,  though  rigorous  and  harsh,  and  often  brutal,  in  the  dis- 
charge of  what  he  thought  his  duty,  as  Mary's  keeper,  was,  never- 
theless, a  man  of  honour  and  integrity.  He  rejected  the  proposal 
to  take  away  her  life  secretly,  with  disdain ;  and  lamenting  that 
he  should  ever  have  been  deemed  capable  of  acting  the  part  of  an 
assassin,  he  declared,  that  the  Queen  might  dispose  of  his  life  at 
her  pleasure,  but  he  would  never  stain  his  own  honour,  nor  leave 
an  everlasting  mark  of  infamy  on  his  posterity,  by  lending  his 
hand  to  perpetuate  so  foul  a  crime. "* 

It  is  but  justice  to  transcribe  his  spirited  letter  to  Sir  Francis 
Walsingham  at  length : 

"  Sir, 
ft  Your  letters  of  yesterday  coming  to  my  hand  this  present 
day,  at  five  in  the  afternoon,  I  would  not  fail,  according  to  your 

y  Lodge,  in  his  Illustrations  of  British  History,  II.  30*7,  observes,  "  This  part 
of  the  melanch&ly  story  of  Mary's  imprisonment  hath  always  been  misrepresented. 
.The  common  account  is,  that  the  earl  of  Shrewsbury  having  been  found  to  treat 
her  with  too  much  respect  and  gentleness  (of  which,  by  the  bye,  we  do  not  find 
abundance  of  instances),  she  was  taken  from  him,  and'placed  in  the  hands  of  6ir 
Amias  Poulett,  and  Sir  Drue  Drury,  whose  chief  recommendation  was  a  sternness 
and  ferocity  of  manners,  which  her  arch  enemy  charitably  hoped  her  delicate  frame 
would  soon  sink  under.  We  are  to  infer  then,  that  Elizabeth  had  thought  fit  to 
dismiss  the  Earl,  and  that  these  persons  were  immediately  appointed  to  succeed 
him  :  but  our  papers  prove  the  contrary  in  bo:h  instances ;  for  they  not  only  afford 
us  simple  evidence,  that  the  Earl  resigned  his  charge  voluntarily,  nay,  that  he  had 
held  it  for  several  years  most  unwillingly  at  the  Queen's  instance,  but  also,  that 
Mildmay  and  Somers  immediately  succeeded  himj  that  Lord  St.  John  was  then 
nominated j  and  even  in  a  letter  written  five  months  after  the  Earl  had  received 
his  quietus  from  the  council  board,  the  appointment  of  Paulet  is  spoken  of  as  a 
rumour,  and  Drury's  name  is  not  mentioned."  It  is  well  remarked,  that  Mr. 
Lodge  in  this  work  "  has  brought  to  light  several  events  of  this  period,  in  which 
some  of  the  characters  appear  in  very  different  colours  from  those  in  which  our 
modern  historians  have  introduced  them  to  us."    Bhgr.  Mirror,  II.  74. 


EARL  POULETT.  7 

direction,  to  return  my  answer  with  all  possible  speed,  which 
shall  deliver  unto  you  with  great  grief  and  bitterness  of  mind,  in 
that  I  am  so  unhappy  to  have  lyven  to  see  this  unhappy  day,  in 
the  which  I  am  required,  by  direction  of  my  most  gracious  sove- 
reign, to  do  an  act  which  God  and  the  law  forbiddeth.  My  good 
livings  and  life  are  at  her  Majesty's  disposition ;  and  I  am  ready 
to  lose  them  this  next  morrow,  if  it  shall  so  please  her,  acknow- 
ledging that  I  hold  them,  as  of  her  meet  and  most  gracious 
favour;  and  do  not  desire  to  enjoy  them  but  with  her  Highness's 
good  liking.  But  God  forbid  that  I  .should  make  so  foul  a  ship- 
wreck of  my  conscience,  or  leave  so  great  a  blot  to  my  posterity, 
to  shed  blood  without  law  or  warrant.  Trufting  that  her  Majesty, 
of  her  accustomed  clemency,  and  the  rather  by  your  good  media- 
tion, will  take  this  my  dutiful  answer  in  good  part,  as  proceed- 
ing from  one  who  will  never  be  inferior  to  any  Christian  subject 
living,  in  duty,  honour,  love,and  obedience  towards  his  Sovereign. 
And  thus  I  commit  you  to  the  mercy  of  the  Almighty. 

Your  most  assured  poor  friend, 

A.  Paulett."x 

In  29  Eliz.  being  one  of  the  Privy-council,  and  Governor  of 
the  Isle  of  Jersey,  he  was  in  a  commission  for  the  trial  of  the 
Queen  of  Scots.  And  in  the  year  after,  on  the  eve  of  the  feast 
of  St.  George,  was  b  sworn,  at  Greenwich,  Chancellor  of  the  most 
noble  order  of  the  Garter :  and  was  also  Custos  Rotulorum  of 
the  county  of  Somerset. 

He  died  in  1588,  and  was  buried  on  the  north  side  of  the  chan- 
cel in  the  church  of  St  Martin  in  the  Fields,  London,  where  a 
noble  monument  was  erected  to  his  memory,  of  the  Ionic  order, 
with  his  effigies  carved  at  full  length,  lying  in  armour,  fenced 
with  iron  rails,  and  this  inscription : 

Honoratissimo  Patri  D.  Amitio  Fouleto,  Equito  aurato,  Insula: 
Jersa:  prafecto,  apud  Chris tianissimum  Re  gem  quondam  le  era  to, 
NoliUssimi  Ordinis  Garterii  Cancellario,  et  sereniss'nnce  Principis 
Elizabeths  Consiliario,  Antonius  Pouletus  Jilius  hoc  Pietatis  Mo- 
numentum  mcerens  posuit, 

z  See  another  letter  of  Sir  Amias,  printed  in  the  Appendix  to  Robertson;  and 
dated  from  Chartley,  ioth  Sept.  1 586,  which  does  not  appear  quite  so  creditable 
to  him. 

a  Garden's  Hist.  p.  50*.  b  Ashmole's  Order  of  the  Garter,  p.  521. 


8  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Gardez  la  Foy. 
Quod  verlo  servarejidem,  Poulette,  solebas, 

Quam  bene  conveniunt  hcec  tria  verba  tibi  ? 
Quod  gladio  servarejidem,  Poulette,  solebas, 

Quam  bene  conveniunt  hcec  tria  signa  tibi  ? 
Patria  te  sensit,  sensit  Reginajidelem, 
'     SicJLdus  civis,  sicque  Senator  eras. 
Tejidum  Christust  tejidum  Ecclesia  sensit, 

Sic  servas  inter  multa  periclajidem. 
Ergo  quod  servo  Princeps,  Ecclesia  nato, 

Patri  quodjido  cive  sit  orba  dolet.  , 

Inter ea  Christ  us  defuncti  facta  coronat, 

A  quo  servatam  viderat  essefdem. 

Margarela  Poulett  hoc  Ep'uaphium  mczroris  simul  et  amoris  sui 
perpetuum  testem  Amitio  conjugi  suo  carissimo  clarissimoq;  dicavit.c 

*  By  the  inquisition  taken  on  Jan.  15tb,  1588-p,  at  the  city  of 
Wells,  in  the  county  of  Somerset,  it  appears  that  Sir  Amias  Pou- 
lett, Knt.  died  on  September  26th,  1588,  and  was,  at  the  time  of 
his  decease,  seised  of  the  manor  of  George-Hinton,  with  appurte- 
nances in  Henton  ;  the  manors  of  Bymyngton,  Henton-park,  and 
farm  of  Combe}  the  manors  of  Chascomb,  Knolle,  Jlleigh,  Stock- 
linch,  SUepton,  Roade,  Sherston,  and  Stalleigh,  with  the  advowson 
of  the  church ;  the  manor  of  Curry  Mallet,  and  Ruton,  and  advow- 
son of  the  church  and  park  of  Curry  Mallet,  by  patent,  5  th  July,  in 
8  Eliz.  all  in  the  county  of  Somerset  j  and  the  rectory  with  ad- 
vowson of  the  church  and  park  of  Curry-Mallet,  by  patent,  July 
6th,  in  8th  Eliz.  j  also  one  fourth  of  the  manor  of  Crewkherne, 
and  one  fourth  of  the  hundred  of  Crewkherne,  all  in  the  county 
of  Somerset}  one  third  of  the  manor  of  Marshland- Vale,  in  the 
county  of  Dorset  3  the  manors  of  Stamford  Peverell,  Uplomyn, 
with  the  advowson  of  the  church,  Halberton,  and  Boyes,  in  the 
county  of  Devon }  and  a  granary,  with  garden-land  to  the  same 
belonging,  containing  one  acre,  in  Clerkenwell,  in  the  county  of 
Middlesex.     And  that  Anthony  Poulett  was  his  son  and  heir,  and 
then  of  the  age  of  twenty-five  years,    by  his  wife  Margaret, 
daughter  and  heir  of  Anthony  Harvey,  of  Columb  John,  in  com. 
Devon,  Esq.     He  had  issue  by  her  three  sons  3  Hugh,  who  died 
*a  his  infancy,  Sir  Anthony  Paulett,  and 

c  See  this  inscription,  with  some  additions,  in  Harding's  Bwgr.  Jlfirror,  II.  77, 
where  is  a  portrait  of  Sir  AmLs.     See  also  Fuller's  Won  hies,  Som.  24. 
A  Coles  Esc.  lib.  5.  N.  61.  p.  328,  in  Bibl.  Harley. 


EARL  POULETT.  Q 

George  Paulett,  of  Gothurst,  in  com.  Somerset,  in  right  of  his 
wife  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heir  of  Edward  Paulett,  of  the  same 
place,  Esq.  lineally  descended  from  John  Poulett,  of  Gothurst, 
brother  to  Sir  William  Poulett  beforementioned,  who  first  resided 
at  Henton  St.  George. 

Also  three  daughters,  Joan,  married  to  Robert  Heydon,  of 
Bowood,  in  com.  Devon.,  Esq.  Sarah,  first  wife  of  Sir  Francis 
Vincent,  of  Stoke- Dabernon,  in  Surry,  Knt.  and  Bart,  and  Eli- 
zabeth, who  died  unmarried. 

His  eldest  surviving  son  and  heir,  Sir  Anthony  Poulett,  was 
alfo  c  constituted  Governor  of  the  Isle  of  Jersey,  on  the  death  of 
his  father ;  was  likewise  Captain  of  the  guard  to  queen  Eliz.  who 
conferred  the  honour  of  knighthood  on  him;  and  in  1600,  he 
departed  this  life.  He  fmarried,  in  1583,  Catherine,  sole  daugh- 
ter to  Henry  Lord  Norreys,  Baron  of  Rycot,  by  whom  he  had 
issue  John  his  son  and  heir,  and 

Henry  second'  son,  from  whom  the  family  at  Preston,  and  those 
that  were  of  Taunton,,  in  Somersetshire,  descended. 

And  two  daughters,  Margery,  married  to  John  Sidenham,  of 
Combe,  in  the  county  of  Somerset,  Esq.  and  Susan,  the  wife  of 
Sir  Peter  Prideaux,  of  Netherton,  in  Devonshire,  Bart. 

Which  John  Poulett,  Esq.  first  Lord  Poulett,  being  a 
very  accomplished  gentleman,  of  quick  and  clear  parts,  and  a 
bountiful  house-keeper  (as  Fuller  in  his  Worthies  of  England  re- 
lates*1), King  Charles  I.  consigned  Mons.  Soubize  unto  him,  who 
gave  him  and  his  retinue  many  months  liberal  entertainment. 
After  which  he  was  by  letters  patent,  bearing  date  June  23d, 
\Q^7,  advanced1  to  the  dignity  of  a  Baron  of  this  realm  by  the 
title  of  Lord  Poulett,  of  Hinton  St.  George.  He  was  ^knighted 
with  his  eldest  fon,  Sir  John  Poulett,  by  the  earl  of  Lindsey,  on 
board  his  Majesty's  ship  the  Mary-honour,  on  September  27th, 
1635,  with  four  other  persons  of  quality ;  being  in  that  fleet  then 
sent  out  to  secure  our  commerce,  the  Spanish  bullion,  &c.  in 
English  bottoms,  which  was  expected  home,  and  thought  to  be 
in  danger  from  the  Hollanders,  who  had  lately  made  a  league 
with  France  against  Spain.  Which  service  our  fleet  performed. 

e  Fall's  Account  of  Jersey,  p.  94.  f  Holinshed,  p.  1355. 

g  He  died  8ch  May, buried  at  Bishop's  Lydiard,  co.  Somerset.    Where 

is  an  inscription  for  Malet  Poulet,  son  of  Henry  Poulet,  Esq.  who  was  buried 
here,  23d  Nov.  1672,  aged  38  j  and  Margaret,  sister  to  Malet  Poulet,  who  died 
24th  October,  1683.      Collimon,  Vol.  II.  496. 

*  in  com. 'Somerset,  p.  32.  *  Pat.  3  Car.  I.  p.  36. 

k  Cat.  of  Knights,  p.  152. 


ro  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

In  the  year  1640,  he  was  summoned  to  that  council  appointed 
to  meet  at  York,  to  advise  his  Majesty  what  method  should  be 
taken  with  the  Scots,  who  had  then  invaded  the  northern  parts  of 
the  kingdom.  And  this  meeting  producing  a  treaty  at  Rippon, 
he  was  appointed  by  the  King,  with  seventeen  other  Peers,  com- 
missioners for  that  purpose,  being  (as  Lord  Clarendon  writes1), 
all  popular  men,  and  not  one  of  them  of  much  interest  in  the 
court,  except  the  earl  of  Holland.  But  when  the  Parliament* 
that  met  soon  after,  engaged  in  designs  (as  he  thought)  prejudi- 
cial to  his  Majesty's  interest,  he  manifested  the  greatest  dislike 
thereof,  and  immediately  repaired  to  his  Majesty  at  York  j  where 
he,  with  many  other  Lords  and  Counsellors,  on  June  15th,  l642,m 
subscribed  a  declaration,  disavowing  any  intention,  either  in  the 
King,  or  themselves,  of  raising  war  against  the  Parliament.  And 
an  unnatural  rebellion  openly  breaking  out  soon  after,  he  most 
loyally  engaged  both  himself  and  his  eldest  son  in  the  royal  causey 
and  having  accepted  of  a  commission  to  raise  a  regiment  of  1500 
foot,  he  "accompanied  the  Marquis  of  Hertford  into  the  west  of 
England,  by  whose  great  reputation,  and  the  interest  of  this  Lord 
Poulett,  with  some  other  gentlemen  of  prime  quality  there,  his 
Majesty  hoped  to  form  an  army  in  those  parts  able  to  relieve 
Portsmouth,  then  besieged  by  the  Parliament's  forces  j  "  they 
being  (as  Lord  Clarendon  writes),0  like  to  give  as  good  examples 
in  their  persons,  and  to  be  followed  by  as  many  men,  as  any  such 
number  of  gentlemen  in  England  could  be."  However,  after 
having,  with  less  than  1000  men,  withstood  an  army  of  7000, 
commanded  by  the  Earl  of  Bedford,  and  finding  themselves  un- 
able, by  reason  of  his  coming,  to  draw  more  forces  together,  the 
Marquis  and  the  Lord  Poulett  p  transported  themselves  into  Wales, 
where  they  raised  2000  foot,'!  and  one  regiment  of  horse. 

In  the  year  1644,  he  was  one  of  the  principal  commanders  that 
besieged  Lyme,  in  Dorsetshire,1"  which,  after  many  gallant  at- 
tacks, being  almost  reduced,  was  supplied  with  provisions  by  the 
Earl  of  Warwick,  and  the  siege  raised  soon  after  by  the  Earl  of 
Essex.  Thereupon  the  Parliament  voted,  that  lOOOl.  per  annum, 
out  of  the  Lord  Poulett's  estate,  should  be  given  to  the  inhabit- 
ants, in  recompence  for  their  service.  The  same  year  she  met  his 
Majesty  a  mile  from  Exeter,  in  order  to  conduct  him  to  that  city ; 

1  Hist,  of  the  Rebellion,  8vo.  Vol.  I.  p.  155.  m  Ibid.  p.  65$,  6$6. 

«  Ibid.  p.  C81.  o  Hist,  praed.  p'715.  P  Ibid.  Vol.  II.  p.  20. 

<1  Ibid.  p.  127.  r  Wh'itlock's  Memona's,  p.  16. 

'  s  Walker's  H'storical  D  sc.  p.  47. 


EARL  POULETT.  11 

and  on  September  30th,  following,  had  the  honour  to  lentertain 
him  at  his  seat  at  Henton  St.  George.  The  year  following  the 
King  was  unsuccessful  in  all  his  undertakings,  and  the  kingdom 
being  reduced  to  the  obedience  of  the  Parliament,  he  endeavoured 
to  compound  for  his  estate.  ,  But  the  houses  of  Peers  and  Com- 
mons differing  in  their  opinions,  the  Lords  u  thinking  tit  to  pardon 
him,  and  the  Commons  dissenting,  he  on  April  20th,  l646,v  ob- 
tained leave  to  stay  at  Exeter,  until  he  should  compound  with 
the  Parliament,  or  get  a  pass  to  transport  himself  out  of  England. 
However,  on  May  2d  following,  after  a  sharp  debate,  he,  at  the 
request  of  the  General,  was  permitted  to  compound ,•  and  the 
same  day,  on  a  petition  from  the  town  of  Lyme,  it  was  ordered 
they  should  have  reparation  out  of  his  estate  for  the  losses  they 
had  suffered  by  him.  How  far  this  was  complied  with,  appears 
not  3  but  his  composition  was  not  settled  till  three  years  after, 
when,  on  March  6th,  l648-9,y  it  was  voted  to  be  4,200 1.  and  at 
the  same  time  Sir  John  Poulett,  his  son,  was  likewise  allowed  to 
compound  for  3760I. 

This  noble  peer  departed  this  life  on  March  20th,  l64g,%  hav- 
ing taken  to  wife,  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  coheir  to  Christopher 
Ken,  of  Ken- Court,  in  com.  Somerset,  Esq.  who  survived  him, 
and  was  mairied  secondly  to  John  Ashburnham,  of  Ashburnham 
in  com.  Suss.  Esq.  (ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  of  Ashburnham), 
by  whom  he  had  three  sons  and  five  daughters ;  viz.  John,  his 
successor ; 

Francis,  who  married  Catherine,  daughter  to  Robert  Creighton, 
Bishop  of  Bath; 
And  Amias  Poulett. 

Florence,  married  to  Thomas  Smith,  of  Long-Ashton,  in  So- 
merset, Esq.  ancestor  to  Sir  John  Smith  of  the  same  place,  Ba- 
ronet j  secondly  to  Colonel  Thomas  Pigot,  of  the  kingdom  of 
Ireland ; 

Margaret,  first  to  Dennis  Rolle,  of  Stephen  tori,  in  com.  Devon, 
Esq. j  secondly  to  Sir  Richard  Cholmley,  of  Grosmonr,  in  com. 
Ebor.  Knt.  Banneret,  Governor  of  Axminster,  for  Charles  L;  and 
lastly,  te  colonel  Edward  Cook,  of  Highnam,  in  com.  Gloucest. 
Susanna,  to  Michael  War  ton,  of  Beverley,  in  com  Ebor.  Esq. 
Helena,  to  William  Wilmot,  son  and  heir  to  Sir  George  Wil- 
mot,  of  Charlton,  in  Berkshire.,  Knt,  and  adying  May  12th,  1(351, 

t  Walker's  Historical  Difc.  p.  98.  u' VVhitlock  praed.  p.  205. 

v  Ibid.  p.  207.  x  Jbid.  p.  20S.  y  ibid,  p-278. 

z  There  is  a  portrait  of  him  in  Harding's  British  Cabinet. 
»  Le  Neve's  Mon.  Aug,  Vol.  II.  p.  6. 

1 


12  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

was  buried  in  Wantage  church,  in  the  same  county,  where  a  mo- 
nument is  erected  to  her  memory; 

Elizabeth,  youngest  daughter,  was  married  first  to  William 
Ashburnham,  of  Ashburnham,  in  com.  Suss.  Esq.  ancestor  by  her 
to  the  present  Earl  ;  and  afterwards  to  Sir  William  Hartop,  of 
Rotherby,  in  com.  Leicest,  Knt. 

John,  his  eldest  son  and  heir,  second  Baron,  received  the 
honour  of  knighthood  in  his  father's  lifetime,  as  before  observed 5 
and  being  elected  Knight  of  the  shire  for  the  county  of  Somerset 
to  that  Parliament,  which  met  on  Nov.  3d,  l6lO,  he  eminently 
manifested  his  loyalty  to  his  sovereign  during  the  civil  wars.  He 
had  the  command  of  a  regiment  of  foot,  after  the  rebellion  broke 
out  in  Ireland,  and  served  some  time  in  that  kingdom.  But  in 
the  year  lf343,  it  was  transported  out  of  Munster  for  the  service 
of  the  west,  where  he  served.  In  1045,  he  was  besieged  in  the 
castle  of  Winchester  (where  the  lord  Ogle  commanded  in  chief), 
by  Cromwell,  who  first  summoned  them  to  surrender,  but  being 
refused,  he  battered  it  so  long  with  his  guns,  that  he  made  a 
breach  in  the  walls  fit  to  enter,  on  which  the  castle  was  delivered 
up,  October  14th,  an'd  the  officers  and  soldiers  conveyed  to  Wood- 
stock. He  afterwards  compounded  for  his  estate  ;  and  having 
lived  to  see  the  restoration  of  Charles  II.  departed  this  life  at  his 
manor-hOuse  of  Court  de  Weeke,  in  Somersetshire,  on  Septem- 
ber 15th,  l66o,  in  the  fiftieth  year  of  his  age,  and  was  buried  at 
Hinton  St.  George. 

He  married  two  wives  j  first,  Catherine,  daughter  and  coheir 
of  that  famous  General  Sir  Horatio  Vere,  Knt.  Lord  Vere  of  Til- 
bury in  Essex,  widow  of  Oliver  St.  John,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had 
issue  two  sons,  John  and  Horatio  j  and  three  daughters,  Eliza- 
beth, married  to  Sir  John  Sydenham,  of  Brimpton,  in  com.  So- 
merset, Bart,  who,  dying  anno  1669,  was  buried  at  Brimpton; 
Vere  died  unmarried  5  and  Catherine,  wedded  to  Mr.  Secretary 
Johnston. 

His  Lordship  married  secondly  Anne,  second  daughter  and  co- 
heir to  Sir  Thomas  Brown,  of  Walcote,  in  com.  Northamp.  Bart. 
(cshe  surviving  him,  was  secondly  married  to  Sir  John  Si  rode,  of 
Chantmarle,  in  Dorsetshire,  Knt.)  by  whom  he  had  issue  two 
sons,  Amias,  and  Charles;  also  four  daughters,  Anne,  Florence, 
and  Mary,  who  all  died  young;  and  Margaret,  married  to  Francis 

b  C'aerdon  prced.  Vol.  IV.  p.  468. 

c  Hutchir>s's  Do.seishiie,  Vol.  I.  p.  270. 


EARL  POULETT.  1* 

Fulford,  of  t ulford,  in  Devonshire,  Esq.  dshe  died  1689,  aged 
twenty- five.  ,  ^ 

John,  his  eldest  son  and  heir,  succeeded  him  in  honour  and 
esats,  as  third  Baron.  On  July  6th,  1674,  he  was  appointed 
Lord-lieutenant  of  the  county  of  Dorset,  and  dying  about  the 
year  1 680,  left  issue  by  his  first  wife,  Essex,  eldest  daughter  to 
Alexander  Popham,  of  Littlecote,  in  com.  Wilts,  Esq.  two  daugh- 
ters, Catherine,  second  wife  to  William  Lord  Lempster,  and 
Letitia,  to  Sir  William  Monson,  of  Broxburn,  in  Hertfordshire, 
Bart. 

By  his  second  lady,  Susan,  daughter  of  Philip,  Earl  of  Pem- 
broke, he  had  issue,  his  only  son  and  heir, 

John,  fourth  Lord  and  first  Earl  Poulett,  who  soon 
after  the  accession  of  Queen  Anne  to  the  throne,  was  sworn  of  her 
Privy-council  -,  and  having  been  one  of  the  Commissioners  for 
the  treaty  of  Union,  anno  1706,  was  the  same  year,  on  Dec.  29th, 
created  Viscount  H'inton  St.  George,  and  Earl  Poulett.  For 
some  years  his  Lordship  declined  accepting  of  several  places  of 
great  distinction ;  and  at  length  Queen  Anne  desired  to  have 
him  appointed  first  Lord-commissioner  of  the  Treasury,  which 
his  Lordship  accepted  on  August  8th,  1710$  in  which  high  fta- 
tion  he  continued  till  the  year  17H>  when,  on  June  13th,  he  was 
declared  Lord-fteward  of  her  Majesty's  household.  He  was  also 
appointed,  June  10th,  1702,  Lord -Lieutenant  of  the  county  of 
Devon,  and  Custos  Rotulorum  of  Somersetshire,  March  2d, 
1712-13.  On  Oct.  26th,  1712,  at  a  chapter  then  held,  he  was 
elected  a  Knight  companion  of  the  most  noble  Order  of  the  Gar- 
ter, but  was  not  installed  till  August  4th  following  -,  when  his 
Lordship  was  Lord-steward  of  the  household,  Lord-lieutenant  and 
Custos  Rotulorum  of  Devonshire,  and  Custos  Rotulorum  of  So? 
mersetshire.  He  lived  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life  at  his  country- 
seats,  and  died  on  May  28th,  1743,  in  the  81st  year  of  his  age. 

His  Lordship  married  Bridget,  daughter  and  coheir  to  Pere- 
grine Bertie,  of  Waldershare,e  in  Kent,  Esq.  brother  to  Robert, 
Earl  of  Lindsey,  and  uncle  to  Robert,  Duke  of  Ancaster;  and  by 
her  had  four  sons,  and  four  daughters}  1.  John,  second  Earl 
Poulett. 

2.  Peregrine,  twin  with  his  brother,  John,  born  Dec.  10th, 
1708}  who,  on  a  vacancy,  was  chose  Member  for  Bossiney,  in 

d  Hutchins's  Dorsetshire,  Vol.  I.  p.  524. 

c  By  the  coheiresses  of  the  Mo.iins  family  of  Waldershare,  Baronets.  See 
Topogr.  I.  16.  , 


14  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

May,  1737,  and  died  member  for  Bridgwater,  Aug.  26th,  1752, 
and  was  buried  at  Hinton  St.  George. 

3.  Vere,  third  Earl  Poulett. 

4.  Anne,  born  July  11  th,  1/11,  so  named  by  her  Majesty 
Queen  Anne,  his  godmother,  Member  for  Bridgwater,  in  Somer- 
setshire, 1768,  1774,  1780,  1784;  died  July  5th,  17S5. 

5.  Lady  Bridget,  born  March  1st,  1702,  married,  on  May  21st, 
1724,  to  Polexfen  Bastard,  of  Catley,  in  Devonshire,  Esq.  and 
died  July  21st,  1/73. 

6.  Lady  Catherine,  born  March  23d,  1706,  who  was  wedded, 
on  June  26th,  1725,  to  John  Parker,  Esq.  son  and  heir  of  George 
Parker,  of  Boringdon,  in  the  county  of  Devon,  Esq.  and  died  on 
August  16th,  1758  j  leaving  issue  John,  created  Lord  Beringdon, 
1784,  &c. 

7.  Lady  Susanna,  born  April  17th,  1714;  died  Dec.  13th, 
1788;  and, 

8.  Lady  Rebecca,  born  April  9th,  1716,  who  died  unmarried 
March  4th,  1/65,  and  was  buried  at  Hinton  St.  George. 

.  John  succeeded  his  father  in  his  honours  and  estate,  as  second 
Earl  Poulett.  He  was  called  up  by  writ  to  the  house  of  Peers, 
Jan.  17th,  1733-4,  by  the  title  of  Lord  Poulett,  Baron  of  Hin- 
ton St.  George,  with  precedence  according  to  the  creation  of  John, 
Lord  Poulett,  June  23d,  3  Car.  I.  and  was  appointed  one  of  the 
Lords  of  his  Majesty's  bed-chamber.  On  March  21st,  1743,  he 
was  constituted  Lord-lieutenant  and  Custos  Rotulorum  of  the 
county  of  Somerset :  but  in  March,  1755,  resigned  his  place  of 
Lord  of  the  Bedchamber.  On  the  accession  of  the  present  King, 
his  Lordship  was  continued  in  the  offices  of  Lord-lieutenant  and 
Custos  Rotulorum  of  Somersetshire,  and  enjoyed  them  at  his  death, 
which  happened  on  November  5th,  17^4,  when  he  was  also  Co- 
lonel of  the  first  battalion  of  the  militia  of  that  county,  and  Re- 
corder of  Bridgwater. 

His  Lordship  dying  a  bachelor,  his  estate  and  titles  devolved  on 
his  brother  Vere,  beforementioned,  third  Earl  Poulett,  born 
May  18th,  1710,  who  was  elected,  in  1741,  one  of  the  members 
for  the  borough  of  Bridgwater,  to  the  ninth  Parliament  of  Great 
Britain;  on  November  16th,  17^4,  was  chosen  Recorder  of 
Bridgwater;  and  Jan.  23d,  1771,  was  appointed  Lord-lieutenant 
of  the  county  of  Devon,  and  of  the  city  of  Exeter;  also  Custos 
Rotulorum  of  the  same.  He  died  April  14th,  1788,  set.  seventy- 
eight. 

His  Lordship,  in  1754,  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Richard 


EARL  POULETT.  15 

Butt,  of  Arlingham,  in  Gloucestershire,  Esq.  and  by  her  had  issue, 
John,  fourth  Earl ; 

And,  second,  Vere,  born  in  May  1761 ;  who  in  1808  became 
a  Lieutenant  General  in  the  Army,  and  is  now  on  half-pay.  He 
married  Miss  Beecher  (since  dead),  by  whom  he  has  issue,  Mary- 
Anne  j  Anne-Lucy  j  John;  Vere-Bridget ;  Harriet- Jane ;  and 
Charlotte  Anne.  Tn  1790,  and  1806,  he  was  elected  M.  P.  for 
Bridgwater. 

John,  eldest  son,  succeeded  his  father  in  17S8,  as  fourth 
Earl  Poulett.  He  was  born  April  7th,  1756.  He  was  married 
at  St.  George's,  Hanover  Square,  11th  June  1782,  to  Miss  Po- 
cocke,  daughter  of  the  late  Admiral  Sir  George  Pococke,  Knight 
of  the  Bath,  by  whom  he  has  issue, 

1.  John,  Lord  Hinton,  born  July  Sth,  1783. 

2.  Sophia,  born  March  l6th,  1785. 

3.  William,  born  Sept.  12th,  1789,  in  the  Armyj  died  Dec. 
1805. 

4.  Vere,  born  Dec.  7th,  1791. 

5.  Harriet-Bridget- Anne,  born  July  4th,  1793. 

6.  Frederick-Charles,  born  July  6th,  1794-. 

His  Lordship  was  in  1795  appointed  a  Lord  of  the  Bedcham- 
ber, which  office  he  still  holds;  was  Colonel  of  the  Somersetshire 
Regiment  of  Fencible  Cavalry  in  the  late  war 5  and  is  Colonel  of 
the  Militia  of  that  county. 

Titles.  John  Poulett,  Earl  Poulett,  Viscount  and  Baron  Pou- 
lett, of  Hinton  St.  George. 

Creations.  Baron  Poulett,  of  Hinton  St.  George,  in  the  county 
of  Somerset,  June  23d,  1627,  3  Car.  I.  Viscount  of  the  same 
place,  and  Earl  Poulett,  Dec.  24th,  1706,  5th  of  Queen  Anne. 

Arms.  Sable,  three  swords  in  pile,  their  points  in  base,  Ar- 
gent, pomels  and  hilts  Or. 

Crest.  On  a  wreath,  an  arm  embowed  in  armour,  and  bran* 
dishing  a  sword,  all  proper. 

Supporters.    On  the  dexter  side,  a  savage  man;  on  the  sinister 
a  woman,  both  proper,  wreathed  about  their  loins  and  temple* 
with  ivy,  Vert. 

Motto.     Gardez  la  foy. 

Chief-Seats.  At  Hinton  St.  George  in  the  county  of  Somerset; 
and  at  Buckland  in  the  county  of  Dorset, 


16  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


CHOLMONDELEY,  EARL  OF  CHOLMONDELEY. 

It  is  singular,  that  the  two  great  Cheshire  families  of  Egerton 
and  Cholmondeley;  though  they  early  took  different  surnames, 
sprung  from  the  same  male  stock. 

That  names  of  men  and  places  have  been  variously  written,  is 
well  known  to  all  who  have  looked  into  our  records,  whereof 
there  is  an  instance  in  this  family  of  Cholmondeley,  denominated 
from  the  lordship  of  Cholmondeley,  in  the  hundred  of  Broxton, 
in  Cheshire,  the  name  having  been  written  twenty-five  several 
ways;  viz.  Chulmundele,  Chulmundelly,  Chelmonsleigh,  Chel- 
mundelegh,  Cholmonelegli,  &c.  as  is  evident  from  divers  old 
deeds  in  the  custody  of  the  present  Earl  of  Cholmondeley.  In 
Domesday-Book  (which  contains  an  account  of  the  lands,  lord- 
ships, &c.  in  the  several  counties  in  England,  except  Westmore- 
land, Cumberland,  Northumberland,  and  Durham,  and  was 
begun  a  in  the  14th  of  William  the  Conqueror,  as  the  Red-book 
in  the  Exchequer  manifests,  but  not  finished  till  the  20th,  as  the 
book  itself  declares),  it  was  wrote  Calmuudelei,  and  at  that  time 
was  part  of  the  possessions  of  Robert,  son  of  Hugh,  Baron  of 
Malpas.  Which  Hugh  also  held  in  Cestrescire,  as  the  same 
book  testifies  (besides  the  lordship  of  Calmundelei),  the  manors 
of  Bedesfeld,  Burwardeston,  Hurdingebery,  Depenbeche  (now 
called  Malpas),  Tillestone,  Christestone,  Eghe,  Hantone,  Lawe- 
chedone,  Dochintone,  Cetelea,  Brosse,  Overtone,  Cuntitone, 
Socheliche,  Tusigeham,  Bicheley,  Bieretone,  Burwardesley, 
Creuhalle,  Tidnistane,  Bristone,  Bolebery,  Tivertone,  Spurre- 
stowe,  Fentone,  Sudetohe,  Butelege,  and  Cocneche.    But  the  said 

a  Spelman's  Glossary,  p.  176. 


EARL  OF  CHOLMONDELEY.  If 

Robert  dying  without  issue  male,  the  barony  of  Malpas,  with  the 
lordship  of  Calmundelei,  &c.k  devolved  on  his  only  daughter  and 
heir  Lettice,  married  to  Richard  de  Belward,c  whose  son  (or 
grandson),  William  de  Behvard,  was  married  to  Beatrix,  daugh- 
ter'1 of  Hugh  Kiviliock,  the  fifth  earl  of  Chester,  and  coheir  to 
her  brother  Randal,  Earl  of  Chester.  He  was,  in  right  of  his 
mother,  Baron  of  Malpas,  though  it  is  said  by  some,  that  he  had 
only  half  of  the  barony ;  but  it  is  agreed  by  Sir  William  Dugdale,* 
and  other  of  our  antiquaries,  that  he  left  issue  three  sons 5  David, 
Robert,  hereafter  mentioned,  and  Richard. 

David,  who  from  being  Clerk  (or  Secretary),  to  the  Earl  of* 
Chester,  was  sometimes  wrote  le  Clerk,  as  also  de  Malpas,  suc- 
ceeded his  father  at  Malpas ;  and  after  the  earldom  of  Chester 
was  annexed  to  the  crown,f  was  Sheriff  of  the  county  of  Chester, 
in  36  Henry  III.  bearing  the  name  of  David  de  Malpas.  He 
left  issue  Sir  William  de  Malpas,  who  died  without  lawful  issue; 
Philips  second  son,  who  seating  himself  at  Egerton,  left  that 
surname  to  his  posterity,  from  whom  the  family  of  Egerton  is 


b  Camden,  in  his  Treatise  on  Surnames,  says  : 

"  For  variety  and  alteration  of  names  in  one  family,  upon  diverse  respects,  X 
will  give  you  one  Cheshire  example  for  all,  out  of  an  ancient  roll  belonging  to  Sir 
William  Brereton,  of  Brereton,  Knight,  which  I  saw  twenty  years  since. 

<*  Not  long  after  the  Conquest,  William  Belward,  lord  of  the  moiety  of  Mal- 
pas, had  two  son9,  Dan  David,  of  Malpas,  surnamed  Le  Clerke,  and  Richard. 
Dan  David  had  William,  his  eldest  son,  surnamed  de  Malpas;  his  second  son 
was  named  Philip  Gogh,  one  of  the  issue  of  whose  eldest  sons  took  the  name  of 
Egerton  5  a  third  son  took  the  name  of  David  Gclborne  j  and  one  of  his  sons  the 
name  of  Goodman.  Richard,  the  other  son  of  the  aforesaid  William  Belward, 
had  three  sons,  who  took  also  divers  names ;  viz.  Thomas  de  Cstgrave  \  Wil- 
liam de  Overton  j  and  Richard  Little,  who  had  two  fons ;  the  one  named  Ken 
Clarke,  and  the  other  John  Richardson.  Herein  you  may  note  alteration  of  name* 
in  respect  of  habitation,  in  Egerton,  Cotgrave,  Overton.  In  respect  of  colour,, 
in  Gogh,  that  is,  Red  ;  in  respect  of  quality,  in  him  that  was  called  Goodman  ; 
in  respect  of  stature,  in  Richard  Little;  in  respect  of  learning,  in  Ken-Clarke  ; 
in  respect  of  the  father's  Christian  name,  in  Richardson :  all  descending  from 
William  Belward. 

•*  And  verily,  the  gentlemen  of  those  so  different  names  in  Cheshire,  would 
not  easily  be  induced  to  believe  they  were  descended  from  one  house,  if  it  were 
not  warranted  by  so  ancient  a  proof."     Camd.  Rem.  1637.  p.  141. 

c  Records,  Sec.  hujus  Fam.  MS.  p.  103,  104.  penes  Prsehon.  Geo.  com. 
Cholmondeley. 

d  Banks  supposes  her  to  have  been  illegitimate.    Extinct  Peerage,  I.  203. 
e  Ex  Stemmate  penes  Johr  Egerton  de  Oulton,  Arm. 

f  Leicefter's  Antiquities  of  Cheshire,  p.  178. 

S  Ex  Stemmate  deFamil.de  Egerton,  penes  Joh.  Egerton,  praeJ. 
VOL.  IV.  C 


18  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

descended,  whereof  the  present  Earls  of  Bridgwater  and  Wilton 
are  derived. 

Peter,  another  of  the  sons  of  the  said  David,  took  the  name  of 
Clerk ;  and  his  posterity,  seated  at  Thornton,  bore  that  surname, 
as  was  customary  in  those  times. h  Which  line  terminated  in  the 
reign  of  Edward  III.  in  six  daughters  and  coheirs  of  Sir  Peter  Ic 
Clerk. 

I  now  return  to  Robert,  second  son  of  William,  Baron  of 
Malpas,  of  whom  I  am  principally  to  treat,  being  the  direct  an- 
cestor to  this  family  of  Cholmondeley,  as  all  antiquaries  agree  j 
for  having,  by  the  gift  of  his  father,  the  lordship  of  Cholmon- 
deley, and  fixing  his  residence  there,1  he  assumed  that  surname 
(as  was  most  usual  in  those  times),  which  his  posterity  hath  ever 
since  retained.  He  married  Mabel,  daughter  of  Robert  Fitz-Nigel, 
Baron  of  Halton,  with  whom  he  had  the  lordship  of  Christleton, 
and  a  release  of  the  hospital  of  Cholmondeley. 

kThsir  son  and  heir  was  Sir  Hugh  de  Chelmundeleigh,  as 
the  name  was  then  wrote  in  a  charter,1  without  date,  of  Robert, 
son  of  Liulph,  and  Mabilla  his  wife,  whereunto  the  said  Sir  Hugh 
de  Chelmundeligh,  and  Robert,  his  son,  were  witnesses.  He  had 
a  release  from  Ranulph,m  Earl  of  Chester,  for  himself  and  his 
heirs,  of  all  right  of  suits  of  courts,  and  justice,  owing  to  the 
hundred  of  Broxstone,  for  his  lands  of  Cholmundeley.  Which 
release  is  without  date  (as  in  old  times  was  usual),  but  is  witnes- 
sed by  Philip  de  Orebie,  Justice  of  Chester,  in  the  n  beginning  of 
the  reign  of  Henry  III.  and  many  others.  The  said  Sir  Hugh  is 
also  mentioned  in  a  fine,  in  14  Henry  II I. °  between  Sibil,  daugh- 
ter of  William  de  Goldburne,  and  William  Clerk,  of  Handley, 
levied  before  William  de  Vernon,  then  Justice  of  Chester.  He 
married  Felice,  natural  daughter  of  Ranulph  de  Blundeville,  Earl 
of  Chester  and  Lincoln,?  by  whom  he  had  the  beforementioned 
Robert,  his  son  and  heirj  Richard,  second  son;  and  a  daughter, 
Felice. 

Which  Robert,  in  several  old  deeds,  is  written  Lord  of  Chol- 
mondeley; and  Simon  de  Christelton,  styling  him  nepoti  suo, 
^releases  to  him  his  claim  of  two  bovates  of  land,  with  the  ap- 

h  MS.  de  Famil.  de  Cholmondeley,  praed.  p.  104. 

I  Dugdale's  Baronage,  Vol.  II.  p.  474.  k  Ibid. 

1  Cart,  penes  Hen.  Manwaring  de  Croxton,  Arm. 

m  Ex  Scrip.  Tho.  Aston  de  Aston,  Bar. 

f1  Leicester's  Antiquities  of  Cheshire,  p.  178. 

»  Fines  14  Henry  III.  in  OfEc.  Prothon.  Ceflr. 

P  Ex  Stemmate.  1.  MS.  ut  antea,  p.  6. 


EARL  OF  CHOLMONDELEY.  19 

purtenances  in  Christelton,  which  Sir  Hugh  de  Chelmundeley, 
brother  to  him  the  said  Simon  de  Christelton,  gave  to  him* 
Which  land,  this  Robert  de  Chelmundeley  gave  by  charter  to  the 
abbey  of  Chester,  with  his  body  to  be  buried  in  the  churchyard 
of  St.  Werbugh  :  Richard  de  Chelmundeley,  his  brother,  releas- 
ing his  claim  thereto,  as  is  evident  from  charters  entered  in  the 
ledger  book  of  the  abbey  of  Chester.  He  married  Beatrix, 
daughter  to  Urian  St.  Peire,r  or  (as  others),  daughter  of  David  le 
Clerk,  baron  of  half  the  barony  of  Malpas,  and  sister  to  Idonea, 
the  wife  of  Urian  de  St.  Peire,  by  whom  he  had  issue  his  son  and 
heir, 

Richard,  wrote  Lord  of  Cholmondeley,  in  a  deed  without 
date,s  wherein  he  grants  to  Hugh,  his  son  and  heir,  all  his  lands 
in  Cholmondeley,  Wythall,  &c.  He  married  Margery,  sister  and 
coheir  of  Richard  de  Kingsley,1  and  daughter  of  Sir  Richard  de 
Kingsley  (Lord  of  Kingsley,  Norley,  Newton,  Codington,  and 
of  the  bailywick  of  Delamere-forest),  who  was  great-grandson  of 
Handle  de  Kingsley,  who  had  the  forestership  of  Delamere,  of  the 
grant  of  Randle,  the  first  Earl  of  Chester  of  that  name.  The  said 
Margery  is  mentioned  in  29  Henry  III.  as  one  of  the  coheirs  of 
Richard  de  Kingsley,  her  brother  5  and  surviving  her  husband, 
grants,  by  deed  without  date,"  to  Hugh  de  Camera,  her  kinsman, 
and  his  heirs,  one  plow-land  in  Aston,  paying  one  pair  of  white 
gloves  yearly,  at  the  feast  of  the  Nativity  of  St.  John  Baptist,  and 
one  lance  every  second  year  5  whereunto  are  witnesses,  Robert  de 
Celmundele,  and  others  -,  and  her  seal,  appendant,  is  a  branch  of 
a  tree,  circumscribed,  in  old  characters,  S.  Margarie  Celmundele, 
She  had  issue  three  sons  (of  whom,  Richard,  the  eldest,  died  with- 
out issue)  j  and  several  daughters. 

The  eldest  surviving  son  was  Hugh  de  Cholmondeley,  men- 
tioned in  several  deeds,  in  the  reign  of  Edward  I.  and  II.  He 
married  Catherine,  daughter  of  William  de  Spurstow,  and  left 
issue,  Richard,  his  son  and  heir 5  William,  hereafter  mentioned; 
Robert,  and  Thomas. 

Robert  is  wrote  son  of  Hugh  de  Cholmundelegh,  in  a  writ  of 
error,  23  Edward  III.X  concerning  lands  in  Wyncham,  near  Pic- 
merj  wherein  he,  and  Alice  his  wife  (daughter  and  coheir  to 
John  de   Wasteneys,  of  Wyncham.,   in    Cheshire),   were,  with 

.     *  MS.  p.  86.  «  E>c  Collect.  Will.  Vernon  de  Shakerley.     , 

1  Ex  Stemmate  de  Kingsley.  "  Cart,  penes  Tho.-Aston  de  Aston,  Bar. 

*  Ex  Origin,  in  Castro  Cestr. 


20  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

others,  plaintiffs.     Also  in  35  Edward  III.  hey  gave  in  trust  to 
Hugh  del  Halgh,  chaplain,  his  property  in  all  his  lands  in  Chor- 
ley, Werleston,  Berkesford,  and  Wich-Malbank,  to  which  charter, 
John  de  Delves,  then  Lieutenant  and  Justice  of  Chester,  was  a 
witness.     He  left  issue  two  sons,  William,  and  John,2  wrote  son 
of  Robert  de  Cholmundeley,  of  Chorley,  in   13  Henry  IV.   at 
which  time  he  had  the  guardianship  of  John,  son  and  heir  of 
William  Crew  de  Sond.     He  succeeded  his  brother  William,  at 
Chorley,  in  the  4th  year  of  Henry  IV.a  as  appears  by  inquisition 
ta£en  after  his  death  ;  and  in  the  9th  year  of  Henry  V.  is  wrote 
John  de  Cholmondeley  de  Chorley  j  and,b  with  Robert,  his  son, 
grants  to  Margaret,  wife  of  Edmund  de  Munsale,  a  moiety  of  the 
village  of  Wyncham.    From  the  said  Robert,  who  married  Alice, 
daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Needham,  of  Shenton,  descended  John  • 
Cholmondeley,  of  Chorley,  who,  by  Joan  his  wife,  daughter  and 
coheir  of  Thomas  Heyton,c  was  father  to  Sir  Richard  Cholmon- 
deley, Lieutenant  of  the  Tower  of  London;  and  Roger  Cholmon- 
deley, Knight  of  the  Body  to  King  Henry  VIII.  j  he  died  28th 
April,  1538  j  and  by  Catherine,  daughter  of  Richard  Constable, 
of  Flamborough,  in  Yorkshire,  had  Sir  Richard  Cholmondeley, 
of  Thornton,  who  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  William  Lord 
Conyers,   and   became  lineal  ancestor  to  the  Cholmondeley s  of 
Whitby,  in  Yorkshire* 

I  now  return  to  Richard,  eldest  son  of  Hugh  de  Cholmonde- 
ley, by  Catherine  his  wife,  daughter  of  William  de  Spurstow. 
Which  Richard,  by  his  charter c  without  date,  releases  to  Richard, 
son  of  Pagan,  and  his  heirs  (in  consideration  of  five  marks),  a 
quit-rent  of  10s.  per  ann.  for  land  held  of  him  in  Christleton- 
Parva;  but  reserves  for   homage  and  service,  a  pair  of  white 

7  Ex  Collect.  W.  Vernon  de  Shakerley,  a  Record  in  Castro  Cestr. 

z  Ibid,  in  13  Henry  IV.  a  Es.  4  Henry  IV.  in  Castro  Cestr. 

b  Ex.  Collect.  W.  Vernon  de  Shakerley,  praed.  c  Ex  Stemmate. 

A  Hugh  Cholmley,  Esq.  represented  Heydon  in  Parliament,  from  1708  to 
1722.  He  was  Surveyor  of  the  King's  Honours,  Castles,  &c.  and  a  Commis- 
sioner of  the  Victualling  Office.  A  few  years  ago,  a  curious  Family  Memoir  of 
this  branch  was  printed  for  private  distribution.  Sir  Edward  Dering,  of  Suren- 
den,  in  Kent,  Bart,  married  Elizabeth,  eldest  daughter  and  coheir  of  Sir  William 
Cholmley,  of  Whitby,  in  Yorkshire,  Bart,  by  whom  he  was  father  of  Sir  Cholm- 
ley Dering,  Bart,  who  died  171 1. 

In  156^,  Sir  Roger  Cholmley  was  Chief  Justice  of  the  Queen's  Bench,  and 
wa*  founder  of  a  free  Grammar  School,  at  Hornsey,  in  Middlefex..     See  Ljsons's 
Environs,  III.  64,  but  I  know  not  of  what  branch  he  was. 
e  Ex  Collect.  R\  Holme  de  Cestr,  Gen. 

i 


•    *      EARL  OF  CHOLMONDELEY.  21 

gloves  yearly,  on  the  feast  of  St.  John  Baptist,  according  to  the 
charter  of  Robert  de  Cholraundeley,  granted  to  the  said  Richard, 
son  of  Pagan.  And  being  also  wrote  Richard,  son  of  Hugh  de 
Cholmundeley/  was  summoned  in  13  Edward  II.  to  the  court  of 
pleas  at  Chester,  to  answer  Thomas,  Abbot  of  St.  Werburgh,  why 
he  destrained  the  chattels  of  the  said  Abbot,  in  Wardhull  de- 
mesnes, in  Halghton.  To  which  he  pleaded,  that  the  seizure 
was  just  j  it  being  not  in  the  town  of  Halghton,  but  in  Rowe- 
Christleton,  the  lordship  of  which  town  belonged  to  him  the  said 
Richard  de  Cholmundeley.  On  what  account  he  had  this  con- 
troversy with  the  Abbot,  does  not  appear;  but  the  same  year  he 
summoned  the  said  Abbot,  and  William  de  Bebynton,  to  answer 
why  they  seized  and  detained  his  chattels  at  Hull,  near  Wades- 
dale,  in  Row  Christleton  :  whereunto  the  Abbot  pleaded,  that  he 
took  them  not  in  Christleton,  but  in  Halghton  demesnes,  belong- 
ing to  the  manors  of  Huntington,  and  Halghton.  He  was  living 
in  9  Edward  III,  being  then  wrote  Richard  de  Cholmundeley, 
senior  j  and,  with  Mabilla  his  wife,  were  *  deforciants,  in  a  fine 
levied  before  William  de  Clinton,  Justice  of  Chester.  Also  in 
31  Edward  III.  Richard,  son  of  Hugh  de  Cholmundeley,h  claimed 
view  of  frank-pledge,  waifs,  strays,  Sec.  in  Cholmondley  $  and  the 
same  year  being  styled  Richard  Lord  of  Cholmondley,1  claimed 
the  privilege  of  holding  courts  for  trial  of  all  manner  of  pleat 
within  his  demesnes  of  Cholmondley  and  Christleton. 

He  left  issue,  Richard,  his  son  and  heir,  who  departed  this 
life  without  issue,  in  35  Edward  III.  and  by  inquisition  k  taken 
after  his  death,  William,  son  of  Hugh  de  Cholmondley,  was  found 
to  be  his  next  heir ;  and  that  Maud,  wife  of  Richard  de  Chol- 
mondley, father  of  the  said  Richard,  held  in  dower  four  messuages, 
and  60  acres  of  land  in  Cholmondley. 

Which  William  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  to  Sir  William 
de  Brereton,  of  Brereton,  Knt.  and  was  dead  in  4g  Edward  III. 
when  the  said  William  de  Brereton,  Knt.  had,  in  consideration 
of  the  sum1!  661.  13  s.  4d.  payable  to  the  King  within  the 
term  of  seven  years,  the  guardianship  of  Richard,  son  and  heir 
of  William  de  Cholmondeley,  and  his  marriage,  without  dispa- 
ragement j  as  also  the  reversion  of  the  dowry  (when  it  shall  hap- 

f  PlacitaCom.  Cestr.  13  Edw.  II.. 

g  Fines  in  Prothon.  Offic.  Cestr.  9.  Edw.  III. 

h  Placita  Com.  Cestr.  31  Edw.  III.  *  Ibid, 

k  Efc.  35  Edward.  Ill  in  Cast.  Cest. 

1  Cart,  penes  Will.  Domini  Brerston  de  Brerettn. 


22  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

i 

pen),  of  Maud,  wife  of  the  late  Richard  de  Cholmondley.  And 
if  the  said  Richard,  son  and  heir  of  William  de  Cholmondley, 
should  die  before  he  attained  his  full  age,  that  he  the  said  Sir 
William  de  Brereton  should  have  the  guardianship  and  marriage 
of  Catharine  and  Margery,  sisters  of  the  aforesaid  Richard  de 
Cholmondley. 

Which  Richard  de  Cholmondley  married  two  wives ;  Anne, 
daughter  of  John  Bromley,  of  Badington,  and  Alice,  daughter  of 
Richard  de  Henhull,  of  Henhull.  Which  Richard  de  Henhull 
dying  in  1 1  Rich.  II.  the  said  Alice  was  found  (by  the  inquisi- 
tion taken  after  his  death),  to  be  his  daughter  and  coheir,"1  and 
then  the  wife  of  Richard  de  Cholmondelegh,  as  the  name  at  that 
time  was  wrote. 

His  son  and  heir  was  William  de  Cholmondley,'1  who  died 
before  him  in  10  Henry  IV.  having  issue  by  his  wife,  Maud, 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Cheyney,  of  Willaston  in  Wirral,  in  com. 
Cestr.  Knt.  (and  coheir  to  her  mother,  Maud,  daughter  and  co- 
heir to  Thomas  de  Capenhurst),  "Richard  his  son  and  heir,  and 
John  Cholmondley,  second  son  of  Copenhall,  in  Staffordshire,  an- 
cestor to  the  Cholmondley s  of  Copenhall,  and  others. 

Richard  de  Cholmondeley,  eldest  son,  is  mentioned  p  in  the 
fine  rolls  in  4  Edw.  IV.  as  one  of  the  Justices  in  the  county  of 
Chester,  before  whom  fines  are  levied,  as  also  in  22  Edw.  IV. 
when  i  he  was  wrote  Richard  de  Cholmondelegh,  senior ;  and 
likewise  in  2  Hen.  VII.  He  departed  this  life  in  4  Hen.  VH.r 
as  the  inquisition  taken  after  his  death  shews ;  and  having  mar- 
ried Ellen,  daughter  of  John  Davenport,  of  Davenport,  Esq.  had 
issue  his  son  and  heir, 

Richard  de  Cholmondley,  who  married  Eleanor,  fifth  daugh- 
ter of  Sir  Thomas  Dutton,  of  Dutton,  and  sister  and  coheir  to 
John,  her  brother,  who  died  before  he  was  of  full  age.*  Which 
family  of  Dutton,  descended  from  Huddard  Lord  of  Dutton,  bro- 
ther to  Nigel,  Baron  of  Halton ;  and  were  enriched  by  the  mar- 
riages of  the  heirs  of  Minshul,  of  Minshul,  and  of  Sir  Piers 
Thornton,  of  Thornton,  in  Cheshire.  A  Quo  Warranto  was 
brought  in  15  Henry  VII.*  against  William  de  VVilbraham, 
Thomas  Booth,  and  Richard  Belputon,  feoffees  of  and  in  the 

»  Es.  ii  Rich.  II.  in  Cast.  Cestr.  n  Ex  Stemmate  in  MS.  praed. 

•  Ibid.  P  Fines  4  Edw.  IV.  in  Castro  Cestr. 

q  Ibid.  %%  Edw.  IV.  and  2  Hen.  VII.  »  Esc.  4  Hen.  VII. 

»  Ex  Stem,  de  Dutton  in  MS.  praed.  p.  100. 
3-  Quo  Warranto  1 5  Hen.  VII.  in  Offic  Prothon.  Cestr. 


EARL  OF  CHOLMONDELEY.  23 

lands  and  tenements  of  Richard  de  Cholmondeley,  of  Cholmon- 
deley, Esq.  to  answer  to  the  Prince  and  Earl  of  Chester,  by  what 
authority  they  claimed  view  of  frank  pledge  in  the  manor  of 
Cholmondeley,  and  waifs  and  strays  there,  and  to  be  discharged 
from  suit  or  service  to  the  Earl's  court,  and  of  the  hundred  of 
Dunston,  &  de  uno  Judice,  &c.  Whereunto  they  produced  an 
exemption  as  to  the  suit  of  court,  &  de  uno  Judice,  by  the  charter 
of  Ranulph  Earl  of  Chester  and  Lincoln,  granted  to  Hugh  de 
Cholmondeley,  wherein  he  was  discharged  of  those  services  j  and 
as  to  view  of  frank  pledge,  waifs  and  strays,  they  pleaded  pre- 
scription. This  Richard  de  Cholmondeley  was  a  benefactor  to 
the  church  of  Badelcy ;  upon  which  account,  his  figure,  accord- 
ing to  the  custom  of  those  times,  was  painted  in  glass,  in  the 
highest  window  on  the  south  side  next  the  chancel.  He  is  pour- 
trayed  kneeling  before  a  desk,  and  a  book  before  him,  with  the 
arms  of  his  family,  viz.  Gules,  two  Helmets  in  chief,  Argent, 
garnish 'd,  Or;  and  in  lase  Garb  of  the  third;  and  underneath 
was  this  inscription  in  the  year  16JO:  '  Orate  pro  bono  statu. 

et  Richardi  Cholmondly '   He 

leftHssue  a  son, 

Richard  Cholmondeley,  Esq.  one  of  the  Justices  "before 
whom  fines  were  levied,  from  1/  Henry  VII.  to  24  Henry  VIII. 
and  whov  in  30  Henry  VIII.  departed  this  life,3  seised  (as  the  in- 
quisition shews,  taken  March  20,  the  same  year),  of  the  manors 
of  Cholmondley,  Church  Minsule,  and  Aston ;  and  of  divers 
other  manors  and  lands  in  Gildon,  Sutton,  Broughton,  Pulton- 
Lancelyn,  Whitley,  Hawarden,  Copenhurst,  Laerton,  Chorley, 
Badcley,  Bikerton,  Malpas,  Hampton,  Ebnall,  Tushingham,  Bra- 
deley,  and  Kinderton.  He  repaired  the  chancel  of  Cholmondley 
in  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  and  on  the  skreen 
of  it  his  arms  are  cut,  and  this  inscription  j  "  Orate  pro  bono 
"  statu  Richardi  Cholmundley  et  Elizabeth  Uxoris  ejus,  sacelli 
tf  factoris,  Anno  Domini  Millesimo  quingentesimo  quarto  decimo." 
He  married,  first,  Elizabeth,  daughter  to  Sir  Roger  Corbet,  of 
Morton  Corbet,  in  com.  Salop,  Knt.  by  whom  he  had  issue  an 
only  daughter,  Maud,  wedded  to  Sir  Peter  Newton,*  Knt.  But 
by  his  second  wife  Elizabeth,  daughter  to  Sir  Randle  Brereton  of 
Malpas,  chamberlain  of  Chester  (who  survived  him,  and  was 
afterwards  married  to  Sir  Randle  Mainwaring,  of  Over  Pever* 
Knt.)  he  had  several  children  \  whereof  these  daughters  were 

■  Fines  in  Offic.  Pyothon.  Cestr.  deiisd.  Ann.  *  Esc.  30  Hen.  VIII. 


24  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

married,  viz.  Catherine,  to  Richard  Priestland,  of  Priestland  and 
Wardhill,  in  Cheshire,  Esq.;  Agnes,  to  Randle  Mainwaring,  of 
Carington,  Esq.;  and  Ursula,  to  Thomas  Stanley,  of  Wever,  Esq. 
Hugh  Choldmondley  was  his  eldest  son  and  heir;  and 

Randle  Cholmondley,  a  younger  son,  being  educated  in  the 
study  of  the  laws  at  Lincoln's-Inn,  was  elected  Autumn-reader 
of  that  society,  in  5  Edward  VI.  but  did  not  read,  because  of  the 
pestilence,  f  In  6  Edward  VI.  he  was  Lent-reader  of  the  said 
society;  and  in  4  and  5  Philip  and  Mary,  Double  reader  thereof  j* 
at  which  time  he  was  Recorder  of  the  city  of  London.  In  the 
last  year  of  King  Philip  and  Queen  Mary,  a  he  was  elected  Ser- 
jeant at  law  :  also  in  the  first  year  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  was 
Treble -reader  of  the  society,  whereof  he  was  a  member,0  and  was 
then  called  by  that  Queen's  writ  to  be  serjeant  at  law.  His 
learning  and  knowledge  in  the  laws  appear  from  his  being  so 
often  Reader  of  this  society;  but  he  died  without  issue  on  April 
25,  1563. 

Hugh  Cholmondley,  the  eldest  son,c  was  25  years  of  age  at 
his  father's  death,  in  30  Henry  VIII.  He  was  in  that  expedition 
made  into  d  Scotland  under  the  Duke  of  Norfolk,  3d  Henry  VIII. 
and  for  his  valiant  behaviour  there,  received  the  honour  of  knight- 
hood at  Leith.  In  the  reign  of  King  Philip  and  Queen  Mary, 
•he  raised,  at  his  own  expense,  100  men,  to  march  under  the 
Earl  of  Derby,  who  in  September,  1557,  was  sent  to  oppose  the 
Scots  on  their  invading  England,  and  threatening  to  besiege  Ber- 
wick. He  was  a  person  of  great  honour/  and  for  his  admirable 
gifts  of  wisdom,  temperance,  continency,  liberality,  hospitality, 
and  godly  departure  at  his  end, left  few  who  were  his  equals;  and 
his  death  was  lamented  by  all  sorts  of  people,  having  for  fifty 
years  together  s  been  esteemed  the  father  of  his  country,  by  the 
good  offices  he  did  to  all  who  applied  themselves  to  him,  which 
appears  from  many  arbitrations  on  record,  that  were  left  to  his 
determination.  He  was  five  limes  Sheriff  of  Cheshire,11  as  also 
Sheriff  of  Flintshire,  for  some  years,  and  a  long  time  one  of  the 
two  only  deputy-lieutenants  of  Cheshire;  and  for  a  good  space 
Vice-president  of  the  Marches  of  Wales,  in  the  absence  of  the 

y  Dugdale's  Orlg.  Jurld.  p.  252.  '  z  lbid- 

*  Dugdale's  Chron.  series,  p.  91  b  Pat.  1  EH*.  P-  4- 

«  Esc.  30  Henry  VIII.  d  Dugdale's  Baronage,  Vol.  II.  p.  474. 

c  Strype's  Historical  Memorials,  p.  433>  435* 
f  King's  Description  of  Cheshire,  p.  54. 
g  Fuller's  Worthies  of  Cheshire,  p.  187.  h  King,  ut  antea. 


EARL  OF  CHOLMONDELEY.  25 

famous  Sir  Henry  Sidney,  Knt.  Lord-deputy  of  Ireland.     He  de- 
parted this  life  in  the  83  d  year  of  his  age,  on  January  6,  15p§-7> 
seised  (as  the  inquisition  after  his  death  shews), •  of  the  manor  of 
Cholmondeley,  and  of  twenty-two  messuages,  four  cottages,  two 
water-mills,  and  one  wind-mill,  &c,  in  Cholmondeley;  as  alfo 
of  the  manor  or  barony  of  Wicb-Malbank,  with  all  the  rents, 
reversions,  services,  &c.  the  manor  of  Barkesford,  alias  Basford* 
with  the  appurtenances,  and  the  several  manors  of  Moldsworth, 
Bickley,  Norbury,  with  Alhurst,  Aston  juxta  Mondrem,  Church- 
Minsule,  two  parts  of  the  manor  of  Copenhurst,  the  manors  of 
Newbald  and  Elderston  juxta  Wich-Malbank,  and  the  fourth 
part  of  the  vill  of  Burwardsley ;  with  divers  lands  and  tenements 
in  Henhull,  alias  Hendle,  Barton,  Haughton,  Horton,  Tilston, 
Rowton,   alias   Row-Christleton,   Wirswall,  Bradley   Boughton, 
Haslington,  Badington,  Chowley,  Plumley,  two  messuages,  and 
two  salt-works  in  North- wich,  and  lands  in  Worleston,  Wren- 
bury,  Frith,   Egerton,   Church  Shocklach,  and  Shocklach  Oyat, 
Audlim,  Swanbach,  Golbourne,  Bellow  juxta  Tattenhall,  Church- 
Copenhall,    Monks-Copenhall,    Woodbanke    alias    Rough- Sho- 
wicke  infra  Great  Saughall,   Bebyngton,  St.  Ann's  Heys,  in  the 
parish  of  Plumstall,  &c.  Beckford,  Newhall;  and  of  one  capital 
messuage  called  Cholmondlev-house,  in  the  parish  of  St.  John 
Baptist  in  the  suburbs  of  the  city  of  Chester  ;  also  of  the  manors 
of  Hinton  and  Madford,  in  Somersetshire ;  and  lands  in  Shrop- 
shire and  Flintshire.     He  lies  buried  in  the  chancel  of  the  family 
in  the  church  of  Malpas;  and  a  noble  monument  is  erected  there; 
his  effigies,  with  his  lady  by  him,  lying  thereon. 

He  married  two  wives ;  but  by  Mary  his  last  Lady,  daughter 
to  Sir  William  Griffith  of  Pentrin,  relict  of  Sir  Randle  Brereton 
of  Malpas,  he  had  no  issue.  His  first  lady  was  Anne,  daughter 
and  coheir  to  George  Dorman  of  Malpas, k  by  Agnes  his  wife, 
daughter  and  heir  of  Thomas  Hill  of  Malpas,  son  of  Humphry 
Hill,  and  of  Anne  his  wife,  daughter  and  coheir  of  John  Bird  of 
Chorlton,  by  Catharine  his  wife,  aunt  and  heir  of  David  de  Mal- 
pas, of  Hampton  and  Bickerton,  in  com.  Cestr. ;  and  the  said 
Humphry  Hill  was  lineally  descended  from  Hugh  Hill,  who  in 
the  reign  of  King  Edward  III.  married  Eleanor,  daughter  and 
coheir  of  Hugh  de  Wloukeslow,  lord  of  Wloukeslow,  in  com.  Sa- 
lop ;  and  the  coats  of  arms,  of  these  heiresses,  the  present  Earl  of 

i  Esc.  39  Eliz.  in  the  Exchequer  of  Chester. 
k  Ex  Stem,  de  Famil.  Hill,  in  MS.  prsed.  p.  105. 


$Q  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Cholmondeley  has  a  right  to  quarter.    Sir  Hugh  had  issue  (by  the 
aforesaid  Anne),  three  sons,  and  one  daughter; 

Frances,  married  to  Thomas  Wilbraham  of  Woodhey,  in  com. 
Cestr.  Esq.  father  (by  her,  of  Sir  Richard  Wilbraham,  Knt.  and 
Bart,  whose  male  issue  terminated  in  Sir  Thomas  Wilbraham, 
who  had  two  daughters,  his  coheirs ;  viz.  Grace,  married  to 
Lionel  Tolmache,  first  Earl  of  Dysart;  and  Mary,  to  Richard 
Newport,  second  Earl  of  Bradford,  and  father  by  her  of  the  last 
two  Earls. 

Of  Sir  Hugh's  three  sons,  only  the  eldest  left  issue,  who  was 
named  after  his  father  Hugh. 

Which  Hugh  Cholmondley,  of  Cholmondley,1  was  knighted 
in  the  lifetime  of  his  father,  in  1588,  the  memorable  year  of  the 
Spanish  invasion  ;  and  at  his  father's  decease  wasm  forty-six  years 
of  age  and  more  n  He  was  heir  to  his  virtues,  as  well  as  to  his 
esate ;  and  gave  many  proofs  of  an  honourable  benevolence,  and 
a  steady  adherence  to  the  Protestant  religion,  and  the  interests  of 
his  country.  Before  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  headed 
130  men,°  raised  by  his  father's  interest  and  expense,  and  marched 
with  them  for  the  suppression  of  that  rebellion  in  the  North, 
begun  p  in  the  12th  year  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  under  the  leading 
of  the  Earls  of  Westmorland  and  Northumberland,  for  restoring 
the  Romish  religion  :  and  the  Queen's  forces  having  put  them  to 
flight,  those  Earls,  with  other  of  the  conspirators,  were  attainted 
in  parliament.  He  was  twice  the  Queen's  Escheator  of  the 
county  of  Chester,^  viz.  in  33  and  41  Eliz.r  as  also  Sheriff  of  the 
same  county;  and  in  42  Eliz.  was  in  a  special  commission,  with 
the  $  Lord  Chancellor  Egerton,  Thomas  Lord  Buckhursr,  Lord 
Treasurer  of  England,  and  others,  for  the  suppression  of  schism. 
He  increased  his  estate  by  his  marriage,  and  by  divers  purchases, 
as  appears  by  the  inquisition  after  his  death,  in  43  Eliz.*  which 
shews  that  he  departed  this  life  on  the  23d  of  July  the  same  year, 
and  that  Robert  Cholmondley,  Esq.  was  the  eldest  son  and  heir, 
and  of  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  on  the  l6th  of  June  last  past. 
He  lies  buried  with  his  ancestors  in  the  chancel  of  the  family,  in 


MS.  de  Equit.  penes  raeip.  m  Esc.  39  Eliz. 

*  Fuller's  Worthies,  p.  187.  °  MS.  hujus  Famil.  praed.  p.  88. 

P  Camden's  Hist,  of  Q^Eliz.  in  Hist,  of  Eng.  Vol.  I.  p.  422. 

1  Leicester's  Antiq.  of  Chesh.  p.  187. 

<  Bundle  of  Inquisitions  in  the  Exchequer  at  Chester. 

»  Rymer's  Fcedera,  Vol.  XVI.  p.  386.         *  Esc.  43  Eliz.  in  Scac.  Cestr. 


EARL  OF  CHOMONDELEY.  2f 

the  church  of  Malpas,  where  his  Lady  had  also  sepulture,  who 
lived  many  years  after  him,  deceasing  on  the  15th  of  August 
1626.  Her  name  was  Mary  ;  and  she  was  sole  daughter  and  heir 
of  Christopher  Holford,  of  Holford,  Esq.  by  Elizabeth  his  wife, 
daughter  and  coheir  of  Sir  Randle  Manwaring,  of  Pever  and  Ba- 
deley  in  Cheshire,  elder  brother  to  Philip  Manwaring,  Esq.;  of 
whom  descended  Sir  Thomas  Manwaring,  Knt.  and  Bart.  The 
said  Christopher  Holford  was  grandsonu  and  heir  to  Sir  John  Hol- 
ford, and  of  Margery  his  wife,  sole  daughter  and  heir  of  Ralph 
Brereton  of  Escoyd,  second  son  of  Randle  Brereton,  grandson  and 
heir  of  Sir  Randle  Brereton  of  Malpas,  Knt. x  and  of  Alice  his 
wife,  daughter  and  coheir  to  William  de  Ipston,  by  Maud,  heir 
to  Sir  Robert  Swynerton,  Knt.  by  Elizabeth  his  wife,  daughter 
and  coheir  to  Sir  Nicholas  Beake,  and  of  Jane  his  wife,  only 
daughter  of  Ralph  Earl  of  Stafford,  by  his  second  wife,  Catharine, 
daughter  and  coheir  of  Sir  John  de  Hastang  of  Chebsey,  in  com. 
Staff.  And  this  family  of  Cholmondley,  by  the  marriage  of  the 
Holfords  with  the  daughter  and  heir  of  Brereton,  is  also  mater- 
nally descended  from  Alice,  fourth  daughter  of  David,  Earl  of 
Huntingdon,  third  son  of  Henry,  Earl  of  Huntingdon,  son  of  Da- 
vid, King  of  Scotland;  the  Earldom  of  Huntingdon^  being  for 
some  time  in  the  royal  line  of  Scotland.  And  the  said  Alice  was 
also,  by  her  mother,2  descended  from  the  Earls  of  Chester ;  she 
being  eldest  daughter  of  Hugh  Kiveliock,  Earl  of  Chester,  and 
sister  and  heir  of  Randle,  Earl  of  Chester. 

The  said  Mary,  Lady  Cholmondley,  had  a  great  contest  with 
George  Holford  of  Newborough,  about  the  lands  that  descended 
to  her  by  the  death  of  her  father,  Christopher  Holford,  Esq. ; 
which,*  after  it  bad  continued  for  above  forty  years,  was  at  length, 
by  the  mediation  of  friends,  composed  :  and  on  the  partition,  she 
had  the  manors  and  lordships  of  Holford,  Bulkeley,  and  other 
large  possessions.  This  Lady  in  her  widowhood  resided  at  Hol- 
ford, which  she  rebuilt  and  enlarged ;  and  by  conducting,  with 
spirit,  the  great  suit  beforementioned,  was  styled  by  James  I. 
**  The  bold  Lady  of  Cheshire."  She  had  issue,  by  Sir  Hugh 
Cholmondeley,  six  sons  and  three  daughters; 

Mary,  married  to  Sir  George  Calveley  of  Ley,  in  com.  Cestr. 
Knt. ;    Lettice,  wife  to   Sir  Richard  Grosvenor  of  Eaton,  Knt. 

«  Ex  Stem,  de  Famil.  de  Holford. 
x  Ex  Stem,  de  Fam.  Brereton  &  Ipston. 
y  Dugdale's  Baronage,  Vol.  I.  p.  608,  609.  z  Ibid.  p.  33,  &  45. 

*  Leicester's  Antiq.  of  Chesh.  p.  344. 


28  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

and  Bart,  j  and  Frances,  wedded  to  Peter  Venables,  Baron  of  Kin- 
der ton. 

Of  the  sons,  three  died  unmarried.  The  others  were  Robert- 
Hugh,  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  of  Cholmondeley  j  and 
Thomas,  seated  at  Vale-Royal/  married  Elizabeth,  daughter 
and  heir  of  John  Minshull  of  Minshull,  Esq.  and  departing  this 
life  on  January  3d,  1652,  was  buried  at  Minshull,  haviqg  had 
issue  Thomas  Cholmondeley  of  Vale- Royal ;  Robert,  second  son, 
who  died  on  September  4th,  1658 ;  Francis,  third  son;  Mary, 
married  to  Thomas  Middleton,  Esq  eldest  son  of  Sir  Thomas 
Middleton  of  Chirk-castle;  Catharine,13  wife  to  Charles  Mainwa- 
ring  of  Jghtfleld,  in  com.  Salop,  Esq. ;  and  Elizabeth,  who  died 
unmarried.  The  said  Thomas,  eldest  son,  was  one  of  the  Knights 
of  the  shire  for  the  county  of  Chester  in  the  reign  of  Charles  II. 
and  by  his  first  wife,  Jane,  daughter  of  Sir  Lionel  Talmasb,  Knt. 
and  Bart,  (grandfather  of  Lionel,  first  Earl  of  Dysart  of  his 
name),  had  issue  one  son,  Robeitt,  and  three  daughters  j  Eliza- 
beth, married  to  Sir  Thomas  Vernon,  of  Hodnet,  in  com.  Salop, 
Bart. ;  Jane,  who  died  unmarried ;  and  Mary,  wedded  to  John 
Egerton  of  Oulton,  in  com.  Cestr.  Esq.  His  second  wife  was 
Anne,  daughter  of  Sir  Walter  St.  John  (and  sister  to  Henry,  late 
Lord  Viscount  St.  John),  and  by  her  (who  died  in  Dec.  1742, 
aged  ninety-two),  had  issue  two  sons  and  a  daughter  3  Charles, 
who  succeeded  to  the  estate;  and  Seymour,  who  married  Eliza- 
beth, eldest  daughter  of  John  Lord  Ashburnham,  widow  of  Robert 
Cholmondeley,  of  Holford,  Esq.;  and  dying  on  July  26th,  173£, 
at.  Arden,  in  Cheshire,  left  no  issue  by  her.  His  daughter  was 
Johanna,  married  to  Amos  Meredith,  Esq.  son  and  heir  to  Sir 
William  Meredith,  of  Henbury,  in  Cheshire,  Bart.  Robert,  eldest 
son  of  the  said  Thomas  Cholmondeley,  married  Elizabeth,  sister 
to  Sir  Thomas  Vernon,  Bart.c  and  deceasing  1679,  leaving  one 
daughter,  Elizabeth,  married  to  John  Atherton,  of  the  county 
Palatine  of  Lancaster,  Esq.d  the  estate  devolved  on  his  brother> 

a  Vale-Royal  was  the  site  of  an  ancient  abbey.  See  an  Elegy  or  Ode  on  it, 
among  T.  Warton's  Poems. 

b  Born  1641  ;   married  1657;  died  1702. 

c  Sir  Thomas  Vernon  left  a  son,  Richard,  who  died  S.  P.  in  Poland  ;  and  a 
surviving  daughter,  Henrietta;  who  dying  1752,  left  her  estate  at  Hodnet  to  her 
cousin,  Mrs.  Heber. 

"*  Elizabeth,  their  daughter  and  heir,  married,  1722,  Thomas  Heber,  Esq.  of 
Marton,  in  Yorkshire }  who  dying  1752,  was  grandfather  of  the  present  Richard 
Keber,  Esq.  of  Marton  and  Hodnet,  well  known  in  the  literary  world.  WTntahr's 
Craven,  68. 


EARL  OF  CHOLMONDELEY.  29 

Charles  Cholmondley,  of  Vale-Royal,  Esq.  one  of  the  Knights 
for  Cheshire  in  eight  several  parliaments,  from  1722  till  his  death, 
1759  j  who  married  Essex,  eldest  daughter  of  Thomas  Pitt,  Esq. 
(and  sister  to  the  late  Countess  of  Stanhope),  by  whom  he  had 
issue  (who  lived  to  maturity),  four  daughters;  Essex,  Jane,  Mary, 
and  Elizabeth;  of  whom,  Jane  was  married  in  August,  1732,  to 
the  third  son  of  Owen  Merrick,  Esq.  of  Bodorgan,  in  Anglesey, 
for  which  he  was  member  1  Geo.  I. ;  and  one  son,  Thomas,  his 
heir,  one  of  the  Knights  for  the  county  of  Chester,  on  his  father's 
death,  1759;  and  again  1762.  His  son,  Thomas  Cholmondeley, 
Esq.  was  elected  for  the  same  in  179^  and  continues  to  represent 
it  to  this  day. 

I  now  return  to  Robert,  eldest  son  of  Sir  Hugh  Cholmonde- 
ley; who  being  a  well-deserving  person,  and  enjoying  an  ample 
estate,  was,  upon  June  29th  (l6ll),  9  Jac.  I.  advanced  to  the 
dignity  of  a  Baronet,  being  the  36th  order  of  creation :  also  by 
Charles  I.  was  advanced  to  the  degree  of  a  Viscount  of  the  king- 
dom of  Ireland,  by  the  title  of  Viscount  Cholmondeley  of  Kellis, 
in  the  province  of  Leinster,  in  that  realm,  A.  D.  1628.  "  And 
afterwards/  in  consideration  of  his  special  service,  in  raising 
several  companies  of  foot  in  Cheshire,  in  order  to  the  quenching 
those  rebellious  flames  which  began  to  appear  anno  1(542,  and 
sending  many  other  to  the  King,  then  at  Shrewsbury  (which 
stood  him  in  high  stead  in  that  memorable  battle  of  Kineton, 
happening  soon  after),  as  also  raising  other  forces  for  defending 
the  city  of  Chester,  at  the  first  siege  thereof  by  his  Majesty's  ad- 
versaries in  that  county,  and  courageous  adventure  in  the  fight  at 
Tilston-Heath  j  together  with  his  great  sufferings,  by  the  plunder 
of  his  goods,  and  firing  his  houses;'  was  by  letters  patent,  bearing 
date  at  Oxford,  September  1st,  21  Car.  I.  created  a  Baron  of  the 
kingdom  of  England,  by  the  title  of  Lord  Cholmondeley,  of 
Wiche-Mallank  (commonly  called  Nantwiche),  in  com.  Cestr. 
And  by  other  letters  patent,  bearing  date  on  March  5th  next 
ensuing,  was  created  Earl  of  the  province  of  Leinster,  in  Ireland. 
When  the  royal  power  was  at  an  end,  and  the  whole  kingdom 
was  under  the  obedience  of  the  parliament,  he  was  suffered  to 
compound  for  his  estate; f  but  paid  no  less  a  fine  for  the  enjoy- 
ment of  it,  than  77421.  He  was  revered  for  his  liberal  hospitality, 
his  conduct  in  the  government  of  his  country,  and  other  virtues. 
He  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  John  Lord  Stanhope,  of  Har- 

e  Bill.  Si^n.  z\  Car.  I.  f  Lloyd'i  Memoirs  of  Loyalists,  p.  681. 


SO  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

rington,  but  died  without  lawful  issue,  on  Oct.  2d,  165Q,  and  was 
buried  by  his  Lady  (who  deceased  on  June  15th,  1(357),  on  the 
8th  of  the  same  month,  in  the  chancel  of  the  family  at  Malpas. 
Whereupon  Robert,  his  nephew,  son  of  Hugh,  his  brother,  be- 
came heir  to  his  estate. 

Which  Hugh  Cholmondeley,  Esq.  married  Mary,  daughter  of 
Sir  John  Bodville,  of  Bodville-castle,  in  Carnarvonshire,  and  aunt 
to  the  Lady  Viscountess  Bodmin,  mother  to  Russel  Robarts,  Earl 
of  Radnor.  He  departed  this  life  at  Bodville,  on  Sept.  11th,  1655, 
and  was  buried  with  his  ancestors  at  Malpas,  having  had  issue, 
two  sons  and  three  daughters  3  but  none  left  issue,  except  Ro- 
bert, his  eldest  son. 

Which  Robert  Cholmondeley,  Esq.  succeeding  his  uncle,  the 
Lord  Cholmondeley  and  Earl  of  Leinster,  was,  for  his  own  great 
merits,  and  the  services  of  his  ancestors,  dignified  with  the  title 
of  discount  Cholmondeley ',  of  Kellis,  formerly  enjoyed  by  his  said 
uncle,  by  letters  patent,  bearing  date  March  2()th,s  1661.  His 
lordship  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  coheir  of  George  Cra- 
dock,  of  Caverswall-castlc,  in  Staffordshire,  Esq. ;  and  departing 
this  life  in  May,  l6Sl,  had  issue  by  her,  Hugh,  late  Earl  of  Chol- 
mondeley ; 

Robert,11  second  son,  who  died  at  Westminster-school,  Feb.  4th, 
aged  fourteen,  and  was  buried  in  the  Abbey  church  of  Westmin- 
ster, Feb.  14th,  1678. 

George,  third  son,  succeeded  his  brother  as  Earl  of  Cholmon- 
deley , 

And,  Richard,  fourth  son,'  buried  in  Westminster  abbey,  A.  D. 
168O5 

Also  one  daughter,  Elizabeth,  married  to  John  Egerton,  of 
Egerton  and  Oulton,  in  com.  Cestr.  Esq.  eldest  son  and  heir  of  Sir 
Philip  Egerton,  second  surviving  son  of  Sir  Rowland  Egerton,  of 
Egerton,  Knt.  and  Bart,  and  of  his  Lady,  Bridget,  daughter  of 
Arthur,  Lord  Grey  of  Wilton.k 

Hugh,  First  Earl,  the  eldest  son,  succeeded  his  father  as 
discount  Cholmondeley,  of  Kellis,  in  Ireland  ;  and  joining  with 
those  persons  who  opposed  the  arbitrary  measures  of  James  II.  he 
was,  on  the  accession  of  King  William  and  Queen  Mary  to  the 
throne  of  these  realms,  created  Lord  Cholmondeley,  of  Nampt- 

g  Dale's  Cat.  of  the  Nobility,  p.  160. 
fr  Seymour's  Survey  of  London,  Vol.  II.  p.  569  *  Ibid. 

k  His  descendant,  John  Egerton,  of  Oulton,  Esq',  is  now  M.  P.  for  the  city  of 
Chester. 


EARL  OF  CHOLMONDELEY.  31 

wich,  by  letters  patent,  dated  April  10th,  1689,  with  limitation 
of  the  honour,  for  want  of  issue  male,  on  the  honourable  George 
Cholmondeley,  his  brother.  On  March  29th,  1705,  he  was  sworn 
of  the  Privy-council  to  Queen  Anne  j  and  on  Dec.  27th,  1700, 
advanced  to  the  dignity  of  discount  Malpas,  and  Earl  of  Chol- 
mondeley, with  the  like  entail  on  his  said  brother  George,  second 
Earl  of  Cholmondeley.  On  April  22d,  1708,  his  Lordship  was 
constituted  Comptroller  of  her  Majesty's  household :  and  on  May 
10th  following,  when  a  new  Privy-council  was  settled,  according 
to  an  act  of  Parliament,  on  the  Union  of  the  two  kingdoms,  he 
was  again  sworn  thereof  j  also  on  October  6th,  the  same  year, 
appointed  Treasurer  of  her  Majesty's  houshold.  He  was  also  con- 
stituted by  her  Majesty,  Lord-lieutenant  and  Custos  Rotulorum 
of  the  county  of  Chester,  and  city  and  county  of  Chester,  and 
Lord-lieutenant  of  North-Wales  j  but  was  removed  from  his  em- 
ployments in  the  year  1713. 

On  the  accession  of  George  I.  his  Lordship  was  constituted 
Treasurer  of  his  household,  and  succeeded  to  the  several  honours 
and  trusts,  from  which  he  was  removed  in  1713  ;  but  dying  un- 
married, on  Jan.  18th,  1724-5,  was  succeeded  in  his  estate  and 
honours  by  his  only  brother, 

George,  second  Earl,  who  after  being  well  grounded  in 
learning  at  Westminster  school,  and  at  Christ  Church,  in  Oxford, 
was,  in  1085,  made  Cornet  of  horse  5  and  on  King  William's 
accession  to  the  crown,  was  made  one  of  the  Grooms  of  his  bed- 
chamber. His  Lordship  served  in  all  the  wars  of  that  reign; 
and;  at  the  battle  of  the  Boyne,  commanded  the  horse  grenadier 
guards ;  likewise  at  the  battle  of  Steenkirk,  when  his  Majesty 
attacked  the  French  army  in  their  camp,  his  Lordship  particularly 
distinguished  himself,  and  was  wounded.  And  his  Majesty,  in 
his  camp  at  Promellos,  on  June  17th,  1697*  declaring  three  Colo- 
nels Brigadiers  general  of  horse,  Colonel  Cholmondeley  was  the 
firft  of  them.  On  July  1st,  1702,  he  was  constituted  Major- 
general  of  her  Majesty's  forces,  and  Governor  of  the  forts  of  Til- 
bury and  Gravesend.  Also,  on  Jan.  1st,  1703-4,  was  declared 
Lieutenant-general  of  her  Majesty's  horse  forces. 

On  George  I's  accession  to  the  throne,  his  Lordship  was  conti- 
nued in  his  government  of  Gravesend  and  Tilbury  forts,  as  also 
Colonel  of  the  horse  grenadier  guards.  On  Feb.  11th,  1714-15, 
he  was  constituted  Captain  and  Colonel  of  the  third  troop  of 
,Jaorse-guards ;  and  on  March  15th  following,  created  Baron  of 
Newhorough,  in  the  county  of  Wexford,  in  Ireland,  being  the  first 


32  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

peer  of  that  kingdom  created  by  his  then  Majesty  ;  who  taking 
further  into  consideration  his  great  merits  and  services,  was 
pleased  to  advance  his  Lordship  to  the  Peerage  of  this  kingdom, 
by  the  title  of  Baron  of  Newburgh,  in  the  Isle  of  Anglesey ,  by 
letters  patent,  bearing  date  July  2d,  \Jl6. 

On  succeeding  his  brother  in  his  estate  and  titles,  as  second 
Earl,  his  Majesty,  on  March  20$h,  1724  5,  was  pleased  to  appoint 
his  Lordship  Lord-lieutenant  of  the  county  of  Chester,  and  of 
the  city  of  Chester,  and  also  Custos  Rotulorum  of  the  said  county 
of  Chester;  and  likewise  Lord-lieutenant  of  the  counties  of  Den- 
bigh, Montgomery,  Flint,  Merioneth,  Carnarvon,  and  Anglesey. 
His  Lordship  was  also  constituted  on  March  25th,  1725,  Gover- 
nor of  the  town  and  fort  of  Kingston  upon  Hull ;  and  on  April 
15th,  1727,  made  General  of  the  horse;  likewise,  in  October, 
1 732,  appointed  Governor  of  the  Island  of  Guernsey.  He  departed 
this  life,  at  his  house,  at  Whitehall,  on  May  7th,  1/33.  His 
Lordship  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  to  the  Heer  Van  Baron 
Ruytenburgh,  by  Anne-Elizabeth  his  wife,  daughter  of  Lewis  de 
Nassau,  Seignior  de  Auverquerk,  Velt-marshal  cf  the  forces  of 
the  States  General,  and  father  of  Henry,  late  Earl  of  Grantham. 
The  said  Elizabeth  was  naturalized  by  act  of  Parliament,  which 
had  the  royal  assent,  Jan.  21st,  1/03-4.  And  by  her  (who  died 
on  January  16th,  1721-2),  his  Lordship  had  issue  three  sons: 
1.  James,  born  Nov.  30th,  1700,  and  died  young;  2.  George; 
and,  3.  James;  also  three  daughters;  Henrietta,  born,  Nov.  26th, 
1701 ;  Elizabeth,  born  May  28th,  1705,  married  in  Jan.  1731,  to 
Edward  Warren,  of  Poynton,  in  Cheshire,  Esq.  who  died  1737, 
leaving  issue  by  her  the  late  Sir  George  Warren,  K.  B. ;  Mary, 
born  March  9th,  1713-14,  died  unmarried  April  1763. 

James  Cholmondeley,  third  son,  born  April  16tb,  1708,  bore 
the  rank  of  Major  on  his  first  entrance  into  the  army,  his  commis- 
sion bearing  date  May  12th,  1725;  and  on  April  6th,  1731,  he 
was  constituted  second  Lieutenant-colonel  in  the  third  troop  of 
horse-guards,  in  which  post  he  continued  till  Jan.  17th,  1740-1, 
when  he  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  48th  regiment  of  foot, 
then  ordered  to  be  raised;  and  on  Dec.  18th,  1742,  was  pro- 
moted to  be  Colonel  of  the  34th  regiment  of  foot.  In  June,  1/44, 
the  regiment  being  ordered  into  Flanders,  he  made  the  campaign 
that  year.  In  1 745,  he  was  at  the  battle  of  Fontenoy,  May  11th, 
N.  S.  and  in  July  after,  was  made  Brigadier-general  of  his  Ma- 
jesty's forces;  in  which  station  he  served  the  remainder  of  the 
campaign.     On  the  apprehension  of  the  progress  of  the  rebellion 


EARL  OF  CHOLMONDELEY.  33 

ifi  Scotland,  his  majesty  thinking  it  proper  to  recal  part  of  his 
forces  from  abroad,  he  was  one  of  the  General  officers,  who  came 
over  with  ten  battalions  of  foot,  which  arrived  at  Gravesend, 
about  the  time  that  the  news  came  of  Sir  John  Cope's  forces  be- 
ing defeated  at  Preston-Pans,  on  Sept.  21st,  that  year.  Soon  after, 
he  was  sent  to  Chester,  to  take  upon  him  the  command  of  two 
battalions  of  foot,  newly  arrived  from  Ireland,  who  marched  un- 
der his  conduct,  till  they  joined  the  army  ot  Marshal  Wade,  then 
in  Yorkshire,  under  whom  he  served  as  a  Brigadier-general. 
And  when  Lieutenant  general  Henry  Hawley  was  sent  to  take 
upon  him  the  command  of  Marshal  Wade's  army,  the  major  part 
of  which  was  immediately  ordered  for  Scotland,  to  form,  with 
some  other  forces,  an  army  to  subdue  the  rebels,  there  likewise 
he  was  one  of  the  four  Generals,  who  were  entrusted  with  the 
command  of  this  army  3  Lieutenant-general  Hawley,  Major-gene- 
ral Huske,  and  Brigadier-general  Mordaunt,  being  the  other 
three ;  and  greatly  signalized  himself  at  the  battle  of  Falkirk,  on 
Jan.  17th,  1745-6:  but  the  great  fatigue  he  underwent  in  this 
action,  joined  with  the  extreme  severity  of  the  weather,  unfortu- 
nately deprived  him  of  the  use  of  his  limbs  for  some  time.  He 
was  constituted  Major-general  of  his  Majesty's  forces,  on  Sept. 
23d,  1747,  and  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-general,  on 
May  2d,  1754;  and  thence  to  that  of  General  of  foot  in  March, 
1765.  In  1747j  he  was  made  Colonel  of  a  regiment  of  dragoons 
in  Ireland,  and  from  thence  was  constituted  Colonel  of  the  regi- 
nient  of  horse-carabineers  in  Ireland;  and  on  Jan.  l6th,  \y50-\, 
was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  Inniskilling  regiment  of  dragoons, 
so  denominated,  from  their  signal  behaviour  at  that  place,  when 
raised  there  1689.  He  died  October  13th,  1775,  without  issue 
by  his  wife,  Penelope,  daughter  of  James  Barry,  Earl  of  Barry- 
more,  who  survived  him. 

The  eldest  surviving  son,  George,  third  Earl  of  Chol- 
mondeley,  born  January  2d,  1 702-3,  was  a  member  of  the  house 
of  Commons,  in  two  Parliaments,  before  he  succeeded  his  father; 
first,  in  17^4,  for  the  borough  of  Eastlow,  in  Cornwall;  and  was 
.chosen  for  Windsor,  in  the  succeeding  Parliament,  1727.  On  the 
revival  of  the  most  honourable  order  of  the  Bath,  he  was,  on 
June  17th,  1725,  installed  one  of  the  Knights-companions ;  and 
on  May  13th,  1727,  appointed  Master  of  the  Robes  to  his  Ma- 
jesty. On  the  accession  of  the  late  King,  he  was  constituted  one 
of  the  Commissioners  of  the  Admiralty,  and  Governor  of  Ches- 
ter.    And  on  the  establishment  of  the  household  of  Frederick, 

VOL.  IV.  d 


• 


*4  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND, 

late  Prince  of  Wales,  was  appointed  Master  of  his  horse.  Hif 
Lordship,  succeeding  his  father,  was  also  constituted,  on  Nov.  2d, 
1/2/,  Lord-Lieutenant  of  North-Wales,  and  Lord-Eieutenant  and 
Custos  Rotulorum  of  the  county  of  Chester,  also  Chamberlain  of 
Chester.  In  May,  1735  (having  resigned  his  post  of  Master  of 
the  horse  to  the  Prince),  he  was  constituted  one  of  the  Commis- 
sioners of  the  Treasury;  and  in  May,  1735,  was  appointed  Chan- 
cellor of  the  duchy  of  Lancaster,  and  sworn  of  the  Privy  -council. 
On  Dec.  10th,  1743,  his  Majesty  having  been  pleased  to  grant 
to  his  Lordship  the  office  of  Keeper  of  his  Majesty's  Privy-seal,' 
he  was,  three  days  after,  sworn  into  the  said  office  at  St.  James's, 
his  Majesty  being  present  in  council,  and  took  his  place  at  the 
board  accordingly.  And  on  resigning  it,  his  Lordship  was,  on 
Dec.  2"th,  1744 f  appointed  joint  Vice-treasurer,  Receiver-gene- 
ral, and  Paymaster-general  of  Ireland  (which  he  resigned  in 
1762),  and  Treasurer  of  war  in  the  same  kingdom,  having  re- 
signed the  Privy-seal  to  the  Lord  Gower.  In  1745,  at  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  rebellion  in  Scotland,  his  Lordship  raised  a  regi- 
ment of  foot  for  his  Majesty's  service.  His  Lordship  married,  on 
September  14th,  1723,  Mary,  only  lawful  daughter  of  Sir  Robert 
Walpole,  first  Earl  of  Orford ;  and  by  her  Ladyship,"1  who  died 
in  1731,  at  Aix  in  Provence,  and  was  buried  *at  Malpns,  had  issue 
three  sons  5  viz.  1.  George,  late  Lord  Viscount  Malpas ;  2.  Ro- 
bert j  and,  3.  Frederick,  who  died  April  27th,  1734,  and  is  bu- 
ried at  St.  Martins  in  the  Fields ;  and  one  daughter,  who  died 
soon  after  her  birth.  His  Lordship  was  continued  by  his  present 
M.ijesty,  in  his  posts  of  Lord-lieutenant,  Custos  Rotulorum,  and 
Vice-admiral  of  Cheshire,  Governor  of  Chester  castle,  Steward 
of  the  royal  manor  of  Sheene,  in  Surrey,  and  one  of  his  Privy- 
council. 

Robert  Cholmondeley,  the  second  son,  born  on  1st,  and  bap- 
tized 28th,  Nov.  1727,  was  some  time  an  officer  in  the  army:  but 
preferring  an  ecclesiastical  to  a  military  life,  he  entered  into  holy 
orders ;  and  beside  the  church-livings  of  St.  Andrew's  in  Hert-  1 
ford,  and  Hertingfordbury,  near  that  town,  enjoyed  the  office  of 
Auditor-general  of  his  Majesty's  revenues  in  America.     He  died 

June  6th,  1804.     He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Woffing- 

ton,  by  whom  he  had  issue  three  sons  and  four  daughters  j  viz. 
George-James,  born  Feb.  22d,  1752,  baptized  March  20th,  in 
the  parish  of  St.  George,  Hanover  Square,  who,  in  1782,  was  ap- 

i  See  Coxe's  Sir  R.  Walpole,  1.  735.  m  Aged  z6t 


EARL  OF  CHOLMONDELEY.  35 

pointed  a  Commissioner  of  the  Excise,  from  which  he  retired  in 
1801;  Horace,  born  Feb.  18th,  1753,  baptized  March  l6th,  hi 
St.  George's,  Hanover  Square,  but  died  young,  and  was  buried  at 
Teddington  j  Robert-Francis,  born  June  24th,  1756,  baptized 
July  22d.  in  St.  George's,  Hanover  Square;  Mary-Harriet,  born 
April  4th,  1754,  baptized  in  the  parish  of  St.  James,  Westminster, 
killed  by  the  overturn  of  the  Princess  of  Wales's  barouche,  Oct. 
2d,  1806;  Jane-Elizabeth,  born  October  22d,  1758,  baptized 
November  20th,  in  the  parish  of  St.  George,  Hanover  Square,  and 
died  an  infant;  Margaret,  born  July  8th,  1761,  baptized  Nov. 
20th,  in  St.  George's,  Hanover  Square,  and  died  an  infant;  Hester- 
Frances,  born  July  8th,  1763,  baptized  Aug.  2d,  in  St.  George's, 
Hanover  Square,  married  Dec  3d,  1783,  Sir  William  Bellingham, 
Baronet ;  Frederick  died  an  infant ;  Charlotte  died  young. 

His  Lordship's  eldest  son  and  heir,  George,  Lord  Viscount 
Malpas,  born  on  Oct.  17th,  1724,  served  as  a  volunteer  at  the 
battle  of  Fontenoy,  on  May  llth,  1745,  N.  S.  and  immediately 
after  was  appointed  Aid-de-camp  to  Sir  John  Ligonier,  and  after 
had  a  company  of  foot  conferred  on  him,  in  Lieutenant-general 
Howard's  regiment  of  foot.  On  the  rebellion  that  happened  at 
that  time,  he  was  appointed  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regiment 
of  foot  raised  by  his  father,  the  Earl  of  Cholmondeley,  for  the 
suppression  of  the  rebels.  He  served  in  the  Parliament,  1768, 
for  Corffe  castle,  in  Dorsetshire;  and  for  Bramber,  in  Sussex,  in 
1762;  and  was  Colonel  of  the  Cheshire  Militia,  and  of  the  65th. 
regiment  of  foot.  His  Lordship  married,  on  Jan.  19th,  1746-7, 
Hester,  daughter  and  heir  of  Sir  Francis  Edwards,  of  Grete,  and 
of  the  College  in  Shrewsbury,  both  in  the  county  of  Salop,  Bart. 
His  Lordship  died  on  March  15th,  1764,  leaving,  by  his  said 

.  Lady  (who  survived  him)  one  son,  George  James,  now  Earl  of 
Cholmondeley;  and  a  daughter,  Hester,  born  in  1755,  at  Burhill, 
near  Cobham,  in  Surrey,  who  married,  Sept.  6th,  1773,  William 
Clapcot  Lisle,  Esq.  since  deceased;  by  whom  she  had  a  daughter, 

,  born  July  9th,  1774,  married,  Feb.  23d,  1799,,  Charles  Arbuth- 
not,  Esq. 

George,  third  Earl  of  Cholmondeley,  died  June  10th, 
1770>  aged  seventy,  was  buried  at  Malpas,  in  the  county  of 
Chester,  on  21st  of  the  same  month,  and  was  succeeded  in  honours 
and  estates  by  his  grandson, 

George  James,  the  present  and  fourth  Earl  of  Cholmon- 
deley ;  born  April  30th,  1749,  in  the  parish  of  Hardiagstone,  in 
the  county  of  Northampton.     His  Lordship  was  for  some  yean 


3fj  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Lord-lieutenant  and  Gustos  Rotulofum  of  the  county  of  Chester, 
and  Governor  of  Chester  castle.  His  Lordship,  on  June  14th, 
17&2,  was  appointed  his  Majesty's  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Ple- 
nipotentiary to  the  Court  of  Berlin  ;  on  April  25th,  1783,  he  was 
appointed  Captain  of  the  Yeomen  of  the  Guard,  which  he  retained 
till  1804  j  and  was  at  the  same  time  sworn  a  Privy  Counsellor. 
On  the  death  of  the  late  Horace  Earl  of  Orford,  he  succeeded  to 
the  ancient  Walpole  estates  at  Houghton,  &c.  in  Norfolk. 

His  Lordship  married,  April  25th,  1791?  Lady  Georgiana- 
Chnrlotte  Bertie,  sister  and  coheir  (with  Lady  Willoughby  of 
Eresby),  to  Robert  late  duke  of  Ancaster;  by  whom  he  has  issue, 

1.  George-James,  discount  Malpns,  born  Jan.  17th,  1792. 

2.  Lady  Charlotte. 

3.  William-Henry. 

Titles."]  George- James  Cholmondeley,  Earl  of  Choi  m  on  del  ey, 
Viscount  Malpas,  and  Viscount  Cholmondeley  of  Kellis,  Baron 
Cholmondeley,  of  Wich-Malbank,  alias  Namptwich,  and  baron 
of  Newburgh. 

Creations.']  Baron  Cholmondeley,  of  Wich-Malbank,  alias 
Namptwich,  April  10th  (1689)  1  Wll.  and  Mar.  Viscount  Mal- 
pas, and  Earl  of  Cholmondeley,  all  in  the  county  of  Chester, 
Dec.  27th  (1706)  5  Q.  Anne  5  and  Baron  of  Newburgh,  in  the 
Isle  of  Anglesey,  in  North- Wales,  July  2d  071 6)  3  Geo.  I. 
Also  Baron  of  Newburgh,  in  com.  Wexford,  March  15th  (1714) 
1  Geo.  I.  and  Viscount  Cholmondeley,  of  Kellis,  in  the  county 
of  East-Meath,  March  29th  (1661)  13  Car.  II.  Irish  honours. 

Arms.]  Gules,  two  Esquire's  Helmets  in  chief,  proper,  gar- 
nished, Or 3  in  Base,  a  Garb  of  the  third. 

Crest.]  On  a  Wreath,  a  Demi-Griphon,  rampant,  Sable, 
beaked,  winged,  and  membered,  Or,  holding  an  Helmet,  as  those 
in  the  arms. 

Supporters.]  On  the  dexter  Side,  a  Griphon,  Sable,  its  Beak, 
Wings,  and  Fore-Legs,  Or;  on  the  sinister,  a  Wolf  of  the  second, 
gorged,  with  a  Collar  perflew,  Vaire. 

Alotto.]     Cassis  Tutissima.  Virtus. 

Chief  Seat.]  At  Cholmondeley,  in  the  county  of  Chester,  and 
at  Houghton,  in  Norfolk. 


. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     37 


HARLEY,   EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL 
MORTIMER. 


Some  have  deduced  the  house  of  Harlai,  in  France  (one  of  the 
most  eminent  in  that  kingdom)  from  a  branch  of  this  ancient  and 
noble  family  in  England :  and  according  to  Moreri,  there  are 
French  authors  of  this  opinion ;  for  he  acknowledges,1  "  It  has 
been  reported,  they  are  derived  from  our  country  :  though  others 
maintain,  that  they  are  denominated  from  the  town  of  x\rlai,  in 
the  Franche  Compte  of  Burgundy,  and  pretend  to  have  proof 
thereof." 

The  family  of  Harley,  in  England,  is  undoubtedly  more  ancient 
than  the  Norman  conquest ;  and  has  been  so  illustrious,  that 
those  in  France  may  be  descended  from  it  j  though  the  name  may 
neither  be  of  Saxon,  or  British,  much  less  of  French  extraction: 
for  from  Hursla,  a  barbarous  Latin  word,  signifying  a  wood, 
comes  Hurley,  and  so  it  changed  into  Harley, ^  a  town  in  Shrop- 
shire (the  ancient  seat  of  this  family),  according  to  the  learned 
Sir  Henry  Spelman.  Though  others  have  affirmed  Harley  to  be 
a  Saxon  name,  and  of  the  same  signification  with  Locus  Exer- 
citns. 

-  In  an  ancient  obiit,  or  ledger  book  of  the  abbey  of  Pershore, 
in  Worcestershire,  is  a  commemoration  of  a  noble  warrior  of  this 
name,c  who  commanding  an  army  under  Ethelred,  King  of  Eng- 
land, in  his  wars  against  Swane,  King  of  Denmark,  gave  the 
Danes  a  great  defeat  near  that  town,  about  the  year  1013,  and 
thereby  preserved  it  from  spoil  and  destruction. 

We  find  also,  that  before  d  the  Norman  conquest,  Sir  John  de 

»  Grand  Diet.  torn.  III.  b  Ed.  Llwjd's  Anti<j.  of  Shroo.  MS.  p.  iz6« 

«  Ex  Collect,  Hug,  Thomas,  MS.  d  Ibid, 


SS  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Harley  was  possessed  of  Harley-castle  and  lordship,  and  having* 
married  Alice,  daughter  of  Sir  Titus  de  Leighton,e  by  Letitia  his 
wife,  daughter  of  Hugh  le  Brune,  brother  to  William  de  Valence, 
Earl  of  Pembroke,  left  issue, 

Sir  William  de  Harley,  Knt.  who  is  the  first  mentioned  in 
the  visitation  of  Shropshire,  in  the  College  of  Arms,  as  Lord  of 
Harley  in  that  county.  He  was  onef  of  those  eminent  persons 
who  attended  Godfrey  de  Bulloigne,  Robert  Curthose,  Duke  of 
Normandy,  Alan,  Lord  High  steward  of  Scotland,  and  others  of 
note,  in  the  first  memorable  expedition  to  the  Holy  Land,  anno 
lOgS,  where  they  obtained  many  victories  against  the  Saracens, 
and  conquered  Jerusalem.  In  honour  of  which,  this  Sir  William 
was  with  them  made  Knighis  of  the  Sepulchre,  an  order  of 
knighthood  instituted  upon  that  occasion.  He  died  in  England, 
and  was  buried  in  the  abbey  of  Pershore,  where  his  tomb  is  still 
remaining,  and  the  only  ancient  monument  there,  which  was  not 
demolished  at  the  dissolution  of  abbeys  in  the  reign  of  Hen.  VIII. 
and  it  is  observable,  that  the  shield  of  his  effigies  is  plain,  without 
any  arms,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  most  ancient  times.  He 
married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Sir  Jasper  Croft,  who  was  also  a 
knight  of  the  Sepulchre,?  and  by  her  left  issue, 

Nicholas  de  Harley,  who  had  to  wife,  Margaret,  daughter  of 
Sir  Warren  de  Bostock,  of  Bostock,  in  com.  Cest.  by  whom  he 
had  issue  William  de  Harley,  who  married  Joan,  daughter  of 
Sir  John  de  la  Bere,  Knt.  of  Kinnersley  and  Clonger,  in  com. 
Salop,  and  by  her  was  father  of 

Nicholas  de  Harley,  who  wedded  Alice,  daughter  of  Ralph 
Prestrop,  of  Prestrop,  in  Shropshire,  and  from  them  proceeded 
their  son  and  heir, 

Robert,  who  married  Alice,  daughter  and  heir  of  Sir  Roger 
Pulisdon,  of  Pulisdon,  in  com.  Salop,  by  whom  he  had  issue, 

Sir  Righard  de  Harley,  continuator  of  the  line,  and  Malcolm 
de  Harley  j  all  which  descents  are  in  the  visitation  of  Shropshire, 
beforementioned ;  but  all  our  public  records  have  not  been  gene- 
rally preserved  till  the  reign  of  Hen.  III.h 

«  Vincent's  Visltat.  de  Salop,  ann.  1623.  MS.  p.  246.  f  Ibid.  p.  19S 

g  Vincent  tit  supra. 
h  Henry,  Lord  of  Harley,  died  in  1281,  9  Edw,  I.  and  by  Joan  his  wife,  had 
six  sons,  all  monks  :  John,  the  eldest,  became  professed  in  the  monastery  at 
Worcester,  October  21,  1279,  dnnal.  Wigorn,  in  Anglia  Sacra,  Vol.  I.  p.  5c?, 
This  John,  on  his  father's  death,  obtained  an  indulgence  of  118$  days,  in  his 
»onvent,  for  the  souls  of  his  parents.    The  other  five  brothers  were,  Richard^  a 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     $9 

The  youngest  son,  Malcolm  de  Harley,  or  Harleigh,  as  it 
was  sometimes  wrote,  was  chaplain  to  Edw.  I.  and  much  in  his 
favour  j  being  employed  in  the  management  of  the  revenues  of 
that  glorious  monarch,  and  was  his  Escheator  on  this  side  Trent, 
an  office  of  great  honour  and  trust  in  those  days.  In  11  Edw.  I. 
he  and  Sir  Guischard  de  Charne,  or  Charran,  had  the  custody  of 
the  bishoprick  of  Durham,  and  accounted  for  the  issues  thereof  to 
the  King  during  the  vacancy,!  viz.  from  June  13th,  to  Sept  4th, 
the  same  year,  and  paid  into  the  Exchequer  1319 1.  for  rents  of 
assize  of  the  manors  in  the  ferm  of  the  city  of  Durham,  and  in 
certainties  for  guard  of  burgs  and  ovens,  or  bake-houses;  also 
II93I.  Jps.  id.  for  tallage  assessed  upon  the  manors  of  the  bi- 
shoprick, and  other  sums  for  divers  other  parts  of  the  revenue 
thereof  j  in  all,  2620 1.  fs.  9£d.  In  1296,  the  King  grants  to 
this  Malcolm  de  Harleigh  (as  it  was  then  wrote),  styling  him  his 
beloved  Clerk,k  the  marriage  of  Margaret,  eldest  daughter,  and 
one  of  the  heirs,  of  Brian  de  Brampton,  debased,  for  his  nephew 
Robert  de  Harleigh,  son  of  Richard,  dated  at  Vghtragharder 
(Aughterarder)  June  21st.  On  August  22d,  1297,1  he  was  with 
the  King  at  sea,  in  the  ship  called  Cog.  Edward,  near  Winchel- 
sea,  and  was  one  of  the  witnesses  to  the  King's  delivery  of  the 
Great-seal  to  John  de  Benesteed,  in  the  said  ship.  And  attending 
that  monarch  abroad,  who  did  not  return  to  England  till  March 
14th,  1298,  died  soon  after :  for  the  King,  by  writ  of  Privy-sea!, 
26  Edw.  I.m  reciting  that  he  was  his  Escheator  on  this  side  Trent, 
and  that  Philip  de  Willoughby,  the  Treasurer's  Lieutenant,  and 
the  Barons  of  the  Exchequer,  would  probably  seize  his  goods  and 
chattels,  he  commands  them  to  leave  enough  in  the  hands  of  his 
kindred  for  the  honourable  interment  of  his  body ;  and  that  they 
should  send  some  fit  person  to  all  places  where  he  had  any  goods, 
to  take  a  true  and  exact  inventory  of  them,  that  the  King,  when 
he  should  be  certified  thereof,  might  give  such  orders  therein  at 
he  thought  proper.  Accordingly  "Thomas  de  Boyvil  was  assigned, 

monk,  atBeaulieu,  in  Hampshire;  William,  at  Hales- abbey,  in  Gloucestershire; 
Walter,  at  Bordesley,  in  Worcestershire;  Nicholas,  at  RufforJ,  in  Nottingham- 
shire; and  Roger,  in  a  convent  beyond  sea.  Ibid.  p.  505.  Sir  Richard,  men- 
tioned above  as  continuator  of  the  line,  was,  perhaps,  brother  and  heir  to  this 
Henry,  father  of  the  six  monks,  though  he  is  ftyled  Lord  of  Harley  before  the  9th 
of  Edw.  I.  but  that  might  be  by  the  resign  \tion  of  Henry. 

J  Madox's  Hist,  of  the  Excheq.  p.  49^,497.      Prynne,  3,  307,  353,  &c, 
*  P*t.  44  Edw.  I.  m.  14.  ]  Rymefs  Foei.  \M.  II.  p-  79i-  *13» 

»  Hift.  of  the  Exche<j.  p,  665,  66*.  »  JbU,    . 


49  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

by  letters  pitent,  to  take  an  inquisition  concerning  the  goods 
of  the  said  Malcolm,  and  the  Treasurer's  Lieutenant  was  ordered 
to  deliver  to  Richard  de  Harley,  his  executor,  481.  14s.  lid.  for 
the  exequies  and  burial  of  the  deceased.  He  built  °  that  house 
now  called  Cliffbrd's-Inn,  behind  St.  Dunstan's  church,  in  Fleet-* 
street;  which  being  seized  by  the  King,  for  certain  debts  due 
from  the  said  Malcolm,  it  was  granted  in  3  Edw.  II.  to  Robert 
de  Clifford,  Lord  Clifford,  who  made  it  his  habitation,  and  had 
thence  the  name  of  ClifFord's-Inn ;  Isabel,  the  widow  of  the  said 
Robert,  having  demised  it  to  the  students  of  the  law.  But  though 
that  house  was  seized  by  the  King,  yet  his  possessions  were  more 
than  sufficient  to  discharge  all  his  debts ;  for  it  is  evident,  some 
of  his  lands  devolved  on  his  brother  and  his  descendants. 

I  now  return  to  Richard  de  Harley,  elder  brother  to  the  said 
Malcolm,  and  his  executor,  as  before  related.  The  first  mention 
1  find  of  him  is  in  40  Hen.  III.  when  he  was  attached  to  answer 
to  a  pleaP  of  Richard,'  son  of  Robert  de  Clifton,  that  he,  with 
others,  came  into  the  wood  of  the  said  Richard,  son  of  Robert,  in 
Beldesworth,  and  that  his  men  in  the  said  wood  beat  and  abused 
the  said  Richard  and  his  men,  contrary  to  the  peace,  &c.  And 
thereupon  RJchard  de  Harleigh  pleaded,  that  the  wood  was  his 
wood,  and,  finding  some  trees  felled,  he  carried  them  away,  as 
he  lawfully  might.  However,  by  consent,  a  perambulation  was 
made  between  the  wood  of  the  said  Richard,  son  of  Robert- de 
Clifton,  and  the  wood  of  the  said  Richard  de  Harleigh,  in  Har- 
leigh. And  that  Odo  de  Hodenet,  Stephen  de  Buterleigh,  Peter 
de  Muneton,  and  William  de  Leighton,  four  Knights,  reviewed 
the  same  perambulation,  begun  on  the  south  of  the  land  of  the 
priory  of  Wenlock,  between  the  wood  and  the  plain,  by  an  old 
hedge,  to  a  great  elm  j  and  awarded,  that  the  said  Richard  de 
Harleigh  may  make  a  hedge  from  the  elm  through  part  of  that 
wood  to  the  green  oak,  and  from  thence  to  the  withered  oak,  and 
so  to  another  withered  oak  in  the  plain. 

In  the  same  year,l  he  was  among  those  of  the  county  of  Salop, 
who,  holding  lands  in  capite  by  Knights  service,  to  the  value  of 
151.  per  annum,  and  not  being  Knights,  were  summoned  to  take 
that  degree,  or  fine  for  the  same. 

In  126*4,  the  Barons,  with  Simon  Montfort  earl  of  Leicester, 

°  Dugdale's  Orig,  Jurid.  p.  187. 
*  P  Placita  Jur.  &  Assis.  in  com.  Salop,  anno  40  Hen.  III.  rot.  7* 

*i  MS.  Not.  b.  5.  p.  68.  ia  EibJ.  Joh.  Anstis,  Arm, 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     41 

riaving  taken  Prince  Edward  prifoner,  at  the  battle  of  Lewes, 
May  1 4th,  his  Highnefs  was  held  in  custody  in  Hereford-castle, 
when  Roger  Mortimer,  Lord  of  Wigmore,  contrived  his  escape  ; 
and,  being  assisted  by  this  Sir  Richard  Harley/  they  issued  out 
from  Wigmore-castle,  and  delivered  him  It  appears  from  our 
historians,8  and  other  authorities,  that  Mortimer  sent  the  Prince 
a  swift  horse;  with  intimation,  that  he  should  obtain  leave  to 
ride  out  for  his  recreation  into  a  place  called  Widmerfh,  and 
upon  sight  of  a  person  mounted  on  a  white  horse,  at  the  foot  of 
Tillington-hill,  and  waving  his  bonnet,  he  should  haste  towards 
him  with  all  speed.  Accordingly  the  Prince,  on  the  signal,  set- 
ting spurs  to  that  horse,  overwent  those  about  him  j  and  Morti-i 
mer  meeting  him  with  five  hundred  armed  men,  chaced  theni 
back  to  the  gates  of  Hereford,  and  brought  him  in  safety  to  his 
castle  of  Wigmore.  Afterwards  they  were  in  that  great  battle  of 
Evesham,  fought  on  August  6th,  1265,  where  the  Barons  were 
vanquished,  and  Simon  Montfort,  their  leader,  slain.  Which  vic- 
tory was  a  principal  means  of  putting  an  end  to  that  bloody  war, 
and  of  advancing  this  family,  when  the  said  gallant  Prince 
ascended  the  throne. 

In  56  Hen.  III.  he  was  *  Coroner  of  Shropshire,  an  officer,  in 
those  days,  of.  great  trust.  In  Edw.  I.  it  was  found,  by  verdict 
of  the  hundred  of  Condover,  that  Richard  de  Harley  u  held  the 
manor  of  Harley  for  three  hides  of  land.  He  was  married  before 
20  Edw.  I.  for  x  in  that  year  he  is  mentioned  with  Burga  his 
wife,  in  a  plea  concerning  a  free  tenement  and  lands  in  Great 
Wenlock.  In  21  Edw.  I.  he  was  summoned  to  attend  the  King 
at  Bristol,  on  the  marriage  of  his  daughter  to  the  Earl  of  Barr)/ 
as  appears  by  a  writ  in  the  White  Tower. 

In  1297,  he  was  z  summoned  to  be  ready  with  horse  and  arms, 
to  attend  the  King  at  London,  on  Tuesday  after  the  Octaves  of 
St  John  Baptist,  to  go  with  him  beyond  the  seas.  In  the  same 
-year/  a  fine  was  levied  by  him  and  Burga  his  wife,  and  Adam  la 
Jfolde,  of  the  manor  of  La  Bolde,  granted  to  them  by  the  said 


r  Hist,  de  la  Maison  de  Harley,  par  M.  M^ret,  MS.  fol.  4. 
8  Mon.  Ang.  Vol.  If.  p.  223.  &.  MS,  in  Bibl.  Bod.  Med,  10.  120.  b. 
t  Plac.  Jur.  &  Assisae,  &  Plac.  Coron,  apud  Salop.  56  Hen.  III.  rot.  13. 

u  Inter  Jnquis.  pro  Hundred,  in  Cur.  Recept.  Scac. 
*  Plac.  Jur.  &  Assis.  apud  Salop.  20  Edw.  I.  Rot.  15. 
y  Ex  Collect.  Hug.  Thomas. 
z  MS.  in  Bibl.  Cotton,  sub  Effig.  Claudius,  c.  2. 
»  Int.  penes  Fin,  com,  Salop,  25  Edw,  I,  in  Cur,  Recept,  Scac, 


42  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Adam,  which  they  convey  to  him  again  for  life,  paying  a  rose 
annually,  remainder  to  the  said  Richard  de  Harleye,  and  Burga, 
and  their  heirs.  She  was  the  sole  daughter  and  heirb  of  Sir  An- 
drew de  Willey,  son  and  heir  of  Warrin  de  Willegh,  or  Willey, 
by  Petronella  his  wife,  daughter  and  heir  of  Robert,  son  of  Odo, 
Lord  of  Kinlegh,  in  com.  Salop.  And  by  this  c  match,  divers  fair 
lordships  accrued  to  this  family;  as  Willey,  Gretenton,  Walder- 
hope,  Walle  under  Ey wood,  and  Rushbury  ;  beside  what  came 
by  the  heir  of  Kinlegh. 

In  27  Edw.  I.  the  King  sent  him  da  letter,  flyling  him  his  be- 
loved and  faithful  Richard  de  Harleigh,  commanding  him  to  be 
at  Berwick  upon  Tweed,  with  such  foot  soldiers  as  he  had  raised, 
to  march  against  the  Scots. 

In  28  Edw.  I.  this  e  Sir  Richard  Harley,  Robert  Corbet,  and 
Kobert  de  Roscale,  were  the  three  Knights  chosen  for  Shropshire, 
whom  the  f  King  (to  satisfy  his  Earls^and  Nobles)  impowered,  as 
Justices  in  the  said  county,  to  punish  all  offences  against  the  ar- 
ticles of  Magna  Charta,  the  Charter  of  the  Forest,  and  the  Statute 
of  Winton,  not  punishable  by  the  common  laws  of  the  realm. 
And  the  same  year  being  chosen  s  one  of  the  representatives  of 
the  county  of  Salop,  in  the  Parliament  held  at  Westminster,  he 
had  a  writ  directed  to  the  Sheriff,  for  his  expenses. 

In  29th  Edw.  I.  heh  was  Sheriff  of  Shropshire,  and  had  a  spe- 
cial letter'  from  the  King,  to  attend  him  with  horse  and  arms  at 
Berwick.  And  it  is  probable  he  v/as  then  made  a  Knight  Ban- 
neret; for,  among  the  collections  of  the  late  Sir  Henry  St.  George, 
Garter  King  at  Arms,  are  the  names  of  the  Knights,  who  served 
Edw.  I.  in  his  wars  in  Scotland,  with  their  arms  curiously  painted, 
taken  from  an  old  roll,  wherein  this  k  Sir  Richard  Harley  is  men-* 
tioped,  with  his  arms,  Or,  a  Bend,  cotised  Salle. 

In  30  Edw.  I.  he1  obtained  a  grant  of  free  warren  within  his 
lordships  of  Harleigh,  Kenleigh,  Willeigh,  Gretenton,  Hatton, 
Wilderdehope,  Rushbury,  and  La  Bould.     He  was  m  also  in  that 


v 


*  Vincent's  Visit,  ut  supra,  *  Ex  Collect.  W.  Holman  de  com.  Essex, 

*  Madox's  Baronia  Angl.  p.  257.  c.  2.  &.  claus.  27  Edw.  I.  m.  6.  dorso, 

e  Pat.  28  Edw.  I.  m.  14. 

f  Pryn's  Hist,  of  K.  John,  Hen.  III.  and  Edw.  I.  p.  830 

E  Pryn's  fourth  Part  of  a  Brief  Regist.  p. 10. 

h  Fuller's  Worthies  in  eod.  Com. 

I  Ryley's  Plac.  Pari.  p.  482.  &  Claus.  29  Edw,  I. 

k  MS.  n.  20.  p.  34.  in  Bibl.  Joh.  Vicecom.  Perceval. 

*  Ed.  Llwyd's  Ant.  of  Shrop,  MS.  «n  fuller,  ut  antea. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.  43 

year  Sheriff  of  Shropshire,  which  was  then  an  office  of  great  trust 

and  power. 

In  33  and  34  Edw.  I.  "attending  again  in  Parliament,  as  Re- 
presentative of  the  county  of  Salop,  he  had  his  expenses  allowed: 
and  in  35  Edw,  I.  was  elected,  with  John  de  Dene,  Knights  for 
Shropshire,  being  the  longest  Parliament  in  that  King's  reign  : 
yet,  as  Pryn  observes  (in  the  fourth  part  of  A  Brief  Register,  &c, 
p.  28.)  it  lasted  not  full  two  months  j  but  in  that  space  made; 
aorne  good  laws,  and  transacted  several  grand  affairs,  occasioned 
by  the  Scots  rebellion,  and  crowning  Robert  Bruce  their  King  j 
the  marriage  of  Prince  Edward,  and  divers  weighty  public  ai>. 
fairs. 

In  the  reign  of  Edw.  II.  he  was  elected  in  four  several  Parlia- 
ments, one  of  the  Knights  for  the  county  of  Salop,0  via.  in  the 
fourth,  fifth,  eighth,  and  ninth  of  that  Monarch.  In  3  Edw.  II. 
he?  was  one  of  the  three,  with  the  Sheriff  of  Shropshire,  to 
whom  the  King  directed  his  letters,  to  put  in  execution  the  ar- 
ticles for  observing  the  statute  made  in  the  Parliament  held  at 
Winchester.  In  1311,  having  the  custody  of  the  lands  of  the 
Knight's-Templars,  and  of  the  Bishop  of  Litchfield  and  Coventry, 
he  had  ?  command  from  the  King,  10  pay  the  issues  thereof  into 
.  the  Treasury,  on  the  morrow  of  St.  Hilary.  In  7  Edw.  II.  he r 
and  Wiiliam  de  Mortimer,  were  assigned  Justices  of  assize  for 
the  county  of  Salop,  and  causes  were  tried  before  them,  on  the 
Wednesday  before  the  feast  of  St.  Ethelbert,  the  King  and 
Martyr. 

This  Sir  Richard  Harley  dieds  about  13  Edw.  II.  and  Burga> 
his  widow,  was  styled  Lady  of  Willegh,  and  Kinlet,  in  Shrop- 
shire, in  an  acquittance  dated  44  Edw.  II.  whereby  she  released 
to  the  monks  of  Wenlock,  certain  rents  due  to  her.  They  had 
issue,  Robert ;  Malcolm  j  and  Henry,  who  was  a  priest  j  and 
probably  *  John  Harley,  Sheriff  of  Worcestershire  in  40  Ed- 
ward III. 

Of  Henry  it  is  related,"  that  in  2  Edw.  III.  he  had  a  great 
contest  concerning  the  deanery  of  Bridgenorth,  occasioned  by 

*  Pryn's  Fourth  Part,  ut  supra.  o  Pryn,  p.  74, 

P  Claus.  3  Edw.  II.  m.  7,  &.  Ryley's  Plac.  Pari,  in  Append,  p.  523. 
9  Rymer's  Feed.  torn.  Ill,  297. 
r  Assisa  Cap.  apud  Salop.  7  Edw.  II.  in  Cur.  Recept.  Scac. 
*  Ex  Collect.  Hug.  Thomas.  t  Fuller  in  cod,  Com, 

»  Llywd's  Antiq.  of  Shropshire,  MS. 


4*  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

having  obtained  a  grant  of  the  same,  upon  suggestion,  that  Tho- 
mas de  Eyton,  the  Dean,  was  dead.  But  he  appearing  before 
the  King,  the  grant  was  revoked,  with  a  special  mandate  for  re- 
storing of  the  rightful  Dean.  Whereupon  the  Sheriff  certified, 
that  both  Thomas  de  Eyton,  and  Henry  de  Harley,  had  raised 
great  numbers  of  men  in  arms,  in  order  to  dispute  the  right  by 
force ;  on  which  the  King  commanded  the  Sheriff  to  charge  both 
parties  to  desist,  superseding  the  mandate  for  restoring  Thomas 
de  Eyton,  till  both  appeared  in  the  court  of  Chancery.  The 
parties  accordingly  appeared,  and  Thomas  de  Eyton  was  re- 
stored. 

Of  Malcolm  de  Harley,  the  second  son,  I  find  a  finex  was 
levied  in  5  Edw.  III.  between  him  and  Burga  his  mother,  of  the 
manor  of  Gretynton,  and  sixteen  acres  6f  land,  and  40s.  rent  in 
Rushebury,  the  right  of  the  said  Malcolm,  which  he  conveys  to 
the  said  Burga,  to  hold  for  life,  and  after  her  decease,  to  remain 
to  Philip  de  Harley,  and  his  heirs.  Also,  in  the  same  year,  a 
finey  was  levied  between  the  said  Burga,  who  was  the  wife  of 
Richard  de  Harleye,  and  Philip  de  Harleye,  of  two  mills,  and 
twenty-three  acres  of  land,  with  the  appurtenances,  in  Borewar* 
deslye,  and  a  third  part  of  the  manor  of  Borewardesleye,  and  the 
advowson  of  the  church,  the  right  of  the  said  Philip,  which  he 
conveys  to  the  said  Burga  for  life,  and  after  her  decease,  to  Mal- 
colm de  Harleye,  and  his  heirs. 

It  is  probable  this  Philip  was  another  son  of  Sir  Richard  Har- 
ley j  and  zin  10  Edw.  III.  I  find  Philip  de  Harley,  parson  of  the 
church  of  Stircheley,  and  in  42  Edw.  III.  parson  of  the  church 
of  Rushbury. 

I  now  return  to  Robert  de  Harley,  eldest  son  of  Sir  Richard. 
In  24  Edward  I.  his  uncle,  Malcolm  de  Harley,  obtained  for  him 
the  marriage  of  Margaret,  eldest  daughter  and  coheir  of  Brian  de 
Brampton,  as  before  mentioned  j  and  in  1309,  2  Edw.  II.  on 
proof  that  his  wife  a  Margaret  was  then  of  full  age,  the  King 
commanded  Walter  de  Gloucester,  his  Escheator  beyond  Trent, 
to  deliver  them  full  seisin  of  those  lands  that  were  in  his  province 
viz.  the  manor  of  Brampton,  and  the  hamlet  of  Weston,  with 
their  appurtenances,  in  the  Marches  of  Wales;  the  manor  of 
Buxton,,  with  the  appurtenances;  33s.  rent,  with  the  appurtenances^ 

x  Penes  Fin.  com.  Salop.  5  Edw.  III. 
y  Penes  Fin.  ejusd.  Comit.  &  Ann. 

z  Fin.  Salop.  10  Edw.  Ill,  &  42  Edw.  Ill, 
*  Claus.  2  Edw.  II.  va,  10. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     4* 

ifl  Stowe,  in  the  same  Marches  j  lands  in  the  part  of  Kinlet,  in 
com.  Salop,  and  the  manor  of  Ashton,  with  the  appurtenances,  in 
com.  Hereford. 

Brian  de  Brampton,  father  of  the  said  Margaret,  died b  on  14 
kalends  of  June  (May  19th)  1293,  21  Edward  I.  and  her  only- 
sister  Elizabeth,  was  married  to  Sir  Richard  de  Cornwal,  son  of 
Richard  Earl  of  Cornwal,  King  of  the  Romans,  brother  to 
Hen.  III. 

As  from  this  match  he  acquired  a  great  estate,  and  their  seat 
of  Brampton  Castle,  having  since  been  the  chief  seat  of  the 
descendants  of  the  said  Sir  Robert  Harley,  I  hope  it  will  not  be 
thought  a  digression,  if  I  give  some  account  of  the  ancient  and 
noble  family  of  Brampton,  or  Bramton,  as  it  is  now  wrote. 

The  before-mentioned"  Brian  de  Brampton  c  was  the  only  son 
and  heir  of  Sir  Walter  de  Brampton,  eldest  son  and  heir  of  Sir 
Brian  de  Brampton,  Lord  of  Brampton,  Drayton,  Bucton,  Ped- 
wardyn,  Wiston,  Hermeston,  Ayston,  Kynlet,  Foxcot,  Walton, 
and  Adrington,  by  hereditary  succession;  and  in  right  of  Alice 
his  mother,  was  Lord  of  Botteley  and  Condover.  He  was  usually 
called  the  Noble  Brian,  in  respect  of  his  noble  descent  and  qua- 
lities. He  married  Emma,  daughter,  and  at  last  one  of  the  heirs 
of  Thomas  Lord  Corbet,  baron  of  Caus.  Aud  he  was  the  son  of 
Brian  de  Bramton,  styled  Senior,  by  Alice  his  wife,  daughter  and 
one  of*  the  coheirs  of  Walter  de  Remenyle,  Lord  of  Botteley  and 
Condover,  in  com.  Hants.  This*Brian  de  Bramton,  senior,  was  of 
such  eminence,  that  in  17  Hen.  III.  the  King  d  requiring  hostages 
of  the  Barons  Marchers  for  their  fidelity,  Ralph  de  Mortimer 
delivered  him  Henry,  son  and  heir  of  this  Sir  Brian,  for  his  faith- 
ful demeanour,  and  he  was  thereupon  committed  to  the  custody  of 
William  de  Stutevil  j  and,  it  may  be,  he  died  under  confinement  j 
for  Walter  was  at  length  the  heir  of  the  said  Sir  Brian,  who,  in 
39  Hen.  III.  had  a  e  grant  of  free  warren  in  his  manors  and  lands 
of  Brampton,  Bucton>  Stanage,  Weston,  Pictes,  and  Ashton,  in 
«  com.  Hereford  and  Salop  :  also  at  Wauton  in  Somersetshire.  He 
made  his  will  on  the  vigil  of  the  apostles  Simon  and  Jude,  in  fd 
Hen.  III.  and  is  therein  styled  Senior.  He  was  the  son  of  Brian 
>.  ■  •  "*. 

b  Ex  Stem,  sub  manu  Job.  Anstis,  Arm.  Gart.  Reg.  Arm.  and  R.id.  Brook; 

I  Ibid.  &  ex  Collect.  Nich.  Jekyl  de  Cast.  Hedingbam  in  com.  Essex,  Arm.;& 
Rad.  Brooke  Fecial  Ebor. 

A  Claas.  17  Hen,  III.  m.  8.  in  dorso. 

•  Cart.  36  Hen.  HI.  &  Transcript,  ejusd.  in  Cur.  Recept.  Scac.  in  Baga  Per- 
amb.  Forest.  •   • 


46  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

de  Bramton,  by  Alice  his  wife,  daughter  of  Walter  de  Nova  Mei- 
nel  j  who  gave  with  her,  in  free  marriage,  four  virgates  of  land 
in  Foxcott,  in  the  territory  of  Idelburi ;  to  which  were  witnesses, 
E.  Bishop  of  Hereford,  Hugh  de  Mortimer,  William  de  Morti- 
tneT,  Philip  de  Mortimer,  William  de  Burley,  and  others.  John 
de  Brampton  was  his  father,  and,  by  Maud  his  wife,  was  related 
to  most  of  the  great  men  of  that  age  j  she f  being  the  widow  of 
Roger  Mortimer,  Lord  of  Wigmore,  and  the  daughter  of  William 
de  Breos,  Lord  of  Brecon  (now  wrote  Brecknock)  by  Eva  his 
wife,  daughter  and  coheir  of  William  Marshal,  Earl  of  Pembroke, 
by  Isabel  his  wife,  daughter  and  heir  to  Richard  Strongbow,  Earl 
of  Pembroke,  who  married  Eva,  daughter  and  sole  heir  of  Dor- 
mack  MacMorongh,  King  of  Leinster,  in  Ireland.  And  the  said 
Richard  Strongbow  was  the  son  of  Gilbert  de  Clare,  grandson  of 
Richard  Fitz-Gilbert,  Earl  of  Brion  in  Normandy,  and  of  Rose 
his  wife,  sister  and  heir  to  Walter  GifFord,  Earl  of  Buckingham. 
And  the  before  mentioned  William  de  Breos  was  the  son  of  Re- 
ginald de  Breos,  by  Grisold,  daughter  and  coheir  to  William 
Brewer,  Lord  of  Torbay ;  and  he,  of  William  de  Breos,  son  of 
Philip  de  Breos,  by  Berta,  second  daughter,  and  at  length  coheir 
to  Walter  Earl  of  Hereford,  son  of  Walter  Earl  of  Hereford,  and 
of  Sibil  his  wife,  daughter  and  sole  heir  of  Bernard  Newmarch, 
Lord  of  Brecon  (by  conquest,  and  by  gift  of  William  Rufus)  and 
of  Neast,  daughter  to  Traham  ap  Cradock,  King  of  North-Wales. 
And  the  last-mCntioned  Philip  de  Breos,  was  grandson  and  heir  of 
William  de  Breos,  Lord  of  Breos  in  Normandy,  and  of  Bramber, 
in  com.  Sussex,  who  married  Agnes,  daughter  to  Waldron,  Earl 
of  St.  Clare. 

By  the  foregoing  account  it  appears,  how  nobly  Sir  John  de 
Brampton  was  related,  by  Maud  his  wife  j  and  Sir  Brian  de 
Brampton,  his  father,  had  to  wife,  Maud,  daughter  and  heir  of 
Sir  John  de  St.  Vallerie,  lineally  descended  from  Reginald  de  St. 
Vallerie,  at  the  time  of  the  Conquest.  And  the  said  Sir  Brian 
was  sson  of  Brian,  son  of  Barnard  de  Brampton,  surnamed  Vnspec, 
JLord  of  Kinlet,  in  com.  Salop,  in  the  reign  of  Hen.  I. 

I  now  return  to  Sir  Robert  Harley,  who,  by  his  lady  afore- 
said, was  not  only  allied  to  the  before  mentioned  noble  families, 
but  she  was  also  near  in  blood  to  the  great  family  of  Mortimer  j 
being  lineal  heir   (as  I   have  already  shewn)  to  Sir  John  dc 

t  Ex  Collect.  Hug.  Thomas  &  Visitat.  de  com.  Salop. 
I  Vincent's  Visitat.  de  com.  Salop. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     AJ 

Brampton,  and  Maud  his  wife,  one  of  the  heirs  of  William  de 
Breose,  or  Brewes,  Lord  of  Brecknock ;  who  had  for  her  h  first 
husband,  Roger  Mortimer,  Lord  of  Wigmore,  by  whom  she  had 
issue,  Edward  Mortimer,  Lord  of  Wigmore,  father  of  Roger, 
Earl  of  March,  the  great  favourite  of  Queen  Isabel,  mother  of 
Edw.  III. 

In  1 1  Edw.  II.  this  Sir  Robert  Harley  had  the  following  re- 
markable grant :  "  Sachez  nous  '  Roger  de  Mortimer  Seigneur  de 
IVygemore  avoir  donne  &  grante  a  nostre  chiere  Bachiler,  Mon- 
sieur Robert  de  Harley,  pour  son  Ion  service  isf  pour  cent  livres 
de  argent,  la  gard  du  corps  Gilbert  jilz  &  heir  Sir  John  de  Lacy, 
ensemblant  ove  le  marriage  mesmes  celuy  Gilbert  deyns  age  esteant 
en  nostre  garde,  £f  c.  Donne  a  Penebrugge  Van  du  regne  la  Roye 
Edward  Jilz  le  Roy  Edward  unzyme."  Camden,  in  his  Britannia, 
fol.  1  /6,  makes  a  question,  whether  these  Bachelors  were  not  of 
a  middle  degree  between  Knights  and  Esquires.  In  Pat.  8 
Rich.  II.  p.  1.  m.  4.  John  de  Clanvou  is  styled  Baccalarius  Regis. 
And  the  word  is  used,  13  Rich.  II.  stat.  2.  cap.  1.  where  it  sig- 
nifieth  the  same  with  Knight-Bachelor. 

In  14  Edw.  II. k  he  had  livery  of  the  lands  of  which  his  father 
died  possessed;  and  in  17  Edw.  II.  he  is  styled  Chevalier  in  two 
fines ;  the  one  '  between  Hugh  de  Brampton,  of  Ludlowe,  quer. 
and  the  said  Robert,  and  Margaret  his  wife,  deforc.  concerning  a 
messuage  in  Ludlowe,  the  right  of  the  said  Hugh,  and  the  heirs 
of  Margaret.  The  other  was  m  between  Robert  de  Harley,  Che- 
valier, and  Margaret  his  wife,  quer.  and  Joan,  who  was  the  wife 
of  Gilbert  de  Lacy,  deforc.  who  grants  to  the  said  Sir  Robert  and 
Margaret,  for  life,  the  manors  of  Brampton  and  Bukton,  and  after 
their  decease,  to  remain  to  Brian,  son  of  the  said  Sir  Robert  and 
Margaret,  and  the  heirs  of  his  body  5  and  if  the  said  Brian  dies 
without  heir  male,  to  remain  to  the  heirs  of  the  bodies  of  the  said 
Robert  and  Margaret,  remainder  to  the  right  heirs  of  the  said 
Margaret. 

In  the  same  year,  all  Knights,  and  others,  who  bore  ancient 
arms  from  their  ancestors,  were  returned  into  Chancery;  and,  in 
the  list  of  those  for  Shropshire,11  are  Sir  Robert  Harley,  and  Mal- 
colm Harley,  his  brother ;  from  which  it  may  be  inferred,  that 


*  Vincent's  Visit,  de  com.  Salop.  &  Dugd.  Vol.  I.  in  Famil.  de  Mortimer. 

*  Cowel's  Law  Interpreter,  sub.  tit.  Bachelor.  k  Claus.  14  Edw.  II# 

I  Penes  Fin.  com.  Salop.  17  Edw.  II.  m  Ibid. 

o  MS.  in  Bibl.  Cotton.  Claud,  c.  2. 


43  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

his  chief  residence  was  then  at  the  castle  of  Harley,  no  mentiofc 
being  made  of  him  in  Herefordshire. 

In  18  Edw.  II.°  he  was  appointed  to  array  those  forces  raised 
in  Shropshire,,  for  the  service  of  the  King,  against  the  French  in 
Gascony ;  and  was  9  one  which  that  King  chiefly  confided  in,  for 
suppressing  the  Knights-Templars. 

In  «i  12,  13  and  15  Edw.  III.  he  was  elected  one  of  the  Knights 
for  Shropshire,  in  the  Parliaments  then  held.  In  12  Edw.  III. 
the  King  commissioned  himr  to  march  fifty  archers  and  fifty 
pikemen  to  Ipswich,  being  the  quota  that  John  de  Warren,  Earl 
of  Surrey,  as  Lord  of  Bromfield  and  Yale,  was  to  furnish  for  the 
King's  service.  And  by  another  commission  of  the  same  date, 
lies  was  appointed  by  the  King  to  muster  those  forces,  and  to 
see  that  they  were  well  clothed  all  in  a  livery,  and  well 
armed. 

In  l6Edw.  III.  by  a  fine  levied  between  him  and  Margaret 
his  wife,-  and  Philip  de  Harley,1  he  settled  the  manors  of  Bram- 
ton,  and  Bukton,  with  the  appurtenances,  after  the  decease  of 
himself  and  Margaret  his  wife,  on  his  son  Brian  and  his  heirs, 
with  remainder  to  the  right  heirs  of  the  said  Robert  and  Marga- 
ret. In  19  Edw.  III.  Joan,  the  wife  of  Gilbert  de  Lacy,u  by  a 
fine  then  levied,  settled  messuages,  lands,  and  rents,  in  Ashton, 
in  com.  Hereford,  on  this  Sir  Robert  Harley,  and  Margaret  his 
wife,  for  their  lives,  remainder  to  Walter,  son  of  the  said  Robert 
and  Margaret,  and  the  heirs  of  his  body ;  remainder  to  the  heirs 
of  the  said  Robert  and  Margaret  5  remainder  to  the  right  heirs  of 
the  said  Margaret. 

In  21  Edw.  III.  on  the  death  of  Beatrix,  wife  of  Peter,  Lord 
Corbet j  of  Cans,  who  died  seised x  of  the  barony  of  Caus,  the 
manors  of  Munsterley,  Yokethul,  Wentenouse,  Shelve,  Bynne- 
weston,  Foxton,  Chelme,  Over-Gother,  Nether- Gother,  and 
Baghetrese,  in  com.  Salop,  it  was  found,  that  Thomas  Corbet, 
ancestor  to  the  said  Peter,  died  seised  of  the  said  manors,  and  left 
a  son,  Peter,  and  three  daughters,  Alice,  Venice,  and  Emmej 
likewise,  that  the  said  Peter  had  issue,  Peter,  his  son  and  heir, 
who  married  her  the  said  Beatrix:  and  that  the  before  mentioned 
Alice  became  the  wife  of  Robert  de  Stafford,  who  had  issue  by 
her,  Nicholas,  his  son  and  heir,  and  he  Edmund,  and  he  Ralph, 

o  Rymer's  Feed.  torn.  IV.  p.  78.  P  Ex  Collect.  Hug.  Thomas. 

1  Pryn's  Brev.  Pari.  p.  75.  r  Rymer,  torn.  V.  p.  7. 

*  Ibid.  p.  8.  t  Penes  Fin.  com.  Salop.  16  Edw.  HI. 

»  Fin.  com.  Heref.  18  Edw.  III.  *  Esc.  zi  Edw.  III.  n.  5$. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     4g 

then  Lord  Stafford  (viz.  at  the  time  when  the  inquisition  was 
taken),  and  that  Emme,  the  other  sister,  had  issue,  Walter  de 
Bramton,  her  son  and  heir,  and  he  Brian,  who  left  two  daughters 
his  coheirs,  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Sir  Robert  de  Harley,  and  Eli- 
zabeth, wife  of  Edmund  de  Cornwal  ;  and  were  next  heirs  to 
the  before  specified  Peter,  Lord  Corbet;    Ralph  Lord  Stafford 
being  then  thirty-two  years  of  age,  Margaret  forty-fix,  and  Eliza- 
beth forty-two.     The  said  Peter,  Lord  Corbet,  in  27  Edw.  I.' 
was  found,  by  inquisition,  to  be  one  of  the  next  heirs  of  Roger 
de  Valletort,  a  great  Baron  in  the  West;  and  zdied,  the  year 
following,  seised  of  the  barony  of  Caus,  with  its  members;  which 
barony,  by  the  death  of  Peter,  son  of  the  said  Peter,  as  before- 
mentioned,  has  been  ever  fince  in  abeyance  between  the  familief 
of  the  Lord  Stafford  (whence  branched  the  dukes  of  Buckingham), 
this  family  of  Harley,  and  that  of  Cornwal.   And  in  21  Edw.  III. 
the  coheirs a  came  to  an  agreement;  Ralph,  Lord  Stafford,  had, 
for  his  purparty,  the  castle  of  Caus  entirely,  with  the  appurte- 
nances; the  Knights  fees  being  likewise  parted  amongst  them. 
Sir  Robert  Harley  had  for  his  share,  the  manors  of  Yokethul,  also 
Yokelton,  Wentnore,  Stretton,  Chelme,  with  a  moiety  of  two 
water-mills,  and  one  fulling-mill,  and  of  the  fourth  part  of  the 
manor  of  Byn-Weston.     He  died  in  1349,  leaving  Robert,  hi* 
son  and  heir;  and  had  also  two  other  sons,  Brian  and  Walter,  as 
the  authorities  before  mentioned  make  appear;  and  one  daughter, 
Joan,  married  to  Gilbert  de  Lacy,  Lord  of  Fromc-castle,  in  Here- 
fordshire, who  was  in  wardship  to  him,  and  was  son  and  heir  of 
Sir  John  de  Lacy,  and  Joan  his  wife. 

Robert  de  Harley,  his  eldest  son,  is  styled  Fatuus  (or  tht 
Simple)  in  the  genealogy  and  records.  In  23  Edw.  III.  Hugh 
de  Parrok  and  Richard  More,  by  deed,  dated  at  Harley ,b  grant 
to  Robert  Harley  and  Joan  his  wife,  the  manors  of  Harley,  Gre- 
tingdon,  Kenle,  Cherlecote,  Bolde,  Yokelton,  Stretton,  Shelve, 
Wentenere,  and  the  fourth  part  of  the  forest  of  Caus,  which  they 
had  by  the  feoffment  of  the  said  Robert.  In  35  Edw.  III.  by 
the  name  of  Robert,  son  and  heir  of  Margaret,  wife  of  Robert  de 
Harley,  hec  gave  twenty-five  marks  to  the  King  for  his  relief  for 
the  fourth  part  of  the  d  barony  of  Caus.  In  37  Edw.  III.  by  a 
final  agreement  between  Hugh  Parok,  plaintiff,  and  Robert  de 

y  Esc.  27  Edw.  I.  n.  32.  z  Esc.  28  Edw.  I.  n.40. 

a  Claus.  21  Edw.  III.  m.  19.  b  Ex  Collect.  R.  Glover,  Sorrier*, 

c  Fin.  35  Edw.  III.  Ex  Collect.  W.  Holman. 
d  Inter  Ped.  Fin.  conj.  Salop.  37  Edw.  Ill, 
VOL,  IV.  fi 


So  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Harley  and  Joan  his  wife,  deforcients,  a  settlement  was  made  of 
the  manors  of  Harley,  Gretington,  and  Wylelve  (as  then  wrote) , 
on  him  and  the  said  Joan  his  wife,  and  the  heirs  of  their  bodies, 
with  remainder  to  the  right  heirs  of  the  said  Joan.  Also  the  same 
year  by  e  another  final  agreement,  wherein  Hugh  le  Yonge, 
Clerk,  and  Hugh  Parrok,  Vicar  of  the  church  of  Shawebury, 
being  plaintiffs,  they  settled  the  manors  of  Yokelton,  Shelve,  and 
Wentenere,  and  the  fourth  part  of  the  forest  of  Caus,  on  the  said 
Robert  and  Joan,  for  their  lives,  with  remainder  to  Fulk,  son  of 
Eobert  Corbet,  of  Morton,  and  his  heirs,  remainder  to  the  right 
heirs  of  the  said  Joan  :  but,  by  another  final  agreement  the  next 
ensuing  year,  they  f  granted  the  premises  to  the  said  Fulk  Corbet, 
to  hold  for  their  lives,  in  consideration  of  an  annual  allowance  of 
60 1.  during  both  their  lives.  In  30  Edw.  III.s  he  granted  to 
John  Delves,  Chevalier,  a  Kriight's  fee,  and  seven  shillings  rent, 
with  the  appurtenances,  in  Deryngton,  together  with  the  homage 
and  service  of  Richard  de  Deryngton,  and  his  heirs,  in  the  said 
town.  And  in  41  Edward  III.11  reciting,  that  Fulk,  son  of  Ro- 
bert Corbet,  of  Morton,  Knight,  holds  the  manors  of  Yokelton, 
Shelve,  Wentenore,  and  the  fourth  part  of  the  forest  of  Caus,  for 
life,  by  demise  of  the  said  Robert  and  Joan  his  wife,  and  that 
the  premises,  after  the  decease  of  the  said  Fulk,  ought  to  revert 
to  the  said  Robert  and  Joan,  and  the  heirs  of  Joan  j  they  granted 
the  reversion  thereof  to  Roger,  son  of  Robert  Corbet,  of  Morton, 
Knt.  and  to  the  heirs  male  of  his  body,  remainder  to  the  said 
Robert  and  Joan,  and  the  heirs  of  Joan.  In  48  Edw.  III.'  it  is 
set  forth,  that  Robert  de  Harley,  cousin  and  heir  of  Malcolm  de 
Harley,  held  the  moiety  of  the  manor  of  Ashdon,  with  the  ap- 
purtenances, of  the  heir  of  Robert  de  Mortimer,  late  Earl  of 
March,  the  King's  ward,  by  the  service  of  a  moiety  of  one 
Knight's  fee.  But  not  long  after  he  departed  this  life,  as  is  evi- 
dent from  a  final  agreement  in  50  Edward  III.*  between  Joan, 
widow  of  the  said  Robert  de  Harley,  plaintiff,  and  Peter  de  Corne- 
wall,  deforcient,  whereby  the  said  Peter  grants  the  reversion  of 
the  manor  of  Cherlecote  (then  held  by  Brian  de  Cornewall,  Che- 
valier, and  others,  for  the  life  of  the  said  Brian),  together  with 
the  manors  of  Yokelton,  Shelve,  and  Wentenore,  and  the  fourth 
part  of  the  forest  of  Caus  (then  also  held  by  Fulk  Corbet  for  life, 

c  Inter  Ped.  Fin.  com.  Salop.  37  Edw.  III.  f  Ibid.   38  Edw.  III. 

g  Ibid.  39  Edw.  III.  h  Ibid.  41  Edw.  III. 

*  Ibid.  48  Edw.  III.  «F  Ibid.  50  Edw.  III. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD*  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.   51 

With  remainder  to  Roger  his  brother,  if  he  survives  him),  to  the 
said  Joan,  and  her  heirs.  She1  was  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Cor- 
bet, of  Morton  Corbet,  Knight,  and  furvived  her  husband  many 
years.  In  4  Rich.  IT.  being  styled  Joan,m  widow  of  Robert  de 
•Harley,  she  claimed  the  third  part  of  the  manors  of  Bueld,  and 
Cherlecote,  as  her  dower*  against  Hamond  de  Peshall,  and  Alice 
his  wife ;  and  her  claim  was  allowed.  She  was  also  living"  in 
13  Hen.  IV".  They  had  issue  an  only  daughter  and  heir,°  Alice, 
married  to  Sir  Hamond  de  Peshall,  of  the  county  of  Stafford,  Knt. 
and  carried  the  castle  and  lordship  of  Harley/  and  a  great  estate, 
out  of  the  family  ;  and  the  said  Alice  likewise  left  issue,  Eliza- 
beth, her  sole  heir  jP  married  first  to  Henry  Grendon,^  who  died 
possessed  of  the  manor  of  Harley,  &c.  In  24  Hen.  VI.  she, 
secondly,  was  married  to  Sir  Richard  Lacon,  Knt.  who  had  issue 
by  her  William  Lacon,  of  Willey  ;r  from  whom  descended  those 
of  the  name  at  Willey,  and  Kinlet,  Thongland,  Holloway,  and 
Mounslow,  in  Shropshire. 

Having  brought  the  issue  of  Robert  de  Harley  to  a  period,,  I 
now  return  to  Brian  Harley,  his  brother;  who,  being  in  the 
wars  with  France,  received  the  honour  of  knighthood 5  and  was 
a  person  of  such  eminence,  that  s Edward  the  Black  Prince  re- 
commended him  to  his  father,  Edw.  III.  to  be  chosen  a  Knight 
of  the  Garter;  but  he  died  before  his  election.  He*  married  Ele- 
anor, daughter  to  Sir  Roger  Corbet,  of  Morton,  sister  to  his  eldest 
brother's  wife;  and  by  agreement  with  his  brother,  "divided  the 
inheritance  of  the  family,  whereby  Sir  Brian  was  heir  to  his  mo- 
ther's estate;  viz.  Brampton,  Bucton,  By  ton,  and  other  lands  in 
Wiggesmoreland.  He  left  issue  one  son,  x  Bryan  de  Harley,  and 
a  daughter,  sr  Eleanor,  married  to  Sir  John  Bromwick,  of  Brom- 
wick  castle,  in  Herefordshire,  Knight;  Eleanor  his  wife  was, 
secondly,  z  married  to  Thomas  Cotes. 

Bryan  de  Harley,  Esq.  succeeding  his  father,  was  denomi- 
nated of  Brampton-castle,  in  Herefordshire;  he  was  Governor a 
of  Montgomery  and  Dolverin  castles,  in  the  reign  of  Henry  IV. 
which  he  bravely  defended  against  the  famous  Owen  Glendour- 

1  Vincent's  Visitat.  de  com.  Salop. 
m  Ex  Collect.  R.  Gloyer,  Somers.  Fecial. 
n  Vincent's  Visitat.  de  com.  Salop.  °  Ibid.  p  Ibid. 

1  Ibid.  r  Esc.  24  Hen.  VI.  n.  3$.  »  Ex  Collect.  Hug.  Thomas. 

t  Vijitat.  &c.  com.  Salop,  praed*- 
u  Ex  Stemmate  sub  manu  Joh,  Anstis,  Arm.  x  ibid. 

y  Visit,  de  com.  Salop,  prsed.  «  Ex  Collect.  Hug.  Thomas.  a  Ibid. 


52  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

dwy,  who  was  forced,  hy  his  valour,  to  return  from  them ;  iii 
memory  whereof  he  changed  his  crest,  which  was  <e  a  Buck's7 
*'  Head  proper,  to  a  demi  Lion,  Gules,  issuing  out  of  the  Top  of 
"  a  Tower,  triple  towered,  proper."  He  married  Isolda,  second 
daughter  of  Sir  Ralph  Lyngayne,  of  Stoke,  Knt.  by  whom  he  had 
issue  two  sons,  Richard,  who,  dying  unmarried/  was  succeeded 
by  Jeffery,  his  brother  and  heir. 

Which  Jeffery  de  Harley,  of  Brampton-castle,  Esq.  married/ 
first,  Joan,  daughter  of  Johan  ap  Harry,  of  Poston,  Esq.  by 
whom  he  had  issue,  Margaret,  wife  of  Hugh  Wolley;  and,  se- 
condly,d  Julian,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Burley,  of  Burley,  Knt. 
nephew  and  heir  to  Sir  Simon  Burley,  Knight  of  the  most  noble 
order  of  the  Garter :  whose  brother,  Sir  Richard  Burley,  was  also 
Knight  of  the  Garter,  as  was  also  Sir  John  Burley,  their  father , 
and  it  is  remarkable,  that  the  father  aud  sons  were  Knights  of 
the  Garter  at  the  same  time.  From  this  marriage  proceeded  two 
sons,  John ;  and  Brian,  killed  at  Brampton,  on  Palm-Sunday,  by 
certain  felons  of  Radnorshire.  The  said  Jefferey  Harley,  by  his 
last  will,e  bearing  date  Jan.  10th,  1448-9,  bequeathed,  to  his 
eldest  son  John,  his  manors  of  Brampton  and  Buxton ;  and  to 
his  younger  son  Brian,  his  manor  of  Byton  j  and  to  his  daughter 
Joan,  several  legacies. 

Sir  John  Harley,  his  eldest  son,  engaging  on  the  part  of  the 
house  of  York  against  that  of  Lancaster,  in  those  bloody  contests 
which  then  happened/  was  knighted  in  the  field  of  battle,  at 
Gaston,  near  Tewksbury,  by  Edw.  IV.  on  May  9th,  1471.  He* 
was  Sheriff  of  Shropshire,  in  21  Edw.  IV.  and  was  living  in  10 
Henry  VII.  as  appears  by  a  deed,'1  wherein  William  Hoskins 
conveys  lands,  in  Byton,  to  him  and  Joan  his  wife.  She  was 
1  daughter  of  Sir  John  Hackluit/  of  Eyton,  Knt.  by  whom  he 
left  issue  Richard,  his  son  and  heir  5  and  had  also  a  daughter  Alice, 
wife  of  Richard  Monington,  Esq. ;  and,  secondly,  to  William 
Tomkins,  of  Monington. 

Sir  John  was  buried  in  Brampton  church,  where  a  monument 
was  erected  to  his  memory,  and  to  that  of  his  son  Richard ;  but 
was  defaced  in  the  civil  wars  in  the  reign  of  king  Charles  I. 

b  Ex  Stemmate  Ht  supra.  c  Ibid.  <*  Ex  Collect.  H.  Wanley. 

■  Ex  Stemmate  per  Anstls  &  Holmand.  f  Ex  Collect.  Hug.  Thomag. 

S  Jekyl's  Cat.  of  Knights,  MS.  h  Ex  Collect.  Hug.  Thomas. 

i  Ibid.  Sc  Visitat.  de  com.  Salop. 
k  Of  the  same  family  as  the  «ompiler  of  the  Collection  «f  Voyag-s  of  that 
name. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER,     55 

His  only  son  Richard  Harley,  Esq.  in  the  14th  year  of 
Hen.  VII.1  was  Sheriff  of  the  county  of  Salop.  He  married  Ca- 
therine, daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Vaughan,  of  Tretower- castle,  in 
Brecknockshire,  who,  by  order  of  the  Duke  of  Gloucester,  after- 
wards Rich.  III.  was  beheaded  at  Pomfret,  with  the  Earl  Rivers, 
and  others,  anno  1483,  for  their  fidelity  to  the  young  king  Ed- 
ward V.  This  Richard  Harley,  Esq.  by  his  marriage  aforesaid, 
was  related  to  the  best  families  in  Wales  j  m  the  Welch  genealo- 
gists  deriving  the  said  Sir  Thomas  Vaughan  from  the  ancient 
British  Princes  of  Hereford,  Brecknock,  and  Radnor,  before  the 
Norman  or  Saxon  conquests  j  and  from  the  noble  families  of  the 
Clares  and  Mortimers,  as  also  from  all  the  Princes  of  Wales. 

By  the  inquisition  taken  at  Wigmore,n  June  2j7th,  1529,  after 
his  death,  it  appears,  that  Sir  John  Harley,  Knt.  in  consideration 
of  a  marriage  between  the  said  Richard,  his  son  and  heir  appa- 
rent, and  Catharine,  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Vaughan,  Knight, 
made  a  settlement  of  the  manor  of  Brampton,  the  town  of  Buc- 
ton,  parcel  of  the  said  manor,  the  manor  of  Over-Pedwardyne, 
and  divers  messuages,  &c.  in  Over-Pedwardyne,  Netber-Pedwar- 
dyne,  Walforde,  and  Borysforde,  fix.  burgages,  and  certain  lands 
and  tenements  thereto  belonging,  in  the  town  or  borough  of 
Wigmore,  together  with  divers  other  messuages,  lands,  and  tene- 
ments, in  Lengthalle-Erlys,  Alfortune,  Kyntone,  and  Leyntwar- 
din,  in  the  lordship  of  Wigmore,  in  trust  for  the  use  of  him  the 
said  John  Harley,  Knight,  and  Joan  his  wife,  for  their  lives,  re- 
mainder to  the  use  of  Richard  Harley,  his  son  and  heir,  and  the 
heirs  of  his  body,  remainder  to  the  right  heirs  of  the  said  Sir 
John  j°  and  that  the  said  Richard  died  on  March  11th,  before  the 
taking  of  the  inquisition,  leaving  John  Harley,  his  son  and  heir, 
thirty-eight  years  old  and  upwards :  and  had  also  two  other  sons, 
William  and  Thomas  j  and  a  daughter,  Catharine,  married  to 
Roger  Hop  wood,  Esq. 

The  said  John  Harley,  Esq.  born  in  H91,  was,  in  his  father's 
life-time,v  a  commander  in  the  wars  against  the  Scots,  and  sig- 
nalized himself  in  the  battle  at  Flodden  Field,  Sept.  9th,  1513. 
He  married,  11  Hen.  VIII.  Anne,  daughter  of  Sir  Edward  Crofts, 
Knt.  by  whom  he  had  issue  John  Harley ;  Thomas,  Rector  of 
Brampton)    William)    Edward)    Margaret,    wife   of   Thomas 

'  Ex  Collect.  Hug.  Thomas,  &  Viskat.  de  com.  Salop.  Fuller's  Worthies  in 
jod.  corn. 

111  Ex  Stcmmate  sub  maim  Hog.  Thomas,  n  Esc.  21  Hen.  VIII. 

c  Esc.  ucsuprj.  P  Ex  Collect.  H'ig.  Thomas. 


54  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Adams,  of  Electon,  in  Shropshire  5  Joyce,  and  Elizabeth.  After 
her  decease,  he  wedded  Anne,  daughter  of  Sir  Edward  Rouse,  of 
Worcestershire,  Knt.  by  whom  he  had  issue,  Alice,  wife  of  Simon 
Macklew.i  He  died  on  August  6th,  1542,  leaving  John  his  son 
and  heir. 

John,  eldest  son  and  heir  of  the  said  John  Harley,  Esq.  on  his 
father's  decease,  was  in  ward  to  the  King  ten  weeks,  and  being 
at  full  age  on  Oct.  29th,  ]542,  thereupon  sued1*  out  a  special 
livery  of  all  the  manors  and  lands  his  father  died  posessed  of,  viz. 
the  manor  of  Bucton,  with  the  appurtenances  in  Bucton  ;  the 
manors  of  Pedwarden,  and  Boristorde,  held  of  the  King  as  of  the 
honour  of  Wigmore,  by  the  service  of  one  Knight's  fee  :  the  ma- 
nor of  Byton,  with  the  appurtenances^  and  other  lands  and  tene- 
ments in  Byton,  held  of  Richard  Cornwall,  Esq.  as  of  his  manor 
of  Stepleton,  in  soccage,  by  the  rent  of  6d.  Also  lands  and  tene- 
ments, and  a  mill,  with  the  appurtenances,  in  Walford,  Lent- 
warden,  Atfortone,  Wigmore,  Bucktone,  and  Yetone,  held  of 
the  King  in  soccage;  also  lands  and  tenements  in  Kingtone;  the 
manor  of  Bramton  Brian,  with  its  appurtenances,  held  of  the 
King  as  of  the  honour  of  Wigmore,  by  the  service  of  one  Knight's 
fee ;  and  Bucton-park,  with  its  appurtenances,  all  in  Hereford- 
shire; the  manor  of  Lysse,  and  its  appurtenances,  in  the  county 
of  Southampton ;  tenements  in  Bukenhille,  half  the  manor  of 
Dovvr,  tenements  in  Nether-downe,  in  Brome,  and  in  Wynds,  in 
com.  Salop  5  tenements  in  the  Reves,  and  in  Blackbich,  in  Rad- 
norshire. 

His  father,  on  March  30th,  1541,  covenanted  with  Richard 
Warncomb,  of  Hereford,  Esq.  for  a  marriage  to  be  solemnized 
between  his  said  son  John,  and  Maud  Warncomb,  before  the 
feast  of  Pentecost  then  next  ensuing,  and  settles  upon  them  in 
present,  the  manors  of  Byton,  in  com.  Hereford,  and  Lysse 
Stormy,  alias  Lysse  Harley,  in  com.  Southampton,  with  the  re-* 
version  of  Bramton- Brian,  Pedwardin,  Boresford,  Bucton,  Wal- 
ford ;  and  the  lordship  of  Nether-down,  in  com.  Montgomery, 
after  the  expiration  of  thirty  years;  during  which  time  the  profits 
thereof  was  to  provide  portions  for  younger  brothers  and  sisters. 
This  Maud  Warncomb  was  at  length   coheir  to  her  brother  * 

1  John  Harley,  B:shop  of  Hereford,  who  died  ij.54,  was  of  a  younger  branch 
of  this  family. 

r  Pat.  34  Hen.  ViII.  ex  Collect.  Humph.  Wanley. 
8  Warncomb's  Title  to  Lugwarden,  Sec.   MS. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     55 

James  Warncomb,  Esq.  who  died  possessed  of  the  manor  of  Lug- 
wardin,  in  com.  Heref.  (purchased  by  his  father  Richard  Warn- 
comb, Esq.  of  Sir  John  Bridges,  in  31  Henry  VIII.)  and  divers 
other  manors  and  lands.  And,  on  the  division  of  the  estate,  she 
had,  for  her  share,  the  manors  of  Aylton  and  Picksley,  with  lands 
in  Bodenham,  Webton,  Gothermet,  Leyntall,  Starks,  and  Elton  $ 
with  several  houses  in  Hereford,  and  Leominster. 

By  the  said  Maud,  he  had  issue  John  Harley,  Esq.  slain  in  the 
French  wars,  V.  P.  j  Thomas,  William,  and  Richard,  a  learned 
man,  the  tutor  of  his  nephew  hereafter  mentioned ;  also  three 
daughters  j  1.  Catherine,  first  married  to  John  Cresset,  of  Upton- 
Cresset  ;  and  afterwards  to  John  Cornwall,  Baron  of  Burford,  in 
Shropshire  j  she  died  Feb.  16th,  1623,  aged  eighty-four,  and  was 
buried  at  Burton,  in  Shropshire)  2.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Giles  Nan- 
fan,  of  Birch-Morton,  in  Worcestershire  j  and,  3.  Jane,  married 
to  Roger  Minors,  of  Triago,  in  com.  Heref.  Esq. 

The  said  John  Harley,  Esq.  was  Sheriff  of  Herefordshire,  in  3 
Edw.  VI.  and  again  in  3  Eliz.  It  appears  that  he  was  Constable 
of  Con  way-castle,  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth.1  Sir  Henry 
Sidney,  Lord  deputy  of  Ireland,  and  President  of  Wales,  in  a  let- 
ter to  Secretary  Cecil  (dated  Aug.  8th,  1568),  desired  he  might 
have  Queen  Elizabeth's  letter  to  Harley,  Constable  of  Conway- 
castle,  to  receive  such  Irish  prisoners,  or  pledges,  as  he  should 
send  him,  to  be  confined  in  the  said  castle. 

His  will  bears  date  in  December,  1580,  and  Maud,  his  wife's, 
anno  1589 ;  but  if  he  lived  to  be  eighty  five  years  of  age,  as  is 
asserted,"  he  did  not  die  till  the  year  1606  j  as  may  be  computed 
from  his  age,  before  mentioned,  on  his  father's  decease.  When 
his  body  was  opened  to  be  embalmed,  a  stone  was  taken  out  of 
it,  that  weighed  above  sixteen  ounces,  and  was  long  kept  in  the 
family. 

His  eldest  surviving  son,  Thomas  Harley,  Esq.  of  Brampton, 
born  about  the  year  1543,  lived,  during  his  father's  life,  at  Wig- 
more  castle  j  was  in  xthe  commission  of  peace,  A.D.  1585,  y  high 
Sheriff  of  Herefordshire,  in  the  36th  of  Elizabeth,  as  also  in  the 
last  year  of  that  Queen,  and  in  the  1st  of  James  I.  in  which  year 
he  had  ■  a  grant,  from  his  Majesty,  of  the  honour  and  Castle  of 

1  Sidney's  State  Letters,  &c.  Vol.1,  p.  36. 
«  Ex  Collect.  Hugh  Thomas. 
x  Abstract  of  Humph.  Wanley's  Extracts  of  the  Harleian  Family. 
7  Fuller's  Worthies  in  Heref.  z  Pat.  j  Jac.  I.  p.  9.  m.  18. 


50  •   PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Wigmore.  He  was  likewise/  in  that  reign,  of  the  council  to 
William,  Lord  Compton,  President  of  Wales  j  and  very  consider- 
able in  his  time  for  his  affluence  of  fortune,  and  great  abilities  j 
but  chiefly  distinguished  himself  by  the  sagacity  of  his  councils 
to  King  James  I.  against  the  measures  then  in  pursuit,b  as  tend- 
ing to  involve  his  Majesty,  or  his  son,  in  a  war  with  his  people; 
which  accordingly  came  to  pass,  though  above  twenty  years  after, 
and  he  lived  not  himself  to  see  his  predictions  verified.  After 
this  sincere  delivery  of  his  sentiments,  he  retired  from  the  court, 
and  service  of  the  state,  though  not  without  marks  of  honour  and 
favour  from  Cha:les  I.  and  employed  his  plentiful  fortune  in  acts 
of  hospitality. 

He  lived  to  a  great  age,  dying  in  March,  1(531  ;  and  was  bu- 
lied,  on  the  lpth  of  the  same  month,  at  Brampton. 

He  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  Andrew  Corbet,  of 
Morton-Corbet,  Knt.  by  whom  he  had  issue,  Sir  Robert  Harley, 
Knight  of  the  Bath.  And,  surviving  her,  he  married,  fecondly, 
Anne,  daughter  to  Walter  Griffith,  of  Burton-Agnes,  in  York- 
shire, Esq.  sister  to  Sir  Henry  Griffith,  Knt.  by  whom  he  had 
issue  James  Harley ;  and  Thomas,  who  was  baptized  at  Bramp- 
ton, Sept.  6th,  lO'Ol,  and  was  buried  at  Lentwarden  the  same 
year.  The  said  James  Harley  married,  on  Oct.  10th,  l6lO,  Anne, 
daughter  and  coheir  to  John  Gardiner,  Esq.  of  Brampton,c  by 
whom  he  had  issue,  Anne,  baptized  at  Brampton,  on  July  l6th, 
l6l5.  He  buried  his  wife  there,  on  June  18th,  1618,  and  dying 
himself  at  Berrington,  soon  after,  was  buried  near  her,  on  July 
14th  following ;  and  their  daughter  aforesaid,  on  March  2/th, 
If3l9.d 

Sir  Robert  Harley,  only  surviving  son  of  Thomas,  was  born 
at  Wigmore-castle,e  and  baptized  on  March  lit,  \57§.  His  mo- 
ther died  when  he  was  very  young,  and  he  received  his  first  in- 
structions in  literature  from  his  uncle,  Richard  Harley,  a  man  of 
noted  wit  and  learning}  by  whom  being  accomplished  for  the 
University,  his  father  sent  him  to  Oriel-college,  in  Oxford.  He 
continued  there  four  years,  and  took  his  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts:f  and  thence  removed  to  the  Middle-Temple,  in  London, 
where  he  associated  with  men  of  the  first  rank  in  that  society  j 
and  resided  there  till  the  coronation  of  James  I.  at  which  he  was 

a  Rymer's  Feed.  Vol.  XVII.  p.  30.  b  Vide  Plato  Redivivus. 

c  Regisc,  de  Bramton  Brian.  A  Ibid.  c  Ibid. 

f  Introduction  to  the  Life  of  Sir  Robert  Harley,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  MS. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     57 

made  one  of  the  s  Knights  of  the  Bath,  on  July  15th,  1603.  H© 
was  in  the  next  year,  on  July  lfjth,  made  Forester  of  Boring- 
wood,  alias  Bringwood-forest,11  in  com.  Hereford,1  with  the  office 
of  the  Pokership,  and  custody  of  the  forest  or  chase  of  Prestwood, 
for  life.  In  an  Abstract  of  the  King's  Revenues,k  are  these  en- 
tries relating  thereto : — To  Sir  Robert  Harley,  for  keeping  Bo- 
ringwood,  alias  Bringwood-forest,  in  com.  Hereford,  61.  2s.  8d. 
per  ann.  j  for  the  Pokership  30s.  5d.  by  the  year;  and  for  keep- 
ing the  forest  of  Prestwood,  18s.  by  the  year.  In  the  /th  of 
Jac.  I.  he  obtained  a  grant  to  himself,  his  heirs,  and  assigns  for 
ever,  for  a  weekly  market,1  and  a  fair  annually,  at  Wigmore,  in 
Herefordshire.  He  was  elected  Knight  for  the  said  county,"1  in 
the  21st  year  of  James  I.'s  reign,  and  was  put  into  the  commission 
of  the  peace  (as  his  father"  had  been),  in  the  1st  of  Charles  I. 
On  Sept.  12th,  1626,  he0  had  a  grant  of  the  office  and  offices 
of  master  and  worker  of  monies,  to  be  coined  in  the  Tower  of 
London,  during  life;  and  on  Nov.  Sth  following,  an  p indenture 
was  made,  between  the  said  King  and  Sir  Robert  Harley,  Knight 
of  the  Bath,  for  coining  the  monies  of  silver  and  gold/i  according 
to  his  letters  patent.  To  this  office  was  annexed  a  salary  of  four 
thousand  pound  per  ann.  as  Whitlock  observes ; r  and  that  after 
the  King's  murder,  the  parliament  having  ordered  a  new  coin  to 
be  stamped,  Sir  Robert  Harley  rem  fed  to  coin  with  any  other 
stamp  than  that  of  the  King :  whereupon  the  Parliament  ordered 
a  trial  of  the  pixe  to  be  made  at  Sir  Robert  Hurley's  expense;  and 
removed  him  from  his  place.  While  he  enjoyed  it,  to  the  great 
improvement  of  our  coin,  he  introduced  that  famous  artist,  Tho- 
mas Symonds,  to  be  engraver  of  the  dies  for  the  mint. 

Being,  by  his  lady,s  related  to  that  famous  General,  Horace, 
Lord  Vere,  of  Tilbury ;    there  was  such  an  intimacy  between 

g  Philpot's  Catal.  of  Knights. 
h  Adjoining  the  seat  at  Downton,  of  Richard  Payne  Knight,  Esq.  and  now,  I 
believe,  part  of  his  property. 

i  Pa-.  2  Jac.  I.  p.  21.  k  Printed,  4to.    16^3. 

1  Pat.  7  Jac.  I.  p.  27.  m  Ex  Collect.  Br.  Willis,  Arm. 

n  Ex  Collect.  H.  Wanley  °  Pat.  2  Car.  I.  p.  21.  n.  17. 

P  Ibid.  p.  24.  n.  £. 
<1  Ex  Collect.  Nich.  Jekyl,  de  Cast.  Kenningh.  in  com.  Essex,  Arm. 
r  Memorials  of  K.  Charles,  fol.  388. 
8  The  mother  of  his  third  wife,  Brilliana  Conway,  was  Dorothy,  sister  to  Mary 
Lady  Vere,  and   daughter  to  Sir  John  Tracy.     He  was  therefore  not  related  to 
Lord  Vere  himself. 


58  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

them/  that  the  said  Lord,  in  his  will,  dated  Nov.  10th,  1634, 
styling  him  his  much  respected  friend,  makes  him  the  first  of  his 
trustees,  by  indenture,  Oct.  20th,  1634,  which  he  also  confirmed 
by  his  will.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  members  in  the  Parlia- 
ments of  Charles  I.  also  captain  of  a  troop  of  horse  in  the  Par- 
liament's service,  and  had  considerable  influence  in  the  public 
affairs,  as  may  further  appear  in  the  printed  histories  of  those 
times.  uIn  April,  1642,  he  was  chosen,  by  the  King,  one  of  the 
Commissioners  and  Council  for  the  advising,  ordering,  and  dis- 
posing" all  things  concerning  the  government  and  defence  of  the 
kingdom  of  Ireland.  He  was  a  great  patron  of  religion  and 
learning  ;  an  enemy  to  oppression,  bigotry,  and  hypocrisy ;  and 
protected  the  puritan  ministers  against  the  violence  of  the  courts 
of  high  commission,  and  star-chamber. 

He  was  thrice  married ;  first,  to  Anne,  daughter  of  Charles 
Barret,  of  Belhouse,  in  Aveley,  in  Essex,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had 
a  son  named  Thomas,  who  died  young ;  and  she  was  buried  at 
Cuxton,  near  Rochester,  in  Kent,  where  there  is  a  handsome  mo- 
nument erected  for  her.  Secondly,  Mary,  daughter  to  Sir  Francis 
Newport,  of  High  Ercal,  in  com.  Salop,  afterwards  Lord  New- 
port, by  whom  he  had  issue,  John,  born  at  Brampton-castle,  on 
Oct.  18th,  1607,  and  afterwards  buried  at  Bucknel ;  also  eight 
children  more,  who  all  died  young. x  This  Lady  Mary,  their 
mother,  was  buried  at  Brampton-Brian,  on  Aug,  5th,  1622.  He 
took  to  his  third  wife,  Brilliana,  fecond  daughter  of  Edward, 
Viscount  Conway  (*  one  of  the  greatest  men  oj  that  age,  both  in 
camp  and  state,  says  Collins),  by  Dorothy  his  wife,  daughter  to 
Sir  John  Tracy,  of  Todington,  in  com.  Gloucester,  Knt.  sister 
to  Mary,  wife  of  that  renowned  General,  Sir  Horace  Vere,  Lord 
Verc,  of  Tilbury ;  by  which  his  family  became  related  to  the 
Veres,  earls  of  Oxford  5  Holleses,  Earls  of  Clare;  and  several 
other  noble  families.  This  marriage  was  solemnized  on  July  22d, 
1623  :  and,  by  the  said  Lady  Brilliana,  he  had  issue,  1.  Sir  Ed-< 
ward  Harley,  hereafter  mentioned; 

*  Ex  Regist.  vocat  Sadler,  quire  4$,  in  Cur.  Praerog.  Cmtuar. 

u  Pat.  4  April,    18  Car.  i.  x  Regist.  de  Brampton-Brian. 

y  I  let  this  stand,  to  shew  with  what  strange  and  uniform  flattery  the  old  edi- 
tions of  Collins  have  distributed  their  praise.  This  is  not  the  fitst  lord  Conway, 
whofe  notable  insufficiency  is  mentioned  by  Clarendon  j  but  his  son,  of  whom 
the  "noble  Historian  has  drawn  a  character  in  his  first  volume,  p.  141,  and  who, 
though  here  eulogized  as  one  of  the  greatest  soldiers,  incurred  the  most  disgrace- 
ful defrat  from  the  rebels  at  Newburn,  in  the  North,  ci.at  happened  during  th« 
whole  war. 


:EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.      5g 

1.  Sir  Robert  Harley,  Knt.z  who  married,  on  Feb.  8th,  16/0, 

Edith,  daughter  of Pembrugge,  Esq.  and  widow  of  Major 

Hinton,  but  died  issueless,  and  was  also  buried  at  Brampton,  on 
JsFov.  18  th,  16735 

3.  Thomas  Harley,  of  Kinsham-court,  in  com.  Hereford,  Esq. 
who,  by  Abigail  his  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  Richard  Saltonstall, 
<Knt.  had  four  sons,  who  died  issueless. 

Sir  Robert  had  also  four  daughters ;  Brilliana,  wife  of  James 
Stanley,  second  son  of  Sir  Robert  Stanley,  Knt,  who  was  second 
son  to  William,  earl  of  Derby ;  Dorothy,  wife  of  William  Mitchell, 
in  the  county  of  Norfolk,  Esq.  ;  Margaret  and  Elizabeth,  who 
die  unmarried. 

His  Lady  Brilliana,  fo  christened  because  born  while  her  father 
was  Governor  of  the  Brill,  was  highly  celebrated  for  her  prudence 
and  valour  in  the  late  civil  wars  ;  having  a  so  heroically  defended 
her  husband's  castle  of  Brampton,  against  the  powerful  army 
which  invaded  it,  that  they  were,  after  many  attacks,  obliged  to 
raise  the  siege,  merely  through  her  skilful  management  of  treaties 
with  the  adverfaries,  and  exemplary  courage,  which  animated  the 
defendants;  well  becoming  a  descendant  from  her  warlike  ances- 
tors. This  siege  of  Brampton  was  begun  on  July  26th,  lG43,b 
and  lasted  seven  weeks,  in  which  time  most  of  the  town  was 
burnt;  and  this  gallant  lady  dying  in  October  following,  .the 
castle  was  a  second  time  besieged.  And  then',  after  a  long  and 
brave  defence,  though  made  by  Sir  Robert  Harley 's  servants  only, 
and  the  besiegers  cannon  having  laid  all  the  walls  and  outworks 
in  ruin,  it  was  surrendered  and  burnt;  as  was  also  his  castle  of 
Wigmore  (the  ancient  seat  of  the  Mortimers)  together  with  the 
church  of  Brampton;  also  his  two  parks  and  warren  laid  waste; 
besides  above  forty  dwelling-houses  destroyed.  And  as  the  family 
has  been  ever  addicted  to  the  love  of  literature,  as  well  as  the  ex- 
ercise of  arms,  an  extraordinary  library  of  manuscript  and  printed 
books,  which  had  been  collected  from  one  descent  to  another, 
also  perished  in  Brampton- castle,  and  the  said  demolition  and 
sack  thereof;  the  whole  loss  amounting,  as  it  has  been  computed, 
to  above  50,0001.  Sir  Henry  Lingen's  estate  (who  had  besieged 
the  castle,  and  burnt  the  town  of  Brampton,  &c.)  was  afterwards 
laid  under  sequestration,  and  the  profits  thereof* ordered  to  make 
satisfaction  for  those  great  damages.    Yet  so  honourable,  so  com- 

P  Reg;st.  de  Brampton-Brian.  a  Ex  Collect.  H.  Thomas. 

b  The  Old  Register  of  Brampton,  at  the  end. 


00  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

passionate  was  Colonel  Harlej',  that  after  an  inventory  had  been 
taken  of  all  the  personal  estate  and  goods,  he  waited  on  the  Lady 
Lingen  (Sir  Henry  being  dead),  and  having  asked,  "  whether 
that  was  a  perfect  inventory,  and  she  had  signed  the  same,"  he 
presented  it  to  her,  with  all  his  right  thereto.     Sir  Robert  Harley 
wanted  not  fortitude,  hereditary  and  acquired,  to  sustain  these 
disasters ;  living  several  years  after  them,  and  at  last  died  of  the 
stone  and  gout,  on  Nov.  6th,  and  was  interred  with  his  ancestors 
at  Brampton-Brian,  con  Dec.  10th  following,  anno  1656.     His 
funeral  sermon  was  preached,  the  day  of  his  interment,  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  James  Froyseld,  who,  soon  after  publishing  the  same, 
dedicated  it  to  his  son  Colonel  Edward  Harley  -,  to  that,  therefore, 
we  refer  for  his  further  deserved  praise.     Among  other  hardships 
in  his  old  age,  he  was  imprisoned  by  the  army,  on  the  following 
occasion:    on  Dec.  6th,   1648,  he  and  his  son  Colonel  Edward 
Karley  having  voted,  "  That  the  King's  answer  to  the  proposi- 
tions from  both  houses,  was  a  ground  for  them  to  proceed  upon, 
to  the  settlement  of  the  kingdom's  peace,"  the  army  the  next 
morning  seized  on  forty-one  of  the  principal  members  then  sit- 
ting; and  Sir  Robert,  with  his  son  Colonel  Harley,  being  two  of 
them,   were  conveyed  into  their  great  victualling-house,   near 
Westminster-hall,  called  Hell,  where  they  kept  them  all  night, 
without  beds,  and  were  after  driven  as  prisoners  (through  snow 
and  rain)  to  several  inns  in  the  Strand,  and  there  confined  under 
guards  of  the  soldiers."     See  Dugdales   View  of  the  Troubles, 
p.  362. 

Colonel  Edward  Harley  succeeded  his  father,  as  his  eldest  son 
and  heir,  in  his  estate  and  virtues  :  and,  being  a  man  of  great 
integrity,  was  deservedly  advanced  to  great  honour.  He  was 
baptized  at  Wigmore,  on  Oct.  21st,  1624,  and  was  educated  at 
Magdai en-hall,  in  Oxford,  though  he  did  not  abide  long  there. 
d  He  was  one  of  the  Knights  of  the  shire  for  Hereford,  with  nit 
father,  in  the  last  Parliament  called  by  Charles  1.;  and,  upon  the 
eruption  of  the  civil  war,  he  was  Colonel  of  a  regiment,  which 
he  raised  himself.  In  one  of  his  first  engagements,  in  the  year 
1642,  he  was  shot  with  a  musket-ball,  which  he  bore  in  his  body 
fifty-eight  years,  even  to  his  grave.  He  distinguished  his  valour 
and  expertness  in  arms,  in  several  battles ;  and,  in  the  year  1644/ 
he  was  made  governor  of  Monmouth ;  also,  the  year  after,  of 

c  Kegist.  de  Brampton.  d  Ex:  Collect.  B.  Willis,  Arm. 

*  Whitlock's  Memoirs,  p.  102. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.      6l 

Cannon -Frome,  a  garrison  between  Worcester  and  Hereford.    In 
1647/  he  was  one  of  the  eleven  members  in  the  House  of  Com- 
mous,  who,  by  reason  of  their  firmness  in  promoting  a  peace  with 
the  King/  were  impeached  by  the  army  of  high  treason  ;  "  For 
that,  by  their  power  in  the  house,  the  ordinance  for  disbanding 
the  army  did  pass  ;*'  and  threatened,  if  they  were  not  expelled, 
they  would  march  Up  to  Westminster :   whereby  the  rest  of  the 
members  were  so  intimidated,  as  to  exclude  them  the  house.  But, 
being  some  time  after  again  admitted,  he  and  his  father,  Sir 
Robert  Harley,  were,  by  the  army,  made  prifoners,  as  already 
mentioned  in  the  account  of  Sir  Robert.     In  1656,  being  chosen 
by  the  county  of  Hereford,  one  of  their  representatives  in  Parlia- 
ment j  and  Oliver  Cromwell  having  secluded  him,  with  several 
other  members  who  would  not  be  subservient  to  him ;  he  was 
one  of  those  who  signed  and  published  a  remonstrance,11  "   That 
they  would  not  be  frighted  or  flattered  to  betray  their  country, 
and  give  up  their  religion,  lives,  and  estates,  to  be  at  his  will,  to 
terve  his  lawless  ambition."  And  in  very  pathetic  terms,  set  forth 
the  depredations  of  Cromwell,  and  the  power  he  had  assumed ; 
protesting,  that  the  assembly  at  Westminster  was  not  the  repre- 
sentative body  of  England ;  and  "  That  all  such  members  as 
•hall  take  on  them  to  approve  the  forcible  exclusion  of  other 
chosen  members,  or  shall  sit,  vote,  or  act,  by  name  of  the  Parlia- 
ment of  England,  while,  to  their  knowledge,  many  of  the  chosen 
members  are  so  by  force  shut  out,  ought  to  be  reputed  betrayers 
of  the  liberties  of  England,  and  adherents  to  the  capital  enemy  of 
the  commonwealth." 

In  the  Parliament  which  restored  Charles  II.  he  was  one  of  the 
members  for  the  county  of  Hereford.  He  approved  himself  such 
a  faithful  assertor  of  the  royal  cause,  and  was  so  instrumental  to 
the  restoration,  that  meeting  the  King  at  Dover,  upon  his  first 
return  to  his  dominions,  his  Majesty  made  him  Governor  of  Dun- 
kirk; and  he  went  directly  to  take  possession  of  it,  that  the  town 
might  not  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  French,  as  General  Monk 
told  him  otherwise  it  would.  He  also  preferred  a  petition  to  the 
council,  which  Mr.  Annesley  reported  to  the  House  of  Commons, 
on  June  29th,  1660/  and  was  referred  to  a  committee,  to  take 

f  Ibid.  p.  256.  and  Kennet's  Hist,  of  Engl.  Vol.  III.  fol.  168. 
§  Upon  this  occasion  Baxter  mentions  him  :  he  calls  him,  "  a  sober  and  troly 
religious  man  j  the  worthy  son  of  a  most  pious  father,  Sir  Robert  Harky.** 
f'<fe,  p.  60. 

k  Whitlock,  p.  643.  *  Journ.  Dona.  Com. 


02  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

into  consideration  the  establishment  of  a  government  at  Dunkirk, 
what  number  of  men  would  be  necessary  to  be  continued,  and 
upon  what  pay  ;  and  thereupon  to  prepare  an  establishment,  and 
report  it  to  the  house,  with  their  opinion,  how  provision  may, 
with  most  conveniency,  be  made  for  the  settled  payment 
thereof. 

His  said  government  of  Dunkirk  was  soon  after  confirmed  by 
the  King  j  the  warrant  made  to  him  for  life,  which  he  chose  to 
have  altered  to  during  pleasure ;  telling  the  then  Solicitor-gene- 
ral, that  he  would  never  serve  any  Prince  longer  than  he  desired. 
The  commission  was  therefore  drawn  .up  in  these  words  (of  which 
there  are  copies  in  the  office  of  records)  : 

"  CHARLES  the  second,  by  the  grace  of  God,  King  of  Eng- 
land, Scotland,  and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the  faith,  &c.  To  all  to 
whom  these  presents  shall  or  may  come,  greeting.  Know  ye, 
that  we,  reposing  especial  trust  and  confidence  in  the  great  in- 
dustry, judgment,  approved  abilities,  and  good  affections,  of  our 
trustie  and  welbeloved  Colonell  Edward  Harley,  have  constituted, 
ordained,  and  appointed,  and  by  these  presents,  of  our  especiall 
grace,  certain  knowledge,  and  mere  motion,  doe  constitute,  or- 
deyne,  and  appoint  the  said  Colonell  Edward  Harley,  Governour 
of  our  town,  port,  and  guarison  of  Dunkirke,  and  Mardyke,  in 
West  Flaunders,  and  of  all  the  forts,  fortifications,  and  our  other 
strong  holds  and  havens  thereunto  belonging  :  to  have  and  to 
hold  the  said  office  or  place  of  Governour  of  our  said  towne, 
porte,  and  guarison  of  Dunkirke,  and  Mardyke,  and  of  all  the 
forts,  fortifications,  and  other  strong  holds  thereunto  belonging, 
unto  the  said  Colonell  Edward  Harley,  during  our  pleasure ;  with 
all  privileges,  profits,  allowances,  duties,  fees,  emoluments,  per- 
quisites, commodities,  thereunto  incident  and  belonging,  in  as 
large  and  ample  manner,  and  forme,  as  any  person  or  persons 
heretofore  exercising  and  executing  the  said  office  of  Governour 
of  our  said  towne,  porte,  and  guarison  of  Dunkirke,  and  Mar- 
dyke, formerly  enjoyed  and  received,  for  the  exercise  and  execu- 
tion thereof.  And  for  the  better  ordering  and  governing  of  all 
and  every  of  our  officers  and  souldiers  already  placed,  or  hereafter 
to  be  placed  within  our  said  towne,  porte,  and  guarison  of  Dun- 
kirke, and  Mardyke,  and  the  forts  thereunto  belonging,  wee  do 
by  these  presents  give  full  power  and  authoritie  to  the  said  Colo- 
nell Edward  Harley,  from  time  to  time,  upon  any  just  occasion, 
to  remove,  displace,  and  cashiere  all  and  everie  officers  and  soul- 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.  63 

diers,  officer  and.souldier  nowe  placed,  or  hereafter  to  be  placed 
in  our  said  towne  and  guarison  of  Dunkirke,  and  Mardyke,  for 
the  defence  and  safeguard  thereof,  who,  for  contempt  and  dis- 
obedience, or  any  reasonable  cause,  shall  deserve  the  same  j  and, 
in  his  or  their  places  so  removed,  to  admit  and  place  others  as 
often  as  occasion  shall  require,  and  to  put  in  execution  the  law 
martiall  against  notorious  offenders,  for  the  prevention  of  all  mu- 
tinies, rebellions,  and  insurrections,  within  our  said  towne  and 
guarison  of  Dunkirke  and  Mardyke,  and  other  the  places  afore- 
said :  and  from  time  to  time  to  doe  and  execute  all  and  every 
such  lawful  act  and  acts,  thinge  and  things  whatsoever,  as  may- 
tend  to  the  safetie  and  well  governing  of  our  said  towne  and  gua- 
rison of  Dunkirke,  and  Mardyke,  and  other  the  places  aforesaid: 
in  as  ample  manner  and  forme,  as  any  person  or  persons  formerly 
Governour  or  Governours  of  the  said  towne  and  guarison  have 
lawfully  executed  and  performed.     And  further,  for  that  the  said 
Colonel  Edward  Harley  may  have  urgent  occasions  sometimes  to 
absent  himself  from  his  said  charge  and  command,  we  have  given 
and  graunted,  and  by  these  presents  doe  give  and  graunt  unto  the 
said  Colonell  Edward  Harley,  in  case  of  such  his  absence,  full 
power  and  authoritie  to  nominate,  substitute,  and  appoint,  one 
or  more  deputie  or  deputies,  for  whom  hee  the  said  Colonell  Ed- 
ward Harley  will  be  answerable :  to  which  deputie  or  deputies, 
we  do  hereby  give  full  power  and  authoritie,  in  the  absence  of 
the  said  Colonel  Edward  Harley,  to  do  and  execute  all  the  powers 
and  authorities  hereby  given  to  the  said  Colonel  Harley,  in  as 
large  and  ample  manner  as  the  said  Colonel  Harley  might  or 
ought  lawfully  doe  and  execute,  if  hee  were  present.     Willinge 
and  hereby  streightly  charginge  and  commanding  all  our  officers, 
as  well  civill  as  martiall,  and  all,  and  all  manner  our  loveinge 
subiects,  within  our  said  towne,  porte,  and  guarison  of  Dunkirke 
and  Mardyke,  and  places  aforesaid,  to  be  aydeing,  assistant,  and 
obedient  unto  the  said  Colonell  Edward  Harley,  or  any  other 
authorised,  by,  or  under  him  as  aforesaid,  in  the  due  execution 
of  his  said  office,  and  place,  as  they  and  everie  of  them  will  an- 
sweare  the  contrary  at  their  perils.   In  witness  whereof,  wee  have 
caused  these  our  letters  to  be  made  patents.     Witness  our  selfe 
at  Westminster,  the  fourteenth  day  of  Julie,  in  the  twelfth  yeare 
of  our  reign." 

By  the  Kinge, 

HOWARD. 


04  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

During  the  short  space  of  time  he  held  this  government  of 
Dunkirk,  he  k  recruited  the  garrison  to  above  nine  thousand  men,, 
and  began  many  fortificatiuns,  which  were  afterwards  perfected 
by  the  French.  And,  as  a  singular  pattern  of  incorruptible  fide- 
lity, be  it  remembered,  to  his  lasting  glory,  that  no  honours,  no 
rewards,  could  make  him  act  contrary  to  the  interest  of  his  coun- 
try. He  was  so  far  from  uniting  with  those  who  consented  to 
the  sale  of  Dunkirk  to  the  French,  that  he  strenuously  opposed 
it  5  and  by  his  interest,  got  the  l  House  of  Commons  to  pass  a 
resolution  to  prepare  an  act  that  it  should  never  be  alienated,  but 
be  made  a  part  of  the  King's  hereditary  dominions.  Nor  could 
he  be  prevailed  on,  by  threats  or  promises,  or  even  by  great  bribes, 
to  relinquish  that  resolution.  And  it  must  be  more  particularly 
remembered,111  that  he  refused  the  dignity  of  Peerage  j  also  an 
offer  made  him,  by  a  certain  great  man,  of  ten  thousand  pounds, 
to  be  passive  in  the  surrender  of  that  place,  and  forbear  his  pro- 
secution of  a  law,  to  annex  Dunkirk  to  the  crown  of  England. 
However,  the  court  being  determined  to  sell  the  town,  he  received 
the  following  order  at  Dunkirk,  on  May  25th,  by  the  hands  of 
Major  Floyd  : 

"  Charles  R. 
u  WHEREAS,  we  have  given  commission  to  our  right  trusty 
and  well-beloved  Andrew,  Lord  Retorfort,  to  bee  Govemour  of 
the  said  garrison,  and  to  take  charge  of  the  said  garrison,  with 
all  the  forts  and  strengths  thereof,  and  of  the  ordnance,  amuni- 
tion,  and  other  furniture  of  war,  in  or  belonging  to  the  said 
garrison :  these  are  to  require  you,  Sir  Edward  Harley,  Governor 
of  the  said  garrison  of  Dunkirke,  upon  sight  hereof,  to  surrender 
and  deliver  up  the  said  garrison  of  Dunkirke,  with  all  the  forts 
and  strengths  therein,  or  therewith  under  your  command ;  and 
all  the  ordnance,  arms,  ammunition,  stoares,  and  other  furniture 
and  utensils  of  war,  with  all  provisions,  cloathes  and  necessaries 
belonging  to  the  said  garrison,  or  now  therein  for  publique  use, 
or  in  any  of  the  forts  and  strengths,  that  are  under  your  com- 
rrjand,  unto  Andrew,  Lord  Retorfort  aforesaid,  for  our  service; 
taking  the  said  Lord  Retorfort's  receipt  for  all  the  particulars 
you  shall  so  deliver  up  unto  him,  which  shall  be  your  discharge 

k  Hist,  de  la  Maison  de  Hartey,-par  Mons.  Moret,  MS. 
1  Rennet's  Hist,  of  Engl.  Vol.  III.  p.  z^. 
m  Moret  ut  supra. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     65 

for  the  fame.     Given  at  our  court  at  Whitehall,  this  22d  day  of 

May,  in  the  13th  year  of  our  reign. 

To  our  trusty  and  well-  by  his  Majestie's  command, 

beloved  Sir  Edward  Harley,  .....  T      -v^-*%». 

Knight  of  the  Bath.  WILL.    MORICE. 

Having  seen  the  Lord  Retorfort's  discharge,  here  follows  an  exact 

copy  of  it. 

"  I  doe  heirby  certify,  that  in  obedience  to  his  Majesties  or- 
dres  of  the  tuentie  tuo  of  May,  l66l,  to  the  ficht  honorable  Sir 
Edward  Harley,  he  hath  surrendered  and  delyvered  up  to  me  his 
Majesties  garrison  of  Dunkerk,  with  all  the  forts  and  strengths 
thereunto  belonging,  and  all  the  ordonnances,  amies,  ammunition, 
stores  and  other  furniture  and  ustencelles  of  warr,  with  all  pro- 
visions or  other  necessaries  belonging  to  the  said  garrison.  For 
the  which  I  have  given,  to  the  said  richt  honorable  Sir  Edward 
Harley,  this  my  recept  to  serve  for  his  discharge.  At  Dunkerk, 
this  tuenty  eichtMay,  l66l." 

RETORFORT. 

It  appears  that  the  King  allowed  12001.  weekly,  for  maintain- 
ing the  garrison  of  Dunkirk,  and  Mardyke,n  and  that  Sir  Edward 
Harley  left  in  the  hands  of  Thomas  de  la  Vail,  Deputy-treasurer 
of  Dunkirk,  127,7521.  15  s.  for  which  the  Lord  Retorfort,  his 
successor,  afterwards  Earl  of  Tiviot,  gave  his  receipt,  bearing  date 
May  29th,  1(561. 

Upon  the  expense  of  the  King's  marriage,  and  that  of  settling 
the  Queen  mother  in  a  splendid  court  at  Somerset-house,  France 
took  the  opportunity  to  complete  their  bargain  for  Dunkirk. 
"  The  first  motion  to  the  King  for  complying  therewith,  as  my 
author  says,°  he  was  assured  by  a  knowing  man,  was  the  great 
expense  in  keeping  itj  which  Ruterfort  the  Governor  had  in- 
creased to  an  exorbitant  degree,  since  the  dismission  of  Sir  Ed- 
ward Harley."  It  was  sold  for  500,0001.  and  ingloriously  put 
into  the  possession  of  the  French,  under  the  government  of  the 
Count  D'Estrades,  P  the  English  governor  Rutherfort,  with  two 
companies  guarding  the  gates,  at  their  entrance,  and  delivering 
the  keys. 

n  Sir  Edward  Harlcy's  Account  of  the  Expenses  and  Treasure  at  Dunkirk, 
MS. 

•  Echard's  Hist,  of  England,  Vol.  IIL  p.  84. 
P  Kennet's  Hist,  of  England,  Vol,  III.  p.  259. 
VOL.  IV.  JP 


66  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Lord  Lansdown,  in  his  vindication  of  General  Monk,  gives  this 
account  of  Sir  Edward  Harley :  **  General  Monk  foresaw  early 
what  might  happen  to  be  the  fate  of  Dunkirk,  and  took  his  pre- 
cautions in  the  very  beginning  to  preserve  it,  by  placing  Sir  Ed- 
ward Harley  in  the  command,  a  man  of  public  spirit,  firm  to 
the  interest  of  his  country,  and  not  to  be  biassed,  tempted,  or 
deluded  to  be  assisting  in  any  thing  contrary  to  it.  This  appeared 
plainly  afterwards  j  for  the  first  step  taken,  as  soon  as  the  treaty 
was  projected,  was  to  remove  that  gallant  man,  and  place  another 
Governor  in  his  stead." 

When  Sir  Edward  Harley  returned  into  England,  and  had  de- 
livered up  his  accounts,  which  appeared  unexceptionable  to  the 
council,  he  took  his  leave  of  the  King  on  that  occasion,  and  told 
him  before  the  Duke  of  Albemarle,  that  the  guns,  stores,  arms, 
and  ammunition  he  left  at  Dunkirk,  were  worth  more  money 
than  the  French  were  to  give  for  the  place.  He  also  told  the 
King,  he  should  leave  him  one  thing  more,  which  his  Majesty 
might  not  think  of,  ^and  that  was  10,0001.  he  had  saved  in  an 
iron  chest  against  a  siege,  or  any  other  exigence  which  might 
happen.  Upon  the  whole,  he  acquitted  himself  so  honourably, 
that  the  King  was  pleased  to  give  him  the  following  gracious 
release : 

S<  CHARLES  the  second,  by  the  grace  of  God,  King  of  Eng- 
land, Scotland,  France,  and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the  faith,  &c. 
To  all  to  whomc  theise  presents  shall  come,  greeting.  Whereas 
our  trusty  and  well-beloved  Sir  Edward  Harley,  Knight  of  the 
Bath,  hath  performed  and  done  unto  us  many  eminent  and  accep- 
table services,  which  wee  do  hereby,  and  shall  always  acknow- 
ledge, particularly  in  his  singular  care,  and  conduct,  and  vigilance, 
while  hee  was  Governour  for  us  of  the  towne,  port,  and  garrison 
of  Dunkirk,  and  Mardike,  in  West  Flanders,  and  of  all  forts, 
fortifications,  and  other  strong  holds  and  havens  thereunto  be- 
longing. And  whereas  the  said  Sir  Edward  Harley  having,  in 
obedience  to  our  comand,  delivered  up  the  said  garrison  of  the 
said  towne  of  Dunkirk,  and  Mardike,  into  the  charge  of  our  right 
trusty  and  right  well-beloved  cousin,  Andrew,  Earl  of  Tiveot 
(then  Lord  Rultherford)  did  present  to  the  Lords  of  our  Privy- 
council,  an  accompt  of  the  disbursements  of  money,  during  his  the 
said  Sir  Edward  Harley's  service  there,  with  a  true  state  of  the 

1  Ex  Collect.  Joh.  Freind,  M.D.  MS. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     67 

regiments,  money,  victualls,  artillery,  amunition,  and  all  other 
provisions  belonging  to  the  said  garrison,  and  received  from  him 
by  the  said  Earl  of  Tiveot.     Which  accompt  the  said  Lords  of 
our  councell  did  approve  and  cause  to  be  entered  into  the  coun- 
cell  book.    Know  yee  therefore,  that  wee  of  our  especiall  grace, 
certain  knowledge,  and  meere  motion,  have  remised,  released, 
pardoned,  and  quit  claimed :  and  by  theise  our  letters  patents  for 
us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  doe  remit,  release,  pardon,  and  for 
ever  quit-clayme,  unto  the  said  Sir  Edward  Harley,  his  heirs,  exe- 
cutors, and  administrators,  all  and  all  manner  of  actions,  suites, 
complaints,  impeachments,  accompts,  debts,  prosecutions  or  de- 
mands whatsoever,  or  causes  of  actions,  suites,  complaintes,  im- 
peachments, accompts,  debts,  profecutions,  or  demands  whatso- 
ever, either  in  law  or  equity,  to  us,  our  heirs  and  successors, 
belonging,  or  in  any  wise  aperteyning,  for,  touching,  or  concern- 
ing any  cause,  matter,  or  things  whatsoever,  acted  or  done,  or 
suffred  to  be  acted  or  done,  or  omitted  or  neglected  to  bee  done 
by  him-,  the  said  Sir  Edward  Harley,  during  his  government 
aforesaid  j  or  for,  touching,  or  concerning  any  matter,  cause,  or 
thing  whatsoever,  belonging  or  relating  to  his  said  government 
of  the  said  town,  port,  and  garrison  of  Dunkirk,  and  Mardike, 
in  West  Flanders  aforesaid.     And  of  the  forts,  fortifications,  and 
other  strong  holds  and  havens  thereunto  belonging.     And  our 
further  will  and  pleasure  is,  and  by  these  presents  for  us,  our 
heires  and  successors,  Wee  do  give  and  graunte  to  the  said  Sir 
Edward  Harley,  his  heirs,  executors,  and  administrators,  that  he, 
they,  and  all  and  every  of  them,  his,  theire,  and  all  and  every  of 
theire  mannors,  lands,  tenements,  and  hereditaments  j    and  his 
theire,  and  all  and  everie  of  theire  goods,  chattells,  rights,  and 
credits,  shall  be  and  are  by  theise  presents,  and  from  henceforth 
for  ever  freed  and  discharged,  of  and  from  all,  and  all  manner  of 
actions,  suit,  quarrels,  impeachments,  accompts,  debts,  prosecu? 
tions,  and  demands  whatsoever,  allready  comenced,  or  levyed,  or 
hereafter  to  be  comenced,  prosecuted  or  levyed  on  the  behalf  of 
us,  our  heires  and  successors,  for  any  cause,  matter,  or  thing 
whatsoever,  touching,  belonging,  or  relating  to  his  the  said  Sir 
Edward  Harley's  said  government  of  the  said  towne,  port,  and 
garrison  of  Dunkirk,  and  Mardike,  and  the  forts,  fortifications, 
and  other  the  strong  holds  and  havens  thereunto  belonging:  any 
statute,  provision,  lawe,  grant,  commission,  constitution,  decree, 
or  whatsoever  to  the  contrary  thereof,  .in  any  wise  notwithstand- 
ing} although  expresse  mention  of  the  true  yearly  value  or  ccr- 


08  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

teinty  of  the  premisees,  or  any  of  them,  or  of  any  other  guifts, 
or  grants  by  us,  or  by  any  of  our  progenitors  or  predecessor* 
heretofore  made,  to  the  said  Sir  Edward  Harley,  in  theise  pre- 
sents, is  not  made,  or  any  other  statute,  act,  ordinance,  provision, 
proclamation,  or  restriction  heretofore  had,  made,  enacted,  or- 
deyned  or  provided,  or  any  other  matter,  cause  or  thing  whatso- 
ever to  the  contrary  thereof  in  any  wise  notwithstanding.  In 
witness  whereof,  wee  have  caused  theise  our  letters  to  be  made 
patents.  Witness  our  selfe  at  Westminster,  the  third  day  of  De- 
cember, in  the  fifteenth  year  of  our  reigne." 

By  writt  of  Privy  Seale, 

HOWARD. 

When  Charles  II,  made  a  creation  of  Peers  upon  his  restora- 
tion, Sir  Edward  Harley  had  the  offer  of  a  warrant  for  a  Viscount, 
which  he,  with  great  modesty  and  duty  to  the  King,  declined 
accepting  of  j  and  gave  this  reason  for  it,  "  lest  his  zeal  and  his 
services,  for  the  restoration  of  the  ancient  government,  should  be 
reproached,  as  proceeding  from  ambition,  and  not  conscience  :*' 
and  so  nice  was  he  in  this  point,  that  his  being  made  Knight 
of  the  Bath  was  done  without  his  knowledge  j  he  being  then  at 
Dunkirk,  and  the  King  inserted  his  name  in  the  list  with  his  own 
hand. 

He  was  one r  of  the  Members  for  the  town  of  Radnor,  and  for 
the  county  of  Hereford,  in  all  the  Parliaments  of  Charles  II.  was 
much  regarded  in  the  House  of  Commons  for  his  sound  reason- 
ing, and  generally  closed  the  debate  -,  as  may  be  found *  in  the 
printed  books,  which  record  the  transactions  of  Parliament  in 
those  times. 

He  was  also  elected  for  the  county  aforesaid,  in  several  Parlia- 
ments called  by  King  William,  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
happened  at  Brampton-Brian,  on  DecJ  8th,  1700,1  and  was  buried 
in  that  church  in  the  family  vault. 

He  was  twice  married :  first,  on  June  26th,  1654,  to  Mary, 
daughter  of  Sir  William  Button,  of  Parkgate,  in  Devonshire  (by 
his  second  wife,  the  daughter  of  Arthur  Ascot,  of  Tetcote,  in 
com.  Devon,  Esq.)  by  whom  he  had  issue  four  daughters ;  viz. 
Brilliana,  wife  to  Alexander  Popham,  of  Tewksbury,  in  com. 

*  Ex  Collect.  B.  Willis,  Arm. 

*  Debates  of  the  Jlouse  of  Commons}  8vo.  i68<*. 

1  Regist.  de  Brampton. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.  69 

Gloucester,  Esq.  Martha,  wife  to  Samuel  Hutchins,  of  London, 
Merchant?  and  two  Maries,  who  both  died  young. 

His  second  wife  was  Abigail,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Stephens, 
of  Essington,  in  Gloucestershire,  Esq  by  whom  his  children  were 
u  allied  to  Sir  Francis  Walsingham,  the  famous  Sir  Philip  Sidney, 
and  the  great  Earl  of  Essex.  By  this  wife  he  had  four  sons,  and 
one  daughter. 

1.  Robert,  Earl  of  Oxford,  &c. 

2.  Edward  Harley,  of  Eywood,  in  com.  Hereford,  Esq.  whose 
character  and  eminent  virtues,  in  public  and  private  life,  cannot 
be  more  justly  set  forth,  than  by  inserting  the  inscription  placed 
on  his  monument  in  the  church  yard  of  Titley,  in  which  parish 
his  seat  of  Eywood  is  situated. 

Under  this  STONE, 

By  his  own  Appointment,  Lye  humbly  interr'd 
The  Reliques  of  the  honourable  Edward  Harley,  Esq. 
Of  Eywood,  in  the  County  of  Hereford,  second  son  of 
Sir  Edward  Harley,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  of  Bramton 
Brian,  in  the  same  County,  and  Brother  to  the  Right 
Honourable  Robert,  Earl  of  Oxford  :  He  married 
Sarah,  third  daughter  of  Thomas  Foley,  of  Witley, 
in  the  County  of  Worcester,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had 
three  Sons  and  one  Daughter. 

He  was  Recorder  of  Leominster,  above  forty  years, 
And  Represented  that  Borough  near  thirty  Years  in  Parliament, 
In  which  his  Skill  in  the  Law, 
And  unwearied  Application  to  Business, 
And  extensive  knowledge  of  public  Affairs, 

Join'd  with  a  calm  and  unprejudic'd  Judgment, 
A  steady  and  unbiass'd  Adherence  to  the  Constitution, 
And  a  disinterested  Zeal  for  the  Good  of  his  country, 
Made  him  justly  Esteemed, 
One  of  the  great  Supports  and  Ornaments  of  it. 

In  1 702,  He  was  advanced  by  Queen  Anne, 

To  be  one  of  the  Auditors  of  the  Imprest. 
Which  important  Place  he  executed  to  his  Death, 

With  great  Care,  Integrity,  and  Ability  5 

8  Histoire  de  la  Maison  dc  Harley,  par  M.  Moret, 


70  PEERxAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

And,  by  his  Regulation, of  the  National  Accounts, 
His  Service  to  the  Public  remains  after  his  Death. 
Vet  his  Assiduity  in  Civil  Imployments, 
Neither  lessen'd  his  Attention  to  Religion, 
Nor  interrupted  his  daily  Course  of  Devotion  ; 
The  Discharge  of  his  Duty,  as  a  Christian, 
Was  the  Source  and  Center  of  all  his  Desires. 

His  Hospitality  was  Great, 
His  Liberality  Greater  5 
His  Charity  private  and  without  Ostentation, 
Nor  ever  made  known  but  where  it  cou'd  not  be  conceal'd. 
He  augmented  several  small  Livings 
In  this-  County,  and  in  Monmouthshire  j 
He  maintain'd  several  Charity  Schools  in  Both ; 
And  endowed  one  for  ever  at  Bra m ton  Brian, 
The  Place  of  his  Birth. 

From  his  known  Zeal  to  promote  Christian  Knowledge, 

And  particularly  the  Instruction  of  Youth, 

In  the  Year  1J25 

He  was  chosen  Chairman  of  the  Trustees 
For  the  Charity  Schools  in  London. 

The  whole  Tenour  of  his  Life  was  strictly  Moral, 
Without  Dissimulation,  Pride,  or  Envy  5 
His  Deportment  Affable  and  Humble, 
His  Conversation  Chearful  and  Instructive. 
He  was  faithful  and  constant  to  his  Friends, 
Charitable  and  Forgiving  to  his  Enemies, 
Just  and  Beneficent  to  all. 
And  the  great  Example  of  Piety  and  Religion, 
(  Which  shone  thro'  hisLife,  and  was  most  couspicuous  on  his  deathBcd) 
Is  the  great  Consolation  and  Blessing, 
He  has  transmitted  to  his  Posterity. 

He  was  born  the  7th  of  June,  1664. 
And  died  on  the  30th  of  August,  lj'65. 

The  issue,  mentioned  in  the  above  inscription,  were,  Edward, 
third  Earl  of  Oxford  5  Robert,  who  died  an  infant  j  Robert,  who 
was  chosen  member  for  Leominster,  in  the  two  Parliaments  called 
in  1734,  and  1742j  was  Recorder  of  the  said  borough  5  served 
in  several  Parliaments  for  Droitwich,  died  unmarried,  March  14th, 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.  ;i 

1774,  and  was  buried  at  Titley,  com.  Hereford:  and  Abigail, 
married  to  the  Hon.  John  Verney,  master  of  the  rolls,  father  by 
her  of  the  present  Lord  Willoughby  de  Broke. 

.3.  Nathaniel,  the  youngest  surviving  son  of  Sir  Edward  Har- 
ley,  was  baptized  on  March  6th,  1665,  and  bred  a  merchant.  He 
died  at  Aleppo,  in  January,  1719-20.  Sir  Edward  had  also  a  son 
named  Brian,  who  died  young  j  and  a  daughter,  named  Abigail, 
born  in  1664,  who  died  unmarried,  on  Oct.  4th,  1726. 

His  eldest  son,  Robert  Harley,  Esq.  was  born  in  Bow-street, 
in  the  parish  of  St.  Paul,  Co  vent-Garden,  on  Dec.  5th,  1661. 

He  was  educated  under  the  Reverend  Mr  Birch,  at  Shilton, 
near  Burford,  Oxfordshire  j  which,  though  a  private  school,  was 
remarkable  for  producing,  at  the  same  time,  a  Lord  High  Trea- 
surer/ a  Lord  High  Chancellor/  a  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  the 
Common  Pleas,2  and  ten  Members  of  the  House  of  Commons ; 
who  were  all  contemporaries,  as  well  at  school,  as  in  Parliament. 
Here  he  laid  that  foundation  of  extensive  knowledge,  in  human 
and  divine  learning,  in  which  he  afterwards  became  so  eminent. 
.  At  the  Revolution,  Sir  Edward  Harley,  and  this  his  eldest  son, 
raised  a  troop  of  horse  at  their  own  expense,  and  marched  to 
Worcester,  of  which  place  Sir  Edward  was  made  Governor,  by 
the  Gentlemen  of  the  county  5  and  his  two  sons  were  sent,  by 
him,  to  tender  his  and  their  services  to  the  Prince  of  Orange,  and 
to  give  his  Highness  an  account  of  the  posture  of  affairs  in  those 
parts. 

After  the  accession  of  William  and  Mary,  the  said  Robert 
Harley,  Esq.  was  first  a chosen,  on  a  vacancy,  member  of  Parlia- 
ment for  Tregony,  in  Cornwall,  and  afterwards  served  for  the 
town  of  Radnor,  from  169O,  till  he  was  called  up  to  the  House 
of  Lords.  On  Nov.  13th,  1690,  bhe  was  ordered  to  bring  in  a 
bill  for  the  better  ease  of  Sheriffs  in  passing  their  accounts,  and 
in  the  execution  of  their  office;  and  on  Dec.  26th  following,  was 
chosen,  cby  ballot,  one  of  the  nine  Members  of  the  House  of 
Commons,  Commissioners  for  stating  the  public  accounts.  On 
Nov.  3d,  1691,  on  his  motion,  the  Commons  resolved,  du  That 
the  paying  the  army  any  otherwise  than  by  musters  of  effective 
men,  is  a  great  wasting  of  their  Majesty's  treasure,  and  ordered 
a  bill  for  paying  the  army  according  to  the  musters  of  effective 

Earl  of  Oxford.  y  Lord  Harcourt.  z  Lord  Trevor. 

a  Willis's  Notit.  Parliament,  Vol.  II.  p.  116. 
b  Vote  of  the  House  of  Commons,  No.  37. 
e  Bp.  Kennet's  Hist,  of  Engl.  Vol.  III.  p.  609.  d  Vote,  No.  S. 


n  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

men  :  and  for  better  payment  of  quarters,  and  preventing  false 
musters,  and  punishing  mutiny  and  desertion."  And  Mr.  Harleye 
presented  the  bill  to  the  house,  on  Nov.  10th  following.  He  was 
also  chosen  one  of  the  arbitrators  for  uniting  the  two  India  com- 
panies/ 

In  1(X)4,  the  House  of  Commons  made  it  their  first  business  to 
order  Mr.  Harley,  Nov.  19th,  to  prepare  and  bring  in  a  bill, 
**  For  the  frequent  meeting  and  calling  of  Parliaments  3"  which 
they  had  been  so  earnest  for  in  former  sessions.^  And  he  drew 
up  and  presented  the  bill,  Nov.  22d,  which  met  with  so  ready  a 
concurrence  in  the  House,  that  it  was  sent  up  to  the  Lords,  Dec. 
13th,  who,  on  the  18th  of  the  same  month,  agreed  to  it  without 
any  amendments.  On  Feb.  11th,  1700-1,  he  was  chosen  Speaker 
of  the  House  of  Commons.h  That  Parliament  being  dissolved 
the  same  year  by  King  William,  and  a  new  one  called,  he  was 
again  chosen  Speaker  on  Dec.  31st  following.  Also,  in  the  first 
Parliament  called  by  Queen  Anne,  he  was  elected  Speaker,  whereby 
he  had  that  dignity  in  three  successive  Parliaments. 

On  April  17th,  1704,  he  was  sworn  of  her  Majesty's  privy- 
council  5  and  on  May  1 8th  following,  sworn  in  Council  one  of 

•     «  Note,  No.  8.  *  Kennet's  Hist,  of  Engl.  Vol.  III.  p.  666. 

g  It  has  already  been  seen,  that  he  was  of  a  stanch  Whig  family.  About 
this  time,  Burnet  observes,  that  he  fell  into  opposition  to  the  Whig  Monarch  now 
on  the  throne.  "  Harley  (says  he),  was  a  man  of  a  very  noble  family,  and  very 
eminently  learned  ;  much  turned  to  politics,  and  of  a  very  restless  ambition.  He 
was  a  man  of  great  industry  and  application  ;  and  knew  forms,  and  the  records 
of  parliament  so  well,  that  he  was  capable,  both  of  lengthening  out,  and  perplex- 
ing debates.  Nothing  could  answer  his  aspiring  temper  i  ss  he  and  Foley  joined 
with  the  Tories  to  create  jealousies,  and  raise  an  opposition  :  they  soon  grew  to 
be  able  to  delay  matters  long}  and  set  «n  foot  some  very  uneasy  things  that 
were  popular  j  such  as  the  Bill  against  Parliament  Men's  being  in  Places  j  and 
that  for  dissolving  the  Parliament,  and  for  having  a  new  one  every  third  year." 
O.  T.  II.  109. 

n  "  The  man,  on  whose  management  of  the  House  of  Commons  (says  Bur- 
net), the  new  ministry,  in  1700,  depended,  was  Mr.  Harley,  the  heir  of  a  family 
which  had  been  hitherto  the  moft  eminent  of  the  Presbyterian  party  j  his  edu- 
cation was  in  that  way ;  but  he  not  being  considered  at  the  Revolution  as  he 
thought  he  deserved,  had  set  himself  to  oppose  the  Court  in  every  thing,  and  to 
find  fault  with  the  whole  administration ;  he  had  the  chief  hand,  both  in  the 
reduction  of  the  Army,  and  in  the  matter  of  the  Irish  Grants.  The  High  Party 
trusted  him,  though  he  still  kept  up  an  interest  among  the  Presbyterians}  and 
he  had  so  particular  a  dexterity,  that  he  made  both  the  High  Church  party,  and 
the  Dissenters,  depend  upon  him  5  so  it  was  agreed,  that  he  should  be  Speaker. " 
O.  T.  H.  z<. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     73 

the  principal  Secretaries  of  State,  being  also  Speaker  of  the  House 
of  Commons  at  the  same  time.  In  1706,  he  was  appointed  one 
of  the  Commissioners  for  the  treaty  of  Union  with  Scotland, 
which  took  effect  j  and  resigned  his  place  of  principal  Secretary 
of  State,  in  Feb; nary,  1/07-S.  On  August  10th,  171O,  he  was 
constituted  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  Treasury,  also  Chan- 
cellor and  Under-Treasurer  of  the  Exchequer.  And,  having 
three  days  after  been  again  sworn  in  the  Privy-council,  he  was, 
on  March  8th  following,  in  great  danger  of  his  life;  the  Marquis 
of  Guiscard,  a  French  Papist  (then  under  examination  of  a  com- 
mittee of  the  Privy-council  at  Whitehall),  stabbing  him  with  a 
penknife,  which  he  took  up  in  the  Clerk's  room,  where  he  waited 
before  he  was  examined  j  Guiscard  was  thereupon  imprisoned, 
and  died  in  Newgate  on  the  17th  of  the  same  month.  Where- 
upon an  act  of  Parliament  passed,  making  it  felony,  without  be- 
nefit of  clergy,  to  make  an  attempt  on  the  life  of  a  Privy-coun- 
sellor, in  the  execution  of  his  office ;  and  a  clause  was  inserted, 
"  to  justify  and  indemnify  all  persons,  who  in  assisting  in  defence 
of  Mr.  Harley,  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer,  when  he  was  stab- 
bed by  the  Sieur  de  Guiscard,  and  in  securing  him,  did  give  any 
wound  or  bruise  to  the  said  Sieur  de  Guiscard,  whereby  he  re- 
ceived his  death."  And,  both  Houses  of  Parliament  having  ad- 
dressed her  Majesty  on  the  occasion,  they  expressed  their  great 
concern  *'  at  the  most  barbarous  and  villanous  attempt  made 
upon  the  person  of  Robert  Harley,  Esq.  Chancellor  of  your  Ma- 
jesty's Exchequer,  by  the  Marquis  of  Guiscard,  a  French  Papist, 
at  the  time  when  he  was  under  examination  for  treasonable  prac- 
tices, before  a  committee  of  your  Majesty's  council.  We  cannot 
but  be  most  deeply  affected,  to  find  such  an  instance  of  inveterate 
malice  against  one  employed  in  your  Majesty's  council,  and  so 
near  your  royal  person.  And  we  have  reason  to  believe,  that  his 
fidelity  to  your  Majesty,  and  zeal  for  your  service,  have  drawn 
on  him  the  hatred  of  all  the  abettors  of  Popery  and  faction.  We 
think  it  our  duty  on  this  occasion,  to  assure  your  Majesty,  that 
we  will  effectually  stand  by  and  defend  your  Majesty,  and  those 
who  have  the  honour  to  be  employed  in  your  service,  against  all 
public  and  secret  attempts  of  your  enemies,  &c." 

Whereupon  her  Majesty  returned  this  answer  3 

•'  My  Lords  and  Gentlemen, 
"  I  take  this  addrefs  very  kindly  from  you,  on  the  occasion  of 


74  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

that  barbarous  attempt  on  Mr.  Harley,  whose  zeal  and  fidelity  in 
my  service  must  appear  yet  more  eminently,  by  that  horrid  endea- 
vour to  take  away  his  life,  for  no  other  reason,  that  appears,  but 
his  known  opposition  to  Popery  and  faction.  Your  warm  concern 
for  the  safety  of  my  person,  and  the  defence  of  those  employed 
in  my  service,  is  very  grateful  to  me,  &c." 

The  wound  he  had  received,  confined  him  for  some  weeks : 
and  the  House  of  Commons  being  informed,  that  it  was  almost 
healed,  and  that  he  would  in  a  few  days  come  abroad,  they  came, 
on  April  11th,  to  this  unanimous  resolution,  "  That  when  the 
right  honourable  Robert  Harley,  Esq.  Chancellor  of  her  Majesty's 
Exchequer,  attends  the  service  of  the  house,  the  Speaker  do,  in 
the  name  of  this  house,  congratulate  the  said  Mr.  Harley's  escape 
and  recovery  from  the  barbarous  and  villainous  attempt  made  upon 
him  by  the  Sieur  de  Guiscard." 

And,  attending  the  service  of  the  house  on  April  26th,  the 
Speaker  (William  Bromley,  Esq.),  addressed  himself  to  him  in 
the  following  speech : 

"  Mr.  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer, 

"  When  the  barbarous  and  villainous  attempt  made  upon  you 
by  the  Sieur  de  Guiscard,  a  French  Papist,  was  communicated  to 
this  house,  they  immediately  declared,  They  were  most  deeply 
affected  to  find  such  an  instance  of  inveterate  malice  against  you. 
And  observing  how  you  have  been  treated  by  some  persons,  they 
concluded  they  had  reason  to  believe,  that  your  fidelity  to  her 
Majesty,  and  zeal  for  her  service,  had  drawn  upon  you  the  hatred 
of  all  the  abettors  of  Popery  and  faction. 

"  In  this  opinion  they  must  be  abundantly  confirmed,  since 
the  Lords,  and  the  Queen,  have  concurred  with  them. 

'*  Sir,  if  your  fidelity  to  her  Majesty,  and  zeal  for  her  service, 
could  ever  be  doubted,  and  wanted  any  testimonials  to  prove 
them,  you  have  now  the  most  ample,  and  the  most  undeniable, 
that  can  be  given  j  and,  after  these,  it  would  be  an  unpardonable 
presumption  in  me,  to  imagine  I  could  add  to  them,  by  saying 
any  thing  of  your  faithful  discharge  of  those  great  trusts  you  have 
been  honoured  with  j  to  which  your  eminent  abilities  at  first  re- 
commended you,  and  your  distinguishing  merits  have  since  justi- 
fied her  Majesty's  wise  choice. 

"  Your  very  enemies,  Sir,  acknowledge  this,  by  their  unwearied 
and  restless  endeavours  against  your  person  and  reputation. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     15 

<c  God  be  thanked,  they  have  been  hitherto  disappointed,  and 
have  not  been  able  to  accomplish  what  their  inveterate,  but  im- 
potent, malice  had  designed  against  both. 

gf  And,  may  the  same  Providence,  that  has  wonderfully  pre- 
served you  from  some  unparalleled  attempts ;  end  that  has  raised 
you  up  to  be  an  instrument  of  great  good  in  a  very  critical  junc- 
ture, when  it  was  much  wanted  5  continue  still  to  preserve  so 
invaluable  a  life,  for  the  perfecting  of  what  is  so  happily  begun ; 
that  we  may  owe  to  your  counsels,  and  to  your  conduct  (under 
her  Majesty),  the  maintenance  and  firm  establishment  of  our 
constitution  in  church  and  state. 

(f  These  expectations,  Sir,  have  filled  this  house  with  an  in- 
expressible satisfaction  for  your  escape  and  recovery,  which  they 
have  unanimously  commanded  me  to  congratulate.  I  do  there- 
fore, in  the  name  of  this  house,  congratulate  your  escape  and  re- 
covery from  the  barbarous  and  villainous  attempt  made  upon  you 
by  the  Sieur  de  Guiscard." 

To  which  Mr.  Harley  returned  the  following  answer: 

F  Mr.  Speaker, 
"  The  honour  this  house  has  done  me,  which  you  have  ex- 
pressed in  so  obliging  a  manner,  is  a  sufficient  reward  for  the 
greatest  merit.  I  am  sure  it  so  far  exceeds  my  deserts,  that  all 
can  do  or  suffer  for  the  public,  during  the  whole  course  of  my 
life,  will  still  leave  me  in  debt  to  your  goodness.  By  the  accept- 
ance you  have  vouchsafed  my  poor  service,  how  noble  an  encou- 
ragement, worthy  of  you,  has  this  house  given  all  our  fellow- 
subjects,  to  exert  themselves  in  the  glorious  cause  of  preserving 
the  constitution  in  church  and  state,  and  in  loyalty  to  the  best  of 
Sovereigns  ?  This,  without  doubt,  was  your  view ;  and  this  may 
convince  all,  who  are  designedly  obstinate,  how  dear  the  true 
interest  of  the  nation  is  to  this  honourable  assembly.  Sir,  the 
undeserved  favour  1  have  received  this  day,  is  deeply  imprinted 
in  my  heart ;  and,  whenever  I  look  upon  my  breast,  it  will  put 
me  in  mind  of  the  thanks  due  to  God,  my  duty  to  the  Queen, 
"and  that  debt  of  gratitude  and  service  I  must  always  owe  to  this 
honourable  house,  to  you,  Mr.  Speaker,  and  to  every  particular 
member."1 


1  Burnet  says,  this  accident  was  of  great  use  to  Harley,  in  advancing  his 
power.  ' 


76  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

The  next  day  the  Commons  ordered  their  Speaker's  speech  to 
Mr.  Harley,  and  his  answer,  to  be  printed. 

And  having  formed  a  scheme  to  satisfy  all  public  and  national 
debts  and  deficiencies,  by  establishing  the  company,  now  called 
the  South  Sea  Company,  her  Majesty  Queen  Anne,  resolving  to 
reward  his  many  eminent  services,  was  pleased  to  advance  him  to 
the  Peerage  of  Great  Britain,  by  the  style  and  titles  of  Baron 
Harley,  of  Wigmore,  in  com.  Hereford,  Earl  of  Oxford, 
and  Earl  Mortimer,  with  remainder,  for  want  of  issue  male  of 
his  own  body,  to  the  heirs  male  of  Sir  Robert  Harley,  Knight  of 
the  Bath,  Ms  grandfather,  by  letters  patent,  bearing  date  May 
24th,  1711,  in  the  10th  year  of  her  reign.  The  preamble  of  the 
said  patent  is  as  follows  :k 

u  Whatever  favour  the  equity  of  a  Prince  can  bestow  on  a 
Gentleman,  descended  from  an  illustrious  and  very  ancient  family, 
framed  by  nature  for  great  things,  improved  by  education  in  all 
manner  of  learning  for  greater,  exercised  by  long  experience  in 
business,  versed  in  many  different  employments  of  the  common- 
wealth, with  extraordinary  reputation,  and  not  without  danger  : 
such  has  our  trusty  and  well-beloved  Counsellor,  Robert  Harley, 
justly  deserved  of  us :  he  being  the  only  man,  who,  by  a  full 
House  of  Commons,  was  chosen  Speaker  for  three  successive 
Parliaments  5  and,  at  the  same  time  that  he  held  the  chair,  was 
one  of  our  principal  Secretaries  of  State :  his  capacity  fitting  him 
for  the  management  of  those  two  important  offices,  which,  though 
they  seemed  to  disagree  in  themselves,  were  easily  reconciled  by 
one  who  knew  how,  with  equal  weight  and  address,  to  temper 
and  turn  the  minds  of  men  j  so  wisely  to  defend  the  rights  of  the 
people,  without  derogating  from  the  prerogative  of  the  crown ; 
and  who  was  thoroughly  acquainted  how  well  monarchy  could 
consist  with  liberty.  Having  run  through  these  two  employments 
at  the  same  time,  after  some  breathing-while,  he  took  care  of  our 
Treasury,  as  Chancellor  of  our  Exchequer ;  put  a  stop  to  the 
growing  embezzlement  of  the  public  money,  which  was  spreading 
far  and  wide,  like  a  contagion  5  provided  for  the  settling  a  new 
trade  to  the  South  Seasj  and  having,  with  wonderful  sagacity, 
very  lately,  and  in  a  very  good  time,  retrieved  the  languishing 
condition  of  our  exchequer ;  and  thus  restored  the  public  credit, 
merited  the  applause  of  the  Parliament,  filled  our  citizens  with 
joy,  and  us  (for  our  interest  is  ever  the  same  with  that  of  our 

k  It  has  been  wid  to  be  written  by  Swifr.    See  Harl.  Misc.  I.  1. 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     7? 

people),  with  no  small  satisfaction :  for  these  reasons,  we  deter- 
mine to  confer  on  a  Gentleman,  who  has  deserved  so  well  of  us, 
and  all  our  good  subjects,  those  honours  which  were  long  since 
due  to  him  and  his  family  ;  being  induced  thereto  by  our  own 
inclination,  and  the  general  voice  of  all  Great-Britain.  Since 
therefore  the  two  houses  of  Parliament  have  declared,  that  the 
fidelity  and  affection  he  has  expressed  in  our  service,  have  exposed 
him  to  the  hatred  of  wicked  men,  and  the  desperate  rage  of  a 
villainous  parricide  ;  since  they  have  congratulated  his  escape 
from  such  imminent  dangers,  and  put  us  in  mind,  that  he  might 
not  be  preserved  in  vain,  we  willingly  comply  with  their  desires, 
and  grant  him,  who  comes  so  honourably  recommended  by  the 
hearty  votes  of  our  Parliament,  a  place  among  the  Peers  5  to 
whom,  by  the  noble  blood,  and  long  train  of  his  ancestors,  he  is 
so  nearly  allied  ;  and  that,  with  all  felicity,  he  take  his  title  from 
the  city,  where  learning  flourishes  in  so  high  a  degree ;  himself 
the  ornament  of  learning,  and  patron  of  learned  men.  Know, 
&c." 

In  regard  to  the  latter  part  of  his  Lordship's  character,  it  may 
justly  be  observed,  that  he  was  not  only  an  encourager  of  litera- 
ture, but  the  greatest  collector,  in  his  time,  of  all  curious  books 
in  print  and  manuscript,  especially  those  concerning  the  history 
of  his  own  country}  which  were  preserved,  and  much  augmented, 
by  the  late  Earl  his  son.  But,  the  Harleyan  library  being  so  much 
celebrated  for  its  usefulness,  by  other  authors,  I  need  only  refer  my 
reader  to  the  description  of  it,  in  the  preface  to  Bishop  Nichol- 
son's English  Historical  Library,  folio ;  and  to  what  I  havecited 
in  my  several  accounts  relating  to  the  noble  families,  whereof  I 
have  treated. 

On  Tuesday,  May  29th,  1711*  being  the  anniversary  of  the 
nativity  and  restoration  of  Charles  II.'  the  Queen  appointed  the 
Earl  of  Oxford,  &c.  Lord  High  Treasurer  of  Great-Britain;  her 
Majesty  having  thought  fit  to  pitch  on  that  auspicious  day,  for 
the  inauguration  of  a  Prime  Minister,  to  whose  wisdom,  vigi- 
lance, and  integrity,  the  restoration  of  public  credit  was  princi- 
pally owing.  On  June  1st,  his  Lordship,  attended  by  the  Dukes 
of  Newcastle,  Buckingham,  Shrewsbury,  Somerset,  Ormond, 
Beaufort,  Schomberg,  Queensberry,  and  Hamilton;  the  Earls  of 
Northampton,  Rivers,  Winchelsea,  Scarsdale,  Clarendon,  Cardi- 
gan, Rochester,  Anglesey,  Yarmouth,  Jersey,  Poulett,  Cholmon- 
deley,  Marr,  and  Loudon ;  the  Lords  Dartmouth,  De  la  Warr, 
Guilford,  Butler  of  Weston,  Hallifax,  and  Guernsey;  with  the 


73  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Officers  of  the  Exchequer,  took  the  oath  in  the  Court  of  Chan- 
cery ;  after  which,  his  Lordship  went  to  the  Court  of  Exchequer, 
and  took  also  the  usual  oath  as  Lord  High  Treasurer ;  en  which 
occasion  Sir  Simon  Harcourt,  the  Lord-keeeper,  addressed  himself 
to  his  Lordship,  in  the  following  speech : 

"  My  Lord  Oxford, 
"  The  Queen,  who  does  every  thing  with  the  greatest  wis- 
dom, has  given  a  proof  of  it  in  the  honours  she  has  lately  confer- 
red on  you,  which  are  exactly  suited  to  your  deserts,  and  quali- 
fications. 

t(  My  Lord, 
"  The  title,  which  you  now  bear,  could  not  have  been  so  justly 
placed  on  any  other  of  her  Majesty's  subjects.  Some  of  that  an- 
cient blood,  which  fills  your  veins,  is  derived  from  the  Veres : 
and  you  have  shewed  yourself  as  ready  to  sacrifice  it,  for  the 
safety  of  your  Prince,  and  the  good  of  your  country,  and  as  fear- 
less of  danger,  on  the  most  trying  occasions,  as  ever  any  of  that 
brave  and  loyal  house  were.  Nor  is  that  title  less  suited  to  you, 
as  it  carries  in  it  a  relation  to  one  of  the  chief  seats  of  learning: : 
for  when  your  enemies,  my  Lord  (if  any  such  there  still  are),  must 
own,  that  the  love  of  letters,  and  the  encouragement  of  those  who 
excel  in  them,  is  one  distinguishing  part  of  your  character. 

"  My  Lord, 
"  The  high  station  of  Lord-Treasurer  of  Great-Britain,  to 
which  her  Majesty  has  called  you,  is  the  just  reward  of  your  emi- 
nent services.  You  have  been  the  great  instrument  of  restoring 
public  credit,  and  relieving  this  nation  from  the  heavy  pressure 
and  ignominy  of  an  immense  debt,  under  which  it  languished ; 
and  you  are  now  entrusted  with  the  power  of  securing  us  from 
a  relapse  into  the  same  ill  state,  out  of  which  you  have  rescued 
us.  This  great  office,  my  Lord,  is  every  way  worthy  of  you ; 
particularly  on  the  account  of  those  many  difficulties,  with  which 
the  faithful  discharge  of  it  must  be  unavoidably  attended,  and 
which  require  a  genius  like  yours  to  master  them.  The  only 
difficulty  which  even  you,  my  Lord,  may  find  insuperable,  is 
how  to  deserve  better  of  the  crown  and  kingdom  after  this  ad- 
vancement, than  you  did  before  it." 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.      79 

On  August  15th,  1711,  at  a  general  court  of  the  South  Sea 
Company,  he  was  chosen  their  Governor,  of  which  he  had  been 
the  chief  founder  or  regulator.  On  October  26th,  1712,  he  was 
elected  a  Knight-companion  of  the  most  noble  Order  of  the  Gar- 
ter i  and  installed  at  Windsor,  on  August  4th 'following.  He 
was  also  one  of  the  Governors  of  the  Charter-house,  and  Custos 
Rotulorum  of  the  county  of  Radnor.  On  July  27th,  1714,  he 
resigned  his  staff  as  Lord  High  Treasurer  of  Great-Britain,  at 
Kensington,  into  the  Queen's  hands,  who  died  on  August  1st, 
that  year. 

On  June  10th,  1715,  his  lordship  was  impeached,  by  the  house 
of  Commons,  of  high  treason,  and  high  crimes,  and  misdemeanors  j 
and  was  committed  to  the  Tower  by  the  house  of  Lords,  on  July 
10th,  the  same  year:  where  he  suffered  a  severe  and  long  con- 
finement, till  July  1st,  1717»  when,  after  a  public  trial,  he  was 
unanimously  acquitted  by  his  Peers. 

Mr.  Pope  hath  celebrated  his  memory  in  the  following  lines:1 

"  A  soul  supreme,  in  each  hard  instance  try'd, 
Above  all  pain,  all  anger,  and  all  pride ; 
The  rage  of  power,  the  blast  of  public  breath, 
The  lust  of  lucre,  and  the  dread  of  death." 

After  his  Lordship's  decease,  the  following  character  was  also 
given  of  him : 

(<  During  the  time  he  was  Prime  Minister,  notwithstanding 
such  a  weight  of  affairs  rested  on  him,  he  was  easy  and  disen- 
gaged in  private  conversation.  He  was  endowed  with  great 
learning,  and  was  a  great  favourer  and  protector  of  it.  Intrepid 
by  nature,  as  well  as  by  the  consciousness  of  his  own  integrity  j 
he  would  have  chosen  rather  to  fail  by  an  impeachment,  than  to 
have  been  saved  by  an  act  of  grace  j  sagacious  to  view  into  the 
remotest  consequence  of  things,  by  which  all  difficulties  fled  be- 
fore him.  He  was  a  courteous  neighbour,  a  firm  and  affectionate 
friend,  and  a  kind,  generous,  and  placable  enemy,  sacrificing  his 
just  resentments,  not  only  to  public  good,  but  to  common  inter- 
cession arjd  acknowledgment.  He  was  a  despiser  of  money; 
and,  what  is  yet  more  rare,  an  uncorrupted  Minister  of  State ; 

1  In  the  dedication  of  Parnell's  Poemt  j  they  are  among  the  finest  of  Pupa's 
lines. 


80  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

which  appeared,  by  not  having  made  the  least  accession  to  his 
fortune.""1 

His  Lordship  married,  first,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Foley,  of  Witley-court,  in  the  county  of  Worcester,  Esq.  and 
sister  to  Thomas,  the  first  Lord  Foley,  by  whom  he  had  issue, 
Edward,  his  son  and  heir,  second  Earl  of  Oxford,  &c.  and  two 
daughters  j 

Lady  Abigail,  second  daughter,"  married  to  George,  Earl  of 
Kinnoul,  in  Scotland,  and  Baron  Hay,  of  Pedwarden,  in  Eng- 
land ;  her  Ladyship  died  at  Broadsworth,  near  Doncaster,  July 
15th,  1750. 

And  Lady  Elizabeth,  eldest  daughter,"  married,  on  Dec.  15th, 
1712,  to  Peregrine-Hyde  Osborne,  Marquis  of  Carmarthen,  after- 
wards Duke  of  Leeds,  by  whom  she  died  in  childbed  of  the  next 
Duke  of  Leeds. 

His  Lordship  took  to  his  second  wife,  Sarah,  daughter  to  Tho- 
mas Middleton,  Esq.  a  son  of  Sir  Hugh  Middleton,  Bart,  but  by 
her  had  no  issue :  and  departing  this  life  in  the  sixty-fourth  year 
of  his  age,  on  May  21st,  1724,  wa9  succeeded  in  honour  and 
estate  by  Edward,  his  only  son,  before  mentioned;  and  his  second 
Lady  surviving  him,  died  in  June,  1737- 

Which  Edward,  second  Earl  of  Oxford,  &c.  married, 
on  October  31st,  1713,  the  Lady  Henrietta  Cavendish  Holies, 
only  daughter  and  heir  of  his  Grace  John  Holies,  Duke  of  New- 
castle. 

His  Lordship  was  eminently  distinguished  for  his  disinterest- 
edness, both  in  public  and  private  life  j  and  was  respected  as  one 
of  the  principal  patrons  of  the  age,  for  his  encouragement  of  lite- 
rature, and  learned  men.  Pie  made  a  most  valuable  addition  to 
the  rich  magazine  of  manuscripts,  collected  by  the  Lord  Trea- 
surer, his  father,  especially  in  the  history  and  antiquities  of  Eng- 
land, both  ecclesiastical  and  civil.      He   collected  besides,  an 

m  He  was  the  rival  of  Bolingbroke,  who  has  painted  him  in  the  blackest  co- 
lours }  but  Bolingbroke's  authority  will  not  gain  unexamined  assent.  It  is  true 
that  he  does  not  appear  to  have  been  endowed  with  brilliant,  or  commanding  ta- 
lents ;  he  trusted  too  much  to  intrigue,  and  management,  and  expedients,  and 
was  reserved  and  dark  in  his  conduct.  His  memory  has  been  embalmed  by  the 
circle  of  wits,  whom  he  admitted  to  his  hours  of  leisure  and  hospitality.  Pope, 
Swift,  Parnel),  Gay,  and  Prior,  were  among  his  intimate  associates  ;  and  whatever 
dull  men  may  think,  there  is  much  worldly  wisdom  in  such  a  choice.  Editor. 
n  Ped.  of  Milnes  of  Ebor* 


\ 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.     81 

invaluable  treasure  of  original  letters  and  papers  of  state,  written 
by  the  greatest  Princes,  Statesmen,  and  Scholars,  as  well  of  foreign 
nations  as  of  Great  Britain.  But  I  shall  be  the  less  particular 
on  this  head,  as  the  catalogue  of  these  literary  treasures  is  printed 
in  two  large  folio  volumes.  His  printed  books  were  the  most 
choice  and  magnificent  that  were  ever  collected  in  this  kingdom. 
There  were  in  his  library  the  first  printed  books  of  all  countries, 
and  especially  of  our  own.  Many  printed  upon  vellum,  and 
otherwise,  in  the  grandest  manner,  and  enriched  with  the  most 
costly  sculpture.  The  printed  books  alone  have  been  reckoned 
above  forty  thousand  volumes.  As  none  were  ever  more  zealous 
to  collect  whatever  rarities  in  literature  would  be  most  service- 
able, to  the  learned,  ingenious,  and  knowing  part  of  mankind  $ 
so  none  was  more  communicative  thereof,  as  may  sufficiently  ap- 
pear, in  the  numbers  of  authors  who  have  made  such  respectful 
references  to  the  volumes  in  the  Harleyan  library.  The  valuable 
collection  of  manuscripts  was  preserved  by  his  Lady,  the  right 
honourable  Henrietta  Cavendish  Holies,  Countess  of  Oxford,  at 
her  house  in  Dover-street  $  till  her  Ladyship,  for  the  service  of 
the  public,  consented  to  the  Parliament's  making  a  purchase 
thereof  in  1754,  and  they  are  now  deposited  in  the  British  Mu- 
seum. His  Lordship  was  a  true  lover  of  his  country,  as  his  con- 
duct in  the  senate  manifested :  and  departing  this  life,0  aged 
forty-two,  at  his  house  in  Dover-street,  on  Tuesday,  June  16th, 
1741,  was  buried  in  Westminster  Abbey.  He  left  issue  an  only 
daughter  and  heir,  Lady  Margaret-Cavendish  Harley,  married  in 
1734,  to  his  Grace,  William,  second  Duke  of  Portland,  a  lady 
well  known  for  her  love  of  the  arts,  and  her  patronage  of  litera- 
ture, who  died  July  /th,  1785,  leaving  issue  the  present  Duke  of 
Portland,  &c. 

Leaving  no  male  issue  by  his  Lady  (who  survived  him  till  Dec. 
8th,  175 5,p  and  lies  buried  with  him),  his  honours  devolved  on 
Edward  Harley,  Esq.  then  Knight  of  the  shire  for  the  county  of 
Hereford,  son  and  heir  of  Edward  Harley,  of  Eywood,  in  com. 
Hereford,  Esq.  before  mentioned,  one  of  the  Auditors  of  the  Im- 
prest, who  was  next  brother  to  Robert,  first  earl  of  Oxford,  and 
Earl  Mortimer,  Lord  High  Treasurer  of  England,  according  to 
the  limitation  of  the  patent. 

0  Lady  Mary  W.  Montague,  speaking  of  his  death,  says,  he  refused  all  reme- 
dies, till  too  late. 

P  Yet  her  friend,  Lady  Mary  W.  Montague,  speaks  of  her  as  alive  in  a  letter, 
dated  June  ioth,  1757. 

VOL.  IV.  O 


C2  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

The  said  Edward  Harley,  who  thus  succeeded  as  third 
E\rl  of  Oxford,,  and  Earl  Mortimer,  &c.  served  as  one  of 
the  Knights  in  parliament  for  the  county  of  Hereford,  from  the 
first  parliament  called  in  1727,  by  the  late  King,  inclusive,  until 
he  became  intitled  to  a  seat  in  the  house  of  Peers.  '  In  1/46,  his 
Lordship  was  elected  High-lteward  of  the  city  of  Hereford,  in 
the  room  of  Henry  Duke  of  Beaufort,  deceased :  and  on  April 
12th,  17^8,  was,  in  convocation,  presented,  by  the  University  of 
Oxford,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  the  Civil  Law.  His  Lord- 
ship, in  March  1725,  wedded  Martha,  eldest  daughter  of  John 
Morgan,  of  Tredegar,  in  Monmouthshire^  Esq.  and  sister  to  the 
late  Sir  William  Morgan,  Knight  of  the  Bath;  and  by  her  Lady- 
ship, who  departed  this  life,  Jan.  4th,  1774,  and  was  buried  at 
Brampton  Bryan,  in  Herefordshire,  had  issue  five  sons,  1.  Ed- 
ward the  late  Earl  of  Oxford,  &c.  ■    ■  -  ■ 

2.  The  honourable  Robert  Harley,  who  was  born  on  Septem- 
ber 10th,  1727,  and  died  a  bachelor,  at  Bath,  <on; Jan. T2th, 1760, 
and  was  buried  at  Brampton  Bryan. 

3.  The  honourable  and  rev.  John  Harley,  who  was  born  on 
Sept.  29th,  I728,  and  appointed  Dean  of  Windsor  in  Jan.  1778; 
and  Bishop  of  Hereford,  1787.  He  was  also  Rector  of  Mary-le- 
bone,  Middlesex,  and  Presteign,  in  Radnorshire ;  and  died,  Jan. 
7th,  1788.  He  married,  February  23d,  1770,  Roach,  daughter 
and  heir  of  Gwynne  Vaughan,  of  Trebarry,  com.  Radnor,  Esq. 
by  whom  he  had  two  sons;  Edward,  born  in  Harley-street,  Lon- 
don, Feb.  20th,  1773,  now  Earl  of  Oxford;  and  John,  born  in 
Harley-street,  Dec.  31st,  1774;  also  two  daughters,  Frances  and 
Martha. 

4.  _The  lion.  Thomas  Harley,  Esq.  the  fourth  son,  before-men- 
tioned, of  Edward,  third  Earl  of  Oxford,  was  born  on  August 
24th,  1730 ;  and  on  March  15th,  1752,  married  Anne,  daughter 
of  Edward  Bangham,  Esq.  Deputy  Auditor  of  the  Imprests,  and 
member  for  Leominster,  in  1710.     By  this  Lady,  who  died  Jan. 
15th,  1798>  agea*  sixty- six,  he  had  two  sons,  and  five  daughters; 
viz.  Thomas,  who  died  on  Jan.  17th,  1763;    2.  Edward,  who 
died  July  11th,  1768;  3.  Henrietta,  who  died  on  July  4th,  1759; 
4.  Martha,  married  by  special  licence,  at  St.  Mary-le-bone,  Mid- 
dlesex, Dec.  30th,  1779,  to  George  Drummond,  of  Stanmore,  in 
Middlesex,  Esq.  and  died  in  Aug.  1788,  as  did  Mr.  Drummond, 
in  March  J  789,  leaving  issue.    5.  Anne,  born  March  13th,  1759, 
married,  April  10th,  178I,  George,  second  Lord  Rodney,  who 
died  1802,  and  by  whom  she  had  issue  the  present  Lord  Rodney, 


EARL  OF  OXFORD,  AND  EARL  MORTIMER.      83 

&c.  6.  Sarah,  born  Oct.  19th,  1760,  married,  July  178I,  Ro- 
bert, ninth  Earl  of  Kinnoul,  who  died  1804,  and  by  whom  she 
had  issue  the  present  Earl  of  Kinnoul,  &c.  J.  -Elizabeth,  born 
in  April  J  763,  married,  Oct.  8th,  1783,  David  Murray,  Esq.  bro- 
ther to  the  present  Lord  Elibank :.  he  died  May  7th,  1794,  leaving 
issue  by  her.  8.  Margaret,  born  July  4th,  1765,  married,  Feb. 
26th,  1784,  Sir  John  Boyd,  Bart. 

At  the  general  election,  in  April  1761,  being  an  eminent  mer- 
chant, he  was  chofen  one  of  the  four  citizens  of  London,  to  the  12th 
parliament  of  Great  Britain;  and  again  in  1768:  and  on  May 
5th,  1761,  was  elected  Alderman  of  Portsoken-ward,  in  the.  city 
of  London.  On  June  33d,  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  Sheriffs  of 
London  and  Middlesex  ;  and  having  been  sworn  in  at  Guildhall, 
on  Sept.  26th,  following,  was  sworn  at  the  Exchequer  on  the 
29th,  when  he  entered  into  his  office,  which  he  discharged  wiLh 
spirit  and  integrity.  In  1/68,  he  served  the  high  office  of  Lord 
Mayor  of  the  said  city;  and  in  1776,  was  chosen  Knight  of  the 
Shire  for  Hereford,  which  county  he  continued  to  represent  till 
his  death.  He  was  alfo  one  of  his  Majesty's  most  honourable  Privy 
Council  He  was  one  of  the  Governors  of  the  London  Lying-in 
Hospital  in  Aldersgate- street,  of  which  he  was  elected  Treasurer 
in  1762,  and  President  in  1764.     He  died  Dec.  1st,  1804. 

5.  The  hon.  and  rev.  William  Harley,  who  was  born  on  May 
30th,  1733,  was  Vicar  of  Uffington,  in  Berkshire,  Rect©r  of  Ever- 
ley,  in  Wiltshire,  and  Prebendary  of  Worcester,  died  July  8th, 
1769,  and  was  buried  at  Brampton  Bryan. 

This  Earl  of  Oxford  had  also,  by  the  same  Lady,  two  daugh- 
ters; viz.  Lady  Sarah,  who  died  unmarried,  on  April  29th,  1737* 
in  the  lixth  year  of  her  age,  and  is  buried  at  St.  Mary-le-bone, 
near  London ;  and  Lady  Martha,  who  was  born  on  Nov.  28th, 
1736,  and  married,  on  April  20th,  1764,  to  Charles  Milborne,  of 
the  Priory,  near  Abergavenny,  in  the  county  of  Monmouth,  Esq. 

The  Earl  of  Oxford  died  at  Bath,  on  April  11th,  1755,  having, 
through  the  whole  course  of  his  years,  behaved  with  great  honour 
and  integrity,  in  public  as  well  as  private  life.  He  was  succeeded 
by  his  eldest  son,  , 

Edward,  Lord  Harley,  the  fourth  Earl  of  Oxford,  &c. 
who  was  born  on  Sept.  2d,  1726,  and  on  July  15th,  1747*  was 
elected  to  the  10th  parliament  of  Great  Britain,  one  of  the  Kmghts 
for  the  county  of  Hereford,  for  which  he  was  also  returned  to  the 
next  parliament,  which  first  met  on  business,  May  31st,  1/54, 
and  sat  till  his  father's  death.     On  April  12th,  1748,  he  had  the 


84  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

degree  of  Doctor  of  the  Civil  Law  conferred  on  him,  in  conroca- 
tion  of  the  University  of  Oxford.  Soon  after  the  accession  of  the 
present  King,  he  was  made  one  of  the  Lords  of  the  bed-chamber  j 
and  was  also  Lord  Lieutenant  and  Custos  Rotulorum  of  the  Coun- 
ties of  Hereford  and  Radnor ;  a  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Society,  and 
one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  British  Museum,  and  LL.D. 

His  Lordship  married,  on  July  11th,  Susannah,  eldest  daughter 
of  William  Archer,  of  Welford,  in  Berkshire,  Esq.  who  repre- 
sented that  county  in  the  parliament  of  Great  Britain,  with  great 
honour  and  fidelity,  until  he  died,  on  June  30th,  1739,  aged  fifty- 
nine  5  but  had  no  issue  by  her  Ladyship  j  who  died  Nov.  10th, 
1804.  His  Lordship  dying  October  8th,  J790,  was  succeeded  by 
his  nephew,  the  eldest  son  of  his  brother  John,  Bishop  of  Here- 
ford, viz. 

Edward,  present  and  fifth  Earl  op  Oxford,  &c.  who  mar- 
ried, Mar.  3d,  1794,  Miss  Scott,  daughter  of  the  late  rev.  James 
Scott,  A.M.  Rector  of  Stokin,  near  Southampton,  by  whom  he 
has  issue ; 

1.  A  daughter,  born  Mar.  9th,  1796. 

2.  Lord  Harley,  his  son  and  heir,  born  Jan.  10th,  1800. 

3.  A  daughter,  born  Dec.  12th,  1801. 

Titles.]  Edward  Harley,  Earl  of  Oxford,  and  Earl  Mortimer, 
and  Baron  Harley,  of  Wigmore. 

Creations.']  Baron  Harley,  of  Wigmore,  in  com.  Hereford, 
Earl  Mortimer  (the  name  of  a  family),  and  Earl  of  the  city  of 
Oxford,  May  24th,  1711,  10  Queen  Anne. 

Arms.']     Or,  a  Bend  cotised  Sable. 

Crest.]  On  a  Wreath,  a  Castle,  Argent,  Triple-towered,  with 
a  Demi-lion  rampant,  Gules,  issuing  out  of  the  battlements  of  the 
middle  tower. 

Supporters.]  Two  Angels,  proper,  habited  in  long  Robes,  their 
Hair  and  Wings,  Or. 

MottO.]       VlRTUTE    ET    FlDE. 

Chief  Seat.']    Eywood  House,  in  the  county  of  Hereford. 


SHIRLEY  EARL  FERRERS. 


25 


SHIRLEY  EARL  FERRERS. 

The  truly  ancient  and  honourable  family  of  Shirley,  has  had 
the  good  fortune  to  have  been  illustrated  by  a  history  of  them, 
compiled  by  an  eminent  member  of  their  own  house.  Sir  Thomas 
Shirley ,  Knt.  of  Botolph's  Bridge,  in  Huntingdonshire,  younger 
son  of  Sir  George  Shirley,  the  first  Baronet,  composed  three  dis- 
tinct MSS.  histories  of  the  Shirleys,  all  of  which  are  preserved 
in  the  British  Museum.a 


*  My  indefatigable  friend,  Mr.  Nichols,  in  his  History  of  Leicestershire,Vol.III. 
p.  704,  et  seq.  has  furnished  me  with  the  copious  materials,  which  will  render  it 
necessary  almost  to  re-compile  this  article.  From  thence  the  titles  of  the  above 
MSS.  are  here  cited. 

11  Shirleorum,  Warwicensis  et  Darbiensis  familiae  quam  antiquissimae,  genuina 
Prosapiaj  a  quodam  Sewallo,  viro  perillustri,  prospero  ac  felici  successu,  inter- 
rupta  etiamnum  serie  continuata ;  ac  longe  aliter  quam  hactenus  unquam  deli- 
neata:  Unde  Henricus  Shirley  de  Eitington,  Shirley,  Staunton-Harold,  &c.  in 
Warwici,  Darbiae,  et  Leicestriae  ditionibus,  inclytus  Baronettus  suorumque  Majo- 
rum  Genealogiis  honoratissimus,'perenni  masculorurn  successione  recte  derivatur  ; 
necnon  et  Thomas  Shirley  de  Botulphbridge,  in  Comitatu  Huntingdoniae  Miles, 
Philarchismus  $  qui  pio  erga  majores  affectu  ductus,  eorum  propagations,  cum 
suis  conjugiorum  copulis,  armisque  gentilitiis  ex  publicis  regni  archivis,  et  pri- 
vates ejusdem  familiae  evidentiis,  ecclesus,  monumentis  historicis,  monaste- 
iriorum  registris,  et  rotulis  armorum  vetustissimis,  aliisque  rebus  reverendae  anti- 
quitatis,  et  indubitatae  veritatis,  maximolabore  ac  fide  oculatadeprompsit,  atque  ad 
perpetuam  rei  memoriam,  seriatim  hoc  crdine  describi  curavit.  Quibus  ad  latera 
diversorum  magnatum  virorumque  clarissimorum  adjunguntur  stemmata ;  quo- 
rum accessione  plurimorum  huic  familiae  honoris  tarn  in  armorum  delationibus, 
quern  etiam  ex  census  et  praediorum  incremento,  faeminarum  haeredum  jure  ob- 
venisse  ostenditur."    Harl.  MS.S.  4028. 

The  second  History  is  entitled,  "  Genealogica  Historia  Domus  de  Shirley,  Do- 
minorum  de  Etingdon,   Shirley,   Hoga,  Ednesonor,   Staunton-Harald,  Ragdal, 


86  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

"  This  renowned  family  of  Shirley  (says  Sir  Thomas),  hath 
produced  so  long  a  succession  of  noble  personages,  who  have  so 
admirably  conjoined  the  practice  of  most  excellent  virtues  and 
nobleness  of  blood  with  so  great  perfection,  that  their  heroic  ac- 
tions, by  the  complete  union  of  these  two  rare  qualities,  h^ve  far 
surmounted  the  lustre  of  their  birth ;  for  by  their  piety  and  me- 
rits, they  have  acquired  all  the  prerogatives  of  honour  and  glory, 
which  may  raise  a  house  to  height  of  splendour,  and  engrave 
the  memory  of  its  name  within  the  eternity  of  ages.  But  for  the 
principles,  there  are  seven  most  remarkable ;  so  eminent,  so  rare, 
and  singular,  that  they  are  to  be  found  in  few  other  families. 
One  is,  the  nobleness  and  antiquity  of  blood,  which  hath  passed 
for  seven  entire  ages,  being  assured,  by  most  renowned  recorders, 
worthy  to  be  believed,  that  the  first  ancestors  of  this  house  have 
had  the  reputation  and  honour  of  a  most  ancient  Saxon  line,  flou- 
rishing in  opulence  and  dignity  long  before  the  Norman  conquest} 
and  since  the  happy  times  of  the  glorious  King,  and  most  beloved 
servant  of  the  King  of  Kings,  blessed  St.  Edward  the  Confessor, 
it  justifies  itself  to  have  continued  prosperously,  from  male  to 
male,  unto  this  present,  by  a  continual  uninterrupted  succession 
of  many  renowned  persons,  whose  actions  have  been  most  famous, 
and  truly  worthy  of  a  history.  The  second  mark  of  ornament, 
which  shines  most  resplendently  in  the  house,  is,  that  they  have 
contracted  all  their  marriages  with  the  ancient  and  most  illus- 
trious houses  in  England.  In  the  third  place,  the  renown  of  this 
family  hath  been  marvellously  increased,  by  the  prowess,  memo- 
rable acts,  and  high  attempts  of  the  descendants,  who  have  always 
appeared  in  the  first  ranks  in  all  places  where  fortitude  and  glo- 
rious military  virtue  might  make  itself  admired.  The  fourth 
advantage  of  glory,  which  so  highly  raiseth  the  fame  of  this 
house,  is  the  great  devotion  and  singular  fidelity  it  hath  always 

Braylesford,  Astwel,  et  plurimorum  aliorum  locorum  chartis  publicis  diversarum 
ecclesiarum,  authenticis  aliisque  solidis  certisque  probationibus  confirmata,  variis 
iconibus,  et  discurs'bus  antiquitatem  redolentibus  ornata.  Per  Thomastos  Calo- 
Jeimon  Philopatron."     Harl.  MSS.  4023. 

The  third  History  is,  "  The  Genea!o/icke  Historie  of  the  House  of  Shirleys, 
Lords  of  Etingdcn,  Shirley,  Hoga,  Ednesouer,  Staunton-Harald,  Ragdale,  Bray- 
lesforde,  Astwell,  and  divers  other  p-aces.  Justified  by  Charters  of  divers 
Churches,  publike  Recordes  of  the  Kingdome,  private  Evidences,  and  other 
good  and  certain  Proofs.  Enriched  with  divers  Figures,  and  Discourses  of  Anti- 
quity. By  Thomaston  Caloleimon,  Philopatron."  Harl.  MSS.  4928.  This  is 
principally  a  translation  of  the  last  article,  though  considerable  variations  and  ad- 
ditions are  to  be  found  in  each. 


SHIRLEY  EARL  FERRERS.  8; 

borne  to  their  sovereign  Princes.     The  fifth  prerogative  is  most 
commendable,  in  their  bright  and  renowned  alliances  j   having 
the  honour  to  be  joined  in  a  near  degree  of  propinquity  of  blood 
with  the  royal  stem  of  England,  both  Saxon  and  Norman  -,  as 
likewise  to  those  of  France,  Scotland,  Denmark,  Arragon,  Leon, 
Castile,  the  Sacred  Roman  Empire,  and  almost  to  all  the  princely 
Houses  of  Christendom j  and  within  their  own  kingdom,  to  the 
most  honourable  and  princely  Houses  of  the  Barons  of  Berkeley, 
Dukes  of  Norfolk   and   Buckingham,    Earls  of  Arundel,    Ox- 
ford,  Northumberland,   Shrewsbury,   Kent,  Derby,  Worcester, 
Huntingdon,  Pembroke,   Nottingham,    Suffolk,  Berkshire,  and 
to  most  of  the  ancient,  famous,  and  flourishing  families  of  the 
nobility  and  gentry  of  the  monarchy;  insomuch  that  they  that 
remain  of  this  House  at  this  present  time,  have  the  honour  to 
have  issued  from  the  blood  of  many  Emperors,  Kings,  Princes, 
Dukes,  and  most  renowned  Earls.     In  the  sixth  place,  the  great 
lands  and  seigniories,  which  they,  from  all  antiquity,  have  held, 
hath  given  no  small  addition  of  honour  to  the  house  ;  for  they 
have  possessed  the  manors  of  Etingdon,  Newton  Regis,  Shirley- 
Street,  Thorinton  in  Warwickshire;  Shirley,  Branzinton,  Hoone, 
Croxhall,  Hatun,  Eveley,  Bradley,  Sturston,  Beardshall,  Wron- 
cele,  Etwall,  Yolgrave,  Hopwell,  Ylchesley,  Ednesover,  Irton, 
Hope,  Braylesford,  in  Derbyshire  j  Sutton  Bunnington,  in  Not- 
tinghamshire ;  Ragdale,  Willowes,  RadclifFe  super  Wreke,  Bar- 
row super  Soram,  Staunton-Harold,  Dunton,  Long  Wot  ton,  Bur- 
ton Overey,  in  Leicestershire  j  Hanbrooke,  in  Gloucestershire ; 
Great  Chellworth,  in  Wiltshire ;  and  divers  other  ample  and  fair 
manors,  which  have  gone  out  of  the  House,  either  by  younger 
sons,  their  daughters,  and  heirs  5  or  by  alienations.     Lastly,  holy 
piety  is  one  of  the  particular  eminences,  which  rendered  the  family 
of  Shirley  most  remarkable  among  others,  they  having  so  reli- 
giously maintained  this  virtue,  that  all  of  them,  for  the  most  part, 
have  exercised  an  ardent  and  unextinguishable  charity  towards 
the  advancement  of  the  service  of  God;  and  a  singular  liberality 
towards  the  Church,  shewing  the  zeal  of  their  devotion,  by  the 
enrichment  of  a  great  number  of  Abbeys,  Priories,  Convents, 
Collegiate   Churches,  Chantries,   and  other  places  of  devotion, 
which  they  had  founded,  built,  re-edified,  or  endowed^  with  their 
means  and  revenue,  in  divers  places  in  this  realm. 

They  derive  their  descent  from  Sasuallg  or  Sewallus  de 
Etingdon,  whose  name  (says  Dugdale,  in  his  Antiquities  of  War- 
wickshire), argue*  him  to  be  of  the  old  English  stock ;  which  Se« 


88  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

wallis  resided  at  Nether-Etingdon,  in  com.  Warwick,  about  the 
reign  of  king  Edward  the  Confessor  :  which  place  had  been  the 
seat  of  his  ancestors,  as  there  is  reason  to  believe,  for  many  gene- 
rations before.  After  the  Conquest,  the  lordship  of  Etingdon  was 
given  to  Henry  Earl  of  Ferrars,  in  Normandy,  who  was  one  of 
the  principal  adventurers  with  the  Norman  Duke  William,  and 
was  held  under  him  by  this  Sewallus  j  to  whose  posterity,  in  the 
male  line,  it  has  continued  to  the  present  reign,  the  lateb  hon. 
George  Shirley,  who  died  1797*  having  been  owner  thereof  j 
which  circumstance  is  mentioned  by  Dugdale,  who  says,  in  his 
Warwickshire,  that  Etingdon  is  the  only  place  in  the  county, 
which  could  glory  in  an  uninterrupted  succession  of  its  owners 
for  so  long  a  tract  of  time}  and  it  is  now  more  than  a  century 
since  Dugdale  wrote.  This  Sewallus  de  Etingdon  founded  and 
endowed  the  church  of  Nether-Etingdon.  That  he  was  an  emi- 
nent man,  is  obvious  from  his  large  possessions  in  the  counties  of 
Warwick,  Lincoln,  Northampton,  and  Derby,  in  the  time  of  the 
Conqueror »  few  being  allowed  at  that  change  to  enjoy  more  than 
a  part  of  their  estates,  and  even  obliged  to  hold  that  by  military 
and  other  services,  from  their  new  lords.  Therefore  if  we  may 
guess  of  his  authority  by  the  extent  of  his  estate,  which  amounted 
to  seventeen  hides  of  land  in  this  place  only,  he  must  have  been 
no  less  than  a  Thane  c  in  the  time  of  the  Saxons  j  which  was  the 
same  degree  of  honour  among  them,  as  a  Baron,  or  Peer  of  Eng- 
land after  the  Norman  Conquest  j  for  as  the  learned  Selden  ob- 
serves, not  little  more  than  five  hides  of  land  was  an  estate  for 
some  who  were  so  dignified.  He  died  about  1085.  It  appears 
by  Kenilworth  Register,  that  he  built  and  endowed  the  church  of 
Etingdon. 

Fulcher,  his  only  child,  succeeded  him;  and  died  about 
1105,  leaving  issue,  1.  Sewallus.  2.  Henry,  from  whom  the 
Shirleys  of  Ireton,  Co.  Derby,  who  took  the  name  of  Ireton. 
3.  Fulcher,  twice  married,  but  died  S.  P.  4.  Nicholas.  5.  Ro- 
bert. 

Sewallus  died  about  1129j  leaving  by  his  first  wife,  Matilda, 
daughter  of  Ridel,  of  Halaughton,  Co.  Derb.  1.  Henry.   2.  Ful- 

b  The  hon.  George  Shirley,  younger  son  of  the  first  earl  Ferrers,  by  his  second 
wife  Anne  Finch,  born  1705,  and  a  Captain  in  the  First  Regiment  of  Foot 
Guards,  died  October  zzd,  1787,  aged  eighty-two  ;  and  has  a  sumptuous  monu- 
ment at  Etingdon. 

c  Nichols  supposes  him  to  have  been  Tbanus  Mediocrit  j  a  lord  of  the  Manor, 
or  lesser  Baron. 


SHIRLEY  EARL  FERRERS.  89 

chcr,d  who  held  four  Knights  fees ;  but  died  S.  P.  3.  Hugh,  a 
priest.  4.  Ralph.  5.  Richard.  Having  translated  his  seat  from 
Etingdon  to  Shirley,  in  Derbyshire,  he  was  the  first  of  that  family 
that  called  himself  de  Shirley. 

Henry,  eldest  son,  held  five  Knights  fees  in  Derbyshire, 
of  Robert  de  Ferrers,  Earl  of  Derby,  and  died  about  1165.  He 
gave  the  lordship  of  Ivanbrook  to  the  Monks  of  Bildewas ;  and 
was  a  witness  to  the  foundation  Charter  of  Merevalle  Abbey. 
He  left  issue  by  Joanna,  daughter  and  heir  of  John  de  Clinton/ 
ofEffex, 

Sewallis,  his  son  and  heir,  who,  in  1\67>  acknowledged 
himself  to  hold  of  William  de  Ferrers,  Earl  of  Derby,  those  nine 
Knights  fees  which  Henry,  his  father,  and  his  uncle,  some  time 
held  of  Earl  Robert,  grandfather  to  the  said  Earl.  f  He  married 
Isabel,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Robert  Meynell,  of  Langley  Mey- 
nell,  Co.  Derb.  by  whom  he  had  a  daughter,  Elizabeth,  wife  of 
John  de  Walton,  son  of  Simon  Bishop  of  Norwich :  and  a  son 
and  heir, 

Sir  James  de  Shirley,  who  was  a  Knight,  and  had  freewar- 
ren  granted  to  him  in  all  his  demesnes  at  Shirley  in  1247,  and  a* 
Etingdon  in  1255.  He  married  Agnes  de  Walton,  daughter  of 
Simon  de  Walton,  Bishop  of  Norwich,  and  had  issue  by  her  Sir 
Ralph,  his  successor.^     He  died  about  1278. 

Which  Sir  Ralph  de  Shirley,  in  7  Edw.  I.  held  the  manor  of 
Eatendon11  aforesaid,  in  com.  Warwick,  of  Edmund  Earl  of  Lan- 
caster, the  King's  brother,  by  the  service  of  two  Knights  fees.  In 
9  Edw.  I.  he  was  of  full  age.  In  28  Edw.  I  he  had  the  custody 
of  the  counties  of  Salop  and  Stafford,  with  the  castle  of  Shrews- 
bury, committed  to  his  charge ;  and  was  Sheriff  of  the  counties* 
of  Derby  and  Nottingham,  in  the  27th,  28th,  and  30th  of  Edw.  I. 
In  1301,  he  was  summoned  to  attend  the  King  at  Berwick  upon 
Tweed,  on  Midsummer-day,  well-appointed  with  horse  and  arms, 
to  march  against  the  Scots.    In  3  Edward  II.  he  was  constituted 

d  Of  Ednesour,  co.  Derb. 
c  Ever  since  the  marriage  with  the  heiress  of  Clinton,  the  family  have  taken 
her  arms}  viz.  Paly  of  six,  Or,  and  Arg.  a  quarter  of  Bretaigny  j  the  family  of 
Clinton,  being  allied  to  the  Dukes  of  Bretaigny. 

f  See  Lib.  Nig.  Scacc.  under  Derbyshire, 
g  Nichols  gives  also  three  younger  sons  ;  James,  Simon,  and  Henry,  a  priest, 
parson  of  St.  George,  co.  Norf. 

h  He  held  also  the  manor  of  Barnbam,  co.  SufF.  near  Thetford,  by  gift  of  his 
grandfather,  Bishop  Simon  Walton* 


go  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND, 

one  of  the  Justices  in  the  county  of  Warwick  for  the  gaol-deli- 
very ;  and  5  Edvv  II.  served  in  two  parliaments,  held  that  year, 
as  a  representative  for  that  county.  In  6  Edward  II.  he  was  dis- 
charged from  the  office  of  Coroner,  on  account  of  his  ill  state  of 
health ;  but  in  8  Edw.  II.  he  was  Governor  of  Horiston-castle, 
in  com.  Derb.  and  in  16  Edw.  II.  a  Commissioner  for  levying  a 
fifteenth  in  com.  Warw.  The  next  year  he  was  in  the  list  of  those 
Knights  and  men  at  arms,  whose  names  were  then  certified  in 
the  Chancery. 

He  married  Margaret,  daughter,  and  one  of  the  coheirs  of 
Walter  de  Waldeshief,  of  Fairfield,  co.  Derby,  cupbearer  to  Ed- 
ward II.  and  dying  in  1327,  20  Edward  II.  left  issue 

Thomas,15  his  son  and  heir,  said  to  be  "  the  great  founder  of 
the  family  of  the  Shirleys,  famous  in  his  time  for  his  valour,  and 
for  the  many  services,  &c.  rendered  to  the  Kings  of  England 
against  the  French."  A  Commissioner  for  assessing  and  collecting 
a  fifteenth  and  tenth,  granted  in  11  Edw.  III.  and  in  the  12th, 
appointed  to  collect  the  scutage  due  to  the  king  for  the  Scotch 
expedition.  In  14  Edw.  III.  he  served  as  one  of  the  Knights  in 
parliament  for  the  county  of  Warwick.  This  Sir  Thomas  Shirley 
died1  in  36  Edw.  II.  1362. 

He  married  Isabel,  daughter  of  Ralph,  son  and  heir  of  Ralph 
Lord  Basset,  of  Drayion,  and  sister  and  sole  heir  to  her  brother 
Ralph,  the  last  Lord  Basset  of  that  line,  who  died  13  Richard  II. 
without  issue  j  having  by  deed,  dated  Jan.  26th,  13  Richard  II. 
named  Sir  Hugh  Shirley,  son  of  this  Sir  Thomas,  by  his  sister 
Isabel,  to  be  his  nephew  and  right  heir:  thereby  leaving  him  heir 
to  his  whole  inheritance,  on  condition  that  he  assumed  his  sur- 
name of  Basset,  and  his  arms,  leaving  his  own  $  but  should  he 
refuse  to  comply  with  that  condition,  then  the  whole  estate  to  go 
to  the  earl  of  Stafford,  on  the  same  terms,  who  was  descended 
from  Margaret  Basset,  great  aunt  to  the  said  Lord  Basset ;  and 
should  that  Earl  refuse  to  comply  with  the  above  condition,  then 
the  estates  to  go  to  the  other  relations  mentioned  in  the  will  5  but 
expressly  on  condition  that  they  assumed  the  name  and  arms  of 

i  Dugdale's  Antiq.  of  Warwicksh.  p.  466. 

k  Nichols  mentions  an  elder  brother,  Ralph  de  Shirley,  by  a  former  wife,  wh» 
Jied  S. P. 

1  He  was  noted  also  for  the  liberal  donations  of  lands  and  rents  by  himself  an* 
his  wife,  to  the  College  of  St.  Mary,  at  the  Newark,  in  Leicester,  &c. 

««  He  and  his  Lady  were  interred  in  the  Chapel  of  the  Duke  of  Lancaster's  Col- 
lege, called  Newark.     See  Nichols,  I,  399.  III.  708. 


SHIRLEY  EARL  FERRERS.  gl 

Basset."  But  neither  Sir  Hugh  Shirley,  nor  the  Earl  of  Stafford, 
complied  with  the  conditions  of  the  will,  but  contended  for  the 
estate  j  which  dispute  was  not  finally  settled  till  the  reign  of 
Henry  VI.  when  the  estates  of  the  Barons  Basset  of  Drayton, 
were  divided  between  them.     Colston  Basset,  in  com.  Nott.  &c. 

n  This  marriage  with  the  heiress  of  Lord  Bassst,  of  Drayton,  deserves  some 
remarks.  The  Lady's  legitimacy  has  latterly  been  doubted,  in  defiance  of  what 
seems  decisive  proof,  for  reasons  which  appear  extremely  weak,  or  rather  no  rea- 
sons at  all.  There  is  at  least  equal  want  of  skill  and  good  sense,  and  certainly  a 
much  baser  motive,  in  ill-placed  scepticism  with  regard  to  points  of  pedigree,  as 
in  too  much  credulity.  It  is  to  be  lamented,  that  the  world  too  often  confounds 
the  effects  of  a  carping,  snarling  temper  with  knowledge,  as  they  do  with  wit. 
A  man,  who  has  characterized  himself  by  this  quality  in  his  professional  practice 
in  this  line,  more  than  twenty  years  ago  informed  me  of  this  objection  in  the 
Shirley  pedigree;  and  complained,  that  the  noble  Marquis,  who  is  heir  to  the 
blood  and  barony  of  Basset  through  this  descent,  had  taken  offence  at  his  sug- 
gestion. Surely  his  Lordship  had  good  reason  to  be  offended  at  objections,  which 
appear  to  have  nothing  but  their  ill-nature  and  empty  conceit  to  countenance 
them.  The  only  colour  for  the  aspersion,  which  I  have  met  with,  is  an  inquisi- 
tion mentioned  by  Dugdale,  in  which  Thomas  Earl  of  Stafford  was  found  to  be 
cousin  and  next  heir  of  Ralph  last  Lord  Basset,  of  Drayton;  viz.  grandson  of 
Margaret,  sister  to  Ralph  Lord  Basset,  his  grandfather.  But  every  profound  and 
properly  qualified  Genealogist  knows,  that  Inquisitions  will  perpetually  mislead  if 
superficially  examined ;  and  in  the  present  instance,  the  very  next  column  of 
Dugdale  would  have  suggested  a  s:iution  of  the  difficulty.  The  heirs  frequently 
pointed  out  by  Inqaisitions  (which  are  taken  for  the  purpose  of  shewing  who  are 
entitled  to  the  estates  of  the  deceased),  are  heirs  of  entail,  and  not  heirs  of  blood. 
And  this  was  obviously  tfee  case  in  the  Baffet  inquisition.  Ralph  Lord  Basset,  the. 
grandfather,  in  conjunction  with  Ralph,  his  grandson  and  heir  apparent,  in  the 
reign  of  Edward  III.  settled  by  fine,  several  of  his  manors  to  himself  for  life, 
remainder  to  Ralph,  the  grandson,  and  the  heirs  of  his  body  ;  remainder  to  the 
heirs  male  of  the  body  of  Ralph,  the  grandfather  ;  and  for  want  of  such  issue,  to 
Ralph  de  Stafford  for  life,  with  divers  other  remainders  of  the  line  of  Stafford, 
&c.  This  entail  will  at  once  account  for  the  inquisition  ;  which  finds  Thomas 
Earl  of  Stafford,  and  not  Sir  Hugh  Shirley  (or  rather  his  mother,  Isabel,  if  she 
was  living),  to  be  his  heir.  Lord  Basset,  by  his  will,  dated  in  1389  (of  which  a 
copy  is  to  be  found  in  Hail.  MSS.  4928,  p.  218),  entailed  the  lordships  of  Rake- 
dale,  Willowes,  Radcliffe  upon  Wreke,  Dunton,  and  Whatton,  co.  Leicester  j 
Ratcliff  upon  Sear,  Thrumpton,  and  Colston  Basset,  co.  Notts ;  and  East-hall, 
and  West-hall  \u  Sheildon,  co.  Warw.  and  Wore,  on  Sir  Hugh  Shirley,  and  the 
heirs  male  of  his  body,  on  condition  he  should  bear  the  name  and  arms  of  Basset, 
&c.  as  already  mentioned.  Ralph,  last  Lord  Basset,  who  died  1390,  married 
Joan,  sister  to  John  Duke  of  Bretainy ;  his  father,  Ralph,  who  died  vita  patris 
1323,  married  Alice,  daughter  of  Nicholas  Lord  Audky  ;  and  his  grandfather, 
Ralph,  who  died  1343,  married  Joan,  daughter  of  Thomas  Bcauchamp,  Earl  of4 
Warwick. 


Q2  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

being  allotted  to  Shirley  j  and  Drayton  Basset,  com.  Staff.  &c.  to 
Stafford.     His  widow  remarried  Sir  Gerard  Braybroke,  Knt. 

But  to  return  :  Hugh  Shirley,  son  and  heir  of  Sir  Thomas,  by 
Isabel  Basset,  succeeded  his  father  j  and  was,  as  before  mentioned, 
by  the  will  of  the  late  Lord  Basset  his  uncle,  acknowledged  by 
him  to  be  his  nephew  and  right  heir  j  in  7  Rich  II.  he  confirmed 
the  manors  of  Shirley  and  Hoone,  in  com.  Derby,  and  that  of 
Etingdon,  in  com.  Warwick,  to  his  mother  Isabel,  then  the  wife 
of  Sir  Gerard  Braybroke,  Knt.  these  manors  having  been  assigned 
to  be  for  her  dower  by  Sir  Thomas  Shirley,  his  father.     This  Sir 
Hugh  was  made  Chief  Warden  of  Higham  Ferrers  Park,  by  John 
of  Gaunt,  Duke  of  Lancaster ;  and  in  22  Rich.  II.  constituted 
Constable  of  Donnington-Castle,  by  Henry  of  Bolingbroke,  Duke 
of  Lancaster,  afterward  King  Henry  IV.    On  March  2/th,  1400, 
being  then  a  Knight,  he  was  made  Grand  Falconer  to  King 
Henry  IV.  for  the  Kingdom  of  Ireland.     He  was  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Shrewsbury,0  on  the  part  of  King  Henry  IV.  being  one 
of  those  who  was  habited  as  the  King,  and  taken  for  him  by  the 
opposite  party.     By  Beatrix  his  wife,  sister  and  heir  to  John  de 
Braose,  or  de  Breus,  of  West-Neston  (now  called  Wiston),  in 
Sussex,  heir  male  of  the  ancient  family  of  that  name,  Barons  of 
Brember,  in  Sussex,  and  of  Brecknock,  Abergavenny,  and  Gower, 
in  Wales,  he  had  issue  three  daughters  j  Isabel,  wife  of  Sir  John 
Cokayne,  of  Ashbourne  j  Elizabeth  \  and  Nichola  ;  also 

Ralph,  his  son  and  heir,  then  twelve  years  of  age  -}  who,  in 
5  Henry  V.  was  retained  to  serve  that  King  in  person  in  his  army 
in  Guyen,  with  six  men  at  arms,  and  eighteen  archers  -,  and  the 
next  year,  with  eight  men  at  arms,  and  sixteen  archers,  and  was 
about  that  time  knighted  5  for  in  8  Henry  V.  being  then  Sheriff 
of  the  counties  of  Nottingham  and  Derby,  he  was  then  styled  a 
Knight.  He  was  one  of  the  chief  Commanders  under  King 
Henry  V.  at  the  battle  of  Agincourt,  as  appears  by  an  ancient 
Roll  in  the  office  of  Arms  j  and  was  often  a  great  actor  in  the 
subsequent  Wars  of  the  said  King  Henry  V.  in  France ;  as  is  evi- 
dently proved  by  diverse  instruments  of  accord  made  between 
the  said  King  and  Sir  Ralph  Shirley  j  in  one  of  which,  dated 
1416,  after  agreement  had  for  the  number  and  pay  of  his  soldiers, 
&c.  the  King  granted  to  him  all  the  prisoners  that  he  or  his  sol- 
diers should  take,  only  reserving  to  himself,  the  French  King,  his 

0  •  The  Spirits  of  valiant  Shirley,  Stafford,  Blount,  are  in  my  arms."     Prin$e 
•J  Wales 's  Speech  in  Shakespeare's  Henry  IF. 


SHIRLEY  EARL  FERRERS.  93 

adversary;  the  Dauphin,  his  son ;  and  all  other  Kings,  his  adver- 
sary's assistants,  giving  to  him  only  the  third  part  of  the  ransom 
of  the  captive  Kings,  by  him  or  his  soldiers  taken.  To  this  Sir 
Ralph,  the  feoffees  of  Ralph  Lord  Basset,  released  all  their  right 
to  the  estates  he  claimed  as  heir  to  that  Barony.  In  1432,  he 
resided  at  Radcliffe  upon  Soar  j  and  died  at  his  government 
and  charge  in  France,  about  1443.  His  body  was  brought  to 
England,  and  buried  in  the  Collegiate  Church  of  the  Newark,  at 
Leicester.  His  second  wife  was  Alice,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Co- 
kayne,  Knt.  who  died  1466,  without  issue. 

By  his  first  wife,  Joan,  daughter  and  heir  of  Thomas  Basset,  of 
Brailsford,  co.  Derb.  he  had  a  daughter,  Beatrix,  wife  of  John 
Brome,  of  Badesley  Clinton,  co.  Warw.  and 

Ralph,  who  was  Constable  of  Mel  bourn  Castle,  and  of  the 
castle  in  the  Peak  of  Derbyshire :  and  died  in  1466,  "  seised  of 
many  goodly  manors,  fair  possessions,  and  large  territories  in  the 
several  counties  of  Leicester,  Derby,  Warwick,  and  Nottingham/* 
He  was  buried  in  the  church  of  Brailesford,  where  his  tomb  still 
remains. 

His  first  wife  was  Margaret,  daughter  and  sole  heir  of  John  de 
Staunton,  of  Staunton  Harald,  in  Leicestershire  (whereby  he  ob- 
tained that  estate,  still  the  chief  seat  of  the  family),  by  Joan, 
daughter  and  coheir  of  Sir  Ralph  Meynell,  of  Langley  Meynell 
(with  which  family  a  former  match  of  Shirley  has  been  already, 
mentioned).  By  this  marriage  he  had  issue  John,  his  son  and  heir, 
hereafter  mentioned. 

His  second  wife  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Blount, 
Knt.  and  sister  to  Walter  Blount,  Lord  Montjoyj  by  whom  he 
had  Ralph  Shirley,  Esquire  of  the  Body  to  King  Henry  VII.  an- 
cestor to  the  Shirleys  of  Wiston,  of  Sussex  j  of  whom  an  account 
will  be  given  in  an  accompanying  note,  this  branch  having  been 
of  considerable  eminence.? 

His  third  wife  was  Lucia,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Aston,  of 

P  Ralph  Shirley,  by  his  second  wife,  Elizabeth  Blount,  sister  to  Walter  Lord 
Mountjoy,  had  issue  Sir  Ralph  Shirley,  of  Wiston,  who,  by  Jane,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Bellingham,  of  Lymster,  in  Sussex,  Esq.  had  four  daughters ;  Jane, 
wife  of  John  Dawtrey,  of  Petworth,  in  Sussex  j  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  Lee,  of 
Fitleworth,  co.  Sussex;  Beatrix,  wife  of  Edward  Eldrington,  of  Hoggeston,  and 
afterwards  of  Sir  Edward  Bray,  of  Vachery,  Surrey,  died  1582  ;  and  Isabel,  wife 
of  John  Dawtrey,  of  Hampton  ;  also,  I.  Sir  Richard,  a.  Thomas  Shirley,  of 
West  Grinsted,  who  died  1606;  leaving  by  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  coheir  of 
Marmaduke  Gorges,  of  Gloucestershire,  Cecilie,  daughter  and  coheir,  set.  19, 1606, 
wife  of  Sir  George  Snelling,  of  Postlade,  Sussex. 


94  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Atherton,  Knt,  widow,  first,  of  Sir  John  Byron,  of  Clayton  and 
Colwich  j  and,  secondly,  of  Sir  Barton  Entwissel,  Knt.  Viscount 
of  Brykbeke,  in  Normandy.  She  died  in  Feb.  1481 ;  and  lies 
buried  at  Braylesford. 

John,  son  and  heir,  married  Eleanor,  daughter  of  Sir  Hugh 
Willoughby  of  Wollaton,  co.  Notts,  and  dying  1485,  left  issue, 

Ralph,  twenty-six  years  old,  who,  for  his  valour  in  the  battle 
of  Stoke,  in  com.  Nott.  June  l6th,  1487*  was  made  a  Banneret  > 
to  which  battle  ^he  brought  forces  to  the  King's  aid,  when  the 
Earl  of  Lincoln  was  slain.  In  7  Henry  VII.  he  was  retained  to 
serve  the  King  in  his  wars  beyond  sea  for  one  year  j  and  died  on 
Jan.  6th,  1510-7,  at  his  manor  house  of  Staunton-Haroldj  and 
was  interred  in  Geronden  Abbey.  By  his  last  will  and  testament/ 
which  bears  date  four  days  before  his  death,  writing  himself  Sir 
Rauf  Shirley,  of  Staunton-Harold,  in  com.  Leic.  Knt.  he  orders 
his  body  to  be  buried  at  the  discretion  of  his  executors.  He  be- 
queaths to  Jane  his  wife,  his  manors  of  Shirley  and  Brailesford, 
with  the  lands,  rents,  and  services,  as  also  other  lands,  in  full  of 
her  jointure  and  dower,  for  term  of  her  life  ;  and  his  manor  of 
Barnham,  to  the  monastery  of  Geronden,  for  the  term  of  fifty  years* 

Sir  Ralph,  the  eldest  son  by  his  second  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  Richard  Gitilde- 
forde,  had  four  daughters  ;  but  by  his  first  wife,  Anne,  daughter  of  John  Shel- 
ley, of  Michelgrove,  he  had  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  Michell,  of  Staunton j  Anne, 
wife  of  Richard  Fernwold  ;  Cecely,  married  to  John  Leedes }  Alice,  married  to 
Thomas  Chandler,  of  Lyndfield.     John ;  Edward  ;  and 

William  Shirly,  of  Wiston,  son  and  heir,  who  died  May  29th,  1551  j  leaving 
by  Mary,  daughter  of  Thomas  Isley,  Esq.  of  Sundridge,  Kent,  Anthony  Shirley, 
a  younger  son,  of  Preston,  in  Sussex  j  whose  great  grandson,  Sir  Anthony,  was 
created  a  Baronet,  166^  (and  left  a  granddaughter,  Anne,  married  to  Robert 
Western,  of  London,  merchant),  and 

Sir  Thomas  Shirley,  of  Wiston,  son  and  heir,  Treasurer  for  the  Wars  in  the 
Low  Countries,  from  which  he  was  removed  1597.  {See  Birch1 's  Elizabeth,  1.  455, 
and  Sydney  Papers,  JT/.zS,  31,  33.)  By  Anne,  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Kempe,  he 
left  issue  several  daughters,  and  three  sons  ; 

1.  Sir  Thomas. 

2.  Sir  Anthony,  born  1563  ;  a  great  traveller,  died  in  Spain  about  1636.  Sea 
Fuller's  Worthies,  Sussex,  107.     Hakluyt,  Purchas,  &c. 

3.  Sir  Robert,  equally  famous  with  his  brother.  See  a  whole-length  print  of 
him  in  Harding's  Cabinet,  &c.  &c.  He  married  Teresia,  a  relation  of  the  great 
Sophy. 

Sir  Thomas  married  Frances,  sister  ©f  Sir  Thomas  Vavasor,  Knt.  and  left  issue 

Sir  Thomas  Shirley,  M.  D.  who  suffered  much  for  his  loyalty,  and  had  the 

estate  at  Wiston  torn  from  him  by  Sir  John  Fagg,  Bart.     Sec  Topogr,  IV.  335, 

336« 

1  Polyd.  Virgil,  p.  573,  No.  20.  c  Ex  Regist  Ayloff.  q.  1. 


SHIRLEY  EARL  FERRERS.  95 

Jt  also  appears  by  his  will,  that  he  had  five  brothers;  and  that 
he  was  possessed  of  the  manors  of  Staunton -Harold,  Rakedale, 
and  Willowes,  Burton,  Long-Whatton,  Ratclyff,  Dunton,  Ester- 
leyke,  Sutton-Bonyngton,  and  Newton-Regis ;  he  bequeaths  all 
his  household  furniture,  plate,  &c.  to  his  wife  and  his  son  Francis, 
to  be  divided  equally  between  them;  and  ordains  executors,  his 
cousin,  Sir  Richard  Sackvil  (to  whom  he  bequeaths  a  cross  of 
gold,  hanging  at  his  chain) :  his  brother,  Robert  Hasylryg  (hus- 
band to  Elizabeth,  his  sister)  j  Sir  James  Smith,  his  priest ;  and 
Thomas  Herbert. 

He  married  four  wives/  but  had  no  issue  by  his  first  and  third; 
and  by  his  second  wife,  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  coheir  to  Thomas 
Walsh,  of  Wanlip,  in  Leicestershire,  had  only  a  daughter,  Anne, 
heir  to  her  mother,  married  to  Sir  Thomas  Pultney,  of  Misterton, 
in  com.  Lcic.  Knt.  ancestor  to  the  late  Earl  of  Bath.  By  his  last 
wife,  Jane,  daughter  to  Sir  Robert  Sheffield,  Knt.  ancestor  to  the 
late  Duke  of  Buckingham,  he  had  Francis,  his  son  and  heir,  be- 
fore mentioned. 

Which  Francis  was  *  Sheriff  of  the  counties  of  Warwick  and 
Leicester,  in  4  Philip  and  Mary;  and  having  lived u  to  an  ad- 
vanced age,  famous  for  his  charity  and  hospitality,  died  on  July 
2/th,  1571 ,  and  was  buried  in  the  church  of  Breedon  on  the  Hill, 
in  Leicestershire,  where  a  monument  was  erected  to  the  memory 
of  him,  and  Dorothy  his  wife,  who  survived  him  but  a  short 
time;  as  appears  by  her  last  will  and  testament,*  bearing  date 
August  9th,  15/1,  and  the  probate  thereof  May  lOth  following. 
She  was  daughter  of  Sir  John  Giffbrd,  of  Chillington,  in  Stafford-* 
shire,  Knt.  and  married  to  her  first  husband,  John  Congreve, 
Esq;  but  had  issue  by  the  said  Francis  Shirley,  three  sons ;  John 
Shirley,  Esq.  hereafter  mentioned;  Edward,  who  died  young; 
and  Ralph  :  also  three  daughters ;  Cassandra,  married  to  Walter 
Powtrell,  of  West-Hallum,  in  com.  Derb.  Esq. ;  Elizabeth,  to 
Thomas  Cotton,  of  Conington,  in  Huntingdonshire,  Esq.  father 
by  her  to  the  famous  Sir  Robert  Cotton,  Knt.  and  Bart,  the  great 
collector  of  the  records  now  reposited  in  the  British  Museum;  and 
Anne,  to  John  Brook,  of  Madeley,  in  Shropshire,  esq.  „ 

John  Shirley,  eldest  son  and  heir  apparent,  died  A.  D.  1570,  in 

•  His  second  wife  was  Anne,  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  Vernon,  of  Haddon,  whom 
he  married  1496  ;  and  his  third,  Anne,  daughter  of  Thomas  Warner,  Esq. 
t  Fuller's  Worthies.  u  Ex  inscript.  tumul. 

*  Ex  R-g^st.  Daper.  qu.  i6\  Collect,  T.  Mdler,  Gent. 


9<5  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

the  lifetime  of  his  father ;  and  was  buried  in  the  church  of  Bree- 
don  beforementioned,  where  a  monument  is  erected  to  his  me- 
mory j  reciting,  that  he  married  Jane,  sole  daughter  and  heir  of 
Thomas  Lovett,  of  Astwell,  com.  Northampton,  Esq.  and  that  by 
her  he  had  five  sons,  and  three  daughters.  1.  George.  2.  Ralph, 
intended  for  the  church,  but  died  without  taking  orders.  3.  John, 
died  of  a  wound  received  in  France,  in  the  service  of  the  King  of 
Spain.  4.  Thomas  Shirley,  of  Gray's  Inn,  died  S.  P.  Dorothy, 
wife  of  James  Dyer,  Esq.j  Elizabeth,  a  nun  at  Lovainj  and  Anne 
died  unmarried. 

George  Shirley,  Esq.  (eldest  son  and  heir  of  the  said  John) 
succeeded  his  grandfather  in  his  estate,  and  was  created  a  Baro- 
net y  on  May  22d,  l6l  1,  on  the  first  erection  of  that  dignity,  being 
the  fourth  in  order  of  precedency.  He  married  Frances,  daughter 
to  Henry  Lord  Berkeley,  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  of  Berkeley, 
by  Katherine,  daughter  of  the  famous  Henry  Howard,  Earl  of 
Surrey,  son  and  heir  of  Thomas  Duke  of  Norfolk,  temp.  Hen .VI II. 
a  lady,2  who  to  her  noble  descent,  added  many  extraordinary  vir- 
tues j  and  dying  in  the  thirty-first  year  of  her  age,  on  Dec.  29th, 
1595,  was  buried  in  the  church  of  Breedon,  where  a  monument 
is  erected  by  her  husband;  who  married,  secondly,  Dorothy, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Wroughton,  of  Wilcot,  in  com.  Wilts,  Esq. 
and  relict  of  Sir  Henry  Upton,  of  Farringdon,  in  com.  Berks, 
Knt.  but  by  her  had  no  issue. 

He  had  by  his  first  wife  four  sons,  and  one  daughter,  Mary, 
who  died  unmarried.  The  two  eldest  sons,  John  and  George, 
died  young : 

Henry  succeeded  his  father  j 

And  Thomas,  the  youngest  son,a  who  was  seated  at  Botolph's- 
bridge,  com.  Huntingdon,  and  received  the  honour  of  Knight- 
hood at  Whitehall,  on  May  22d,  1622 ;  is  characterized  by  Sir 
William  Dugdale,b  to  have  been  "  a  great  lover  of  learning,  and 
especially  affected  to  antiquities  j  in  the  study  whereof  he  at- 
tained to  much  knowledge,  and  thereby  gave  no  small  lustre  to 
his  ancient  and  worthy  family."0  He  married  dMary,  daughter 
to  Thomas  Harpur,  of  Chepnor,  in  Oxfordshire,  Esq. 

Sir  George  Shirley,  Bart,  departed  this  life  at  e  Stanton  Ha- 

y  Pat.  9.  Jar.  I.  z  Ex  inscript  tu'mul. 

»  Philpot's  Cat.  of  Knights.  b  In  Antiq.  of  Warw.  p.  477. 

c  See  the  beginning  of  this  article.  d  Ex  Collect.  T.  Mellcr. 

e  Ex  Collect.  T.  Mellcr. 


SHIRLEY  EARL  FERRERS.  97 

rold,  on  April  27th,  1022,  and  was  buried  at  Breedon.    To  him 
succeeded  his  eldest  surviving  son  and  heir, 

Sir  Henry  Shirley,  Bart,  (who  was  Sheriff  of  Leicester,  the 
last  year  of  James  I.):  he  married,  in  If3l5,  Lady  Dorothy,  young- 
est of  the  two  daughters  of  that  great  but  unfortunate  favourite 
to  queen  Elizabeth,  Robert  Earl  of  Essex,  and  sister  and  coheir 
to  her  brother,  Robert  Earl  of  Essex,  the  famous  General  to  the 
Parliament.  It  is  by  this  alliance,  that  the  Earls  Ferrers  quarter 
the  arms  of  France  and  England  with  their  own  ;  the  Earl  of 
Essex  being  maternally  descended  from  Richard  Plantagenet,  Earl 
of  Cambridge,  grandson  to  King  Edward  III.  and  grandfather 
to  king  Edward  IV.  and  also  from  Thomas  Plantagenet,  Duke 
of  Gloucester,  youngest  son  of  Edward  III.  Sir  Henry  Shirley 
by  the  said  Dorothy  (who,  in  1634,  took  for  a  second  husband, 
William  Stafford,  of  Blatherwick,  com.  Northampton,  Esq.)  had 
two  sons,  Charles  and  Robert :  also  one  daughter,  Lettice,  mar- 
ried to  William  Bourke,  Earl  of  Clanrickard,  in  Iceland.  By  the 
inquisition,  taken  at  Leicester,  April  ]8th,  1 633/ it  appears,  that 
he  died  on  Feb.  8th,  1632,  seised  of  the  manors  of  Astwell,  Fal- 
cot,  BUling-manor,  alias  GifTord's-manor;  Brookes  manor,  alias 
Mamsey-manor;  also  of  the  manors  of  Stanton-Harold,  Syleby, 
and  Ragdale,  with  the  impropriation,  the  manor  of  Willows  and 
rectory,  all  in  Leicestershire}  the  manors  of  Etenton,  Oxhill, 
Fulridie,  and  Whatcoate,  in  Warwickshire ;  the  manors  of  Sut- 
ton-Bonnynton,  in  Nottinghamshire}  and  the  manors  of  Shirley, 
and  Bray-Jefford,  in  Derbyshire  :  all  which  devolved  on  his  son 
and  heir,  Sir  Charles  Shirley,  Bart,  aged  nine  years,  on  Sept.  9th, 
1632 

Which  Sir  Charles  8  dying  unmarried,  about  the  year  1646, 
was  succeeded  in  title  and  estate  by 

Sir  Robert  Shirley,  Bart,  his  brother  and  heir.  Which  Sir 
Robert,  for  his  loyalty  to  Charles  I.  was  imprisoned  h  in  the 
Tower  of  London  by  Oliver  Cromwell,  where  he  died  '  during 
his  confinement,  not  without  suspicion  of  poison,  leaving  issue, 

{  Cole's  Esc.  lib.  3.  n.  61.  a.  14,  p.  J53,  in  Bibl,  Harley. 
Z  Sir  Charlfs  had  an  early  attachment  to  literature.     Bancroft  dedicates  to 
him  his  Two  Books  of  Epigrams,   1639.     He  was  a  considerable  sufferer  by  the 
civil  wars. 

h  See  in  Nichols  a  fac  simile  of  a  letter  from  Charles  II,  to  his  widow }  and 
a  portrait  of  Sir  Robert. 

i  "  Whose  singular  praise  it  was  to  hjve  done  the  bc§t  things  in  the  wor$f 
times;  tnd  hoped  them  in  the  most  calamitous, 
VOL    IV.  .     H 


98  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

by  Catharine  his  wife  (whom  he  married  about  1647),  daughter 
to  Humphrey  Okeover,  of  Okeover,  in  the  county  of  Stafford, 
Eaq.  two  sons,  Seymour,  his  successor,  and  Robert,  afterwards 
Earl  Ferrers. 

Also  two  daughters  :  Catharine,  married  to  Peter  Venables,  of 
the  county  of  Chester,  Esq.  commonly  called  Baron  of  Kinder- 
ton  j  and  Dorothy,  to  George  Vernon,  of  Sudbury,  in  Derbyshire, 
Esq. 

Sir  Seymour  Shirley,  Bart,  marrying  Diana,  daughter  of  Ro- 
bert Bruce,  Earl  of  Aylesbury  (who  remarried  John  Lord  Roos), 
left  issue  an  only  son,  who  surviving  his  father  but  a  short  time, 
the  title  of  Baronet  devolved  on  Robert,  his  uncle  (youngest  son 
to  Sir  Robert  Shirley,  before  mentioned),  afterwards  created  Earl 
Ferrers. 

Which  Sir  Robert  Shirley,  Knt.  first  Earl  Ferrers,  was 
born  at  East-Sheen,  in  Surrey,  during  his  father's  aforesaid  con- 
finement in  the  Tower  j  and  on  Dec.  14th,  1677,  his  majesty 
King  Charles  II.  taking  into  consideration,  that  this  Sir  Robert 
Shirley,  Bart,  was  grandson  and  heir  unto  Lady  Dorothy  Deve- 
reux,  the  younger  of  the  two  sisters  and  heirs  of  Robert  Devereux, 
the  last  Earl  of  Essex  of  that  family,  and  that  the  issue  male  of 
the  elder  sister  and  coheir,  the  Lady  Frances  (who  married  Wil- 
liam Seymour,  Marquis  of  Hertford),  was  then  clean  extinct,  was 
pleased  to  confirm  unto  him  and  his  heirs,  the  ancient  Baronies 
of  Ferrars  of  Chartley,  Bourchier,  and  Lovainej  which  honour 
had  been  in  abeyance  between  the  ladies,  Frances  and  Dorothy 
Devereux,  and  their  descendants,  from  the  decease  of  their  bro- 
ther, the  Earl  of  Essex,  without  issue.  Sir  Robert  Shirley  being 
so  declared  Lord  Ferrars  of  Chartley,  &c.  accordingly  was 
introduced  into  the  house  of  Peers,  Jan.  28th,  1 677-8,  and  took  his 
place  according  to  the  ancient  writ  of  summons  (to  John  de  Fer- 
rars his  lineal  ancestor),  Feb.  Gth,  2/th  Edw.  I.  He  was  Master 
of  the  Horse,  and  Steward  of  the  household  to  Queen  Catharine, 
consort  of  King  Charles  II.  and  was  sworn  of  the  Privy-council 
to  King  William,  on  May  25th,  }6gg.  In  the  reign  of  Queen 
Anne,  he  was  again  sworn  of  the  Privy-council,  on  Nov.  25th., 
1708,  according  to  the  act  for  the  Union  of  the  two  kingdoms  5 
and  on  Sept.  3d,  17H»  was  advanced  to  the  titles  of  discount 
Tamworth,  and  Earl  Ferrers,  by  reason  of  his  descent  from 
the  ancient  and  noble  family  of  Ferrers.  His  Lordship  departed 
this  life  on  Dec.  25th,  1717,  having  had  issue  by  his  first  wife, 
Elizabeth.,  daughter  and  heir  to  Laurence  Washington,  of  Ca- 


SHIRLEY  EARL  FERRERS.  99 

resden,  in  Wiltshire,  Esq.  ten  sons  and  seven  daughters ;  and 
this  lady  dying  on  Oct.  2d,  l6g3,  was  buried  at  Stanton-Harold; 
whereupon  he  married  to  his  second  wife,  in  August,  1699,  Se- 
lina,  daughter  of  George  Finch,  of  the  city  of  London,  Esq.  and 
by  her  (who  died  on  March  20th,  1762),  had  five  sons,  and  as 
many  daughters  j  viz. 

The  Hon.  Robert  Shirley,  Esq.  born  May  27th,  1700,  who  was 
elected,  on  the  accession  of  our  late  Sovereign,  a  member  of  par- 
liament for  the  borough  of  Stamford,  in  Lincolnshire ;  and  died 
unmarried  in  July,  1 738. 

George,  who  died  an  infant,  1704. 

Another  George,  born  in  1705,  of  Lower-Etingdon,  in  War- 
wickshire, a  captain  in  the  first  Regiment  of  Foot -Guards,  resided 
at  Twickenham,  in  Middk-sex  ;  and  at  Etendon,  com.  Warwick. 
He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Humphrey  Sturt,  Esq.  by  whom 
he  had  two  sons  and  two  daughters  j  George,  married,  first,  Miss 
Wood,  who  died  in  1784,  S.P. ;  and,  secondly,  Miss  Stanley; 
he  died  March  15th,  1793,  S.P.j  Evelyn  married  Miss  Frampton, 
of  Dorsetshire,  and  has  issue;  Selina  married,  1785,  Sir  Thomas 
George  Skipwith,  Bart,  and  is  now  living  his  widow;  and  Mar- 
garet married,  1782,  John  Smith,  Esq.  of  Comb-hay,  near  Bath. 
Their  father  died,  Oct.  22d,  1787,  aged  eighty-two;  and  was  bu- 
ried at  Etendon  ;  and  his  widow  died  in  1799. 

Sewallis,  born  in  1709,  Comptroller  of  the  household  to  Queen 
Charlotte,  member  in  the  ninth  and  tenth  parliaments  for  Brack- 
ley,  and  in  the  eleventh  for  Callington,  in  Cornwall;  he  died  Oc- 
tober 31st,  1765,  having  k  married  Margaret  Countess  dowager 
of  Orford ;  which  lady,  by  the  decease  of  Hugh  Fortescue,  Earl 
of  Clinton,  S.P.  inherited  the  Baronies  of  Clinton  and  Say,  and 
died  178],  S.P. 

John,  born  in  1712,  and  died  Feb.  15th,  1768. 

The  five  daughters  were,  the  Lady  Selina,  married  to  Peter 
Bathurst,  of  Clarendon-park,  in  Wiltshire,  Esq.  brother  to  Allan, 
first  Lord  Bathurst,  died  Dec.  14th,  1777,  having  had  five  sons 
and  ten  daughters ;  the  Lady  Mary,  to  Charles  Tryon,  of  Bull- 
wick,  in  Northamptonshire,  Esq.  died  May  17th,  1771 ;  the  Lady 
Anne,1  on  May  17th,  1729,  to  Sir  Robert  Furnese,  of  Walder- 

k  See  the  Rev.  Mr.  Keith's  Register  for  May-Fair  Chapel,  now  deposited  in 
the  vestry  of  St.  George's,  Hanover-square. 

1  Lady  A.  Furnese  died  ,6th  Feb.  1779,  having  had  a  daughter,  Selina,  mo* 
ther  to  the  present  Sir  Edward  Pering,  Bart. 


100  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

share,  in  Kent,  Baronet,  who  died  Mar.  14th,  1733,  and  she  died 
1779;  Lady  Frances  died  unmarried  1778,-  and  the  Lady  Steu- 
arta,  who  died  at  Bath  in  Jan.  1/CJ8/1  unmarried. 

The  seven  daughters  by  the  first  marriage  were,  the  Ladies  Eli- 
zabeth and  Catharine,  who  died  in  their  infancies ;  the  Ladies, 
Elizabeth,  married  to  Walter  Clarges,  Esq.  half-brother  of  Sir 
Thomas  Clarges,  of  Aston,  in  Hertfordshire,  Bart. ;  Anne  Elea- 
nora,  born  1679,  died  1754 ;  and  Catharine,  who  died  unmarried 
in  October,  17365  Dorothy,  born  1683,  married  to  John  Cotes, 
son  and  heir  of  Charles  Cotes,  of  Woodcot,  Shropshire,  Esq.  and 
had  issue,  Barbara,  who  died  Nov.  7th,  1768,  unmarried. 

Likewise  of  the  ten  sons  by  the  first  marriage,  Charles,  Lewis, 
George,  Charles,  Ferrers,  and  Walter,  died  unmarried  5  and  only 
three  survived  their  father. 

Washington,  the  second  son ; 

Henry,  ninth  son,  successively  Earls  Ferrers. 

And  Laurence,  tenth  son,  father  of  the  three  late  Earls. 

The  rest  all  dying  in  their  infancies,  except  Robert,  the  eldest 
son,  born  on  Sept.  4th,  1673. 

Which  Robert  married,  first,  Catharine,  daughter  of  Peter 
Venables,  Baron  of  Kinderton;  and  she  deceasing  in  her  nonage, 
he  married,  secondly,  September  27th,  lQ6'8,  Anne,  daughter  of 
Sir  Humphry  Ferrers,  of  Tarn  worth-castle,  in  Warwickshire,  Knt. 
and  heir  to  her  grandfather,  John  de  Ferrers,  of  Tamworth-castle, 
Esq.  which  John  de  Ferrers  was  the  last  heir  male  of  the  Barons 
Ferrers  of  Groby.  This  Robert  Shirley  deceased  before  his  father 
was  created  Earl  Ferrers,  leaving  by  his  said  wife,  Anne  Ferrers, 
three  sons  and  one  daughter.  Robert;  Ferrars  died  1710;  and 
Thomas  died  1708;  and  a  daughter,  Elizabeth,  Countess  of 
Northampton,  and  Baroness  Ferrars,  of  Chartley,  as  heir  to  her 
brother;  and  the  said  Robert  dying  of  the  small-pox,  on  Feb  25th, 
1()C)8  g,  Robert,  his  son  and  heir,  born  on  Dec.  28th,  1692,  be- 
came heir  apparent  to  his  grandfather,  and  was  elected  Kright  of 
the  Shire  for  the  county  of  Leicester,  in  the  last  Parliament  called 
by  Queen  Anne;  and  surviving  both  his  brothers,  died  of  the 
small-pox,  on  July  5th,  1714,  unmarried,  leaving  his  sister,  mar- 
ried, in  I7't6,  to  James  Compton,  Earl  of  Northampton,  his  heir; 
which  Lady  died  13th  March,  1740-1;  leaving  an  only  daughter 
and  heir,  Charlotte  Baroness  Ferrars,  first  wife  of  George  late 
]Viarquis  Tovvnshend. 

m  Quere  Dec.  31st,  1767  ? 


SHIRLEY  EARL  FERRERS.  101 

Whereupon  the  Hon.  Washington  Shirley,  second  son  of 
Robert  Earl  Ferrers,  succeeded  his  father  as  second  Earl  Fer- 
rers. His  Lordship  was  born  on  June  22d,  l6/7>  and  on  April 
12th,  1725,  was  constituted  Lord-Lieutenant  of  Staffordshire, 
also  Custos  Rotulorum  of  the  said  county,  on  April  27th  follow- 
ing, and  again  on  Nov.  1/th,  1727.  He  married  Mary,  daughter 
of  Sir  Richard  Levings,  Bart,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  King's- 
Bench,  in  Ireland  5  and  by  her,  who  died  in  France,  in  January, 
1739-40,  left  issue  three  daughters,  his  coheirs  ;  viz. 

Lady  Elizabeth,  who  was  married,  on  June  24th,  1725,  to 
Joseph  Gascoigne  Nightingale,  of  Enfield,  in  the  county  of  Mid- 
dlesex, Esq.;  and  Mamhead,  co.  Devon;  and  by  him  had  a  son, 
named  Washington,  who  died,  unmarried,  1754;  and  a  daugh- 
ter, named  Elizabeth,  sole  heir  to  her  father  and  mother  (who  was 
married  to  Wilmot,  late  Earl  of  Lisburne;  and  died  19th  May, 
1755,  in  childbed  of  the  present  Earl  of  Lisburne)  ;  Lady  Eliza- 
beth was  interred  in  Westminster-abbey  (on  Aug.  26th.  1731), 
where  a  monument  of  most  excellent  design  and  execution  is 
erected  to  her  memory.  Her  husband  surviving  her,  deceased  on 
July  1 5th,  1752,  at  Efineld. 

Lady  Selina,  second  daughter,  was  wedded  on  June  3d,  172S, 
to  TheophilusEarl  of  Huntingdon,  and  died  in  1791,  aged  eighty- 
seven  ;  a  most  exemplary  pattern  of  religion  and  virtue.0 

Lady  Mary,  youngest  daughter,  on  June  29th,  1730,  was  mar- 
ried to  Thomas  Needham,  Lord  Viscount  Kilmory,  of  the  king- 
dom of  Ireland  ;  and  died  without  issue,  Aug.  4th,  1767- 

This  Washington  Earl  Ferrers  departed  this  life  on  April  14th, 
1729,  and  leaving  no  heir  male,  the  title  devolved  on 

Henry,  his  next  brother  and  heir,  who  was  born  on  April  14th, 
1691,  and  in  May,  1731,  was  appointed  Lord- Lieutenant  and 
Custos  Rotulorum  of  Staffordshire:  but  the  said  Henry,  third 
Earl  Ferrers,  dying,  in  August,  1745,  unmarried,  the  title  de- 
volved on  his  nephew,  Laurence,  son  and  heir  of  Laurence  Shir- 
ley, tenth  son  of  Robert  Earl  Ferrers. 

Which  Laurence  was  born  on  September  26th,  1693,  and 
died  April  27th,  1743,  having  married  Anne,  fourth  daughter  to 
Sir  Walter  Clarges,  of  Aston,  in  Hertfordshire,  Bart,  by  whom 
he  left  issue, 

Laurence,  fourth  Earl  Ferrers  j 

Washington  Shirley,  Jifth  Earl  Ferrers 5 

0  Her  character  for  enthusiastic  piety,  and  patronage  of  the  Methodists,  is  well 
known. 


102  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Robert,  sixth  Earl) 

Walter  in  holy  orders,  born  1725,  married  Henrietta  Phillips, 
and  died  April  7th,  1786,  leaving  Walter,  Frances,  and  another 
daughter. 

Thomas,  born  1733,  a  captain  in  the  navy,  17^9  j  deputy  ran- 
ger of  St.  James's  and  Hyde  Parks  j  and  married  30th  Mar.  1773, 
to  Mary,  widow  of  Sir  Stephen  Anderson,  Bart.P 

And  two  daughters;  Anne,  living  1803  5  and  Jane,  born  1/37, 
died  an  infant. 

Which  Laurence,  fourth  Earl  Ferrers,  on  September  16th, 
1752,  married  Mary,  youngest  daughter  of  Amos  Meredith,  Esq. 
son  and  heir  of  Sir  William  Meredith,  of  Henbury,  in  Cheshire, 
Baronet  of  Nova-Scotia,  and  sister  to  Sir  William  Meredith,  the 
last  Baronet  (member  for  Wigan  in  the  parliament  summoned  in 
1754,  and  for  Liverpool  in  that  which  convened  in  1761,  176S, 
and  1774) :  but  there  being  a  domestic  uneasiness  between  his 
Lordship  and  his  Lady,  her  Ladyship  was  allowed  a  separate 
maintenance  by  act  of  parliament ;  and  after  his  Lordship's  death, 
she  was  remarried,  28th  March,  1769,  to  Lord  Frederick  Camp- 
bell, brother  to  the  late  Duke  of  Argyle ;  and  was  burnt  to  death 
at  Lord  Frederick's  house,  at  Comb-Bank,  in  Kent,  1807.  His 
Lordship,  though  he  was  at  times  a  very  intelligent  person,  and 
a  nobleman  conversant  in  the  constitution  of  his  country,  yet,  on 
divers  occasions,  exhibited  suspicious  symptoms  of  a  constitu- 
tional insanity  of  mind.  In  one  of  his  fits  of  disorder,  he  shot 
Mr.  Johnson,  his  land-steward,  with  a  pistol,  at  his  scat  at  Stan- 
ton-Harold,  in  Leicestershire,  in  January,  176O;  for  which,  being 
tried  in  Westminster-hall,  by  his  Peers,  on  April  l6th,  and  17th, 
following,  he  received  sentence,  on  Friday  the  18th,  to  be  hanged 
next  Monday,  and  to  have  his  body  dissected  and  anatomized, 
the  evidence  of  his  insanity  not  being  satisfactory  to  their  Lord- 
ships :  but  the  right  Hon.  the  Lord  Henley,  late  Earl  of  North- 
ington,  who  acted  as  High-steward  at  that  awful  solemnity,  with 
consent  of  the  Peers,  respited  his  Lordship's  execution  till  Mon- 
day, JVTay  5th.  At  receiving  sentence,  this  unfortunate  Noble- 
man begged  his  Peers  to  recommend  him  to  mercy  :  and  after  h« 
was  carried  back  to  the  Tower,  he  applied,  by  letter,  to  the  King, 
that  he  might  suffer  there,  where  the  Earl  of  Essex,  Queen  Eli- 
zabeth's favourite,  and  one  of  his  ancestors,  had  been  beheaded. 
This  application  he  made  with  the  greater  confidence,  as  he  had 

•   /  P  He  resides  at  Horkstow-Hall,  co.  Line 


SHIRLEY  EARL  FERRERS.  103 

the  honour  to  be  related  to  his  Majesty,  and  to  quarter  part  of 
his  arms :  but  all  application  from  himself  and  friends  proving 
ineffectual,  his  Lordship  was,  on  May  5th,  conveyed  from  the 
Tower,  in  his  wedding-suit,  to  Tyburn,  which  was  covered  with 
black  baize,  as  well  as  the  Scaffold,  and  suffered  with  great  firm- 
ness and  composure,  and  was  buried  at  St.  Pancras,  Middlesex ; 
and  on  the  3d  of  June,  1782,  his  body  was  taken  up,  and  con- 
veyed to  Stanton-Harold,  and  there  interred  with  his  ancestors. 

His  Lordship  dying  without  issue,  the  estate  and  titles  devolved 
on  his  brother,  Washington,  fifth  Earl,  who  took  his  seat 
in  the  house  of  Peers,  on  May  19th,  1760.  His  Lordship  betaking 
himself  to  a  maritime  life,  was,  on  April  19th,  1746,  appointed 
a  Captain  in  his  Majesty's  navy  5  in  which  he  gave  eminent  proofs 
of  courage  and  conduct,  and  was  at  length  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  Vice  Admiral  of  the  Blue :  and  the  Royal  Society,  on  Dec. 
14tb,  1761,  enrolled  him  among  their  number,  on  account  of  the 
accurate  observations  he  had  made  on  the  transit  of  Venus  over 
the  Sun,  on  June  6th  preceding,  and  had  communicated  to  that 
learned  body,  with  other  useful  discoveries,  tending  to  the  im- 
provement of  mathematical  knowledge.  1  His  Lordship  died  at 
Chartley,  in  Staffordshire,  on  October  1st,   177'8,  and  was  buried 

there  5  having  had  no  issue  by  his  Lady,  Anne,  daughter  of  

Elliott,  of  Plymouth,  Esq.  who  died  1791j  whereupon  the  titles 
and  estate  devolved  upon  his  next  brother, 

Robert,  sixth  Earl  Ferrers.  His  Lordship  was  born  July 
10th,  1723  ;  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  Rowland  Cotton,  of 
Etwall,  com.  Derby,  by  whom,  who  died  1/S6,  he  had  issue, 
.Robert,  present  Earl. 

Laurence- Rowland,  second  son,  died  young,  1772* 

And  Washington,  third  son,  born  Nov.  13th,  1760,  formerly  an 
Ensign  in  the  Second  Regiment  of  Foot  Guards  j  married,  178I, 
Frances,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  and  Rev.  William  Ward,  uncle  to 
the  present  Viscount  Dudley  and  Ward ;  by  whom  he  has  Robert- 
William,  born  1783  j  and  two  daughters  5  Frances,  born  1782  j 
and  Julia-Elizabeth,  born  1785. 

His  Lordship  died  April  17th,  1/S7  3  and  was  succeeded  by 
his  elest  son, 

Robert,  present  and  seventh  Earl  Ferrers,  born  Sept.  21st, 
1756,  who  had  issue,  by  Elizabeth  Prentiss,  his  first  wife,  Robert-  ' 

3  He  began  to  rebuild  the  mansion  of  Stanton-Hareld  according  to  a  plan  ©f 
his  own}  and  lived  to  see  it  nearly  finished.  > 


104  '  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Sewallis  Shirley,  Lord  Tamworth,  born  Nov.  9th,  17/8;  and 
married,  Sept.  5th,  1800,  Sophia-Carolina  Curzon,  daughter  of 
Nathaniel,  present  and  second  Lord  Scarsdale,  by  Sophia,  daugh- 
ter of  Edward  Noel,  late  Viscount  Wentworth. 

His  Lordship  married,  secondly,  Elizabeth,  youngest  daughter 
of  the  late  Wrighton  Mundy,  Esq.  of  Markeaton,  co.  Derby,  and 
Osbaston,  co.  Leicester. 

Titles.']  Robert  Shirley,  Earl  Ferrers,  Viscount  Tamworth, 
and  Baronet. 

Creations.]  Baronet,  May  22d  (l6ll)  9  Jac.  I.  Viscount 
Tamworth,  in  com.  Staff,  and  Earl  Ferrers,  Sept.  3d  (171 1)  10th 
Queen  Anne. 

Arms.]  Quarterly,  1st  and  4th,  Paly  of  six,  Or,  and  Azure, 
a  Canton  Ermine :  2d  and  3d,  France  and  England,  quarterly, 
within  a  Border,  Argent. 

Crest.]  On  a  Wreath,  the  Bust  of  a  Saracen,  side -faced,  and 
couped,  proper,  wreathed  about  the  Temples,  Or  and  Azure. 

Supporters.]  Dexter  a  Talbot  ^rmine,  eared  Gules,  and  gor- 
ged with  a  ducal  Collar,  Or :  Sinister,  a  Rein-deer  of  the  second, 
attired  and  gorged  with  a  ducal  Collar,  Or,  and  charged  on  the 
Shoulder  with  an  Horse-shoe  Argent. 

Motto.]     Honor  Virtutis  Prjemium. 

Ch'uf  Seats.]  At  Stanton-Harold,  in  Leicestershire;  atChart- 
Jey^castle,  in  Staffordshire ;  and  at  Shirley,  in  the  county  of 
Derby. 


LEGGE  EARL  OF  DARTMOUTH.  105 


LEGGE  EARL  OF  DARTMOUTH. 

* 

Thomas  Legge/  who  lived  in  the  reign  of  Edward.  III.  is  the 
direct  ancestor  to]the  present  Earl  of  Dartmouth.  Which  Thomas 
was  of  the  company  of  Skinners  of  London,  and  Sheriff  of  that 
city,  anno  lS43,b  and  twice  Lord  Mayor ;  viz.  anno  1346,  and 
1353.  He  was  returned  cone  of  the  Burgesses  in  Parliament  for 
that  city,  in  1349,  and  1352.  In  1338,  he  lent  Edw.  III.  3001.  * 
towards  carrying  on  the  war  with  France,  which  was  a  consider- 
able sum  in  those  days,  and  more  than  any  citizen  advanced  ex- 
cept the  Lord  Mayor,  and  Simon  de  Frauncis,  who  lent  each  800 1. 
the  next  year. 

a  This  family  is  said  to  come  out  of  Italy  into  England,  where  there  remain 
several  of  that  name,  as  also  in  Naples,  and  other  parts.*  Those  of  Venice  re- 
moved from  Ravenna,  about  the  end  of  the  tenth  century ;  and  such  was  their 
noble  descent,  and  so  great  their  wealth,  that  they  were  thought  worthy  ©f  a  place 
among  the  patricians  in  the  year  1197,  aad  have  a  magnificent  palace  near  the 
church  of  the  Misericordia,  in  that  city  ;  a  further  proof  of  their  eminency,  and 
the  several  great  offices  they  have  borne  in  the  Empire,  confirm  ir. 

When  they  came  to  England,  is  not  ascertained.  Hugh  de  la  Lega,  and  Ri- 
chard, son  of  O&bert,  were  •j-Sheriffs  of  Bedfordshire  and  Buckinghamshire,  fiom 
the  10th  to  the  16th  of  Henry  II.  and  William  de  la  Lega  (as  the  name  is  wrote 
in  ©ur  ancient  records),  was  Sheriff  of  Herefordshire,  in  17  Henry  II.  Those  of 
Herefordshire  have  always  been  esteemed  the  elder  branch ;  but  those  of  Legg'i 
Place,  near  Tunbridge,  in  Kent, %  were  resident  there  for  many  generations  be- 
fore Thomas  Legge. 

b  Stow's  Survey  of  London.  c  Ex  Coll.  B.  Willis,  Arm. 

*  Stow's  Survey  of  London. 

*  Hist,  de  Venise,  par  le  Sicur  Amelet  de  la  Houssai,  t.  ii. 
f  Fuller'*  Worthies.  \  Speed's  Map  of  Kent. 


106  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

He  married  Elizabeth,15  one  of  the  daughters  of  Thomas  Beau- 
champ,  Earl  of  Warwick,  and  had  issue  by  her,  two  sons,  Simon, 
and 

John,  who  was  a  Serjeant  at  arms  in  1373,  and  f  had  then  the 
King's  praecipe  directed  to  William  de  Weston  and  himself,  to 
receive  from  Roger  de  Beauchamp,  Constable  of  the  castle  of  the 
Devizes,  the  two  sons  of  Charles  de  Bloys,  and  to  deliver  them 
to  Robert  de  Morton,  Lieutenant  of  Collard  de  Aubrichecourt, 
Constable  of  Nottingham-castle,  there  to  remain  as  hostages,  till 
the  pretensions  to  the  duchy  of  Britany  should  be  cleared.  In 
1381,  being  then  in  the  Tower,  with  Simon  Sudbury,  Archbishop 
of  Canterbury,  and  others,  hes  was  there  surprised  by  Wat  Ty- 
ler, and  his  rebels,  taken  from  that  place,  and  beheaded  on 
Tower-hill.  He  was  h  Knight  of  the  shire  for  the  county  of 
Surry,  in  2  Rich.  II.  and  had  issue, s  from  whom  those  of  the 
name  in  Norfolk  descended,  of  which  family  was  Dr.  Thomas 
Legge,  Master  of  Caius  and  Gonville  college,  in  Cambridge,  who 
died  July  12th,  1607,  aged  seventy-two,  and  is  buried  in  the 
Chapel  of  his  College. 

Simon  Legge,  the  eldest  son,  married  Joan,  daughter  of  John 
Clavering,  son  of  Roger  Clavering,  of  the  city  of  London  ;k  aid 
in  Cobham  church,  in  Kent,  is  an  exhortation  to  pray  for  the 
souls  of  Thomas  Legge,  and  this  Simon  Legge,  whose  son 

Thomas,  married  | Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Blount, 
Knt.  Governor  of  a  garrison  in  Aquitaine,m  who,  being  besieged, 
in  14  Henry  IV.  by  the  Mareschal  of  France,  he,  with  300  men, 
overthrew  the  Mareschal's  army,  consisting  of  4000  fighting  men, 
and  took  prisoners  twelve  persons  of  note,  and  others  to  the 
number  of  120.  The  said  Thomas  had  issue,  by  his  wife  aforesaid," 

1.  Richard,  who  died  a  bachelor,  and  was  buried  in  Cobham 
church,  after  having  spent  the  greatest  part  of  his  estate  in  the 
wars  between  Hen.  VI.  and  Edw.  IV. 

2.  William,  ancestor  to  Lord  Dartmouth. 

3.  John,  third  son,  °took  advantage  of  his  brother  William's 
absence  in  Ireland,  and  got  possession  of  his  brother  Richard's 

«  Ex  Stemmate  in  Fam.  Beauchamp,  MS.  It  must  be  confessed,  that  this 
match  seems  not  very  consonant  to  the  alliances  of  the  proud  family  of  Beauchamp 
at  that  time ;  and  requires  strong  proof. 

f  Rymer,  torn.  VII.  p.  26.  8  Stow's  Annals. 

1»  Pryn's  Brev.  Pari.  p.  88.  {  Ex  Script.  Will.  Com.  Dartmouth. 

k  Weaver's  Fun.  Mon.  l  Ex  Script,  ut  antea. 

»  Hollinshed's  and  Speed's  Chron.  ■  Ex  Script.  pi*J.  •  Ibid. 


LEGGE  EARL  OF  DARTMOUTH.  107 

estate  after  his  death,  which  occasioned  a  long  suit.  But  neither 
William,  nor  his  heirs,  ever  recovered  it.     He  married  Eleanor, 

a  daughter  of Talboys,  of  Kyme,  in  com.  Line,  of  which 

family  was  the  Lord  Talboys,  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  In 
that  reign  was  Robert  Legge,  who  f  married  Edith,  daughter  of 
John  Boys,  of  Goodnestone,  in  Kent,0!  who  was,  secondly,  the 
wife  of  Robert  Colwell  j  and,  thirdly,  of  Sir  Christopher  Barker, 
Knt.  Garter  King  of  Arms.  She  died  in  Sept.  1550,  surviving 
her  husband  Sir  Christopher;  and,  as  appears  by  his  will,  had 
issue  only  by  her  husband  Colwell. 

William  Legge,  the  second  son  of  Thomas,  went  into  Ire- 
land,1' and  settled  at  Cassils,  where  he  married  Anne,  only  daugh- 
ter of  John,  son  of  Miles  Lord  Birmingham,  of  Athunree,  and 
had  issue  by  her,  Edward,  his  son  and  heirj  and  dying,  aged 
ninety-two,  was  buried  at  Cassils. 

Which  Edward  was  s  sent  by  his  father  into  England  on  the 
law-suit  with  his  unole  John  ;  but  being  unsuccesful,  he  made  a 
voyage,  in  1584,  with  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  to  the  Indies;  and  on 
his  return  into  Ireland,  had  a  company  given  him  in  Sir  Henry 
Danvers's  regiment.  He  was  afterwards  made  Vice.president  of 
Munster,  when  Sir  Charles  Blount,  Lord  Montjoy,  Knight  of 
the  Garter  (afterwards  Earl  of  Devon),  was  Lord -Lieutenant  to 
whom  he  was  related ;  and  often  transacted  affairs  with  the  Earl 
of  Tir-Oen,  being  in  favour  with  both  parties.  He  had  issue  by 
Mary  his  wife,  daughter  of  Percy  Walsh,  of  Moyvallie,  six  sons, 
and  seven  daughters,  and  died  in  the  seventy-fourth  year  of  his 
age,  anno  l6l6. 

1.  Elizabeth,  his  eldest  daughter,  never  married,  but  lived  to 
105  years.  She  was  well  versed  in  the  Latin,  English,  French, 
Spanish,  and  Irish  tongues. 

2.  Mary,  married  to Spragge,  was  mother  of  Sir  Edward 

Spragge,  Admiral  of  the  Blue,  who  commanded  the  rear  under 
Prince  Rupert,  and  lost  his  life,  in  the  third  and  last  engagement 
with  the  Dutch,  on  Aug.  11th,  16/3- 

3.  Margaret,  wife  of Fitz-Gerald,  Esq.  lived  105  years, 

and  was  buried  in  Ireland. 

4.  Eleanor,  married  to Davys,  Esq.  son  of  Sir  John  Davys, 

Attorney  general,  in  Ireland,  to  James  I. 

P  Anstis's  Regist.  Gar.  Vol.  II.  p.  378,  379. 
S  Now  the  Seat  of  Sir  Brook  Bridges,  Bart.  r  Ex  Script,  prjed, 

*  Account  of  this  Family,  by  Col.  John  Legge,  MS. 


103  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

5.  Susannah,  wife  to  Nugent,  Esq.  by  whom  she  had 

isiue,  and  was  interred  in  Ireland. 

6.  Anne,  espoused Anthony,  Esq.  and  died  in  the  112th 

year  of  her  age,  in  1702. 

7.  Jane,  married  to  — — —  Usher,  Esq 

Thomas  Legge,  second  son  of  the  aforesaid  Edward  and  Mary, 
died  young,  and  was  buried  in  Ireland. 

Richard  Legge,  third  son,1  was  Ensign  in  the  regiment  of 
Montjoy  Blount,  Earl  of  Newport,  in  the  first  expedition  against 
the  Scots,  in  l63g,  and  afterwards  Lieutenant-colonel  of  that  re- 
giment," aud  taken  prisoner  when  the  Earl  of  Derby  was  defeated 
at  Wigan,  in  com.  Lane,  on  Aug.  25th,  1651.  After  the  Resto- 
ration, he  x  was  sent  with  forces  under  the  Earl  of  Peterborough, 
to  take  possession  of  Tangier  :  and  was  Ranger  of  Whichwood- 
forcst,  in  Oxfordshire,  and  died  unmarried. 

John  Legge,  fourth  son,>'  was  a   Lieutenant-colonel   in   the 
Marquis  of  Antrim's  regiment  in  Ireland,  temp.  Car.  T.     And  on 
the  accession  of  Charles  IT.  by  the  cruel  murder  of  his  royal 
father,  being  then  in  Ireland,  he  was  sent  by  Prince  Rupert, 
Prince  Maurice,  and  the  Marquis  of  Ormond,  then  Lord-Lieute- 
nant, from  Kinsale,  to  hasten  his  Majesty's  coming  into  Ireland ; 
but  the  ship  he  was  in  being  taken,2  he  was  for  a  long  time  im- 
prisoned at  Plymouth,  and  by  a  court-martial  condemned  to  die. 
Whitlocka  gives  the  following   account;  on  July  l6th,  1049, 
tf  that  the  fleet,  before  Kinsale,  took  a  vessel  of  Prince  Rupert's, 
of  eleven  guns,  and  in  her,  Legg,  Sir  Hugh  Windham,  Capt. 
Darcy,  and  sixty  men,  and  ammunition.    On  2lst  July,  letters 
from  Plymouth,  of  Col.  Legg,  Sir  Hugh  Windham,  and  others, 
being  brought  thither  prisoners,  to  know  the  pleasure  of  the  house 
concerning  them :    Ordered,  that  Col.  Legg  be  committed  in 
Bristol,  and  Sir  Hugh  Windham  to  the  Mount,  for  high-treason." 
However,  he  was  afterwards  released  j  and  was  deputy-governor 
of  Jersey,  in  the  reign  of  James  II.  and  Ranger  of  Whichwood- 
forest  aforesaid,  where  he  died  in  1702,  aged  109  years.     He 

married  Anne,  daughter  of -  Allot,  Esq.  and  had  issue  two 

.sons,  and  four  daughters. 

Edward,  fifth  son,  died  in  his  infancy. 

t  Rush  worth's  Collect.  ■  Baker's  Chron.  continued  by  E.  P. 

*  Ex  Script.  Will.  Com.  Dartmouth.  Y  Ibid. 

2  Cox's  Hist,  of  Ireland,  Vol.  II.  p.  2.  '»  Memorials,  p.  399. 


LEGGE  EARL  OF  DARTMOUTH.  iqq 

Robert,  sixth  son,  was  b  sent  by  Charles  I.  into  Holland  with 
the  Queen,  to  provide  arms  and  ammunition  ;  and  on  her  return, 
she  gave  this  account  of  her  army,  from  Newark,  June  27th, 
1044.  "  I  carry  with  me  3000  foot,  30  companies  of  horse  and 
dragoons,  6  pieces  of  cannon,  and  2  mortars.  Harry  Jermyn 
commands  the  forces  which  go  with  me,  as  Colonel  of  my  guards, 
Sir  Alexander  Lesley  the  foot  under  him,  Gerrard  the  horse,  and 
Robin  Legge  the  artillery."  He  was  in  most  of  the  battles  during 
the  civil  war,  and  received  several  wounds.  In  1045,  he  c  was 
Colonel  of  foot,  and  taken  prisoner  by  Colonel  Massey,  at  the 
storming  of  Evesham,  He  was  much  trusted  by  the  King  and 
Queen  on  all  hazardous  occasions,  both  their  Majesties  having  a 
good  opinion  of  his  courage  and  fidelity,  which  he  never  forfeited. 
Hed  married  a  daughter  of  Sir  Daniel  Norton,  of  Southwick,  in 
Hampshire,  by  whom  he  had  no  issue.  In  order  to  the  restora- 
tion of  Charles  II.  he  had  Portsmouth  delivered  to  him  by  Co- 
lonel Norton,  his  wife's  brother ;  the  government  of  which  he 
possessed  to  his  death,  which  happened  soon  after,  and  was. buried 
there. 

1  now  return  to  William  Legge,  eldest  son  to  Edward  Legge 
and  Mary  Walsh.  He  was  e brought  out  of  Ireland  by  Henry 
Danvers,  Earl  of  Danby,  President  of  Munster,  his  godfather, 
who  had  promised  (his  father  being  infirm),  to  take  ca.e  of  his 
education,  and  was  sent  by  him  to  serve  as  a  volunteer  under 
Gustavus  Adolphus,  King  of  Sweden ;  and  after,  served  under 
Prince  Maurice,  of  Orange,  in  the  Low  Countries.  On  his  return 
to  England,  he  was  first f  constituted,  on  Nov.  30th,  2  Car.  I. 
Keeper  of  the  King's  Wardrobe  during  life;  and  soon  after 
made  Groom  of  the  bedchamber.  And  when  Danvers,  Earl  of 
Danby,  was  fined  50001.  in  the  court  of  Star-chamber  (for  hav- 
ing felled  timber  in  Whichwood-forest,  without  licence),  he  de- 
sired, as  a  favour  to  him,  that  2000  1.  thereof  might  be  given  to 
Colonel  William  Legge,  saying,  it  was  what  he  designed  to  leave 
him  as  a  legacy,  and  which  he  should  not  be  able  to  perform 
when  he  had  paid  his  fine ;  and  thereupon  the  King  granted  it. 
In  l§3o,  he  had  a  commission  to  be  Lieutenant-general  of  the 
Ordnance,  in  the  first  expedition  against  the  Scots;  and  in  l640,« 
brought  up  that  petition  from  the  army,  to  which  his  Majesty 

b  Rushworth's  Collections,  Vol.  II.  and  Ludlow's  Memoirs,  part  3, 
c  Whitlock's  Memorials,  p.  142.  A  Ex  Script.  W.  Com.   Dartmouth, 

e  Ibid.  f  Pat.  2  Car.  I.  p.  21.  n.  27. 

t  Husband's  Collect,  and  Whitlock's  Msm.  p.  44. 


110  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

subscribed  C.  R.  whereupon  he  was  examined  by  the  house  of 
Commons,  and  ordered  into  custody  as  a  delinquent  j  but  was  al- 
lowed his  liberty,11  giving  10,0001.  bail  for  himself,  with  the  Earls 
of  Cumberland  and  Newport,  50001.  each,  for  his  appearance. 
The  parliament  soon  after  publishing  a  declaration,  mentioning 
the  King's  attempting  to  incense  the  northern  army  against  them, 
&c.  his  Majesty,  in  answer  thereto,  said,  u  He  signed  Captain 
Legge's  petition  to  satisfy  the  army.1"  And,  immediately  after, 
removing  northward,  the  Earls  of  Pembroke  and  Holland  having 
waited  on  him  at  Royston,  from  the  parliament,  March  9th.  1642, 
they  reported,  on  their  return,  that  the  King,  on  reading  that 
part  of  their  message  concerning  Captain  Legge,  said,  "  That's  a 
lie."  And  on  going  with  the  King  to  York,  and  being  with  him, 
when  his  Majesty  demanded  entrance  into  Hull,  on  April  23d, 
the  parliament  thereupon  remanded  him.  However,  in  that  year, 
hek  was  constituted  Serjeant-major  and  Captain  of  a  troop  of 
cuirassiers  in  Prince  Rupert's  regiment,  and  was  taken  prisoner 
at  Dunsmore  heath,  by  Major  Ballard.  However,  he  was  soon 
at  liberty}  for,  as  Rushworth  writes,  he  joined  Prince  Rupert  at 
Bridgnorth,  with  1120  musketeers,  before  the  fight  between  the 
Prince  and  Sir  John  Meldrum,  at  Newark,  on  March  21st,  1643. 
And,  in  April  following,  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at 
Lichfield  (as  Echard  writes),  and  soon  after  again  released.  For, 
in  the  first  battle  at  Newbury,  on  Sept.  20th,  1643,  having  va- 
liantly behaved,  and  the  night  after  attending  his  Majesty  in  his 
bedchamber,  the  King  presented  him  with  a  hanger  he  had  that 
day  worn,  which  was  in  an  agate  handle  set  in  gold,  and  would 
have  knighted  him  with  it,  had  he  consented  j1  but  the  hanger 
was  kept  in  his  family,  till  the  house  at  Blackheath  was  robbed, 
in  lG'93. 

In  l644,m  he  was  Governor  of  Chester;  and  Dec.  25th,  that 
year,  was  made  n  Governor  of  Oxford,  in  the  room  of  Sir  Arthur 
Aston.  He  °  had  a  regiment  of  foot,  and  another  of  cuirassiers ; 
also  a  commission  to  be  governor  in  chief  of  the  city  and  county 
of  Oxford,  with  power  for  impressing  what  soldiers  he  pleased  in 
the  counties  of  Bucks  and  Berks.  On  April  16th,  1645,1*  being 
then  one  of  the  Grooms  of  the  King's  bedchamber,  and  Governor 

h  Nalson  and  Rushworth's  Collect.  *  Whitlock,  p.  ^4,  55. 

k  Ex  Script.  VV.  Com.  Dartm.  ]  Ex  Script,  piaed. 

m  Ibid.  n  Wood's  Athence  Oxon.  Vol.  I.  p.  72  r. 

•  Ex  Script,  pi-jed,  p  Wood's  Fasti  Oxon.  Vol.  II.  p.  728,  733. 


LEGGE  EARL  OF  DARTMOUTH.  Ill 

of  Oxford,  he  was  admitted  Doctor  of  Laws  of  that  University  j 
and,  on  Oct.  8th  following,  surrendered  it  to  Sir  Thomas  Gien- 
ham,  his  Majesty  taking  him  with  him  when  he  left  Oxford. 
When  King  Charles  made  his  escape  from  Hampton-court,  he, 
with  Sir  John  Berkeley,  and  Mr.  Ashburnham,  were  the  only 
persons  to  whose  fidelity  the  king  committed  himself.  The  Earl 
of  Clarendon  relates,  that  Ashburnham  alone  seemed  to  know 
what  they  were  to  do;  the  other  two  having  received  only  orders 
to  attend.  Whereupon  he  had  no  hand  in  that  unfortunate  step, 
of  carrying  the  King  over  to  the  Isle  of  Wight,  in  which  the 
other  two  were  involved;  for  i  he  staid  with  the  King  at  Titch- 
field-house,  while  Ashburnham  and  Sir  John  Berkeley  went  to 
Col.  Hammond.  And  on  that,  the  Earl  of  Clarendon  gives  him 
the  following  character  :  "  Legge  had  so  general  a  reputation  of 
integrity  and  fidelity  to  his  master,  that  he  never  fell  under  the 
least  imputation  or  reproach  with  any  man :  he  was  a  very  punc- 
tual and  steady  observer  of  the  orders  he  received,  but  no  contriver 
of  them  ;  and  though  he  had  in  truth  a  better  judgment  and  un- 
derstanding than  either  of  the  other  two,  his  modesty  and  diffidence 
of  himself  never  suffered  him  to  contrive  bold  counsels." 

Cromwell  sent  a  warrant  to  Col.  Hammond  for  securing  Mr. 
Legge,  Mr.  Ashburnham,  and  Sir  John  Berkeley/  but  the  Colonel 
desired  to  forbear  the  execution  thereof,  till  he  might  know  the 
pleasure  of  the  houses;  "  Jn  regard  (as  he  said),  if  those  Gen- 
tlemen should  be  apprehended,  it  would  be  very  difficult  for  hirn, 
to  secure  the  person  of  his  Majesty."  And  that  the  King  said, 
'*  If  these  Gentlemen  should  be  taken  from  him,  and  punished 
as  evil  doers,  for  counselling  him  not  to  go  out  of  the  kingdom,, 
but  rather  to  come  to  this  place,  for  the  more  conveniency  a*  to 
settlement  of  peace,  and  for  endeavouring  it  accordingly,  in  at- 
tending him  hither,  he  cannot  but  himself  expect  to  be  dealt  with 
accordingly,  his  case  being  the  same. 

<f  That  these  Gentlemen  have  engaged  their  honours  not  to 
depart  from  him :  and  having  cast  themselves  upon  him,  in  case 
they  should  be  removed  from  thence,  it  would  much  reflect  upon 
Jiim." 

On  May  19th,  1648,  he  s  was  committed  prisoner  to  Windsor- 
castle,  but  was  soon  after  released ;  and  during  the  treaty  of  the 

q  Hist,  of  England,  Vol.  III.  p.  170.  r  Whitlock's  Memorials,  p.  282. 

•  Ibid.  p.  305. 


Ui  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Isle  of  Wight,  he  was  nominated,  among  others,  to  attend  his 
Majesty  j  but  on  Aug.  31st  following,  he  was,  with  Mr.  Doucet, 
the  only  two  disapproved  of  by  the  parliament.  And  engaging  in 
that  design  of  the  Earl  of  Holland's,  to  restore  the  King,  he  was 
wounded,  and  taken  prisoner  with  the  Earl,  at  St.  Neot's,  in 
Huntingdonshire.  King  Charles  was  so  sensible  of  his  sufferings, 
and  had  so  great  an  esteem  of  his  fidelity,  that,  a  little  before  his 
death,  he  charged  the  Duke  of  Richmond  to  tell  the  Prince  of 
"Wales  from  him,  that  whenever  he  was  restored  to  his  right,  he 
should  be  sure  to  take  care  of  honest  Will.  Legge ;  for  he  was 
the  faithfullest  servant  that  ever  any  Prince  had. 

After  the  unfortunate  death  of  that  King,  he  and  his  family 
suffered  great  hardships,  and  being  imprisoned  in  Plymouth,  he 
was,  by  order  of  parliament,  in  1649/  removed  to  Bristol,  with  a 
charge  of  high-treason,  and  from  thence  was  sent  to  Arundel- 
castle,  in  Sussex;  from  whence  he  applied  to  the  Speaker,  Len- 
thall,  for  leave  to  go  abroad;  who  obtained  it  for  him,  and  in 
return,  Colonel  Legge,  on  the  Restoration,  was  very  instrumental 
in  procuring  Lenthall's  pardon;  who,  when  he  died,  left  him,  by 
his  will,  200 1.  as  a  legacy. 

As  he  had  eminently  distinguished  his  loyalty  to  Charles  I.  so 
was  he  not  backward  in  espousing  the  interests  of  his  son  and 
successor,  Charles  II.  accompanying  him,  in  1650,  into  Scotland, 
where  he  was  committed  piisoner  to  Edinburgh-castle,  and  so 
continued,  till  the  King  made  his  escape  from  St.  Johnstown; 
when,  to  gratify  his  Majesty,  he  was  released.  At  the  battle  of 
Worcester,  on  Sept.  3d,  1()5I,  he  was  wounded  and  taken  pri- 
soner;11 and  had  been  certainly  executed,  if  his  wife  had  not  con- 
trived his  escape  out  of  Coventry  gaol,  by  hiring  an  old  woman 
to  carry  him  her  clothes,  which  he  put  on,  and  brought  a  close- 
stool  pan,  well  filled,  under  his  arm,  the  stench  of  which  occa- 
sioned the  guards  to  stand  clear,  and  let  him  pass  unregarded. 

In  the  protectorship  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  he,  with  the  Earl  of 
Oxford,  and  others,  were  committed  to  prison,  being  betrayed  by 
Manning,  who  corresponded  with  Thurloe,  Cromwell's  secretary, 
with  a  design  to  get  money  from  them,  and  thereupon  informed 
against  such,  whose  fidelity  to  the  King  was  most  notorious.  In 
1659,  when  risings  were  designed  throughout  the  kingdom,  he 
had  a  commission  to  raise  a  regiment  of  foot,  with  several  blank 
commissions,  to  dispose  of  as  he  thought  fit.     He  was  also  com- 

t  Whitlock's  Memorials,  p.  399.  *  Ex  Script,  piacd. 


LEGGE  EARL  OF  DARTMOUTH.  113 

missioned,  with  Arthur  Annesley,  after  Earl  of  Anglesey,  John 
Mordaunt,  soon  after  created  Viscount  Mordauntj  Sir  John  Gran- 
ville, afterwards  Earl  of  Bath ;  and  Thomas  Peyton,  to  promise 
pardon  to  all  those  who  shall  endeavour  his  Majesty's  restoration, 
except  those  who  sat  as  Judges  on  his  father.  The  said  commis- 
sion was  dated  at  Brussels,  March  llth,  l65Q,x  wherein  they 
were  also  empowered,  by  writing  under  their  hands,  &c.  to  pro- 
mise in  his  Majesty's  name,  such  rewards  as  they  thought  proper, 
which  he  would  ratify,  confirm,  and  perform.  They  were  so 
active  in  this  commission,  that  most  of  the  nobility  and  gentry  of 
England  and  Wales  were  engaged  by  them  in  the  King's  service, 
and  a  day  in  Julyy  fixed  for  their  rising;  but  that  being  deferred 
to  August  1st,  the  design  took  airj  and  only  Sir  George  Booth, 
with  his  friends,  appeared  in  Cheshire,  and  the  Earl  of  Litchfield, 
with  some  others,  in  Surry.  The  King  was  in  such  expectation 
of  the  success,  that  he  went  from  Brussels  to  Calais,  and  had  a 
shalop  ready  for  his  transportation,  on  hearing  any  considerable 
body  of  men  were  in  arms  for  him.  In  166O,  just  before  the 
meeting  of  the  parliament,  he  subscribed  that  declaration  of  the 
nobility  and  gentry,  whereby  they  promised  not  to  retain  any  re- 
sentments for  former  ill  treatment. 

After  the  Restoration,  the  King  told  him  the  messuage  he  had 
received  from  his  royal  father,  by  the  Duke  of  Richmond,  which, 
he  said,  must  always  entitle  him  to  any  marks  of  favour  he  could 
give  him,  and  offered  to  create  him  an  Earl  before  his  coronation; 
which  he  modestly  declined,  having  a  numerous  family,  with  a 
»mall  fortune:  but  told  the  King,  he  hoped  his  sons  might  live 
to  deserve  his  majesty's  favour.  On  which  he  was  restored  to  his 
place  in  the  Bedchamber,  and  Lieutenancy  of  the  Ordnance,  with 
a  commission  to  be  Superintendant,  with  General's  pay.  Also 
was  constituted  Treasurer  of  the  Ordnance,  and  Colonel  of  an 
independent  company  of  foot  in  the  Tower  of  London.  All  these 
were  granted  in  1660  to  him,  during  his  life. 

,The  next  year  he  was  z  chosen  Member  of  Parliament  for 
Southampton  :  and  obtained  a  grant  of  the  King's  house  in  the 
Minories  (formerly  an  abbey),  London,  the  lieutenancy  of  Alice 
Holt,a  and  Woolmer-forests,  in  Hampshire,  for  forty-five  years  5 

*  Baker's  Chronicle,  edit.  i.  84.  p.  64.  Y  Ibid.  p.  649,  6>o, 

z  Ex  Scrip,  praef. 
a  Where  hit  descendant,  Lord  Stawtll,  is  still  seated,  ; 
VOL.  IV.  J 


ll-t  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

a]so,  of  lands  in  com.  Lowth,  in  Ireland,  to  a  considerable  value ; 
with  a  pension  of  5001.  per  ann.  for  his  own  and  his  wife's  life. 
And  when  Prince  Rupert  went  to  Vienna,  he  constituted  him  his 
sufficient  and  lawful  Attorney  and  Commissioner  for  him  and  in 
his  name,  and  to  his  use,  to  act,  manage,  perform,  and  do  all  and 
all  manner  of  matters  and  things  whatsoever,  which  doth  or  may 
any  way  concern  him,  either  with  his  Majesty,  the  Parliament, 
or  any  other  person  or  persons  whatsoever.  In  1663,  he  was 
made  Woodward  of  Chute-forest,  in  com.  Wilts.  He  died  of  a 
fever,  at  the  said  house  in  the  Minories,  near  the  Tower,  on  Oct. 
13th,  1672,  in  the  fixty-third  year  of  his  age,  and  was  buried  in 
the  vault  in  the  Trinity-chapel  in  the  minories,  with  great  solem- 
nity ;  Prince  Rupert,  the  Dukes  of  Buckingham,  Richmond, 
Monmouth,  Newcastle,  and  Ormond,  with  most  of  the  court, 
being  present  at  his  funeral :  and  a  monument  of  white  marble  ia 
erected  there  to  his  memory. 

He  married  Elizabeth,  eldest  daughter  cf  Sir  William  Wash- 
ington, of  Packington,  in  Leicestershire,  by  Anne,  daughter  of 
Sir  George  Villiers,  of  Brooksby,  in  the  said  county,  and  sister  to 
the  first  Duke  of  Buckingham  of  that  family.  She  died  in  1688, 
in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  her  age,  and  was  buried  in  the  vault 
jj)  the  Trinity-chapel  in  the  Minories,  by  her  husband.  They 
had  issue  three  sons,  George,  William,  and  Edward  3  and  two 
uaughters;  whereof, 

Mary,  the  eldest,  was  married  to  Sir  Henry  Gooderick,  of  Rib- 
ston,  in  the  county  of  York,  Knt.  and  Bart,  who  was  Envoy- 
extraordinary  to  Spain,  in  the  reign  of  Charles  II.  and  Lieutenant- 
general  of  the  Ordnance,  and  Privy-counsellor  to  William  III.  by 
whom  she  had  no  issue.  She  died  aged  seventy  yerrs,  and  was 
buried  in  the  vault  with  her  father;  though  it  is  mentioned  (by 
mistake),  on  Sir  J-Ienry's  Gooderick's  monument,  in  Ribston- 
chapel,  that  he  was  buried  there, 

Susannah,  second  daughter,  was  married,  on  April  25th,  16J8, 
in  Henry  VII. 's  chapel  in  Westminster-abbey,  to  Thomas  Bilson, 
of  Maple-Durham,  in  the  county  of  Southampton,  Esq.  by  whom 
she  had  isue  one  daughter,  that  died  in  her  infancy,  and  two  sons, 
Leonard  Bilson,  and  Thomas  Bilson,  both  which  died  in  her 
lifetime,  without  issue;  Thomas,  by  a  fall  from  his  horse  5  and 
Leonard,  1715,  who  left  the  remainder  of  his  whole  estate,  after 
Thomas  Bettes  worth,  and  the  heirs  male  of  his  body  lawfully  be- 
gotten, to  Henry  Legge,  fourth  son  to  William  Earl  of  Dartmouth,, 
provided  he  take  the  name  of  Bilson. 


LEGGE  EARL  OF  DARTMOUTH.  115 

William,  second  son  to  the  said  William  Legge,  was  b  Page  of 
honour  to  Charles  II.  Groom  of  the  bedchamber,  and  Captain  of 
a  tr,pop  of  horse,  in  the  regiment  of  horse-guards  commanded  by 
Aubrey  de  Vere,  Earl  of  Oxford.  And  in  16SO,  was  sent  by  the 
King  to  Hesse-Cassel,  to  stand  godfather,  as  his  proxy,  to  Prince 
Charles,  the  Landgrave's  son.  In  the  reign  of  James  II.  he  was 
Lieutenant-colonel  in  the  Queen's  regiment  of  horse,  Governor  of 
Kinsale,  in  Ireland,  and  Member  of  Parliament  for  Portsmouth. 

He  married  Mary  Pool,  widow  of Townshend,  Esq.  but  had 

ho  issue  by  berj  and  dying  in  Dublin,  in  the  forty-eighth  year 
of  his  age,  was  buried  there. 

Edward  Legge,  third  son,  died  in  h?s  infancy,  and  was  buried 
at  Stoke,  in  com.  Middlesex :  where  his  mother  resided  during 
the  absence  of  his  father  beyond  the  seas. 

George  Legge,  eldest  son  and  heir,  first  Lord  Dartmouth, 
was  sent  to  seac  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  under  the  care  of  Sir 
Edward  Spragge.  He  commanded  the  Pembroke  in  166?,  the 
Fairfax  in  107 1,  and  the  Royal  Catharine  in  1672.  In  the  Dutch 
wars  he  was  wounded  ;  taking  and  destroying  several  of  their 
ships.  In  166Q,  he  had  the  command  of  his  father's  independent 
company  of  foot,  and  in  1672,  was  made  Lieutenant-governor  of 
Portsmouth,  under  his  Royal  Highness  James  Duke  of  York.  In 
1673,  Governor  of  Portsmouth,  Master  of  the  Horse,  and  Gentle- 
man of  the  Bedchamber  to  the  Duke  of  York.  In  1677,  he  had 
a  grant  of  3001.  per  ann.  as  Assistant  to  the  office  of  Ordnance; 
and  before  the  end  of  that  year  was  constituted  Colonel  of  a  re- 
giment of  foot,  and  Lieutenant-general  of  the  Ordnance.  Soon 
after,  he  was  made  Master  of  the  Ordnance;  and  on  March  3d, 
1 680-1,  was  sworn  of  the  Privy-council  to  Charles  II.  In  1682, 
he  had  a  commission  for  viewing  all  the  forts  and  garrisons  in 
England,  and  for  commanding  in  chief.  And  before  the  end  of 
the  same  year,  was,  by  letters  patent,  dated  Dec.  2d,  in  the  34th 
year  of  his  reign,  advanced  to  the  degree  of  a  Baron  of  this  realm, 
by  the  title  of  Baron  of  Dartmouth,  in  the  county  of  Devon, 
to  hold  and  enjoy  to  himself  and  the  heirs  male  of  his  body  ;  and 
for  the  default  of  such  issue,  to  William  Legge,  Esq.  one  of  the 
Grooms  of  the  royal  bedchamber  (brother  to  him  the  said  George) 
and  to  the  heirs  male  of^his  body;  which  remainder  the  King 
particularly  ordered  himself,  in  justice  (as  he  was  pleased  to  say), 
to  the  memory  of  old  Colonel  Legge,  whose  modesty  ought  not 

*  Ex  Scrip,  prxf.  ■  Ibid. 


l\G  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

to  prejudice  his  children.  The  preamble  to  the  patent  imports: 
d  f  That  his  Majesty  remembering  the  great  merits  of  William 
Legge,  one  of  the  Grooms  of  the  royal  bedchamber  to  his  late 
father  King  Charles  the  First,  especially  in  that  unparalleled  re- 
bellion raised  against  himj  in  which,  being  a  person  of  singular 
skill  and  experience  in  military  affairs,  as  also  a  valiant  and  ex- 
pert commander,  he  faithfully  served  him  in  most  of  the  battles 
and  sieges  of  those  unhappy  times  :  also  performed  several  emi- 
nent services  to  the  said  King,  since  his  most  happy  restoration  : 
and  farther  considering,  that  George  Legge,  eldest  son  of  the 
said  William,  following  his  father's  steps  in  divers  military  em- 
ployments, especially  in  sundry  sharp  and  dangerous  naval  rights, 
wherein  he  did  freely  hazard  his  life  j  for  which  respect,  being 
made  General  of  the  Ordnance  and  Artillery,  and  one  of  bis  most 
honourable  Privy-council,  his  Majesty  thought  fit  to  dignify  him 
with  some  farther  honour.*' 

The  following  year  he  was e  sent  Admiral  of  the  whole  English 
fleet,  to  demolish  Tangier;  having  a  commission  to  be  Captain- 
general  of  all  his  Majesty's  forces  in  Africa,  and  Governor  of  that 
city.  Bishop  Burnet  recites,1"  "  After  the  King  had  kept  Tangier 
about  twenty  years,  and  had  been  at  a  yast  charge  in  making  a 
mole  before  it,  in  which  several  undertakers  had  failed,  but  the 
work  was  now  brought  near  perfection,  which  seemed  to  give  us 
the  key  of  the  Mediterranean  y  he,  to  deliver  himself  from  the 
charge,  sent  Lord  Dartmouth  with  a  fleet  to  destroy  all  the  works, 
apd  bring  home  all  our  men."  On  his  return,  he  had,  as  a  reward 
of  his  many  faithful  services,  a  grant  from  his  Majesty  of  10,0001. 
Jie  also  obtained,  from  Charles  II  a  grant  to  hold  a  fair  twice  a 
year,  and  a  market  twice  a  week,  upon  Black-heath,  in  the  parish 
pf  Lewisham,  in  Kent. 

During  the  reign  of  James  JI.  he  was  Master  of  the  Horse, 
pcneral  of  the  Ordnance,  Constable  of  the  Tower  of  London, 
cne  of  the  Lords  of  the  privy  council,  Colonel  of  the  royal  regi- 
ment of  Fusileers,  and  Captain  of  an  independent  company  of 
foot.  He  was  also  High-steward  of  Dartmouth,  and  Kingston 
upon  Thames,  aqd  Recorder  of  Lichfield.  In  the  year  1687, 
attending  the  King  in  his  progress,  and  the  city  of  Coventry  pre- 
senting his  Majesty  with  a  large  gold  cup  and  cover,  he  immedi- 
ately delivered  it  to  the  Lorcl  Dartmouth,  telling  him,  "  there  was 

A  Dugdale's  Additions  to  his  Baronage,  MS.  penes  meips. 
e  Ex  Script,  prcef. 
t  History  of  his  Own  Times,  Vol.  II.  p.  264,  i6$* 


LEGG£  EARL  OF  DARTMOUTH.  1I7 

an  acknowledgement  from  the  city  of  Coventry-;  for  his  father's 
sufferings  in  their  town/'  where,  during  the  civil  wars,  he  had 
endured  a  long  imprisonment.  He  8  resigned  his  post  of  Master 
of  the  Horse  on  Dec.  l6tb,  16S7.  And  in  the  succeeding  year, 
he  was  made  Admiral  of  the  fleet  of  England,  then  sent  out  to  in- 
tercept the  Dutch  fleet  bringing  over  the  Prince  of  .Orange: 
which  employment  he  accepted  out  of  gratitude  to  the  King} 
who,  as  Bishop  Burnet  writes  (in  his  History  of  his  Own  Times) 
loved  him,  and  in  whose  service  and  confidence  he  had  long  been. 
The  Bishop  also  says,  "  h  that  he  was  indeed  one  of  the  worthiest 
men  of  his  court,  but  he  was  much  against  the  conduct  of  his 
affairs;  yet  he  was  resolved  to  stick  to  him  at  all  hazards." 

After  the  Prince  had  landed,  it  is  recited  in  our  Gazettes,  that 
he  passed  by  Portsmouth,  on  Nov.  18th,  168S,  and  after  bad 
weather,  returned  to  Spithead  on  Nov.  23d  following,  with  forty- 
three  ships  of  war ;  the  rest  of  the  fleet  being  put  into  other 
ports.  Afterwards  he  sailed  from  thence  for  the  Downs,  on  Dec. 
29th,  and  leaving  there  several  men  of  war,  under  the  command 
of  the  Lord  Berkeley,  his  Lordship,  with  the  rest  of  the  fleet, 
sailed  for  the  Buoy  of  the  Nore. 

Yet,  notwithstanding  he  brought  the  fleet  safe  home,  and  had 
acted  by  order  of  King  James  when  he  was  in  power,  he  was 
deprived  of  all  his  employments  at  the  Revolution  3  and  in  1G9I, 
committed  prisoner  to  the  Tower  of  London,  where,  after  three 
months  imprisonment,  he  departed  this  life  suddenly  of  an  apo- 
plexy, on  Oct.  25th,  that  year,  in  the  forty-fourth  year  of  his  age.1 
When  he  was  dead,  Lord  Lucas,  who  was  Constable  of  the 
Tower,  made  some  difficulty  of  permitting  his  body  to  be  re» 
moved  without  order;  on  which,  application  being  made  to  King 
William,  he  was  pleased  to  direct,  that  the  same  respect  should 
be  paid  at  his  funeral,  that  would  have  been  due  to  him>  if  he 
had  died  possessed  of  all  his  employments  in  that  place.  And 
accordingly  the  Tower  guns  were  fired  when  he  was  carried  out, 
to  be  interred  near  his  father  in  the  vault  in  the  Minories:  where 
a  monument  of  white  marble  is  erected  to  his  memory,k  by  Bar- 

S  Journal  per  Greg.  King,  Lane.  Fecial,  MS.  penes  meip. 
h  Hist,  praed.  p.  498. 
I  There  is  a  scarce  Print  of  him  existing,  for  which,  see  Granger, 
k  In  Sir  John  Dalrymple's  Appendix  to  his  Memoirs  of  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land, part  I.  p.  71,  are  two  letters,  which  enable  us  to  clear  up  not  only  some 
aspersions  of  Bishop  Burnet  on  Lord  Dartmouth  and  the  Duke  of  York,  but  also 
a  mistake  or  two  of  Dr.  Campbell,  in  Blographia  Britannica,  Vol.  II.  p.  1335* 


113  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

bara,  his  Lady,  who  died  on  January  28th,  1717-I8,  in  the  fixty- 
cighth  year  of  her  age,  and  was  buried  in  the  same  vault  with 

note  C.  The  Bishop  tells  us,  "  that  the  Duke,  when  he  was  shipwrecked  (in 
the  Gloucester  frigate,  in  May  1682),  got  into  a  boat,  and  took  care  of  his  dogs 
and  some  unknown  persons,  who  were  taken,  from  that  earnest  care  of  his,  to 
be  his  priests.  The  long-boat  went  off  with  very  few  in  her,  though  she  might 
have  carried  off  above  eighty  more  than  she  did.  One  hundred  and  fifty  persors 
perished  ;  some  of  them  men  of  great  quality.  But  the  Duke  took  no  notice  cf 
this  cruel  neglect,  which  was  laid  chiefly  to  Legge's  charge."  On  this  Dr.  C . 
makes  the  following  remark  :  "  What  blame  fell  upon  Legge,  or  who  this  Legge 
was,  is  not  easy  to  determine  ;  for  as  to  Colonel  Legge,  then  Master  of  the  Ord- 
nance, and  a  Privy  Counsellor,  afterwards  Lord  Dartmouth,  and  Admiral  of  the 
Fleet,  he  was  visiting  the  fortresses  of  the  kingdom,  at  this  time,  by  his  Ma-i 
jesty's  command."  Colonel  Legge,  it  is  true,  had  a  commission  in  1682,  for 
viewing  all  the  forts  and  garrisons  in  England ;  bat  that  he  was  the  Legge  whom- 
the  Bishop  mentions,  and  unjustly  blames,  appears  from  the  following  letter  of 
his  son  (communicated  by  the  late  Earl  of  Dartmouth),  which  clears  up  an  in- 
teresting fact;  and  exculpates  both  the  Duke  and  him,  ef  this  imputed  charge  of 
insensibility,  too  natural  to  the  Duke  on  most  other  trying  occasions  : 

Earl  of  Dartmouth  to  Erasmus  Lewis,  Esq. 

•v  Sandivell,  Jan.  25th,  1723-4. 

SIR, 
*<  This  is  only  in  answer  to  the  last  paragraph  of  yours  of  the  21st.     My  fa* 
ther  -was  on  board  the  Gloucester,  but  so  little  deserved  to  have  the  drowning  150 
men  (which  the  Bishop  has  so  liberally  bestowed  upon  him),  laid  chiefly  to  his 
charge,  that  it  was  is  great  measure  owing  to  him,  that  any  escaped  after  the 
ship  had  struck.     He  several  times  pressed  the  Duke  to  get  into  the  boat,  who 
refused  to  do  it;  telling  him,  that  if  he  were  gone,  nobody  would  take  care  of 
the  ship,  which  he  had  hopes  might  be  saved,  if  she  were  not  abandoned.     But 
my  father  finding  she  was  ready  to  sink,  told  him  if  he  staid  any  longer  they 
should  be  obliged  to  force  him  out :  upon  which  the  Duke  ordered  a  strong  box 
to  be  lifted  into  the  boat,  which,  besides  being  extremely  weighty,  took  up  a 
good  deal  of  time  as  well  as  room.     My  father  asked  him  with  s  >me  warmth,  if 
there  was  any  thing  in  it  worth  a  man's  life.     The  Duke  answered,  that  there 
were  things  of  so  great  consequence  both  to  the  King  and  himself,  that  he  would 
hazard  his  own  rather  than  it  should  be  lost.     Before  he  went  off,  he  inquired 
for  Lord  Roxborough  and  Lord  Obrjen  ?  but  the  confusion  and  hurry  was  so  great 
that  they  could  not  be  found.     When  the  Duke,  and  as  many  as  she  ivculd  hold 
•with  safety,  were  in  the  boat,  my  father  stood  with  his  sword  drawn,  to  hinder 
the  crowd  from  oversetting  of  her,  which  I  suppose  was  what  the  Bishop  esteemed 
a  fault;  but  the  King  thanked  him  publickly  for  the  care  he  had  taken  of  the 
Duke  ;  and  the  Dutchess,  who  was  not  apt  to  favour  him  much  upon  other  occa- 
sions, said  upon  this,  that  she  thought  herself  more  obliged  to  him  than  to  any 
man  in  the  world,  and  should  do  so  as  long  as  she  lived.     I  cannot  guess  what 
induced  the  Bishop  to  charge  my  father  with  the  long-boat's  not  being  sufficiently 
manned  j  for  if  that  were  the  case  (which  I  much  doubt),  it  was  not  under  hii 


LEGGE  EARL  OF  DARTMOUTH.  119 

him.  She  was  daughter  and  coheir  of  Sir  Henry  Archbold,  of 
Abbots- Bromley,  in  Staffordshire,  and  by  her  Lord  had  issue  one 
son,  William,  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  and  seven  daughters. 

direction,  he  being  on  board  in  no  other  capacity  but  as  a  passenger  and  the 
Duke's  servant;  and  I  believe  the  reflection  upon{the  Duke  for  his  care  of  the 
dogs  to  be  as  ill-grounded;  for  I  remember  a  story  (that  was  in  every  body'* 
mouth  at  that  time),  of  a  struggle  that  happened  for  a  plank  between  Sir  Charles 
Scarborough  and  the  Duke's  dog  Mumper,  which  convinces  me  that  the  dogs, 
were  left  to  take  care  of  themselves  (as  he  did),  if  there  were  any  more  on  board* 
which  I  never  heard  till  the  Bishop's  story-book  was  published.  This  is  all  irf 
relation  to  that  affair,  that  ever  came  to  the  knowledge  of, 

SIR, 
Your  most  faithful  humble  Servant, 

Dartmouth." 

Dr.  Campbell  mentions  the  above  incident  of  two  persons  standing  with  their 
swords  drawn,  one  in  the  boat,  the  other  on  board  the  ship,  to  prevent  that  irre- 
gular crowding  whkh  might  have  endangered  the  boat  as  well  as  the  ship;  and 
adds,  "  if  the  reader  is  curious  to  know  who  those  persons  were,  we  shall  endea- 
vour to  satisfy  him*  He  on  board  the  ship  was  Sir  John  Berry  (the  Ciptain), 
who,  after  performing  this  service,  escaped  very  narrowly  himself,  by  swimming 
to  a  rope  that  was  thrown  over  the  s-tern  of  Captain  Wyburn's  ship  j  and  he  in 
the  boat  was  Colonel  Churchill  (afterwards  the  great  Duke  of  Marlborough),  who 
for  this  service  is  very  justly  said  to  have  contributed  to  the  preservation  of  the 
Duke  his  master's  life.  We  see,  however,  by  Lord  Dartmouth's  letter,  that  the 
biographer  is  here  mistaken,  and  that  Colonel  Legge  was  the  person  who  performed 
this  service. 

Notwithstanding  the  apathy  by  which  the  Duke  of  York's  character  is  to  be 
distinguished,  or  rather  disgraced,  that,  as  Sir  John  Dalrymple  justly  observe?, 
*'  in  all  his  letters  (numerous  as  they  are),  scarce  one  stroke  of  genius  or  sensi- 
bility is  to  be  found,"  Jet  us  be  careful  of  loading  his  memory  more  than  it  de- 
serves. On  such  good  authority  let  us  allow,  that  the  boat,  instead  of  being 
**  able  to  carry  off  above  eighty  more  than  they  did,"  was  as  full  as  she  could 
safely  be  :  that,  though  Lord  Roxborough  and  Lord  Obrien  were  left  behind,  the 
Duke,  «*  before  he  went  off,  inquired  for  them  j  and  that  the  dogs  (Mumper  in 
particular),  were  left  to  struggle  for  planks,  and  »*  take  care  of  themselves."  It 
appears  too,  by  a  letter  in  the  said  Appendix,  from  Sir  James  Dick,  Lord  Provost 
of  Edinburgh,  one  of  the  persons  that  were  shipwrecked,  that  the  Duke,  Eari 
Winton,  and  the  President  of  the  Session,  and  two  of  the  bedchamber  men,  who 
drew  their  swords  to  hold  people  off,  were  all  that  went  in  the  Duke's  Utile  boat,  as 
he  calls  it.  No  unhurwn  persons  are  mentioned.  And  in  the  ship's  boat,  besides 
Sir  James,  and  the  sailors  who  rowed,  he  tells  us,  there  were  Earl  Perth,  Ea;l 
Middleton,  the  Laird  of  Taich,  with  several  others,  and  afterwards  twenty  or 
twenty-four  seamen  more,  jumped  in  upon  them  from  the  shrouds;  ft  which 
made  all  the  spectators  and  themselves  to  think,  they  were  sinking,  being  so 
thronged,"  &c.  He  mentions  also  the  great  difficulty  they  had  to  reach  the 
nearest  yatch,  the  wind  being  N.  E.  and  the  waves  boisterous ;  and  their  teing 


120  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

•  Mary,  the  eldest,  was  married,  on  Nor.  12th,  16S5,  in  Henry 
VII.'s  Chapel,  in  Westminster- abbey,  to  Philip  Musgrave,  Esq. 
eldest  son  of  Sir  Christopher  Musgrave,  of  Eden-hall,  in  West- 
moreland, Bart,  and  after  his  decease,  to  John  Crawford,  Esq. 
son  to  Commissary-general  Crawford :  and  died  on  Feb.  25th, 
1753.  The  other  daughters  were,  Elizabeth,  who  died,  unmar- 
ried, l  Sept.  15th,  176O,  aged  ninety  years,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Minories  j  Barbara,  Susannah,  and  Anne,  the  youngest  5  besides 
the  fifth  and  sixth,  who  died  in  their  infancies,  and  are  buried  in 
the  family  vault,  in  the  Minories  Church. 

William,  first  Earl,  his  only  son,  was  born  on  Oct.  14th, 
1672.  He  was  Lieutenant  of  Alice-Holt,  and  Woolmer-forests, 
till  King  William  granted  the  reversion,  after  the  term  of  Colonel 
William  Legge's  grant  for  forty-five  years,  to  Emanuel  How, 
Esq.  Groom  of  his  Bedchamber;  on  which  he  surrendered  the 
remainder  of  his  term  for  a  valuable  consideration."1  He  n  took 
his  place  in  the  house  of  Peers,  on  Nov.  22d,  16Q5.  On  the 
accession  of  Queen  Anne,  he  was  constituted  one  of  the  Lords 
Commissioners  for  Trade  and  Plantations,  on  June  14th,  1702; 
and  on  the  18th  following,  was  sworn  of  her  Privy-council,  at 
St.  James's.  In  17 10,  he  was  sworn  one  of  her  Majesty's  Prin- 
cipal Secretaries  of  State,  and  constituted  Keeper  of  the  Signet 
of  Scotland,  in  commission  with  James  Duke  of  Queensberry, 
Also,  on  Sept.  5th,  1 7H>  was  advanced  to  the  dignities  of  discount 
Lewisham,  in  Kent,  and  Earl  of  Dartmouth.  In  1713,  he 
was  appointed  Lord  Keeper  of  the  Privy-seal  5  and  on  the  demise 
of  Queen  Anne,  as  such,  was  one  of  the  Lords  Justices  of  Great- 
Britain,  being  at  the  same  time  High-steward  of  Dartmouth,  and 
one  of  the  Governors  of  the  Charter-house. 

His  Lordship  married  in  July,  1700,  the  Lady  Anne  Finch, 
third  daughter  to  Heneage,  Earl  of  Ailesford,  and  by  her  Lady- 
ship, who  died  on  Nov.  30th,  1751,  and  was  buried  in  the  Mi- 
nories Church,  had  issue  six  sons,  and  two  daughters;  the  Lady 
Barbara,  married,  on  July  27th,  1724,  to  Sir  Walter  Bagot,  of 
Blithfield,  in  Staffordshire,  Bart. ;  and  the  Lady  Anne,  married, 

obliged  to  force  off  the  gripe  of  many  who  were  swimming,  and  catched  hold  of 
the  boat.  All  circumstances,  and  the  size  of  a  frigate's  long  boat  considered,  let 
any  seaman  judge  whether  it  'went  off  (as  the  Bishop  says),  with  -very  few ,  or 
whether  it  could  have  held  eighty  (or  any)  more. 

I  Coffin  Plate. 
w  But  a  branch  of  the  family  have  since  obtained  a  new  grant. 
N  »  Journ.  Dom.  Procer, 


LEGGE  EARL  OF  DARTMOUTH.  121 

in  October  1739,  to  Sir  Lister  Holt,  of  Aston,  in  Warwickshire, 
Bart. 

His  Lordship's  eldest  son,  George,  Lord  Viscount  Lewisham, 
married  Elizabeth,  sole  daughter  and  heir  of  Sir  Arthur  Kaye,  of 
Woodsome,  in  Yorkshire,  Bart,  by  his  wife,  Anne,  eldest  daugh- 
ter and  coheir  of  Sir  Samuel  Marrow,  of  Berkeswell,  in  War- 
wickshire, Bart.  And  having  been  elected  a  member  in  the 
parliament  that  sat  first  on  business  on  Nov.  28th,  1727,  for 
Great  Bedwin,  in  Wiltshire,  died  of  the  small-pox  at  his  house 
in  Holies-street,  Cavendish-square,  London,  on  Aug.  29th,  1732. 
By  his  said  Lady  (who  afterwards  wedded  Francis,  first  Earl  of 
Guilford,  and  died  in  1745),  he  had  issue  a  daughter  that  was 
still-born  3  secondly,  a  son,  Arthur  Legge,  who  died  on  Oct.  6th, 
1729,  aged  two  years  and  ten  weeks;  also  a  son,  William,  late 
Earl  of  Dartmouth;  and  two  daughters,  Anne,  and  Elizabeth; 
whereof,  Anne  was,  on  November  23d,  176O,  married  to  James 
Brudenel,  now  Earl  of  Cardigan,  brother  to  George  the  last  Duke 
of  Montagu  ;  and  died  Jan.  SOth,  1786,  without  issue. 

Heneage  Legge,  second  son,  baptized  March  12th,  1703-4, 
was  admitted  a  Student  in  the  Inner-Temple,  at  the  age  of  nine* 
teen;  and  on  Dec.  12th,  1734,  chosen  High-steward  of  the  city 
of  Litchfield.  In  Feb.  1739,  he  was  sworn  one  of  the  King's 
Counsel;  and  1749,  constituted  one  of  the  Barons  of  the  Exche- 
quer. In  June,  1740,  he  was  married  to  Catharine,  daughter, 
and  one  of  the  coheirs  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Fogg,  Merchant,  of  Lon- 
don, and  niece  to  Sir  John  Barnard,  Knt.  alderman  of  London,  by 
whom  he  had  issue,  a  son,  Heneage,  born  January  7th,  1746-7, 
married  in  1/68,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Philip  Musgrave, 
Bart.;  and  two  daughters;  Catharine,  born  July  27th,  1741, 
married  to  Charles  Chester,  Esq.  next  brother  to  the  first  Lord 
Bagot:  and  Ann,  born  Oct.  8th,  1742,  and  died  July  30th,  1/52: 
the  said  Heneage  departed  this  life  on  Aug.  22d,  1759,  and  his 
Lady  on  Nov.  12th  following. 

William  Legge,  third  son,  born  Aug.  1st,  1/05,  died  in  his 
infancy. 

The  right  hon.  Henry  Bilson  Legge,  fourth  son,  was  born 
March  29th,  1 7O8 :  but  of  him  afterwards,  under  the  title  of 
Stawell. 

Edward  Legge,  fifth  son,  born  171Q,  was  entered  a  volunteer 
on  board  the  Royal  Oak,  on  May  31st,  1726,  and  constituted 
Lieutenant  of  the  Deptford  man  of  war,  on  March  5th,  1733-4. 
After  a  gradual  rise,  he  was  Commodore  of  a  squadron  in  the 


in  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

West-Indies,  and  died  there  in  1747,0  when  he  was  elected  mem- 
ber of  parliament  for  Portsmouth. 

Robert,  sixth  son,  died  in  his  infancy. 

Their  noble  father,  William  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  who  had  be- 
haved with  the  strictest  honour  and  integrity,  throughout  the 
whole  course  of  his  life,  deceased  at  his  house  on  Blackheath,  in 
Kent,  on  Dec.  15tb,  1  /50,  in  the  seventy  ninth  year  of  his  ags, 
and  was  buried  in  the  Trinity,  Minories  ;  being  succeeded  in  his 
honours  and  estate  by  his  grandson  and  heir, 

William,  second  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  who  for  his  more 
polite  education,  travelled  through  France,  Italy,  and  Germany  : 
and,  on  his  return  to  England,  took  the  oaths  and  his  seat  in  the 
house  of  Peers,  on  May  31st,  1754.  His  Lordship  was  s  r.  orn  of 
His  Majesty's  Privy- council  on  July  26th,  1765 ;  in  August  fol- 
lowing, was  appointed  first  Commissioner  of  Trade  and  Planta- 
tions, which  he  resigned  in  1766*5  in  Aug.  1772,  was  appointed 
Secretary  of  State  for  the  Colonies  5  and  on  Nov.  10th,  1775, 
Keeper  of  the  Privy  Seal,  which  he  resigned  in  March  1782;  and 
on  April  12th,  1783,  was  appointed  Lord  Steward  of  the  House- 
hold, which  he  resigned  in  December  following. 

His  Lordship  married  on  January  11th,  1655,  Frances  Catha- 
rine, only  daughter  and  heir  of  Sir  Charles  Gunter  Nicholl, 
Knight  of  the  Bath  ;  and  by  her,  who  died  July  24th,  ]  805,  had 
issue  eight  sons  and  one  daughter  ;  viz. 

1.  George,  third  Earl. 

2.  William,  born  Feb.  4th,  1757,  died  Oct.  I91I1,  1784. 

3.  Charles  Gunter,  born  May  18th,  1759,  died  October  11th,, 
1785. 

4.  Heneage,  born  May  7th,  17G1,  died  at  Weymouth,  Sept. 
2d,  1782;  buried  in  the  Trinity,  Minories,  London. 

6.  Henry,  born  Jan.  23d,  1765. 

6.  Arthur  Kaye,  born  Oct.  25th,  1766;  made  a  Post  Captain 
in  the  Navy  1793. 

7.  Edward,  born  Dec.  4th,  17^7,  in  holy  orders,  LL.D.  Dean 
of  Windsor,  and  Registrar  of  the  Order  of  the  Garter. 

8.  Augustus  George,  born  April  21st,  1773,  in  holy  orders, 
Chaplain  in  Ordinary  to  his  Majesty,  Rector  of  Wonslow,  Hants; 
and  Vicar  of  Lewisham,  Kent;  married,  Dec.  15th,  17^5,  Ho- 
nora  Bagot,  daughter  of  the  late  reverend  Walter  Bagot,  bro- 
ther to  the  first  Lord  Bagot,  by  whom  he  has  issue. 

•  Brit.  Parl.Reg.  n.  1^7. 


LEGGE  EARL  OF  DARTMOUTH.  123 

g.  Lady  Charlotte,  born  Oct.  5th,  l/74j  married,  Sept.  24th, 
1795,  Charles  Duncombe,  Esq.  of  Duncombe  Park,  in  Yorkshire, 
and  has  issue.  ; 

His  Lordship  was  also  President  of  the  London  Dispensary; 
Vice  President  of  the  Foundling  and  Lock  Hospitals;  Recorder  of 
Lichfield  j  LL.D.  and  F.R.S. 

He  died  July  15th,  1801,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  sony 

George,  third  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  born  Oct.  3d,  1/55. 
He  was  elected  M.  P.  for  Plymouth,  177S  3  and  for  the  county  of 
Stafford,  in  1783  ;  was  made  one  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Bed- 
chamber to  the  Prince  of  Wales,  in  May  1782;  and  Warden  of 
the  Stannaries  in  1789.  In  1801,  he  was  appointed  President  of 
the  Board  of  Controul;  and  in  1802,  Lord  Steward  of  the  House- 
hold, which  he  held  till  1804. 

His  Lordship  was  called  up  by  writ  to  the  house  of  Peers,  as 
Baron  Dartmouth,  during  his  father's  life,  June  16th,  1801. 

His  Lordship  married,  on  Sept.  24th,  1782,  Lady  Frances  Finch, 
sister  to  the  present  Earl  of  Aylesford,  by  whom  he  has  had  issue,. 

J.  Frances-Catharine,  born  1783,  died  1789. 

2.  William  Viscount  Lewisham,  born  Nov.  29th,  1784. 

3.  George,  born  J  786;  died  178Q. 

4.  Louisa,  born  March  8th,  1787,  married,  Feb.  17th,  180/, 
William  Lord  Bagot. 

5.  Heneage,  born  Feb.  9th,  1788. 

6.  Charlotte,  born  Feb.  12th,  I/89.     « 

7.  Henrietta,  bora  Sept.  7th,  I7g0. 

8.  Barbara-Maria,  born  Nov.  29th,  1791. 

9.  Catherine-Charlotte,  born  and  died  1793. 

10.  Georgiana-Caroline,  born  May  14th,  1?§5. 

11.  Mary,  born  June  3d,  1796. 

12.  Anne,  born  Aug.  14th,  1797. 

13.  Charles,  born  Jan.  26th,  1799. 

14.  Arthur-Charles,  born  June  25th,  1800. 

His  Lordship  is  Lord  Chamberlain  to  the  King,  and  an  official 

Trustee  of  the  British  Museum,  K.  G.  F.R.A.  and  L.S. 

it 

Titles.']  George  Legge,  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  Viscount  Lewis- 
ham,  and  Baron  of  Dartmouth. 

Creations.']  Baron  of  Dartmouth,  in  Devonshire,  by  letters 
patent,  Dec.  2d  (1682)  34  Car.  II.  Viscount  Lewisham,  in  Kent, 
and  Earl  of  Dartmouth  aforesaid,  Sept.  5th  (1711),  10  Queen 
Anne. 


124  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Arms.']     Azure,  a  Buck's  Head,  cabossed,  Argent, 

Crest.]  In  a  ducal  Coronet,  Or.  a  Plume  of  five  Ostrich  lea- 
thers, party  per  pale,  Argent  and  Azure. 

Supporters.]  On  the  dexter  side,  a  Lion  Argent,  semee  of 
Fleurs  de  Lis,  Sable,  and  crowned,  with  the  Crest.  On  the  sinis- 
ter, a  Buck  Argent,  semee  of  Mullets,  Gules. 

Motto.]     Gaudet  tentamin*  Virtus. 

Chief  Seat.]  At  Sand  well-hall,  in  Staffordshire;  and  at  Black-t 
heath,  in  Kent. 


BENNET  EARL  OF  TANKERVILLE.  125 


BENNET  EARL  OF  TANKERVILLE. 

Of  this  family,  anciently  seated  in  Berkshire,  was  John  Bennet, 
who,  in  1433,a  was  returned  among  the  Gentlemen  of  that  county, 
who  made  oath  for  the  observance  of  the  laws  then  made  for 
themselves  and  retainers. 

In  b  All-hallows  church,  in  Wallingford,c  Berkshire,  now  en- 
tirely pulled  down,  was  a  monument  with  this  incription : 

'*  This  is  the  monument  of  Thomas  Bennet,  of  Clapcot,  Esq. 
who  had  issue  Thomas  Bennet,  Knight,  Citizen,  and  Alderman 
of  L<ondon,  his  third  sonne,  who  gave  twenty  pounds  yearly  for 
ever  to  fij "teen  poor  people  of  the  town  of  tFallingford." 

This  Thomas  Bennet,  of  Clapcot,  Esq.  had  issue,  by  Anne  hi* 
wife,  daughter  of Molines,  of  Mackney,  in  com.  Oxon, 

Richard  Bennet,  his  son  and  heir,  and 

Thomas  Bennet,  his  third  son,  Sheriff  of  London,  anno  1594, 
and  Lord  Mayor  in  1603,  din  which  year,  on  July  24th,  he  re- 
ceived the  honour  of  Knighthood  at  Whitehall.  He  purchased 
the  manor  of  Bechampton,  in  the  county  of  Bucks,  in  l60p,  and 
died  1626',  leaving  issue,-  by  Mary  his  wife,  daughter  of  Robert 
Taylor,  Sheriff  of  London,  34  Eliz.  three  sons;  Simon,  Richard, 
and  John,  which  last  died  without  issue  j  and  two  daughters  j 
Anne,  married  to  William  Duncomb,  of  Brickhill,  in  Bucking- 
hamshire, Esq.  and  Margaret,  to  Sir  George  Crook,  Knt.  Justice 
of  the  Common  Pleas.  Simon,  the  eldest  son,  seated  at  Bechamp- 
fon,  in  Buckinghamshire,  was  created  a  Baronet,  on  July  J7lb» 

a  Fullei'a  Worthies  In  Berksh. 
b  Ex  Collect.  Greg.  King.  Lane.  Fecial;  but  in  Ashmole's  Berkshire,  it  is 
called  S\  Mary's  Church. 

»/c  Sir  Thomas  Hope,  who  died  1646,  ancestor  *»f  Lord  Hoptoun,  married  Eli- 
zabeth, daughter  of  John  Bennet,  of  Wallingford,  Esq. 

d  Philpot's  Cat.  of  Knightr,  p.  25. 


126  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

1627,  and  was  buried  at  Bechhampton,  Aug.  22d,  1631,  without 
issue,  by  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Arthur  Inoram, 
Knt.  Richard,  the  second  son,  was  an  eminent  merchant  of 
London,  and  had  issue,  by  Elizabeth  his  wife,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Cradock,  of  Staffordshire,  Esq.  (after  his  decease,  remarried 
to  Sir  Heneage  Finch,  Knt.  Recorder  of  London),  Simon  Bennet, 
of  Bechampton,  in  the  county  of  Bucks,  Esq,  his  son  and  heir 
(as  likewise  heir  to  his  uncle,  Sir  Simon,  Bart.)  who  died  d  20th 
Aug.  1682,  and  is  buried  at  Bechampton,  leaving  issue,  by  his 
wife  Grace,  daughter  of  Gilbert  Moorwood,  of  London,  Merchant, 
three  daughters,  his  coheirs  j  viz.  Elizabeth,  married  to  Edward 
Osborne,  Lord  Latimer,  eldest  son  of  Thomas  Earl  of  Danby, 
but  died  without  issue;  Grace,  wedded  to  John  Bennet,  of  Abing- 
ton,  in  Cambridgeshire,  Esq.j  and  Frances,  espoused  to  James 
Cecil,  Earl  of  Salisbury,  whose  widow  she  died,  July  8th,  and 
was  buried  July  15th,  1713,  in  the  Church  of  St.  Giles's  in  the 
Fields,  London. 

I  now  return  to  Richakd  Bennet,  eldest  son  and  heir  of  Tho- 
mas Bennet,  of  Clapcot,  first  mentioned.  He  married  e  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Tisdale,  of  Deanly,  in  the  county  of  Berks, 
Esq.  and  had  issue, 

1.  Ralph,  his  son  and  heir,  from  whom  those  of  Moreden,  in 
Surry,  derive  their  descent  3 

2.  Sir  John  Bennet,  Knt.  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  of  Tan- 
kerville ; 

3.  Thomas,  Alderman  of  London,  Sheriff  in  1613;  who,  dying 
in  1622,  left  issue  a  daughter,  f  Rebecca,  who  married  Sir  Bul- 
strode  Whitlock,  Knt.  who  was  created  Lord  Whitlock,  by  O. 
Cromwell,  and  two  sons;  whereof,  Richard,  the  eldest,  by  his 
first  wife,  left  an  only  daughter,  Jane,  married  to  James  Scuda- 
more,  eldest  son  and  heir  of  John  Lord  Scudamore ;  likewise,  by 
his  second  wife,  had  an  only  daughter,  Dorothy,  married  to  Sir 
Henry  Cape!,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  created  Lord  Capel,  of  Tewks- 
bury;  but  died  in  1721,  without  issue.  Thomas,  the  second  son 
of  the  said  Thomas,  was  seated  at  Baberham,  in  Cambridgeshire, 
and  was  created  a  Baronet,  on  Nov.  22d,  \660;  but  this  title  be- 
came extinct  May  23d,  1701,  by  the  death  of  Sir  Richard  Bennet, 
Bart,  who  left  an  only  daughter  and  heir,  Judith,  who  died  July 

«t  Willis's  History  of  Buckingham,  p.  146. 
e  Visitation  of  Surry,  anno  1623,  MS. 
*"  Lives  of  Lord  Chancellors. 


BENNET  EARL  OF  TANKERVILLE.  127 

6th,  1713,  aged  twelve  years  and  six  months,  and  lies  buried  at 
Baberham. 

Sir  John  Bennet,  Knt.  second  son  of  Richard  Bennet,  was 
seated  at  Dawley,  in  the  county  of  Middlesex,  and  was  s  created 
on  July  6th,  1589,  Doctor  of  Laws,  by  the  University  of  Oxford, 
having  been,  in  1585,  one  of  the  Proctors  there.  He  was  after- 
wards Vicar-general  in  spirituals  to  the  Archbishop  of  York,  and 
Prebendary  of  Langtoft,  in  the  church  of  York.  In  42  Eliz.  bearing 
the  title  of  Doctor  of  Laws,  he  was  h  in  commission  with  the  Lord 
Keeper  Egerton,  the  Lord  Treasurer  Buckhursr,  and  several  other 
Noblemen,  for  the  suppression  of  heresy.  He  was  also,  in  the 
43d  of  that  reign,  returned  to  Parliament  for  the  city  of  York; 
and  was  a  leading  member  of  the  house  of  Commons,  as  appears 
from  several  of  his  speeches  (as  also  conferences  with  the  Lords), 
in  Townsh. end's  Collections.  He  was  also  one  of  the  learned 
Council. in  the  Northern  Court1  at  York,  in,  15  and  41  Eliz.  and 
1  Jac.  I.  from  whom  he  received  k  the  honour  of  Knighthood, 
on  July  23d,  1603,  at  Whitehall ;  and  in  that  reign,  was  ^nade 
Chancellor  to  Queen  Anne  (consort  of  King  James),  Judge  of 
the  prerogative  court  of  Canterbury,  and  Chancellor  to  the  Arch- 
bishop of  York.  In  1617,  he  was  sent  Ambassador  to  Brussels, 
to  question  the  Archduke  in  behalf  of  his  master  the  King  of 
Great  Britain,  concerning  a  libel  wrote  and  published,  as  it  was 
supposed,  by  Erycius  Puteanus,  who  neither  apprehended  the 
author,  nor  suppressed  the  book,  until  he  was  solicited  by  the 
King's  Agent  there  ;  only  interdicted  it,  and  suffered  the  author 
to  fly  his  dominions™  In  1620,  being  entitled  Judge  of  the  pre- 
rogative court  of  Canterbury,  he  was  in  a  special  commission 
with  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  other  Noblemen,  to  put 
in  execution  the  laws  against  all  heresies,  great  errors  in  matters 
of  faith  and  religion,  &c.  And  the  same  year,  bearing  the  title 
of  Chancellor  to  the  Archbishop  of  York,  he  was  commissioned 
with  the  Archbishop  of  York,  and  others,  to  execute  all  manner 
of  ecclesiastical  jurisdiction  within  the  province  of  York.  This 
Sir  John  Bennet,  who  died,  A.D.  1627,  in  the  parish  of  Christ- 
church,  London,  married  Anne,  daughter  of  Christopher  Weeks, 

"■  » 

g  Wood's  Fast.  Oxon,  Vol.  I.  p.  763. 
h  Rymer's  Foci.  Tom.  XVII.  p«  386.  *  Drake's  Eboracum,  p.  369. 

k  Philpot's  Car.  p.  13.  ,    l  Wood't  Fast.  Prsed. 

m  Woods  Fast.  I.  138,  where  it  is  recorded,  that  he  was  fined  20,000  i.  and 
deprived  of  bis  place,  for  corruption,  &c.  See  also  Camden's  Ann.  Reg.  Jac. 
anno  162 1,  1622,  1 


128  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

of  Salisbury,  in  Wilts,  Esq,  j  and  by  her  n  (who  departed  this  life 
on  Feb.  gth,  1601,  and  was  buried  in  the  cathedral  of  York,  where 
a  monument  is  erected  to  her  memory),  had  four  sons,  and  two 
daughters. 

His  eldest  son  and  successor  was  Sir  John  Bennet,  of  Dawley. 

Sir  Thomas  Bennet,  Knt.  second  son,  Doctor  of  the  Civil  Law, 
and  Master  in  Chancery,  married,  °  first,  Charlotte,  daughter  of 
William  Harrison,  of  London,  by  whom  he  had  two  daughters 
who  died  unmarried  j  but  by  his  second  wife,  Thoma sine,  daugh- 
ter and  coheir  of  George  Dethick,  Esq.  Counsellor  at  Law,  son  of 
Sir  William  Dethick,  Garter  King  of  Arms,  son  and  heir  of  Sir  Gil- 
bert Dethick,  he  had  issue  Thomas  Bennet,  of  Salthorp,  in  com. 
Wilts,  Esq.  who  married  Martha,  daughter  of  John  Smith,  of 
Tidworth,  in  com.  Southamp.  Esq.;  and  had  a  daughter,  Jane, 
married  to  Sir  Thomas  Gerard,  of  Lamer,  Bart. ;  Matthew,  third 
son  of  Sir  John  Bennet,  died  unmarried. 

And  several  other  children,  seated  at  Salthorp,  in  Wilts. 

The  eldest  son,  Sir  John  Bennet,  of  Dawley,P  received  the 
honour  of  Knighthood  in  the  lifetime  of  his  father,  at  Theobalds, 
on  June  15th,  1616.  He  married  Dorothy,  daughter  of  Sir  John 
Crofts,  of  Saxham,  in  the  county  of  Suffolk,  Knt.  by  whom  he 
had  issue  six  sons;    John,  his  son  and  heir; 

Henry,  second  son,  created  Baron  of  Arlington  by  letters  patent 
March  14th,  1663,  Viscount  Thetford,  in  the  county  of  Norfolk, 
and  Earl  of  Arlington  by  Charles  II.  on  April  22d,  1 6/2  ;  he 
was  likewise  Knight  of  the  Garter,  and  Lord  Chamberlain  to  the 
King :  he  married  Isabella,  daughter  of  Lewis  de  Nassau,  Lord 
of  Beaverwaert,  and  Count  of  Nassau,  by  whom  he  had  issue  an 
only  daughter  and  heir,  Isabella,  successor  to  her  father's  titles 
according  to  the  limitations  in  the  several  patents;  which  titles 
are  now  enjoyed  by  his  Grace  the  Duke  of  Grafton,  by  virtue  of 
his  descent  from  this  Lady,  who,  on  Aug.  1st,  1672,  became  the 
wife  of  Henry  Fitz-Roy,  natural  son  to  King  Charles  II.  after- 
wards created  Duke  of  Grafton,  &c.  The  Earl  of  Arlington  <i  died 
July  28th,  1685,  aged  sixty-seven  j  and  was  buried  at  Euston,  in 
Suffolk. 

Robert,  third  son,  who  died  without  issue. 

»  Drake*!  Eboracum,  p.  5 1 1.  ©Ex  Collect.  Greg.  King.  Lane.  Fecial, 

f  Philpot's  Cat.  of  Knights,  p.  ?». 
1  See  a  full  Account  of  Lord  Arlington  in  all  our  histories;  and  in  Clarendon's 
Life  ;  and  Burnet's  Own  Timei. 


BENNET  EARL  OF  TANKERV1LLE.      ug 

Charles,  fourth  son,  who,  marrying  Anne,  daughter  of  Richard 
Wigmore,  of  Upton-court,  in  Herefordshire,  Esq.  had  issue  one 
son,  and  two  daughters. 

Thomas,  the  fifth,  and  Edward  the  sixth  son,  both  died  issue- 
less. 

He  had  also  two  daughters;  Dorothy,  married  to  Benjamin  Ba- 
con, of  London,  Merchant :  and  Elizabeth,  wedded  to  Sir  Robert 
Carr,  ot  Sleeford,  in  Lincolnshire,  Bart. 

Which  John,  first  Peek,  the  eldest  son  of  Sir  John,  was 
made  Knight  of  the  Bath  at  the  coronation  of  Charles  II.  and 
-was  Lieutenant,  and  afterwards  Captain,  of  the  Band  of  Pension- 
ers, in  that  reign.  And  his  Majesty  taking  into  consideration  r 
the  constant  and  faithful  services  performed  to  Charles  I.  his 
royal  father,  of  blessed  memory,  in  the  rebellious  times;  as  also 
to  himself,  by  John  Bennet,  of  Hariington,  in  the  county  of  Mid- 
dlesex, whom,  at  his  coronation,  he  created  Knight  of  the 
honourable  order  of  the  Bath;  in  further  augmentation  of  his 
honour,  uid,  by  letters  patent,  bearing  date  on  Nov.  24th,  1682, 
advance  him  to  the  degree  and  dignity  of  a  Baron  of  this  realm, 
by  the  title  of  Lord  Ossulston,  Baron  of  Ossulston,  the  name 
of  one  of  the  hundreds  in  the  county  of  Middlesex.  His  Lord- 
ship having  been  a  Gentleman  Commoner  of  Pembroke  College, 
Oxford,  contributed  largely  towards  the  building  thereof,  and 
gave  a  fellowship  thereto.  He  sdied  1(388,  in  the  seventieth  year 
of  his  age,  leaving  one  son,  and  two  daughters;  and  was  buried 
in  Hariington  church,  in  com.  Middlesex ;  whereof  he  was  pa- 
tron, and  where  a  monument  is  erected  to  his  memory.  He 
married  two  wives;1  1.  Elizabeth,  Countess  of  Mulgrave,  daugh- 
ter of  Lionel  Cranfleld,  Earl  of  Middlesex;  and,  2.  Bridget, 
daughter  of  John  Howe,  of  Langar,  in  the  county  of  Nottingham, 
Esq.  and  sister  to  Scroop,  Lord  Viscount  Howe,  in  Ireland :  and 
by  the  last  had  issue  only,  as  above. 

The  son  was  Charles,  who  succeeded  him  in  honoui  and  estate : 

and  the  daughters  were,  Dorothy,  who  died  unmarried;  and  An- 

nabell,  wedded  to  John  Cecil,  Earl  of  Exeter;  she  died  in  August, 

1698,  and  was  buried  at  St  Martins,  in  Stamford,  com.  Line. 

Which  Charles,  second  Lord  Ossulston,  and  firstEarl, 

r  ii  Bill  sign.  34.  Car.  II.       (  s  Inscrip.  Tumuli  apud  Hariington. 

1  Sir  John  Bennet,  K.  B.  and  Elizabeth,  Countess  of  Mulgrave,  were  married, 
28th  October,  1661,  at  St.  Andrew  Undershaft,  in  Leadenhall  Street,  Ex.  Par 
Reg. 

VOL.  IV.  K 


130  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

took  his  place  in  the  "house  of  Peers,  on  Dec.  12th,  l6g5 ;  nnd 
was  created  Earl  of  Tankerville,  by  letters  patent  dated  Oct. 
19th,  17J4.  On  Dec.  gth,  1/15,  he  was  constituted,  by  his  Ma- 
jesty, Chief  Justice  and  Justice  in  Eyre  of  all  the  forests,  chases, 
parks,  and  warrens,  South  of  Trent :  and  on  Feb.  27th,  1720-21, 
was  made  a  Knight  of  the  most  ancient  and  noble  order  of  St. 
Andrew,  or  the  Thistle.  In  July,  1695,  he  married  the  Lady 
Mary,  only  daughter  of  Ford,  Lord  Grey  of  Wark,  Earl  of  Tan- 
kerville,  by  his  wife,  the  Lady  Mary,  fourth  daughter  of  George 
Earl  of  Berkeley  :  by  which  Lady,  who  died  on  May  31st,  1710, 
he  had  issue  four  sons,  and  three  daughters,  viz. 

Charles  Earl  of  Tankerville;  John,  who  died  an  infant,  Henry, 
and  Grey,  who  died  unmarried. 

Lady  Bridget,  married  May  26th,  1716,  to  John  Wallop,  Lord 
Viscount  Lymington,  first  Earl  of  Portsmouth,  and  died  on  Oct. 
12th,  1738:  Lady  Annabella,  wedded  to  William  Paulet,  E?q. 
eldest  son  of  the  Lord  William  Paulet,  and  died  his  widow,  No- 
vember 1 769  j  and  Lady  Mary,  married,  on  Aug.  6th,  1729,  to 
William  Wilmer,  of  Sywell,  in  com.  Northampton;  and  died  on 
May  24th,  1729. 

The  said  Charles,  Earl  of  Tankerville,  departed  this  life  in  the 
forty-eighth  year  of  his  age,  on  May  21st,  1722,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Charles,  his  eldest  son  and  heir. 

Which  Charles,  second  Earl  of  Tankerville,  on  Feb. 
28th,  1728-9,  was  appointed  one  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Bed- 
chamber to  his  Boyal  Highness  Frederick  Prince  of  Wales  ;  and 
on  May  l6th,  1730,  was  invested  with  the  ensigns  of  the  most 
ancient  and  noble  order  of  St.  Andrew,  or  the  Thistle.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1731,  he  was  .appointed  Captain  of  the  Yeomen  of  the 
Guards  j  and  resigning  this  post,  in  1733,  was  made  Master  of 
the  Buck-hounds.  After  which  he  was  appointed,  in  June,  1737» 
one  of  the  Lords  of  the  Bedchamber  to  the  King,  which  he  soon 
after  resigned.  On  May  1st,  1740,  he  was  sworn  Lord-Lieute- 
nant of  the  county  of  Northumberland,  and  of  the  town  and 
county  of  Newcastle  upon  Tyne.  His  Lordship  married  Camilla, 
daughter  to  Edward  Colvile,  of  Whitehouse,  in  the  bishopric  of 
Durham,  Esq.  after  one  of  the  Ladies  of  the  Bedchamber  to  her 
late  Majesty  Queen  Caroline;  and  lastly  to  the  Princess  Augusta, 
afterwards  Princess  of  Brunswick;  and  by  her  Ladyship,  who 

u  Journ.  Dom.  Proccr. 


BENNET  EARL  OF  TANKERVILLE.  131 

survived  till  October  9th,  1775,  a?ed  105,  he  had  issue  two  sons, 
And  one  daughter.  , 

J .  Charles,  Lord  Ossulston  ; 

2,  George,  born  in  1727,  to  whom  his  late  Majesty  was  god- 
father j  and 

Lady  Camilla,  married,  on  Jan,  11th,  1754,  to  Gilbert  Fane 
Fleming,  Esq,  son  of  Gilbert  Fleming,  Esq.  She  married,  se- 
condly, Qih  Oct.  1779,  to  Mr.  Wake,  of  Bath,  in  Somersetshire  $ 
and  died,  Feb.  7th,  1785. 

His  Lordship  was  taken  suddenly  ill,  on  the  road  from  Aldbo* 
rough-hatch,  in  Essex,  to  London,  on  March  14th,  17-53  5  and, 
notwithstanding  all  possible  assistance,  died  the  same  night.  To 
him  succeeded  Charles  Lord  Ossulston,  his  eldest  son. 

Which  Charles,  third  Earl  of  Tankerville,  had  all  ad- 
vantages of  education,  and  set  out  on  his  travels  in  May,  1734  j 
and  whilst  abroad,  was  made  an  Ensign  in  the  third  regiment  of 
Foot-guards,  in  October,  the  same  year.  In  1736,  he  returned  to 
England,  and  on  Sept.  1st,  1739,  ,a  company  in  General  Went- 
worth's  regiment  of  foot  was  conferred  on  him.  In  1740,  his 
Lordship  embarked  in  the  expedition  to  the  West-Indies,  under 
the  command  of  John  Lord  Cathcart  j  and  being  with  his  Ma- 
jesty's forqes  before  Carthagena,  was  at  the  attack  of  Fort  St. 
Lazarre,  on  April  2d,  1741 ;  and  behaving  with  great  intrepidity, 
he  was,  on  the  30th  of  the  same  month,  constituted  Major  of  the 
regiment  commanded  by  Colonel  Cotterell.  On  April  11th,  1743, 
his  Majesty  was  pleased  to  appoint  him  Lieutenant  colonel,  with 
the  command  of  a  company  in  the  first  regiment  of  Foot-guards  j 
in  1748,  he  was  elected  Knight  of  the  shire  for  the  county  of 
Northumberland,  and  on  succeeding  his  father,  he  took  his  place 
in  the  house  of  Peers,  on  March  28th,  1753. 

His  Lordship  married,  on  Sept.  23d,  1742,  Alicia,  third  daugh- 
ter, and  coheir  of  Sir  John  Astley,  of  Pateshull,  in  Staffordshire, 
Bart,  by  whom  he  had  issue  three  sons,  1.  Charles-Bennet,  the 
present  Earl  of  Tankerville  j 

2.  John  Grey  Bennet,  who  died  an  infant :  and, 

3.  Henry-Astley  Bennet,  born  on  April  3d,  1757»  a  Lieutenant- 
general  in  the  army,  and  first  Lieutenant-colonel  of  the  85th  Re- 
giment of  Foot. 

His  Lordship  had  also  two  daughters ;  viz.  Lady  Camilla-Eli- 
zabeth, born  March  22d,  1 746-7,  married,  in  1764,  Count  Dun- 
hofF,  a  Polish  Nobleman  ;  and  was  left  a  widow,  September  6th., 
J  764. 


132  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

2.  Lady  Frances- Alicia  married,  first,  William  Aslong,  Esq. ; 
secondly,  in  1781,  Rev.  Richard  Sandys  5  thirdly,  Rev.  Edward 
Beckingham  Benson,  Rector  of  Deal,  in  Kent,  since  deceased. 

His  Lordship  died  October  27th,  1767*  and  was  succeeded  by 
his  eldest  son, 

Charles,  fourth  and  present  Earl  of  Tankerville, 
who  was  born  Nov.  15th,  1743,  and  married  Oct.  7th,  17/1,  by 
a  special  licence,  at  Gatton,  in  Surrey,  to  Emma,  youngest  daugh- 
ter and  coheir  of  the  late  Sir  James  Colebrooke,  of  London,  Bartr 
by  whom  he  has  issue  Charles-Augustus,  Lord  Ossulstou,  born 
April  28,  1776,  married  July  28,  1806,  Mademoifelle  de  Gra- 
mont,  daughter  of  the  Duke  de  Gramont,  and  granddaughter  of 
the  Duke  de  Polignac.  He  is  M.  P.  for  Knaresborough ;  and 
held  the  office  of  Treasurer  to  his  Majesty's  Houfliold  during  the 
late  short  administration; 

2.  Henry  Grey  Bennet,  born  Dec.  2,  1777  >  and  in  1S06,  was 
elected  M.  P.  for  Knaresborough. 

3.  John  Astley  Bennet,  born  Dec.  21,  177S>  a  Captain  in  the 
Navy. 

4.  Lady  Caroline,  born  Oct.  2,  1772,  married  1795,  Sir  John 
Wrottesley,  Bart. 

5.  Lady  Anna,  born  April  28,  1774,  married  July  18,  1804, 
the  Rev.  William  Beresford,  youngest  son  of  the  Archbishop  of 
Tuam. 

6.  Lady  Margaret  Alicia  Emma,  born  May  21,  1780. 

7.  Lady  Mary  Elizabeth,  born  March  24,  1783. 

8.  Lady  Augusta  Sophia,  born  Nov.  27,  1787* 

His  Lordship,  on  April  13,  1 782,  was  appointed  Joint  Post- 
master General,  and  was  sworn  of  the  Privy  Council,  Sept.  2, 
following  5  but  resigned  his  office  April  10,  1783,  and  was  again 
appointed  during  the  short  administration  of  the  following 
year. 

Titles.  Charles  Bennet,  Earl  of  Tankerville,  and  Baron  of 
Ossulston. 

Creations.  Baron  Ossulston,  of  Ossulston,  in  com.  Middlesex, 
Nov.  24th  (16S2),  34  Car.  II.  Earl  of  Tankerville  (a  castle  in 
the  duchy  of  Normandy),  Oct.  19th  (1714)  1  George  I. 

Arms.  Gules,,  a  Bezant  between  three  Demi-Lions,  rampant, 
Argent. 

Crest.  On  a  wreath,  a  scaling-ladder,  Or ;  which  is  an  ancient 
crest  of  the  Grey  family  :  but  sometimes  they  used  the  following 


BENNET  EARL  OF  TANKERVILLE.  133' 

— On  a  wreath  j  a  Demi-Lion,  rampant,  Argent,  the  head, 
Gules,  holding  in  his  paws  a  Bezant;  and  sometimes  out  of  a 
mural  coronet,  Or,  a  Lion's  head,  Gules,  charged  with  a  Bezant 
on  his  neck. 

Supporters.     Two  Lions,  Argent,  each  charged  on  its  shoulder 
with  a  Bezant,  and  crowned  ducally,  Or. 

Motto.     Haud  facile  Emergunt. 

But  his  Lordship  now  chuses  the  motto  of  his  great  grand- 
father, Ford  Lord  Grey,  Earl  of  Tankerville,  viz. 

De  box  Vouloir  servir  le  Roy. 

Chief  Seats.     At  Chillingham  castle,  in  Northumberland  j  and 
Dawney  Court,  in  Buckinghamshire. 


134  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


FINCH  EARL  OF  AILESFORD. 

I  am  now  to  treat  of  Heneage  Finch,  Lord  Guernsey,  Earl  of 
Ailesford,  second  son  of  Heneage,  Earl  of  Nottingham :  which 
Heneage,  Earl  of  Ailesford,a  after  his  education  in  Christ  church, 
in  Oxford,  was  entered  in  the  Inner-Temple,  for  the  study  of  the 
laws j  wherein  he  was  such  a  proficient,  that,  on  Jan.  13th,  16/8, 
heb  was  constituted  his  Majesty's  Solicitor-general;  from  which 
office  he  was  removed  by  James  II.  on  April  21st,  l68fj. 

He  was  afterwards  the  principal  of  those  eminent  counsel  who 
pleaded  in  behalf  of  the  seven  Bishops,  who  were  tried  on  June 
29th,  in  Trinity-term,  16'88,  for  refusing  to  authorise  the  reading 
King  James's  declaration  for  abrogating  the  test  and  penal  laws, 
and  on  that  account  were  committed  to  the  Tower.  On  which 
occasion  c  Mr.  Finch  argued  strenuously  against  their  commit- 
ment, and  the  power  of  the  King  in  dispensing  with  the  laws 
mentioned  in  that  declaration :  and  that  the  Lords  the  Bishops 
could  not  in  prudence,  honour,  or  conscience,  so  far  make  them- 
selves parties  to  it,  as  the  solemn  publication  thereof  in  the  time 
of  divine  service  (as  they  were  commanded),  must  amount  to. 

He  was  elected,  for  the  University  of  Oxford,  to  that  Parlia- 
ment which  met  at  Westminster,  on  March  6th,  lfj/S-f);  and 
returned  a  member  for  the  borough  of  Guilford,  in  Surry,  to  that 
which  met  on  May  lQth,  10S5.d  Also  chosen  for  the  University 
of  Oxford,  in  the  Convention  Parliament;  and  in  all  the  subse- 
quent Parliaments  whilst  he  continued  a  Commoner,  except  in 
the  10th  of  Will.  III.  when,  by  reason  of  his  ill  state  of  health, 
he  declined  being  elected. 

»  Wood's  Athenae  Oxon.  Vol.  II.  p.  540.  '•  Dugdale's  Chrori.  Series. 

c  Trial  of  ths  seven  Bishops.  «*  Will Vs  Nor.tia  Pari.  M.S. 


FINCH  EARL  OF  AILESFORD.  135 

In  August,  1702,  the  1st  of  Queen  Anne,e  he  was  chosen  to 
compliment  her  Majesty  on  the  part  of  the  University,  on  her 
coming  to  the  city  of  Oxford  j  and  in  consideration  of  his  great 
merits  and  abilities/  was  created  Baron  of  Guernsey  (an  island 
on  the  French  coast  belonging  to  the  county  of  Southampton),  by 
letters  patent  dated  on  March  15th,  1702-3,^  and  was  sworn  of 
the  Privy-council,h  on  the  20th. 

On  the  accession  of  George  I.  he  was  created  Earl  of  Ailes- 
ford, by  letters  patent,  dated  Oct.  19th,  1714;  being  the  same 
year  constituted  Chancellor  of  the  duchy  of  Lancaster,  and  sworn 
of  the  Privy  council.  Which  office  his  Lordship  resigned  on 
Feb.  29th,  J 715-16.  .And  departing  this  life  on  July  22d,  17ICJ, 
was  buried  at  Ailesford  in  Kent. 

His  Lordship  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  one  of  the  co- 
heirs of  Sir  John  Banks,  of  Ailesford,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  Bart. 
By  her  Ladyship,  who  died  Sept.  1st,  1743,  he  had  issue  nine 
children. 

I0  Lady  Elizabeth,  who  was  married  to  Robert  Benson,  Lord 
Bingley.  and  died  on  Feb.  20 th,  1757*  aged  eighty. 

2.  Lady  Mary,  who  died  unmarried  in  Feb.  1734  5. 

3.  Lady  Anne,  married  to  William  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  died 
30th  Nov.  1751. 

4.  Heueage,  second  Earl  of  Ailesford. 

5.  The  lion.  John  Finch,  who  was  returned  member  for  the 
borough  of  Maidstone,  to  the  Parliament  summoned  to  meet  on 
May  10th,  1722  j  also  chosen  in  the  succeeding  Parliaments  to 
the  time  of  his  decease.  On  April  30th,  1/2(5,  he  married  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  and  heir  of  John  Savile,  of  Methley-hall,  in  York- 
shire, Esq.  and  deceasing  on  Jan.  1st,  1739  40,  left  issue  (by  her, 
who  died  Oct.  28th,  1767),  a  daughter  Mary,  and  one  son,  Savile 
Finch,  Esq.  married  to  Judith,  daughter  of  John  Fullerton,  of 
Dorsetshire,  Esq.  He  was  member  of  Parliament  for  Maidstone, 
1755,  and  for  Mai  ton,  1761,  17O8,  1774,  178O;  which  he  va- 
cated immediately  after,  to  make  way  for  Edmund  Burke. 

6.  Lady> Martha  died  unmarried  in  Jan.  1/C0. 

7.  Lady  Frances,  married,  on  Oct.   1 6th,  \yiQt  to  Sir  John 
Bland,  of  Kippax-park,  in  com.  Ebor.  Bart,  and  died  1759. 

8.  The  hoii.  Henry  Finch,  who  died  on  July  15th,  J75J3  un- 
married. 

c  Annals  of  Q^.?en  Anne.  f  Pat.  2  Queen  Anne. 

&  S;t  Buret's  O.  T.  H.  34<.  h  Pointer*!  Chron.  p.  485. 


136  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

g.  Lady  Essex  deceased,  unmarried,  1744. 

Heneage,  second  Earl  of  Ailesford,  was  constituted 
Master  of  the  Jewel-office,  on  June  11th,  \J  11,  and  continued 
in  the  same  place  under  George  I.  till  he  voluntarily  resigned  it, 
when  his  father  quitted  his  place  of  Chancellor  of  the  duchy  of 
Lancaster.  His  Lordship,  whilst  a  Commoner,  was  elected  one 
of  the  Knights  for  the  county  of  Surry,  in  the  9th  and  12th  years 
of  Queen  Anne;  also  in  the  first  year  of  her  successor,  till  he 
succeeded  his  father  in  1 7 1 9.  And  having  married  Mary,  daughter 
and  heir  of  Sir  Clement  Fisher,  of  Packington,  in  com.  Warw. 
Bart,  had  issue  one  son,  and  four  daughters  j  Heneage,  late  Earl 
of  Ailesford ;  Lady  Anne ;  Lady  Mary,1  married  to  William, 
Lord  Viscount  Andover,  son  and  heir  of  Henry  Bowes,  Earl  of 
Suffolk  and  of  Berkshire;  Lady  Elizabeth;  and  Lady  Frances, 
married,  on  April  2d,  I7-il>  to  <\r  William  Courtenay,  of  Pow- 
derham-castle,  in  Devonshire,  afterwards  created  Viscount  Cour- 
tenay, and  died  December  19th,  1751.  His  Lady,  the  Countess 
of  Ailesford,  died  at  Bath,  in  May,  1740;  and  he  himself,  on 
June  29th,  1757. 

His  Lordship's  son  and  successor,  Heneage,  THtRD  Earl 
of  Ailesford,  was  born  November,  1715,  elected,  in  1739, 
one  of  the  Knights  for  the  county  of  Leicester;  and  in  the  suc- 
ceeding Parliament,  1741,  and  in  1754,  was  chosen  for  Maid- 
stone in  Kent.  His  Lordship  was  LL.D.  He  married,  on  October 
6th,  1750,  Lady  Charlotte  Seymour,  youngest  daughter  of  Charles 
Duke  of  Somerset,  by  his  second  wife,  the  Lady  Charlotte  Finch, 
daughter  of  Daniel  Earl  of  Winchelsea  and  Nottingham;  and  by 
her  was  father  of  eight  sons. 

1.  Heneage,  his  successor. 

2.  Charles,  born  June  4,  1/52,  of  Voylas,  Derbyshire,  elected 
M.  P.  for  Castle  Rising,  1/74,  and  for  Maidstone,  1777;  married, 
December  28th,  1778,  eldest  daughter- and  coheir  of  Watkin 
Wynne,  Esq.  of  Denbighshire,  by  whom  he  has  a  son,  born  Fe- 
bruary, 17  80. 

3.  William  Clement,  born  May  27th,  1758,  an  Admiral  in 
the  Navy,  seated  at  Albury,  in  Surry,  elected  M.  P.  for  that 
county,  1790;  and  died  in  September,  1794;  married,  August 
2d,  1789,  Miss  Brouncker  of  St.  Christophers,  by  whom  he  had 
five  children;  viz.  a  son,  who  died  an  infant,  in  February,  1 70 1  j 

i  Lately  deceased. 


FINCH  EARL  OF  AILESFORD.  137 

William  j  Mary;   Heneage;   and  a  daughter,  born  September, 
]  794.     His  widow  is  remarried. 

4.  Lady  Charlotte,  born  May  13th,  1754;  married,  August 
14th,  1777,  Henry  Howard,  twelfth  Earl  of  Suffolk  and  Berks. 

5.  Edward,  born  April  26th,  1756,  who  has  represented  the 
town  of  Cambridge  in  six  Parliaments;  is  a  Groom  of  the  King's 
Bedchamber,  and  a  Lieutenant  General  in  the  Army,  and  Major 
of  the  Coldstream  Regiment  of  Foot  Guards. 

6.  Daniel,   B.  D.   Prebendary  of  Gloucester,   born  April  3d, 

7.  Seymour,  born  June  11th,  1758,  died  February  2d,  1794. 

8.  Henry- Allington,  born  February  26th,  1761,  died  Novem- 
ber 19th,  178O.  , 

9.  Lady  Frances,  born  February  9th,  l/6l;  married,  Septem- 
ber 24th,  1782,  George,  present  Earl  of  Dartmouth. 

10.  Lady  Maria  Elizabeth,  born  October  7th,  1766}  and  died 
December  19th,  1793. 

1 1.  Lady  Henrietta  Constantia,  born  June  3d,  1769. 

His  Lordship  died  at  his  house  in  Grosvenor  Square,  May  9th, 

1  yyy  ;  and  his  Countess  on and  was  succeeded  by  his 

eldest  son,  , 

Heneage,  present  and  fourth  Earl  of  Ailesford,  born 
July  13th,  1751.  "While  a  Commoner,  he  represented  the  bo- 
rough of  Maidstone  in  Parliament.  In  December  1777*  he  was 
appointed  a  Lord  of  the  Bedchamber,  which  he  resigned  in  1783, 
when  he  was  appointed  Captain  of  the  Yeomen  of  the  Guard. 
Which  office  he  retained  till  1804;  when  he  was  nominated  Lord 
Steward  of  the  Household.  He  is  also  Judge  of  the  Marshalsea 
Court,  and  a  Trustee  of  the  Brtish  Museum. 

He  married,  November  18th,1781,  Louisa  Thynne,  daughter  of 
the  late  Marquis  of  Bath;  by  whom  (who  died  Jan.  l6th,  1797) 
he  has  had  issue  two  daughters,  who  died  infants. 

3.  Charles  Lord  Guernsey,  died  July  18th,  1784. 

4.  A  daughter,  born  January  31st,  1785. 

5.  Lord  Guernsey,  born  February  23d,  1789,  M.  P.  for 

Weobley. 

6.  A  son,  born  1792. 

7.  A  son,  born  1795;  a  Midshipman  on  board  the  Tigre  man 
of  War,  &c.  &c. 

Titles.     Heneage   Finch,   Earl   of   Ailesford,   and    Baron   of 

Guernsey.  ' 


135  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Creations.  Baron  of  Guernsey,  in  com.  Southampt.  by  letter* 
patent,  bearing  date  on  March  loth,  1702-3,  and  Earl  of  Ailes- 
ford,  in  Kent,  October  19th,  1/14,  1  George  I. 

Arms.  Argent,  a  chevron  between  three  griphons  passant  sable. 

Crest.     On  a  Wreath,  a  Griphon  passant,  Sable. 

Supporters.  On  the  dexter  side,  a  Griphon,  Sable,  gorged  with 
a  ducal  Collar,  Or;  and  on  the  sinister,  a  Lion  of  the  second, 
ducally  gorged,  Azure. 

Motto.     Aperto  viverk  voto. 

Chief  Seats.  At  Ailesford,  in  the  county  of  Kent  j  at  Albury, 
in  the  county  of  Surry  j  and  at  Packington,  in  the  county  of 
Warwick. 


HERVEY  EARL  OF  BRISTOL.  139 


HERVEY  EARL  OF  BRISTOL. 

1  he  surname  of  Hervey,  or  Harvey,  written  anciently  with  Fitz 
(i.  e.  son  of  Harvey),  is  derived  from  Robert  Fitz-Harvey,  a 
younger  son  of  Harvey  Duke  of  Orleans,  who  is  recorded  among 
those  valiant  commanders,*  who  accompanied  William  the  Con- 
queror in  bis  expedition  into  this  kingdom,  in  10d6,  and  were 
rewarded  by  him  with  lands,  &c. 

This  Robert  Fitz-Harvey  had  several  sons;  one  of  them,b  Ro- 
bert, writing  himself  Son  of  Hervey,  gave  lands  to  the  Abbot  of 
Abington,  which  Henry  I.  confirmed.  Likewise,  in  the  same 
reign  lived  Hervey,0  who,  being  Bishop  of  Bangor,  was  translated 
to  the  bishopric  of  Ely,  and  made  the  first  Bishop  of  that  see, 
1109,  wherein  he  sat  twenty-two  years,  departing  this  life  on 
August  30th,  1131. 

Of  the  same  lineage  was  Count  Hervey,  a  Briton,  a  famous 
soldier/  and  Governor  of  the  castle  of  the  Devizes,  in  the  reign 
of  King  Stephen,  which  he  held  out  against  the  Earl  of  Glou- 
cester, and  powerfully  assisted  that  king  in  bis  wars  with  Maud, 
the  Empress  j  but  was  at  length  forced  to  retire  beyond  the  seas 
with  a  few  attendants. 

After  him  was  Hervey  de  Yuon,  who  married  a  daughter  of 
William  Goieth,  that  died  in  his  journey  to  the  Holy  Land.e 
Which  Hervey  delivered  certain  castles  in  France  unto  Henry  II. 

*  Stow's  Anna's,  edit.  1614.  p.  104,  107. 
k  Mon.  Anjj.  Vol.  II.  p.  106.  c  Goodwin's  Cat.  of  B'.shops,  p.  zoi 

*  4  Tyrrel's  Hist,  of  Eng.  Vol.1,  p.  69. 

«•  Hdlinshcd's  Chron.  Voi,  III.  p.  75. 


140  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND, 

despairing  to  keep  them  against  Theobald  Earl  of  Chartres,  who, 
by  aid  of  the  French  King,  sought  to  dispossess  him  in  1169.  He 
afterwards  accompanied  King  Henry  in  his  conquest  of  Ireland, 
as  appears  by  the  roll  collected  by  William  Camden,  in  his  ob- 
servations of  Ireland. 

Our  genealogists  agree,  that  Henry  was  son  of  the  said  Harvey 
de  Yuon ;  and  I  find  his  name  among  other  persons  of  note,  who 
were  witnesses  to  Roger  de  Clare's  grant  to  Rievaulx- Abbey/  in 
com.  Ebor.  in  1190,  being  styled  Hen.  fil.  Harvei.  This  Henrys 
embarked  for  the  Holy  Land  with  Richard  I.  who,  in  that  ex- 
pedition, subdued  the  isle  of  Cyprus,  restored  to  the  Christians 
the  city  of  Joppa,h  and  in  many  battles  put  the  Turks  to  flight. 
He  was  held  in  much  esteem  by  King  John,  as'  appears  by  his 
grant  to  him  of  the  forestership  of  New-forest,  Achilles  Garth, 
and  other  lands,  Ry  his  wife,  Alice,  daughter  to  Henry,  son  of 
Ivo,  he  had  issue, 

Osbert  de  Hervey,k  who  held  lands  in  Helnfestune,  as  is  evi- 
dent by  the  register  of  the  monastery  of  St.  Edmundsbury,  fol. 
174.  b.  and  being  styled  son  of  Hervey,1  is  mentioned  as  one  of 
the  King's  Justices  at  Norwich,  with  Roger  le  Bigot,  in  the  3d 
year  of  the  reign  of  Richard  I.  as  also  m  one  of  the  Justices  itine- 
rant at  Huntingdon,  on  the  octaves  of  the  Assumption  of  the 
Virgin  Mary,  the  same  year ;  and  fines  were  levied  before  himn 
to  the  octaves  of  St.  Martin,  in  the  7th  of  King  John,  when  he 
departed  this  life,  leaving  issue  by  his  wife,  Dyonisia,  daughter  of 
JefTery  de  Grey,  Adam,  his  son  and  heir,  under  age. 

Which  Adam  de  Hervey  was  in  ward  to  Henry  III.  and  by 
his  appointment  (as  was  usual  in  those  times),  was  married  to 
•Juliana,  daughter  of  John  de  Fitzhugh,  by  whom  he  had  issue 

John  de  Hervey,  his  son  and  heir,  who,  by  marrying  Joan,? 
daughter  and  heir  of  John  Harman,  or  (as  others)  Hammon,  of 
Thurley,  in  Bedfordshire,  became  pc  ^essed  of  that  lordship,  which 
he  made  his  principal  residence :  and  departed  this  life  in  21  Ed- 
ward I.  (i  leaving  issue, 

1.  John,  his  son  and  heir. 


f  Mon.  Ang.  Vol.  II.  p.  7*1 
g  Segar's  Baronagium,  MS.  in  Stem,  hujus  Fam. 
*  Stow's  Annals,  p.  159.  i  Ex  Evid.  Fam..  penes  Joh.  Com.  Bristof. 

k  Apparatus  Geneal.  MS.  in  Bibl.  Harlcy,  p.  636.  I  lb.  p.  746. 

n»  Mon.  Ang.  Vol.11,  p.  854.  «  Dugdale's  Origin.  Jurid.  p.  41. 

0  Segar  praed.  p  Ibid.  <l  Ex  Stemmate  praed. 


HERVEY  EARL  OF  BRISTOL.  141 

And,  2.  Peter/  from  whom  the  Herveys  of  Northamptonshire 
are  descended. 

Which  John  Hervey,  of  Thurley,  Esq.  taking  to  wife  Marga- 
ret, daughter  and  heir  of  Sir  John  de  Nernuytt,  of  Burnham,  in 
com.  Bucks  (son  of  Thomas  de  Nernuytt/  by  Alice  his  wife, 
daughter  and  heir  of  Thomas  Buckland,  of  Buckland,  in  com. 
Devon),  did  thereby  greatly  increase  his  inheritance,  which  de- 
scended to  his  son  and  heir, 

John  Hervey,  who  married  Margery,  daughter  of  Sir  William 
Colthorpe.  Knt.  And  in  1386,  was  *  elected  Knight  of  the  shire 
for  the  county  of  Bedford,  in  the  Parliament  then  held.  In  4 
Henry  IV.  he  was  authorised,"  with  Sir  William  de  Roos,  Sir 
Richard  de  Grey,  and  others  of  great  note,  to  treat  with  Owen 
Glendowr,  and  his  council,  and  to  conclude  with  him,  what  they 
should  conceive  most  expedient  to  be  done,  for  the  redemption 
of  Reginald  Lord  Grey,  of  Ruthyn,  then  prisoner  with  the  said 
Owen.  And  the  King,  on  December  8th,  1404,  x  grants  licence 
to  Gerard  Bray  broke,  Knt.  John  Hervey,  and  others,  to  found  a 
Collegiate-church  at  Northill,  in  Bedfordshire  (in  the  room  of 
the  parish-church  there),  to  celebrate  divine  service  for  the  souls 
of  Sir  John  Traylly,  Knt,  and  Reginald  his  son,  deceased.  The 
Lady  of  Sir  John  Hervey  survived  him,  and  being  after  wife  to 
Sir  John  Argentine,  died  in  the  5th  year  of  Henry  VI.  She  had, 
by  y  her  first  husband, 

1.  Sir  Nicholas  Hervey,  slain  at  the  battle  of  Tewksbury,  on 
May  4th,  1471,  fighting  on  the  part  of  Prince  Edward,  son  of 
Henry  VI.  as  also, 

2.  Thomas  Hervey,  of  Thurley,  Esq.  who  married  Joan, 
daughter  to  William  Paston,  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Kind's 
Bench  (ancestor  to  the  late  Earl  of  Yarmouth),  by  whom  he  had 
issue 

John2  Hervey,  of  Thurley,  Esq.  who,  in  146l,  had  a  a grant 
from  the  King,  of  the  Office  of  Master  of  his  Ordnance,  with  the 
wages  of  two  shillings  a  day  for  himself,  and  six-pence  a  day  for 
his  clerk  j  and  six-pence  a  day  for  his  other  servants  in  the  said 
office.     He  took  to  wife  Christian,  daughter  of  John  Chichley, 

»  MS.  St.  George  praed.  8  JekylPs  Lib.  Baron.  MS.  p.  225. 

*  Pryn's  4th  Part  of  a  Brief  Reg.  p.  502. 
«  Pat.  4  Henry  IV.  p.  1.  m.  28.  &  Rot.  Pari.  4  Henry  IV.  n.  13. 
x  Mon.  Ang.  Vol.  IIT.  p.  141.  7  Stow's  Annate)  p.  424. 

a  Visit,  de  Com.  Stiff,  in  Bibl.  Harley,  Not.  5.  B.  11. 
*  Claus.  1.  Edward  IV.  m.  1. 


142  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  founder  of  All-Souls  college,  in  Ox- 
ford, and  Cardinal  of  St.  Eusebius.  From  that  marriage  proceeded 
several  sons  and  daughters,  viz. 

1.  Johp  Hervey,  of  Thurley,  Esq. 

2.  John  Hervey,  junior,  Esq.  who  married  Margaret,  daugh- 
ter and  heir  of  William  Wickham,  relict  of  William  Fines,  Lord 
Say. 

3.  Edward  Hervey. 

4.  Richard  Hervey. 

Isabella,  a  nun  at  Ellstoe,  in  Bedfordshire;  Anne,  Christian, 
Alice,  Margery,  and  Florence. 

John  Hervey,  of  Thurley,  Esq.  (son  and  heir  of  John),  was 
wedded b  to  Alice,  daughter  of  Nicholas  Morley,  of  Glind,  in 
Sussex,  and  left  issue  two  sons. 

1.  George. 

And,  2.  Thomas  Hervey,  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  of 
Bristol. 

Also  a  daughter,  Isabel ;  first  married  to  Thomas  AtclifTe  ;  se- 
condly, to  John  Leigh,  of  Addington,  in  Surrey,  Esquires  ;c  she 
died  January  8th,  1544,  and  lies  buried  at  Addington. 

George  Hervey,  the  eldest  son,  succeeding  at  Thurley,  was 
twice  d  Sheriff  of  the  counties  of  Bedford  and  Buckingham,  viz. 
in  24  Henry  VII.  and  8th  of  Henry  VIII.  He  had  a  brave  spirit, 
and  signalized  himself  in  several  martial  exploits,  particularly  at 
the  sieges  of  Teroven  and  Tournay,  and  in  that  battle,  which  our 
historians  call  the  Battle  of  Spurs,  from  the  swiftness  of  the 
French  in  running  away,c  on  August  1 6th,  1513.  For  his  valiant 
behaviour  in  these  actions,  he  was  knighted  by  Henry  VIII.  on 
October  13th,  after  his  entrance  into  Tournay.  In  1520,  he  was 
retained  to  attend  his  Sovereign  f  into  France,  with  one  chaplain, 
eleven  servants,  and  eight  horses,  in  his  retinue;  in  which  year 
there  was  a  meeting/  first,  of  the  Emperor  Charles  V.  who  came 
over  into  England,  and  was  received  by  the  King  at  Dover;  and 
afterwards,  of  the  Kings  and  Queens  of  England  and  France,  at 
a  camp  between  Guisnes  and  Ardes ;  and  likewise  with  the  same 
Emperor,  and  his  aunt  the  Duchess  of  Savoy,  at  Graveline  and 
Calais. 

b  Vistt.  dc  Com.  Surf,  praed.  c  Aubrey's  Hist,  of  Surrey,  Vol.  II.  p.  57. 

d  Fuller's  Worthies  in  Com.  Bedford,  p.  124. 
*  Nom.  Equit.  in  Bibl.  Cott.  Claudius,  c.  iii.  p.  91.  and  Jekyll's  Cat.  of 
Knights,  p.  24. 

f  MS.  not.  b.  5.  in  Bibl.  Joh.  Anstis.  S  Stow's  Annals,  p.  $to> 


HERVEY  EARL  OF  BRISTOL.  143 

This  Sir  George  Hervey's  last  will  and  testament  bears  date  on 
April  7th,  1520,  which  was  just  before  his  intended  voyage  j  but 
he  did  not  depart  this  life  t'rll  six  years  after,  as  should  seem  h  by 
the  probate  thereof,  dated  on  May  8th,  1526.  "  He  orders  his 
body  to  be  buried  in  the  parish  church  of  Thurley,  or  in  the  mo- 
nastery of  Elmstow,  if  he  should  decease  there;  and  that  a  marble 
stone,  of  the  price  of  four  marks,  should  be  laid  over  the  bodies 
of  John  Hervey  and  his  wife,  one  of  the  daughters  and  heirs  of 
Sir  John  Nernuytt,  Knight,  who  lie  there  buried;  Also,  that  his 
executors  cause  the  image  of  our  Lady,  that  standeth  within  the 
chancel  cf  Thurley,  to  be  painted,  and  provide  a  new  tabernacle 
to  set  her  in  ;  and  that  they  find  an  honest  priest  for  the  space  of 
twenty  years  in  the  said  church,  to  pray  for  the  souls  ef  his  father 
and  mother,  and  others  his  friends. 

"  He  further  directs  his  executors  to  uphold  his  manor-place 
of  Thurley ;  and  bequeaths  to  them  for  the  performance  of  his 
will,  all  his  manors,  lands,  and  advowsons,  in  the  counties  of 
Huntingdon,  Bedford,  Bucks,  Oxon,  and  Hertfordshire.  Pie 
wills  his  lands  in  Fleetmarston,  to  Margaret  Smart,  for  the  term 
of  her  life,  remainder  to  Gerard  her  son,1  and  the  heirs  male  of 
his  body :  and  in  default  thereof,  to  his  nephew  John  Hervey,  of 
High  worth,  Esq.  He  also  bequeaths  his  manor  of  Thurley  to 
the  said  Gerard,  when  he  arrives  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years, 
provided  he  marries  by  the  advice  of  his  executors,  Sir  William 
Parr,  Knight,  John  Hervey,  and  John  Lee,  Esquires;  and  ap- 
points supervisors  of  his  will,  Sir  Henry  Gray,  Knight,  Sir  Ed- 
mund Bray,  and  William  Paston,  Knights. 

Sir  George  married  k  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Stamford,  by 
whom  he  had  an  only  child,  Joan,  married  to  Arthur  Walton ; 
but  it  may  be  presumed  she  died  before  her  father,  and  without 
issue,  as  she  is  not  mentioned  in  his  will. 

From  the  said  Gerard,  who  took  the  name  of  Hervey,  and  was 
elected  for  the  town  of  Bedford,  to  the  Parliaments  in  the  l  first 
of  Edward  VI.  as  also  in  the  reign  of  Philip  and  Mary,  and  was 
knighted,"1  descended  the  Herveys  of  Thurley,  in  the  county  of 
Bedford.  His  descendants  continued  at  Thurleigh  till  the  death 
of  John  Hervey,  Esq.  in  1715." 

h  Ex  Regist.  vocat.  Ayloofe,  qu.  3.  in  Cur.  Proerog.  Cant. 

*  Of  course,  Sir  George's  illegitimate  son. 

k  Peerage  of  England,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jacob. 

'  Willis's  Not.  Pari,  in  eod.  Com. 

m  Visit,  ds  Com.  Essex  in  Bibl.  Harley,  not.  90.  a.  13. 

■  Lysons's  Mag.  Brit.  I.  140  j  who  adds,  that  they  had  previous^  sold  this 


144  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

But  the  chief  heirs  male  of  the  family  are  the  Herveys  of 
Highworth,  or  Ickworth  (as  it  is  now  written),  descended  from 
Thomas  Hervey,  only  brother  of  Sir  George  Hervey,  beforemen- 
tioned  :  he  served  Henry  VIII.  in  his  wars,  and  was  °one  of  the 
council  of  the  city  of  Tournay,  under  Sir  John  Russell  (after  Earl, 
of  Bedford),  the  Governor,  at  the  time  of  the  delivery  of  it  to 
the  French  King,  Francis  I.  in  15\g.  He  acquired  the  manor 
of  Ickworth,  and  other  possessions,  by  marriage  with  Jane,  daugh- 
ter and  heir  of  Henry  Drury,  of  Hawsted  and  Ickworth,  &c.  Esq. 
(Which  manor  of  Ickworth  anciently  belonged  to  a  family  of  the 
same  name,  whereof  Thomas  Ickworth  made  his  will  the  Thurs- 
day after  St.  John  Baptist,  in  1373,  and  was  a  benefactor  to  the 
repair  of  the  church  of  Ickworth,  to  the  monks  of  Thetford,  the 
brethren  of  Thetford,  and  the  brethren  of  Bakewell;  and  left 
issue  Agnes  de  Ickworth,  his  daughter  and  heir,  who  was  mar- 
ried to Drury,  of  Hawsted.)   The  said  Jane,  surviving  him, 

was,  secondly,  married  to  Sir  William  Carew;  and  at  length  de- 
parted this  life  on  July  2d,  1525,  and  was  buried  at  St.  Mary's 
Church  in  St.  Eclmundsbury,  in  Suffolk:  by  her  first  husband  she 
had  issue 

John  Hervey,  Esq.?  executor  and  administrator  to  the  last 
testament  of  his  uncle  Sir  George  Hervey,  in  18  HenryVill.  who, 
dying  without  issue,  was  succeeded  by  his  brother, 

William  Hervey,  of  Ickworth,  Esq.  who  took  to  wife  Joan, 
daughter  of  John  Cocker,  of  Amptop,  in  the  county  of  Suffolk  ; 
and  departing  this  life  August  1st,  1538,  was  buried  in  the  middle 
isle  of  St  Mary's  church  in  St.  Edmundsbury,  as  appears  by  this 
inscription : 

Pray  for  the  Soule  of  William 
Harvye,  Esq.   Obiit   1  Aug.   1538. 

He  had  issue  several  sons  and  daughters;    viz.   9 Elizabeth, 

married  to Gibbes,  of  Sudbury  ;  Jane,  to Vynners ; 

and  Margaret,  to Pratt. 

1.  John,  ancestor  to  Lord  Bristol. 

2.  Sir  Nicholas. 

3.  Francis. 

And,  4.  Anthony. 

manor,  in  1708,  to  Sir  John  Holt;  of  which  family  it  was  purchased  in  1 790,  by 
the  Duke  of  Bedford. 

o  Strype's  Memorials  of  Henry  VIII.  Vol.  I.  p.  7. 
P  Ex  Regist.  Aylosf.  praed,  1  Visit,  of  Suffolk,  anno  1561. 


HERVEY  EARL  OF  BRISTOL.  145 

Sir  Nicholas  Hervey,  second  son,  was  of  the  privy-chamber 
to  Henry  VIII.  and  so  much  in  his  favour,  that,  in  1520,  he  was 
one  of  those  Gentlemen  *  who  were  appointed  to  furnish  the 
days  of  justs,  when  the  King,  and  seven  he  had  appointed,  chal- 
lenged the  French  King,  and  as  many  on  the  part  of  France ;  on 
which  occasion  feats  of  arms  were  performed  for  thirty  days,  at 
a  camp  between  Guisnes  and  Ardres.  Likewise,  in  18  Hen.  VIII. 
when  the  King,  for  the  entertainment  of  the  French  Ambassa- 
dors, had  appointed  a  solemn  just,  hes  named  Sir  Nicholas  for 
one  of  the  challengers ;  and  he  is  styled  the  Valiant  Esquire  -,  for 
he  received  the  honour  of  Knighthood  after  this,  and  was  Henry 
VIII. 's  Embassador  in  the  Emperor's  court  at  Ghent,  in  the  23d 
of  his  reign.  Having  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas 
Fitz-Williams,  Knt.  and  widow  of  Sir  Thomas  Maleverer,  he 
had  issue 

Sir  Thomas  Hervey,  who  was  Knight-marshal  to  Queen  Mary, 
and  left  only  two  daughters  j  of  whom,  Eleanor  married  William 
Worsley,  of  the  Isle  of  Wight,  Esq. 

But  Sir  Nicholas,  by  his  second  Lady,u  Bridget,  daughter  and 
heir  of  Sir  John  Wiltshire,  of  Stone-castle,  in  Kent,  Knt.  relict 
of  Sir  Richard  Wingfield,  of  Kimbolton-castle,  in  Huntingdon- 
shire, Knight  of  the  Garter,  had  issue 

Sir  George  Hervey,  of  Markshall,  in  Essex,  Lieutenant  of  the 
Tower,  from  whom  the  Herveys  of  Markshall  descend. 

But  Henry  Hervey,  Esq.  was  eldest  son  of  Sir  Nicholas  by  his 
last  Lady,  and  taking  to  wife  Jane,  daughter  of  James  Thomas, 
of  the  county  of  Glamorgan,  Esq.  had  issue  x  Frances,  married  to 
Thomas  Evelyn,  and  Elizabeth,  to  Christopher  Raynel,  Esquires ; 
also 

William,  his  son  and  heir,  who  distinguished  himself  on 
several  occasions  j  and  for  his  eminent  services,  was  at  length 
advanced  to  the  dignity  of  a  peer  of  this  kingdom,  by  the  title  of 
Lord  Hervey,  of  Kidlrook. 

He  first  signalized  himself  in  1588/  in  the  memorable  engage- 
ment of  the  Spanish  armada,  wherein  he  was  principally  con- 
cerned in  boarding  one  of  the  Spanish  galleons,  killing  the  captain, 
Hugh  Moncada,  with  his  own  hands.  •  He  was  2  afterwards 
knighted,  on  June  27th,  15Q6,  with  many  other  persons  of  note, 

r  Stow's  Annals,  p.  509.  8  Hall's  Chron.  fol  i$$.  b. 

1  Ibid.  fol.  200.  u  Visit,  de  Com.  Essex,  praed. 

x  MS.  St.  George,  praed.  7  Baker's  Chron.  ad  edit.  p.  ^44,.  b, 

z  Stow'*  Ann.  p.  77$. 
VOL.  IV.  L 


14(5  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

who  had  valiantly  behaved  in  taking  the  town  and  island  of  Cales 
(or  Cadiz),  and  the  year  following,  embarking a  again  with  the 
Earl  of  Essex,  and  Walter  Raleigh,  was  present  at  the  taking  of 
the  town  of  Fyal.  In  l600,b  he  commanded  one  of  the  Queen's 
ships,  and  brought  succours  to  the  Lord-president  of  Munster, 
then  reducing  the  rebels  in  Ireland,  who  were  in  expectation  of 
assistance  from  the  Spaniards.  He  staid  some  time  in  that  king- 
dom, and  behaved  himself  in  several  actions  with  great  bravery  and 
conduct: c  particularly  with  seventy  foot  and  twenty-four  horse, 
he  defeated  one  hundred  and  sixty  foot  and  eighteen  horse  of  the 
rebels,  killing  and  taking  sixty  of  them,  without  the  loss  of  one 
man.  He  was  also  very  serviceable  at  the  siege  of  Kinsale  (pos- 
sessed by  the  Spaniards  in  1(501),  and  on  the  surrender  thereof, 
on  January  9th,  1001-2,  he  was  sent  to  take  possession  of  the 
castles  of  Dunboy,  Castlehaven,  and  Flower,  pursuant  to  the  ca- 
pitulation. Being  afterwards  made  Governor  of  Carbry,  from 
Ross  to  Bantry,  he  took  in  Cape-clear  castle,  and  performed  many 
successful  acts,  till  the  rebels  were  entirely  reduced. 

For  which  services  King  James  advanced  himd  to  the  dignity 
of  a  Baronet,  on  May  31st,  1619,  and  e  the  year  following  created 
him  a  Peer  of  the  kingdom  of  Ireland,  viz.  Baron  of  Ross,  in 
com.  Wexford,  by  letters  patent,  dated  August  5th,  1620.  Lastly, 
1  By  reason  of  his  eminent  services  at  home  and  abroad,  both  in 
the  times  of  King  James  and  King  Charles  I.  as  well  in  council 
as  in  the  wars,  and  other  foreign  expeditions,"  (as  the  patent f  ex- 
presses), he  was  created  a  Baron  of  this  realm,  by  the  title  of  Lord 
Hervey,  of  Kidbrook,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  on  February  7th, 
1627-8.  He  first  took  to  wife  Mary,  relict  of  Henry  Wriothesley, 
Earl  of  Southampton,  and  daughter  of  Anthony  Brown,  Viscount 
Montacute,  by  whom  he  had  no  issue:  they  were  married  in 
1597,  as  appears  &  from  a  letter  to  Sir  Robert  Sidney,  dated  from 
court,  on  Friday,  May  20th,  that  year.  He,  secondly,  married,11 
on  February  5th,  160/,  at  Cripplegate  church,  London,  Cordelia, 
daughter  and  coheir  of  Brian  Annesley,  of  Lee,  in  Kent,  Esq.  by 
whom  he  had  three  sons;  William,  slain  in  the  German  wars  j 
John,  who  died  in  ireland  5  and  Henry,  who  died  young :  also 

*  Brown's  Hist,  of  Q.  Eliz.  p.  181.  *  Cox's  Hist,  of  Ireland,  p.  426. 

c  Ibid.  p.  431,  443,  446,  451.  i  Pat.  17  Jac.  I. 

c  Pat.  1  8  Jac.  I.  f  Pat.  3.  Car.  1.  p.  6. 

g  Sidney  State  Papers,  Vol.  II.  p.  53. 

h  Ex  Regist.  Eccl.  Paroc.  de  Cripplegate. 


HERVEY  EARL  OF  BRISTOL.  147 

three  daughters ;  Dorothy,  who  died  unmarried,  February  19th, 
1692,  and  was  buried  at  St.  Martin's  in  the  Fields,  London;  and 
Helen,  who  also  died  unmarried  ;  and  Elizabeth,  who  became 
his  sole  daughter  and  heir,  and  was  wedded  to  John  Hervey,  of 
Ickworth,  Esq.  hereafter  mentioned.  This  Lord  Hervey,  depart- 
ing this  life  in  June,  1642,'  was  buried  with  great  solemnity  on 
July  8th  following,  in  St.  Edward's  chapel,  in  Westminster  abbey, 
and  his  titles  became  extinct. 

I  now  return  to  John  Hervey,  of  Ickworth,  Esq.  eldest  bro- 
ther of  Nicholas,  grandfather  to  the  said  Lord  Hervey.  Which 
John  took  to  wife  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Henry  Pope,  of  Mil- 
den-hall,  in  com.  Surf.  Esq.  and  k  departing  this  life  on  July  11th, 
1556,  was  succeeded  at  Ickworth  by  William,  his  eldest  son : 
but  he  had,  besides  the  said  William,  a  numerous  issue,  viz. 

1  John,  second  son. 

Nicholas,  third  son. 

Clement  and  Thomas,  fourth  and  fifth  sons,  and  twins. 

Robert,  sixth  son. 

Christopher,  eighth  son. 

And  John,  ninth  son. 

Also  six  daughters:  Jane,  married  to  — - —  Minshull ;  Eliza- 
beth, to  Thomas  Rogers;  Mary;  Anne,  wife  to  Robert  Risley,  of 
Tilton  3  Ursula,  married  m  to  Henry  Vesey,  of  Iselham,  in  Cam- 
bridgeshire, Esq. ;  and  Bridget,  wedded  to  John  Wroth;  secondly, 
to  John  Spayney,  of  Tunstal,  in  Norfolk. 

William  Hervey,  Esq.  eldest  son,  was  born  in  u  1509,  and 
having  taken  to  wife  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Poley,  of  Box- 
ted,  in  com.  Suffolk,  Esq.  departed0  this  life  on  November  2d, 
1592,  and  was  buried  at  Ickworth.  He  had  three  daughters; 
Ursula,  who  died  young;  Elizabeth,  married  to  William  Haward, 

of  St.  Edmundsbury,  Esq. ;  and  Bridget,  married  to Collins, 

of  the  same  town  ;  as  also  five  sons. 

1.  John  Hervey,  his  successor  at  Ickworth. 

2.  Francis  Hervey,  ?of  Great  Bardfield,  in  Essex,  who  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Nevil,  of  Holt,  in  Leicestershire, 
(by  Clara,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Ralph  Nevile,  Esq.  of  Thorton- 

i  Ex  Regist.  de  Coll.  Eccl.  Westminster, 
k  Cole's  Esc.  iib.  ii.  p.  118.  MS.  in  Bibl.  Harley. 
Visit,  de  Com.  Suffolk,  praed.  m  MS.  g.  18.  p.  5.  in  Coll.  Arm. 

u  Ex  Script,  penes  Joh.  Com.  Bristol.  °  Ibid, 

p  MS.  St.  George,  praed. 


148  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Bridge,  co  York),  relict  of  Henry  Smith/  of  Cressing  Temple, 
in  Essex,  Esq.  (which  Lady  died  in  15Q2,  and  is  buried  at  Wit- 
ham,  in  Essex),  and  had  (besides  other  children)  John,  of  Bard- 
field  j  who,  by  Ann,  daughter  of  Richard  Turpin,  of  Bardfield, 
had  a  daughter,  Priscilla,  who  married  William  Serle,  of  the  Park 
Gate,  in  Bardfield}  she  died  1052,  and  was  buried  at  Bardfield. 

3.  William. 

4.  Ambrose. 

And,  5.  Thomas.  * 

Jomn  Hervey,  Esq.  was  born  in  the  year  1555}  and  by  his 
wife,  Frances,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Edmund  Booking,  of  Rock- 
ing, in  Essex,  Esq.  who  died  before  him,  on  February  22d,  1623, 
had  issue  two  sons  -f 
*  1.  William. 

And,  2.  Robert. 

As  also  three  daughters ;  Frances,  who  deceased  in  1619  J  Eli- 
zabeth, who  also  died  unmarried  on  April  22d,  1623  j  and  Mary, 
espoused  to  Giles  Allington,  of  Horseheath,  in  Cambridgeshire, 
Esq.  and  departed  this  life  on  September  4th,  1626. 

This  John  Hervey  lived  to  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  1  age, 
deceasing  in  1630,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son  and  heir, 

William  Hervey,  who  was  knighted  at  Whitehall,  on  April 
30tb,  1608,  and  married  Susan,  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Jermyn, 
of  Rushbrook,  in  com.  Suff.  Knt.  (grandfather  to  Sir  Henry  Jer- 
myn, Earl  of  St.  Albans),  on  r  Sunday,  March  21st,  1613-14,  in 
St.  Mary's  church,  St.  Edmundsbury;  on  which  day  of  the  month 
and  week  he  was  born  in  the  same  town,  in  1585.  In  1618,  he 
was  in  commission  s  to  survey  Lincoln's-inn-Fields,  and  to  cause 
such  uniform  and  comely  buildings  to  be  erected,  and^such  walks, 
partitions,  and  plots  to  be  made,  both  for  health  and  pleasure,  as 
they  should  approve  of.  In  the  3d1  of  Car.  I.  he  was  elected  to 
Parliament  for  St.  Edmundsbury ;  but  being  in  years,  lived  after- 
wards retired  from  public  business,  without  concerning  himself  in 
the  civil  wars,  and  departed  this  life  on  September  30tb,  1660. 
His  first  Lady  dying"  on  February  6th,  1037,  he  married,  second- 
ly, Penelope,  daughter  of  Thomas  Darcy,  Earl  Rivers,  relict,  first, 

P  By  some  authorities  called  Thomas.  He  was  son  of  John  Smith,  Baron  of 
the  Exchequer. 

<3  Ex  Script,  penes  Joh.  Com.  Bristol. 

r  Ex  Autog.  penes  Joh.  Com.  Bristol. 

*  Rymer's  Feed.  torn.  XVII.  119,120. 

t  MS.  de  Pari,  penes,  B.  Willis,  Arm.  u  Ex  Autog.  praed, 


UERVEY  EARL  OF  BRISTOL.  149 

of  Sir  George  Trenchard,  of  Wolverton,  in  Dorsetshire ;  and, 
secondly,  of  Sir  George  Gage,  of  Firle,  in  Sussex,  Bart,  j  but  had 
issue  only  by  his  first  wife,  viz. 

His  first  child,  still-born  at  St.  Edmundsbury,  on  April  17th, 
1614,  and  buried  in  the  chancel  of  St.  Mary's  church  in  the  same 
town. 

2.  Judith,  born  at  his  house  in  Southgate-street,  in  St.  Ed- 
mundsbury, on  April  20th,  \6l5,  married  to  James  Reynolds,  of 
Bumsted,  in  Essex,  Esq.  and  died  on  July  12th,  1679. 

3.  John,  who  succeeded  his  father. 

4.  Anne,  born  at  St.  Edmundsbury,  on  April  9th,  1018,  and 
died  on  December  12th,  1619. 

5.  William,  born  at  St.  Edmundsbury,  on  Whitsunday,  May 
15th,  1619,  and  died  at  Cambridge,  on  September  23d,  1042.  He 
was  fellow-collegian  with  Mr.  Cowley,  in  that  University,  who 
bemoans  his  death  in  an  excellent  copy  of  verses,x  the  most  cele- 
brated in  all  his  works  j  which,  however,  Dr.  Johnson  most  un- 
justly depreciates. 

6.  Mary,  born  at  Ickworth,  on  May  22d,  1620,  married  to  Sir 
Edward  Gage,  of  Hengrave,  in  com.  SufF.  Bart,  and  died  on  July 
13th,  1054. 

7.  Susan,  born  at  Ickworth,  July  14th,  1621,  was  second  wife 
to  Sir  Thomas  Hanmer,  of  Hanmer,  in  Flint,  Kn.t.  and  Bart. 

8.  Kezia,  born  at  St.  Edmundsbury,  November  llth,  l622j 
married  to  Thomas  Tyrrel,  of  Gipping,  in  com.  SufF.  Esq.  and 
died  November  22d,  1659. 

9.  Catharine,  born  at  St.  Edmundsbury,  January  24th,  1023, 
and  died  January  16th,  1625. 

10.  Thomas,  born  in  Northgate-street,  St.  Edmundsbury,  May 
25th,  1625,  will  be  mentioned  hereafter,  being  ancestor  to  the 
present  Earl  of  Bristol. 

11.  Nicholas,  born  at  St.  Edmundsbury,  July  12th,  1627,  died 
March  22d,  1629.     And, 

12.  Henry,  born  at  St.  Edmundsbury,  June  18th,  1631,  and 
died  September  8th  following. 

John  Hervey,  the  eldest  son  of  Sir  William,  was  born  at  Ick- 
worth, his  father's  seat  in  Suffolk,  on  Sunday,  August  18th,  1616, 
and  had  all  the  advantages  of  education,  which  he  improved  by 
travelling,  and  polite  conversation.  Robert  Sidney,  second  Earl 
of  Leicester,  who  was  Ambassador  in  Denmark,  and  France,  and 

x  Bp.  Spratt's  Life  of  Cowley. 


150  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland,  and  one  of  the  most  learned  Noble- 
men of  the  age,  formed  such  a  judgment  of  Mr.  Hervey's  accom- 
plishments, that  while  he  was  Ambassador  in  France,  he  enter- 
tained him  in  his  house  as  a  companion,  as  appears  from  a  letter 
of  his  Lordship  dated  at  Paris,  on  December  22d,  1(530,  to  Sir 
John  Coke,  Secretary  of  State,  of  what  passed  at  his  audience; 
telling  him/  "  he  will  receive  it  by  Mr.  Hervey,  a  Gentleman 
who  hath  bestowed  his  company  upon  me,  ever  since  I  came  out 
of  England."  The  friendship  between  him  and  the  Earl  of  Lei- 
cester was  very  remarkable,  as  the  letters  past  between  them 
shew.  Mr.  Hervey  from  London,  on  January  12th,  1 6*52/  tells 
his  Lordship,  "  It  was  more  than  sixteen  years,  that  he  had  the 
honour  to  be  his  Lordship's,  by  all  the  best  titles  that  any  thing 
is  possest,  you  having  for  every  day  in  that  time,  given  more  than 
a  valuable  consideration  for  me ;  and  I  having  every  minute  of 
those  days  voluntarily  resigned  myself  to  you,  so  that  the  whole 
power  in  me,  and  over  me,  has  for  thus  long  absolutely  remained 
in  your  Lordship,  &c." 

The  Earl  of  Leicester,  from  Penshurst,  on  January  20th,  sent 
the  following  complimentary  answer;  which  shewing  how  much 
he  was  esteemed  by  him,  as  also  his  great  worth  and  excellencies, 
in  justice  to  his  memory  I  insert  it. 

"  SIR/ 
"  Take  heed  what  you  give  or  acknowledge  to  have  given  me, 
for  though  I  confess  it  is  just  to  restore,  and  that  you  are  worthy 
of  any  thing  that  can  be  given  you,  yet  if  the  gift  be  of  yourself, 
I  shall  never  consent  to  the  revocation  of  it,  nor  be  persuaded  to 
restore  yourself  to  you  again ;  for  I  shall  esteem  my  property  in 
you  more  than  the  brevets  or  letters  patents  of  Kings,  or  the 
donation  of  Constantine ;  and  you  shall  be  but  a  usu-fructuary  of 
yourself.  Or  if  in  the  time  of  my  possessing  you,  I  employ  not 
my  interest  so  far  as  your  favour  would  admit  me,  it  is  for  fear 
of  increasing  that  debt,  which  already  is  grown  too  great  for  me 
to  pay,  or  recompense  in  all  my  life,  and  can  never  be  discharged 
by  heirs,  executors,  or  assigns.  You  have  no  way  to  rescue  or 
help  yourself  but  by  my  incapacity  j  for  how  liberal  soever  the 
donator  be,  it  is  but  an  offer,  and  not  a  gift,  unless  the  donatory 
be  capable  of  receiving  it,  which  I  acknowledge  I  am  not ;  and 

y  Sidney  State  Papers,  Vol.11,  p.  68o.  *  Ibid. 

»  Ibid,  ut  actca,  p.  68 1. 


HERVEY  EARL  OF  RRISTOL.  151 

therefore  against  my  will  you  must  in  a  manner  be  free  still.  But 
though  I  seem  to  let  you  loose  because  I  have  not  roome  fit  to 
receive  you  in,  nor  bands  worthy  to  hold  you  with  ;  for  all  my 
merit  is  not  better  than  the  line  of  a  cobweb,  yet  I  will  do  my 
best  to  detain  you  ;  that  is,  by  an  exchange  of  myself  for  your- 
self, which  is  unequal,  I  confess,  but  I  have  no  more;  if  I  had  I 
would  make  the  bargain  better  for  you.  And  howsoever  I  may 
seem  to  gain  another  advantage  by  this  exchange,  because  I  have 
told  you  I  will  not  part  with  you  on  any  terms  ;  and  you  have  so 
little  reason  to  value  me,  that  it  is  likely  enough  you  Would  give 
me  myself  again  for  asking,  and  so  might  remain  mine,  and  I  not 
yours:  yet  I  assure  you  that  I  mean  no  such  matter j  but  I  like 
my  condition  so  well,  that  I  am  resolved  to  be  ever  i 

Yours,  &:c. 

LEYCESTER." 

Having  heartily  concurred  in  the  restoration  of  Charles  II.  he 
was  constituted  Treasurer  of  the  Household  to  Queen  Catharine, 
his  consort;  and  was  in  the  peculiar  esteem  of  his  Majesty,  and 
in  the  greatest  intimacy  with  the  most  ingenious,  as  well  as 
greatest  men  in  the  kingdom.  In  Parliament,  he  was  one  of  the 
leading  members ;  and  Bishop  Burnet  relates  of  him,  "  That  he 
wasb  one  whom  the  King  (Charles  II.)  loved  personally,  and  yet, 
upon  a  great  occasion,  he  voted  against  that  which  the  Kirag  de- 
sired. So  the  King  chid  him  severely  for  it.  Next  day  another 
important  question  falling  in,  he  voted  as  the  King  would  have 
him.  So  the  King  took  notice  of  it  at  night,  and  said,  you  were 
not  against  me  to-day.  He  answered,  No,  Sir,  I  was  against  my 
conscience  to-day."  He  was  a  particular  favourer  of  men  of  let- 
ters; and  the  famous  Mr.  Cowley ,c  by  his  recommendation,  was 
taken  into  the  service  of  his  kinsman,  Henry  Earl  of  St.  Albans, 
Lord  Chamberlain  of  the  Household  to  Charles  II.  and  was  his 
great  patron.  This  Mr.  Hervey  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  and 
sole  heir  of  William  Lord  Hervey ,  of  Kidbrook,  before  mentioned; 
but  dying  without  issue,  on  January  18th,  l6'79,  ms  estate  Re- 
volved on  his  only  surviving  brother, 

Sir  Thomas  Hervey,  who  was  knighted  by  Charles  II.  and 
elected  for  St.  Edmundsbury  to  the  three  last  Parliaments  d  in  that 
reign,  and  to  all  others  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.     He 

b  Hist,  of  hit  Own  Timet,  p.  38$.  c  Bp.  Spratt's  Life  of  Cowley. 

*  MS.  deParl.  wasd. 


\5Z  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

shewed  himself,  in  all  parts  of  life,  one  of  the  best  of  men;  and 
was  particularly  remarkable  for  his  piety,  chas'.  :y,  charity,  and 
other  Christian  and  moral  virtues,  whereby  he  was  in  the  esteem 
of  all  that  fcnew  him  j  and  died  on  May  27th.  1694,  aged  seventy, 
and  was  buried  with  his  ancestors  at  Ickworth. 

He  married,  in  1658,  Isabella,  daughter  of  Sir  Humphry  May, 
Vice-chamberlain  of  the  Household  to  Charles  I.  which  Lady 
died  on  June  5th,  l6&6j   they  had  issue, 

1.  William  Hervey,  eldest  son,  born  on  October  31st,  lrjfjl, 
and  died  on  June  14tb,  1663. 

2.  John  Hervey,  who  was  created  Earl  of  Bristol. 

3.  Thomas,  born  on  January  13th,  166S,  who  betaking  him- 
self to  a  military  employmeut,  served  in  Ireland  under  King  Wil- 
liam j  and  dying  at  St.  Edmundsbury,  on  December  29th,  16Q5, 
was  buried  at  Ickworth. 

Isabella,  born  August  23d,  1 659,  was  married  to  Gervase  Elwes, 
son  and  heir  of  Sir  Gervase  Elwes,  of  Stoke,  in  com.  Suffolk, 
Bart,  j  Elizabeth,  born  on  September  16th,  166O,  and  died  on 
February  1 8th,  16/3 ;  Kezia,  born  on  April  24th,  1664,  married 
to  Aubrie  Porter,  of  St.  Edmundsbury,  Esq. 

John  Hervey,  first  Earl  of  Bristol,  was  born  on  August 
27th,  1665,  and  married  on  November  1st,  l6sQ,  Isabella, 
daughter  and  sole  heir  of  Sir  Robert  Carr,  of  Sleeford,  in  com. 
Line.  Bart.  Chancellor  of  the  duchy  of  Lancaster,  and  of  the 
privy-council  to  Charles  II.  He  was  elected  for  St.  Edmunds- 
bury, in  that  Parliament  which  first  met  in  the  2d  of  William 
and  Mary,  and  was  chosen  for  the  same  place  in  all  succeeding 
Parliaments  called  by  King  William  3  as  also  in  that  of  the  first 
year  of  Queen  Anne.  Having  distinguished  himself  in  the  house 
of  Commons,  he  was,  for  the  nobleness  of  his  extraction,  the  an- 
tiquity of  his  family,  and  his  many  eminent  virtues,  advanced  to 
the  dignity  of  a  Baron  of  this  realm,  by  the  style  and  title  of 
Lord  Hervey,c  of  Ickworth,  in  the  county  of  Suffolk,  by  letters 
patent,  bearing  date  March  23d,  in  the  2d  year  of  the  reign  of 
Queen  Anne.  And  having  strenuously  asserted  the  succession  of 
King  George  I.  to  the  crown  of  these  realms,  was,  in  considera- 
tion thereof,  and  his  many  eminent  qualities,  created  Earl  of 
Bristol,  on  October  19th,  1714. 

His  Lordship  had  two  wives ;  Isabella,  before  mentioned,  by 

*  Burnet'*  O.  T.  II.  344.     His  wife  had  previously  tried  for  the  Barony  of 
Mvtoard  pf tfaldtn. 


HERVEY  EARL  OF  BRISTOL.  15$ 

whom  he  had  issue  two  daughters,  and  one  son,  Carr  Lord  Her- 
vey,  born  on  September  17th,  l6gi,  who  was  educated  at  Clare- 
hall,  in  Cambridge  j  and  as  soon  as  he  came  of  age,  was  elected 
to  Parliament  for  the  borough  of  St.  Edmundsbury,  as  also  in  the 
first  Parliament  called  by  George  I.  and  wss  of  the  Bedchamber 
to  his  late  Majesty,  when  Prince  of  Wales.  He  died  unmarried 
at  the  Bath,  where  he  went  for  the  recovery  of  his  health,  on 
Thursday,  November  15th,.  1723. 

Isabella,  eldest  daughter,  died  unmarried  in  November  1711; 
and  Elizabeth,  second  daughter,  of  whom  her  mother  deceased  in 
childbed,  on  March  7th,  l(X)2-3,  died  an  infant. 

In  1695,  his  Lordship  married  Elizabeth,  sole  daughter  and 
hVir  to  Sir  Thomas  Felton,f  of  Playford,  in  the  county  of  Suffolk, 
Bart.  Comptroller  of  the  Household  to  her  Majesty  Queen  Anne, 
by  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  coheir  of  James  third  Earl  of  Suffolk; 
and  by  her  (who  died  on  May  2d,  1741,  having  been  one  of  the. 
Ladies  of  the  Bedchamber  to  her  late  Majesty  Queen  Caroline, 
and  had  served  her  in  the  same  station  when  Princess  of  Wales), 
had  issue  eleven  sons,  and  six  daughters ;  viz. 

1.  John  Lord  Hervey,  of  whom  I  shall  hereafter  treat. 

2.  Thomas,  born  on  January  20th,  169S,  who  was  a  member 
in  three  Parliaments  for  the  borough  of  St.  Edmundsbury,  and 
was  one  of  the  Equerries  to  her  late  Majesty  Queen  Caroline. 
Also  on  May  23d,  1738,  constituted  Superintcndant  of  all  his  Ma- 
jesty's gardens  of  every  his  royal  palaces,&  &:c.  He  departed  this 
life  10th  January,  1775,  having  married,  in  1744,  Anne,  daugh- 
ter and  heir  of  Francis  Coghlene,  Esq.  counsellor  of  law,  of  the 
kingdom  of  Ireland,  who  died  27th  December,  l/6l,  in  Bond 
Street,  and  had  issue  by  her  one  son,  William-Thomas  Hervey. 

3.  William,  born  on  December  25th,  1699,  Captain  in  his 
Majesty's  navy 5  and  on  November  27th,  17^9,  married  to  Eli- 
zabeth, daughter  of  Thomas  Ridge,  of  Portsmouth,  in  com. 
Southamp.  Esq.  which  Lady  died  in  child-bed,  on  July  13th, 
1730,  of  a  daughter,  named  Elizabeth.11  He  died  in  January, 
1776. 

4.  Henry,  born  on  January  5th,  1700,  who  was  a  Cornet  in 
the  Lord  Mark  Ker's  regiment  of  dragoons  j  and  on  March  2d, 
1 730,  was  married  to  Catherine,  eldest  sister  and  heir  to  Sir  Tho- 

f  G.  7  — 14.  Har.  Coll. 
8  Well  known  for  his  genius  and  eccentricities.  See  his  Letters,  to  Sir  Thcmaa 
Hanmcr. 

k  Living  single  in- London,  1800. 


154  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

mas  Aston,  of  Aston,  in  com.  Cest.  Bart!1  Whereupon,  soori 
after  he  went  into  holy  orders,  was  Doctor  of  Divinity,  and  took 
the  name  of  Aston  j  as  did  his  son,  Henry  Hervey-AsTON,  who 

was  seated  at  Aston ;  married daughter  of Dicconson, 

of  Lancaster,  Esq.  and  had  one  son,  Henry  Hervey- Aston,  Lieu- 
tenant-colonel 12th  Foot,  who  was  unfortunately  killed  in  a  duel 
with  Major  Allen,  at  Madras,  December  23d,  1/98  j  having  mar- 
ried, on  September  l6th,  1789,  the  Hon.  Miss  Ingram,  daughter 
of  the  late  Viscount  Irwin ;  and  three  daughters,  the  youngest  of 
whom  died  at  Aston  in  August  1776 ;  another  married  Colonel 
Hodges  of  Oxfordshire. 

5.  Charles,  born  on  April  5th,  1703  (twin  with  a  daughter, 
Henrietta,  who  died  young),  was  D.  D.  Rector  of  Sprowton  and 
Shot  ley,  in  Suffolk,  and  Prebendary  of  Ely,  died  at  Ely,  March 
21st,  1783.  He  married,  on  December  31st,  1743,  Martha- 
Maria  Howard,  daughter  of  — —  Howard,  of  St.  Edmundsbury, 
in  Suffolk,  Esq. 

6.  A  son,  still-born  on  July  6th,  1704. 

7.  James- Porter,  who  was  born  on  June  24th,  1706,  and  died 
unmarried. 

8.  Humphrey,  who  was  born  on  June  3d,  1708,  and  died  soon 
after. 

9.  Felton,  who  was  born  on  July  3d,  1710,  and  died  on  the 
16th  following. 

10.  Felton,  born  on  February  12th,  1711-12,  member  in  two 
Parliaments  for  St.  Edmundsbury,  was  one  of  the  Equerries  to 
her  late  Majesty  j  and  in  December,  1737,  was  appointed  Groom 
of  the  Bedchamber  to  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Cumber- 
land. He  died  August  18th,  1775  j  having  been  married  to  Do- 
rothy, daughter  of  Solomon  Ashley,  Esq.  and  relict  of  Charles 
Pitfleld,  Esq.;  by  her,  who  died  on  November  8th,  1761,  had 
issue  three  daughters  j  Emily,  Caroline,  and  Elizabeth  j  and  a 
son,  Felton-Lioncl  Hervey  (constituted  with  him,  Joint-Remem- 
brancer of  the  court  of  Exchequer  in  England,  on  February  17th, 
1759) ;  he  was  a  Lieutenant  in  die  Horse  Guards,  and  married, 
2d  March,  1779,  Selina,  only  child  of  the  late  Sir  John  El  will, 
of  Exeter,  Bart.  He  died  the  9th  September,  1785.  One  of  his 
sons  is  Major  of  the  14th  Dragoons.  His  widow  remarried  Wil- 
liam-Henry Freemantle,  Esq. 

11.  James,  born  on  March  5th,  1712-13,  who  died  unmarried. 

1  Sir  W.lloughby  Airtm  inherits -this  title  collaterally. 


HERVEY  EARL  OF  BRISTOL.  is* 

His  first  daughter,  Lady  Elizabeth,  was  married  to  the  Hon. 
Bussy  Mansel,  Esq.  son  and  successor  of  Thomas  Lord  Mansel* 
and  died  in  the  twenty-ninth  year  of  her  age,  on  December  23d, 
1727,  without  issue. 

2.  Lady  Anne,  who  died  at  Bury,  unmarried,  July  15th,  177 1. 
3.  Lady  Barbara,  died  unmarried,  on  July  24th,  1727.  4.  Lady 
Louisa -Carolina  Isabella,11  who  was  married  on  September  23d, 
1731,  to  Sir  Robert  Smith,  of  Smith-street,  in  the  city  of  West- 
minster, Bart,  j  and,  5.  Lady  Henrietta,  died  in  August,  1732. 

His  Lordship  departed  this  life  on  January  20th,  1750-1,  and 
was  succeeded  in  his  honours  and  estate  by  his  grandson  and  heir, 
George -William,  son  and  heir  of  John  Lord  Hervey,  his  eldest 
son. 

Which  John  Lord  Hervey,  born  on  October  15th,  \6g69 
was,  in  consideration  of  his  great  merits,  called  up  by  writ  to  the 
house  of  Peers,  as  Lord  Hervey,  of  Ickworth,  and  took  his 
place  on  June  12th,  1733,  according  to  his  father's  creation.  His 
Lordship  was  chosen  one  of  the  members  for  St.  Edmundsbury, 
in  the  first  Parliament  called  by  our  late  sovereign ;  and  on  May 
6th,  1730,  was  appointed  Vice-chamberlain  of  his  Majesty's 
Household,  and  two  days  after,  sworn  of  his  most  honourable 
Privy-council.  On  May  1st,  1740,  his  Majesty  having  been 
pleased  to  deliver  the  custody  of  the  Privy-seal  to  his  Lordship, 
the  oath  of  Keeper  of  the  Privy-seal  was  administered  to  him  at 
St.  James's,  and  his  Lordship  took  his  place  at  the  Council-board 
accordingly.  On  May  12th  following,  he  was  nominated  one  of 
the  Lords  Justices  for  the  administration  of  the  government,  du- 
ring his  Majesty's  absence. 

Coxe,  in  his  Memoirs  of  Sir  Robert  Walpole,  I.  3(52,  gives  the 
foMowing  account  of  him  : 

"  He  came  first  into  Parliament  soon  after  the  accession  of 
George  I.  was  appointed  Vice-chamberlain  to  the  King  in  1730$ 
in  1733  was  created  a  Peer  5  and  in  1740  was  constituted  Lord 
Privy  Seal,  from  which  post  he  was  removed  in  1742.  He  died 
in  1743.  He  took  a  considerable  share  in  the  political  transac- 
tions of  the  times  j  and  was  always  a  warm  advocate  on  the  side 
of  Sir  Robert  Walpole."  Tindal ■  has  observed,  "  That  history 
ought  to  repair  the  injuries  that  party  has  done  to  some  part  of 

k  She  died  nth  May,  1770,  ag?d  fifty-five,  and  lies  buried  under  a  black 
stone,  ia  West-Ham  church,  in  Ess^x,  near  her  husband  and  his  family: 

*  Vol.  XX.  p.  83. 


156  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

his  character."  And,  in  fact,  it  is  necessary;  for  never  was  a  man 
more  exposed  to  ridicule,  and  lashed  with  greater  severity,  than  Lord 
Hervey  has  been  exposed  and  lashed  by  the  satirical  pen  of  Pope. 
If  we  may  credit  the  Satirist,  who  has  delineated  his  character 
tinder  the  name  of  Sporus,  he  was  below  all  contempt ;  a  man 
wfthout  talents,  and  without  one  solitary  virtue  to  compensate 
for  the  most  ridiculous  foibles,  and  the  most  abandoned  pro- 
fligacy. 

<c  Let  Sporus  tremble. — What,  that  thing  of  silk, 

Sporus,  that  mere  white  curd  of  asses  milk  ? 

Satire  or  sense,  alas !  can  Sporus  feel  ? 

Who  breaks  a  butterfly  upon  a  wheel  ? 

P.  Yet  let  me  flap  this  toy  with  gilded  wings ; 

This  painted  child  of  dirt,  that  stinks  and  sings* 

Eternal  smiles  his  emptiness  betrayt, 

As  shallow  streams  run  dimpling  all  the  way. 

Whether  in  florid  impotence  he  speaks, 

And,  as  the  prompter  breathes,  the  puppet  squeaks) 

Or  at  the  ear  of  Eve,  familiar  toad, 

Half  froth,  half  venom,  spits  himself  abroad, 

Amphibious  thing !  that  acting  either  part, 

The  trifling  head,  or  the  corrupted  heart  5 

Fop  at  the  toilet,  flatt'rer  at  the  board, 

Isfow  trips  a  lady,  and  now  struts  a  lord. 

Eve's  tempter  thus  the  Rabbins  have  exprest, 

A  cherub's  face,  a  reptile  all  the  rest; 

Beauty  that  shocks  you,  parts  that  none  can  trust; 

Wit  that  can  curse,  and  pride  that  licks  the  dust." 

However  I  may  admire  the  powers  of  the  Satirist,  I  could 
never  read  this  passage  without  disgust  and  horror;  disgust  at 
the  indelicacy  of  the  allusions,  horror  at  the  malignity  of  the 
Poet,  in  layingthe  foundation  of  his  abuse  on  the  lowest  species 
of  satire,  personal  invective;  and  what  is  still  worse,  on  sickness 
and  debility.  The  Poet  has  so  much  distorted  this  portrait,  that 
he  has  in  one  instance  made  the  object  of  his  satire,  what  ought 
to  have  been  the  subject  of  his  praise ;  the  rigid  abstinence  to 
which  Lord  Hervey  unalterably  adhered,  from  the  necessity  of 
preserving  his  health.  Lord  Hervey  having  felt  some  attacks  of 
the  epilepsy,  entered  upon,  and  persisted  in  a  very  strict  regimen; 
and  thus  stopt  the  progress,  and  prevented  the  effects  of  that 
dreadful  disease.     His  daily  food  was,  a  small  quantity  of  asses 


HERVEY  EARL  OF  BRISTOL.  157 

milk,  and  a  flour  biscuit ;  once  a  week  he  indulged  himself  with 
eating  an  apple  :  he  used  emetics  daily. 

"  To  this  rigid  abstemiousness  Pope  malignantly  alludes,  when 
he  says,  "  The  mere  white  curd  of  asses  milk."  In  short,  I  agree 
with  the  ingenious  editor  of  Pope  ;  "  Language  cannot  afford 
more  glowing,  or  more  forcible  terms,  to  express  the  utmost  bit- 
terness of  contempt.  We  think  we  are  reading  Milton  against 
Salmatius.  The  raillery  is  carried  to  the  very  verge  of  railing  j 
some  will  say  ribaldry.  He  has  armed  his  muse  with  a  scalping 
knife."  May  we  not  ask  with  the  same  author,  <(  Can  this  be  the 
same  nobleman  whom  Middleton,  in  his  Dedication  to  the  His- 
tory of  the  Life  of  Tully,  has  so  seriously,  and  so  earnestly  praised, 
for  his  strong  good  sense,  his  consummate  politeness,  his  real 
patriotism,  his  rigid  temperance,  his  thorough  knowledge  and 
defence  of  the  laws  of  his  country,  his  accurate  skill  in  history, 
his  unexampled  and  unremitted  diligence  in  literary  pursuits,  who 
added  credit  to  this  very  history,  as  Scipio  and  Ladius  did  to  that 
of  Polibius,  by  revising  and  correcting  it  (as  he  expresses  it),  by 
the  strokes  of  his  pencil  ?"  May  we  not  also  ask,  is  this  the  no? 
bleman  who  wrote  some  of  the  best  political  pamphlets  which 
appeared  in  defence  of  Walpole's  administration  ?  who,  though 
sometimes  too  florid  and  pompous,  was  a  frequent  and  able  speaker 
in  Parliament;  and  who,  for  his  political  abilities,  was  raised  to 
the  post  of  Lord  Privy-seal  ?  In  truth,  Lord  Hervey  possessed 
more  than  ordinary  abilities,  and  much  classical  erudition:  he 
was  remarkable  for  his  wit,  and  the  number  and  appositeness  of 
his  repartees. 

"  Although  his  manner  andLfigure were,  at  first  acquaintance,    y^c^Aa 
highly  forbidding,  yet  he  seldom  failed  to  render  himself,  by  hi$       ,fi 
lively  conversation,  which  Pope  called, 

"  The  well  whip'd  cream  of  courtly  common  sense," 

an  entertaining  companion  to  those  whom  he  wished  to  con- 
ciliate. Hence  he  conquered  the  extreme  prejudice  which  the 
King  had  conceived  against  him;  and  from  being  detested,  he 
became  a  great  favourite.  He  was  particularly  agreeable  to  Queen 
Caroline;  as  he  helped  to  enliven  the  uniformity  of  a  court,  with 
sprightly  repartees,  and  lively  sallies  of  wit. 

•?  His  cool  and  manly  conduct  in  the  duel  with  Pultency,  proved 
neither  want  of  spirit  to  resent  an  injury,  or  deficiency  of  courage 
in  the  hour  of  danger ;  and  he  compelled  his  adversary  to  respect 
his  conduct,  though  he  had  satirized  his  person. 


I.3«  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

<{  His  defects  were,  extreme  affectation,  bitterness  of  infec- 
tive, prodigality  of  flattery,  and  great  servility  to  those  above 

him. 

*'  Horace,  Earl  of  Orford,  has  given  a  list  of  his  political  writ- 
ings, in  the  Catalogue  of  Royal  and  Noble  Authors ;  and  amongst 
the  Orford  Papers,  are  draughts  of  several  of  those  pamphlets  which 
were  submitted  to  Sir  Robert  Walpole.  Some  are  corrected  by 
him  j  in  others,  the  minister  made  considerable  additions.  See 
Warton\s  Pope,  Vol.  IV.  p.  44,  45,  46.  Opinions  of  Sarah,  Du- 
chess ef  Marlborough,  article  Lord  Hervey." 

His  Lordship  married,  on  October  25th,  1720,  Mary,  daughter 
of  Brigadier-sfeneral  Nicholas  Le  Pell,  then  one  of  the  Maids  of 
honour  to  Caroline,  Princess  of  Wales.  He  had  issue  by  her,  who 
departed  this  life,  September  2d,  1/08,  four  sons. 

1.  George-William,  born  on  August  31st,  1721,  second  Earl 
of  Bristol. 

2.  Augustus-John  Hervey,  the  third  Earl  of  Bristol. 

3.  Frederick,  fourth  Earl. 

4.  William,  born  May  13th,  1/32,  who  was  Member  in  two 
Parliaments  for  St.  Edmundsbury;  a  General  in  the  Army. 

John  Lord  Hervey  had  by  the  same  Lady  four  daughters. 

1.  Le  Pell,  born  in  January  1722-3,  married  Constantine  first 
Lord  Mulgrave,  and  was  found  dead  in  her  bed,  9th  March,  178O, 
at  her  son's  house  in  the  Admiralty. 

2.  Lady  Mary,  born  in  1726,  and  married  George  Fitz-Gerald, 
Esq    of  Ireland  5  and  died  1753,  leaving  issue. 

3.  Lady  Emily  Caroline  Nassau,  unmarried. 

4.  Lady  Caroline,  also  unmarried. 

His  Majesty,  by  warrant  dated  June  6th,  1753,  granted  to  the 
said  surviving  daughters,  to  enjoy  respectively  the  same  place, 
pre-eminency,  and  precedency,  in  all  assemblies  and  meetings,  as 
daughters  of  an  Earl  of  Great  Britain  \  as  if  their  father  had  lived 
to  enioy  the  dignity  of  an  Earl  of  the  kingdom.  He  departed 
this  life,  aet.  forty-seven,  August  5th,  1/43,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded in  the  title  of  Lord  Hervey,  of  Ickworth,  by  his  eldest 
son, 

George  William,  who  was  born  on  August  31st,  1721,  and 
succeeded  his  grandfather,  as  second  Earl  of  Bristol,  on  Ja- 
nuary 20th,  1731.  His  Lordship,  by  his  grandmother,  on  the 
death  of  Henry  Howard,  tenth  Earl  of  Suffolk,  became  joint  heir, 
(with  Elizabeth,  second  wife  of  John,  first  Earl  of  Portsmouth), 
to  the  said  Earl  of  Suffolk's  estate,  also  to  the  Barony  of  Wal» 


HERVEY  EARL  OF  BRISTOL.  159 

Pen.  His  Lordship  was  one  of  the  six  Supporters  of  the  pall,  at 
the  funeral  of  Frederick,  Prince  of  Wales;  on  June  17th,  1758, 
he  was  nominated  Ambassador  extraordinary  to  the  Court  of  Spain, 
where  he  proved  himself  a  Minister  of  great  vigilance,  capacity, 
and  spirit,  particularly  with  relation  to  the  Family  Compact  be- 
tween the  houses  of  Bourbon;  which  being  ratified  September 
8th,  1761,  his  Lordship  left  Madrid,  December  17th,  following, 
without  taking  leave;  and  in  the  next  month  war  was  declared 
between  Great  Britain  and  Spain. 

His  Lordship  was  likewise  one  of  His  Majesty's  Privy  Counsel- 
lors. On  September  26th,  1766,  was  declared  Lord  Lieutenant 
of  Ireland ;  November  2d3  1/68,  he  was  appointed  Keeper  of  the 
Privy-Seal,  which  post  he  resigned  January  29th,  177°>  upon 
being  made  Groom  of  the  Stole,  and  first  Lord  of  His  Majesty's 
Bedchamber;  which  places  he  held  till  March  18th,  \775>  when 
lie  died  unmarried,  set.  fifty-four,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  next 
brother, 

Augustus-John,  third  Earl  of  Bristol,  who  was  bora 
May  18th,  1724;  and  chusing  a  maritime  life,  was,  after  passing 
through  the  subordinate  stations,  appointed  Captain  of  one  of  his 
Majesty's  ships  of  war,  on  January  15th,  1746-7;  and  on  every 
occasion,  exerted  himself  as  a  vigilant,  skilful,  and  brave  officer, 
particularly  in  several  engagements  during  the  last  war,  whereby 
he  merited  the  notice  of  his  sovereign,  and  was  deservedly  ad- 
vanced to  the  rank  of  Vice-Admiral  of  the  Blue  squadron  of  his 
Majesty's  fleet.  At  the  general  election,  in  1761,  he  was  returned 
one  of  the  Members  for  St.  Edmundsbury,  but  vacated  his  seat  in 
April  1763.  upon  accepting  the  Commission  of  Colonel  of  the 
Marines  in  the  Plymouth  division.  In  November  following,  he 
was  nominated  one  of  the  Grooms  of  his  Majesty's  Bed-chamber, 
and  was  soon  after  elected  Representative  in  Parliament  for  the 
Borough  of  Saltash.  At  the  general  election  in  1 768,  he  was 
chosen  for  St.  Edmundsbury,  also  re-chosen  to  the  next  Parliament; 
and  on  January  26th,  1771*  was  appointed  one  of  the  Lords  of 
the  Admiralty.1"  His  Lordship  died  at  his  house  in  St.  James's 
Square,  the  22d  December,  1779)  aet.  56.  His  successor  was  his 
brother 

m  His  marriage  with  Miss  Chudleigh  ;  and  her  subsequent  marriage  with  the 
Duke  of  Kingston  in  his  lifetime,  which  produced  her  memorable  trial,  1776,  are 
will  known.  The  Duchess  retired  to  the  continent,  and  died  there  in  August 
1788. 


i<50  PEER/VGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Frederick,  the  fourth  Earl,  born  in  August  1/30,  and, 
having  entered  into  holy  orders.,  was  made  one  of  his  Majesty's 
Chaplains  in  Ordinary,  and  a  principal  clerk  of  the  Privy  Seal, 
which  he  resigned,  in  February  \7§7>  upon  being  promoted  to 
the  bishoprick  of  Cloyne,  in  the  kingdom  of  Ireland  5  from 
which  he  was  translated  to  that  of  Derry,  January  30th,  1768  ; 
his  Lordship  was  a  Privy  Counsellor  of  that  kingdom,  and  D.  D. 
he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Jermyn  Davers,n  Bart,  by 
whom  he  had  two  sons, 

1 .  George,  Lord  Hervey,  a  Captain  in  the  navy,  and  Ambassador 

at  Florence,  1787-1794,  married  Elizabeth,  the  daughter  of 

Drummond,  Esq.  of  Quebec,  and  died  January  10th,  1796,  leav- 
ing an  only  daughter  and  heir,  Elizabeth-Catherine-Caroline, 
who  married,  August  2d,  1798,  Charles  Rose  Ellis,  Esq.  and 
died  in  January  1603,  leaving  the  present  Charles- Augustus  Ellis, 
who,  in  July  1803,  succeeded  his  great  grandfather  as  Lord 
Howard  of  Walden. 

2.  Frederick  William,  present  Earl. 

3.  Lady  Mary,  married,  February  22d,  1776>  John  Creighton, 
Earl  of  Erne,  and  has  issue. 

4.  Lady  Elizabeth,  married  in  1776,  John  Thomas  Forster, 
Esq.  and  has  issue. 

5.  Lady  Theodosia,  married,  March  25th,  1795,  Robert  Banks 
Jenkinson,  now  Earl  of  Liverpool. 

-  His  Lordship  died  July  8th,  1803,  and  was  succeeded  by  his 
second,  but  eldest  surviving  son, 

Frederick  William,  fifth  Earl  of  Bristol,  born  14th  June, 
1769*  who,  while  a  Commoner,  represented  St.  Edmundsbury  in 
Parliament  j  and,  in  1801,  was  Under  Secretary  of  State  in  the 
Foreign  Department,  to  his  brother-in-law,  Lord  Hawksbury. 
He  married,  in  1798,  Elizabeth  Albana  Upton,  daughter  of  the 
late  Lord  Templetown,  by  whom  he  has  issue, 

1.  William  Lord  Hervey. 

2.  George,  born  June  8th,  1804. 

3.  William,  born,  October      ,  1805. 

Titles.  Frederick-William  Hervey,  Earl  of  Bristol,  and  Ba- 
ron Hervey,  of  Ickworth. 

Creatiojts.  Baron  Hervey  of  Ickworth,  March  23d  (1703),  2 
Anne;  and  Earl  of  Bristol,  October  19th  (1714),  1  George  I. 

*  S'ster  and  heir  to  the  'ate  Sir  Charles  Davers,  Bart.  * 


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^  fti^t/e*  *-*y     U**sG>     /^^    <//^++^*  <^^,   4&*^£±^ 

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*     I      v* 


HERVEY  EARL  OF  BRISTOL.  161 

Arms.     Gules  on  a  bend  Argent,  3  trefoils  slipt  vert. 

Crest.  On  a  wreath,  a  Leopard  passant  proper  Bezantee,  du- 
cally  gorged  and  chained  d)r,  and  holding  a  trefoil  in  his  paw- 
proper. 

Supporters.  Two  Leopards  sable,  Bezantee,  ducally  collared 
and  chained,  Or. 

Motto.     Je  n'oublibray  jamais. 

Chief  Seat.    At  Ickworth  Lodge,  in  Suffolk. 


Vol.  iv.  -  H 


162  .     PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


COWPER  EARL  COWPER. 

John  Cowper,  of  Strode,  in  the  parish  of  Slingfeld,  ia  the  count/ 
of  Sussex,a  in  the  6th  year  of  Edward  IV.  married  Joan,  daughter 
and  heir  of  John  Stanbridge,  of  Strode  aforesaid;  which  Joan, 
by  her  deed  dated  at  Ewhurst,  June  5th,  1465,  6th  Edward  IV. 
by  the  name  of  Joan,  late  wife  of  Stephen  Brode,  grants  to  Ri- 
chard Furst  and  Richard  Briggs,  her  lands,  rents,  and  services,  in 
the  parishes  of  Okley,  Ewhurst,  and  Cranley,  in  the  county  of 
Surry;  of  her  inheritance;  who,  in  order  to  her  marriage  with 
the  beforementioned  John  Cowper,  reconveys  the  same  to  the 
Lord  Maltravers,  John  Bourchier  Lord  Berners,  Sir  John  Aud- 
ley  Lord  Audley,  and  Thomas  St.  Leger,  Esquire  of  the  King's 
body. 

This  Joan  also  survived  the  said  John  Cowper,  Esq.  and  was 
afterwards  married  to  Robert  Aucher,  Esq.  of  Westwell,  in 
Kent.b 

By  the  said  John  Cowper,  her  second  husband,  she  had  issue 
John  Cowper,  of  Strode,  Esq.  who  by  his  wi  e  Mary,  daughter 
of Chaloner,  of  Sussex/  had  issue  three  sons; 

1.  John,  who  died  unmarried. 

2.  Robert  Cowper,  Esq.  from  whom  the  Cowpers  of  Strode d 
descended.     And 

3.  William  Cowper,  the  ancestor  of  the  present  Earl  Cowper. 
Which  William  Cowper  was  father  of  another 

»  Chart.  6  Edward  IV.  and  MS.  Account  of  this  Family,  by  Peter  Le  Neve, 
Norroy. 

b  Segar"s  Baronage,  MS.  c  Ibid. 

d  It  strikes,  however,  the  present  Editor's  memory,  that  these  Cowpers  of 
Strode  bore  different  arn.s. 


COWPER  EARL  COWPER.  163 

William  Cowper,  who  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Tho- 
mas Spencer, e  of  St.  Peter's,  Cornhill,  London,  and  one  of  the 
church-wardens  of  that  parish,  in  34  Henry  VIII.  by  whom  he 
had  issue 

John  Cowper,  Esq.  of  St.  Michael's,  Cornhill,  London,  one  of 
the  Sheriffs  of  that  city  fanno  1551,  s  and  Alderman  of  Bridge- 
ward.  He  died  on  June  3d,  16OQ,  and  was  buried  in  St.  Peter's, 
Cornhill,  under  a  monument  erected  to  his  memory.11  By  his  wife 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Ironside,  of  the  county  of  Lincoln, 
Gent,  he  had  issue  iflve  sons  and  four  daughters  i  1.  John,  who 
died  without  issue. 

2.  William,  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl. 

3.  Edward,  who  died  without  issue :  as  did  Richard,  another 
son. 

5.  Nicholas,  who  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Robert 
Bourne,  of  Bobingworth,  in  Essex,  Esq. 

Frances,  eldest  daughter,  died  young;  Elizabeth,  second 
daughter,  married,  first,  to  Thomas  Carryl,  Esq.  third  son  to  Sir 
— —  Carryl,  of  Sussex,  Knt.j  and,  secondly,  to  John  Jaques, 
father  of  Sir  John  Jaques,  Bart.j  Catharine,  third  daughter,  was 
wife  of  John  Tey,  of  Layer  de  la  Hay,  in  Essex,  Esq. ;  and  Ju- 
dith, the  younger,  was  married  to  Richard  Bourne,  of  London, 
third  son  of  William  Bourne,  of  Bobingworth,  in  Essex,  Esq.  9 
and,  secondly,  to  Thomas  Hill,  of  Fulham,  in  Middlesex,  Esq. 

Sir  William,  his  second  son,k  born  on  March  7th,  1582,  suc- 
ceeded to  his  estate,  and  being  seated  at  Railing-Court,  in  Kent, 
was  first  created  a  Baronet  of  Nova  Scotia,  and  afterwards,  on 
March  4th,  1641-2,  created  a  Baronet  of  England  ;  and  knighted 
at  Theobalds,  March  1st  following.1  He  was  Collector  of  the 
imposts  on  strangers  in  the  port  of  London  j  and  for  his  loyalty 
to  Charles  I.  was  imprisoned  in  Ely-house,  in  London,  with  John 
his  eldest  son,  who  d»ed  under  his  confinement.  But  Sir  William 
Cowper  outlived  all  his  troubles  -,  and  residing  at  his  castle  of 
Hertford,  was  famed  for  his  hospitality,  charity,  and  other  Chris- 
tian virtues,"1  often  visiting  his  poor  neighbours  at  their  houses, 

c  Sow,  p.  2I3.  f  Ibid,  p.  584.  t  Jbid.  p.  23Q. 

h  Ibid.  p.  215.  *  Ex  Scemmate.  *  Ibid. 

J  H !  is  memorable  for  having  erected  in  the  church  of  Bishopsbourne,  near  his 
teat  of  Ratting  Court,  in  Nonington,  Kent,  a  monument,  in  1633,  to  the  cele- 
brated RrcKARD  Hooker,  inscribed  with  verses  signed  W.  C.  Sec  Walton's 
Lives,  by  Zquch,  pp.  246.  264. 

*n  Chauncey's  Hertfordshire,  p.  2^4. 


164  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

and  relieving  them  in  private,  according  to  their  necessities.  He- 
died  on  December  20th,  1664,  aged  eighty-two  years ;  and  wai 
buried  in  the  cloister  of  St.  Michael's  church,  in  Corn-hill,  Lon- 
don. He  had  to  wife,n  Martha,  daughter  of  James  Masters,  of 
East  Langdon,  in  Kent,  Esq.  and  sister  to  Sir  Edward  Masters, 
Knight,  by  whom  he  had  issue  six  sons  and  three  daughters ; 
Mary,  who  died  unmarried}  Martha,  wedded  to  John  Huitson, 
of  Clesby,  in  com.  Ebor.  Esq.  and  died  on  November  6,  l6Sl 
(leaving  her  husband  surviving,  who  departed  this  life  April  ]3th, 
1689)  j  Anne,  youngest  daughter,  was  the  wife  of  John  Rich- 
mond of  Hiddington,  in  Norfolk,  Esq. 
The  sons,  were  j 

1.  John,  of  whom  hereafter. 

2.  Sir  Edward  Cowper,  born  August  5th,  1614,  who,  dying 
unmarried  on  November  10th,°  1685,  was  buried  by  his  father  in 
St.  Michael's,  Cornhill,  where  a  white  marble  monument  is 
erected  to  his  memory. 

3.  Sir  William  Cowper,  who  had  issue  Sir  John  Cowper,  whose 
posterity  is  remaining. 

4.  Spencer  Cowper,  who  died  on  November  6th,  1676,  aged 
fifty-seven,  unmarried,  and  was  buried  at  St.  Michael's  afore- 
said. 

5.  James/  who  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  Wroth, 
of  Durans,  in  the  parish  of  Enfield,  in  Middlesex,  but  dying  with- 
out issue,  she  was  after  wedded  to  George  Earl  of  Suffolk j  and. 
Henry,  the  sixth  son,  died  an  infant. 

John,  the  eldest  son,  was  entered  of  Lincoln's-Inn  for  the  study 
of  the  laws,  but  being  imprisoned  for  his  loyalty  to  Charles  I. 
died  under  his  confinement.  He  married  Martha,  daughter  of 
George  Hewkley,  of  London,  merchant,  by  whom  he  had  issue  a 
daughter,  Martha,  who  died  young,  and  one  son, 

Sir  William  Cowper,  Bart,  who  succeeded  his  grandfather: 
he  was  chosen  one  of  the  members  for  1  Hertford,  in  the  two  last 
Parliaments  called  by  Charles  II.  and  was  one,  who,  with  the  Earls 
of  Shaftesbury/  and  Huntingdon,  with  otherLords,  presented  rea- 
sons to  the  Grand  Jury  of  Middlesex,  June  1 6th,  1680,  for  the 
indictment  of  James  Duke  of  York,  for  not  coming  to  church . 

n  Chauncey's  Hertfordshire,  p.  254. 
0  Buried  the  13th.     Had.  MSS.  No.  1040. 
P  He  was  buried  at  St.  Michael**  church,  Cornhill,  28th  JuJjr,  1683.     Had. 
MSS.  No.  1040. 
*  Chaunce>'s  Hcrtford$hire,  a;  3.  r  Hist.  oFEng.  Vol.  III.  p.  374. 


COWTER  EARL  COWPER.  165 

He  also  served  in  Parliament  for  the  town  of  Hertford,  in  the  first 
year  of  King  William  and  Queen  Mary,  and  in  two  other  Parlia- 
ments in  the  reign  of  King  William. 

On  April  23d,  1695,  he  was  nominated  by  the  House  of  Com- 
mons, one  of  the  twenty-four  principal  members  to  examine  Sir 
Thomas  Cook,  and  to  inspect  into  bribery  and  corruption.  He 
married  Sarah,  daughter  to  Sir  Samuel  Hoiled,  of  London  {'  she 
died  February  3d,  17*9,  aged  seventy-six,  and  is  buried  at  Hert- 
ingfordbury,  in  Hertfordshire),  and  left  issue  two  sons, 

1.  William,  first  Earl  Cowper,  and 

2.  Spencer  Cowper,  Esq.  who,  on  the  accession  of  George  I. 
to  the  throne,  was  appointed  Attorney-General  to  the  Prince  of 
Wales,  and  on  July  12th,  1717,  constituted  Chief  Justice  of 
Chester.  In  1727  he  was  made  Attorney- General  of  the  duchy 
of  Lancaster ;  and  on  October  14th  following,  called  to  the  de- 
gree of  Serjeant  at  Law,  and  afterwards  made  one  of  the  Judges 
of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.1  He  first  married  Pennington, 
daughter  of  John  Goodere,  Esq.;  secondly,  Theodora,  widow  of 
John  Stepney,  Esq.  and  departed  this  life  at  his  chambers  in 
Lincoln's- hin,  on  December  10th,  1/28,  leaving  issue,  by  his  first 
wife,  three  sons, 

1 .  William  Cowper,  Esq.  Clerk  of  the  House  of  Lords,  who 
died  at  his  house  in  the  Old  Palace  Yard,  Westminster,  in  Fe- 
bruary 1739-40,  leaving  issue  a  daughter,  Judith,  eminent  for 
her  poetical  talents,  married  to  Colonel  Madan,  who  died  1756, 
(by  whom  she  was  mother  of  the  present  Bishop  of  Peterborough; ; 
and  two  sons,  of  whom  Major  William  Cowper"  married,  in 
1749,  his  cousin,  Miss  Madan,  and  was  seated  at  the  Park  near 
Hertford.  2.  Rev.  John  Cowper,  D.  D.  Rector  of  Great  Berk- 
hampstead,  in  Hertfordshire;  an  ingenious  man,  of  some  poetical 
talents,  who  died  1756",  having  married,  first,  Anne,  daughter  of 
Roger  Donne,  Esq.  of  Ludham  Hall,  in  Norfolk,  who  died  in 
childbed,  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-four,  in  1737,  and  has  a  mo- 
nument in  the  chancel  of  St.  Peter's  church,  at  Berkhampstead, 
inscribed  with  some  verses  by  Lady  Walsingham.*    By  this  Lady 

8  Salmon's  Hertfordshire,  p.  53. 

1  He  was  memorable  for  a  trial  regarding  an  unfortunate  death  j  which  may 
be  seen  in  the  Chronicles  of  the  Day,  and  in  the  State  Trials. 

u  I  presume  the  late  General  Spencer  Cowper  was  another  son.  He  was  father 
of  the  present  Henry  Cowper,  Esq.  Deputy  Clerk  of  the  House  of  Lords,  wh* 
married  his  cousin,  Miss  Cowper. 

x  She  was  daughter  of  William  Cowper,  the  Judge'?  eldest  son. 


j  66  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Dr.  Cowper  had  issue,  1 .  William  Cowper,  the  Poet,x  author  of 
The  Task,  born  November  26th,  173],  died  single,  1800.  2. 
John,  born  1737,  Fellow  of  Bcne't  college,  Cambridge,  died 
March  20th,  1770.  Ashley  Cooper,  third  son  of  the  Judge,  died 
17S8,  having  had  three  daughters  j  of  whom,  one  was  widow  of 
Sir  Robert  Hesketh,  Bart.;  another  married  to  Sir  Archer  Croft, 
Bart,  -j  and  the  third  single. 

William,  first  Earl  Cowper,  was  brought  up  to  the  study 
of  the  laws,  wherein  he  was  such  a  proficient,  that,  soon  after  his 
being  called  to  the  bar,  he  was  chosen  Recorder  of  Colchester ; 
and  appointed  one  of  the  King's  Counsel,  in  the  reign  of  King 
William,  whereby  his  learning  and  oratory  appeared  the  more 
conspicuous.  On  the  accession  of  Queen  Anne,  he  was  continued 
as  her  Counsel  in  the  laws/  till  he  was  made  Lord  Keeper  of  the 
Great  Seal  of  England,  on  October  11th,  1705  ;  and  in  conside- 
ration of  his  great  merits  and  abilities,  her  Majesty,  on  November 
9th,  1706,  advanced  him  to  the  dignity  of  a  Peer  of  this  kingdom, 
by  the  style  and  title  of  Lord  Cowper,  Baron  Cowper  of 
Wingham,  in  Kent.    The  same  year  he  was  one  of  the  Commis- 
sioners for  the  treaty  of  Union  between  England  and  Scotland : 
and  on  May  4th,   J  707,  her  Majesty,  in  Council,  declared  him 
Lord  High  Chancellor  of  Great  Britain  j  which  he  continued 
till  September  14th,  17 10,  upon  the  change  of  the  ministry.     On 
the  demise  of  the  Queen,  he  was  nominated  zone  of  the  Lords 
Justices  of  the  kingdom,  till  the  arrival  of  King  George  I.  from 
Hanover,  who,  on  September  22d,  four  days  after  his  landing  in 
England,  declared  him  Lord  High  Chancellor  of  Great  Britain  ; 
and  his  Majesty  dissolving  his  Privy-Council,  and  appointing  a 
new  one  to  meet,  on  October  1st,  1714,  his  Lordship,  being  then 
Lord  Chancellor,  took  his  place  at  the  board,  next  to  the  Arch- 
bishop of  Canterbury.    On  February  6ih,  1716,  his  Lordship  was 
appointed  Lord  High  Steward  of  Great  Britain,  for  the  trial  of 
the  Rebel  Lords.     And  his  Majesty,  in  consideration  of  his  great 
abilities  and  merits,  was  pleased  to  advance  him  to  the  dignity  of 
Earl  Cowper,  March  18,  1717-18.     But  his  Lordship,  in  May 
following,  resigned  the  seals.    His  excellent  speeches  against  the 
South-sea  scheme,  and  in  behalf  of  Dr.  Atterbury,  will  eternise 
his  name  to  posterity. 

He  was  also  Lord-Lieutenant  and  Custos  Rotulorum  of  the 


*  Sec  Hayley's  Life  of  Cowper. 
y  Pointer's  Chron.  Hist.  Vol.  II.  p.  531.  z  Ibid.  p.  770. 


COWPER  EARL  COWPER.  167 

county  of  Hertford,  one  of  the  governors  of  the  Charter-house, 
and  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Society.  In  all  his  stations  he  acted 
with  strict  integrity ;  and  it  is  to  his  honour  that  he  refused  the 
new  year's  gifts,  which  former  Lords  Chancellor  received  from 
the  counsel,  thinking  it  an  ill  precedent,  tending  to  corruption  ; 
which  example  has  since  been  followed  by  all  in  that  high  station. 
He  had  a  graceful  person,  wirning  aspect;  and  all  his  speeches 
were  delivered  with  that  eloquence,  learning,  and  judgment,  as 
made  him  universally  applauded ;  and  shewed  he  had  no  superior 
in  the  knowledge  of  the  laws,  or  in  any  other  subject  he  applied 
himself  to. 

Dr.  Smollet  observes,  that  England  by  his  death,   "  lost  a 
worthy  nobleman,  who  had  twice  discharged  the  office  of  Lord 
Chancellor,  with  equal  discernment  and  integrity.     He  was  pro- 
foundly skilled  in  the  laws  of  his  country;  in  his  apprehension 
quick  and  penetrating,  in  his  judgment  clear  and  determinate. 
He  possessed  a  manly  eloquence :  his  manner  was  agreeable,  and 
his  deportment  graceful."  Mr.  Tindal  says  of  him,  that  H  he  was 
eminent  for  his  integrity  in  the  discharge  of  the  office  of  Lord 
Chancellor,  which  he  had  twice  filled.     There  may  have  been 
chancellors  of  more  extensive  learning,  but  none  of  more  know- 
ledge in  the  laws  of  England.     His  judgment  was  quick,  and  yet 
solid.     His  eloquence  manly,  but  flowing.     His  manner  graceful 
and  noble."     Lord  Chesterfield,  in  his  Letters  to  his  Son,  repre- 
sents Earl  Cowper  as  more  distinguished  as  a  speaker,  by  the  ele- 
gance of  his  language,  and  the  gracefulness  of  his  manner,  than 
by  the  force  of  his  arguments.     He  says,  "  the  late  Lord  Chan- 
cellor Cowper's  strength  as  an  orator,  lay  by  no  means  in  his 
reasonings,  for  he  often  hazarded  very  weak  ones.    But  such  was 
the  purity  and  elegancy  of  his  style,  such  the  propriety  and- 
charms  of  his  elocution,  and  such  the  gracefulness  of  bis  action, 
that  he  never  spoke  without  universal  applause.     The  ears  and 
the  eyes  gave  him  up  the  hearts  and  the  understanding  of  the 
audience."3     Burnet  says,  "  he  managed  the  Court  of  Chancery 
with  impartial  justice,  and  great  dispatch ;  and  was  very  useful 
to  the  House  of  Lords  in  the  promoting  of  business." 

His  Lordship  had,  to  his  first  wife,  Judith,  daughter  and  heir 
of  Sir  Robert  Booth,  of  London,  Knight,  who  died  b2d  April, 

»  See  Kippis'  Biographia  Brit.  IV.  381.    Where  is  a  long  life  of  this  Earl, 
4rawn  up  by  Dr.  Towers. 

b  Monumental  Inscription. 


1(58  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

1/05,  by  whom  he  had  an  only  son  that  died  young.  And  by 
Mary,  his  second  Lady  (who  died  February  5th,  1723-4),  daugh- 
ter of  Joh?i  Clavering,  of  Chopwell,  in  the  bishoprick  of  Dur- 
ham, Esq.  had  issue  two  sons  and  two  daughters:  1.  William  j 
and 

2.  Spencer,  Dean  of  Durham,  who  married  Dorothy,  eldest 
daughter  of  Charles  Lord  Viscount  Townshend,  by  his  second 
wife,  Dorothy,  sister  of  Robert  Walpole,  first  earl  of  Orford,  but 
died  without  issue  on  March  25th,  1/74.  She  survived  him  till 
19th  May,  1779- 

Lady  Sarah,  who  died  on  December  ljth,  1/5S,  unmarried, 
and  was  buried  at  Hartingfordbury  ;c  and  Lady  Anne,  married, 
in  1731,  to  James  Edward  Colleton,  of  Hayncs-Hill,  in  Berk- 
shire, Esq. ;  which  Lady  Anne  deceased  on  March  26th,  1750. 

And  his  Lordship  departing  this  life  at  Colne-grecn,  in  Hert- 
fordshire, on  October  10th,  1723,  was  interred  in  the  church  at 
Hartingfordbury,  in  the  same  county,  on  the  19th  following.  To 
him  succeeded  his  eldest  son, 

William,  second  Earl  Cowper,  who  was  born  in  1709, 
and  appointed,  in  April  1733,  one  of  the  Lords  of  the  Bedcham- 
ber to  his  late  Majesty,  which  he  afterwards  resigned.  On  March 
23d,  1743-4,  he  was  constituted  Lord-Lieutenant  and  Gustos 
Rotulorum  of  Hertfordshire,  and  continued  as  such  by  the  pre- 
sent King.  His  Lordship  was  twice  married  j  first,  on  June  27th, 
1732,  to  Lady  Henrietta,  youngest  daughter  and  coheir  of  Henry 
D'Auverquerque,  Earl  of  Grantham  j  and,  secondly,  on  May  1st, 
1750,  to  Lady  Georgiana,  daughter  to  John  Carteret,  Earl  Gran- 
ville (and  widow  of  the  Hon.  John  Spencer,  Esq.  by  whom  she 
was  mother  of  John,  first  Earl  Spencer.)  By  the  said  Lady  Geor- 
giana his  Lordship  had  no  issue.d 

But  by  his  first  Countess,  who  died  in  October  \7^7>  ar*d  was 
buried  at  Hartingfordbury,  he  was  father  of  George,  third  EarJ 
Cowper,  and  of 

Lady  Caroline,  born  on  June  20tb,  1733,  married  on  July  24th, 
1753.,  to  Henry  Seymour,  Esq.  (only  son  and  heir  of  Francis  Sey- 
mour, of  Sherbourne,  in  the  county  of  Dorset,  Esq.  brother  to 
Edward  eighth  duke  of  Somerset  of  his  family),  she  died  June  2d, 
1773,  and  was  buried  at  Hartingfordbury. 

This  William,  second  Earl  Cowper,  was  also  LL.D.  and  F.R.S. 

c  She  is  said  to  have  been  distinguished  for  her  sense  and  accomplishments. 
d  She  died  25th  August,  1780,  at  Richmond,  in  Surrey. 


COWPER  EARL  COWPER.  1(5$ 

and  departing  this  life  on  September  18th,  1764,  at  Colne-green, 
in  Hertfordshire,  was  buried  at  Hartingfordbury,  having  some 
time  before  prefixed  the  surname  and  arms  of  Claveeing  to  his 
own,  in  obedience  to  the  will  of Clavering,  Esq.  his  mo- 
ther's brother,  who  left  him  his  estate  on  that  condition. 

Geoege  Nassau,  thied  Eael  Cowpee,  was  born  on  August 
26th,  1738,  and  at  his  baptism,  on  the  17th  of  next  month,  had 
the  late  King,  Charles  Duke  of  Grafton,  and  the  Princess  Amelia 
all  personally  present,  for  his  sponsors.  On  the  decease  of  George 
Harrison,  Esq.  which  happened  on  December  7, 1759,  his  Lord- 
ship was  elected,  in  his  room,  member  for  the  town  of  Hertford; 
a  large  estate  having  fallen  to  him  before,  on  the  death  of  the 
beforementioned  Earl  of  Grantham,  December  5th,  1754.  His 
Lordship,  on  January  3 1st,  1778,  was  created  a  Count  of  the 
Holy  Roman  Empire;  on  June  2  1,  1775,  he  was  married  at 
Florence,  to  Anna.,  daughter  of  Charles  Gore,  of  Southampton, 
Esq.  by  whom  he  had  issue  three  sons. 

1.  George  Augustus,  fourth  Earl. 

3.  Leopold- Lou  is  Francis,  present  Earl. 

3.  Edward  Spencer,  born  at  Florence  July  16th,  1779*  elected 
M.  P.  for  Hertford,  1806,  I8O7. 

His  Lordship  died  at  Florence,  December  22d,.  1789;  and  was 
succeeded  by  his  eldest  son. 

Geoege-Augustus,  foueth  Eael  Cowpee,  born  at  Flo- 
rence, August  9th,  1776;  who  dying  unmarried,  February  12th, 
1799,  was  succeeded  by  his  brother, 

Leopold-Louis  Feancis,  fifth  Eael  Cowpee,  born  at  Flo- 
rence, May  6th,  1778-  His  Lordship  married,  July  21st,  1806, 
the  Hon.  Amelia  Lambe,  daughter  of  Peniston  Viscount  Mel- 
bourne. 

Titles.  Leopold  Louis  Francis  Cowper,  Earl  Cowper,  Viscount 
Fordvvich,  Baron  Cowper  of  Wingham,  and  Baronet  of  England 
and  Nova  Scotia. 

Creations.  Baronet,  March  4th  (1641-2),  17th  Car.  Lj  Baron 
Cowper,  of  Wingham,  in  Kent,  November  9th  (1706),  5  Queen 
Anne;  Viscount  Fordwich  in  the  same  county,  and  Earl  Cowper, 
March  18th  (1717),  4  George  I. 

Arms.  Argent,  three  Martlets,  and  a  Chief  engrailed,  Gules; 
en  the  latter  as  many  Annulets,  Or. 

Crest.  On  a  wreath,  a  Lion's  gamb  erected  and  erased,  Or, 
holding  a  branch  Vert,  fructed  Gules. 


i;o  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Supporters.  On  each  side,  a  light  dun  horse,  with  a  large 
blaze  down  his  face,  his  mane  close  shorn,  all  but  a  tuft  upon 
his  withers,  a  black  list  down  his  back,  a  bob  tail,  and  three 
white  feet  $  viz.  his  hind  feet  and  near  foot  before. 

Motto.     Tuum  EST. 

Chief  Seats.  At  Colne  Green,  in  the  county  of  Hertford  j  and 
at  Ratling-Court,  in  the  county  of  Kent ;  which  latter  has  been 
nothing  more  than  a  very  mean  farm-house  for  above  a  century. 
The  seat  at  the  Moat,  near  Canterbury,  has  been  lately  pulled 
down. 


STANHOPE  EARL  STANHOPE. 


7n 


STANHOPE  EARL  STANHOPE. 

The  immediate  founder  of  this  noble  family  was  the  honourable 
Alexander  Stanhope/  Esq.  only  son  to  the  right  honourable 
Philip  Earl  of  Chesterfield,  by  his  second  Lady,  Anne,  daughter 
of  Sir  John  Pakingron,  a  Privy  Counsellor,  and  favourite  of 
Queen  Elizabeth.  Tn  the  reign  of  Charles  II.  he  was  Gentleman- 
usher  to  the  Queen ;  and  on  the  accession  of  King  William  to 
the  crown,  his  Majesty  nominated  him  his  Envoy  Extraordinary 
to  Charles  II.  King  of  Spain. 

He  set  out  for  that  kingdom  the  latter  end  of  December  168Q, 
and  resided  there  several  years,  honoured  by  his  Catholic  Majesty 
and  his  ministry,  as  well  as  in  favour  with  his  own  Sovereign, 
who  afterwards  appointed  him  Envoy  Extraordinary  to  the  States 
General.  He  continued  in  the  same  character  in  the  reign  of 
Queen  Anne,  till,  at  his  earnest  request,  he  was  recalled  about 
October  1706.  He  died  the  year  after,  on  September  20th,  hav- 
ing faithfully  and  successfully  acquitted  himself  in  many  difficult 
and  important  negociations  during  sixteen  years  that  he  resided 
abroad. 

By  Catharine  his  wife,  daughter  of  Arnold  Burghill,  of  Thinge- 
hill-Parva,  in  com.  Heref.  Esq.  (the  chief  of  a  knightly  family, 
lineally  descended  from  Sir  Humphrey  Burghill,  of  Burghill,  in 


*  Part  of  h's  portion  was  the  Lordship  of  Hartshorn,  in  Derbyshire,  near 
Ashby  de  la  Zouch,  co.  Leic.  At  this  place  was  born,  on  March  5th,  1660, 
the  learned  Dr.  George  Stanhope,  Dean  of  Canterbury,  whose  father,  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Stanhope,  was  Rector  heie  under  the  patronage  of  the  Chesterfield  fa- 
mily; and  was  ion  of  Dr.  George  Stanhope,  Precentor  of  York,  who  died  1644. 
The  Dean  died  March  18th,  1728,  aged  sixty-eight.  His  wife  was  OJive,  sister 
•f  Charles  Cotton,  the  P^et.    See  Todd's  Dtan:  of  Canterbury,  187. 


i;2  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

the  same  county,  living  in  the  reign  of  King  William  Rufus),  he 
had  two  daughters ;  Catharine,  who  died  unmarried,  and  Mary, 
one  of  the  Maids  of  Honour  to  Queen  Anne,  married  to  Charles 
Fane,  of  Basleton,  in  com.  Berks,  created  Lord  Viscount  Fane, 
and  Baron  of  Loughuyre,  in  the  county  of  Limerick,  in  Ireland, 
I/I95  bshe  died  17th  August,  17$2,  aged  seventy-six;  and  live 
sons : 

1.  James,  of  whom  I  am  principally  to  treat. 

2.  Alexander,  who  died  at  sea  in  his  father's  lifetime. 

3.  Philip,  who  was  Captain  and  Commander  of  the  Milford 
man  of  war,  employed  in  the  Mediterranean  service,  unfortu- 
nately killed  en  September  28th,  1708,  in  attacking  the  castle  of 
St.  Philip,  in  the  Island  of  Minorca  (a  generous  bravery,  and  na- 
tural passion  for  a  dear  brother,  urging  him  to  bear  a  part  in  the 
land  service  on  shore),  whose  loss  was  generally  lamented. 

4.  Edward,  Colonel  of  a  regiment  of  foot,  who  likewise  lost 
his  life  in  the  service  of  his  country,  at  the  siege  of  Cardona,  in 
Spain,  on  December  23d,  1711.  His  remarkable  bravery,  in  the 
defence  of  the  important  post  where  he  was  stationed,  being 
esteemed  the  principal  occasion  of  the  relief  of  that  place. 

5.  William.,  born  at  Madrid  about  the  year  l6gi,  who  died  an 
infant. 

James,  the  eldest  son,  beforementioned,  left  the  upiversity  of 
Oxford  at  seventeen  or  eighteen  years  of  age,  to  accompany  his 
father  to  Spain,  and  after  some  stay  there,  travelling  into  Italy, 
served  a  volunteer  under  the  Duke  of  Savoy,  afterwards  King  of 
Sicily  and  Sardinia.  In  1694,  going  a  volunteer  into  Flanders, 
he  was  presently  taken  notice  of  by  King  William,  who  made 
him  a  Captain,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-colonel,  in  his  regi- 
ment of  Foot  Guards.  In  l6Q5,  when  Namur  was  besieged, 
though  not  on  duty,  he  nevertheless  went  a  volunteer  on  the  at- 
tack of  the  counterscarp,  and  giving  extraordinary  proofs  of  his 
courage  and  conduct,  was  wounded  and  utterly  disabled.  In 
1700,  he  was  elected  a  Member  for  Newport  in  the  Isle  of  Wight, 
which  was  the  last  Parliament  called  by  King  William;  and  con- 
stantly serving  in  the  House  of  Commons  (till  he  was  created  a 
Peer),  distinguished  himself  on  the  debates  therein  on  several 
occasions. 

In  1702,  he  was  a  volunteer  in  the  expedition  under  the  Duke 

fc  Coffin-plate. 


STANHOPE  EARL  STANHOPE.  173 

of  Ormond  to  Cadiz ;  and  behaved  with  great  gallantry  on  the 
attack  of  the  fort  of  Rodcndallo,  the  taking  whereof  greatly  con- 
tributed to  destroying  the  galleons  at  Vigo.  The  year  after,  he 
embarked  with  Charles  III.  King  of  Spain,  and  landing  with  him 
in  Portugal,  served  in  that  kingdom  till  the  Earl  of  Peterborough's 
expedition  in  the  Mediterranean.  He  was  made  a  Brigadier- 
general,  August  25th,  1704,  and  acquired  great  honour  in  the 
siege  of  Barcelona  ;  which  surrendered  to  the  allies  on  October 
Qth,  N.  S.  1705.  He  was  declared  soon  after  Envoy  Extraordi- 
nary and  Plenipotentiary  to  King  Charles  III.  and  in  that  cha- 
racter arrived  with  his  Catholic  Majesty  at  Valentia,  October  2d, 
17065  and  was  made  Major-general  of  her  Majesty's  forces  Ja- 
nuary 1st,  1706-7. 

In  1708,  he  was  declared  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  British 
forces  in  Spain;  and  arriving  at  Barcelona  May  29th,  N.  S.  his 
first  enterprize  was  the  reduction  of  the  celebrated  port  of  Mahon 
in  the  Island  of  Minorca.  He  landed  on  that  island,  September 
l6th,  1708,  and  immediately  possessed  himself  of  the  town  of 
Mahon,  and  the  whole  country  soon  appeared  in  his  interest: 
but  the  castle  holding  out,  great  difficulties  were  found  in  land- 
ing and  transporting  our  heavy  artillery,  through  a  country  very 
rocky,  and  destitute  of  beasts  of  burthen ;  yet  with  continual 
labour  the  artillery  was  brought  up  in  twelve  days,  and  on  Sep- 
tember 28th  began  to  batter  the  castle;  and  some  of  the  grena- 
diers getting  into  the  line  without  orders,  General  Stanhope  took 
the  ordinary  guard  of  the  battery,  and  advanced  to  that  part  of 
the  line  next  to  him.  The  enemy  were  in  so  great  a  consterna- 
tion at  the  sudden  approach  of  our  troops,  that  finding  we  were 
lodged  at  the  foot  of  the  glacis  of  the  castle,  and  our  main  bat- 
tery ready  to  play  upon  it,  they,  on  the  morning  following,  beat 
a  parley,  and  at  five  in  the  afternoon  the  capitulation  was  signed 
for  the  delivery  of  it  the  next  morning.  The  garrison  consisted 
of  above  1000  men  under  arms ;  part  of  whom  were  to  be  trans- 
ported in  our  ships  to  France,  the  others  into  Spain.  There  were 
found  100  cannon,  3000  barrels  of  powder,  and  all  other  neces- 
saries for  a  good  defence.  In  1 709,  he  embarked  with  8000  men 
for  the  relief  of  Alicant,  then  besieged ;  and  arriving  before  it  in 
April  that  year,  all  the  three-deck  ships  were  ordered  to  fire  upon 
the  town  and  batteries  of  the  enemy ;  but  a  violent  east  wind 
arising,  forced  the  ships  out  for  sea-room;  and  tempestuous  wea- 
ther lasting  some  days,  the  enemy  took  that  opportunity  to  fortify 
the  shore  in  all  places  where  landing  was  practicable-    Where* 


J 74  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

upon  General  Sianhope  observing  it  was  impossible  to  throw  suc- 
cours of  men  and  provisions  into  the  castle,  capitulated  for  the 
same  on  honourable  terms,  and  received  the  garrison.  In  1710, 
ihe  signal  victory  at  Almenara,  July  27th,  was,  under  God,  owing 
to  his  prudent  conduct  and  valiant  deportment}  for  which  the 
then  King  Charles  returned  him  particular  thanks.  On  August 
20th,  N.  S.  following,  the  French  and  Spaniards  were  defeated 
at  Saragossa;  and  on  September  21st,  he  took  possession  of  Ma- 
drid for  King  Charles. 

On  the  accession  of  George  I.  he  was,  for  his  faithful  services^ 
sworn  one  of  the  Principal  Secretaries  of  State,  and  of  the  Privy 
Council,  September  24th,  1714,  six  days  after  his  Majesty's  land- 
ing in  England,  and  four  after  his  public  entry  through  the  city 
of  London. 

This  appointment  he  owed  to  the  influence  of  Townshend,  and 
the  friendship  of  the  Walpoles  j  and  possessed  their  implicit 
confidence.  On  July  flhy  1716,  he  accompanied  the  King  to 
Hanover.  "  As  Townshend  himself,  on  account  of  his  wife's 
pregnancy,  declined  going  thither,  his  colleague  was  to  be  in- 
trusted with  that  important  service  -,  he  was  to  keep  the  King 
steady  to  his  ministers  in  England,  and  to  watch  and  baffle  the 
intrigues  which  might  be  formed  to  remove  them.  Stanhope  ap- 
peared peculiarly  qualified  for  this  task.  A  long  and  intimate 
connection  with  Walpole  had  bound  them  in  the  strictest  ties  of 
friendship}  and  when  Walpole  recommended  him  to  Townshend, 
he  answered  for  his  integrity  as  for  his  own.  Stanhope  himself 
had  made  no  application  for  the  office  of  Secretary.  His  frequent 
residence  in  camps,  and  skill  in  the  profession  of  arms,  rendered 
him,  in  his  own  opinion,  more  fit  for  a  military  than  a  civil  sta- 
tion }  and  when  Walpole  proposed  it,  he  considered  the  offer  as 
a  matter  of  raillery,  and  applied  his  hand  to  his  sword.  It  was 
not  till  after  much  persuasion,  and  the  most  solemn  assurances, 
that  his  compliance  would  materially  contribute  to  the  security  of 
the  new  administration,  that  he  was  induced  to  accept  the  post. 

"  One  of  the  principal  charges  which  Stanhope  had  received 
from  his  friends  in  England,  was  to  be  on  his  guard  against  the 
intrigues  of  Sunderland :  who  had,  under  the  pretence  of  ill 
health,  obtained  the  King's  permission  to  go  to  Aix-la-Chapelle. 
Although  at  the  time  of  his  departure,  he  had  given  the  most 
positive  assurances  of  repentance  and  concern  for  his  late  endea- 
vours to  remove  his  colleagues }  and  after  the  most  solemn  pro* 
fessions  of  repentance  and  union,  had  condescended  to  ask  their 


STANHOPE  EARL  STANHOPE.  7* 

advice  for  the  regulation  of  his  conduct  at  Hanover,  to  which, 
place  he  intended  to  apply  for  leave  to  proceed ;  Townshend  and 
Walpole  suspected  his  sincerity  j  they  had  experienced  his  abili- 
ties j  they  knew  his  ambition  j  and  they  dreaded  the  ascendancy 
which  he  might  obtain,  through  the  channel  of  the  Hanoverians, 
over  the  King.  But  they  implicitly  trusted  in  the  sagacity  and 
integrity  of  Stanhope,  either  to  prevent  his  appearance  at  Han* 
over,  or,  if  he  came,  to  counteract  his  views.  Stanhope,  however, 
did  not  follow  their  directions ;  for,  when  Sunderland  demanded 
access  to  the  King,  instead  of  opposing,  he  promoted  the  request 
with  all  his  influence. 

"  The  mode  of  correspondence  adopted  during  his  continuance 
in  Hanover,  sufficiently  proved  the  unbounded  confidence  placed 
in  Stanhope.  In  this  confidential  correspondence,  Townshend 
and  Walpole  stated  freely  their  objections  to  the  continental  po- 
litics, declared  their  dissatisfaction  at  the  interference  of  the  Ha- 
noverians, and  their  contempt  at  their  venal  and  interested 
conduct.  They  therefore  put  it  in  his  power  to  betray  their 
private  sentiments,  and  to  increase  the  aversion  of  the  Hanoverian 
Junto.  The  seduction,  therefore,  of  Stanhope  from  his  former 
friends,  was  a  master  piece  of  art  j  as  the  defection  of  the  person 
in  whom  they  placed  the  most  implicit  confidence,  rendered  every 
attempt  to  baffle  the  efforts  of  Sunderland  ineffectual,  because 
the  mine  was  not  discovered  until  it  was  sprung. 

"At  what  precise  period,  or  by  what  inducement  Stanhope 
was  gained  by  Sunderland,  cannot  be  positively  ascertained  j  but 
from  the  general  disinterestedness  of  his  character,  I  am  led  to 
conclude,  that  he  did  not  lightly  betray  his  friends,  or  yield  to 
the  suggestions  of  Sunderland,  from  venal  or  ambitious  motives. 
The  private  information  I  have  received,  and  the  letters  which 
passed  between  Stanhope  and  Walpole,  seem  to  prove,  that  Sun- 
derland had  convinced  him,  that  the  English  Cabinet  were  secretly 
counteracting  the  conclusion  of  the  alliance  with  France  j  that 
their  opposition  to  the  Northern  transactions,  was  a  dereliction  of 
the  principles  on  which  the  Revolution  was  founded;  and  he  was 
made  to  believe,  that  his  friend  Walpole  had  broke  his  word 
with  the  King,  in  the  affair  of  the  Munster  and  Saxe  Gotha 
troops."6 

Horace  Walpole  remonstrated  -,  and  Stanhope,  being  affected, 
acknowledged  he  had  been  deceived  by  false  suggestions.  Horace 
Walpole  was  satisfied.  Stanhope  seemed  to  act  in  conformity  to 
his  promises  j  Sunderland  seemed  confounded  j  the  Hanoverians 

*  Coxe'i  Sir  R.  Walpole. 


176  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

abashed ;  and  the  King  inclined  to  recover  his  former  satisfaction 
and  complacency.  But  these  appearances  were  deceitful.  Dis- 
patches were  soon  brought  from  Stanhope,  announcing  the  King's 
command  to  remove  Townshend  from  the  office  of  Secretary  of 
State;  and  to  offer  him  the  Lord  Lieutenancy  of  Ireland.  This 
dismission  caused  great  discontent  sj  and  Sunderland  and  Stan- 
hope were*  so  much  alarmed,  as  to  make  every  specious  excuse 
for  their  conduct.  Townshend  and  Walpole  continued  for  a 
short  time  to  support  the  administration }  but  as  it  soon  appeared 
that  the  King  placed  his  chief  confidence  in  Sunderland  and 
Stanhope,  the  support  of  the  two  former  became  cold  ;  and  on  an 
important  question  in  the  House  of  Commons,  Walpole  main- 
tained a  profound  silence.  This  was  revenged  on  Townshend, 
by  a  letter  from  Stanhope,  announcing  his  final  dismissal.  Wal- 
pole, Devonshire,  Orford,  Methuen,  and  Pulteney,  resigned;  and 
Stanhope  was  appointed  fust  Lord  of  the  Treasury,  and  Chancel- 
lor of  the  Exchequer;  Sunderland  and  Addison  Secretaries  of 
State ;  the  Duke  of  Bolton  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland ;  and  the 
Duke  of  Newcastle  Lord  Chamberlain  j  the  Earl  of  Berkeley  first 
Lord  of  the  Admiralty ;  and  the  Duke  of  Kingston,  Lord  Privy 
Scal.c 

On  July  2d  following  (viz.  1717)>  he  was  promoted  to  the 
dignity  of  a  Viscount  of  Great  Britain,  by  the  style  and  title  of 
Lord  Viscount  Stanhope,  of  Mahon,  in  the  Island  of  Minorca > 
as  likewise  Baron  Stanhope,  of  Elvaston,  in  the  county  of 
Derby,  with  limitation,  for  want  of  heirs-male,  to  Thomas  Stan- 
hope, of  Elvaston  j  and  his  brothers,  Charles  (then  Secretary  to 
the  Treasury),  and  William  (afterwards  Earl  of  Harrington.) 

The  Lord  Viscount  Stanhope  was  again  sworn,  March  25th, 
17 18,  Principal  Secretary  of  State,  in  the  room  of  the  Earl  of 
Sunderland,  who,  by  mutual  agreement,  had  the  place  of  first 
Commissioner  of  the  Treasury;  and  on  April  14th  following, 
was  further  advanced  to  the  dignity  of  an  Earl  of  this  kingdom, 
by  the  title  of  Earl  Stanhope.  On  June  14th  ensuing,  he  set 
out  for  Paris,  to  bring  to  a  conclusion  the  negociations  for  a  ge- 
neral peace,  the  Spaniards  at  that  time  having  attacked  Sicily. 
He  arrived  at  Paris  four  days  after  his  departure  from  London  5 
and  his  Lordship  having  disposed  the  French  Court  to  an  accom- 
modation, signed  on  July  6th,  1718,  he  travelled  to  Madrid  for 
the  same  end,  intent  on  the  public  service.  And  having,  on 
August  4th,  received  a  pass  from  the  King  of  Spain,  he  proceeded 
from  Bayonne,  the  next  day,  on  his  journey  to  Madrid.     His 

c  Coxe's  Sir  R.  Walpole. 


STANHOPE  EARL  STANHOPE.  1/7 

Lordship  arrived  there  on  August  12th;  and  on  the  14th  went 
to  Tresnera,  a  seat  within  half  a  league  of  the  Escurial,  where 
Cardinal  Alberoni  had  caused  very  commodious  lodgings  to  be 
fitted  up  for  him.  The  same  evening,  his  Lordship,  by  appoint- 
ment, went  to  the  Cardinal,  at  the  Escurial,  and  had  a  long  con- 
ference with  him.  But  "  his  overtures  were  rejected  with  con- 
tempt," says  Coxe.  <c  Stanhope's  immediate  departure  from 
Spain  became  the  signal  for  war;  the  French  troops  advanced; 
Admiral  Byng  attacked,  captured,  and  destroyed  the  greater  part 
of  the  Spanish  fleet.  The  King  of  Spain  disappointed  in  his 
hopes  of  making  an  impression  on  England,  by  the  death  of 
Charles  XII.  and  the  defection  of  the  Czar,  was  compelled  to 
dismiss  Alberoni,  and  accede  to  the  Quadruple  Alliance."0  His 
Lordship,  taking  audience  of  leave  of  the  King  and  Queen  of 
Spain  on  August  22d,  set  out  early  the  next  morning,  and  arrived 
at  Whitehall  on  September  22d,  in  the  morning,  and  proceeded 
to  Hampton-Court,  to  wait  on  his  Majesty. 

On  May  ,Qth.  17 1&  his  Majesty  declaring  in  council  his  inten- 
tion of  going  out  of  England  for  a  short  time,  Earl  Stanhope  was 
appointed  one  of  the  Lords  Justices :  but  attending  on  his  Majesty 
in  Germany,  he  was  meditating  to  obtain  a  redress  of  the  griev- 
ances of  the  Protestants  there,  who  were  under  persecution ;  to 
which  end  he  brought  about  an  interview  between  their  Britannic 
and  Prussian  Majesties. 

He  returned  to  England  with  his  Majesty  in  November,  and 
on  December  23d,  1719,  set  out  for  the  court  of  France.  And 
returning,  set  out  again  for  that  court,  arriving  at  Paris  on  March 
26th,  1720,  and  the  next  day  had  audience  of  the  Duke  of  Or- 
leans, the  Regent,  on  overtures  made  by  the  King  of  Spain.  His 
Lordship  returned  to  Whitehall,  on  April  2d  following,  having 
brought  the  King  of  Spain  to  accede  to  the  quadruple  alliance. 
On  June  llth,  1720,  he  was  again  declared  one  of  the  J^ords 
Justices;  and  attending  the  King  to  Hanover,  several  weighty 
matters  relating  to  the  Protestant  interest  in  the  Empire  were  set- 
tled, and  a  foundation  laid  for  effectually  redressing  '.e  grievances 
of  the  Protestants  in  those  parts.  After  his  return  to  England, 
while  he  was  attending  the  great  affairs  of  the  nation  in  Parlia- 
ment, he  was  suddenly  seized  with  a  dizziness  in  his  head,  on 
February  4th,  1720-1,  and  going  immediately  to  his  own  house 
by  the  Cockpit  at  Whitehall,  diedd  the  next  day  in  the  evening, 

e  Coxe,  114. 
■  On  his  death,  Townshend  again  succeeded  to  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State. 
VOL.  IV.  N 


178  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

leaving  his  Lady  big  with  child,  who  deceased  on  February  24th, 
1722  3.  They  were  both  interred  at  Chevening,  in  Kent ;  and 
the  Earl  at  his  funeral,  by  the  King's  command,  was  attended  by 
the  Horse-grenadiers,  two  hundred  of  the  Life-guards,  and  two 
battalions  of  the  Foot-guards ;  all  their  Officers  being  in  cypress 
mourning  scarfs  and  hat-bands,  with  all  other  honours  due  to  a 
great  General ;  his  Majesty's  and  the  Prince's  coaches,  with  those 
of  the  nobility,  &c.  being  in  the  procession. 

He  married  on  February  24th,  1712-13,  Lucy,  youngest  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  Pitt,  of  Boconnoc,  Cornwall,  Esq.  sometime  Go- 
vernor of  Fort  St.  George,  in  the  East  Indies,  and  left  issue,  by 
her, 

1.  Philip  second  Earl  Stanhope,  and  Lucy,  a  daughter,  twins, 
born  on  August  15th,  1714. 

2.  George,  born  on  December  28th,  1/17>  whom  his  Majesty 
honoured  with  his  presence  at  his  baptism,  being  one  of  his  god- 
fathers. On  April  23d,  1743,  he  was  made  Lieutenant-colonel 
to  Lord  Harry  Beauclerk's  regiment  of  foot,  from  being  Captain 
in  Colonel  Duroure's  regiment.  He  after  had  the  command  of 
Colonel  Ligonier's  regiment,  with  which  he  behaved  very  gal- 
lantly on  January  1/th,  1746,  at  Falkirk ;  where  he  resolutely 
maintained  his  ground  against  the  rebels,  till  Barrel's  regiment, 
commanded  by  Colonel  Rich,  came  up  to  his  assistance,  which 
gave  time  to  some  of  his  Majesty's  broken  regiments  to  rally,  who 
thereby  lived  to  conquer  at  Culloden ;  in  which  battle  he  again 
commanded  the  same  regiment,  and  was  one  of  the  four  that 
gained  the  greatest  glory.  He  had  the  character  of  untainted 
honour ;  and  dying  unmarried  January  24th,  1754,  was  interred 
in  the  family  vault  at  Chevening,  in  Kent. 

James,  third  son,  born  August  19th,  1721  (twin  born  with  Ca- 
therine Posthumous,  who  died  young)  who  died  in  the  tenth  year 
of  his  age,  April  21st,  1730. 

Gertrude,  born  1718,  who  died  young  j  and  v 

Lady  Jane,  born  October  30th,  17*9- 

Philip,  the  second  Earl  Stanhope,  succeeded  his  father 
on  February  5th,  172O-I,  and  on  April  13th,  1731,  was  ore  of 
the  six  Earls  who  supported  the  pall  at  the  funeral  of  Frederick 
late  prince  of  Wales.  His  Lordship,  in  1745,  married  the  Lady 
Grizel  Hamilton,  daughter  of  Charles  Lord  Binning,  sister  to 
Thomas  Earl  of  Haddington,  by  whom  he  had  issue  two  sons, 

1.  Philip  Lord  Viscount  Mahon,  who  died  at  Geneva  June  6th,, 
1?63-,  and, 


STANHOPE  EARL  STANHOPE.  179 

2.  Charles,  now  Earl  Stanhope. 

His  Lordship  died  March  7th,  1 786,  having  led  a  life  dedicated 
principally  to  scientific  pursuits,  in  which  he  had  the  fame  of 
great  proficiency.     He  was  succeeded  by  his  only  surviving  son, 

Charles,  third  and  present  Earl,  born  August  3d,  1/53  ; 
and  educated  principally  at  Geneva.  While  a  Commoner,  he 
represented  in  Parliament  the  borough  of  Chipping  Wycomb. 
His  Lordship  married,  first,  December  19th,  1774,  Lady  Hester 
Pitt,  sister  to  the  present  Earl  of  Chatham;  and  by  her,  who  died 
July  18th,  1780.  had  issue, 

1.  Lady  Hester-Lucy,  born  March  12th,  1776. 

2.  Lady  Griselda.  born  July  21st,  17/8,  married  August  29th, 
1S00,  John  Tickell,  Esq. 

3.  Lady  Lucy-Rachael,  born  February  20th,  1780,  married, 
April  26th,  1796,  Thomas  Taylor,  Esq.  and  has  issue. 

His  Lordship  married,  secondly,  March  12th,  178I,  Louisa, 
only  daughter  and  heir  of  Henry  Grenvile,  Esq.  uncle  to  the 
present  Marquis  of  Buckingham,  by  whom  he  has  issue, 

4.  Philip  Henry,  Viscount  Mahon,  born  December  7th,  1781, 
M.  P.  for  Hull,  I8O7,  married,  November  9th,  1803,  the  Hon. 
Catherine-Lucy  Smith,  fourth  daughter  of  Lord  Carrington,  by 
whom  he  has  a  son,  born  March  1  /th,  1600. 

5.  Charles  Banks,  born  June  3d,  1785. 

6.  James,  born  September  7th,  1788,  a  Lieutenant,  with  the 
rank  of  Captain,  in  the  first  Regiment  of  Foot  Guards. 

His  Lordship  is  eminent  for  his  scientific  genius. 

Titles.  Charles  Stanhope,  Earl  Stanhope,  Viscount  Stanhope 
of  Mahon,  and  Baron  of  Elvaston. 

Creations.  Baron  Stanhope,  of  Elvaston,  in  com.  Derby,  and 
Viscount  Stanhope,  of  Mahon,  in  the  Island  of  Minorca,  in  the 
Mediterranean,  July  12th,  1717,  3  George  I.  and  Earl  Stanhope, 
April  14th,  1718,  4  George  I. 

Arms  and  Crest.  The  same  as  the  Earl  of  Chesterfield;  a 
Crescent  difference. 

Supporters.  On  the  dexter  side,  a  Talbot,  ermine;  on  the 
sinister,  a  wolf,  Or,  ducally  crowned,  Azure;  each  charged  on 
the  shoulder  with  a  Crescent,  Azure. 

Motto.     A  Deo  et  Rege. 

Chief  Seat.     At  Chevening,  in  the  county  of  Kent. 


180  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


SHERARD  EARL  OF  HARBOROUGH.a 

Robert  Sherard  became  possessed  of  the  Lordship  of  Staple- 
ford,,  in  Leicestershire,  in  1402,  by  marriage  with  Anne,  daughter 
and  coheir  of  Sir  Laurence  Hawberk,  Knt. 

Our  antiquarians  agree,  that  this  family  is  descended  from 
Shirard,  who  lived  in  the  time  of  the  Conqueror ;  and  held 
divers  manors  and  lands  in  the  countie  of  Chester  and  Stafford  j 
amongst  others,  the  manor  and  lordship  of  Chetelton,  co.  Staff.  -, 
and  the  manors  of  Badington,  or  Bebington,  and  Broomhall  j  and 
of  Walley,  and  Moynes,  and  Wilne,  and  divers  other  lands  and 
possessions  in  the  county  Palatine  of  Chester,  as  appears  by 
Domesday  Book.  The  said  Shirard,  in  the  time  of  Hugh  Lupus, 
first  Earl  Palatine  of  Chester,,  gave-  to  the  abbey  of  St.  Werburg, 
within  the  city  of  Chester,  the  church  or  chapel  of  Bebington, 
with  four  oxgangs  of  lands,  and  the  tythe  of  that  manor,  and 
the  tythe  of  Bromhall,  and  of  Walley,  &c.  as  appears  by  the 
foundation  charter  of  that  abbey,  dated  IO93.  He  had  three 
sons. 

1.  Richard,  his  eldest  son,  was  surnamed  Lancelin,  from  the 
manor  of  Lancelin,  co.  Chesh. 

2.  Peter,  whose  descendants  took  the  name  of  Chedleton,  from 
that  Lordship  5  and  ended  in  an  heiress,  married  to  William 
Bromley. 

3.  Robert,  who  retained  the  name  of  Sherard,  was  Lord  of 
the  manor  of  Bromhall,  and  divers  other  lands  in  Cheshire, 
temp.  R.  Steph.     He  had  issue, 

a  For  improvements  in  this  article,  as  well  as  that  of  Shirley,  the  Compiler  is 
indebted  to  Mr.  Nichols's  History  of  Leicestershire. 


SHERARD  EARL  OF  HARBOROUGH.     181 
i 

Walter  Sherard,  who  died  1185,  leaving  issue, 

Humphrey  Sherard,  Lord  of  Thornton,  co.  Chesh.  who  died 
1191.     His  son  was, 

Thomas  Sherard,  of  Thornton  j  who  by  the  daughter  of  Sir 
William  Lemingham,  in  11Q2,  had  issue, 

Robert  Sherard,  of  Thornton  ;b  who  by  the  daughter  of  Tho- 
mas Birmingham,  12(53,  was  father  of 

Sir  Thomas  Sherard,  of  Thornton  j  who  by  Joan,  daughter  of 
Sir  John  Entwisle,  1 272,  had  issue, 

Edmund  Sherard,  second  son,  heir  to  his  brother,  1283,  who 
by  Mary  (who  died  1293),  daughter  of  Thomas  Grosvenor,  of 
Cheshire,  had 

William  Sherard,  who  died  1301 ;  leaving  issue  by  Anna- 
bella,  daughter  of  John  de  Bredsall, 

1.  Thomas  Sherard  5  who  by  a  daughter  of  RatclifF,  left  a 
daughter,  Isabel,  married  to  Holford. 

2.  William,  who  was  a  witness  to  a  deed  of  Robert  Burgul- 
lion,  Abbot  of  De  la  Cross,  in  Leicestershire,  13  Edward  I,  1301, 
and  died  1304)  leaving  by  the  daughter  of  John  Ashton,  in  Lan- 
cashire, 

William  Sherard,  1328  ;  who  by  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Tho- 
mas Venables,  was  father  of 

Sir  Robert  Sherard,  Knt.  1343, who  by  the  daughter  and  heir 

of Eyton,  had  issue,  1.  George.     2.  Walter,  living  1381. 

3.  John,  living  1381,  of  South  Lubbenham,  Rector  of  Bircholt, 
in  Kent. 

George  Sherard,  eldest  son,  1375  j  by  Joan,  daughter  of  Ri- 
chard Berners,  had  issue, 

Robert  Sherard,  already  mentioned,  Lord  of  the  manor  of 
Stapleford,  in  Leicestershire,  1402,  in  right  of  his  wife,  Anne, 
daughter  and  coheir  of  Sir  Laurence  Hawberk,  Knt.  relict  of  Sir 
Hugh  de  Calveley,  Knt.     He  was  living  1417.     He  had  issue 

Lawrence,  who  was  sheriff0  of  the  county  of  Rutland  in 
1438,  of  Leicestershire  and  Warwickshire  in  1443  and  1444.  He 
had  to  d  wife  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heir  of  John  Woodford, 
grandson  and  heir  of  Sir  Robert  Woodford,  of  Sproxton,  in  Lei- 
cestershire, Knt.  by  whom  he  had  issue  four  sons,  Robert,  Gef- 
fery,  Christopher,  and  William,  who  both  died  without  issue. 

Robert,  succeeding  to  the  estate,  was  SherifTe  of  the  county 

b  RudyarcTs  Deeds.  «  Fuller's  Worthies  in  com.  Rutl. 

*  He  had  also  another  wife,  Margaret,  widow  of  Sir  Christopher  Folvile. 
•  Fuller's  Worthies  in  Com.  Rutl. 


182  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

of  Rutland,  in  31  Henry  VI.  and  dying  without  issue/  Geffery, 
his  brother,  was  heir  to  his  estate. 

Which  Geffery  was  thrice  Sheriff*  of  Rutlandshire,  viz.  in? 
the  8th  and  20th  years  of  Edward  IV.  and  in,  the  first  year  of 
Richard  III.  He  married  Joyce,  daughter  of  Thomas  Ashby,  of 
Loseby,  in  com.  Leicest.  Esq.h  and  by  her  (who  died  on  Septem- 
ber l6th,  1490,  about  two  years  after  him,  and  lies  buried  with 
him  at  Stapleford),  he  had  seven  daughters  and  seven  sons,  of 
whom  Thomas  Sherard,  of  Stapleford,  was  heir,  and 

Robert,  second  son,1  was  of  Lobthorp,  in  the  parish  of  North - 
Witham,  in  Lincolnshire,k  from  whom  the  Baronets  of  this  Fa- 
mily, now  extinct,  were  descended. 

3.  William,  father  of  Thomas  Sherard,  of  Stapleford,  Esq. 

4.  Lawrence. 

Thomas  Sherard,  the  eldest  son,  was  Sheriff1  of  the  county 
of  Rutland  in  146S  and  l4S0,m  and  became  possessed  of  the  ma- 
nors of  Teigh  and  Whissendine,  in  the  county  of  Rutland;  and 
Stansby  and  Gunby,  in  com.  Line. ;  with  other  lands  of  inherit- 
ance, by  marriage  with  Margaret,  daughter  and  sole  heir  of  John 
Hclwell,™  Esq.     Wherein  he  was  succeeded  by 

George,  his  son  and  heir,°  who  resided  at  Stapleford,  and  was 
Sheriff  of  the  county  of  Rutland,  in  1545  and  1572,  and  of  Lei- 
cester in  1567.  He  married  Rohesia,  or  Rose,  daughter  of  Sir 
Thomas  Pouiteney,  of  Misterton,  in  com.  Leicest.  Knt.  and  had 
by  her  six  daughters  : 

1.  Elizabeth,  married  to  William  Smith,  of  Cunnington,  in 

f  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heir  of  John  Durant,  of  Cotsmore,  and 
had  by  her  a  daughter,  Joan,  who  died  at  two  dajs  old. 

S  Fuller's  Worthies  in  Com.  Rutl. 
h  By  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heir  of  John  Burdet,  of  Loseby,  son  of  William 
Burdet,  slain  at  Dundee,  in  Scotland,  40  Edward  I. 

*  His  son  (by  his  first  wife,  Anne  Digby),  Rowland  Sherard,  was  father  of  Sir 
William  Sherard,  Knt.  whose  s>on,  John,  had  by  Elizabeth  Brownlow,  Richard 
Sherard,  Esq.  who  died  1668,  leaving  issue  Sir  John  Sherard,  created  a  Baronet 
1674,  with  remainder  to  his  brothers,  Sir  Richard  and  Sir  Brownlow,  who  both 
succeeded  him;  and  the  latter  dying  1736,  left  issue  Sir  Brownlow,  the  last  Ba- 
ronet, who  died  1748,  *U  42,  leaving  no  issue  by  his  wife,  Mary  Sidney,  co- 
heiress to  the  last  Earl  of  Leicester. 

k  Engl.  Baronetage,  Vol.  III.  p.  594,   &  seq. 

1  Fuller's  Worthies  in  com.  Rutl. 

m  In  1500  he  built  the  ancient  part  of  the  present  mansion. 

n  Son  and  heir  of  Sir  John  Helwell,  Knt. 

0  There  was  an  elder  brother,  Geoffrey,  who  was  living  heir  apparent  in  15C0, 

and  1524;  and  another  son,  Thomas  j  also  a  daughter,  Anne,  married  to  Elf)  s 

tf  Wykom,  co.  Line. 


SHERARD  EARL  OF  HARBOROUGH.     183 

Lincolnshire,  Esq.  2.  Margaret,  to  William  Durant,  of  Cottes- 
more, Esq.  3.  Joice,  wedded  to  Edward  Beresford,  Esq.  4. 
Eleanor.  5.  Margery,  married  to  Gilbert  Berry,  of  Easton,  co. 
Line.     And,  6.  Dorothy,  who,  with  Eleanor,  died  unmarried. 

He  had  also  Francis  ;  and, 

2.  Thomas,  who  died  unmarried. 

Francis  Sherard,  Esq.  succeeded  to  the  Family  Estates,  and 
died  1594,  having  married  Anne,  daughter  of  George  Moore,  of 
Burne,  in  Lincolnshire,  by  whom  he  had  a  daughter,  Rose,  mar- 
ried to  John  Sherard  of  Lobthorpe,  Esq.  and  three  sons. 

1.  Sir  Philip  Sherard,  Knt.  who  died  April  23d,  10*24,  and 
was  buried  at  Stapleford,  leaving  no  issue  by  his  wife,  Isabel, 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Harpur,  of  Swarkston,  in  Derbyshire, 
Knight.  - 

2.  Sir  William,  who  continued  the  line. 

3.  Sir  George,  who  died  unmarried  in  ]651. 

Sir  William,  first  Irish  Baron,  received  the  honour  of  Knight- 
hood0 from  James  I.  at  Oatlands,  on  July  3d,  1622;  having 
been  one  of  the  Gentlemen  Pensioners  under  King  James  I.  and 
Charles  I.  by  letters  patent,  dated  July  10th,  in  the  third  year  of 
his  reign,  created  him  Lord  Sherard,  and  Baron  Le  Trim,  in  the 
kingdom  of  Ireland.  His  Lordship  died  on  April  16th,  1640,  aged 
fifty-two,  and  was  buried  near  his  father  at  Stapleford.  He  married 
Abigail,  eldest  daughter  and  coheir  of  Cecil  Cave,  Esq  third  son 
of  Roger  Cave,  of  Stanford,  in  com.  Northamp.  Esq.  by  Anne 
his  wife,  daughter  and  sole  heir  to  Anthony  Bennet,  of  Green- 
wich, Esq.  and  by  her  (who  .was  first  married  to  Henry  Tresham, 
Esq.)  and  who  died  i659,p  had  issue  seven  sons;  viz. 

o  Pbilpot's  Cat.  of  Knights. 
P  Abigail  Lady  Sherard,  who  survived  till  1659,  possessed  uncommon  abili- 
ties* and  unbounded  benevolence.  The  parish  church  of  Whissendine,  in  Rut- 
land, where  she  new  roofed  the  chancel,  and  that  at  Stapleford,  where  she  entirely- 
rebuilt  the  south  aile,  bear  testimony  to" her  liberality.  The  annals  of  the  Grand 
Rebellion  bear  witness  to  her  loyalty ;  as  she  was  fined  500 1.  November  19th, 
1645,  by  the  Committee  of  Sequestration,  for  what  was  then  termed  delinquency. 
She  was  a  Lady,  also,  of  great  taste,  an  admirer  and  collector  of  antiquities ;  and 
it  was  in  compliment  to  this  turn  that  such  particular  pains  were  taken,  in  1633, 
to  illustrate  the  fine  pedigree  of  the  Sherards,  and  their  matches,  with  drawings 
of  their  monuments,  arms,  and  portraits  in  windows,  deeds,  &c.  now  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  Earl  or  Harborough  ;  and  which  was  exhibited  to  the  Society  of 
Antiquaries  of  London,  in  1735,  by  Smart  Lethieullier,  Esq.  together  with  two 
small  pendant  oval  medals,  having  the  bust  of  this  Lady,  both  in  profile  and  full- 
faced  ;  and  on  the  reverse,  her  arms  in  gold  and  silver,  gilt,  made  for  her  fune- 


184  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

1.  Bennet,  his  successor. 

2.  Philip,  ancestor  of  the  present  Earl  of  Harborough. 

3.  George  Sherard,  born  1626,  died  1670,  married  Anne  Croc- 
kenbury,  daughter  of  a  merchant  in  the  city  of  London ;  she 
died  1669,  leaving  issue  by  him  a  daughter}  a  younger  son,  Ben- 
net  ;  and  William  Sherard,  his  son  and  heir,  who  married 

daughter  and  heir  of  Castell  Sherard,  of  Glatton  and  Folkes- 
worth,  co.  Huntingdon  j  and  had  issue  by  her  Castell  Sherard,  of 
Glatton,  Esq.  who,  by  Martha,  daughter  of  Edward  Ferrar,  of 
Little  Gidding,  co.  Hunt,  had  (besides  a  younger  son,  Bennet, 
who  died  S.  P.  and  two  daughters,  Catharine  and  Martha,  who 
married  William  Caldecot),  the  Rev.  Castell  Sherard,  A.M.  his 
son  and  heir,  who  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Richard  Caryer, 
Esq.  of  Godmanchester,  co.  Huntingdon,  who  has  had  issue  by 
her,  1.  The  Rev.  Philip  Castell  Sherard,  A.M.  born  1767,  Rec- 
tor of  Swinshead,  co.  Huntingdon,  17Q2.  2.  Rev.  Robert  Sherard, 
Rector  of  Birlingham,  St.  Peter,  Norfolk.  3.  Robert,  4.  Ca- 
ryer. 5.  Jennetta,  married  to  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Clay,  B.  A. 
Rector  of  Hockerton,  co.  Notts.  6.  Charlotte- Willielmina.  7. 
Louisa,  wife  of  Charles  Wale,  Esq.  of  Shelford,  Notts.  8. 
Frances,  married,  January  30th,  1795*  to  the  Hon.  Newton  Fel- 
lowes,  of  Eggesford,  Devonshire,  next  brother  to  the  Earl  of 
Portsmouth. 

4.  Francis. 

5.  William. 

6.  Henry.     And, 

7.  John,  who  all  died  unmarried. 

Also  four  daughters  :  Anne,  who  died  on  June  7th,  1648,  and 
was  buried  at  Greenwich,  in  Kent;  Emeline;  Abigail,  or  Anne, 
wife  of  Nicholas  Knolles,  called  Earl  of  Banbury /1  and  died  168O; 
and  Elizabeth,  who  died  unmarried. 

Bennet,  second  Lord  Sherard,  married  Elizabeth,  daughter 
and  coheir  of  Sir  Robert  Christopher/  of  Alford,  in  Lincolnshire, 
Knt.  by  whom  he  had  issue, 

1.  Christopher,  who  died  unmarried,  at  Oxford,  in  1681. 

2.  Bennet,  late  Earl  of  Harborough. 

And  two  daughters:  Elizabeth,  born  1679,  married  to  Edward, 

ral.  A  portrait  of  her,  taken  in  1622,  when  she  was  just  twenty-two  years  old, 
remains  at  Slapleford  j  with  one  also  of  her  Lord,  and  of  Bennet,  their  eldest  son. 
Nichols'  Leicest.  I.  334.. 

1  Hence  is  descended  the"present  General  Knolles,  commonly  called  Earl  of 
Banbury.    . 

r  Descended  from  Judge  Christopher. 


SHERARD  EARL  OF  HARBOROUGH.     185 

Lord  Viscount  Irwin,  of  the  kingdom  of  Scotland  -,  and,  secondly, 
to  the  honourable  John  Noel,  youngest  son  oif  Baptist  Noel,  Vis- 
count Campden,  by  his  fourth  wife,  Elizabeth,  daughter  to  Mon- 
tague, Earl  of  Lindsey :  Lucy,  second  daughter,  married  to  John 
Duke  of  Rutland,  to  whom  she  was  second  wife. 

The  said  Bennet  Lord  Sherard,  was  chosen  one  of  the  Knights 
for  the  county  of  Leicester,  1678,  1679,  1681,  1685,  1688,  lOgOj 
and  on  August  28th,  l6gO,  was  constituted  Custos  Rotulorum  of 
the  county  of  Rutland.  He  was  a  liberal  encourager  of  the 
fine  arts.  He  died  January  30th,  1700,  and  was  succeeded  in 
honour  and  estate  by  his  only  surviving  son  and  heir, 

Bennet,  first  Earl  of  Harborough,  who  on  March  11th, 
1699,  was  constituted  Lord  Lieutenant  and  Custos  Rotulorum  of 
the  county  of  Rutland ;  and  in  the  13th  year  of  King  William, 
was  returned  Knight  for  the  county  of  Leicester ;  as  also  in  the 
12th  year  of  Queen  Anne,  for  the  county  of  Rutland.  On  the 
accession  of  George  I.  in  consideration  of  his  great  services,  he 
was  advanced  to  the  dignity  of  a  peer  of  this  realm,  by  the  title 
of  Lord  Harborough,  Baron  of  Harborough,  in  the  county  of 
Leicester,  by  letters  patent,  dated  October  19th,  1714,  with  re- 
mainder, for  want  of  heirs-male  of  his  body,  to  Philip  Sherard,  of 
Whissendine,  in  com.  Rutland.  On  September  12th,  1/15,  he 
was  constituted  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Rutlandshire ;  also  was  fur- 
ther advanced  to  the  dignities  of  Viscount  Sherard,  of  Staple- 
ford,  by  letters  patent,  bearing  date  October  3 1st,  I/I85  and  on 
May  8th  following,  created  Earl  of  Harborough  aforesaid, 
with  remainder  to  Philip  Sherard  before  mentioned.  And  being 
in  the  same  reign,  May  3d,  17*9*  appointed  Lord  Warden  and 
Justice  in  Eyre,  North  of  Trent,  he  was  also,  September  12th, 
1727,  by  our  late  Sovereign,  on  his  accession  to  the  crown,  con- 
tinued in  the  said  office,  and  constituted  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the 
county  of  Rutland,  September  16th,  1727. 

His  Lordship  married  Mary,  daughter  and  sole  heir  of  Sir 
Henry  Calverly,  of  Ayerholme,  in  the  bishoprick  of  Durham, 
Knt.  who  died  before  him,  leaving  no  issue.  And  afterwards  con- 
tinuing a  widower,  and  departing  this  life  October  16th,  1732, 
aged  fifty-five,  was  buried  at  Stapleford,  where  a  monument  is 
erected  to  his  memory. 

He  was  succeeded  in  his  estate  and  honours,  by  Philip,  second 
Earl  of  Harborough,  son  and  heir  of  Bennet  Sherard,  of  Wissen- 
dine,  in  Rutlandshire,  Esq,  who  was  son  and  heir  of  the  honour- 


186  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

able  Philip  Sherard,  Esq.  second  son  to  William,,  who  was  created 
Lord  Sherard. 

Which  Philip  Sherard  had  the  seat  and  estate  at  Whissendine, 
by  the  gift  of  his  father,  and  was  chosen  one  of  the  Knights  of 
the  shire  for  the  county  of  Rutland,  in  all  the  Parliaments  called 
by  Charles  II.  and  departed  this  life  in  1695.  He  married  s  Mar- 
garet, daughter  of  Thomas  Denton,  of  Hillersden,  in  com.  Eucks, 
Knt.  ancestor  of  the  late  Mr.  Justice  Denton,  one  of  the  Judges 
of  the  Common  Pleas,  and  widow  of  John  Poultcney,  Esq.  and 
of  William  Eure,  Esq.  second  son  of  William  Lord  Eure.  He 
had  issue  by  her  three  sons, 

1.  Ben  net. 

2.  Philip,  the  second  son,  married  Anne,  daughter  and  coheir 
of  Robert  Thoroton,  of  Carr-Coulston,  in  Nottinghamshire,  M  D. 
who  wrote  the  antiquities  of  that  county,  by  whom  she  had  issue 
twelve  children ;  of  which  seven  survived  him:  1.  Robert.  2. 
William.  3.  Bennet.  4.  Denton,  who  was  the  only  survivor 
of  the  branch  of  Carr-Coulston,  living  in  1779.  Robert,  the 
eldest  by  his  wife  Elizabeth,  only  daughter  and  heir  of  ■ 
Reding,  of  Gotesly,  in  Leicestershire,  Esq.  had  issue  one  son, 
Philip,  and  three  daughters ;  whereof  one  daughter  was  relict  of 
James  More-Molyneaux,  Esq.  member  for  Haslemere,  in  Surry, 
in  1754. 

3.  Denton  Sherard. 

Also  a  daughter,  Abigail,  wife  of  John  Pickering,  Esq. 

Bennet  Sherard,  of  Whissendine,  Esq,  (eldest  son  and  heir  of 
Philip),  was  a  member  in  the  convention  Parliament  for  the 
county  of  Rutland,  as  also  in  the  two  succeeding  Parliaments  in 
the  reign  of  King  William,  and  died  in  17OI.  He  married  Do- 
rothy, daughter  of  Henry  Lord  Fairfax  (widow  of  Robert  Stapyl- 
ton,  of  Wighill,  Esq.)  and  by  her  (who  died  on  January  14th, 
1/44-5),  had  issue  four  sons,  and  six  daughters ;  whereof  only 
four  survived  him  j  viz.  Margaret,  married  to  Dr.  John  Gilbert, 
who  was  then  Dean  of  Exeter,  afterwards  successively  Bishop  of 
Landaff  and  Salisbury,  and  died  Archbishop  of  York  in  1/6*1 ; 
Mary>  who  died  1/64,  unmarried;  and  Philip,  who  succeeded  as 
Earl  of  Harborough. 

Which  Philip,  second  Earl  of  Harborough,  was  chosen 
one  of  the  representatives  for  the  county  of  Rutland,  to  the  Par- 

9  Ex.  Relat.  Phil.  Com.  Harborough. 


SHERARD  EARL  OF  HARBOROUGH.     187 

liament  summoned  to  meet  at  Westminster,  July  8th,  1703.  His 
Lordship  married  Anne,  sole  daughter  and  heir  of  Nicholas  Ped- 
ley,  Esq.  eldest  son  of  Sir  Nicholas  Pedley,  of  Huntingdon,  Knt. 
Serjeant  at  Law,  and  by  her  (who  died  February  16th,  1750)  had 
issue  dx  sons,  and  eight  daughters ;  of  the  sons,  five  lived  to 
maturity}  viz. 

1.  Bennet,  third  Earl  of  Harborough,  of  whom  presently. 

2.  John  Sherard,  Esq.  Fellow  of  Merton  College,  Oxford,  a 
Barrister -at  Law,  and  Lieutenant  of  the  Yeomen  of  the  Guards. 
In  the  rebellion  of  1745,  he  first  proposed,  and  was  appointed 
Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  regiment  of  Volunteers,  of  which  Lord 
Chief-Justice  Willes  was  Colonel,  raised  for  the  defence  of  his 
Majesty's  person  and  government,  by  the  gentlemen  of  the  Law, 
and  died  April  25th,  174(5,  unmarried,  aged  thirty-three. 

3.  Robert,  the  fourth  Earl. 

4.  Daniel  Sherard,  Esq.  born  June  17th,  1722,  who  died  un-  . 
married  at  Port-Royal,  in  the  Island  of  Jamaica,  in  June  1744; 
being  then  first  Lieutenant  of  his  Majesty's  ship  the  Falmouth, 
commanded  by  Captain  Colby. 

5.  Philip  Sherard,  Esq.  born  March  1st,  1 726-7,  who  taking 
to  a  military  life,  on  April  6th,  1743,  was  appointed  an  Ensign  in. 
the  first  Regiment  of  Foot-Guards ;  promoted  to  be  a  Lieutenant, 
with  the  rank  of  Captain,  November  29th,  1745;  to, be  Captain- 
Lieutenant,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel,  March  24th, 
1755  ;  to  the  command  of  a  company,  on  November  18th,  1755  j 
to  the  rank  of  Colonel,  by  brevet,  on  February  10th,  1762;  on 
June  12th,  17^5,  was  constituted  third  Major  of  the  said  regi- 
ment. On  May  24th,  1768,  was  appointed  second  Major  of  the 
said  regiment;  on  September  6th,  1777^  was  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  Lieuten ant-General.  He  was  also  Colonel  of  the  6§th  Re- 
giment of  Foot,  and  highly  esteemed  in  the  army  for  his  bravery. 
In  the  Campaign  of  1762,  he  commanded  in  turn  as  Major-Ge- 
neral ;  and  at  the  affair  of  the  Brucker-Muhl,  was  at  the  head  of 
the  second  Battalion  of  the  first  Regiment  of  British  guards,  and 
acquired  great  credit  by  his  behaviour,  on  that  and  many  other 
occasions.  He  died  at  Southwell,  co.  Notts.  September  14th, 
179O,  and  was  buried  at  Whissendine. 

Four  daughters  also  lived  to  years  of  maturity  ;  viz. 

1.  Lady  Dorothy  married  to  James  Torkington  (eldest  son  and 
heir  of  James  Torkington,  of  Great  Stewkley,  in  the  county  of 
Huntingdon,  Esq.)  Rector  of  King's-Rippon,  and  Stewkley- Par va, 
in  that  county.    2.  Lady  Lucy  died  at  Bath,  2yth  April,  178I, 


188  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

unmarried,  3.  Lady  Susan,  who  died  December  1765,  unmar- 
ried. 4.  Lady  Ursula,  who  died  September  1745,  also  unmar- 
ried. 

His  Lordship  deceasing  on  July  20th,  1750,  was  succeeded  in 
his  honours  and  estate  by  his  eldest  son, 

Bennet,  third  Earl,  who,  on  June  27th,    1748,  married 
Elizabeth,  eldest  daughter  of  Ralph  Earl  Verney,  of  the  kingdom 
of  Ireland,  by  whom  he  had  no  issue.     Her  Ladyship  died  June 
7th,  1756,  and  was  interred  a*.  Stapleford;  and  on  July  3d,  1757, 
his  Lordship  married,  secondly,  Frances,  daughter  of  the  Hon. 
William  Noel,  Chief  Justice  of  Chester,  and  afterwards  one  of 
the  Judges  of  the  court  of  Common  Pleas,  and  by  her,  who  died 
on  September  15th,  176O,  he  had  a  daughter,  Lady  Frances,  born 
April  12th,   1759,   married  April  18th,  1776,   Captain  George 
Morgan,  of  the  Foot-guards.     His  Lordship  took  to  his  third 
wife,  on  March  31st,  1761,  Margaret,  daughter  of  Thomas  Hill, 
of  Tern,  in  Shropshire,  Esq.  member  of  parliament  for  Shrews- 
bury, by  whom,  on  January  23d,  17^7*  he  had  a  daughter,  still- 
born, and  a  son,  Bennet  Lord  Sherard-,  who  died  on  February 
21st,  1768,  and  was  buried  at  Stapleford  on  the  27th.  Her  Lady- 
ship dying  soon  after  her  delivery,  his  Lordship  married,  fourthly, 
October  8th,  1767,  Elizabeth,  eldest  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas 
Cave,  of  Stanford-hall,  in  Leicestershire,  Bart.  LL.D.  one  of  the 
Knights  of  the  shire  for  the  county  of  Leicester.    By  whom,  who 
survived  till  March  5  th,  1797*  ne  had  no  issue.     His  Lordship 
dying  February  24th,  177°>  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  surviving 
brother, 

Robert,  the  fourth  Earl  of  Harborough,  born  October 
1st,  1719;  who  entering  into  holy  orders,  was  Rector  of  Teigh, 
in  Rutlandshire  j  and  Weston,  in  Huntingdonshire ;  likewise 
Prebendary  and  Canon  Residentiary  of  Salisbury;  also  Prebendary 
of  Southwell,  in  Nottinghamshire :  his  Lordship  resigned  his 
ecclesiastical  preferments  in  1773>  except  the  Prebend  of  Salisbury. 
He  first  married,  May  17th,  1762,  Catherine,  eldest  daughter 
and  coheir  of  Edward  Hearst,  Esq.  of  Salisbury;  she  dying  Fe- 
bruary 5th,  1765,  without  issue,  he  secondly,  married,  in  January 
1767 >  Jane,  eldest  daughter  of  William  Reeve,  of  Melton  Mow- 
bray, in  Leicestershire,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had  a  son,  Philip,  fifth 
Earl,  born  October  10th  following,  and  a  daughter, 

Lady  Lucy,  born  October  1769,  married,  in.  179O,  Sir  Thomas 
Cave,  Bart.  MP.  for  Leicestershire,  who  died  January  lfjth, 
1792,  aged  twenty-six;  and  she  married,  secondly,  August  20tb, 
1798,  the  Hon.  Philip  Pusey,  uncle  to  the  Earl  of  Radnor. 


SHERARD  EARL  OF  HARBOROUGH.     189 

His  second  wife  dying  at  Bath  in  November  1770,  his  Lord- 
ship on  May  25th,  1772,  was,  thirdly,  married  to  Dorothy,  daugh- 
ter and  heir  of  William  Roberts,  of  Glaiston,  in  Rutlandshire, 
Esq.  who  died  at  Bristol,  September  17th,  1781,  and  by  whom 
he  had  a  daughter,  Lady  Dorothy  Sophia,  born  April  17th,  1775. 
She  died  5th  November,  1781,  and  was  buried  at  Stapleford. 

His  Lordship  died  at  Stapleford,  on  Sunday,  21st  April,  1799, 
aet.  80,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  only  son, 

PHiLir,  fifth  Earl,  who  married,  July  1st,  1791>  Eleanor, 
daughter  of  Colonel  John  Monckton,  of  Fineshade,  in  Northamp- 
shire  (cousin  to  Viscount  Galway),  by  whom  he  had  issue, 

1.  Lucy  Eleanor,  born  May  20th,  1792. 

2.  Anna  Maria,  born  1794. 

3.  A  daughter,  born  1795. 

4.  Philip,  present  Earl. 

5.  A  daughter,  born  June  21st,  1799* 

6.  A  daughter,  born  July  3d,  1802. 

His  Lordship  died  December  gth,  1 807,  and  was  succeeded  by 
his  son, 

Philip,  present  and  sixth  Earl  of  Harborough,  born  Au- 
gust 26th,  1797. 

Titles.  Philip  Sherard,  Earl  of  Harborough,  Baron  of  Har- 
borough in  England,  and  Baron  of  Le  Trim,  in  the  kingdom  of 
Ireland.  , 

Creations.  Baron  of  Le  Trim,  in  Ireland,  July  10th,  1627, 
3  Car.  I. :  Baron  of  Harborough,  in  the  county  of  Leicester,  Oc- 
tober 19th,  1714,  1  Geo.  I.:  and  Earl  of  Harborough  aforesaid, 
May  8th,  1719,  5  Geo.  I. 

Arms.    Argent,  a  Chevron,  Gules,  between  three  torteaux. 

Crest.    In  a  ducal  coronet,  Or,  a  peacock's  tail,  erect,  proper. 

Supporters.    Two  rams  argent,  armed  and  unguled,  Or. 

Motto.     Hostis  Honori  Invidia. 

Chief  Seats.  At  Stapleford  in  the  county  of  Leicester  j  and  at 
Glaston,  Rutlandshire. 


100 


PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


PARKER*  EARL  OF  MACCLESFIELD. 

This  family  was  founded  by  Thomas  Parker,  an  eminent  Lawyer, 
who  rose  to  the  dignity  of  Lord  High  Chancellor,  and  Earl  of 
Macclesfield.  He  was  son  of  Thoman  Parker,  an  Attorney,  at 
Leake,  in  Staffordshire. 

a  That  this  name  was  anciently  wrote  Le  Parker,  is  evident  from  our  records  t 
William  le  Parker,  in  127 1,  *had  a  grant  of  free  warren  in  all  his  lands  in  Eccles, 
Lesingham,  Hapesburg,  Brumsted,  and  Shaleham,  in  the  county  of  Norfolk. 

Thomas  Parker,-}-  was  seated  at  Bulwel,  and  a  person  of  such  ample  posses, 
sions,  that  in  the  reign  of  Richard  II.  he  had  to  wife  Elizabeth,  daughter  and 
heir  of  Adam  de  Gotham,  son  of  Thomas  de  Gotham,  of  Lees,  son  of  Roger  de 
Gotham,  of  Lees,  near  Norton,  in  the  county  of  Derby,  of  which  lordship  he 
was  also  ewner,  and  now  retains  the  name  of  Norton  Lees.  He  had  by  the  same 
Elizabeth,  three  sons ;  Robert,  who  continued  the  line  j  Thomas,  of  Norton 
Lees,  who  had  an  only  daughter,  married  to  Thomas  Moore,  of  Gieen  Hill  j  and 
William,  seated  at  Shirland,  in  Derbyshire. 

Robert  Parker,  his  eldest  ssn,  was  seated  at  Norton-Lef s ;  and  with  his 
younger  brother,  William,  was  certified,  in  12  Henry  VI.  among  the  gentlemen 
of  the  county  of  Derby,  J  who  then,  pursuant  to  an  act  of  parliament,  made  oath 
for  the  observance  of  the  la  v$,  for  themselves  and  retainers. 

The  said  Robert  having  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  coheir  of  John  Birley, 
of  Barnes,  had  issue  several  children  ;  of  whom,  the  eldest  son,  John  Parker,  of 
Norton-Lees,  was  at  full  age  in  jz  Henry  VI.  for  he  also,  being  then  wrote  of 
Norton,^  m^de  oath  with  his  father  for  the  observation  of  the  laws.  The  said 
John  had  to  wife  Ellen,  daughter  of  Roger  North,  of  Walkringham,  in  Notting- 
hamshire, ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  of  Guilford,  by  whom  he  had  issue  five 
sons,  and  four  daughters}  John  Parker,  of  Norton-Lees,  the  eldest  san,  married 


'  *  Cart.  56  Hen.  III.  p.  1. 

f  Ex  Stemmate,  and  Visitation  of  Derbyshire,  161 1. 
%  Fuller's  Worthies  in  com.  Derbyshire.  §  Ibid. 


PARKER  EARL  OF  MACCLESFIELD.  191 

He  was  born  at  Leake  aforesaid,  and  applying  himself  to  the 
■study  of  the  laws,  grew  so  eminent  in  the  profession,  that  he  was 
appointed  one  of  the  Counsel  to  Queen  Anne;  and  being  called 
to  the  degree  of  Serjeant  at  law,  June  8th,  1/05,  the  motto  of 
the  rings  delivered  on  that  occasion  to  Queen  Anne,  and  Prince 
George  of  Denmark,  was  Moribus,  Armis,  Legibus.  He  was  the 
same  day  appointed  the  Queen's  Serjeant,  and  had  the  honour  of 
Knighthood  conferred  on  him.  He  was  member  of  Parliament 
for  Derby  from  1705  to  1708.  On  March  15th,  17Q9-10,b  he 
was  constituted  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  the  King's  Bench ;  and  on 
the  demise  of  the  Queen,  was  one  of  the  Lords  Justices,  till  the 
arrival  of  her  successor  from  Hanover;  who,  on  March  10th, 
1715-lfj,  created  him  a  Baron  of  this  kingdom,  by  the  style  and 
title  of  Lord  Parker,  Baron  of  Macclesfield,  in  the  County 
cf  Chester. 

On  May  12th,  17 18,  his  Majesty  was  pleased  to  deliver  the 

Elizabeth,  daughter  to  Ralph  Eyre,  of  Alfreton,  and  had  issue  three  sons  j  John, 
Henry,  and  Anthony;  and  a  daughter,  Margaret. 

Henry,  the  fourth  son  of  John  Parker,  by  Ellen  North,  was  Groom  of  the 
Chamber  to  Henry  VI1J.  but  left  no  issue.  William,  the  fifth,  was  Sewer  to 
that  King,  and  seated  at  Luton,  in  Bedfordshire $  and  married  Margaret,  daugh- 
ter to  John  Wroth,  of  Durance,  in  Enfield,  in  Middlesex,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had 
an  only  daughter,  Barbara,  his  heir,  married  to  John  Wickham,of  Enfield,  father 
by  h'r  of  William  Wickhjm. 

Thomas   Parker,  second  brother  to  the  said  Henry  and  William,  had  to  wife 

-1 daughter  and  heir  of Parker,  of  his  own  family,  by  whom  he  had  issue 

William  Parker,  of  Ashborn,  in  Derbyshire,  who  had  three  sens,  George  Par- 
ker, of  Nether-Lees  ;  Rowland,  and-Edward.     Which 

George  married  Barbara,  daughter  of  Burley,  of  Berkshire,  and  had 

issue  William  Parker,  of  Parwich,  in  com,  Derb.  who  died  in  1631,  aged 
seventy-eight,  having  wedded  Elizabeth,  daughter  to  Humphry  Wilson,  and  had 
issue  Thomas  Parker,  of  Leke,  in  Staffordshire,  the  father  of  the  Chancellor. 

6  He  had  just  been  one  of  the  managers  of  Sacheverell's  Trial ;  and  distin- 
gu'shed  himself  in  a  very  particular  manner  in  it.  Holt,  the  Lord  Chief  Justice, 
died  during  ihe  trial.  He  wjs  very  learned  in  the  Lw  }  and  had  upon  great  oc- 
casions shewed  an  intrepid  zeal  in  asserting  its  authority  ;  for  he  ventured  on  the 
indignation  of  both  Houses  of  Parliament  by  turns,  when  he  thought  the  Law 
was  with  him.  He  was  a  man  of  good  judgment,  and  great  integrity  ;  and  set 
himself  with  great  application  to  the  functions  of  this  important  pest.  Imme- 
diately on  his  death  Parker  was  made  Lord  Chief  Justice.  This  great  promotion 
seemed  an  evident  demonstration  of  the  Queen's  approving  the  prosecution  ;  for 
none  of  the  managers  had  treated  Sacheverell  so  severely  as  he  had  done;  yet 
secret  whispers  were  pretty  confidently  set  about,  that  though  the  Queen's  affairs 
put  her  on  acting  the  part  of  one  that  was  pleased  with  this  scene,  yet  she  disliked 
it  all,  and  would  take  the  first  occasion  to  shew  it."     Burnefs  0.  T.  II.  540, 


]02  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Great  Seal  to  his  Lordship,  and  to  declare  him  Chancellor  of 
Great  Britain  ;  two  days  after  which  he  was  sworn  at  Ken- 
sington, the  King  present  in  Council,  and  took  his  place  at  the 
board  accordingly  ;  and  was  congratulated  upon  his  promotion 
by  the  university  of  Cambridge.  He  was  one  of  the  Lords  Jus- 
tices whilst  George  I.  was  at  Hanover,  so  appointed  May  9th, 
1719.  On  June  4th,  that  year,  he  was  appointed  Custos  Rotulo- 
rnm  of  the  county  of  Warwick  :  also  on  October  19th  following, 
Custos  Rotulorum  of  the  county  of  Worcester. 

On  November  5th,  1721,  8  George  I.c  he  was  advanced  to  the 
dignities  of  Viscount  Parker,  of  Eivelme,  in  Oxfordshire,  and 
Earl  of  Macclesfield,  in  the  County  of  Chester,  in  tail-male, 
remainder  to  hold  the  dignities  of  Lady  Parker,  Baroness  of 
Macclesfield,  Viscountess  Parker  of  Ewelme,  and  Countess  of 
Macclesfield,  to  Elizabeth,  his  daughter,  wife  of  William  Heath- 
cote,  Esq.  and  to  the  heirs  male  of  her  body. 

In  June  1/25,  his  Lordship  was  impeached  on  charges  of  Cor- 
ruption. He  was  tried  at  the  Bar  of  the  House,  and  unanimously 
pronounced  Guilty,  on  May  2f3th :  in  consequence  of  which  he 
was  removed  from  his  high  office,  and  fined  30,000 l.d 

(C  This  every  way  distinguished  character,"  says  Noble,  in  his 
Continuation  of  Granger,  "  was  the  son  of  Mr.  Thomas  Parker, 
an  attorney,  at  Leake,  in  Staffordshire  -,  in  the  chancel  of  which 
church  I  have  read  the  inscription  on  his  gravestone.  He  left 
his  son  about  ]00l.  per  ann.  &c.  He  received  the  Great  Seal,  May 
11th,  1708,  which  he  held  till  January  4th,  1724-5,  &c.  It  was 
an  extraordinary  event,  that  Lord  Macclesfield,  one  of  the  great 
ornaments  of  the  Peerage,  who  had  so  long  presided  at  the  admi- 
nistration of  justice,  should  himself  be  arraigued  as  a  Criminal 5 
be  convicted  of  mal-practices ;  and  sentenced  to  pay  a  fine  of 
30,0001.  as  a  punishment  for  his  offence:  that  a  second  Lord 
Chancellor  of  England  should  be  impeached  by  the  Grand  Inquest 
of  the  nation,  for  corruption  of  office ;  and  be  like  his  great  pre- 
decessor, Lord  St.  Albans,  found  guilty  of  the  charge.  The  pro- 
secution was  carried  on  with  great  virulence  j  and  though  rigid 
justice  indeed  demanded  a  severe  sentence,  yet  party  zeal,  and 
personal  animosity,  were  supposed  to  have  had  their  weight  in 
that  which  was  passed  upon  him.  The  whole  fine  was  exacted; 
and  actually  paid  by  his  Lordship  and  his  son,  notwithstanding 
the  favourable  disposition  that  was  shewn  in  a  certain  quarter,  to 

c  Bill  signat.  8  Geo.  I.  A  See  Coote's  Hist,  of  Engl.  VIII.  265,  Sec. 


PARKER  EARL  OF  MACCLESFIELD.  193 

relieve  him  in  part  by  a  considerable  donation.  It  is  certain  there 
had  been  gross  mismanagement  in  the  offices  of  the  Masters  in 
Chancery,  by  which  the  suitors  had  been  great  sufferers;  and  it 
appeared  that  those  places  had  been  somerimes  conferred  upon 
persons  who  had  evidently  paid  for  them  a  valuable  consideration. 
The  public  cry  against  corruption  in  high  stations  was  loud  and 
long;  and  it  was  not  thought  prudent  to  stay  the  proceedings 
against  the  supreme  Judge  in  the  kingdom.  The  statute  on 
which  the  Chancellor  was  impeached  had  indeed  grown  into  dis- 
use, but  it  was  still  a  law:  a  breach  of  it  was  proved,  and  the 
consequence  was  inevitable.  Lord  Macclesfield  was  a  man  of 
learning,  and  a  patron  of  it.  Bishop  Pearce,  of  Rochester,  among 
others,  owed  his  first  introduction  to  preferment  to  his  Lordship's 
encouragement.  He  was  also  very  eminent  for  his  skill  in  his 
profession;  but  rather  great  than  amiable  in  bis  general  charac- 
ter. Hev  was  austere,  and  not  deemed  sufficiently  attentive  to 
the  gentlemen  of  his  court,  to  whom  his  manners  are  represented 
to  have  been  harsh  and  ungracious,  unlike  the  mild  and  compla- 
cent demeanour  of  his  predecessor,  Lord  Cowper.  His  Lordship 
passed  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  a  learned  retirement,  much 
devoted  to  the  studies  of  religion,  of  which  he  had  always  been  a 
strict  and  uniform  observer. "e 

His  Lordship  married  Janet,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Charles 
Carrier,  of  Wirkwith,  in  the  county  of  Derby,  Esq.  and  by  her 
(who  died  August  23d,  1733),  had  issue  George  the  second  Earl 
of  Macclesfield,  and  the  Lady  Elizabeth  before  mentioned,  mar- 
ried on  April  7th,  1720,  to  William  Heathcote,  of  Hursley,  in  the 
county  of  Southampton,  Esq.  afterwards  created  a  Baronet : 
which  Lady  died  at  her  house  in  St.  James's-square,  February 
21st,  17^7-  His  Lordship  died  f  at  his  son's  house  in  Soho-square, 
in  the  sixty  sixth  year  of  his  age,  on  April  28th,  1732,  and  was 
buried  at  Shirburn,  in  Oxfordshire ;  esteemed  for  the  social  vir- 
tues of  a  husband,  parent,  and  a  master,  by  every  one  to  whom 
he  stood  in  those  relations. 

George,  his  only  son,  second  Earl  of  Macclesfield,  was, 
in  the  lifetime  of  his  father,  constituted  one  of  the  Tellers  of  the 
Exchequer  for  life.  His  Lordship,  172*0,,  set  out  on  his  travels, 
accompanied  by  Edward  Wright,  Esq.  a  gentleman  of  a  refined 
and  elegant  taste,  in  all  useful  knowledge  and  polite  literature ; 
and  after  three  years  tour  through  France,  Italy,  &c.  &c.  returned 

«  Noble's  Granger,  III.  90.  f  See  Park's  R.  and  N.  A.  IV.  145. 

VOL.   IV.  O 


1Q4  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

to  England.  Mr.  Wright  published  an  account  thereof  in  two 
volumes  in  quarto,  illustrated  with  several  prints  from  his  own 
accurate  drawings,  as  he  had  a  masterly  hand,  both  in  designing 
and  painting.  His  Lordship  had  a  great  share  in  framing  and 
carrying  on  the  act  of  parliament  for  altering  the  style :  and  at 
the  second  reading  thereof,  made  a  speech  in  the  house  of  Peers, 
which  he  was  prevailed  on  to  publish,  by  the  pressing  instance 
of  a  great  many  of  the  Lords  who  heard  it.*  Several  foreign 
Academies  chose  his  Lordship  one  of  their  members.  On  No- 
vember 30th,  1752,  he  was  unanimously  elected  President  of  the 
Royal  Society,  on  the  resignation  of  the  late  valuable  and  learned 
Martin  Folkes,  Esq.  and  at  the  installation  of  John  Earl  of  West- 
moreland, as  Chancellor  of  the  university  of  Oxford,  on  July  3d, 
1759,  his  Lordship  received  the  honostfry  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Law.  At  the  funeral  procession  of  Frederick  Prince  of  Wales, 
on  April  13th,  1751,  his  Lordship  was  one  of  the  supporters  of 
the  pall. 

On  September  18th,  1722,  his  Lordship  married  Mary,  eldest 
of  the  two  daughters  and  coheirs  of  Ralph  Lane,  Esq.  an  eminent 
Turkey  merchant,  lineally  descended  from  William  Lane,  of 
Glendon,  Esq.h  and  of  Anne  his  wife,  daughter  and  heir  to  John 
Isham,  of  Pightesley,  in  com.  Northamp.  Esq.  and  was  son  of 
Richard  Lane,  Esq.  son  and  heir  of  Robert  Lane,  Esq.  who  died 
before  his  father  Sir  William  Lane,  who  was  possessed  of  Hor- 
ton,  as  well  as  Glendon,  in  com.  Northamp.  his  father  Sir  Robert 
Lane  (son  of  Sir  Ralph  Lane),  acquiring  the  seat  and  estate  at 
Horton,  from  his  mother,  Maud,1  who  was  the  eldest  daughter 
and  coheir  of  William  Lord  Parr,  of  Horton,  December  23d,  25 
Henry  VII.  and  was  second  daughter  of  Sir  William  Parr,  Knt. 
by  Elizabeth  his  wife,  daughter  and  heir  of  John  Lord  Roos,  of 
Kirby-Kendal ;  whose  grandson,  William  Parr,  was  Earl  of  Essex, 
and  Marquis  of  Northampton. 

By  his  said  Lady,  his  Lordship  had  issue  two  sons;  Thomas 
third  Earl  of  Macclesfield.     And, 

2.  George-Lane  Parker,  born  September  6th,  1724,  taking  to 
a  military  life,  was  made  Captain  of  a  Company  in  the  first  Re- 
giment of  Foot-guards,  and  on  February  19th,  1762,  allowed  the 
rank  of  Colonel.  On  April  30th,  1770*  was  advanced  to  the  rank 
of  Major-General;  and  on  August  29th,  1777,  promoted  to  that 
of  Lieutenant  General.    He  was  also  Colonel  of  the  20th  Regi- 

g  See  Park's  R.  and  N.  A.  IV.  272. 

b  Vis.  de  Com.  Northamp.  in  Bibl.  Harley. 

1  MS.  Jekil's  Barones  Extinct,  p.  82. 


PARKER  EARL  OF  MACCLESFIELD.  J  95 

ment  of  Foot,  and  member  of  Parliament  for  Tregony,  1774. 
He  died  September  6th,  1791*  having  married  in  May,  1782, 
Lady  Cottrell  Dormer,  relict  of  Sir  Cottrell  D.  and  daughter  and 
heir  of Cesar. 

His  Lordship's  Lady,  who  was  endowed  with  all  virtues,  de- 
ceased on  June  4th,  1753.  She  ordered  her  body  not  to  be  dres- 
sed in  linen  and  laces,  but  in  woollen  j  and  instead  of  velvet,  her 
coffin  to  be  covered  with  cloth  j  and  that  the  expense  saved  by 
it  should  go  to  the  clothing  of  some  of  her  poor  neighbours.  Ac- 
cordingly thirty  poor  women  were  put  into  mourning,  who 
walked  in  procession  at  her  funeral,  and  before  it  had  a  repast  at 
Shirburn,  in  Oxfordshire,  where  she  was  privately  interred,  and 
each  of  them,  at  their  going  home,  received  a  half- peck  loaf.  His 

Lordship,  in  November  1757,  married  Dorothy,  daughter  of 

Nesbit,  but  died  without  any  issue  by  her  on  March  17th,  1704, 
and  was  buried  at  Shirbournej  and  she  died  July  14th,  1779. 

Thomas,  third  Earl  of  Macclesfield,  was  born  on  Oc- 
tober 12th,  1723,  was  chosen  one  of  the  members  for  Newcastle- 
under-Line,  to  the  Parliament  summoned  in  1747.  He  was  re- 
turned for  the  county  of  Oxford  in  1754,  and  for  the  city  of 
Rochester  in  1761.  His  Lordship  was  LL.D.  Fellow  of  the 
Royal  Society  j  and  on  December  12th,  1749,  married  his  cousin 
Mary,  eldest  daughter  of  Sir  William  Heathcote,  of  Hursley,  in 
Hampshire,  Bart,  by  which  Lady  he  had  two  sons  : 

1.  George,  present  Earl. 

2.  Thomas  Parker,  who  was  originally  in  the  Foot  Guards; 
and  in  the  late  war  raised  and  commanded  the  Oxfordshire  Regi- 
ment of  Fencible  Cavalry.  He  married,  first,  on  March  16th, 
1796,  Miss  Edwards,  daughter  of  Lewis  Edwards,  Esq.  of  Lud- 
low ;  and  by  her,  who  is  deceased,  had  a  daughter,  born  in  1 797. 
He  married,  secondly,  March  19th,  1807,  Eliza,  youngest  daugh- 
ter of  William  Breton  Wolsten holme,  Esq.  of  Holly-hill,  in  Sus-. 
sex  (one  of  the  sons  of  the  late  Eliab  Breton,  of  Forty-hill,  in 
Middlesex ;  and  Norton,  in  Northamptonshire,  Esq.) 

And  three  daughters:  1.  Lady  Elizabeth,  born  June  29th, 
1751,  married,  November  16th,  1773,  John  Fane,  Esq.  of 
Wormsley,  in  Oxfordshire,  and  has  a  numerous  issue. 

2.  Lady  Mary,  born  March  27th,  1753. 

3.  Lady  Anne,  died  in  1774, 

His  Lordship  died  February  9th,  1795,  leaving  a  character  for 
eminent  acquirements  in  science. 
He  was  succeeded  by  his  son  and  heir,  George,  fourth  Earl 


196     '  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

of  Macclesfield,  born  February  24th,  1755.  He  was  a  Lord 
of  the  Bedchamber  to  the  Prince  of  Wales :  elected  1790,  M.  P. 
for  Minehead j  made  Comptroller  of  his  Majesty's  Household, 
1791,  which  he  held  till  1797-  His  Lordship  was  appointed  Cap- 
tain of  the  Yeomen  of  the  Guard,  June  24th,  1804.  He  L  High 
Steward  of  Henley,  LL.D.  and  F.  R.  S. 

His  Lordship  married  May  25th,  1780,  Mary  Frances,  daugh- 
ter and  coheir  of  Thomas  Drake,  D.  D.  Rector  of  Amersham, 
Bucks,  by  whom  he  has  had  issue  a  son,  George,  who  died  an 
infant,  and  an  only  daughter,  Maria,  born  Jan.  23d,  1781,  and 
married,  November  13th,  1802,  Lord  Binning,  only  son  of  Charles 
Earl  of  Haddington. 

Titles.  George  Parker,  Earl  of  Macclesfield,  Viscount  Parker, 
and  Baron  Parker  of  Macclesfield. 

Creations.  Baron  Parker,  of  Macclesfield,  in  Cheshire,  March 
10th,  1715-16,  2  Geo.  J. ;  Viscount  Parker,  of  Ewelme,  in  Ox- 
fordshire, and  Earl  of  Macclesfield,  November  5th,  1721,  8 
Geo.  I. 

Arms,     Gules,  a  Chevron  between  three  leopards  faces,  Or. 

Crest.  On  a  wreath  a  leopard's  head  erased  and  guardant,  Or, 
ducal ly  gorged,  Gules. 

Supporters.  Two  leopards,  reguardant,  proper,  each  gorged 
with  a  ducal  coronet,  Gules. 

Motto.     Sapere  Aude. 

Chief  Seat,    At  Shirburne-Castle,  in  the  county  of  Oxford, 


FERMOR  EARL  OF  POMFRET.  *     197 


FERMOR  EARL  OF  POMFRET. 

i 
That  the  name  of  this  family  was  anciently  wrote  Ricards,  alias 
Fermour,  appears  as  well  from  other  authorities.,  as  from  the  last 
will  and  testament  of  Thomas  Ricards,  alias  Fermour  ;  whose 
mother  was  the  daughter  and  heir  of  the  family  of  Fermour; 
and  his  father,  Ricards,  of  Welch  extraction,  by  tradition  in  the 
family.  In  the  said  will,  dated  a  September  9th,  1485,  he  is 
wrote  Thomas  Ricards,  alias  Fermour^  senior,  of  Whitney,  in 
Oxfordshire;  and  thereby  orders  his  body  to  be  buried  in  the 
chapel  of  St.  Mary  Magdalen,  in  the  church  of  Whitney,  and  be- 
queaths 20 1.  to  the  altar  in  the  chancel  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary^  in  that  church,  for  his  tithes  forgotten.  He  also  bequeaths 
to  the  building  of  the  isle  of  the  Blessed  Mary  Magdalen  in  the 
said  church,  called  Carsewell  Isle,  201.  To  Emmotte  his  wife, 
he  bequeaths  2001.  with  his  goods  and  utensils  in  1ms  house  at 
Whitney.  To  William,  his  son,  200  marks,  and  all  his  lands  in 
the  villages  of  Cogges  and  Burford.  To  Laurence,  his  son,  200 
marks,  and  all  his  lands  in  Chadlington.  To  Richard,  his  son, 
200  marks,  and  all  his  lands  in  Filkingre  and  Langford.  To 
Alice,  John,  and  Elizabeth  Wenman,  children  of  Emmotte,  his 
spouse,  by  Henry  Wenman,  to  their  marriages,  jOl.  7  s.  And 
the  rest  of  his  goods,  lands,  &c.  till  his  sons  come  to  the  age  of 
twenty-one  years,  he  bequeaths  to  Emmotte,  his  wife,  whom  he 
constitutes  executrix,  and  Sir  Richard  Harcourt,  Knight,  super- 
visor. - 

He  soon  after  departed  this  life,  as  appears  by  the  probate  of 
the  said  will,  dated  November  8th,  following.     By  Alice  his  first 

*  Ex  Regis'*  in  Cur.  Praerog.  Cnt.  vocat.  Logge,  q.  18, 


198  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

wife,  he  had  issue  Laurence,  his  son  and  heir,  who  was  of  Min- 
ster-Lovel,  in  Oxfordshire,  aud  had  a  son,  William,  who  died 
without  issue,  and  a  daughter,  Mary,  married  to  Thomas  Benolt, 
Clarencieux  King  of  Arms. 

Emmotte,b  his  second  wife,  who  survived  him,  was  widow  of 
Henry  Wenman,  daughter  and  heir  of  Simkin  Hervey,  of  Here- 
fordshire, Esq.  and  by  her  he  had  issue, 

1.  Richard,  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  of  Pomfret;  and 

2.  William,  Clerk  of  the  Crown,  who  was  seated  at  the  fair  house 
and  lordship  of  Summerton,  upon  the  river  Cherwel,  in  Oxford- 
shire, and  having  married  four  wives,  left  no  issue  male  3  and  at 
his  death,  bequeathed  all  his  lands  to  Thomas,  the  second  son  of 
his  brother  Richard,  whose  posterity  remain  the  worthy  possessors 
of  it  to  this  day,  although  they  have  removed  their  habitation  to 
Tusmore,  three  miles  distant  from  it. 

The  said  William  lies  buried  in  a  chapel  on  the  south-side  of 
the  chancel  of  Summerton,  under  a  great  raised  monument  of 
grey  marble,  whereon  lies  the  portraitures  of  a  gentleman  and  his 
wife,  in  brass,  and  under  them  this  inscription : 

Here  lyeth  buried  Mr.  William  Fermour y  Esq.  whych  was  lorn 
of  this  Towne  and  Patrone  of  this  Churche,  and  also  Clarke  of  the 
Ctownt  in  the  Kings  Bench  in  King  Henry  the  7th  and  King 
Henry  the  S'h  Dayes,  whyche  died  the  20th  Day  of  Jler  in  the 
Year  of  our  Lord  God  a  MCCCCCLH:  and  also  here  lyeth  Mestres 
Elizabeth  Fermour,  his  last  Wyffe,  which  was  the  Daughter  of 
Sr  Will01  Korrysse,  Knight,  upon  whose  and  all  Christene  Soules 
Ihu  have  mercy. 

And  at  Home  Church,  in  Essex,  was  the  following  inscription 
for  another  of  his  wives. 

Here  lyeth  Katherin  the  daughter  of  SW  William  Powlet, 
Knyght,  wyfof  William  Fermour,  c/arke  of  the  crown.  Who  died 
May  26,  the  second  of  Henry  the  eighte, 

■* 

Richard  Fermour,  his  brother,  having  been  bred  a  merchant 

of  the  staple  of  Calais,  raised  a  noble  fortune,  and  settled  himself 
at  Eston-Neston  juxta  Towcester,  in  Northamptonshire,  which, 
together  with  the  hundred  and  manor  of  Towcester,  he  had  pur- 
chased, as  also  many  fair  lands  and  royalties  in  that  county  5  at 

*  Visitation  of  Shropshire,  M.  S. 


FERMOR  EARL  OF  POMFRET.  lgg 

which  seat  he  lived  many  years  with  great  splendor  and  hospi- 
tality. But  being  a  very  zealous  Romanist,  and  not  complying  with 
the  frequent  alterations  in  religion,  introduced  by  Henry  VIII.  he 
changed  his  hospitality  into  charity  for  those  of  his  opinion  j  and 
fell  under  that  King's  heavy  displeasure,  for  conveying  relief  to 
one  Nicholas  Thayne,  formerly  his  Confessor,  and  at  that  time  a 
close  prisoner  in  the  gaol  of  Buckingham,  although  nothing  was 
ever  legally  proved  against  him,  except  that  he  had  sent  him  8  d. 
and  a  couple  of  shirts.  But  his  great  wealth,  and  Thomas  Crom- 
well Earl  of  Essex,  the  King's  Vicar-General,  were  powerful  in- 
centives to  his  ruinj  and  being  c  found  guilty  of  a  praemunire,  his 
whole  estate,  both  real  and  personal,  was  seized  on  for  the  King's 
use  5  and  executed  with  such  strictness  and  severity,  that  nothing 
was  left  him  or  his  family. 

Oned  of  our  historians,  living  in  that  age,  writes,  that  he  was 
a  rich  and  wealthy  man,  and  of  a  good  estimation  in  the  city,  but 
for  relieving  certain  traitorous  persons,  who  denied  the  King's 
supremacy,  he  was  commitied  to  the  Marshalsea,  in  July  1540, 
and  after,  in  Westminster-Hall,  was  arraigned,  and  attainted  in 
a  praemunire,  and  lost  all  his  estate. 

The  good  old  man,  when  he  was  stript  of  all  he  had,  retired 
to  a  village  called  Wapenham,  in  sight  of  his  former  habitations, 
and  lived  in  the  parsonage  house  there  j  the  advowson  of  which 
had  been  in  his  gift,  and  the  parson  thereof  presented  by  him. 
There  he  passed  several  years  with  a  most  consummate  piety,  and 
entire  resignation,  till  1550. 

In  the  time  of  his  prosperity  he  had  in  his  family,  according 
to  the  custom  of  the  age,  a  servant,  Will  Somers,  who,  by  his 
witty  or  frothy  discourses,  past  for  his  jester  ;  and  afterwards 
served  the  king  himself  in  the  same  office  and  capacity.  This 
man  remembering  with  some  gratitude  his  first  master,  and  hav- 
ing admission  to  the  King  at  all  times  and  places,  especially  when 
sick,  melancholy,  and  towards  his  end,  let  fall  some  lucky  words, 
which  awakened  the  King's  conscience,  so  as  at  least  to  endeavour 
a  restitution  $  and  accordingly  he  gave  immediate  orders  about 
it  j  but  being  prevented  by  death,  it  was  never  effectually  per- 
formed till  the  4th  year  of  Edward  VI.  by  letters  patent,  bearing 
that  date :  but  so  miserably  lopt  and  torn,  by  the  several  grants 
and  sales  made  by  the  Crown  during  the  aforesaid  interval,  that 

c  Stow's  Ann.  edit.  1614.  p.  580. 
*  Hall,  in  his  Life  of  K.  Henry  VIII.  fol.  14a. 


200  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

what  he  did  obtain  was  not  one  third  of  what  he  had  before  pos* 
sessed.  Those  lands  restored  to  him  were,  the  lordships  and  ma- 
nors of  Towcestour,  and  Eston-Neston,  the  advowsons  of  the 
rectories  of  Cold-Higham,  and  of  the  vicarage  of  Eston-Neston, 
the  hundred  of  Wilmersley,  with  very  large  privileges  thereto  be- 
longing, and  several  houses  in  Cotton-End,  in  the  county  of 
Northampton  j  the  lordship  and  manor  of  Offley  St.  Legers,  in 
the  county  of  Hereford ;  the  lordship  and  manor  of  Granno,  in 
the  county  of  Worcester ;  the  lordship  and  manors  of  Lutonhoe, 
and  the  hermitage  lands  in  Luton,  and  Runtisford  Farm,  in  Run- 
tisford,  in  the  county  of  Bedford.  Yet  King  Edward,  to  make 
some  compensation,  granted  by  the  same  charter,  to  Richard 
Fermor,  and  his  heirs,  several  other  lordships,  manors,  lands,  and 
tenements,  viz.  the  lordships  and  manors  of  Corsecomb,  Hol- 
stocke,  Nether-Stoke,  and  the  advowson  of  the  rectory  of  Corse- 
combe,  in  the  county  of  Dorset  j  the  manor  of  Mudfort,  in  the 
county  of  Somerset  j  the  house  and  seat  of  the  then  late  dissolved 
priory  of  Swadersly,  and  divers  woods  and  lands  thereto  belong- 
ing} the  manor  of  Hide  in  Rode,  and  several  lands  in  Rode  in 
Ashen,  in  the  county  of  Northampton  ;  the  manor  of  Newport 
Pound,  and  the  advowson  of  the  rectory  and  church  of  Rawrith, 
in  the  county  of  Essex,  &c.  Yet  all  this  was  but  a  small  com- 
pensation for  the  great  loss  he  had  sustained. 

He  therefore,  being  repossessed  of  part  of  his  estate,  and  of 
some  addition,  as  aforesaid,  returned  to  his  mansion-house  at 
Eston-Neston,  where  he  departed  this  life  on  e  November  17th, 
1552.  It  is  further  remarkable,  that  having  some  foreknowledge 
of  his  own  death,  he  invited  on  that  very  day  many  of  his  friends 
and  neighbours,  and  taking  leave  of  them,  retired  to  his  devotions, 
and  was  found  dead  in  that  posture,  and  afterwards  buried  on 
the  north  side  of  the  chancel  of  the  parish  church  of  Eston-Nes- 
ton,. under  a  grey  marble  tomb.  Anne  his  wife  survived  him, 
and  after  her  decease  was  buried  at  Eston-Neston  j  she  was 
daughter  to  Sir  William  Brown,  Lord  Mayor  of  London  -f  by 
whom  he  had  five  sons,  and  five  daughters;  viz. 

I .  Sir  John,  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  of  Pomfret. 

3.  William.     3.  George,  who  both  died  infants. 

4.  (Thomas  Fermor,  who  inherited  the  estate  of  Wiliam,  his 
uncle,  at  Summerton,  was  one  of  the  members f  for  Chipping- 

e  Bridgets  Northamptonshire,  Vol.  I.  p.  292. 
f  Willis's  Not.  Par),  p.  rco. 


FERMOtl  EARL  OF  POMFRET.  201 

Wicomb,  in  the  Parliament  held  in  5  Eliz.;  and  makes  his  will 
on  June  15th,  1580,  ^whereby  he  orders  his  body  to  be  buried  in 
the  church  of  Summerton,  as  near  to  the  body  of  Bridget,  his 
late  wife,  as  conveniently  may  be;  and  that  his  executors,  within 
three  years  after  his  death,  cause  to  be  erected  such  a  tomb  of 
alabaster  to  be  set  over  the  bodies  of  him  and  his  late  wife,  as 
they  shall  think  convenient.  He  was  a  benefactor  to  Summerton, 
and  Chinnor,  in  Oxfordshire;  Bridgnorth  and  Asteley,  in  Shrop- 
shire; and  Wapenham,  in  Northamptonshire.  Also  leaves  his 
estate  to  his  son,  Richard  Fermour,  and  his  daughter,  Mary;  and 
for  default  of  issue,  to  his  nephew,  Nicholas  Fermor;  except  the 
manors  of  Fritwell  and  Ganne,  which  he  wills,  if  they  decease 
without  issue,  to  Jerome  Fermour,  his  brother,  according  to  the 
gift  of  his  uncle,  William  Fermour,  of  Summerton.  It  likewise 
appears,  that  he  founded  a  school  at  Summerton,  with  provision 
for  a  school-master;  and  that  Nicholas  Fermour,  his  nephew,  was 
son  of  Jerome,  his  brother.  According  to  his  will,  his  executors 
erected  in  the  chapel  of  Summerton  church,  a  raised  monument 
of  white  marble,  whereon  lies  his  effigies  in  armour,  and  the 
effigies  of  his  wife,  both  on  their  backs ;  and  round  the  verge  is 
this  inscription  : 

Thovice  .Farmer,  Armigero,  viro  animi  magnitudine  contra 
Hostes,  beneficentia  erga  Doctos  admirabili,  Domino  hujus  tcrru 
torii  lenignissimo,  &  novce  Scholce  Fundatori  Optimo,  in  perpe- 
tuam  sui,  suceq.  conjugis,  Brigitt<e ,  fcemince  lectissimce,  memoriam, 
ex  Testamento  executores  sui  hoc  monumentum  Jlentes  erexerunt. 
Obiit  vero  Anno  Domini  Millesimo  quingentisimo  octogesimo  die 
Augusti  octavo. 

It  has  been  already  mentioned,  that  his  posterity  still  remains, 
or  lately  remained,  at  Tusmore  and  Summerton. 

5.  Jerome  Fermour,  who  died  on  September  7th,  1602,  and 
together  with  Jane  his  wife,  lies  buried  at  Towcester,  in  North- 
amptonshire. 

The  five  daughters  were,  Joan,  first  married  to  Robert  Wilford, 
of  the  county  oi  Kent,  Esq.  and  after  to  Sir  John  Mordaunt,  of 
Thorndon,  in  Essex,  Knight.  Anne,  espoused  to  William  Lucy, 
of  Charlecote,  in  Warwickshire,  Esq.  Elizabeth,  to  Thomas 
Lovet,  of  Astwell,  in  Northamptonshire,  Esq.  Ursula,  to  Richard 
Fynes,  of  Broughton,  in  Oxfordshire,  Esq.  father  to  Richard  Lord 

g  Ex  Reg.  Arundel,  qu.  30  »a  Cur.  Praerog.  Cant. 


202  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Say  and  Sele  j  and  Mary,  wedded  to  Sir  Richard  Knightley,  of 
Fausley,  in  Northamptonshire,  Knt. :  she  died  h  September  27th, 
1573,  and  was  buried  at  Fausley. 

Sir  John  Fermor,  the  eldest  son  and  heir,  was  made  s  one  of 
the  Knights  of  the  Carpet,  at  Westminster,  on  October  2d,  1553, 
the  day  after  the  Coronation  of  Queen  Mary,  in  her  presence 
under  the  cloth  of  state,  by  the  Earl  of  Arundel,  who  had  her 
Majesty's  commission  to  execute  that  honour.  He  was  in  that 
reign  k  chose  Knight  of  the  shire  for  the  county  of  Northampton 
in  two  Parliaments  j  and  was  Sheriff  of  the  county  in  the  4th 
and  5th  of  Philip  and  Mary.  He  died  on  December  12th,  1571, 
at  little  St-  Bartholomew's,  in  London,"1  and  from  thence  was 
brought  to  his  house  at  Easton-Neston,  and  buried  in  the  parish 
church  there  on  Thursday  the  20th  of  the  same  month,  with 
great  solemnity,  the  Officers  of  Arms  attending  his  funeral.  He 
married  Maud,  daughter  of  Sir  Nicholas  Vaux,  Knt.  Lord  Vaux, 
of  Harrowden  (who  died  before  him,  on  April  14th,  1509,  and 
was  buried  at  Easton-Neston),  and  by  her n  had  living,  at  the 
time  of  his  decease, 

1.  George  Fermor,  Esq.  his  son  and  heir. 

2.  Nicholas,  who  died  unmarried. 

And,  3.  Richard,  who  married  Dionysia,  daughter  of  Robert 
Tanfield,  of  Burford,  in  Oxfordshire,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had  an 
only  daughter,  Catherine,  first  married  to  Philip  Godard,  Esq. ; 
secondly,  to  Sir  Richard  Wenman,  of  Tame,  in  Oxfordshire, 
Knight. 

Also  three  daughters;  Catharine,  married  to  Michael  Poul- 
teney,  of  Misterton,  in  Leicestershire,  Esq. ;  and,  secondly,  to 
Sir  Henry  Darcey,  Knt.j  Anne,  wedded  to  Sir  Edward  Leigh,  of 
Shawel,  in  Leicestershire,  Knt.j  and  Mary,  espoused  to  Sir  Tho- 
mas Lucas,  of  St.  John's,  in  Colchester,  in  the  county  of  Essex, 
Knt. ;  °  she  died  July  5th,  1 613,  and  is  buried  in  St.  Giles's  church 
in  Colchester. 

George  Fermor,  his  eldest  son,  succeeding  him,  spent  all  his 
youth  in  the  Netherlands,  under  that  great  captain  in  arms  Wil- 
liam Prince  of  Orange;  and  for  his  services  there  had  the 
p  honour  of  knighthood  conferred  on  him,  in  the  year  1586,  by 
Robert  Earl  of  Leicester,  the  Queen's  general.     In  these  wars  in 

11  Bridges'*  Northamp.  Vol.  I.  p.  6$» 

1  Strype's  Memor.  Vol.  III.  Append,  p.  ii; 

k  Collect,  of  B.  Willis  MS.  I  Fuller's  Worthies,  p.  246. 

»  Funeral  Certificate,  MS.  I.  16.  p.  106,  in  Offic.  Armor.  n  Ibid. 

0  Moraat's  Hist,  of  Colchester.  P  Stow's  Annals,  p.  738. 


FERMOR  EARL  OF  POMFRET.  203 

the  Netherlands  he  contracted  a  friendship  with  the  famous  Sir 
Philip  Sidney,  and  walked  at  his  funeral  among  his  kindred  and 
friends.  On  his  retirement  to  his  house  at  Easton-Neston,  he 
lived  for  several  years  in  great  splendor  and  hospitality,  and  was 
Sheriff  of  Northamptonshire,  in  31  Eliz.  but  once  again  left  his 
native  country,  and  travelled  into  Italy  -,  yet  on  what  occasion  it 
not  said. 

After  his  return  home  he  still  maintained  the  old  English  po- 
pular way  of  living,  and  had  the  honour  to  receive  and  entertain 
James  I.  and  his  Queen,  at  Easton  aforesaid,  the  first  time  they 
ever  met  in  England,^  viz,  on  June  11th,  1(503,  where  he  gave 
both  courts  a  very  costly  and  magnificent  entertainment  j  and  the 
King  before  his  departure r  conferred  the  honour  of  Knighthood 
on  his  son  and  heir,  Sir  Hatton  Fermor,  together  with  nine  other 
gentlemen. 

He  died  in  a  good  old  age,  on  December  1st,  1012;  and  on 
January  14th  following,5  was  buried  in  the  chancel  of  Easton- 
Neston  church  with  great  solemnity,  and  a  noble  tomb  of  alabas- 
ter is  erected  to  his  memory.  Mary  his  wife,  was  god-daughter 
and  maid  of  honour  to  Queen  Mary;  by  whose  gift  she  was 
possessed  of  the  manor  and  estate  of  Westning,  in  Bedfordshire, 
now  in  the  family.  She  was  daughter  and  heir  of  Thomas  Cur- 
son,1  of  Addington,  in  Buckinghamshire,  Esq.  second  son  of 
Walter  Curson,  of  Water-Perry,  in  Oxfordshire,  Esq.:  she  survived 
him  till  October  12th,  1628,  and  was  buried  at  Easton-Neston j 
by  whom  he  had  seven  sons.   He  married  her  in  January  1572, 

1 .  Edward,  who  died  unmarried. 

2.  Hatton,  who  succeeded  him. 

3.  Robert,  who  was  slain  in  Ireland,  without  issue,  l6l6.    ^ 

4.  George.  5.  Richard.  6.  Devercux.  And,  7.  William, 
who  all  four  attended  at  their  father's  funeral,  and  died  without 
issue. 

Also  eight  daughters  j  whereof  three  died  unmarried,  and 
Agnes  was  married  to  Sir  Richard  Wenman,  of  Thame  Park,  in 
Oxfordshire,  Knight ;  Elizabeth,  to  Sir  William  Stafford,  of  Bla- 
therwick,  iu  Northamptonshire,  Knight. :  and,  secondly,  to  Sir 
Thomas  Chamberlain,  of  Oxfordshire,  Knt.  one  of  the  Justices 
of  the  King's  Bench,  and  Chief  Justice  of  Chester  j  Jane,  married 

1  Stow's  Annals,  p.  8z3«  r  Philpot's  Catalogue  of  Knights,  p.  13. 

*  MS.  cnt.  Funeral  Ceremonies,  Not.  10,  in  Bibl.  Joh.  Anstis,  Arm. 
•  This  family  sold  Addington,  in  the  time  of  Charles  I.  to  John  Busby,  whose 
grandgon,  Sir  John  Busby,  of  Addington,  Knighted  x66r,  died  1700. 


204  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND, 

to  Sir  John  Killigrew,  of  Falmouth-Castle,  in  Cornwall ;  Catha- 
rine, to  William  Hobby,  of  Hales,  in  Gloucestershire,  Esq.  ;  and 
Mary,  to  Robert  Crichton,  Lord  Sanquhar,  a  Scottish  Peer  (who 
was  hanged  at  London,  June  29th,  ]6l2,  without  issue);  and, 
secondly  to  Barnaby  O'Brien,  Earl  of  Thomond,  in  Ireland. 

Hatton  Fermor,  his  son  and  heir,  knighted  in  the  lifetime  of 
his  father,  as  before  mentioned,  succeeded  him  in  his  estate;  and 
living  constantly  in  the  country,  at  his  seat  at  Easton-Neston,  was 
Sheriff  of  Northamptonshire  in  15  Jac  I.  He  married  two  wives; 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Edmund  Anderson,  Lord  Chief  Justice 
of  the  Common  Pleas ;  who  dying  without  issue,  he  took  to  his 
second  wife,  Anna,  daughter  of  Sir  William  Cockain,  Lord  Mayor 
of  London,  by  whom  he  had  five  sons;   viz. 

1.  Sir  William  Fermor,  Bart,  who  succeeded  him. 

2.  Hatton,  who  was  Major  of  Horse  to  the  Prince  of  Wales, 
and  died  at  nineteen  years  of  age;  crowning  his  unspotted  youth 
with  a  noble  death,  valiantly  fighting  for  Charles  1.  January  1 1th, 
1644-5,  at  Culham- Bridge,  near  Oxford. 

3.  Charles.     4.  George.     And,  5.  Richard,  all  died  young. 
Also  six  daughters;  Mary,  wife  of  Sir  Charles  Compton,  second 

son  to  Spencer  Earl  of  Northampton,  and  died  in  166O;  Anne, 
wife  of  Jonathan  Cope,  of  Ranton- abbey,  in  Staffordshire,  Esq. 
grandfather  to  Sir  Jonathan  Cope,  of  Brewern-abbey,  in  Oxford- 
shire, Bart.;  Arabella,  and  Elizabeth,  both  died  unmarried  -,  Ca- 
tharine, died  an  infant;  a  second  Catharine  was  married  to  Sir 
John  Shuckburgh,  of  Shuckburgh,  in  Warwickshire,  Bart,  j  and, 
lastly,  to  Sir  Roger  Norwich,  of  Brampton,  in  the  county  of 
Northampton,  Bart. 

Sir  Hatton  having  broken  his  leg  by  a  fall  out  of  his  coach, 
died  of  it,  October  28th,  1(540,  and  was  buried  at  Easton-Neston 
afortsaid,  near  his  ancestors,  under  a  tomb  of  black  and  white 
,  marble,  erected  by  Anna  his  wife,  who  survived  him  twenty-five 
years ;  and  with  a  manly  courage  and  constancy  sustained  as  well 
the  hardships  of  imprisonment,  as  fines  and  confiscations,  to  the 
last  of  those  unhappy  times,  wherein  the  nation  was  in  the  greatest 
ferment,  and  all  things  in  the  utmost  confusion.     Which, 

Sir  William  Fermor,  Bart.u  pursuing  the  steps  of  his  ances- 
tors, took  up  arms  in  defence  of  the  Royal  Party ;  and  notwith- 
standing his  youth,  was  honoured  with  the  command  of  a  troop 

u  He  is  called  BaroneU  in  his  epitaph ;  but  I  presume  it  was  only  a  mistake  for 
Knight  Banner tt. 


FERMOR  EARL  OF  POMFRET.  205 

■ 
of  horse  by  Charles  I    made  one  of  the  Privy- Chamber  to  the 

Prince  his  son,  and  served  them  to  the  last  with  unshaken  loyalty 
and  honour.  And  with  the  same  constancy  and  courage  took  his 
lot  of  suffering  with  them,  until  he  and  his  family  were  near 
ruined  for  their  loyalty,  as  his  ancestor  Richard  Fermor  had  been 
before  for  his  religion.  Among  other  hardships,  he  was  obliged 
to  x compound  for  his  estate  for  14001.  with  the  sequestrators. 
At  last  the  scene  changed,  and  he  happily  lived  to  see  his  Royal 
Master  restored  and  crowned;  and  was  elected  a  member  for  the 
town  of  Brackley,  in  Northamptonshire,  in  that  Parliament  which 
met  at  Westminster  on  May  18th,  l66l  ;  but  died  of  the  small- 
pox on  the  14th  following :  having  been  nominated  one  of  the 
Knights  of  the  Bath  at  the  coronation  of  King  Charles  II.  and 
catched  that  distemper  in  performing  the  ceremonies  of  the  said 
order.  Mary,  his  beloved  wife,  who  survived  him,  died  on  July 
18th,  1670,  and  was  buried  at  Easton-Neston;  she  was  daughter 
of  Hugh  Perry,  of  London,  Esq.  and  relict  of  Henry  Noel,  second 
son  of  Edward  Viscount  Camden  :  a  matron  venerable  for  virtue 
and  piety;  a  faithful  sharer  of  all  fortunes  with  him,  and  most 
affectionately  careful  of  her  children,  who  were  very  young  at  his 
death;  viz.  William,  created  Lord  Lempster ;  Henry,  Charles, 
George,  Richard,  who  all  died  at  men's  estate,  but  unmarried ; 
also  two  daughters;  Mary,  who  died  young;  and  Anna,  who 
was  born  after  her  father's  death,  and  died  unmarried  at  her  house 
in  Denmark-street,  in  the  parish  of  St.  Giles  in  the  Fields,  in 
June  1740. 

William,  Lord  Lempster,  erected  from  the  very  foundation 
at  Easton-Neston  aforesaid  (the  ancient  seat  of  his  family),  a  re- 
gular and  fair  pile  of  building  of  freestone;  added  pleasant  gar- 
dens and  plantations;  and  adorned  the  whole  with  a  magnificent 
and  costly  collection  of  ancient  Greek,  Roman,  and  Egyptian 
statues.  He  was  created  a  Peer  by  letters  patent,  bearing  date 
April  12th,  1622,  and  having  married  three  wives ;  first,  Jane, 
daughter  of  Andrew  Barker,  of  Fairford,  in  Gloucestershire,  Esq. 
by  her  had  a  daughter,  Elizabeth,  who  died  unmarried  in  y  March 
1705,  and  was  buried  at  Fairford ;  and  by  his  second  wife,  Ca- 
tharine,2 eldest  daughter  to  John  Lord  Paulet,  by  his  first  wife, 
and  half-sister  to  John  Earl  Paulet,  he  had  one  daughter,  Mary, 
married  to  Sir  John  Woodhouse,  of  Kimberley,  in  the  county  of 

*  List  of  Compounders,  Ed.  1655,  in  Letter  F. 
y  Le  Neve's  Mon.  Ang.  Vol.  IV.  p.  105.  z  Harl.  MS.  No.  1040. 


206  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Norfolk,  Bart,  and  died  October  24th,  1729,  buried  at  Kimber- 
ley.  His  third  wife  was  the  lady  Sophia,  sixth  daughter  of  Tho- 
mas Duke  of  Leeds,  relict  of  Donatus  Lord  O'Brien,  grandson 
and  heir  to  Henry  Earl  of  Thomond;  and  by  her  he  had  issue  two 
sons,  and  four  daughters;  Thomas  Earl  of  Pomfret;  William; 
Sophia,  who  died  young;  Catharine,  who  died  in  the  twenty- 
fourth  year  of  her  age,  on  April  11th,  1719;  Bridget,  who  died 
unmarried ;  and  Matilda,  married  to  Edward  Conyers,  of  Copt- 
hall,  in  com.  Essex,  Esq.  and  died  in  1741. 

His  Lordship  died  on  December  7*hj  17 11,  after  a  long  indis- 
position, and  was  buried  with  his  ancestors ;  and  his  third  Lady, 
died  on  December  8th,  1746. 

Thomas  second  Lorb  Lempster,  his  son  and  heir,a  was 
created  Earl  of  Pomfret,  alias  Pontefract,  m  the  county  of 
York,  December  27th,  1721,  and  was  elected  one  of  the  Knights 
of  the  most  honourable  Order  of  the  Bath,  May  27th,  1725. 
Also  on  September  27th,  1727,  was  appointed  Master  of  the 
Horse  to  her  Majesty  Queen  Caroline. 

On  February  5th,  1750-1,  his  Lordship  had  a  grant  of  the 
office  of  Ranger  and  Keeper  of  St.  James's  Park.  And  deceasing 
Sunday  July  8th,  1753,  aged  fifty-five,  was  buried  at  Easton- 
Neston,  being  succeeded  in  his  honours  and  estate  by  his  eldest 
son,  George,  the  second  Earl  of  Pomfret. 

The  said  Thomas,  Earl  of  Pomfret,  married  on  July  14th,  1720, 
Henrietta-Louisa,  daughter  and  sole  heir  to  John  Lord  Jeffreys, 
Baron  of  Wem,  by  the  Lady  Charlotte  Herbert,  daughter  and  heir 
of  Philip  Earl  of  Pembroke  and  Montgomery,  &c. 

Her  Ladyship  was,  with  her  friend,  the  Countess  of  Hertford, 
Lady  of  the  Bedchamber  to  Queen  Caroline;  at  whose  death,  in 
1737,  they  both  retired  from  courtly  life;  the  former,  on  a  con- 
tinental tour  with  Lord  Pomfret,  through  France,  Italy,  and  a 
part  of  Germany,  for  about  three  years,  during  which  time  her 
Correspondence  with  Lady  Hertford  continued;  and  has  been 
recently  given  to  the  public  in  three  volumes,  12mo.  After  Lord 
Pomfret's  death,  a  part  of  the  Arundelian  Marbles,  which  had 
been  purchased  by  his  father,  were  presented  by  the  Countess,  in 
1755,  to  the  University  of  Oxford,  where  they  are  now  depo- 
sited.1' She  died  December  15th,  1761.  By  her  he  had  issue  four 
sons,  and  six  daughters. 

1.  George,  second  Earl  of  Pomfret. 

*  Bill  Signal.  8  George  I.  *  Park's  R.  and  N.  A.  IV.  244. 


FERMOR  EARL  OF  POMFRET.  20* 

2.  William,  who  was  captain  of  a  man  of  war,  and  died  in 
1749,  unmarried. 

3.  John,  who  deceased  at  the  age  of  three  years;  and  4.  Tho- 
mas, who  also  died  unmarried. 

Lady  Sophia,  born  May  29th,  1721,  married,  in  1744,  to  John 
Earl  Granville;  and  died  in  the  year  1745. 

Lady  Charlotte,  born  February  14th,  1725,  married,  in  1746, 
to  the  Right  Hon.  William  Finch,  Esq.  brother  to  the  late  Earl 
of  Winchelsea,  by  whom  she  was  mother  to  the  present  Earl  of 
Winchelsea  and  Nottingham.  She  was  afterwards  Governess  to 
their  Majesties'  younger  children,  and  is  still  living. 

Lady  Henrietta,  born  September  29th,  1 727,  married,  January 
13th,  1747,  to  John  Conyers,  of  Copthall,  in  Essex,  Esq.  who 
died  September  7th,  1775,  aged  57 1  and  died  November  25th, 
1793,  leaving  issue. 

Lady  Juliana,  born  May  21st,  1729,  married  in  August,  17*1, 
to  Thomas  Penn,  then  one  of  the  proprietors  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
of  Braywick,  in  Berkshire,  Esq.  and  had  issue. 

Lady  Louisa,  born  February  23d,  1731,  one  of  the  Ladies  of 
the  Bedchamber  to  the  Princess  Amelia,  married,  175 7,  William 
Clayton,  Esq.  son  of  Sir  William  Clayton,  Bart. 

Lady  Anne,  married,  July  15th,  1754,  to  Thomas  Dawson, 
Esq.  of  Dawson's-Grove,  co.  of  Monaghan,  Ireland,  since  created 
Viscount  Cremome,  in  Ireland  ;  and  died  March  1st,  1769. 

George,  second  Earl  of  Pomfret,  was,  by  his  present  Ma- 
jesty, appointed  one  of  the  Lords  of  his  Bedchamber,  and  Ranger 
or  Keeper  of  the  little  Park  at  Windsor;  also  one  of  his  Majesty's 
Privy-council.  His  Lordship,  on  April  30th,  1764,  married  Miss 
Anna  Maria  Drayton,  of  Sunbury,  in  Middlesex,  to  whom  Lady 
Jane  Coke,  relict  of  Robert  Coke,  Esq.  (brother  to  Thomas  late 
Earl  of  Leicester),  and  eldest  sister  of  Philip  late  Duke  of  Whar- 
ton, left  a  very  great  fortune.  His  Lordship  was  also  Keeper  of 
his  Majesty's  lower  parks  and  house  at  Windsor.  His  Lordship 
died  June  9th,  1785,  having  had  issue  by  his  Countess  aforesaid, 
who  survived  till  September  23d,  1787,  two  sons,  and  a  daughter, 
viz. 

1.  George,  present  Earl. 

2.  Thomas- William,  born  November  22d,  1770,  a  Captain, 
with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel,  in  the  third  Regiment  of 
Foot  Guards. 

3.  Lady  Charlotte,  born  November  20th,  1766,  married,  Au- 
gust 1st,  178/,  Peter  Denys,  Esq. 


208  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND.  . 

George,  eldest  son,  succeeded  as  third  Earl  of  Pomfret. 
He  was  born  January  6th,  1768,  and  married,  August  29th,  1793, 
Miss  Browne,  daughter  and  heiress  of  Trollope  Browne,  Esq.  with 
whom  he  had  a  fortune  of  £.  100,000  *K  but  by  her  has  no  issue. 
He  is  at  present  a  Captain  in  the  Northamptonshire  Militia. 

Titles.     George  Fermor,  Earl  of  Pomfret,  and  Lord  Lempster. 

Creations.  Lord  Lempster,  in  com.  Heref.  April  12th  (1692) 
4  "V^ill.  and  Mar.  j  Earl  of  Pomfret,  in  com.  Ebor.  December  27th 
(1721)  8  Geo.  I. 

Arms.  Argent,  a  Fess,  Sable,  between  three  lions  heads  erased, 
Gules. 

Crest.  Out  of  a  ducal  coronet,  Or,  a  cock's  head  issuing,  Gules, 
crested  and  wattled,  Or. 
■Supporters.     Two  lions  proper. 

Motto.     Hora  e  Sempre. 

Chief  Seats.  At  Easton-Neston,  in  the  county  of  Northamp^ 
ton  5  and  Sunbury,  in  Middlesex. 


GRAHAM  EARL  GRAHAM.  209 


GRAHAM    EARL    GRAHAM. 

According  to  the  Scotch  historians,*  this  illustrious  family  is  as 
ancient  as  the  restoration  of  the  monarchy  of  Scotland  by  Fer- 
gus II.  and  derive  their  origin  from  the  renowned  Greme,  who 
governing  Scotland  during  the  minority  of  his  grandchild,  Eu- 
gene II.  (whose  reign  began  A.  D.  41  ()),  had  divers  engagements 
with  the  Britons,  and,  by  forcing  that  mighty  rampart  they  had 
reared  up  between  the  rivers  of  Forth  and  Clyde,  immortalized 
his  name  so  much,  as  to  this  day  that  trench  is  called  Graham's- 
Dyke. 

It  is  certain  the  family  is  as  ancient  as  any  in  Scotland  now  on 
record  5  for  William  de  Greme  is  one  of  the  witnesses  to  the 
foundation  of  Holy-Rood-House  Abbey,  by  David  I.  in  1125; 
and  after,  at  the  special  instance  of  the  said  King,  he  gave  to  the 
Monks  of  Hadington,  the  lands  of  Clerkingtoun,  when  Adda, 
Countess  of  Northumberland,  founded  that  convent. 

Sir  David  Graeme,  Knight,  Pater,  the  direct  ancestor  of  the 
illustrious  family  of  Montrose,  obtained  a  grant  of  the  lands  of 
Charltoun,  and  Burrow  field,  infra  Vic.  de  Forfar  cum  Dominiis 
&  Tenendariis  Thanagi  de  Kinaber,b  from  King  William,  who 
was  styled  the  Lion,  and  reigned  from  11 65  to  1214.  He  also, 
in  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  Alexander  II.  who  succeeded 
King  William,  obtained  a  charter  of  the  land  of  Clifton,  and 
Clifton-Holl,  in  Mid-Lothian  (the  superiority  of  which  is  still  in 
the  family  of  Montrose),  from  Henry  de  Graeme,  who  is  de- 
signed his  cousin,  and  was  the  ancestor  of  the  Graemes  of  Aber» 

*  See  Dr.  Abercrombie,  Vol.  1.  p.  $49. 
b  Charta  penes  Ducem  de  Montrosev 

vol.  iv.  r 


210  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

corn,  from  whom  the  Grahams  of  Torbolton,  Weilston,  &c.  are 
descended.0  He  left  issue  three  sons)  Sir  Patrick,  Sir  Thomas, 
William,  besides 

Sir  David,  his  heir,  who  had  a  grant  from  Maldwin  Earl  of 
Lenox,  of  the  lands  of  Strathblane  and  Mugdock  j  and  from  Pa- 
trick Earl  of  Dunbar,  he  got  two  lofts  of  Melekston,  &c.  and  the 
lands  of  Dundaff  and  Strathcaron,  quod  fait  Forestum  Regis,  in 
exchange  for  his  lands  of  Gartonquhar,  in  Galloway.  By  Agnes 
his  wife,  he  had 

Sir  David,  the  third  of  that  name,  who  obtained  distinct  char- 
ters of  his  whole  lands,  which  were  ratified  to  him  under  the 
Great  Seal  of  Alexander  III.  This  Sir  David,  the  third,  also  got 
the  barony  of  Kincardine,  in  the  county  of  Perth,  from  Malise 
Earl  of  Strathern,  whose  sister,  Anabella,  he  married/  and  by 
her  had  three  sons  3  Sir  Patrick,  the  heir  of  the  family}  Sir  John, 
who  was  the  faithful  companion  of  Sir  William  Wallace,  and  was 
killed  at  Falkirk,  July  22d,  1298,  and  was  buried  in  a  cbapcl 
there,  with  the  following  inscription  on  his  tomb,  which  is  yet  t» 
be  seen, 

Mente  Manuque  potens,  et  Vallae  fidus  Achates, 
Condi tur  hie  Gramus,  bello  interfectus  ab  Anglis. 

and  Sir  David,  one  of  the  arbiters  for  John  Baliol,  in  his  compe- 
tition for  the  Scottish  crown,  A.  D.  1292. 

Which  Sir  Patrick  executed  the  Office  of  Sheriff  of  the 
county  of  Stirling  in  the  time  of  the  said  Alexander  III.  and  in 
1284,  was  one  of  the  Magnates  Scotiae,  who  in  a  most  solemn 
manner  bound  themselves  by  their  oaths  and  seals,  in  case  that 
King  should  die  without  heirs  of  his  own  body,  to  receive  and 
acknowledge  the  Princess  Margaret,  the  Maid  of  Norway,  his 
Majesty's  grandchild,  as  their  lawful  Queen.  He  was  after  killed 
at  the  battle  of  Dunbar,  against  the  English,  in  J  2Q6,  e  strenu- 
ously asserting  the  honour  and  independency  of  his  country,  leav- 
ing issue  Sir  David  his  successor,  and  Sir  John  Graham,  Knight, 
who,  in  1317,  granted  the  patronage  of  the  church  of  Newlands 

to  the  abbey  of  Dunfermline,  and  a  daughter married  to  Sir 

Malcolm  Drummond,  ancestor  of  the  family  of  Perth. 

Sir  David  Graham,  eldest  son  of  Sir  Patrick,  was  also  a  great 
patron  of  the  liberties  of  his  country,  after  the  abdication  of  John 

e  Douglas's  Peerage  of  Scotland.  d  Ibidem. 

«  Abercrombie's  Martial  Achievements  of  the  Scots'  Nation. 


GRAHAM  EARL  GRAHAM.  211 

Baliol,  and  a  strenuous  opposer  of  King  Edward  I.  of  England ; 
for  which,  when  that  Prince  offered  an  indemnity  to  such  of  the 
Scottish  nation  as  would  submit  to  him,  Sir  David  was  one  of 
those  few  who  were  particularly  excepted.  As  he  was  a  great 
patriot  for  his  country,  so  he  was  a  very  zealous  loyalist  in  behalf 
of  King  Robert  Bruce  j  upon  whose  accession  to  the  throne  he 
had  divers  grants  of  lands,  in  consideration  of  his  good  and  faith- 
ful services  before  that  time  performed.  He  exchanged  his  lands 
of  Cardross,  in  Dunbartonshire,  with  the  said  King,  for  the  lands 
of  Old  Montrose,  in  the  county  of  Forfar.  This  Sir  David  was 
also  one  of  those  Barons,  who,  in  1320,  wrote  that  letter  to  Pope 
John  XXII.  asserting  the  independency  of  Scotland,  wherein  they 
highly  extol  their  sovereign,  Robert  Bruce,  as  the  nation's  glo- 
rious deliverer,  and  the  preserver  of  the  liberties  of  the  people ; 
in  which  famous  record  the  seal  of  this  noble  person  is  still  en- 
tire/ He  died  soon  after  1327,  the  year  in  which  the  said  King 
Robert  departed  this  life,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son, 

Sir  David  Graham,  who,  inheriting  the  patriotism  and  bravery 
of  his  ancestors,  was  a  steady  friend  to  King  David,  the  son  of 
Robert  Bruce;  and  accompanying  that  Prince  at  the  battle  of  Dur- 
ham, October  17th,  1346,  was  there  taken  prisoner  with  him: 
but  was  released  before  the  year  1354 ;  for  then  he  was  one  of 
the  Scottish  grandees  employed  to  negotiate  the  ransom  of  their 
Sovereign.  He  died  after  the  year  1300,  and  left  issue  Sir  Pa- 
trick, his  son  and  heir,  and  a  daughter,  married  to  William  Earl 
of  Ross. 

The  said  Sir  Patrick,  styled  in  his  father's  time  Lord  of  Dun- 
daff  and  Kincardine,  was  one  of  the  hostages  for  the  ransom  of 
King  David,  when  the  terms  of  his  redemption  were  concerted 
by  the  commissioners  of  both  kingdoms,  in  1357.  On  the  acces- 
sion of  King  Robert  II.  to  the  crown,  when  the  two  great  entails 
were  made  in  favour  of  the  King's  eldest  son,  the  Earl  of  Car- 
rick,  A.  D.  1371,  Sir  Patrick's  name  is  inserted  in  the  one,  and 
his  seal  is  appended  to  the  other.  He  had,  by  his  first  wife,  Maud, 
Sir  William,  Lord  of  Graham,  his  successor,  and  a  daughter, 
Maud,  married  to  Sir  John  Drummond,  of  Concraig. 

And  by  his  second  wife,  Eupham,  daughter  to  Sir  John  Stew- 
art/ brother  to  King  Robert  II.  and  sister  to  Walter  Stewart, 
Lord  of  Railston,  he  had  issue  Sir  Patrick  Graham,  of  Elieston, 

f  Charta  in  Publ.  Arch.  Scot. 
S  Chart,  penes  Dwcem  dc  Montrose. 


212  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

progenitor  of  the  Earls  of  Menteith.h     2.   Robert.     3.  David. 

4.  Alexander. 

Which  Sir  William,  Lord  of  Graham,  was  Lord  of  Kincar- 
dine, in  1404,'  and  joined  in  commission,  with  other  Lords  and 
Barons,  to  treat  with  the  English  concerning  a  peace  and  amity 
betwixt  the  two  realms ;  and  two  years  after  was  sent  on  an  em- 
bassy to  England,  with  the  Earls  of  Crawford  and  Mar  j  which 
negotiation  they  performed  with  honour  and  success.  He  mar- 
ried, first,  Mariota,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Oliphant,  of  Aberdalgy, 
by  whom  he  had 

1.  Alexander,  his  eldest  son,  who  died  in  the  lifetime  of  his 
father. 

And,  2.  John. 

He  married,  secondly,  the  Lady  Mariot  Stewart,  daughter  of 
Robert  III.  widow  of  George  Earl  of  Angus,  and  of  Sir  James 
Kennedy,  of  Dnnure,k  and  by  her  had,  1.  Sir  Robert  Graham,  of 
Strathcarron,  first  of  the  branch  of  the  Grahams  of  Fintrie,  and 
Claverhouse.  2.  Patrick;  who,  entering  into  orders,  was  first 
promoted  to  the,  episcopal  see  of  Breechin,  and  translated  thence 
to  the  bishoprick  of  St.  Andrew's  in  1466.  3.  William,  of  whom 
descended  the  Grahams  of  Garvock  and  Balgowan.     4.  Harry. 

5.  Walter  Graham,  of  Wallacetown,  who  was  the  ancestor  of  the 
Grahams  of  Knockdolian,  and  its  cadets. 

The  said  Sir  William  departing  this  life  in  1424,1  his  estate  and 
honour  devolved  on 

Patrick,  his  grandson  and  heir  (son  and  heir  of  Alexander, 
who  died  in  his  lifetime),  who  was  appointed  one  of  the  Lords  of 
the  Regency  in  the  minority  of  James  II.  and  prudently  and 
faithfully  discharged  that  trust  for  several  years  after;  in  consi- 
deration whereof,  and  having  been  one  of  the  hostages  for  the 
ransom  of  King  James  I.  he  was  made  a  Lord  of  Parliament 
about  the  year  1445.  He  died  in  January  1467,  leaving  issue,  by 
Elizabeth  his  wife, 

William  second  Lord  Graham,  his  son  and  heir,  appointed 
Ambassador  Extraordinary  to  the  court  of  England,  1496,  who 
married  Jane,  daughter  of  George  Earl  of  Angus,  and  dying  in 
1472,  left  issue,  1.  William,  his  successor. 

2.  George,  of  whom  is  the  branch  of  the  Grahams  of  Ca- 
lendar. 

h  Chart,  penes  Ducem  de  Montrose.  *  Rymer's  Feed.  Angliae. 

k  Chart,  in  Pub.  Arch.  l  Charta  penes  Ducem  de  Montrose. 


GRAHAM  EARL  GRAHAM.  213 

And  two  daughters}  Jane,  married  to  John  second  Lord  Ogilvie 
of  Airly^  and  Christian,  married  to  James  Halden,  of  Gleneagles, 
and  after  to  Sir  Thomas  Maul,  of  Panmure. 

Which  Willi  am,  third  Lord  Gra^a?/z,adhered  firmly  to  James  III. 
in  the  time  of  his  greatest  distress ;  and  when  that  unfortunate 
Prince  was,  in  1488,  forced  to  take  the  field,  and  raise  an  army 
in  his  own  defence,  the  Lord  Graham  resorted  to  him,  and  cheer- 
fully took  a  command  in  the  army,  in  which  be  continued  till 
the  death  of  the  King  on  June  1 1th.  He  was  also  in  great  favour 
with  James  IV.  who  by  Letters  of  Creation,  raised  him  to  the 
dignity  of  Earl  of  Montrose,  March  3d,  1504.m 

He  married,  first,  Annabella,  daughter  of  John  Lord  Drum- 
mond,n  by  whom  he  had  William,  the  heir  of  the  family  j  se- 
condly, Janet,  daughter  of  Sir  Archibald  Edmonston,  of  Duntreath,0 
by  whom  he  had  Lndy  Margaret,  espoused  to  William  master  of 
Lenox;  and,  secondly,  to  Sir  John  Somerville,  of  Cambusnethan; 
Lady  Elizabeth,  to  Walter  Drummond,  grandson  and  heir  of  John 
first  Lord  Drummond  ;  Lady  Nicholas,  to  Sir  William  Murray, 
of  Abercairny. 

This  William,^™/  Earl  of  Montrose,  by  his  third  wife,  Christian 
Wavane,  had  two  sons;  Patrick,  first  of  the  family  seated  at 
Inchbraco,  out  of  which  branched  the  Grahams  of  Gorthie,  and 
Bucklivie;  and  Andrew,  who  was  the  first  Protestant  Bishop  of 
Dunblain,  promoted  thereto  on  the  deprivation  of  Bishop  Chi- 
solme,  1575. 

This  Earl  was  slain  at  the  battle  of  Flodden  with  King  James 
IV.  September  9th,  1513. 

William,  the  second  Earl  of  Montrose,  was  one  of  the  Peers 
to  whom  John  Duke  of  Albany,  Regent  of  Scotland  in  the  mi- 
nority of  James  V.  committed  the  tuition  of  .the  young  King, 
when  the  Duke  went  over  to  France  in  1523,  to  secure  that  crown 
in  the  interest  of  Scotland.  He  married  Janet,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Keith,  Earl  Marshal,  by  whom  he  had 

1 .  Robert,  Master  of  Montrose,  who  was  slain  at  the  battle 
of  Pinkey,  September  10th,  154/.  He  married  Margaret,  daugh- 
ter of  Malcolm  Lord  Fleming. 

2.  Alexander,  Pensioner  of  Cambuskenneth.  3.  William.  And, 
4.  Mungo,  of  whom  the  families  of  Orchil  and  Killern  are  de- 
scended:    likewise  five  daughters;   Lady  Margaret,  married  to 

m  Charta  penes  Ducem  de  Montrose.  n  Ibidem, 

0  Charta  penes  Dominum  de  Duntreath. 


214  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Robert,  Master  of  Erskine;  Lady  Elizabeth,  to  George  Sinclair, 
Earl  of  Caithness ;  Lady  Agnes,  to  Sir  William  Murray,  of  Tuli- 
bardin  -}  Janet,  to  Sir  Andrew  Murray,  of  Balvaird  -,  Catherine,  to 
John  Graham,  of  Knoekdolain. 

His  Lordship  dying  on  May  25th,  157 1,  was  succeeded  by  his 
grandson, 

John,  potshumous  son  of  Robert  aforesaid,  Master  of  Mon- 
trose, who  thus  became  third  Earl  of  Montrose.  On  the  fall  of 
the  Earl  of  Gowrie  the  Lord  Treasurer,  this  noble  Lord  got  the 
White  Staff,  on  May  1st,  1582,  which  he  did  not  hold  long 3  for 
on  another  turn  at  court,  the  Earl  surrendered  the  Treasurer's 
place  to  Sir  Thomas  Lyon,  of  Auldbar,  in  1585  j  after  which  the 
Earl  of  Montrose  continued  in  the  Council,  though  he  had  no 
other  office  in  the  State,  till  the  Chancellor's  place  falling,  by  the 
decease  of  John  Maitland,  Lord  Thirlstane,  when  he  was  prefer- 
red thereunto  in  January  1 598 :  in  which  station  his  Lordship 
continued  till  1604,  when  it  being  judged  necessary  that  the 
Chancellor  should  be  a  Lawyer,  his  Lordship  resigned  it.  But 
on  the  Lord  Fivie's  being  made  Chancellor,  the  Earl  of  Montrose 
was  made  Viceroy  of  Scotland  during  life,P  in  virtue  of  which 
commission  he  presided  in  the  Parliament  at  Perth,  A.  D.  1606, 
when  the  episcopal  government  was  restored  to  the  church.  His 
Lordship  died  on  November  9th,  1608/1  leaving  issue  by  Lilias  his 
wife,  daughter  of  David  Lord  Drummond,  John,  his  successor  -, 
Sir  Robert  Graham,  of  Innermeath  -y  Sir  William  Graham,  of 
Braco  j  and  a  daughter,  Lady  Lilias,  married  to  John  Fleming, 
first  Earl  of  Wigtoun. 

John,  fourth  Earl  of  Montrose,  being  a  person  of  great  parts 
and  abilities,  was  (as  Loyd  writes  in  his  Memoirs  of  Loyalists, 
p.  638),  Ambassador  to  several  Princes,  and  after  the  accession 
of  Charles  I.  to  the  Crown,  named  President  of  his  Majesty's 
most  honourable  Privy-Council,  which  he  enjoyed  even  till  his 
death,  November  24th,  1626.  By  Margaret  his  wife,  daughter 
of  William  Ruthven  Earl  of  Gowrie,  he  had  James,  his  son  and 
heir,  first  Marquis  of  Montrose. 

Also  four  daughters  $  Lady  Lilias,  married  to  Sir  John  Col- 
quhoun,  of  Luss,  Bart,  j  Lucy  Margaret,  to  Archibald,  first  Lord 
Napier  5  Lady  Dorothea,  to  James  first  Lord  Rolloj  and  Lady 
Beatrix,  to  David  Drummond,  Lord  Maderty. 

P  Craufurd's  Peerage  of  Scotland,  fo.  339. 
1  Charta  penes  Ducem  de  Montrose. 


GRAHAM  EARL  GRAHAM.  215 

James,  his  successor,  after  Marquis  of  Montrose,  was  born  in 
1(512,  and  was  one  of  the  greatest  heroes  of  the  time.  Having 
the  misfortune  to  lose  his  father r  when  he  was  young,  and  being 
the  only  son  of  the  family,  his  friends,  in  order  to  raise  up  heirs 
to  his  illustrious  house,  prevailed  with  him,  when  he  was  but  a 
youth,  to  marry,  which  he  complied  with.  His  marriage  gave  a 
great  interruption  to  his  studies  j  but  quickly  finding  the  loss  he 
should  sustain  if  he  did  not  go  through  with  his  education,  he 
got  good  masters  at  home,  wherein  he  made  so  great  a  proficiency 
and  progress,  that  in  a  very  little  time  he  became  not  only  very 
learned,  but  a  critic  in  the  Greek  and  Latin ;  after  which,  for  his 
further  improvement,  he  travelled  into  foreign  parts,  where  he 
spent  some  years  in  attaining  the  languages,  and  learning  the  ex- 
ercises then  in  vogue,  in  which  he  excelled  most  men,  and  came 
over  to  England  by  the  time  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He 
was  (as  Loyd  observes,  p.  638),  Captain  of  the  Guard  in  France; 
and  by  Duke  Hamilton  invited  into  England,  to  address  himself 
to  Charles  I.  And  coming  to  the  Court,  intended  to  live  there 
in  a  view  of  serving  the  Crown,  and  of  raising  himself  to  those 
honours  and  employments,  which  both  his  birth  and  personal 
qualifications  well  entitled  him  to;  but  in  his  attendance  there, 
meeting  with  some  discountenance  from  the  King,  which  was 
very  artfully  brought  about,  he  left  the  Court,  and  returning  to 
Scotland,  he  joined  in  1638  with  the  discontented  party  who  ap- 
peared most  forward  for  redress  of  grievances  of  the  Church,  inso- 
much, that  he  soon  became  one  of  the  principal  and  most  active 
Lords  for  the  Covenant  and  Reformation.  In  3  639,  a  Parliament 
and  General  Assembly  being  to  be  convened  in  August,  the  King 
commanded  fourteen  of  the  principal  covenanting  Lords  to  attend 
him  at  Berwick;  but  they  being  conscious  to  themselves,  and 
fearing  confinement,  sent  only  the  Earls  of  Montrose,  Loudon, 
and  Lothian ;  who  having  conferred  with  some  appointed  by  his 
Majesty,  some  of  them  came  to  see  their  own  errors  and  danger. 
After  the  first  expeditton  of  the  Covenanters  into  England,  the 
Earl,  on  his  observation  of  the  unwarrantable  prosecution  of  the 
ends  of  the  Covenant,  gave  up  his  command  in  their  army;  and 
made  a  full  tender  of  his  service  to  his  Majesty,  which  brought 
him  so  much  into  the  jealousy  of  the  party  he  had  formerly  been 
of,  that  there  was  no  room  left  to  doubt  of  his  sincerity  to  the 
King.    The  Earl  of  Clarendon  insinuates,  in  his  History  of  the 

1  Charta  penes  Ducem  de  Montrose. 


216  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Civil  War,  that  while  the  King  was  in  Scotland,  the  Earl  of 
Montrose  offered  to  make  away  two  great  men,  who  were  not  so 
cordial  in  the  King's  interest  as  could  have  been  wished :  but 
from  original  papers  in  the  custody  of  the  Duke  of  Montrose,  it 
appears  that  the  Earl  of  Montrose  was  a  prisoner  in  the  castle  of 
Edinburgh,  for  corresponding  with  the  King,  from  June  1641 
till  January  after;  and  the  King  came  down  in  August,  and  re- 
turned in  November  j  so  it  is  clear  he  was  a  prisoner  all  the  while 
his  Majesty  was  in  Scotland.  And  the  noble  author  beforemen- 
tioned  observes,  "  That  the  Earl  of  Montrose  deserving  as  much 
as  any  man,  in  contributing  more,  and  appearing  sooner  for  the 
King,  being  indeed  a  man  of  the  best  quality  who  did  so  soon 
discover  himself,  and  it  may  be  he  did  it  the  sooner  in  opposition 
to  Argyle;  the  people  looking  upon  them  both  as  young  men  of 
unlimited  ambition,  and  used  to  say,  they  were  like  Caesar  and 
Pompey,  the  one  would  endure  no  superior,  and  the  other  would 
have  no  equal."  After  his  releasement,  he  lived  for  the  most  part 
privately  at  his  seat  in  the  country,  till  the  meeting  of  the  con- 
vention, 1643,  when  he  secretly  withdrew  out  of  Scotland  to  the 
King,  a  few  days  before  the  siege  was  raised  from  Gloucester ; 
and  gave  his  Majesty  the  first  clear  information  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  convention,  of  the  resolutions  that  would  be  there  taken, 
and  of  the  posture  the  kingdom  would  speedily  be  in.  He  also 
made  some  propositions  to  the  King  for  the  remedy,  which  there 
was  not  (says  the  Earl  of  Clarendon),  then  time  to  consult  of: 
but  when  his  Majesty  returned  to  Oxford  after  the  battle  of  New- 
bury, he  was  very  willing  to  hearken  to  any  overture  the  Earl 
should  make,  in  reference  to  what  could  be  done,  to  prevent  the 
mischief  like  to  ensue  to  his  Majesty's  affairs,  by  a  combination 
betwixt  the  Scots  Covenanters  and  the  English  Parliament  : 
wherefore,  that  his  Majesty  might  have  this  important  affair 
brought  to  a  full  resolution,  he  was  pleased  to  hold  several  con- 
ferences with  the  Earl :  but  all  the  advances  made  toward  the 
execution  of  any  attempt  for  the  King's  service,  were  checked  by 
his  Majesty's  not  being  able  to  give  any  troops  to  the  Earl,  by  the 
protection  whereof  the  loyal  party  of  the  kingdom  might  come 
to  his  assistance,  and  discover  their  affections  to  his  Majesty. 
However,  the  vigorous  spirit  of  the  Earl  of  Montrose  stirred  him 
up  to  make  some  attempt  which  he  thought  might  be  of  service 
to  the  King  :  and  therefore  proposed  that  his  Majesty  should  give 
a  command  to  the  Earl  of  Antrim,  to  raise  and  sent  over  a  body 
of  2000  men  into  the  Highlands  of  Scotland,  to  be  a  foundation 


GRAHAM  EARL  GRAHAM.  217 

for  raising  forces  there ;  and  that  if  his  Majesty  would  grant  him 
a  commission  to  command  that  army,  he  would  himself  be  in  the 
Highlands  to  receive  them,  and  run  his  fortune  with  them  ;  and 
that  if  no  time  were  lost  in  prosecuting  that  design,  he  hoped  by 
the  time  the  Scottish  army'  should  be  ready  to  take  the  field,  they 
should  receive  such  an  alarm  from  their  own  country  as  should 
hinder  their  advance  into  England.  On  this  overture  the  King 
conferred  with  the  two  Lords,  and  finding  the  Earl  of  Antrim 
forward  to  undertake  the  raising  as  many  men  as  should  be  de- 
sired, his  Majesty  resolved  to  encourage  it  5  and  therefore,  that 
the  Earl  of  Montrose  might  depart  with  the  better  character,  and 
testimony  of  his  favour,  and  be  thereby  better  qualified  to  per- 
form the  great  trust  reposed  in  him,  his  Majesty  was  pleased  to 
create  him  Marquis  of  Montrose,  by  letters  patent,  bearing  date 
May  l(3th,  l644;s  and  gave  him  a  commission,  constituting  his 
Lordship  Captain  general  and  Commander  in  chief  of  all  the 
forces  to  be  raised  in  Scotland  for  his  Majesty's  service.  On 
taking  his  leave  of  the  King,  accompanied  by  several  gentlemen, 
he  began  his  journey,  as  if  he  meant  to  make  his  way  in  company 
with  them  into  Scotland ;  but  after  he  had  been  two  or  three 
days  in  that  equipage,  which  he  knew  could  be  no  secret,  and 
that  it  would  draw  the  enemy's  troops  together,  for  the  guard  of 
all  passes,  to  meet  with  him,  the  Marquis  was  found  missing  one 
morning  by  his  company  j  who,  after  some  stay  and  inquiry,  re- 
turned back  to  Oxford,  while  this  noble  person  with  incredible 
address  and  fatigue,  not  only  quitted  his  company  and  his  ser- 
vants, but  his  horse  also  3  and  found  a  safe  passage,  most  part  on 
foot,  through  all  the  enemies  quarters,  till  he  came  to  the  very 
borders  j  from  whence,  by  the  assistance  of-' friends  whom  he 
trusted,  he  found  himself  secure  in  the  Highlands,  with  his  most 
faithful  friend  the  Laird  of  Inchbracoe,1  where  he  lay  quiet  with- 
out undertaking  any  action,  until  the  Earl  of  Antrim  made  good 
so  much  of  his  undertaking,  that  he  sent  over  Colonel  Alexander 
Macdonald,  with  a  regiment  of  15CO  soldiers,  who  lauded  in  the 
Highlands,  at  or  near  the  place  agreed  on,u  where  the  Marquis 
was  ready  to  receive  him  3  which  he  did  with  great  joy,  and 
quickly  published  his  commission  of  being  General  for  the  King 
over  all  the  kingdom. 

With  this  handful  of  men  thus  brought  together,  he  brought 

8  Charta  penes  Ducem  de  Montrose.  *  Guthrie's  Memoirs. 

u  Wishart's  Memoirs  of  the  Marquis  of  Montrose. 


218  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

in  so  many  of  his  countrymen  to  join  with  him,  as  were  soon 
strong  enough  to  arm  themselves  at  the  charge  of  their  enemies, 
whom  they  first  defeated,  and  every  day  increased  in  power,  till 
he  fought  and  prevailed  in  the  several  battles  of  Tippermuir,  Al- 
ford,  Aldearn,  Aberdeen,  Inverlochy,  and  Kilsyth,  that  he  made 
himself,  in  little  more  than  one  year,  master  of  the  greatest  part 
of  the  kingdom ;  and  did  all  those  stupendous  acts,  which  are 
deservedly  the  subject  of  a  History  excellently  written  in  Latin 
by  Dr.  George  Wisnart,  Bishop  of  Edinburgh,  though  very  ill 
translated  since  by  an  unknown  hand.x 

After  the  battle  of  Kilsyth  in  1645,  where  he  defeated  the 
greatest  army  the  Covenanters  ever  got  together,  killing  and 
taking  five  thousand  foot  and  four  hundred  horse,  the  Marquis 
marched  eastward,  took  the  city  of  Edinburgh  ff  and  advancing 
his  course  towards  England,  he  was  unexpectedly  attacked  by 
Major  general  David  Lesley,  with  the  whole  strength  of  the  Scots 
horse,  at  Philiphaugh,  September  13th,  l645,z  where  he  was  to- 
tally defeated;  so  that  his  future  triumph  was  not  only  prevented, 
but  he  was  compelled  with  great  loss  to  retire  again  to  the  High- 
lands, for  recruiting  of  his  army;  in  which  he  had  wonderfully 
succeeded,  when  he  received  his  Majesty's  positive  orders/  while 
he  was  in  the  hands  of  the  Scots  army  before  Newark,  to  lay 
down  his  arms  by  a  certain  day  prefixed,  and  to  leave  the  king- 
dom, till  when  they  pretended  they  could  not  declare  for  his  Ma- 
jesty j  and  this  (as  the  Earl  of  Clarendon  writes),  was  done  with 
so  much  earnestness,  and  by  a  particular  messenger  known  and 
trusted,  that  the  Marquis  obeyed,  and  transported  himself  into 
France,  toward  the  end  of  the  year  l64(5.b  He  resided  there  for 
some  time,  and  took  the  opportunity  while  he  attended  at  the 
French  court,  to  make  some  overtures  to  Cardinal  Mazarine,  to 
raise  an  army  for  the  service  of  the  King,  which  the  crafty  Car- 
dinal did  not  receive,  says  the  Lord  Clarendon,  with  that  regard 
the  Marquis's  great  name  deserved.  Thereupon  he  left  France, 
and  made  a  journey  into  Germany,  to  the  Emperor's  court,  de- 
siring to  see  armies  till  he  could  come  to  command  them :  and 
was  offered  by  his  Imperial  Majesty  (as  Loyd  writes),  the  com- 
mand of  ten  thousand  men  against  the  Swedes.  But  being  desir- 
ous of  serving  his  own  Sovereign,  he  returned  thence  to  Brussels, 

x  See  Cens.  Lit.  II.  264.  Y  The  Bishop  of  Dunkeld's  Memoirs. 

2  Bishop  Guthrie's  Memoirs. 

•  Clarendon's  Hist,  of  Rebel,  fol.  Vol.  III.  p.  *j. 

b  Bishop  Wishart  prjed. 


GRAHAM  EARL  GRAHAM.  21£ 

where  he  lay  privately,  for  some  time,  till  he  heard  of  the  murder 
of  the  King.  Then  he  sent  King  Charles  II.  the  tender  of  his 
service,  and  to  know,  if  his  Majesty  thought  his  attendance  upon 
him  might  bring  any  prejudice  to  his  affairs  5  and  if  so,  desired 
he  would  send  over  the  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer  (after  Earl 
of  Clarendon),  to  Sevenberg,  a  town  in  Flanders,  where  he  was 
at  present  to  expect  him,  and  had  matters  to  communicate  to 
him  of  much  importance  to  his  Majesty's  service.  The  Marquis 
having  met  with  some  coldness  from  the  Queen  at  Paris,  the 
King  commanded  the  Chancellor  presently  to  go  to  him,  and,  if 
he  could,  without  exasperating  him  (which  he  had  no  mind  to 
do),  persuade  him  rather  for  some  time  to  suspend  his  coming  to 
the  Hague,  than  presently  to  appear  there;  which  was  an  injunc- 
tion very  disagreeable  to  the  Chancellor  (as  he  himself  writes), 
who,  in  his  judgment,  believed  his  Majesty  should  bid  him  very 
welcome,  and  prefer  him  before  any  other  of  that  nation  in  his 
esteem.  After  some  conferences,  he  promised  not  to  come  to  the 
Hague,  till  he  should  first  receive  advice  from  the  Chancellor  ; 
but  when  he  heard  of  the  Commissioners  being  come  from  Scot- 
land,  he  would  no  longer  defer  his  journey  thither,  but  came  well 
attended  by  servants  and  officers,  and  presented  himself  to  the 
King,  with  the  tender  of  his  service  ;  who  received  him  with  a 
very  good  countenance,  and  as  a  most  gracious  testimony  of  his 
great  fidelity  and  merit,  presented  him  with  the  Ensigns  of  the 
most  noble  Order  of  the  Garter. 

While  the  King  remained  at  the  Hague,  there  were,  besides 
the  Marquis  of  Montrose,  and  those  of  the  Nobility  who  adhered 
to  him,  the  Commissioners  who  came  from  the  Council  and  the 
Kirk,  to  invite  his  Majesty  into  Scotland,  or  rather  to  let  him 
know  on  what  terms  he  might  come  thither;  and  the  Duke  of 
Hamilton,  with  others  of  the  Nobility  who  joined  with  him, 
made  another  party.  There  was  nothing  the  King  wished  for 
more,  than  some  expedient  might  be  found  out  to  unite  all  par- 
ties; especially  that  there  might  be  a  union  and  reconciliation 
betwixt  Montrose  and  the  Hamilton  faction,  who  had  an  equal 
desire  to  serve  the  King,  and  were  as  much  persecuted  by  the 
party  who  then  governed,  as  the  Marquis  was;  yet  the  animosity 
of  each  of  them  was  so  much  against  him,  that  they  were  equally 
his  implacable  enemies ;  and  did  not  only  refuse  to  meet  with 
him,  but  as  soon  as  he  came  into  the  room  where  they  were, 
though  his  Majesty  himself  was  present,  they  immediately  with- 
drew; and,  as  the  Earl  of  Clarendon  writes,  had  the  confidence 


220  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

to  desire  the  King,  that  the  Marquis  of  Montrose  (whom  they 
called  James  Graham),,  might  be  forbidden  to  come  into  his  Ma- 
jesty's presence  or  court,  because  he  stood  excommunicated  by 
the  Kirk,  and  degraded  and  forefaulted  by  the  judicatory  of  the 
kingdom.  His  Majesty  decjared  his  being  very  much  offended 
at  this  demand ;  which  he  made  manifest,  by  using  the  Marquis 
with  the  more  countenance,  and  in  holding  the  more  frequent 
conferences  with  him  (as  the  Earl  of  Clarendon  writes).  Also, 
that  the  King  finding  that  it  was  not  possible  to  bring  the  Lords 
of  the  Scottish  nation  together  to  confer  upon  the  affairs  of  that 
kingdom,  he  thought  to  have  drawn  them  severally;  that  is,  those 
of  the  engagement  by  themselves,  and  the  Marquis  of  Montrose, 
with  his  friends,  by  themselves ;  to  have  given  him  their  advice 
in  the  presence  of  his  Council,  so  that  upon  debate  thereof  be- 
tween them,  his  Majesty*  might  the  more  maturely  have  deter- 
mined what  he  was  to  do.  The  Marquis  of  Montrose  expressed 
a  great  willingness  to  give  his  Majesty  satisfaction  in  this,  or  any 
other  way;  being  willing  to  deliver  his  opinion  concerning  things 
or  persons,  before  any  body,  and  in  any  place :  but  the  Lords  of 
the  Engagement  positively  refused  to  deliver  their  opinion  but  to 
the  King  himself,  and  not  in  the  presence  of  his  Council. 

The  Marquis  clearly  perceived  the  Lords  of  the  other  parties 
would  never  unite  with  him,  and  that  his  attendance  on  the  King 
might  possibly  bring  some  prejudice  to  his  service;  and  therefore 
proposed  to  his  Majesty  to  give  him  letters  and  credentials  to 
several  Princes  in  Germany,  and  to  the  Northern  Crowns,  by 
which  he  might  appear  Ambassador  extraordinary  from  the  King, 
if  he  should  find  it  expedient,  by  the  help  of  those  Princes,  to 
obtain  the  loan  of  money,  arms,  and  ammunition,  to  enable  him 
to  prosecute  his  intended  descent  into  Scotland  :  and  the  King, 
says  the  Earl  of  Clarendon,  glad  that  he  did  not  press  for  ready 
money,  which  he  was  not  able  to  supply  him  with,  gave  him 
such  letters  as  he  desired,  and  a  commission  to  raise  such  a 
force  together,  as,  by  the  help  of  those  Princes  he  went  to,  he 
might  be  enabled  to  do:  upon  which  the  Marquis  set  out  for 
Hamburgh,  which  he  appointed  for  the  rendezvous  of  all  those 
troops  he  expected  from  Germany,  having  before  sent  the  King's 
letters  to  the  German  Princes  by  several  of  his  officers.  He  made 
no  long  stay  there,  but  went  in  person  both  to  Sweden  and  Den- 
mark, where  he  found  the  performance  very  disproportionable  to 
the  hopes  and  encouragement  he  had  received  from  thence ; 
whereby  he  was  obliged  to  return  to  Plamburgh,  with  very  small 


GRAHAM  EARL  GRAHAM.  221 

supplies  from  either  or  both  those  kingdoms;  and  there  he  re- 
ceived no  better  account  from  those  officers  he  had  sent  to  Ger- 
many :  therefore,  concluding  that  all  his  hopes  from  Germany 
and  those  Northern  Princes  would  not  increase  the  strength  he 
had  already,  which  did  not  amount  to  above  five  hundred,  he,  in 
the  depth  of  winter,  caused  those  soldiers  he  had  drawn  toge- 
ther, to  be  embarked  for  Scotland,  and  sent  officers  with  them, v 
who  knew  the  country,  with  directions  that  they  should  land  in 
such  a  place  in  the  Highlands,  and  remain  there  till  he  came  to 
them,  or  sent  them  orders.  Then  in  another  vessel,  commanded 
by  a  Captain  very  faithful  to  the  King,  and  who  was  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  coast,  he  embarked  himself,  with  near  an  hun- 
dred officers,  and  landed  in  another  creek,  not  far  from  the  other 
place  whither. his  soldiers  were  directed  :  and  both  the  one  and 
the  other  party  were  set  safely  on  shore  in  the  Orkneys,  April 
15th,  \650,c  thence  he  came  over  to  Caithness,  and  presently 
repaired  to  the  house  of  a  gentleman  of  quality,  who  expected 
him,  by  whom  he  was  well  received  j  and  thought  himself  in 
security,  till  he  might  put  his  affairs  in  some  method  :  after  he 
had  staid  there  a  short  time,  he  quickly  possessed  himself  of  an 
old  castle,  which,  in  respect  of  the  situation  in  a  country  so  im- 
possible for  an  army  to  march  in,  he  thought  strong  enough  for 
his  purpose.  Thither  he  conveyed  his  arms,  ammunition,  and 
troops,  which  he  had  brought  with  him  j  and  published  his  de- 
claration, ei  That  he  came  with  the  King's  commission,  to  assist 
those  his  good  subjects,  and  to  preserve  them  from  oppression : 
that  he  did  not  intend  to  give  any  interruption  to  the  treaty  that 
he  heard  was  entered  into  with  his  Majesty  j  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, hoped,  that  his  being  at  the  head  of  an  army,  hoiv  small 
soever,  that  was  faithful  to  the  King,  might  advance  the  same : 
that  he  had  given  sufficient  proof  in  his  former  actions,  if  any 
agreement  were  made  with  the  King,  upon  the  first  order  from 
his  Majesty,  he  would  lay  down  his  arms,  and  dispose  himself 
according  to  his  Majesty's  good  pleasure."  With  the  declarations, 
which  he  sent  to  his  friends,  and  dispersed  among  the  people,  as 
they  could  be  able,  he  wrote  likewise  to  those  of  the  Nobility, 
and  the  principal  heads  of  the  Highland  clans,  to  draw  such  forces 
together  as  they  thought  necessary  to  join  with  him  j  and  he  re- 
ceived answers  from  many  of  them,  by  which  they  desired  him 
to  advance  more  into  the  Low-lands,  and  assured  him  that  they 

c  Memoirs  of  the  Marquis  of  Montros?.  '•• 


222  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND.    ' 

would  resort  to  him  with  good  numbers  of  their  friends  and  fol- 
lowers., which  many  of  them  did  prepare  to  do  with  great  since- 
•  rity,  and  others  with  a  purpose  to  betray  him. 

The  alarm  of  Montrose's  landing  startled  the  Parliament,  then 
sitting  at  Edinburgh,  insomuch,  that  it  gave  them  no  leisure  to 
think  of  any  tiling  else  than  of  sending  forces  to  hinder  the  re- 
course of  others  to  join  with  him  ;  and  therefore  sent  Colonel 
Straghan  with  a  choice  party  of  the  best  horse  they  had,  to  make 
all  possible  haste  towards  him,  and  to  prevent  the  insurrections 
which  they  feared  would  be  in  several  parts  of  the  Highlands  ; 
and  within  a  few  days  after,  Lieutenant-general  Lesley  followed 
with  a  stronger  party  of  horse  and  foot.  The  encouragement  the 
Marquis  received  from  his  friends,  and  the  unpleasantness  of  the 
quarters  in  which  he  was,  prevailed  with  him  to  march  with 
these  few  troops  more  into  the  land;  and  the  Highlanders  flock- 
ing to  him  from  all  quarters,  made  him  undervalue  any  enemy 
that  he  thought  was  yet  like  to  encounter  him ;  but  the  Marquis 
being  without  any  body  of  horse  to  discover  the  motion  of  an 
enemy,  and  depending  upon  all  necessary,  intelligence  from  the 
affections  of  the  people ;  Straghan  made  such  haste  towards  him, 
that  he  was  within  a  small  distance  of  him  before  he  heard  of  his 
approach;  and  those  Highlanders  who  had  seemed  to  come  with 
much  zeal  to  him,  whether  terrified  or  corrupted,  left  him  on  a 
sudden,  or  threw  down  their  arms;  so  that  he  had  none  left  but 
a  company  of  good  officers,  and  five  or  six  hundred  foreigners, 
Dutch  and  Germans,  who  had  been  acquainted  with  their  officers  : 
with  these  he  betook  himself  to  a  place  of  some  advantage,  by 
the  inequality  of  the  ground  ;  and  there  they  made  a  defence  for 
a  time  with  notable  courage;  but  the  enemy  being  so  much  supe- 
rior in  number,  and  his  common  soldiers  being  all  foreigners,  after 
about  100  of  them  were  killed  upon  the  place,  they  threw  down 
their  arms;  and  the  Marquis,  seeing  all  lost,  threw  away  his  rib- 
bon and  George,  and  found  means  to  change  his  clothes  with  a 
fellow  of  the  country ;  and  so  after  having  gone  on  foot  two  or 
three  miles,  got  into  a  house  of  a  gentleman,  M'Leod  of  Assint,d 
where  he  remained  concealed  about  two  days;  but  whether  by 
the  owner  of  the  house,  or  any  other  way,  the  Marquis  was  disco- 
vered, he  there  was  taken  prisoner,  and  the  next  day  or  soon  after 
delivered  to  the  General,  who  had  come  up  with  his  forces,  and 
had  nothing  left  to  do  but  to  carry  him  in  triumph  to  Edinburgh. 

d  Mercurius  Politicus  ad  annum  1661. 


GRAHAM  EARL  GRAHAM.  223 

David  Lesley,  the  General,  treated  the  Marquis  with  great  in- 
solence 3  and  for  some  days  carried  him  in  the  same  clothes  and 
habit  in  which  he  was  taken,  but  at  last  permitted  him  to  buy 
better.  His  behaviour  was,  in  the  whole  time,  such  as  became  a 
great  man;  his  countenance  serene  and  chearful,  as  one  that  was 
superior  to  all  those  reproaches  they  had  prepared  the  people  to 
pour  out  upon  him,  in  all  the  places  through  which  he  was  to 
pass. 

When  he  came  to  one  of  the  gates  of  Edinburgh,  he  was  met 
by  some  of  the  Magistrates,  to  whom  he  was  delivered,  and  by 
them  presently  put  into  a  new  cart,  purposely  made,  in  which 
there  was  a  high  chair,  or  bench,  upon  which  he  sat,  that  the 
people  might  have  a  full  view  of  him,  being  bound  with  a  cord 
drawn  over  his  breast  and  shoulders,  and  fastened  through  holes 
made  in  the  cart.  When  he  was  in  this  posture  the  hangman 
took  off  his  hat,  and  rode  himself  before  the  cart  in  his  livery, 
and  with  his  bonnet  on  j  the  other  officers,  who  were  taken  pri- 
soners with  him,  walking  two  and  two  before  the  cart:  the  streets 
and  windows  being  full  of  people' to  behold  the  triumph  over  a 
person,  whose  name  had  made  them  tremble  some  few  years  be- 
fore, and  into  whose  hands  the  Magistrates  of  that  place  had, 
upon  their  knees,  delivered  the  keys  of  that  city.  In  this  manner 
he  was  carried  to  the  common  gaol,  and  received  and  treated  as  a 
common  malefactor. 

Within  two  days  after,  he  was  brought  before  the  Parliament, 
where  the  Chancellor  made  a  very  bitter  and  virulent  speech 
against  him ;  and  told  him,  te  He  had  broken  all  the  covenants 
by  which  the  nation  stood  obliged,  and  had  impiously  rebelled 
against  God,  the  King,  and  the  kingdom  j  that  he  had  commit- 
ted many  horrible  murders,  treason,  and  impieties,  for  all  which 
he  was  now  brought  to  surfer  condign  punishment  j"  with  all 
those  reproaches,  says  my  author,  against  his  person  and  his  ac- 
tions, which  the  liberty  of  that  place  gave  him  leave  to  use. 

Permission  was  then  given  him  to  speak,  and  without  the  least 
trouble  in  his  countenance,  or  disorder,  upon  all  the  indignities 
he  had  suffered,  he  told  them,  "  Since  the  King  had  owned  them 
so  far  as  to  treat  with  them,  he  had  appeared  before  them  with 
reverence,  and  bare-headed,  which  otherwise  he  would  not  wil- 
lingly have  done :  that  he  had  done  nothing  of  which  he  was 
ashamed,  or  had  cause  to  repent  -}  that  the  first  covenant  he  had 
taken,  and  complied  with  it,  and  with  them  who  took  it,  as  long 
as  the  ends  for  which  it  was  ordained  were  observed ;  but  when 


224  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

he  discovered,  which  was  now  evident  to  all  the  woTld,  that  pri- 
vate and  particular  men  designed  to  satisfy  their  own  ambition 
and  interest,  instead  of  considering  the  public  benefit)  and  that, 
under  the  pretence  of  reforming  some  errors  in  religion,  they  re- 
solved to  abridge  and  take  away  the  King's  just  power  and  law- 
ful authority,  he  had  withdrawn  himself  from  that  engagement : 
that  for  the  league  and  covenant  he  had  never  taken  it,  and 
therefore  could  not  break  it ;  and  it  was  now  apparent  to  the 
whole  Christian  world  what  monstrous  mischiefs  it  had  produced) 
that  when,  under  colour  of  ir,  an  army  from  Scotland  had  in- 
vaded England,  in  assistance  of  the  rebellion  that  was  then  against 
their  lawful  King,  he  had,  by  his  Majesty's  command,  received  a 
commission  from  him  to  raise  forces  in  Scotland,  that  he  might 
thereby  divert  them  from  the  other  odious  prosecution :  that  he 
had  executed  that  commission  with  the  obedience  and  duty  he 
owed  to  the  King  3  and  in  all  the  circumstances  of  it,  had  pro- 
ceeded like  a  gentleman  j  and  had  never  suffered  any  blood  to 
be  shed  but  in  the  heat  of  the  battle;  and  that  he  saw  many  per- 
sons there  whose  lives  he  had  saved:  that  when  the  King  com- 
manded him,  he  laid  down  his  arms,  and  withdrew  out  of  the 
kingdom;  which  they  could  not  have  compelled  him  to  have 
done."  He  said,  "  he  was  now  again  entered  into  the  kingdom 
by  his  Majesty's  command,  and  with  his  authority:  and  what 
success  soever  it  might  have  pleased  God  to  have  given  him,  he 
would  always  have  obeyed  commands  he  should  have  received 
from  him."  He  advised  them,  "  to  consider  well  of  the  conse- 
quences before  they  proceeded  against  him  ;  and  that  all  his  ac- 
tions might  be  examined  and  judged  by  the  laws  of  the  land,  or 
those  of  nations." 

And  soon  as  he  had  ended  his  discourse,  he  was  ordered  to 
withdraw;  and,  after  a  short  space,  was  again  brought  in,  and 
told  by  the  Chancellor,  °  That  he  was,  on  the  morrow,  the  one 
and  twentieth  of  May,  1650,  to  be  carried  to  Edinburgh  cross, 
and  there  to  be  hanged  upon  a  gallows  thirty  feet  high,  for  the 
space  of  three  hours,  and  then  to  be  taken  down,  and  his  head 
to  be  cut  off  upon  a  scaffold,  and  hanged  on  Edinburgh  tolbooth; 
his  legs  and  arms  to  be  hanged  up  in  other  public  towns  of  the 
kingdom,  and  his  body  to  be  buried  at  the  place  where  he  was  to 
be  executed,  except  the  Kirk  should  take  off  his  excommunica- 
tion ;  and  then  his  body  might  be  buried  in  the  common  place  of 
burial." 

He  desired  he  might  say  somewhat  to  them,  but  was  not  suf- 


GRAHAM  EARL  GRAHAM.  225 

feretl,  and  so  was  carried  back  to  the  prison ;  and  there,  that  he 
might  not  enjoy  any  ease  or  quiet,  during  the  short  remainder  of 
life,  their  ministers  came  presently  to  insult  over  him  with  all  the 
reproaches  imaginable ;  pronounced  his  damnation  j  and  assured 
him,  "  that  vhe  judgment  he  was  the  next  day  to  suffer,  was  but 
an  easy  prologue  to  that  which  he  was  to  undergo  afterwards." 
After  many  such  barbarities,  they  offered  to  intercede  for  him  to 
the  Kirk,  upon  his  repentance,  and  to  pray  with  him;  but  he  too 
well  understood  the  form  of  their  common-prayer  in  those  cases, 
to  be  only  the  most  virulent  and  insolent  imprecations  upon  the 
persons  of  those  they  prayed  against.     "  Lord,  vouchsafe  yet  to 
touch  the  obdurate  heart  of  this  proud  incorrigible  sinner,  this 
wicked,  perjured,  and  prophane  person,  who  refuses  to  hearken 
to  the  voice  of  the  Kirk,"  (and  the  like  charitable  expressions), 
and  therefore  he  desired  them  "  to  spare  their  pains,  and  leave 
him  to  his  own  devotions."  And  it  is  admirable  to  consider  with 
what  magnanimity  and  firmness  of  soul  he  heard  the  judgment 
that  condemned  him  to  be  quartered  5  replying  to  the  Chancellor 
who  pronounced  it,  "  That  he  was  prouder  to  have  his  head  set 
upon  the  place  it  was  appointed  to  be,  than  he  could  have  been 
to  have  had  his  picture  hang  in  the  King's  bed-chamber :  that  he 
was  so  far  from  being  troubled  that  his  four  limbs  were  to  be 
hanged  in  four  principal  cities  of  the  kingdom,  that  he  heartily 
wished  he  had  flesh  enough  to  be  sent  to  every  city  in  Christen- 
dom, as  a  testimony  of  the  cause  for  which  he  suffered." 

The  next  day  (May  21st.  1650),  every  part  and  circumstance 
of  that  barbarous  sentence  was  executed  upon  him  with  all  the 
inhumanity  imaginable ;  and  he  bore  it  with  all  the  courage  and 
magnanimity,  and  the  greatest  piety  that  a  good  Christian  could 
manifest.  He  magnified  the  virtue,  courage,  and  religion  of  the 
last  King;  commended  the  justice,  the  goodness,  and  under- 
standing of  the  present  King,  and  prayed,  ff  that  they  might  not 
betray  him  as  they  had  done  his  father."  When  he  had  ended 
all  he  had  to  say,  and  was  expecting  to  expire,  they  acted  yet  one 
scene  more  of  their  tyranny  on  him ;  the  hangman  brought  the 
book  that  had  been  published  of  his  truly  heroic  actions,  whilst 
he  commanded  in  the  kingdom,  together  with  his  declaration, 
tied  in  a  small  cord,  and  put  about  his  neck.  At  this  new  in- 
stance of  their  malice  the  Marquis  smiled,  and  thanked  them  for 
it ;  and  said,  "  he  was  pleased  it  should  be  there,  and  was  prouder 
of  wearing  it,  than  ever  he  had  been  of  the  Garter :"  and  so  re- 
vol.  it.  a 


226  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND 

Hewing  game  devout  ejaculations,  he  patiently  endured  the' last 
act  of  the  Executioner. 

"  Thus  died  the  gallant  Marquis  of  Montrose,  after  he  had 
given  (says  the  Earl  of  Clarendon,  in  his  character  of  him),  a* 
great  a  testimony  of  loyalty  and  courage,  as  a  subject  can  do,  and 
performed  as  wonderful  actions  in  several  battles,  upon  as  great 
inequality  of  numbers,  and  as  great  disadvantages  in  respect  of 
arms,  and  other  preparations  for  war,  as  have  been  performed  in 
this  age."     Adding  further,  ""  He  was  a  gentleman  of  a  very 
ancient  extraction,  many  of  whose  ancestors  had  exercised  the 
highest  charges  under  the  King  in  that  kingdom,  and  had  been 
allied  to  the  crown  itself.     He  was  of  very  good  parts,  which 
were  improved  by  a  good  education.     He  was  in  his  nature  fear- 
less of  danger,  and  never  declined  any  enterprize  for  the  difficulty 
of  going  through  with  it,  but  exceedingly  affected  those  which 
seemed  desperate  to  other  men,  and  did  believe  somewhat  to  be 
in  himself  above  other  men ;  which  made  him  live  more  easily 
towards  those  who  were,  or  were  willing  to  be  inferior  to  him, 
towards  whom  he  exercised  wonderful  civility  and  generosity, 
than  with  his  superiors  or  equals.    He  was  naturally  jealous;  and 
suspected  those  who  did  not  concur  with  him  in  his  way,  not  to 
mean  so  well  as  he.     He  was  not  without  vanity,  but  his  virtues 
were  much  superior ;  and  he  well  deserved  to  have  his  memory 
preserved  and  celebrated  amongst  the  most  illustrious  persons  of 
the  age  in  which  he  lived." 

His  body  was  interred  at  the  place  of  execution,  where  it  rested 
till  the  restoration  of  Charles  II.  when,  by  his  Majesty's  special 
appointment,  his  scattered  parts  were  gathered  together,  and  de- 
posited in  the  Abbey-Church  of  Holy- Rood-House,  where  they 
remained  till  May  14th,  l66l,  when  his  corpse  was  with  the 
greatest  magnificence  and  solemnity  that  could  be  devied,  carried 
to  the  cathedral  church  of  St.  Giles,  and  interred  in  the  isle  be- 
longing to  his  family/  being  accompanied  to  the  grave  by  the 
Lord  High  Commissioner  (the  Earl  of  Middleton),  and  all  the 
members  of  Parliament/ 

This  noble  Marquis  married  Magdalen,    daughter  of  Pavid 
first  Earl  of  Southesk,  by  whom  he  had  his  son  and  heir, 

James,  second  Marquis  of  Montrose>  who  was  too  young  to 

c  Relation  of  the  Funerals  of  the  Great  Marquis  of  Montrose,  printed  in  166 1. 
f  See  Park's  R.  and  N.  A.  V.  05. 


GRAHAM  EARL  GRAHAM.  22; 

have  a  part  in  the  war  under  his  father ;  and  after  his  death,  be- 
ing divested  of  his  estate,  he  lived  quietly  and  privately  under  the 
powers  that  then  prevailed,  retaining  his  affection  and  fidelity  to 
the  crown  j  which  he  manifested,  in  performing  all  the  offices  of 
fidelity  and  duty  to  the  King,  throughout  the  whole  course  of  the 
usurpation,  that  a  generous  and  worthy  person  could  find  any  op- 
portunity for;  with  which  his  Majesty  was  abundantly  satisfied 
and  pleased. 

On  the  return  of  Charles  II.  the  Marquis  was  restored  to  his 
estate,  and  the  act  of  his  father's  forfeiture  repealed,  and  named 
one  of  the  Lords  of  his  Majesty's  Privy-Council :  yet  it  admini- 
stered much  discourse,  both  then  and  afterwards,  that  his  Lordship 
was  not  preferred  to  any  of  the  great  offices  of  the  crown,  consi- 
dering the  transcendent  merit  of  his  father,  and  the  great  value 
and  esteem  the  King  had  of  him,  as  a  nobleman  of  great  honour 
and  integrity  j  but  the  reason  assigned  for  it  was,  that  the  Mar- 
quis did  not  affect  any  public  character,  a  life  of  privacy  and 
quiet  being  really  his  own  choice,  and  what  was  more  suited  to  his 
humour  and  nature:  and  dying  in  February  1699,8  his  corpse 
was,  on  April  33d  after,  interred  at  the  chapel  of  Aber-Ruthven, 
in  Perthshire,  with  his  ancestors}  and  his  funeral  sermon  was 
preached  by  Dr.  Alexander  Burnet,  then  Archbishop  of  Glasgow, 
wherein  he  gave  the  Marquis  this  amiable  character :  "  He  was 
a  nobleman  of  great  honour  and  probity,  so  great  a  lover  of  jus- 
tice, and  so  strict  in  the  observation  of  his  word  and  promise, 
that  no  man  was  ever  more  worthy  the  title  of  An  honest  man'* 

He  married  Isabel,  daughter  of  William  Earl  of  Morton,  wi- 
dow of  Robert  first  Earl  of  Roxburgh,  by  whom  he  had,  1.  James, 
his  successor.     And, 

2.  Lord  Charles,  who  died  a  young  man  of  great  hopes  and 
courage  j  likewise  three  daughters  -,  viz.     4 

Lady  Anne,  married  to  Alexander  Levingston,  Earl  of  Calen- 
dar j  Lady  Jane,  to  Sir  John  Urquhart,  of  Cromarty  $  and  Lady 
Grisel,  to  Mr.  William  Cochran,  of  Kilmarnock,  son  to  William 
Lord  Cochran. 

James,  third  Marquis  ef  Montrose,  his  son,  was  a  Nobleman 
of  great  parts,  improved  by  a  good  education.  On  the  death  of 
his  father,  King  Charles  took  him  into  his  immediate  care ;  made 
him,  first,  Captain  of  the  guard  j  and  then,  that  he  might  fit  him 
by  degrees  for  the  greatest  trusts  and  employments,  preferred  bira 

g  Charta  in  Cancelhria  S.  D.  N.  R. 


223  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

to  be  President  of  the  Privy-Council,  Sheriff  of  Dumbarton,  Bailie 
of  the  regality  of  Lenox,  Glasgow,  &c.  but  death  overtook  him 
not  long  after,  in  the  prime  of  his  years,  on  April  25th,  l684,h  to 
the  general  regret  of  the  whole  nation,  and  the  particular  sorrow 
of  his  own  relations,  who  lamented  his  death  exceedingly,  as  a 
great  loss  to  his  family.  By  Christian  his  wife,  daughter  of  John 
Lesly  Duke  of  Rothes,  he  had  an  only  son, 

James,  created  Duke  of  Montrose.  Which  noble  Duke  being 
a  person  of  bright  and  distinguishing  parts,  and  the  head  of  a 
very  noble  family,  that  had  in  no  time  swerved  in  its  fidelity  to 
the  crown,  her  Majesty  Queen  Anne,  soon  after  he  came  to  age, 
called  him  to  her  Privy-Council,  made  him,  first,  Lord  High- 
Admiral  of  Scotland,  in  1705,'  and  then  Lord  President  of  the 
Council,  in  little  more  than  a  year  after  jk  in  which  station,  and 
in  all  other  capacities,  his  Lordship  exerted  himself  with  the 
most  ardent  zeal  and  vigour,  in  promoting  the  succession  to  the 
crown  in  the  Protestant  line,  and  did  all  he  could  to  consolidate 
the  two  kingdoms  in  any  incorporating  union  j  in  consideration 
whereof,  as  well  as  in  respect  to  his  Lordship's  personal  merit, 
and  in  honour  to  his  noble  family,  for  which  the  Queen  always 
professed  a  very  great  value  and  regard,  her  Majesty  was  pleased 
by  letters  patent,  dated  April  24th.  1707,1  to  make  him  Duke  of 
Montrose  :m  and  it  is  to  be  observed,  as  a  special  instance  of  her 
Majesty's  more  immediate  favour,  that  the  honour  was  not  re^ 
stricted  to  the  heirs-male  of  the  Duke's  own  body,  but  was  to 
descend  to  his  heirs  of  entail. 

His  Grace  continued  Lord  President  of  the  council,  till  the 
Parliament  of  Great  Britain  thought  fit  to  dissolve  the  Scottish 
Privy-Council  some  time  after  the  commencing  of  the  Union, 
pursuant  to  the  act:  but  was  sworn,  November  25th,  1708,  again 
of  her  Majesty's  Privy-Council;  and  was  made  Lord  Privy-Seal, 
February  28th,  1709$  which  office  he  held  till  17l3,n  when  he 
was  laid  aside  for  not  complying  with  the  measures  of  the  court 
during  the  Earl  of  Oxford's  administration. 

The  Duke's  firm  and  inviolable  adherence  to  the  Protestant 
succession,  which  his  Grace  had  early,  and  with  much  zeal, 
maintained  and  asserted,  could  not  fail  to  entitle  him  to  a  more 

h  Charta  in  Cancellaria  S.D.N.R.  dated  February  23d,  1705. 

*  Ibidem,  dated  February  28th,  1706.  k  Ibidem.  1  Ibid. 

m  Burnet's  O.  T.  II.  409. 

»  Charta  in  Cancellaria  S.D.  N.R.  dated  February  28th,  1706. 


GRAHAM  EARL  GRAHAM.  229 

than  ordinary  favour  of  the  illustrious  family  in  whom  the  right 
was  established  by  law ;  so  that  the  Elector  of  Hanover,  after- 
wards George  I.  being  impowered,  by  act  of  Parliament,  to  no- 
minate so  many  persons  as  he  should  think  proper,  to  be  joined 
with  the  seven  great  officers  of  state,  in  the  administration  of  the 
government  till  his  arrival,  he  reposed  such  confidence  in  the 
Duke's  affection  and  fidelity,  that  he  was  named  one  of  the  Lords 
of  the  Regency.  But  being  at  his  seat  in  the  country,  on  the 
demise  of  Queen  Anne,  August  1st,  1714,  his  Grace  made  haste 
to  Edinburgh,  where  he  was  present  at  the  proclamation  of  King 
George  on  the  5th ;  and  taking  post  for  London,  arrived  on  the 
10th,  and  concurred  cordially  with  the  other  Lord  Justices,  in 
issuing  such  orders  as  were  necessary  to  support  the  honour  and 
dignity  of  the  crown,  and  secure  the  peace  and  tranquillity  of  the 
kingdom.  Whereupon  the  King,  on  September  24th,  six  days 
after  his  arrival,  appointed  his  Grace  one  of  his  Majesty's  princi- 
pal Secretaries  of  State;  and  swore  him  of  his  Privy-Cpuncil.  On 
March  2d,  1714-15,  he  was  elected  one  of  the  sixteen  Peers  of 
North-Britain;  and  from  the  year  1714  to  1720  was  Keeper  of  the 
Great  Seal  in  Scotland.  On  July  9th,  1716,  he  was  appointed 
Lord  Clerk  Register  of  North-Britain ;  was  again  elected  one  of 
the  sixteen  Peers,  representatives  of  the  Nobility  of  Scotland;  also 
in  that  year,  November  11th,  was  again  appointed  Keeper  of  the 
Great  Seal  there,  and  Sheriff  of  Stirling;  being  then  Chancellor 
of  the  University  of  Glasgow,  aud  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Society. 

His  Majesty  likewise,  in  consideration  of  his  services,  advanced 
his  eldest  son,  David  Marquis  of  Graham,  to  the  dignity  of  an 
Earl  of  Great  Britain,  by  the  style  and  title  of  Earl  Gra- 
ham, and  Baron  Graham,  of  Belford,  in  the  county  of  North' 
umberland,  23d  May,  1722,  8  George  I.  with  remainder  to  Wil- 
liam Graham,  Esq.  (commonly  called  Lord  William  Graham), 
second  son  of  James  Duke  of  Montrose,  in  tail-male;  remainder 
to  George  Graham,  Esq.  (commonly  called  Lord  George  Graham), 
his  third  son,  in  tail-male.  And  the  said  David  Earl  Graham 
dying  unmarried  in  his  father's  lifetime,  on  October  2d,  173'!', 
the  honour  devolved  on  his  next  brother,  the  said  Lord  William 
Graham. 

His  Grace  married  the  Lady  Christian  Carnegie,  daughter  of 
David  Earl  of  Northesk;  a  Lady  of  the  most  consummate  virtue, 
by  whom  he  had  a  daughter,  1.  Lady  Margaret,  who  died  un- 
married. 

2.  James,  Marquis  of  Graham,  who  died  in  his  infancy. 


230  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

3.  David,  Marquis  of  Graham,  first  Earl  Graham  of  Belford. 

4.  Lord  William,  second  Earl  Graham. 

5.  Lord  George,  who,  being  brought  up  to  the  sea  service,  dis- 
tinguished himself  by  his  conduct  and  bravery  as  a  Captain  of 
the  navy,  but  died  a  bachelor  on  January  2d,  1 746-7. 

His  Grace  died  on  January  7th,  1741-2,  and  was  interred  in 
the  burying-place  of  his  noble  ancestors  at  Perth,  in  February  fol- 
lowing. 

William,  second  Earl  Graham,  and  second  Duke  of  Mon- 
trose, was  Chancellor  of  the  University  of  Glasgow,  and  Governor 
ofthe  Royal  Bank  of  Scotland.  In  October  1742,  he  married 
Lady  Lucy  Manners,  daughter  to  John  second  Duke  of  Rutland} 
and  by  her,  who  died  June  1 8th,  1 783,  had 

James  Marquis  of  Graham. 

And  Lady  Lucy,  married  June  13th,  1 77 1,  to  the  Hon.  Archi- 
bald Douglas,  now  Lord  Douglas.  She  died  February  7th,. 
1780. 

His  Grace  died  September  23d,  179O,  and  was  succeeded  by 
his  only  son, 

James,  third  Earl  Graham,  and  third  Duke  of  Montrose, 
born  February  8th,  I] 55.  His  Grace,  while  a  Commoner,  re- 
presented in  Parliament  the  borough  of  Richmond,  in  Yorkshire, 
1780;  and  was  made  a  Lord  of  the  Treasury  in  December  1783. 
He  is  LL.D.  Knight  of  the  Thistle,  Master  of  the  Horse  to  the 
King,  Lord  Justice  General  of  Scotland,  Lord-Lieutenant  of 
Stirlingshire,  Hereditary  Sheriff  of  Dunbartonshire;  Chancellor  of 
the  University  of  Glasgow;  President  of  the  Society  of  Antiqua- 
ries of  Scotland;  and  Extraordinary  President  of  the  Royal  Bank 
of  Scotland. 

His  Grace  married,  first,  March  5th,  1785,  Lady  Jemima-Eli- 
zabeth, daughter  of  John  Earl  of  Ashburnham :  and  by  her,  who 
died  September  18th,  1786,  had  a  son,  born  September  4th,  1786, 
who  died  April  29th,  1787.  His  Grace,  married,  secondly,  July 
24th,  179O,  Lady  Elizabeth  Montague,  sister  to  William  Duke 
of  Manchester,  by  whom  he  has, 

1.  Lady  Georgiana-Charlotte,  born  June  9th,  1791. 

2.  Lady  Caroline,  born  September  30th,  1792. 

3.  A  third  daughter,  born  October  2d,  1793. 

4.  Marquis  of  Graham,  born  July  16th,  1799. 

5.  A  daughter,  born  June  22d,  1805. 
0\  A  son,  born  February  2d,  I8O7. 


GRAHAM  EARL  GRAHAM.  231 

Titles.  James  Graham,  Duke  of  Montrose,  &c,  in  Scotland ; 
Earl  Graham,  and  Baron  Graham,  of  Belford,  in  the  county  of 
Northumberland. 

Creations.  In  England,  Baron  Graham,  of  Belford,  and  Earl 
Graham,  by  letters  patent  bearing  date  the  23d  of  May,  1722,  8 
George  I. 

Arms.     Or,  on  a  chief,  Sable,  three  escallop  shells,  Or. 

Crest.  On  a  wreath,  an  eagle,  wings  hovering,  Or,  preying 
on  a  stork,  on  its  back,  proper. 

Supporters.  Two  Storks  close,  Argent,  beaked  and  membered, 
Gules. 

Motto.    Ne  Oublie. 

Chief *Seats.  At  Glasgow,  in  the  county  of  Lanerkj  at  Kin- 
cairn,  in  the  county  of  Perth ;  at  Myndosk-castle,  and  Buchanan, 
both  in  the  county  of  Dunbarton. 


232  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


WALDEGRAVE  EARL  WALDEGRAVE. 

This  family  of  Waldegrave,  anciently  written  Walgrave,  is  de- 
nominated from  a  place  of  their  own  name  in  the  county  of 
Northampton/  at  which  Warinb  de  Walgrave  is  the  first  I  find 
mentioned,  who,  by  the  daughter  of Riston,  had  issue, 

John  de  Walgrave,  who  was  b  Sheriff  of  London  in  1205,  an 
office  then  of  great  power  and  trust ;  and  by  his  wife,  daughter 
of  Sir  Henry  Hastings,  Knt.  he  had  issue 

Walter  de  Waldgrave,  his  son  and  heir,  who  had  to  wife  Eli- 
zabeth, daughter  of  Sir  James  Nevil,  of  Nottinghamshire,  and  by 
her  had  issue 

Sir  Ralph  Walgrave,  who  dying  c  in  3  Edward  III.  seised  of 
the  manors  of  Walgrave  and  Holtole,  in  Northamptonshire,  was 
ucceeded  by 

Sir  Richard  Waldgrave,  Knt.  his  son  and  heir,  who  in  3  Ed- 
ward III.d  attended  the  King  into  Aquitain,  with  John  de  Wal- 
grave, junior  j  and  in  Q  Edward  IIT.  was  'one  of  the  Knights  of 
the  Shire  for  the  counry  of  Lincoln.  Also  in  11  Edward  III. 
had  the  King's  protection  to  f  travel  beyond  the  seas,  with  Henry 
Burwash  Bishop  of  Lincoln,  to  hold  from  April  24th,  till  August 
1st,  following.  He  had,  likewise,  &  the  next  year,  with  John  de 
Waldegrave,  another  protection  from  the  King,  dated  April  10th, 
1338,  going  abroad  in  his  service,  with  Henry  Bishop  of  Lincoln, 
to  hold  till  Michaelmas  following.  He  married  Agnes,  daughter 
qf  i         Daubeney.,  by  whom  he  was  father  of 

*  Baronag.  Geneal.  MS#  penes  meips.  &  Visit,  of  Essex. 
b  Stow's  Survey  of  Lond.  c  Esc.  z  E.  3.  No.  109. 

4  Rymer,  torn.  IV.  p.  387.  e  pryn's  4th  Part  of  a  Brief  Reg.  p.  149. 

f  Rymer,  torn.  IV.  p.  747.  S  Ibid,  torn.  V.  p.  %t. 


WALDEGRAVE  EARL  WALDEGRAVE.  23$ 

Sir  Richard  Waldegrave,  Knt  who  succeeded  to  the  estate 
in  48  Edward  III.  This  Sir  Richard  Walgrave  was  seated  at 
Smalibridge,  in  the  county  of  Suffolk ;  and  was  h  one  of  the 
Knights  for  that  county,  who  served  in  Parliament  in  50  Ed- 
ward JIT.  Also  in  the  reign  of  King  Richard  If.  was  again ' 
elected  in  his  1st,  2d,  and  5th  years;  in  which  last,  he  was  chosen 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Commons ;  and  it  is  memorable,  that 
he  was  the  first  that  made  excuse,  desiring  to  be  discharged;  but 
the  King  commanded  him  on  his  allegiance  to  accept  the  place, 
seeing  he  was  chosen  by  the  Commons.  He  was  again  elected  in 
the  6th,  7th,  10th,  and  k  13th  of  Richard  II.  And  writing  him- 
self Sir  Richard  Walgrave,  senior,  Knt.  makes  his  will  at  Small- 
brug  (as  then  wrote),  April  22d,  1401,1  whereby  he  orders  his 
body  to  be  buried  in  the  north  side  of  the  parish  church  of  St. 
Mary,  at  Buers,  near  Joan  his  wife ;  and  gives  20  s.  to  the  high 
altar,  and  3s.  4d.  to  the  chapel  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  and  the 
like  sum  to  the  chantry ;  he  gives  to  every  Priest  praying  for  his 
soul  on  the  day  of  his  burial,  12d.  To  Richard  his  son,  a  missale, 
with  a  vestment  and  chalice :  to  the  parish  church  of  Walgrave, 
a  cope :  to  the  chapel  of  St.  Stephen,  in  the  parish  of  Buers,  a 
missale  then  at  London  :  to  his  chantry  of  Polstede,  a  vestment, 
and  to  the  brothers  of  the  convent  of  Sudbury,  100s.  to  pray  for 
his  soul,  the  soul  of  Joan  his  wife,  and  the  souls  of  their  benefac- 
tors. He  further  bequeathed  divers  sums  to  several  other  con- 
vents and  monasteries;  and  was  a  benefactor  to  several  Priests  to 
pray  for  his  soul.  He  appoints  Master  William  Candysh,  Rector 
of  the  church  of  Bulmere,  Nicholas  Blundell,  and  two  other 
Priests,  his  executors.  And  dying  on  May  2d  following,  was 
buried  in  the  parish  church  of  Buers,  in  the  county  of  Suffolk, 
near  to  Joan  his  wife,  who  deceased  m  June  10th,  1406.   She  was 

daughter  and  heir  to Silvester,  of  Buers,  in  Suffolk,  and 

had  issue 

Sir  Richard  Walgrave,  Knt.  who  succeeding  to  the  inherit- 
ance of  his'  mother,  was  styled  Lord  of  Buers  and  Silvesters. 
Which  Sir  Richard,  with  the  Lord  Clinton,  Sir  John  Howard, 
and  Lord  Falconbridge,  were  n  appointed  in  1402,  to  keep  the 
seas ;   and  landing   10,000  men  in  Brittany,  won  the  town  of 

h  Pryn's  4th  Part,  &c^p.  304.  *  Pryri's  Brev.  Pari.  p.  86,  &  129. 

k  Pryn's  4th  Part,  p.  407. 
1  -Ex  Regist.  vocat.  Arundel,  pars  z.    p.  49,    in  Off.  Principal.  Cant,   apud 
Lambeth. 

m  Weevcr's  Funeral  Monum.  p.  757.  n  Stow's  Annals,  p.  416. 


234  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Conquet,  with  the  Isle  of  Rhee.  He  died  2d  May,  1434,  and 
Jane  his  wife,  daughter  and  heir  of  Sir  Thomas  Montechensy, 
of  Edwardston,  in  Suffolk,  Knt.  surviving  him,  died  on  St.  De- 
nis's day,  Anno  1450,  and  were  both  buried  at  Buers.  They  had 
issue 

Sir  William  Walgrave,  Knt.  who  had  issue  by  Joan  his  wife, 
daughter  of  William  Doreward,  of  Doreward,  in  Bocking,  Essex, 
Esq.  two  sons  ;  Sir  Richard  and  Sir  Thomas. 

Sir  Richard  Walgrave,  the  eldest  son,  succeeded  to  the  estate; 
and  during  the  contests  between  the  houses  of  York  and  Lan- 
caster, was  a  stout  adherer  to  the  interest  of  the  former.  In  2 
Edward  IV.  being  then  a  Knight,  he  "accompanied  the  Earl  of 
Kent  in  that  expedition  into  Brittany,  where  landing  with  10,000 
men,  they  won  the  town  of  Conquet,  and  the  Isle  of  Rhee.  But 
departing  this  life  anno  18  Henry  VI.  without  issue,  the  estate 
devolved  on  his  brother  and  heir, 

Sir  Thomas,  who  valiantly  behaving  at  the  battle  of  Towton 
Field,  where  the  Yorkists  prevailed,P  received  the  honour  of 
Knighthood  from  King  Edward  the  same  day,  being  March  2pth, 
146 1.  He  married  Elizabeth,  eldest  daughter  and  coheir  of  Sir 
John  Fray,  Knt.  Lord  Chief  Baron  of  the  Exchequer  j  he  de- 
parted this  life  anno  1500,  and  was  buried  at  Buers,  leaving  issue 
by  his  wife  (who  was,  secondly,  married  to  Sir  William  Say,  Knt.) 
three  sons; 

1.  William. 

2.  Edward,  of  whom  hereafter,  as  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl 
of  Waldegrave. 

And,  3.  Richard. 

Also  three  daughters ;  Jane,  second  wife  of  Thomas  Mannock, 
of  Gifford's-Hall,  in  Suffolk,  Esq.  who  had  no  issue;  Catharine, 
wife  to  George  Mannock,  Esq.  son  to  the  said  Thomas,  by  his 
first  wife;  and  ^  Anne,  wife  to Favion. 

William  Walgrave,  the  eldest  son,  succeeded  to  the  inherit- 
ance of  his  ancestors,  and  was  made  rone  of  the  Kniphts  of  the 
Bath,  November  14th,  1501,  at  the  marriage  of  Prince  Arthur, 
eldest  son  of  Henry  VII.  Hes  was  in  Ap;il  1509,  one  of  the 
executors  of  the  will  of  John  Vere,  Earl  of  Oxford ;  and  had 
61.  13s.  4d.  bequeathed  to  him,  for  his  labour  therein:  so 
much  was  he  respected  by  that  great  Earl. 

o  Hollinshed'   Chron.  P  Jekyl's  Cit.  of  Knights. 

1  Visit,  of  Essex,  1613,  MS.  r  Jekyl's  Cat.  of  Knight*. 

»  Ex  Regist.  Fcttyplace,  qu,  II.  in  Cur.  Pioerog.  Cant. 


WALDEGRAVE  EARL  WALDEGRAVE.  235 

In  5  Henry  VIII.  this  Sir  William  Waldegrave,  Knight,1  was 
nominated  by  act  of  Parliament,  as  one  of  the  most  discreet  per- 
sons (as  the  words  of  the  act  are),  for  assessing  and  collecting  a 
subsidy  of  163,000 1.  by  a  poll-tax,  &c.  and  writing  himself  of 
Smalbridge,  in  Suffolk,  made  his  will"  on  January  26th,  1524-5, 
appointing  his  body  to  be  buried  in  the  parish  church  of  St. 
Mary  of  Buers,  in  a  tomb  he  had  caused  to  be  made  under  the 
arch,  between  the  high  altar  and  the  chapel  of  Jesu  ;  and  that  he 
be  buried  within  the  space  of  twenty-four  hours  after  his  decease. 
He  gives  to  dame  Margery  his  wife  (who  had  the  manor  of  Ed- 
wardston  settled  on  her),  all  his  jewels:  and  it  appears  that  he 
died  seised  of  divers  manors  and  lands  in  the  counties  of  Suffolk, 
Essex,  and  Northampton.  He  was  a  man  of  great  piety,  as  hi* 
bequests  to  several  churches  shew  ;  and  he  desires  his  executors 
above  all  things  to  pay  his  debts;  or  if  he  had  wronged  any  man, 
to  satisfy  them.  He  constituted  Margery  his  wife,  and  his  sons, 
George  and  William,  executors  of  his  last  will;  which  was  proved 
on  March  6th,  1527-8,  having  departed  this  life  on  January  30th 
preceding. 

Margery  his  wife,  was  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  Wentworth,  of 
Codham,  in  Essex;  and  their  issue  were  four  sons:  l.  George. 
2.  Anthony.  3.  William.  And,  4.  Edmund;  also  several 
daughters. 

George,  his  eldest  son  and  heir,  born  in  14S3,  survived  hi* 
father  but  a  short  time,  dying  in  the  year  1528;  as  is  manifest 
from  his  last  will,  dated  x  July  6th,  that  year,  and  the  probate  on 
August  25th  following.  He  orders  his  body  to  be  buried  near 
the  tomb  of  his  father,  and  bequeaths  his  manors  of  Smalbridge- 
Silvester,  otherwise  called  Netherhall,  Overhall,  and  Freps,  in 
Buers,  together  with  the  manor  of  Wethermonford  (alias  Wor- 
mynford),  in  Essex,  with  other  manors,  to  Anne  his  wife  (con- 
stituting her  sole  executrix),  during  the  minority  of  William,  his 
son  and  heir ;  and  if  he  died,  that  she  hold  them  till  George,  his 
second  son,  come  to  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  and  so  to  Ed- 
ward the  third,  and  Richard  his  youngest. 

This  Anne  his  wife,  was  daughter  to  Robert  Drury,  of  Halsted, 
in  Suffolk,  and  remarried  with  Sir  Thomas  Jermyn,  of  Rush- 
brook,  in  Sutfolk  :>'  by  her  first  husband,  besides  the  sons  before- 

*  Rot.  Part.  an.  5.  &  6.  H,  8w  Dors.  3r. 

u  Ex  Reg'st.  Vocat.  Pvrth,  qu.  29.  in  Cur.  Prxrog.  Cant. 

x  U>ld.  qu.  36.  J  Visit.  Suffolk,  MS.  pens*  me:ps. 


23(5  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

mentioned,  she  had  two  daughters  j  Anne,  married  to  Henry 
Bures,  of  Acton,  in  Suffolk  ;z  and,  secondly,  to  Sir  Clement 
Higham,  Knt.  Lord  Chief  Baron  of  the  Exchequer  5  and  Phillis, 
to  Thomas  Higham,  of  Higham,  Esq.2 

From  George  Waldegrave,  the  second  son,  descended  the  family 
seated  at  Higham,  in  Essex,  for  several  generations. 

Edward,  the  third,  was  seated  at  Lawford,  in  Essex. 

William,  the  eldest  son,  received  the  honour  of  Knighthood, 
before  35  Henry  VIII.  when,  as  Hollinshed  writes,  he  and  Sir 
George  Somerset  were  sent  over  to  Calais,  to  strengthen  the  Eng- 
lish pale  with  200  men  out  of  Suffolk ;  and  soon  after  their  ar- 
rival defeated  800  Frenchmen,  who  had  designed  to  spoil  the 
country.  In  3  Edward  VI.  he  accompanied  the  Marquis  of 
Northampton  against  the  Norfolk  rebels,  and  the  following  year 
was  Sheriff  of  Norfolk  and  Suffolk.  On  the  death  of  Edward  VI. 
being  of  great  interest  and  large  possessions  in  the  county  of  Suf- 
folk, Queen  Mary  wrote  to  him,  and  four  other  gentlemen,  on 
July  9th,  1553,  to  adhere  to  her  title.  Accordingly  they  engaged 
the  Suffolk  men  to  appear  for  her,  and  were  a  principal  means  of 
placing  that  Princess  on  the  throne.  But  Sir  William  Waldegrave 
dying  at  Calais,  December  12th  the  same  year,  prevented  the  pre- 
ferments he  might  have  expected  for  that  service  j  leaving  issue 
by  Julian  his  wife,  daughter  to  Sir  John  Raynsford,  Knt.  (and 
•ister  and  heir  to  Sir  John),  William,  his  son  and  heir,  and  three 
daughters  j  Dorothy,  married  to  Arthur  Harris,  of  Essex,  Esq.; 
Margery,  to  John  Wiseman,  of  Canfield-hall,  in  Essex,  Esq.;  and 
Mary,  to  Edward  Wyat,  Esq.;  secondly,  to  Walter  Mildmay,  of 
Pishiobury,  in  Hertfordshire,  Knt.  ancestor  to  the  late  Earl  Fitz- 
walter;  and  adied  January  2d,  1605. 

Which  William  Waldegrave  received  the  honour  of  Knight- 
hood, anno  1578.  He  married,  first,  Elizabeth,  daughter  to  Sir 
Thomas  Mildmay,  Knt.  ancestor  to  the  late  Earl  Fitzwalter;  and, 
secondly^  Grisild,  relict  of  Sir  Thomas  Rivet,  Knt.  and  daughter 
to  Thomas  Lord  Paget :  and  left  several  children  by  his  first  wife 
wife  (who  died  1581),  whereof  Sir  William  Waldegrave,  Knt. 
was  seated  at  Smalbridge,  and  lies  buried  at  Bures. 

But  I  now  return  to  Edward  Waldegrave,  second  son  to  Sir 
Thomas  Waldegrave,  Knt.  by  Elizabeth  his  wife,  daughter  and 
coheir  of  Sir  John  Fray,  Knt.  Lord  Chief  Baron  of  the  Exchequer, 
beforementioned,  as  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl. 

T  Visit.  Suffolk,  MS.  penes  meips.  *  Salmon's  Hertfordshire,  p.  z6$, 


WALDEGRAVE  EARL  WALDEGRAVE.  237 

Which  Edward  resided  at  Boreley,  in  Essex ;  he  married  Eli- 
zabeth, daughter  and  coheir  to  John  Cheyney,  of  the  county  of 
Devon,  Esq.  and  died  in  1501,  leaving  issue  two  daughters,  Eli- 
zabeth, wife  of Eden,  Clerk  of  the  Star-chamber ;  and 

Margery,  wife  of  Robert  Ryce,  of  Preston,  in  Essex  j  also 

John,  his  son  and  heir,  who  married  Lora,  daughter  of  Sir 
John  Rochester  of  the  county  of  Essex,  Knight  (and  sister  to  Sir 
Robert  Rochester,  Knight  of  the  Garter,  Chancellor  of  the  duchy 
of  Lancaster,  and  Comptroller  of  the  Household  in  the  reign  of 
Queen  Mary),  by  whom  he  had  issue  four  sons;  Edward,  Ro- 
bert, John,  and  Thomas;    also  two  daughters ;    Mary,  wife  of 

Abbot  of  Cockshall,  in  Essex  j  and  Ann.     And  departing 

this  life  on  October  6th,  1543,  his  eldest  son,  November  30th 
following,  by  the  name  of  Edward  Waldegrave,  Esq.  son  and 
heir  of  John  Waldegrave,  Esq.  had  special  livery  of  his  lands. 

bThis  Edward  Waldegrave,  in  1  Edward  VI.  had  a  grant  to 
him,  and  his  heirs,  of  the  manor  and  rectory  of  West-Haddon, 
in  Northamptonshire.  And  in  the  7th  year  of  that  reign,  being 
a  principal  officer  in  the  household  of  the  Lady  Mary  (afterwards 
Queen  of  England),  he  incurred  the  King's  displeasure,  by  re- 
fusing to  forbid  the  celebration  of  the  Mass  in  her  house ,  and 
together  with  Sir  Robert  Rochester,  his  uncle,  and  Sir  Francis 
Englefield,  the  two  other  principal  officers,  who  had  offended  on 
the  same  account,  were  first  committed  to  the  Fleet  on  August 
2Qtb,  and  two  days  after  sent  to  the  Tower,  with  orders  to  the 
Lieutenant  to  keep  them  close  prisoners,  without  pen,  ink,  or 
paper,  and  not  to  suffer  them  to  speak  to  any  man. 

August  13th,  1551,  Sir  Robert  Rochester,0  this  Sir  Edward 
Waldegrave,  and  Sir  Francis  Englefield,  were  sent  for  by  the 
Council,  to  appear  before  them  at  Hampton-Court,  to  let  the 
Lady  Mary  know  by  them  rather  than  by  strangers  (the  less  to 
molest  her),  that  the  communion-book  should  be  used  hereafter 
in  her  family,  and  to  prohibit  her  chaplains  saying  Mass  in  her 
house,  on  pain  of  the  King's  displeasure.  And  in  case  her  Grace 
on  this  message  dismissed  them,  they  were  commanded  not  to 
leave  her  service  or  her  house,  but  to  stay  and  see  the  order  ful- 
filled ;  and  to  deliver  a  letter  to  her  Grace  from  the  King. 

What  followed  on  this,  is  set  forth  in  a  manuscript  in  the  Cot- 
ton Library,  sub  Effig.  Titus,  B.  ii.  p.  68. 

"  This  day  [August  22d]  Mr.  Rochester,  Sir  Francis  Engle- 

b  Pat.  1  Edward  VI.  c  Strype's  Ecclesiast.  Memorials,  p.  2^3. 


338  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

field,  and  Mr.  Waldegrave,  Officers  to  the  Lady  Mary's  Grace, 
were  before  the  Lords,  and  declared  unto  their  Lordships,  that 
upon  Saturday  the  15th  of  this  present,  they  arrived  at  Copped- 
Hall  somewhat  before  night.  By  reason  whereof  they  did  not 
the  same  night  execute  their  charge  committed  to  them  at  Hamp- 
ton-Court the  14th  of  this  present.  The  Sunday  following,  be- 
cause they  understood  that  her  Grace  received  the  Sacrament, 
they  did  abstain  to  deliver  their  letters  before  noon,  considering 
that  the  same  would  trouble  and  disquiet  her.  So  as  after  taking 
commodity  to  declare  their  letters,  after  that  her  Grace  had  read 
them,  they  made  offer  to  her  to  declare  what  charge  they  had  re- 
ceived of  the  Lords  to  execute,  praying  her  Grace  to  be  contented 
to  hear  the  same.  Whereupon  her  Grace  made  answer,  That 
she  knew  right  well,that  their  commission  was  agreeing  with  such 
matters  as  was  contained  in  her  letters,  and  that  therefore  they 
needed  not  to  rehearse  the  same.  Howbeit,  then  pressing  her 
Grace,  she  was  finally  content  to  hear  them.  And  when  they 
had  done,  she  seemed  to  be  marvellously  offended  with  them; 
and  charged  them,  that  they  should  not  declare  that  same  they 
had  in  charge  to  say,  neither  to  her  chaplains  nor  family.  Which 
if  they  did,  besides  that  they  should  not  take  her  hereafter  for 
their  mistressr,  she  would  immediately  depart  out  of  the  house. 
Upon  this,  as  the  said  Rochester,  Englefield,  and  Waldegrave, 
said  to  the  Lords,  that  forasmuch  as  she  oftentimes  altered  her 
colour,  and  seemed  to  be  passionate  and  unquiet,  they  forbore  to 
trouble  her  any  farther  5  fearing  that  the  troubling  her  might 
perchance  bring  her  into  her  old  disease,  and  besought  her  to 
consider  the  matter  calmly  with  herself,  and  pass  thereupon 
against  Wednesday  next,  when  they  would  wait  on  her  Grace, 
and  know  her  further  pleasure.  Which  they  said  they  did,  hoping 
to  have  found  her  then,  upon  more  ripe  deliberation,  and  debating 
of  the  matter  with  herself,  more  conformable.  And  in  the  mean 
time  they  forbare  also  to  declare  to  her  chaplains  and  household 
the  charge  they  had  received.  But  repairing  to  her  Grace  the 
said  Wednesday,  they  did  not" only  not  find  her  conformable,  but 
in  further  choler  than  she  was  before;  utterly  forbidding  them 
to  make  declaration  of  their  said  charge  and  commission  to  her 
chaplains  and  houshold  :  adding,  That  where  she  and  her  house- 
hold were  in  quiet,  if  they  would  by  any  means  disturb  her  and 
them,  if  any  inconvenience  did  ensue  thereof  to  her  and  them, 
she  would  [attribute]  it  to  the  said  Rochester,  Englefield,  and 
Waldegrave.     Which  thing  considered,  they  thought  it  better  to 


WALDEGRAVE  EARL  WALDEGRAVE.    23Q 

return  without  doing  their  commission,  and  declare  this  much  to 
their  Lordships,  without  meddling  any  farther,  than  to  proceed  in 
the  execution  of  their  charge  before  they  had  advertised  their 
Lordships  of  the  premisses. 

"  The  Lords  having  heard  this  much,  commanded  them  to  at- 
tend, until  they  should  know  further  of  their  pleasure. 

"  The  said  Rochester,  Englefield,  and  Waldegrave,  brought 
with  them  letters  from  the  Lady  Mary's  Grace  to  the  King's  Ma- 
jesty." Tnus  far  the  Cotton  manuscript,  which  is  a  transcript  out 
of  the  Council-book. 

I  find  further,  out  of  the  Council-book,  and  the  King's  journal, 
jthat  on  August  23d,  they  attended  again,  and  were  severally,  one 
by  one,  charged  with  not  obeying  the  King's  injunctions,  as  afore- 
said. And  were  strictly  ordered,  on  their  allegiance,  and  by  the 
King's  special  command,  to  perform  their  commission,  which 
they  all  refused  to  do;,  and  thereupon  were  commanded  to  attend 
the  Council,  till  they  were  told  their  further  pleasure. 

After  which  the  King  sent  the  Lord  Chancellor  Rich,  Sir  An- 
thony Wingfield,  and  Sir  William  Petre,  to  execute  the  said 
commission.  And  Sir  Edward  Waldegrave,  with  his  uncle  Ro- 
chester, and  Englefield,  were  committed  first  to  the  Fleet,  and 
then  to  the  Tower,  as  beforementioned.  And  Sir  Edward  Wal- 
degrave, being  thus  closely  confined,  fell  sick,  and  his  wife,  on 
September  27th  following,  obtained  leave  to  repair  to  him,  and 
provide  for  the  recovery  of  his  health  :  but  still  continuing  in  the 
same  condition,  it  was  ordered  on  October  24th,  that  he  should 
be  removed  out  of  the  Tower,  by  the  Lieutenant,  to  some  honest 
house,  where  he  might  be  better  looked  to,  for  the  curing  of  his 
quartan  ague;  remaining  still  as  a  prisoner,  and  to  be  forth- 
coming whensoever  he  should  be  called  for.  On  March  18th  fol- 
lowing, he,  with  the  other  two,  obtained  leave  to  go  to  their  own 
iiouses ;  and  on  April  24th,  they  had  licence  to  repair  to  the  Lady 
Mary,  on  her  request. 

King  Edward's  death  happening  soon  after,  Sir  Edward  Wal- 
degrave was  highly  esteemed  by  Queen  Mary  for  his  sufferings; 
who  swore  him  of  her  Privy- Council,  in  the  first  year  of  her  reign, 
^constituted  him  Master  of  the  Great  Wardrobe,  and  granted 
(him  the  manor  of  Chewton,  in  Somersetshire.  He  was  elected  one 
^of  the  Knights  for  Wiltshire,  to  that  Parliament  which  sat  atf 

d  Pat.  i  Mar.  e  Willis's  Not.  Pari.  p.  2$  &  30. 

I  Ex  Collect.  B.  Willis,  Arm. 


240    \  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

"Westminster,  in  October,  1553,  and  held  to  December  6th,  and 
was  then  dissolved  :  also  in  that  Parliament  s  summoned  to  meet 
at  Oxford  on  April  2d,  1554,  but  adjourned  to  Westminster,  he 
was  elected  one  of  the  Knights  for  Somersetshire :  likewise  was 
chosen  for  the  county  of  Essex,  in  the  Parliament  which  met  at 
Westminster  January  20th,  1557,  which  held  to  the  Queen's  de- 
cease. He  was  made  one  of  the  Knights  of  the  Carpet  on  Oc- 
tober 2d  (the  day  after  the  Queen's  coronation),  by  the  Earl  of 
Arundelj  and  on  April  17th  following,  was  appointed  one  of 
the  Commissioners  for  the  trial  of  Sir  Nicholas  Throgmorton, 
Knt.  charged  with  being  privy  to  Wyat's  rebellion.  In  3  and  4 
Phil,  and  Mar,  he  was  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Enquiry  into 
heresies,  &e.  and  false  rumours,  &c.  against  their  Majesties  j  and 
in  4  and  5  Phil,  and  Mar.  he  obtained  a  grant  of h  the  manor  of 
Hever-Cobham,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  and  of  the  office  of  Lieu- 
tenant of  Waltham  forest.  Also  was  constituted  Chancellor  of  the 
Duchy  of  Lancaster,  on  the  death  of  his  uncle,  Sir  Robert  Ro- 
chester. Which  Sir  Robert  Rochester,1  Knight  of  the  Garter, 
Chancellor  of  the  Duchy  of  Lancaster,  and  Comptroller  of  the 
household  to  Queen  Mary,  by  his  last  will  and  testament,  dated 
May  27th,  1557,  reciting,  That  whereas  he  had  a  patent  of  John 
de  Vere,  Earl  of  Oxford,  for  the  keeping  of  the  Park  of  Laven- 
ham,  and  the  herbage  of  the  same,  as  also  the  Bailywick  of  the 
town  of  Lavenham,  in  Essex,  he  bequeaths  all  his  interest  therein 
to  his  nephew,  Sir  Edward  Waldgrave,  Knt.  he  suffering  his 
sister,  Rice,  to  dwell  in  one  part  of  the  lodge  of  the  said  Park  of 
Lavenham,  and  paying  soype  small  annuities  to  some  of  his  ser- 
vants. He  also  bequeaths  to  his  nephew,  Robert  Waldegrave, 
part  of  his  wardrobe,  and  one  of  his  geldings,  and  ten  pounds 
yearly,  out  of  his  park  of  Dodinghurst,  during  the  time  he  had 
therein.  And  he  constitutes  the  said  Sir  Edward  Walgrave  one 
of  his  executors,  to  whom  he  bequeathed  the  residue  of  his  goods 
and  chattels,  his  funeral  and  debts  duly  contented,  to  be  bestowed 
in  deeds  of  charity  for  the  health  of  his  soul,  and  especially  on 
the  house  of  Sheen.  The  year  following,  Sir  Edward  being 
Chancellor  of  the  Duchy  of  Lancaster,  was  commissioned,  with 
other  Privy  Counsellors,  to  dispose  of  the  church  lands  then  vested 
in  the  Crown.  But  Queen  Mary  dying  soon  after,  he  was  di- 
vested of  his  employments,  and  committed  to   the  Tower  by 

g  Ex  Collect.  B.  Willis,  Arm.  h  Pat.  4  and  $  Phil.  &  Mar. 

*  Ex  Reg.  Wells  Not.  41.  qu.  15. 


WALDEGRAVE  EARL  WALDEGRAVE.  241 

Queen  Elizabeth,  and  there  died  on  September  1st,  1501,  but 
was  buried  at  Borely,  in  Essex.  He  married  Frances,  daughter 
of  Sir  Edward  Nevil,  Knt.  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  of  Aber- 
gavenny, by  whom  he  had  issue, 

1.  Charles,  his  son  and  heir. 

And,  2.  Nicholas  Waldgrave,  of  Borely,  in  Essex,  ancestor  to 
those  of  the  name  there. 

Also  three  daughters:  Mary,  married  to  John  Lord  Petre; 
Magdalen,  married  to  Sir  John  Southcote,  of  Wytham,  in  Essex  j 
and  Catharine,  wife  of  Thomas  Gawen,  of  Wilts,  Esq. 

Charles  Waldgrave,  Esq.  was  of  Staininghall,  in  Norfolk, 
and  of  Chewton,  in  Somersetshire.  And  having  married  Jero- 
nyma,  daughter  to  Sir  Henry  Jerningham,  of  Cossey-Hall,  in 
Norfolk,  Knt.  Vice-Chancellor  and  Master  of  the  Horse,  and  of 
the  Privy-Council  to  Queen  Mary,  left  issue  Edward  his  son  and 
heir,  and  two  daughters  ;  Frances,  married  to  Henry  Yaxley,  of 
Bowthrop,  in  Norfolk,  Esq.;  and  Magdalen,  wife  of  Philip  Parris, 
of  Poding  Norton,  Esq.;  she  died  k  January  25th,  1650,  and  is 
buried  at  Lynton,  in  Cambridgeshire. 

Which  Edward  served  in  Parliament  for  Sudbury,  in  Suffolk, 
in  27  Eliz.  and  received  the  honour  of  Knighthood  at  Greenwich, 
on  July  19th,  ldO/.  And,  though  upwards  of  seventy  years  of 
age,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  civil  wars,  he  loyally  took  up  arms 
in  defence  of  the  royal  party ;  and  having  the  command  of  a  re- 
giment of  horse,  behaved  so  worthily,  that  his  Majesty  conferred 
on  him  the  dignity  of  a  Baronet,  on  August  1st,  1(543.  At  the 
impounding  of  the  Earl  of  Essex's  army  in  Cornwal,  anno  1644, 
he  kept  the  pass  of  Saltash  with  his  regiment ;  and  being  charged 
by  the  Parliament  horse,  who  endeavoured  to  break  through,  he 
thrice  rallied  his  men,  though  he  himself  was  twice  unhorsed, 
and  at  length  took  forty  prisoners.  Soon  after  this  he  was  sent 
to  quarter  at  Bridport,  in  Dorsetshire,  the  King  intending  to  block 
up  the  towns  of  Lyme  and  Taunton  ;  and  during  his  stay  there, 
a  party  of  the  enemy  designed  to  surprise  him  in  his  quarters,  but 
the  vigilant  old  Colonel  (as  Sir  Edward  Walker  writes,  in  his 
History  of  the  Progress  of  the  King's  Forces),  instead  of  being, 
taken,  got  between  the  rebels  and  home,  and  at  Portsham,  near 
Abbotsbury,  fell  upon  them,  where  some  few  were  slain,  forty 
horse  and  a  cornet  taken.  A  few  days  after,  he  joined  the  Earl 
of  Cleveland  and  Sir  Bernard  Asteley,  who  had  orders  to  relieve 

k  Le  Neve's  Mons.  Ang.  Vol.  II.  p.  4. 
VOL.  IV.  R 


242  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Portland  Castle,  then  straitly  besieged  j  which  they  effected  on 
October  14th,  1644.  He  continued  steady  in  his  loyalty  to  the 
last,  although  he  lost  two  of  his  sons,  and  suffered  in  his  estate  to 
the  value  of  50,0001.  And  so  highly  had  he  offended  the  Par- 
liament (by  his  loyalty  and  valiant  deportment),  that  in  the 
propositions  presented  to  his  Majesty  at  Hampton-Court,  on  Sep- 
tember #th,  1647,  he  was  among  those  persons  nominated  to  be 
removed  from  his  Majesty's  councils,  and  to  be  restrained  from 
coming  within  the  verge  of  the  court  ;  also  to  be  made  incapable 
of  bearing  any  employment. 

This  loyal  gentleman  married  Eleanor,1  daughter  of  Sir  Tho- 
mas Lovel,  of  Harling,  in  Norfolk,  Knt.  and  sister  and  heir  to 
Sir  Francis  Lovel,  and  by  her,  who  died  on  December  12th,  l604, 
had  issue, 

Sir  Henry  Waldgrave,  Bart,  his  son  and  heir,  who  lies  buried 
in  the  chancel  of  Cossey  church,  in  Norfolk,  with  this  inscription 
on  his  monument :  „ 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  Sir  Henry  Waldgrave,  of  Staining-hall, 
Baronet,  Son  and  Heir  to  Sir  Edward  Waldgrave,  Kt.  and 
Bart,  and  Elenor  his  wife,  Daughter  to  Sir  Thomas  Lovell, 

t  of  Harling.  He  married  Anne  Paston,  Daughter  of  Edward 
Paston,  of  Appleton,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had  VII  Sons  and  IV 
Daughters.  And  secondly,  he  married  Catharine  Bacon, 
Daughter  of  Richard  Bacon,  Gent,  by  whom  he  had  six  Sons 
and  six  Daughters.m  He  died  the  10th  of  October  1658,  aged 
60  Years. 

His  eldest  son  and  heir,  Sir  Charles  Waldgrave,  Bart,  mar- 
ried Helen,  daughter  of  Sir  Francis  Englefield,  of  Englefield,  in 
Berkshire,  Bart,  and  had  issue, 

1.  Henry,  his  son  and  heir,  and  also  another  son,  viz. 

2.  Charles  5  and  a  daughter,  Eleanor. 

Which  Sir  Henry  Waldegrave  succeeding  him,  was  created 
Baron  Waldegrave,  of  Cheiuton,  in  Somersetshire,  on  January 
20th,  1 685-6.  And  in  February  the  year  following,  was  made 
Comptroller  of  the  King's  household)  also  on  August  lllb,  1687, 

1  BlomefiehTs  Norfolk,  Vol.  I.  p.  223. 
»  One  of  the  daughters,  Catherine,  was  wife  to  Sir  Isaac  Gibson,  of  Coombe, 
co.  Warw.  Knt.  and  had  issue  William  Gibson,  of  Welford,  co.  Northamp.  Esq. 
in  rjght  of  his  wife,  Frances,  daughter  and  heir  of  William  Saunders,  Esq.  of 
Wci/o.d  jfoie^id.     C.  14-27.  in  Her.  Cell. 


WALDEGRAVE  EARL  WALDEGRAVE.  243 

constituted  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the  county  of  Salop :  but  on  the 
Revolution  retiring  into  Fiance,  he  died  at  Paris,  anno  l68g. 
His  Lordship  married  Henrietta,  natural  daughter  of  James  FT. 
by  Mrs.  Arabella  Churchill,  sister  to  John  duke  of  Marlborough; 
and  by  her,  who  died  April  3d,  1730,  had  two  sons?  James, 
created  Earl  Waldegrave;  and  Henry,  who  died  unmarried ;  also 
a  daughter,  Arabella,  a  nun. 

Jambs,  first  Earl  Waldegrate,  having  qualified  himself 
by  entering  into  the  communion  of  the  church  of  England,  took 
the  oaths  and  his  seat  in  the  house  of  Peers,  on  February  12th, 
1721-2.  The  following  accounts  of  this  nobleman  being  collected 
from  the  Gazettes,  may  be  depended  upon  as  authentic.  On  Sep- 
tember 1st,  1/25,  his  Lordship  set  out  for  the  French  court, 
being  charged  with  his  Majesty's  and  his  Royal  Highness  the 
Prince  of  Wales's  compliments  to  the  French  King,  on  his  mar- 
riage. On  May  26th,  1727,  he  was  appointed  Ambassador  Ex- 
traordinary and  Plenipotentiary  to  the  Emperor  of  Germany,  and 
two  days  after  set  out  for  that  court  by  the  way  of  France ;  and 
during  his  stay  at  Paris,  receiving  advice  of  George  I.'s  decease, 
arrived  from  Paris  at  Strasburgh  on  the  12th  of  the  next  month, 
NS.  On  April  18tb,  he  arrived  at  Ulm,  and  received  the  com- 
pliments of  the  magistrates  of  that  town ;  from  thence  he  pro- 
ceeded down  the  Danube  for  Vienna,  where  he  arrived  on  the 
26th,  N.  S.  On  the  29th  he  had  an  audience  of  his  Imperial 
Majesty,  at  Luxembourgh;  and  the  preliminary  articles  for  peace 
were  leciprocally  exchanged  and  ratified.  He  left  that  court 
June  7th,  1730,  and,  by  way  of  France,  came  to  England. 

Coxe,  in  his  Memoirs  of  Sir  Robert  Walpole,  gives  the  follow- 
ing high  character  of  him:  "  He  was  born  in  ]6S4,  and  educated 
,in  the  Roman  Catholic  religion.  In  1722,  he  entered  into  the 
communion  of  the  church  of  England,  and  took  his  seat  in  the 
House  of  Peers.  When  it  was  thought  necessary  to  send  an  am- 
bassador to  Vienna,  for  the  purpose  of  .executing  the  articles 
agreed  on  in  the  preliminaries  signed  between  England,  France, 
and  the  Emperor,  at  Paris,  and  of  conciliating  the  Emperor,  who 
had  been  dissatisfied  with  the  King  of  England,  Lord  Walde- 
grave  was  selected  as  the  person  whose  mild  and  affable  demeanour 
best  qualified  him  for  that  negociation.  He  filled  this  difficult 
employment  ten  years,  during  a  period  in  which  the  disunion 
between  France  and  England  was  gradually  increasing  into  an 
open  rupture.  For  his  services  at  Vienna,  he  was  created  Vis- 
count Chewton,  and  Earl  Waldegrave,  September  13th,  1729, 


244  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

and  his  exertions  at  Paris  were  rewarded  with  the  Garter.  In 
17*10,  he  obtained  leave  to  return,  for  the  recovery  of  his  health. 
He  embarked  for  England,  October  1740,  and  died  at  his  seat  at 
Nivestock,  in  Essex,  April  11th,  1741,  aet.  5J.  He  was  in  high 
confidence  with  Sir  Robert  Walpole,  and  was  the  foreign  ambas- 
sador, in  whom  the  minister,  next  to  his  brother,  principally  con- 
fided. He  conducted  himself,  in  his  embassies,  with  consummate 
address  j  and  particularly  distinguished  himself  by  obtaining  secret 
information,  in  times  of  emergency.  His  letters  do  honour  to  his 
diplomatic  talents;  and  prove  sound  sense,  an  insinuating  address, 
and  elegant  manners."" 

His  Lordship  married,  in  the  year  1714,  Mary,  second  daugh- 
ter of  Sir  John  Webbe,  of  Hatherop,  in  Gloucestershire,  Bart, 
and,  by  her  (who  died  in  child-bed,  January  22d,  1718-19),  had 
three  sons  and  a  daughter. 

1 .  James,  second  Earl  Waldegrave. 

2.  John  Waldegrave,  born  at  Ghent,  in  Flanders,  on  January 
]7th,  1715-16,  and  died  the  same  day. 

3.  John,  third  Earl  Waldegrave. 

Lady  Henrietta,  his  Lordship's  daughter,  was  born  January  2d, 
1/16-1 7>  married  on  July  7th,  1734,  to  the  honourable  Edward 
Herbert,  Esq.  (only  brother  to  the  late  Marquis  of  Powis),  and 
died  May  31st,  1753. 

James,  second  Earl  Waldegrave,  was  born  on  March  4th, 
1714-15,  succeeded  his  father  on  April  11th,  1741,  in  titles  and 
estate,  and  on  December  1 6th,  1743,  was  appointed  one  of  the 
Lords  of  his  Majesty's  Red-chamber.  Having  been  present  at 
Cambridge,  at  the  instalment  of  his  Grace  the  Duke  of  New- 
castle, Chancellor  of  that  University,  he  was,  on  July  3d,  1/4Q, 
admitted  to  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws.  On  April  27th,  1751, 
his  Lordship  had  a  grant  of  the  offices  of  Steward  of  the  Duchy 
of  Cornwall,  and  of  the  borough  and  manor  of  Bradninch,  in 
Devonshire,  and  Steward  of  all  the  castles,  manors,  and  lands, 
within  the  counties  of  Cornwall  and  Devon,  parcel  of  the  said 
Duchy;  and  of  Warden  and  Steward  of  the  Stannaries,  and  of 
the  Stannary  courts  j  and  Master  and  Rider  of  the  forest  and 
chace  of  Dartmore,  parcel  of  the  said  duchy.  December  18th, 
1752,  his  Majesty  was  pleased  to  appoint  his  Lordship  Governor 
to  the  present  King,  then  Prince  of  Wales,  as  also  to  his  Royal 
JJighness  Prince  Edward,  Duke  of  Yoik,  and  Privy -purse  to  their 

a  Code's  Sir  R.  Walpole,  I.  347. 


WALDEGRAVE  EARL  WALDEGRAVE.    245 

Royal  Highnesses;  and  thereupon  he  resigned  his  place  of  Lord  of 
the  Bed-chamber.  On  the  20th  of  the  same  month,  he  was  sworn 
of  his  Majesty's  most  honourable  Privy  Council,  and  took  his 
place  at  that  board. 

On  August  30th,  1/57,  his  Lordship  was  installed  Knight  of 
the  Garter  j  and  the  same  year  was  appointed  a  Teller  of  the  Ex- 
chequer (a  place  for  life).  At  the  accession  of  his  present  Ma- 
jesty, his  Lordship  was  continued  one  of  the  Members  of  the 
Privy-Council  j  and  on  March  7th,  17^1,  had  a  renewal  of  his 
grant  of  Steward  of  the  duchy  of  Cornwall,  &c,  and  Warden  and 
Steward  of  the  Stannaries,  &c.  all  which  offices  he  enjoyed  till  he 
died  of  the  sm3ll-pox,  April  8th,  17^3,  being  then  also  Fellow  of 
the  Royal  Society,  and  was  buried  at  Navestock,  where  a  monu- 
ment is  erected  to  the  memory  of  himself  and  father,  on  which 
is  the  following  inscription : 

Underneath  this  monument  are  the  remains  of  the  two  first  Earls 
Waldegrave,  father  and  son,  loth  of  the  name  of  James,  loth  ser- 
vants of  that  excellent  Prince  George  the  second,  both  ly  him 
created  Knights  of  the  most  nolle  order  of  the  Garter. 

James,  the  father,  was  employed  in  foreign  embassies  to  the 
courts  of  Vienna  and  Versailles,  ly  George  the  first,  and  ly  George 
the  second-,  and  he  did  his  court  and  country  honour  and  service, 
and  was  respected  wherever  his  negotiations  made  him  known.  In 
his  private  capacity,  the  affalility  and  benevolence  of  his  disposi- 
tion,  and  the  goodness  of  his  understanding,  made  him  leloved  and 
esteemed  throughout  his  life. 

The  antiquity  of  his  illustrious  and  nolle  family,  is  equal  tj 
that  of  most  that  may  le  named  in  any  country  or  time,  and  needs 
not  to  le  here  recited. 

He  died  of  the  dropsy  and  jaundice  on  the  11  th  of  April,  1J46, 
aged  57. 

His  eldest  son,  James,  lefore  mentioned,  and  interred  within 
this  vault,  died  cf  the  s?nall-pox  on  April  28th,  1763,  aged  48  \ 
these  were  his  years  in  numler,  what  they  were  in  wisdom  hardly 
belongs  to  time.  The  universal  respect  paid  to  him  while  he  lived, 
and  the  universal  lamentation  at  his  death,  are  ample  testimonies 
of  a  character  not  easily  to  I e  parallelled.  He  was  for  many  years 
the  chosen  friend  and  favourite  of  a  King,  who  was  a  judge  of 
men;  yet  never  that  Kings  minister,  though  a  man  of  lusiness, 
knowledge,  and  learning,  beyond  most  of  his  cotemporaries ;  lut 
ambition  visited  him  not,  and  contentment  filled  his  hours.     Ap- 


Mfl  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

pealed  to  for  his  arbitration  by  various  contending  parties  in  the 
state,  upon  the  highest  differences,  his  judgment  always  tempered 
their  dissensions,  while  his  own  principles,  which  were  the  free- 
dom of  the  people  and  the  maintenance  of  the  laws,  remained 
steadfast  and  unshaken,  and  his  influence  unimpaired,  though  ex- 
ercised through  a  long  series  of  struggles  that  served  as  a  foil  to 
disinterested  virtue ;  the  constancy  and  firmness  of  his  mind  were 
proof  against  every  trial  hut  the  distresses  of  mankind;  master  of 
a  powerful  and  delicate  wit,  he  had  a  ready  conception,  and  as 
quick  as  any  man  that  ever  lived;  and  never  lost  his  wisdom  in 
his  wit,  nor  his  coohzess  by  provocation.  He  smiled  at  things  that 
drove  other  men  to  anger.  He  was  a  stranger  to  resentment,  not 
to  injuries ;  those  feared  him  most  that  loved  him,  yet  he  was  re- 
vered by  all ;  for  he  was  as  true  a  friend  as  ever  bore  that  name, 
and  as  generous  an  enemy  as  ever  bad  man  tried. 

He  wedded,  on  May  15th,  1759,  Maria,  second  daughter  of 
Sir  Edward  Walpole,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  and  second  son  to  Ro- 
bert first  Earl  of  Orford ;  and  by  her  had  three  daughters ; 
Lady  Elizabeth-Laura,  born  on  March  24th,  17OO,  married,  5th 
May,  1782,  Lord  Chewton,  afterwards  fourth  Earl  Waldegrave. 

Lady  Charlotte-Maria,  born  October  11th,  17<3l,  married,  No- 
vember l6th,  1784,  the  present  Earl  of  Euston,  and  died  in  1808. 

And  Lady  Anna  Horatia,  born  on  November  8th,  1762,  mar- 
ried, April  2d,  1786,  the  late  Admiral  Lord  Hugh  Seymour,  who 
died  September  llth,  1801.     She  died  July  12th,  1801. 

The  Countess  their  mother,  was  afterwards  married  to  his  Royal 
Highness  William  Henry  late  Duke  of  Gloucester  5  and  deceased 
August  23d,  1807. 

His  Lordship  departing  this  life  without  male  issue,  was  suc- 
ceeded by  his  only  surviving  brother, 

John,  third  Earl  Waldegrave,  who  was  born  on  April 
28th,  17 18,  and  chusing  a  military  life,  was,  in  December  \T$7> 
appointed  a  Lieutenant  in  the  first  regiment  of  Foot  Guards. 
From  that  he  was  removed  to  the  third  regiment  of  Foot  Guards, 
in  which,  on  July  12th,  1743,  he  was  constituted  Captain  Lieu- 
tenant; also,  on  September  13th,  Captain  of  a  company,  and  on 
February  25th,  1747  8,  was  promoted  to  be  a  Major  therein,  with 
the  rank  of  Colonel.  On  January  26th,  1750-1,  he  got  the  com- 
mand of  the  ninth  regiment  of  Foot,  which  he  kept  till  he  was 
made  Colonel  of  the  second,  or  Queen's  regiment  of  Dragoon 
Guards,  on  September  10th,  17^9,  being  then  in  Germany,  under 


WALDEGRAVE  EARL  WALDEGRAVE.    247 

Prince  Ferdinand  of  Brunswick,  to  whom  his  Lordship  was  the 
principal  supporter  in  the  procession  on  October  1 7th,  that  year, 
when  his  Highness  had  the  honour  to  be  invested  with  the  habit 
and  ensigns  of  the  most  noble  Order  of  the  Garter.  His  Lord- 
ship was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major-General  on  February 
10th,  1757,  and  to  that  of  Lieutenant-General  on  April  10th, 
1? '5g.  His  Lordship  was,  in  March,  1760,  appointed  Governor 
of  Plymouth.  He  was  Member  for  Orford,  in  the  Parliament 
summoned  in  1747,  in  the  two  next  for  Newcastle-under-Line  ; 
and  was  one  of  the  Grooms  of  the  Bed-chamber  to  his  Majesty, 
till  he  succeeded  to  the  Peerage.  His  Lordship  was  General  of 
his  Majesty's  Forces,  Colonel  of  the  second  Regiment  of  Foot 
Guards,  and  Master  of  the  Horse  to  her  Majesty.  He  died  Oc- 
tober 22d,  1784. 

His  Lordship,  in  1751,  married  Lady  Elizabeth,  fifth  daughter 
of  John  Earl  Gowerj  and  by  her,  who  died  April  28th,  1784, 
had  three  sons, 

It  George,  fourth  Earl,  born  November  22d,  1751. 

2.  William,  born  July  gth,  1753,  an  Admiral  of  the  White, 
created  Baron  Radstock,  of  Ireland,  December  27th,  1800,  mar- 
ried at  Smyrna,  1785,  Cornelia,  second  daughter  of  David  Van 
Lennep,  Esq.  chief  of  the  Dutch  Factory  there  -,  and  has  two 
sons,  and  six  daughters. 

And  John,  born  November  27th,  1756. 

Also  five  daughters ;  viz.  Ladies  Elizabeth  and  Amelia  (twins), 
born  May  26th,  1758  >  both  died  June  176S.  Lady  Frances,  born 
at  Wooburn-abbey,  in  Bedfordshire,  October  6th,  1751,  and  died 
May  28th,  1768,  and  was  buried  at  Navestock  with  her  sister 
Amelia.  Lady  Elizabeth,  married,  April  28th,  1791.,  the  present 
Earl  of  Cardigan.     Lady  Frances,  born  March  1st,  1765. 

George,  eldest  son,  succeeded  as  fourth  Earl  Waldegrave* 
He  was  born  November  22d,  1751,  and  in  early  life  was  a  Cap- 
tain in  the  third  regiment  of  Foot  Guards.  He  married,  May 
5th,  1782,  his  cousin,  Lady  Elizabeth-Laura  Waldegrave,  daugh- 
ter of  his  uncle,  James,  second  Earl  $  and  died  October  17th,  1789* 
*et.  33,  leaving  issue, 

1 .  George,  fifth  Earl. 

2.  John  James,  present  Earl. 

3.  Edward  William,  a  Lieutenant  in  the  seventh  regiment  of 
Dragoons,  lost  in  a  transport  off  Falmouth,  on  his  return  from 
Spain,  January  I8O9. 

"  Among  the  many  officers  who,  during  the  late  expedition  to 


248  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Spain,  have  died  in  their  country's  service,  either  from  wounds', 
fatigue,  or  shipwreck,  few  have  been  more  sincerely,  or  more 
deservedly  lamented  than  the  Hon.  Edward  Waldegrave,  of  the 
seventh  Light  Dragoons.  How  he  was  beloved,  the  deep  regret 
of  the  whole  regiment  best  can  testify}  and  how  highly  he  was 
esteemed  by  his  superiors,  as  a  young  Officer  of  much  promise, 
the  following  fact  sufficiently  evinces.  He  was  selected  by  Lord 
Paget  to  convey  a  dispatch  from  Astorga  to  Sir  John  Moore,  at 
Salamanca,  a  distance  of  an  hundred  and  forty  miles,  at  a  mo- 
ment when  it  was  thought  all  communication  was  cut  off  between 
the  two  armies.  This  difficult  and  dangerous  service  he  per- 
formed with  equal  zeal,  activity,  and  address.  After  passing 
three  nights  and  two  days  on  horse-back,  without  rest,  he  re- 
turned safe  with  his  answer  to  head  quarters,  at  Astorga;  on  this 
the  cavalry  immediately  advanced,  and  performed  a  junction  with 
Sir  John  Moore." 

4.  Lady  Maria  p  married  Nathaniel  Micklethwayte,  Esq.  and 
died  March  30th,  1805. 

George  succeeded  his  father  as  fifth  Earl.  He  was  born  June 
12th,  1/84,  and  was  unfortunately  drowned  in  the  Thames,  near 
Eton,  June  29th,  1794.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  next  brother, 
John  James,  present  and  sixth  Earl  Waldegrave,  born  July 
30th,  1785,  a  Major  in  the  Army}  and  Major  of  the  72d  Regi- 
ment of  Foot. 

Titles.  John  James  Waldegrave,  Earl  Waldegrave,  Viscount 
Chewton,  Baron  Waldegrave,  and  Baronet. 

Creations.  Baronet,  August  1st,  1643,  19  Car.  I. :  Baroa 
Waldegrave,  of  Chewton,  in  com.  Somers.  by  letters  patent, 
January  20th,  1685-6,  1  Jac.  II.  3  Viscount  Chewton,  and  Earl 
Waldegrave,  in  com.  Northamp.  September  1 3th,  1729^  3 
George  II. 

Arms.     Party  per  pale,  Argent  and  Gules. 

Crest.  In  a  ducal  coronet.  Or,  a  plume  of  five  ostrich  feathers, 
party  per  pale,  Argent  and  Gules. 

Supporters.  Two  Talbots,  Sable,  eared  Or,  and  each  gorged 
with  a  mural  coronet,  Argent,  masoned  Sable. 

Motto.     Cjelum  non  Animum. 

Chief  Seats.     At  Navestoke,  in  the  county  of  Essex. 

P  Two  daughters  died  young. 


,     » 


ASHBURNHAM  EARL  ASHBURNHAM.         240 


ASHBURNHAM  EARL  ASHBURNHAM. 

This  family,  denominated  from  the  town  of  Ashburnham,  an- 
ciently wrote  Esseburnham,  in  the  Rape  of  Hastings,  in  the 
county  of  Sussex,  is,  as  Fuller  in  his  Worthies  writes,  a  family 
of  stupendous  antiquity,  a  family  wherein  the  eminence  hath  equal- 
led the  antiquity,  having  been  Barons  temp.  Henry  III. 

Bertram  de  Esburnham,  son  of  Anchitel,  son  of  Piers, 
Lord  of  Esburnham,  was  Sheriff  of  the  counties  of  Surrey,  Sus- 
sex, and  Kent,  and  Constable  of  Dover  Castle,  in  the  reign  of 
King  Harold ;  which  castle  he  defended  against  William  the 
Conqueror,  wherefore  William,  on  his  accession  to  the  crown  of 
England,  caused  his  head  to  be  struck  off,  together  with  the 
heads  of  his  sons,  Philip  and  Michael  de  Esburnham.  Francis 
Thynn,  Esq  in  1586,  collected  a  catalogue  of  the  Lord  Wardens  of 
the  Cinque  Ports,  and  Constables  of  Dover  Castle,  from  the  time 
of  William  the  Conqueror ;  and  makes  this  mention  of  the  an- 
cestor of  this  family  :a  "  Bertram  Ashburnham,  a  Baron  of  Kent, 
was  Constable  of  Dover  Castle  in  the  year  of  Christ  1006,  being 
(as  is  said),  the  first  and  last  year  of  King  Harold ;  which  Bertram 
was  beheaded  by  William  the  Conqueror,  after  that  he  obtained 
the  crown,  because  he  did  so  valiantly  defend  the  same  against 
the  Duke  of  Normandy." 

Philip  de  Esburnham  left  issue, 

Reginald,  whose  son, 

STEPHEN/de  Esburnham,  confirms  to  the  church  of  St.  Martin 
of  Battel,  and  to  the  Monks  there  serving  God,  for  the  health  of 
his  soul,  and  the  souls  of  his  ancestors  and  successors,  the  gift 

a  Castrations  of  Hollin&shed's  Chronicle,  fol.  15 17. 


2oO  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

which  Reginald  de  Esburnham,b  his  father,  gave  for  ever,  in  pure 
and  free  alms;  viz.  all  that  land  which  they  had  in  Hou,  called 
Cheliland,  with  the  land  which  he  gave  in  Denne,  with  two  salt- 
works in  the  marsh  belonging  to  the  said  land,  with  all  other  ap- 
purtenances in  wood,  in  plain,  and  in  marsh,  to  hold  for  ever  in 
pure  alms. 

To  this  Stephen  succeeded  Sir  John  de  Esseburnham,  whose 
son, 

Sir  Richard  de  Esseburnham,  Knt.  married  Margaret,  daugh- 
ter of  Sir  John  Maltravers,  Knt.  and  had  issue, 

Richard,  who  was  also  a  Knight,  and  lived  in  King  John's 
reign;  and  in  the  reign  of  Henry  Til.  held  two  Knights  feesc  of 
Anne  Countess  of  Ewe  (wife  of  Rajph  de  Isondon,  son  of  Geffry 
Luzignan  Earl  of  Aquitain),  as  of  the  honour  of  Hastings.  He 
married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Sir  Richard  Peverell,  Knt.  by 
whom  he  had  issue, 

Bartholomew,  and  Hammond;  the  first  of  which  was  a 
Knight,  and  heldd  in  38  Henry  III.  201.  per  ann.  land  of  the 
King  in  chief,  and  thereupon  was  summoned  to  be  at  London  in 
Easter,  with  horse  and  arms,  from  thence  to  march  to  Ports- 
mouth, in  order  to  be  transported  into  Gascony,  in  the  Kind's 
service,  to  oppose  the  King  of  Castile,  who  had  committed  hosti- 
lities in  those  parts. 

Hammond,  his  brother,  who  was  also  a  Knight,  married 
Maud,  daughter  of  Thomas  Elton,  of  Elton,  in  com.  Suss,  and 
had  issue, 

Sir  Richard  Esburnham,  who  by  Isabel,  daughter  of  Sir  Tho- 
mas Morville,  had  issue, 

Roger  Esburnham ;  and 

Sir  John  Esburnham,  Knt.  who,  in  25  Edward  I.e  was  sum- 
moned to  attend  the  King  at  London,  on  the  Sunday  after  the 
Octave  of  St.  John  Baptist,  with  horse  and  arms,  to  go  with  him 
beyond  the  seas,  for  his  own  honour,  and  the  profit  of  the  realm. 
He  married  Joan,  daughter  of  Richard  Covert,  of  Sullington,  in 
com.  Suss,  and  had  issue, 

John,  his  son  and  heir,  who  married  Maud,  daughter  of  — ■ 
Isley,  of  Sundridge,  in  Kent,  and  had  issue  a  son, 

John  Ashburnham/  who  was  Sheriff  of  the  counties  of  Surrey 

t>  Lib.  Nig.  Scacc.  e  MS.  in  Bibl.  Cotton.  Julius,  C.  7. 

<*  MS.  in  Bib!.  Cotton.  Claudius,  C.  2.  e  Ibid. 

t  There  was,  according  to  Harris's  History  of  Kent,  one  Roger  Ashbumham, 
who,  in  the  ist  of  Richard  lJL's  reign  (which  commenced  on  June  aist,  1377, 


ASHBURNHAM  EARL  ASHBURNHAM.  251 

and  Sussex,  in  3  Henry  IV.  j  and  in  3  Henry  V.  was  appointed 
one  of  the  Commissioners  of  array  in  the  county  of  Sussex. 
This  John,  by  Elizabeth  his  wife,  daughter  of  — -  Finch,  had 
issue, 

Thomas  Ashburnham,  Esq.  who,  in  the  12th  year  of  King 
Henry  VI.  was  one  of  those  of  prime  quality  in  the  county  of 
Sussex,  that  made  oath  for  the  observance  of  the  laws  then  made, 
for  himself  and  retainers.  He  married  Sarah,  daughter  and  heir  of 
Henry  Wauncy,  lineally  descended  from  Sir  Nicholas  deWauncy, 
Sheriff  of  Surrey  and  Sussex  in  34  Henry  III.  His  issue  by  her 
were  three  sons. 

1.  John  Ashburnham,  of  Ashburnham,  Esq. 

2.  Richard  Ashburnham,  second  son,  who  married  — —  daugh- 
ter and  heir  to Stoneling,  of  Stoneling,  in  Sussex,  and  was 

ancestor  to  the  Baronels  of  that  name ;  of  whom",  the  last  died 
Bishop  of  Chichester, 

3.  Thomas  Ashburnham,  third  son,  was  seated  at  Gesseling,  in 
Sussex,  as  appears  by  his  8  will,  dated  April  12th,  1523,  whereby 
he  orders  his  body  to  be  buried  before  the  image  of  our  Lady  in 
the  parish  church  of  Gesseling.  He  mentions  Elizabeth  his  wife, 
Ellen  and  Anne,  his  daughters;  and  entails  his  lands  in  Kent 
and  Sussex,  on  Thomas,  his  son,  and  in  default  of  issue,  on  Wil- 
liam Ashburnham,  of  Ashburnham,  Esq.  son  of  John  Ashburn- 
ham, his  brother. 

Which  John  (eldest  brother  to  the  said  Thomas  and  Richard 

Ashburnham),  had  to  wife  Elizabeth,  daughter  of Peckham, 

and  died  in  149 1,  as  the  probate  of  his  last  will  shews.  He  or- 
ders his  body  to  be  buried  in  the  chapel  of  St.  James  of  Ashburn- 
ham, and  left  issue, 

William  Ashburnham,  Esq.  who  married  Anne,  daughter  of 
Henry  Hawley,  of  Ore,  in  Sussex,  and  had  issue  a  daughter,  Anne, 
first  married  to  William  Apsley  j  and,  secondly,  to  Richard  Co- 
vert, of  Slaugham,  Esq.  j  also, 

was  a  Conservator  of  the  Peace  in  Sussex,  and  owner  of  Scotney,  in  Lamberhurst, 
which  is  partly  in  Kent  and  Sussex.  This  Roger  seems  to  have  been  of  this  fa- 
mily of  Ashburnham,  and  he,  or  one  of  his  predecessors,  probably  at  first  pos- 
sessed that  estate  in  right  of  an  heiress  of  the  Scotneys,  especially  as  he  was  at 
the  same  time  owner  of  Scotney,  in  Lydd,  in  Kent,  which  also  belonged  to  the 
same  family  of  Scotney.  These  two  estates  remained  in  the  heirs  of  the  said 
Roger,  till  one  of  them  sold  them  to  Henry  Chichely,  who  was  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury  from  1414  to  1443. 

S  Ex  Regist.  Bodfield,  qu.  i.». 


252  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

John  Ashburnham,  Esq.  his  son  and  heir,  who  married  Lora 
daughter  and    coheir  of  Thomas  Berkley,   of  Aram,    in  com, 
Southamp.  Esq.  by  whom  he  had  issue  three  daughters. 

1.  Anne,  wife  of  John  Bolney,  of  Bolney;  and,  secondly,  to 
Thomas  Culpeper,  of  Wakehurst,  both  in  Sussex,  Esq.  2.  Jane, 
wife  of  Oliver  Denham.  And,  3.  Alice,  wife  of  John  Daniel,  of 
Essex,  Esq. 

Also  a  son  of  his  own  name,  John,  who  served  in  parliament 
for  Sussex,  1  5c  2  of  Philip  and  Mary;  and  marrying  Isabel, 
daughter  of  John  Sackville,  Esq.  ancestor  to  his  Grace  the  Duke 
of  Dorset,  had  by  her  (who  after  his  death  married  Edward  Tir- 
rel,  Esq .)  three  sons. 

1.  John. 

2.  Thomas.  And, 

3.  William. 

And  as  many  daughters :  Eleanor;  Anne,  married  to  Thomas 
Penderton,  of  Suffolk ;  and  Margaret,  wife  of  Jones,  of  the 

county  of  Monmouth,  Esq. 

John,  the  eldest  son  of  John  Ashburnham  and  Isabel  Sack- 
ville, writing  himself  of  Ashburnham,  Esq.  makes  his  hwill 
April  10th,  1563,  and  died  soon  after;  for  the  probate  bears  date 
May  18th  following.  He  bequeaths-  to  Isabel  his  wife,  all  such 
goods,  plate,  &c.  remaining  in  his  lodge  at  Ashburnham,  or  at 
London,  with  all  her  apparel,  jewels,  &c.  as  also  2001.  on  condi- 
tion she  discharges  his  son  John  Ashburnham  of  1001.  owing  to 
Sir  Richard  Sackvil,  which  she  had  of  John  Sackvil,  of  Withiam, 
Esq.  her  father.  He  wills  his  manors  of  Ashburnham,  Pensborne, 
and  Wilsham,  with  such  other  lands  as  Ninian  Burrel '  holds  by 
knight's  service,  to  be  divided  in  three  parts ;  one  whereof  to  the 
use  of  the  Lords  of  the  fee,  till  John  Ashburnham,  his  son  and 
heir,  comes  to  the  age  of  twenty-one  years;  and  the  other  two 
parts,  with  all  his  other  lands,  &c.  in  England,  and  the  residue 
of  his  goods,  plate,  money,  &c.  to  his  said  son,  whom,  with  Isabel 
his  wife,  he  constitutes  his  executors. 

The  said  John  Ashburnham,  Esq.  married  Mary,  daughter  to 
George  Fane,  of  Badsel,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  Esq.  grand- 
father of  Francis  first  Earl  of  Westmorland,  by  whom  he  had  five 
sons. 

1.  John,  his  son  and  heir. 

2.  Thomas.  3.  William.  4.  George.  And,  5  Walter;  which 
four  last  died  without  issue. 

k  Ex  Rcgist.  Chayre,  qu.  2o.  *  Ancestor  of  Lord  Cwyder. 


ASHBURNHAM  EARL  ASHBURNHAM.  253 

Also  two  daughters:  Mary,  wife  of  George  Wentworth,  of 
West-Bretton,  in  com.  Ebor.  (from  whence,  in  a  lineal  descent, 
was  Sir  William  Wentworth,  of  Bretton,  Bart.)  j  and  Catharine, 
married  to  George  Aldwick,  of  Yorkshire,  Esq. 

He  'died  on  October  14th,  15gi,  as  recited  by  inquisition  taken 
at  Horsham,  in  Sussex,  December  15th,  1000,  which  sets  forth, 
that  he  died  possessed  of  the  manor  of  Ashburnham,  with  divers 
lands  and  tenements  called  Pemborne,  alias  Hurst  quondam  Shoys- 
well,  in  Walbleton,  Buxtop,  and  Ashburnham.;  also  lands  and 
tenements  called  Megham,  alias  Wilsham,  in  Walbleton,  all  in 
the  county  of  Sussex,  and  that  John  was  his  son  and  heir,  aged 
twenty  years,  ten  months,  and  thirteen  days,  at  his  father's 
death. 

Which  John  received  the  honour  of  knighthood  at  the  Tower, 
March  15th,  l604jk  and  departing  this  life  in  1620,  was  buried 
in  St.  Andrew's  church,  in  Holborn,  where  a  monument  was 
erected  to  his  memory  with  this  inscription,  reciting  his  marriage 
and  issue : 

Antiquo  Stemmate  nolilis,  avitis  suis  virtuiibus  clarior,  hicjacet 

Johannes  Ashburnham,  nitper  de  Ashburnham,  miles  qui  obiit  in 

faslo  Sancti  Petri,   1620.    JEtatis  4g.     Relictis  ex  conjuge  cha- 

rissimis  Johanne,  Gulielmo,  Elizabetha,  Francisca,  Anna,  &  Ca- 

therina. 

Domina  Eliz.  Ashburnham  Vidua  F.  Thomae  Beaumont  de 
Staughton  in  com.  Leicestr.  Milit.  hoc  amori  IS  officio  consulens, 
meritissimo  viro  lugubris  posuit  1621. 

Of  the  said  daughters,  mentioned  in  the  above  inscription, 
Elizabeth  was  married  to  Sir  Frederick  Cornwallis,  Knt.  and  Bart, 
afterwards  created  Lord  Cornwallis,  from  whom  the  present  Mar- 
quis is  descended  j  Frances,  to  Frederick  Turvile,  Esq  ;  Anne,  to 
Sir  Edward  Dering,  Bart,  j  Catharine  died  unmarried.  They  had 
also  a  daughter,  *Mary,  who  died  November  25th,  l6lQ,  and  was 
buried  at  St.  Botolph's,  Aldersgate. 

The  Lady  Elizabeth,  widow  of  the  said  Sir  John  Ashburnham, 
was  created  Baroness  of  Cramond,  in  Scotland,  by  King  Charles  I. 
with  intail  of  that  honour  on  the  issue  of  Sir  Thomas  Richardson, 
Lord  Chief  Justice  of  the  Common  Pleas,  her  second  husband. 

1  Cole's  Esc.  Lib.  5.  n.  64.  A.  16.  p.  392.  in  Bib].  Harley. 

fc  Necessitated  to  sell  his  estates  by  engagements  lor  fiiends.     S_e  Toxica. 

J  Seymour's  Survey  of  London,  Vol.  I.  p.  623. 


254  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Of  John j  the  eldest  son,  I  shall  hereafter  treat. 

William  Ashburnham,  the  second  son,  served  in  his  youth 
in  the  service  of  the  States-General  against  the  Spaniards  in  the 
Netherlands;  and  being  an  excellent  soldier,  had  a  principal 
command  in  that  army  raised  by  King  Charles,  to  march  against 
the  Scots.  He  was  member  in  the  two  parliaments  summoned 
in  1640,  and  in  the  latter  was  examined  on  oath,  whether  he 
knew  any  thing  of  that  plot  charged  on  the  officers  of  the  army, 
for  petitioning  the  King,  &c.  which  he  denied  -,  nevertheless, 
the  parliament  voted,  that  he  should  receive  no  pay.  Standing 
thus  in  great  umbrage  with  the  parliament  (by  whom  he  was  in 
the  sequel  expelled,  with  other  loyal  members),  and  the  King's 
affaks  not  yet  permitting  him  to  make  use  of  his  service,  he,  to 
avoid  the  clamour  that  was  raised  against  him,  embarked  on 
board  a  small  fly-boat  for  Holland,  with  some  other  officers,  who 
removed  on  the  same  account.  They  had  not  been  long  at  sea, 
before  they  met  with  one  of  his  Majesty's  ships,  bringing  ammu- 
nition to  his  assistance :  on  which  it  was  agreed,  that  Mr.  Ash- 
burnham  and  the  Lord  Digby  should  proceed  on  their  voyage, 
and  the  others  should  return  with  the  ammunition ;  but  whilst 
this  was  agitating,  the  parliament  squadron  came  up,  and  though 
the  ship  escaped,  yet  the  fly-boat  was  taken,  and  carried  into 
Hull ;  where  he  was  taken  with  the  Lord  Digby,  who  concealed 
himself  under  the  disguise  of  a  Frenchman,  till  he  found  a  con- 
venient opportunity  to  reveal  himself  to  the  Governor,  Sir  John 
Hotham,  whom  he  prevailed  with  to  espouse  his  Majesty's  inte- 
rest, and  to  surrender  Hull  j  which  design  being  at  length  ren- 
dered fruitless,  Colonel  Ashburnham,  and  the  Lord  Digby,  were 
dismissed  by  the  Governor,  and  was  the  principal  cause  (as  Lord 
Clarendon  writes),  of  the  loss  of  Sir  John's  head. 

Mr.  Ashburnham  came  to  his  Majesty  about  the  time  he  set 
up  his  standard  at  Nottingham  (which  was  on  August  22d,  1(542) 
and  entered  on  action  with  the  first,  repairing  to  the  Marquis  of 
Hertford  at  Sherborn  j  where,  with  a  small  force,  having  kept 
that  castle  several  weeks,  without  being  incommoded  by  the  Earl 
of  Bedford,  who  watched  them  with  a  much  greater  army,  they 
marched  from  thence  to  Minehead,  and  there  the  Marquis,  with 
some  other  gentlemen,  transported  themselves  into  Wales,  leaving 
this  Colonel  Ashburnham,  with  Sir  Ralph  Hopton,  and  others,  to 
march  into  Cornwal.  There  they  raised  forces  with  such  activity, 
that  in  a  small  time  they  made  themselves  masters  of  the  West: 
and  having  performed  very  considerable  services,  joined  Prince 


ASHBURNHAM  EARL  ASHBURNHAM.         25S 

Maurice  at  Chard,  in  Somersetshire,  about  the  middle  of  June 
1643,  with  an  army  of  3000  foot,  500  horse,  and  300  dragoons,, 
of  which  Colonel  Ashburnham  had  been  Major- General. 

He  was  soon  after  made  Governor  of  Weymouth,  on  the  opi- 
nion of  his  courage  and  dexterity  (as  the  Earl  of  Clarendon 
writes)  jm  and  to  make  way  for  him,  Sir  Anthony  Ashley  Cooper 
was  removed  from  that  rommand.  He  was  made  Colonel-General 
of  the  county  of  Dorset}  and  in  the  year  1644,  having  received 
express  orders  from  Prince  Maurice,  to  quit  all  places  that  he 
conceived  not  tenable  in  case  an  army  should  advance  into  those 
parts,  he,  about  June  14th,  on  the  Earl  of  Essex's  marching  to- 
wards him,  quitted  Weymouth,  and  retired  to  Portland  Castle, 
where  he  endured  a  siege  of  about  four  months,  with  great  pa- 
tience  and  resolution,  suffering  both  by  the  want  of  men  and 
provisions,  until  he  was  relieved  by  the  Earl  of  Cleveland,  and 
Sir  Walter  Hastings  appointed  Governor  in  his  room.  However, 
being  censured  for  quitting  of  Weymouth,  he,  at  his  own  re- 
quest, bad  a  public  hearing  before  his  Majesty  and  the  Council, 
to  whom  he  so  fully  stated  the  matter  of  fact  (as  Sir  Edward 
Walker  writes  in  his  History  of  the  Progress  of  the  King's  Forces) 
and  the  impossibility  of  keeping  that  place,  in  case  an  army  did 
attempt  it,  together  with  his  reasons  for  retiring  to  Portland,  and 
how  he  disposed  of  his  Majesty's  arms  and  ammunition,  as  that 
in  the  opinion  of  all  there,  he  was  cleared  from  any  crime  or 
neglect. 

After  the  Restoration,  he  was  made  Cofferer  to  Charles  II.  and 
dying  without  issue  in  December,  1679,  was  buried  in  the  church 
©f  Ashburnham,  in  Sussex,  where  a  noble  monument  of  whit® 
marble  is  erected  to  his  memory,  with  his  effigies  in  a  Roman 
dress,  and  the  effigies  of  his  Lady,  in  white  marble,  reposing  her 
right  arm  on  a  cushion,  an  angel  holding  a  wreath  on  her  head; 
and  in  a  compartment  of  white  marble  is  this  inscription : 

Under  this  Tomb  (viz.  in  the  Vault  for  this  Family),  lie  the 
Boaies  of  Jane  Countess  of  Marlborough,  and  William  Ash- 
burnham her  husband,  second  Son  of  Sir  John  Ashburnham. 
She  was  Daughter  to  John  Lord  Butler,  of  Hertfordshire; 
she  was  married,  first,  to  James  Earl  of  Marlborough,  Lord 
High  Treasurer  of  England,  who,  after  seven  years,  died, 
and  left  her  a  young,  beautiful,  and  rich  ividoiv.    When  this 

"»  Hist,  cf  Rebellion,  8vo.  Vol.  III.  p.  49v 


256  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

William  coming  from  beyond  Sea,  where  he  was  bred  a  Soldier, 
married  her,  and  after  lived  almost  Jive  and  forty  Years  most 
happily  with  her.  She  was  a  very  great  Lover,  and  (through 
God's  Mercy),  a  great  Blessing  to  this  Family,  which  is 
hoped  will  ever  remember  it  with  honouring  her  Memory. 
This  William  Ashburnham,  her  Husband,  lived  after  her  to  a 
great  Age,  and  gloried  in  nothing  in  this  World,  but  this  his 
Wife,  and  the  almost  unparalleled  Love  and  entire  Friend- 
ship, that  for  above  50  Years  was  between  his  dear  elder  Bro- 
ther, John  Ashburnham,  and  himself.  He  was  Cofferer  to 
King  Charles  the  First,  and  King  Charles  the  Second:  he 
died  without  Issue,  and,  by  God's  Blessing,  was  a  happy 
Preserver  of  his  Brother's  Posterity. 

The  Praise  and  Glory  of  it  be  to  God  alone. 

John  Ashburnham  (eldest  son  and  heir  of  Sir  John,  and  bro- 
ther to  William  Ashburnham  last  mentioned),  was  one  of  the 
grooms  of  the  Bedchamber  to  Charles  I.  and  in  J  640,  was  elected 
to  parliament  for  the  port  of  Hastings.  He  attended  on  his  Ma- 
jesty throughout  that  unnatural  rebellion  against  him ;  and  his 
behaviour  was  so  satisfactory,  that  the  King  had  an  entire  confi- 
dence in  him,  and  was  pleased  to  nominate  him,  in  1044,  one  of 
his  Commissioners  for  the  treaty  at  Uxbridge.  Also,  in  1645, 
the  King  desired  of  the  Parliament,  that  a  safe-conduct  might  be 
granted  to  the  Duke  of  Richmond,  the  Earl  of  Southampton,  Mr. 
John  Ashburnham,  and  Mr.  JefFery  Palmer,  to  come  to  West- 
minster, with  his  propositions  for  peace.  And  he  was  also  one 
his  Majesty  declared  he  was  willing  to  commit  the  militia  to,  for 
such  time,  and  with  such  power,  as  expressed  by  his  Commis- 
sioners at  Uxbridge. 

On  April  27th,  1646,  when  his  Majesty  thought  proper  to 
leave  Oxford,  Mr.  Ashburnham  was  the  only  servant  that  attended 
him;  and,  indeed,  the  only  person,  except  a  clergyman,  Dr. 
Hudson,  who  served  as  a  guide.  Afterwards,  when  the  King  was 
in  the  hands  of  the  Scots  army,  he  transported  himself  to  France, 
with  his  Majesty's  approbation,  the  Scots  threatening  to  deliver 
him  to  the  Parliament;  and  had  forbid  him  his  Majesty's  pre- 
sence. But  when  he  heard  the  King  was  in  the  hands  of  the 
English  army,  and  that  there  was  not  the  same  restraint  as  for- 
merly, he  resolved  to  make  an  adventure  to  wait  on  him  j  and 
having,  by  some  friends,  a  recommendation,  both  to  Cromwell 
and  Ireton  (who  knew  the  credit  he  had  with  the  King,  and  that 


ASHBURNHAM  EARL  ASHBURNHAM.         257 

his  Majesty  would  be  very  well  pleased  to  have  his  attendance, 
and  look  on  it  as  a  testimony  of  their  respect  to  him),  he  was  left 
at  liberty  to  repair  to  the  King,  and  was  very  welcome  to  his 
Majesty.  He,  and  Sir  John  Berkeley,  who  came  from  France  at 
the  same  time,  were  the  two  principal  agents  for  conferring  both 
with  his  Majesty's  friendst  and  with  the  officers  of  the  army,  as 
often  as  they  desired.  But  the  army  having  got  the  sole  power, 
and  subdued  all  opposition  from  the  parliament,  as  well  as  the 
city,  they  began  not  only  to  be  less  regardful  of  these  his  Ma- 
jesty's agents,  but  even  of  the  King  himself  5  who  therefore  re- 
solved to  make  his  escape.  Mr.  Ashburnham  was  chiefly  confided 
in  j  and  he  and  Sir  John  Berkeley  having  passes  sent  them  to  go 
beyond  the  seas,  contrived  means  for  his  Majesty's  escape  from 
Hampton-Court,  which  was  effected  on  November  11th,  l647j 
and  having  conducted  the  King  to  the  sea -coast,  they  were  sent 
to  treat  with  Colonel  Hammond,  governor  of  the  Isle  of  Wight, 
to  take  the  King  into  his  protection,  which  he  seemed  to  comply 
with  ;  but  by  a  fatal  mistake  of  this  man's  honour,  that  unhappy 
Prince  was  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  army  :  this  occasioned 

suspicion  of  Mr.  Ashburnham's,  as  well  as  Berkeley's  fidelity } 
but  it  chiefly  lay  on  the  former,  because,  as  Lord  Clarendon 
writes,  it  was  inferred,  he  was  known  to  have  so  great  an  influ- 
ence on  his  Majesty's  councils  and  resolutions,  that  he  could  not 
be  ignorant  of  any  thing  that  moved  him. 

Yet  Lord  Clarendon,  who  discourses  largely  of  this  affair,  suf- 
ficiently clears  Mr.  Ashburnham  from 'the  imputation  laid  to  his 
charge,  saying,  "  That  he  preserved  his  reputation  and  credit 
with  the  most  eminent  of  the  King's  party;  and  his  remaining 
in  England  after  the  death  of  the  King,  which  his  enemies  charged 
as  an  aggravation  of  suspicion  against  him,  was  upon  the  mar^ 
riage  of  a  lady,  by  whom  he  had  a  great  fortune,  and  many  con- 
veniencies,  which  would  have  been  seized  by  his  leaving  the 
kingdom;  and  he  did  send  over  to  King  Charles  II.  and  had  leave 
to  stay  there,  and  sometimes  supplied  the  King  with  considerable 
sums  of  money.  Afterwards  he  was  committed  to  the  Tower  by 
Cromwell,  where  he  remained  till  his  death ;  and  the  King  was 
known,  to  the  last,  to  have  had  a  clear  opinion  of  his  affection 
and  integrity;  and  when  King  Charles  II  returned,  most  of  those 
of  the  greatest  reputation,  as  the  Marquis  of  Hertford,  and  the 
Earl  of  Southampton,  gave  him  a  good  testimony. 

"  Upon  the  whole  (says  the  same  historian),  it  is  probable  that 
Cromwell,  who,  many  years  after,  committed  him  to  the  Tower, 

VOL.  iv,  I 


258  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

and  did  hate  him,  and  desired  to  have  taken  his  life,  would  have 
been  glad  to  have  blasted  his  reputation,  by  declaring,  that  he 
had  carried  his  master  to  the  Isle  of  Wight  without  his  privity, 
merely  upon  his  own  presumption.  Besides,  he  was  a  person  of 
unblemished  honour  and  veracity  j  and  had  not  any  temptation, 
and  never  gave  any  cause  in  the  subsequent  actions  of  his  life  to 
have  his  fidelity  suspected." 

In  a  manuscript  I  have  seen,  wrote  by  this  Mr.  Ashburnham, 
in  his  own  vindication,  fee  thus  expresses  himself:  «  And  though 
for  no  other  motive,  yet  for  this,  that  my  own  posterity  may 
know  I  have  not  stupidly,  through  silence,  passed  by  the  heavy 
censures  upon  me,  there  shall  be  (for  their  information),  this 
faithful  discourse  extant,  to  settle  their  judgments  of  my  integrity 
to  his  Majesty,  and  prevent  the  irreverence  which  otherwise  may 
perhaps  not  only  be  paid  by  them  to  my  memory,  but  give  them 
cause  (taking  loose  reports  for  granted  truths),  to  loath  them- 
selves, for  being  branches  of  so  unworthy  and  wicked  a  stock. 

If  men  would  but  as  well  consider  the  painful  and  vexatious 
part  imposed  on  me,  during  all  the  wars,  as  they  look  upon  the 
privileges  I  enjoyed,  by  my  near  relation  to  his  Majesty's  service, 
they  wrould  find  more  cause  to  pity  me  for  my  labours,  than  to 
envy  me  for  the  honour  or  profit  of  my  employments  :  for,  from 
the  time  his  Majesty  went  last  from  London,  to  the  lime  he  left 
Oxford  to  go  to  the  Scots  army,  I  will  confidently  affirm,  I  lived 
as  painful,  and  as  servile  a  life,  as  any  (whoever  he  was),  of  the 
meanest  degree.  But  I  hope  that  an  unhappy  fate,  which  hath 
hitherto  followed  me,  will  at  least  leave  me  in  this,  so  that  1  may 
riot  be  understood  to  repine  at  the  hardships  of  my  duty.  Had 
the  travel  of  my  body  or  mind  been  much  more  beset  with  toils 
and  difficulties,  I  should  (with  the  same  chearfulness),  have 
waded  through  all,  when  in  the  least  measure  there  had  been 
question  of  pursuing  his  Majesty's  interest.  It  is  not  part  of  my 
intentions  to  adventure  upon  the  history  of  the  unfortunate  divi- 
sions between  his  Majesty  and  the  two  houses  of  Parliament,  my 
business  being  only  to  deliver  so  much  as  my  duty  was  particu- 
larly concerned  in,  when  his  Majesty  was  pleased  to  remove  from 
Oxford  to  the  Scots  army ;  and  from  Hampton  Court  to  the  Isle 
pf  "Wight;  and  not  to  trouble  myself  or  others  with  more  thau 
what  is  pertinent  to  the  suppressing  those  fake  and  horrid  asper-r 
sions  cast  upon  my  fidelity  in  both  these  actions,  wherein  I  shall 
be  careful  that  nothing  shall  fall  from  me,  the  truth  whereof  J 
will  not  be  ready  at  all  times  to  justify  with  my  life. 


ASHBURNHAM  EARL  ASHBU&NHAM.  259 

*  To  wave  therefore  all  things  that  passed  between  his  Majesty, 
the  two  houses  of  Parliament,  and  their  armies,  till  the  month  of 
April  1046,  I  hold  it  fit  to  give  the  state  of  things:  that  when 
his  Majesty's  forces  were  reduced  to  the  last  period  (which  I  take 
to  be  the  time  that  Oxford  was  besieged),  it  was  judged  neces- 
sary, by  all  considering  men,  that  his  sacred  person  should  not 
be  liable  to  the  success  of  an  assault  (for  conditions  or  treaties 
seemed  vain  to  be  expected  where  the  King  was),  but  that  some 
expedient  should  be  found  by  an  escape  from  thence  to  save  his 
life,  though  nothing  could  be  thought  on  in  order  to  his  flight, 
that,  in  point  of  danger,  kept  not  equal  pace  with  the  hazard  of 
his  stay.  Notwithstanding  it  was  then  first  debated  (as  the  King 
was  pleased  to  tell  me),  whether  it  were  not  better  for  his  Ma- 
jesty to  stay,  than  leave  Oxford,  &c." 

After  the  Restoration,  he  was  restored  to  his  former  post  of 
Groom  of  the  Bed-chamber,  and  was  elected  one  of  the  Knights 
of  the  Shire  for  Sussex,  to  that  parliament  which  met  at  West- 
minster, anno  l66l.  He  lies  buried  in  the  chancel  of  Ashbnrn- 
ham  church,  under  a  noble  monument  of  black  and  white 
marble,  whereon  lies  the  effigies  in  full  proportion  of  a  gentleman 
in  armour,  between  his  two  wives  -;  the  one  in  a  winding-sheet, 
and  the  other  in  a  Baroness's  robe,  with  a  coronet  on  her  head  j 
all  their  hands  elevated  j  and  underneath  are  the  figures  of  four 
sons,  and  four  daughters,  kneeling  before  a  desk.  Over  all,  in 
an  arch  of  white  marble,  supported  by  two  black  marble  pillars, 
is  the  following  inscription  on  black  marble,  in  gilt  Roman 
letters  : 

(<  Here  lies  in  the  Vault  underneath,  John  Ashburnham,  Esq, 
of  this  Place,  Son  to  the  unfortunate  Person  Sir  John  Ash- 
burnham, whose  good  nature  and  frank  Disposition  towards 
his  Friends,  in  being  deeply  engaged  for  them,  necessitated 
him  to  sell  this  place  (in  his  Family  long  before  the  Con- 
quest), and  all  the  Estate  he  had  elsewhere,  not  leaving  to 
his  Wife  and  six  Children  the  least  substance  3  which  is  not 
inserted  to  the  least  Disadvantage  of  his  Memory  (God  for- 
bid it  should  be  understood  to  be  a  Charge  of  Disrespect 
upon  him),  but  to  give  God  the  Praise  j  who  so  suddenlv 
provided  both  for  his  Wife  and  Children,  as  that  with  n 
less  than  two  Years  after  the  Death  of  the  said  Sir  John, 
there  was  not  any  of  them  but  was  in  Condition  rather 
\p  be  helpful  to  others,  than  to  want  support  themselves. 


260  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

May  God  be  pleased  to  add  this  Blessing  to  his  Posterity, 
that  they  may  never  be  unmindful  of  the  great  things  He 
has  done  for  them.  The  wife  of  the  said  Sir  John  Ashburn- 
ham, was  daughter  to  Sir  Thomas  Beaumont,  of  Staughton, 
in  the  county  of  Leicester)  she  was  very  eminent  for  her 
great  temper  and  prudence:  she  died  in  the  seventy  fifth 
Year  of  her  Age ;  and  both  the  said  Sir  John,  and  his  Wife, 
lie  buried  in  the  Church  of  St.  Andrew's,  in  Holborn,  Lon- 
don."    Sir  John  died  1620,  aet.  49. 

"  The  said  Mr.  John  Ashburnham  married  the  daughter  and 
heir  of  William  Holland,  of  Westburton,  in  this  County, 
Esq.  who  lies  also  here  interred,  and  by  whom  he  had  these 
eight  children.  She  made  the  first  step  towards  the  recovery 
of  some  part  of  the  inheritance  wasted  by  the  said  Sir  John; 
for  she  sold  her  whole  estate  to  lay  out  the  money  in  this 
place.  She  lived  in  great  reputation  for  piety  and  discre- 
tion, and  died  in  the  seven  and  thirtieth  Year  of  her  Age. 
The  second  Wife  to  the  said  Mr.  John  Ashburnham,  who 
lies  also  here  interred,  was  the  Widow  of  the  Lord  Poulett, 
of  Hinton  St.  George,  in  the  county  of  Somerset :  she  was 
daughter  and  heir  to  Christopher  Kenn,  of  Kenn,  in  that 
county,  Esq.  who  left  her  a  great  estate  in  lands,  now  in 
the  possession  of  the  Lord  Poulett.  She  was  worthy  imita- 
tion by  all  her  sex,  for  her  honourable  and  religious  conver- 
sation :  she  brought  great  advantages  to  the  family  of  this 
place,  and  died  at  the  age  of  seventy  years  and  four  months : 
and  her  memory  is  precious  to  all  considering  persons  that 
knew  her.  This  Mr.  John  Ashburnham  was  of  the  Bed- 
chamber to  their  Majesties  Charles  I.  and  Charles  II.  who 
when  he  had  performed  the  service  to  God  in  building  this 
Church  at  his  own  charge,  died  in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of 
his  age,  on  the  fifteenth  Day  of  June,  in  the  Year  of  our 
Lord  1671." 

Frances,  the  first  wife  of  the  said  John  Ashburnham,  died  in 
the  year  l64gt  and  was  buried  at  Ashburnham.  Of  their  daugh- 
ters, Frances,  born  anno  1632,  was  married  to  Sir  Denny  Ash- 
burnham, of  Brdmham,  in  Sussex,  Bart,  from  whom  was  descended 
the  late  Sir  William  Ashburnham,  Lord  Bishop  of  Chichester  j 
and  Elizabeth,  to  Sir  Hugh  Smith,  of  Long-Ashton,  in  the  county 
of  Somerset,  Bart. 


ASHBURNHAM  EARL  ASHBURNHAM.         26l 

William  Ashburnham,  Esq.  the  eldest  son,  died  in  the  year 
1655,  and  was  buried  at  Ashburnham,  having  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  John  Lord  Poulett,  of  Hinton  St.  George,  by  whom 
he  had  issue,  John,  his  son  and  heir,  created  Lord  Ashburnham. 
And  the  said  Elizabeth  was,  secondly,  married  to  Sir  William 
Hartop,  of  Rotherby,  in  the  county  of  Leicester,  and  dying  on 
August  18th,  1690,  aged  sixty,  was  buried  at  Ashburnham. 

John  Ashburnham,  first  Peer,  born  January  15th,  1655-6, 
was  heir  to  his  grandfather,  as  also  to  his  uncle,  William  Ash-> 
burnham;  and  on  the  accession  of  King  William  and  Queen 
Mary,  was  created  a  Baron,  by  the  style  and  title  of  Lord  Ash- 
burnham, Baron  of  Ashlurnham,  in  Sussex,  by  letters-patent, 
dated  May  20th,  l6o8,n  in  the  first  year  of  their  reign.  His  Lord- 
ship married,  in  Westminster-Abbey,  July  22d,  1QJ7,  Bridget,, 
only  daughter  and  heir  to  Walter  Vaugban,  of  Porthommel- 
House,  in  Brecknockshire,  Esq.  and  on  August  19th,  1702,  his 
Lordship  was  constituted  Custos  Rotulorum  °  of  that  county.  He 
departed  this  life  at  his  house  in  Southampton -street,  near  Blooms- 
bury-square,  on  January  22d,  1709-10,  aged  fifty-four  years  and 
seven  days,  and  was  buried  at  Ashburnham,  where  also  the  re- 
mains of  his  lady  are  deposited.     He  left  issue  three  sons. 

1.  William,  who  succeeded  him  in  honour  and  estate. 

2.  John,  late  Earl  Ashburnham.     And, 

3.  Bertram,  who  died  in  April  1743,  unmarried. 

Also  two  daughters;  Elizabeth,  married,  first,  to  Robert  Choi- 
mondeley,  of  Holford,  in  Cheshire ;  and,  secondly,  to  Seymour 
Cholmondeley,  Esq.  and  died  on  January  26th,  1731-2;  and  Jane, 
wedded  to  James  Hays,  Esq.*  and  died  in  August  1/31. 

William,  second  Lord  Ashburnham,  born  May  20tb, 
l675>  married  Catharine,  daughter,  and,  at  length,  sole  heir  to 
Thomas  Taylor,  of  Clapham,  in  the  county  of  Bedford,  Esq.  but 
died  (leaving  no  issue  by  her),  on  June  16th,  1710,  and  she  on 
July  1 1  tb,  the  same  year,  aged  twenty-three  years,  and  were  both 
buried  at  Ashburnham.  To  whom  succeeded,  his  next  brother 
and  heir, 

John,  third  Lord,  and  first  Earl  of  Ashburnham,  bap- 
tized March  13th,  1687;  he  was  by  Queen  Anne  constituted 
Colonel  and  Captain  of  the  first  troop  of  Horse  Guards;  and  in 
December,  1728,  appointed  Gentleman  of  the  Bed-chamber  to 
Frederick  Prince  of  Wales,  but  resigned  that  office  in  June, 

■  E*  Collect  Greg,  King  Lane,  fecial,  «  Pat.  3  Geo.  II. 


2d2  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

1/31;  having  the  year  before,  on- May  14th,  1/30,  in  conside- 
ration of  his  great  merits,  been  created  Viscount  St.  Asapky  in  the 
Principality  of  Wales,  and  Earl  Ashburnham.  And  on  No- 
vember 23d,  1731,  was  constituted  Captain  of  the  Yeomen  of  the 
Guard. 

His  Lordship  married  to  his  first  wife,  on  October  21st,  1/10, 
the  Lady  Mary  Butler,  daughter  to  James  Duke  of  Ormond,  who 
died  without  issue  on  January  2d,  17*2,  in  the  twenty-third  year 
of  her  age,  and  was  buried  at  Ashburnham. 

He  married,  secondly,  on  July  24th,  1714,  Henrietta,  widow 
of  John  Earl  of  Anglesey,  and  daughter  to  William  Earl  of  Derby, 
who  died  on  June  26th,  1/18,  in  the  thirty-first  year  of  her  age, 
leaving  an  only  daughter,  the  Lady  Henrietta  Ashburnham,  who 
died  unmarried  on  August  8th,  1/32. 

He  married,  to  his  third  wife,  the  Lady  Jemima  Grey,  daugh- 
ter and  coheir  to  Henry  Duke  of  Kent;  which  Lady  died  on  July 
7th,  1731,  leaving  issue  one  son,  John. 

The  said  John  Earl  of  Ashburnham  departing  this  life  at  hi* 
house  in  St.  James's-square,  in  the  forty-ninth  year  of  his  age,  on 
March  10th,  1/36-7,  was  buried  at  Ashburnham.  To  whom  suc- 
ceeded the  beforementioned 

John,  his  only  son  and  heir,  second  Earl  of  Ashburnham, 
born  October  30th,  1724,  one  of  the  Lords  of  the  Bedchamber  to 
his  late  Majesty;  and  July  14th,  1753,  appointed  Keeper  of 
Hyde  Park,  and  also  Keeper  of  St.  James's  Park.  On  the  acces- 
sion of  his  present  Majesty,  his  Lordship  was  continued  in  those 
offices,  until  he  resigned  tbem  in  17&2;  on  November  10th, 
1775,  was  appointed  first  Lord  of  the  Bed-chamber,  and  Groom  of 
the  Stole  to  his  Majesty,  which  he  resigned  in  1775«  He  is  LL.D. 

He  married,  on  June  28th,  J  756,  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  co- 
heir of  Ambrose  Crawley,  Esq.  late  Alderman  of  London :  and 
by  her  Ladyship,  who  died  at  Bath,  6th  February,  178I,  had  issue 

1.  George,  discount  St.  Asaph,  born  on  February  2d,  1758, 
and  died  on  the  13th  of  the  same  month. 

2.  George,  now  Viscount  St.  Asaph,  born  on  December  25th, 
1760,  and  baptized  on  January  23d  following,  his  Majesty,  the 
Duke  of  Newcastle,  and  the  Princess  Dowager  of  Wales,  being 
personally  sponsors,  married,  first,  August  2Sth,  1784,  Sophia, 
third  daughter  of  Thomas,  first  Marquis  of  Bath,  by  whom  (who 
died  April  9th,  1791),  he  had,  1.  George,  born  October  9th, 
1785,  M.  P.  for  NewRomney,  1807.  2.  Elizabeth.  3.  Sophia. 
4.  John,  an  Ensign  in  the  CokUtream.  Regiment  of  Foot  Guards. 


ASHBURNHAM  EARL  ASHBURNHAM.         263 

He  married,  secondly,  Charlotte,  eldest  daughter  of  Charles, 
Earl  of  Beverley,  by  whom  he  has,  5.  A  son,  March  19th,  1803. 
His  Lordship  was  summoned  to  Parliament  on  March  23d,  1803, 
as  Baron  Ashburnham,  and  placed  in  the  seat  of  his  father's 
Barony  of  May  30th,  1689. 

3.  Lady  Henrietta  Theodosia,  born  November  8th,  1^59. 

4.  Lady  Jemima  Elizabeth,  born  January  1st,  1762,  married, 
February  26th,  1785,  James,  now  Duke  of  Montrose,  and  died 
September  18th,  1786'. 

5.  Lady  Elizabeth  Frances,  born  May  I Oth,  1763- 

6.  Lady  Theodosia  Maria,  born  June  16th,  17^5,  married,  June 
4th,  1788,  Robert  Vyner,  Esq.  of  Gautby,  in  Lincolnshire  j  and 
has  issue. 

Titles.  John  Ashburnham,  Earl  Ashburnham,  Viscount  St. 
Asaph,  and  Baron  Ashburnham. 

Creations.  Baron  Ashburnham,  of  Ashburnham,  in  Sussex, 
May  30th,  1689,  1  W.  and  M.;  Viscount  St.  Asaph,  in  the  Prin- 
cipality of  Wales,  and  Earl  Ashburnham,  May  14th,  1730,  3 
Geo.  II. 

Arms.     Gules,  a  fess  between  six  mullets,  Argent. 

Crest.     Out  of  a  ducal  coronet,  Or,  an  ash-tree  proper. 

Supporters.  Two  greyhounds,  Sable,  collared  and  chained, 
Or. 

Motto.     Le  Roy  et  L'estat. 

Chief  Seats.  At  Ashburnham,  in  the  count  of  Sussex;  and  at 
Chelsea,  in  the  county  of  Middlesex. 


2(54 


PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND, 


HOWARD  EARL  OF  EFFINGHAM. 


Having,  in  the  first  volume  of  this  work,  mentioned  the  issue 
of  Thomas,  the  second  Duke  of  Norfolk,  by  Agnes,  his  second 
wife  (sister  and  heir  of  Sir  Philip  Tilney,  of  Boston,  in  the  county 
of  Lincoln),  I  come  now  to  treat  of  the  eldest  son  by  that  mar- 
riage, 

Lord  William  Howard,  first  Lord  Howard  of  Effing- 
ham, who  in  October,  1532,  was  among  those  courtiers a  who 
attended  on  their  sovereign  at  his  magnificent  interview  with 
Francis  I.  the  French  King,  at  Boulogne,  having  b  in  his  retinue 
eleven  servants,  ::nd  two  horsekeepers :  and  on  June  1st,  next 
year,  assisted  at  the  coronation  of  Queen  Anne  Boleyn,c  as  Earl 
Marshal  of  England,  in  the  room  of  his  brother,  the  Duke  of 
Norfolk,  then  Ambassador  in  France.  In  1534,  he  was  dsent 
into  Scotland  to  present  King  James  V.  with  the  Order  of  the 
Garter,  and  to  desire  him  to  come  into  England,  and  accompany 
King  Henry  to  his  intended  interview  with  the  French  King; 
with  which  the  Scottish  Monarch  did  not  comply.  Also  the  fol- 
lowing year  was  again  esent  thither  with  William  Barlow,  Bishop 
of  St.  Asaph,  to  procure  an  interview  between  King  Henry  and 
the  Scottish  King,  as  also  to  make  certain  advantageous  propo- 
sitions to  him,  which  were  also  declined.  After  that  he  was  sent 
Ambassador  into  France/  and  soon  after  his  return  in  1541,  he, 
together  with  his  Lady,  and  several  of  his  relations,  were  indicted 
for  misprision  of  treason,  in  concealing  the  misdemeanor  of  Ca- 

*  Stow'i  Annate,  p.  $oo.  b  MS.  in  Bibl.  Joh.  Anstis,  Arm.  Not.  B.  J. 

€  Hollinshed's  Chron.  p.  931. 
«»  Herbert's  Life  cf  H.  VIII.  in  Hist,  of  Eng.  Vol.  II.  p.  176. 
«  Ibid.  p.  184.  f  Hollinsfced,  p.  955,  and  Herbert,  p.  229. 


EARL  OF  EFFINGHAM.  265 

tharine  Howards  (fifth  wife  of  Henry  VIII.)  who  for  her  un- 
happy deportment,  lost  her  head,  February  13th,  1542.  And 
this  Lord  William  Howard,  with  his  Lady,  being  convicted  of 
not  discovering  what  they  knew  of  the  Queen's  behaviour,  were 
condemned  to  perpetual  imprisonment,  and  adjudged  to  forfeiture 
of  their  goods,  and  the  profits  of  their  lands  during  life.  How- 
ever, it*  consideration  of  his  services  (and  it  may  be  his  innocence) 
he  was  soon  after  pardoned  j  and  in  1544,  hhe  accompanied  the 
Earl  of  Hertford  in  that  expedition  then  made  against  the  Scots. 
Also  the  following  syear  he  attended  on  the  King  at  the  siege  of 
Boulogne.  In  kthe  4th  of  Edward  VI.  when  matters  were  ad- 
justed between  England  and  France,  and  Boulogne  was  to  be 
restored  to  the  French,  and  six  hostages  were  to  be  given  by  the 
French  for  a  great  sum  of  money  to  be  paid  to  King  Edward,  in 
consideration  of  the  restitution  of  Boulogne,  this  Lord  William 
Howard,  and  other  noblemen,  were,  on  April  20th,  ordered  to 
receive  them,  being  six  of  th«  French  principal  nobility,  between 
Dover  and  London,  to  conduct  them  the  more  honourably  accord- 
ing to  their  estates.  In  1553,1  many  of  the  nobility,  whereof 
this  Lord  William  Howard  was  one,  were  by  King  Edward  in- 
corporated, a«  Merchant- Ad  venturers  to  Muscovy,  who  at  their 
own  costs  and  charges  provided  three  ships,  to  discover  territories 
unknown,  northwards,  north-eastwards,  and  north-westwards; 
In  which  voyage  Sir  Hugh  Willoughby,  the  Chief  Commander, 
was  froze  to  death  sitting  in  his  cabin  j  but  Richard  Chancellor, 
the  next  Commander,  arrived  safe  at  St.  Nicholas's  port  in  Russia, 
and  travelling  to  the  court  of  the  Czar,  Juan  Basilowitz  II.  deli* 
vered  the  King's  letters  to  him  j  and  returned  with  that  Prince's 
letters  to  King  Edward,  granting  free  traffic  to  the  English  in 
any  parts  of  his  dominions.  This  was  their  first  entrance  into 
Russia. 

In  the  6th  year  m  of  Edward  VI.  he  was  constituted  Deputy  of 
Calais:  and  having  manifested  his  valour  on  several  occasions, 
and  been  stedfast  in  his  loyalty  both  to  Henry  VIII.  and  Ed- 
ward VI.  as  also  to  Queen  Mary  on  her  accession  to  the  Crown, 
he  was  created  a  Peer  of  the  realm,  by  letters  patent  bearing  date 
11  Martii,  1553-4,  the  first  year  of  her  reign,n  by  the  title  of 
Lord  Howard  of  Effingham.     Also,  on  °the  20th  of  the 

£  See  Gent.  Mag.  Vol.  LXVII.  p.  543,  544.  k  Hollinshed,  p.  961. 

*  Rymer'i  FoeJera,  torn.  15.  p.  56.  k  Strype*a  Mem.  Vol.11,  p,  229. 

1  Ibid.  p.  319.  «n  Pat.  6,  Edward  VI.  p.  3. 

0  P*  .  1  Mir.  p.  7.  *lbid.  p.  5.  M.  3. 


266  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

same  month  was  constituted  Lord  High  Admiral  of  England, 
Ireland,  Wales,  &c.  On  Wyat's  insurrection  that  year,  being 
then  Lord  Admiral/  he  was  associated  with  Sir  Thomas  White, 
Lord  Mayor  of  London,  for  the  protection  and  defence  of  the 
city;  and  did  good  service,  fortifying  the  bridge,  and  planting 
cannon  thereon,  so  that  Wyat  was  obliged  to  retire,  without  at- 
tempting to  enter  the  city  that  way;  though  he  expected  great 
help  from  the  citizens,  which  (as  Hollinshed  recites),  was  frus- 
trated by  the  Lord  Admiral's  prudent  disposition. 

On  April  8th  following,  bearing  the  title  of  her  beloved  and 
faithful  Counsellor,  Sir  William  Howard,  Knt.  Lord  Howard  of 
Effingham,  High  Admiral  of  England  and  Ifales,  Ireland,  Gas- 
cony,  and  Aquitain,  the  Queen,  in  consideration  of  his  <i  fidelity, 
prudence,  valour,  and  industry,  diligence,  experience,  and  inte- 
grity, constitutes  him  her  Lieutenant-General,  and  Chief  Com- 
mander of  her  whole  fleet  and  royal  army,  going  to  sea  for  the 
defence  of  her  friends,  &c.  And  soon  after  setting  sail  with 
twenty-eight  ships  of  war,  and  other  vessels,  he  kept r  the  seas 
about  three  months,  and  meeting  with  Philip  Prince  of  Spain,  he 
waited  on  him  till  his  arrival  at  Southampton,  July  19th,  1554  ; 
and  also  attended  his  marriage  with  the  Queen  at  Winchester,  on 
the  25th  following. 

His  Lordship s  was  elected  Knight  of  the  most  noble  Order  of 
the  Garter,  on  October  9th,  the  same  year,  and  installed  in  De- 
cember following.  His  plate  of  installation  *  is  in  the  eleventh 
stall  of  the  chapel  of  St.  George  at  Windsor;  which  reciting  his 
being  Admiral  of  England  and  Ireland,  and  being  continued 
Chamberlain  of  the  Household  by  Queen  Elizabeth,  shews  that  it 
must  have  been  put  up  in  the  reign  of  the  last-mentioned  Prin- 
cess. Although  his  Lordship  complied  with  Mary's  religion,  yet 
it  was  with  great  moderation:  for,  in  1554,  being  one  of  the 
Commissioners  for  trying  those  who  refused  to  go  to  Mass,  he  ■ 
at  the  arraignment  of  eleven  persons,  who  were  asked  whether 
they  would  be  united  again  to  the  Catholic  church  with  the  rest 
of  the  realm,  finding  ten  of  them  refuse,  put  this  favourable 
question  to  the  last,  Whether  he  would  he  an  honest  man,  as  his 
father  was  before  him  ?  and  the  person,  interrogated,  answering 
yea,  was  discharged.     Also,  during  the  troubles  of  the  Lady  Eli- 

P  Hollinshed,  p.  1097.  '  Rymer,  p.  382. 

*  Hollinshed,  p.  1 1 18.  »  MS.  of  the  Knights  of  the  Garter. 

*  Pote's  Antiquities  of  Windsor,  p.  291. 

»  Stryue's  Memorials,  Vol.  111.  p.  208. 


EARL  OF  EFFINGHAM.  267 

zabeth,  being  x  sent  to  her  from  the  Queen,  he  used  her  with  the 
greatest  respect,  when  many  of  the  court  treated  her  most  con- 
temptuously. 

Wherefore  Elizabeth,  on  her  accession  to  the  throne,  not  only- 
continued  him  in  his  place  of  Lord  Chamberlasn,y  and  of  her 
Privy-Council,  but  employed  him  in  the  weightiest  affairs  of 
state.  On  January  20th,  in  the  first  year  of  her  reign,2  his  Lord- 
ship, with  the  Bishop  of  Ely,  and  Nicholas  Wot  ton,  Dean  of 
Canterbury,  were  empowered  to  conclude  a  peace  with  the  French 
King.  And  on  May  23d  following/  he  was  appointed  one  of  the 
Commissioners  to  take  the  oath  of  supremacy  of  all  persons  that 
enjoyed  any  employments  or  trust  under  the  Queen,  bearing  then 
the  title  of  Lord  Chamberlain  to  her  household. 

He  continued  in  that  post  till  b  July  13th,  1572,  when  being 
worn  out  with  the  fatigues  of  an  active  life,c  he  resigned  it,  and 
was  made  Lord  Privy-Seal,  which  post  he  enjoyed  but  a  short 
timejd  dying  on  January  21st  following,  at  Hampton-Court,  full 
of  years  and  honour ;  being  (as  Camden  e  writes),  of  most  ap- 
proved fidelity,  and  unshaken  courage.  He  was  f  buried  in  the 
family  vault  of  the  Howards,  under  the  chancel  in  the  church  of 
Ryegate,  in  Surry,  on  the  29th  ensuing. 

His  Lordship  married  two  wives ;  whereof  the  first  lies  buried 
in  the  chancel  of  the  church  of  Lambeth,  in  Surry,  under  a  mo- 
nument erected  to  her  memory,  with  this  inscription : 

Here  lyeth  Katharine  Howard,  one  of  the  Sisters  and  Heires  of 
John  Broughton,  Esq.  Sonne  and  Heire  of  John  Broughton,  Esq. 
and  late  Wife  of  Lord  William  Howard,  one  of  the  Sonnes  of  the 
right  high  and  mighty  Prince  Lord  Thomas,  late  Duke  of  Nor- 
folk, High  Treasurer  and  Earl  Marshall  of  England:  Which 
Lord  William  and  Lady  Kalherine  left  issue  betweene  them  law* 
fully  begotten,  Agnes  Howard,  their  only  daughter.  Which  said 
Lady  Katherine  deceased  the  x'xiii  Day  of  April,  A*  Dom,  1535. 
Whose  Soule  Jesu  pardon. 

The  said  daughter  Agnes,  was  married  to  William  Paulet,  the 
third  Marquis  of  Winchester,  and  died  in  J601. 

*  Hollinshed,  p.  1158.  Y  Camden's  Elizabeth. 

*  Rymer,  torn.  15.  p.  610.         a  Ibid.  p.  618.  b  Hollinshed,  p.  1231. 

c  Camden,  p.  450.  *  Hollinshed,  p.  1257.    ' 

•  Life  of  Qween  Elizabeth,  p.  449. 
{  Ei  Collect,  sub  manu  Toh.  Anstis  Arraig'r. 


268  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

This  Lord  Howard  of  Effingham  had  to  his  second  wife  Mar- 
garet, second  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Gamage,  of  Coity,  in  Gla- 
morganshire, Knt.  by  Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  John  St.  John, 
of  Bletsho  (who  survived  him,  dying  in  May  1581,  and  was  bu- 
ried in  the  same  vault  with  her  husband,  under  Ryegate  church, 
on  the  lgth  of  the  same  month),  by  whom  he  had  issue  four 
sons. 

1.  Charles,  his  successor. 

2.  Sir  William  Howard,  of  Lingfield,  in  Surry,  who  died  in 
1600,  and  was  buried  at  Ryegate,  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  of 
Effingham. 

3.  Edward.     And. 

4.  Henry,  who  both  died  young. 
Also  five  daughters. 

1.  Douglas/  married  to  John  Lord  Sheffield,  ancestor  to  the 
late  Duke  of  Buckinghamshire}  secondly,  to  Robert  Earl  of 
Leicester}  and  afterwards  to  Sir  Edward  Stafford,  of  Grafton, 
Knt. 

2.  Mary,  married,  first,  to  Edward  Lord  Dudley;  afterwards 
to  Richard  Mompesson,  Esq.  she  died  August  2 1st,  lfjOO,  and 
was  buried  in  the  parish  church  of  St.  Margaret,  Westminster, 
where  a  monument  was  erected  to  her  memory. 

3.  Frances,  wedded  to  Edward,  Earl  of  Hertford,  and  died 
without  issue,  14th  May,  1598,  aged  forty-four,  and  was  buried 
in  the  Chapel  of  St.  Benedict,  in  Westminster  Abbey,  against  the 
east  wall  of  which  chapel  is  a  very  stately  monument  twenty-six 
feet  high,  with  a  suitable  inscription  to  her  memory. 

4.  Martha,  to  Sir  George  Bourchier,  Knt.  third  son  to  John 
Earl  of  Bath.     And, 

5.  Katherine,  who  died  young,  September  22d,  1598,  and  was 
also  buried  with  her  parents. 

By  his  last  will  and  testament,h  bearing  date  6th  Maii,  156Q, 
he  bequeathed  to  Charles,  his  son  and  heir,  his  collar  of  gold, 
and  all  his  robes  belonging  to  the  Order  of  the  Garter;  and  ap- 
pointed a  tomb  to  be  made  for  him  in  the  chancel  of  the  parish 
church  of  Ryegate,  in  Surry,  where  he  ordered  his  body  to  be 

E  See  a  very  extraordinary  account  of  her  intrigues  with  Lord  Leicester,  du-, 
Ting  Lord  Leicester's  life,  in  Gervase  Holles's  curious  Memoirs  of  the  HolLg 
family.  Her  second  marriage  with  Lord  Leicester  was  denied  ;  and  the  celebra- 
ted Sir  Robert  Dudley,  her  son,  declared  illegitimate.  But  the  mystery  is  not 
cleared  up  to  this  day. 

h  Regist.  Peter,  q.  %%.  in  Cur.  Prerog.  Cant. 


EARL  OF  EFFINGHAM.  26*9 

buried  -,  which  was  accordingly  done  with  great  solemnity,  on 
January  2()th,  1572-3,  seventeen  days  after  his  death. 

Chakles  second  Lord  Howard  of  Effingham,  and  first 
Earl  of  Nottingham,  his  eldest  son,  was  initiated  during  the 
lifetime  of  his  father  in  the  affairs  of  state ;  being  '  sent  in  2 
Eliz.  on  the  death  of  the  French  King,  with  a  compliment  of 
condolence  to  his  successor,  and  to  congratulate  him  on  his  suc- 
cession ;  also  to  desire,  that  the  friendship  so  lately  commenced 
between  the  two  crowns  might  continue.  Returning  from  this 
embassy,  he  was  k  elected  one  of  the  Knights  for  the  county  of 
Surry,  in  that  Parliament  began  at  Westminster,  January  11th, 
1502-3,  and  in  12  Eliz.  was  General1  of  the  horsemen  under  the 
Earl  of  Warwick,  in  that  army  sent  against  the  Earls  of  North- 
umberland and  Westmoreland,  then  in  rebellion.  The  following 
year  he  was  sent m  with  a  fleet  of  men  of  war  to  convoy  the  Lady 
Anne  of  Austria,  daughter  of  the  Emperor  Maximilian,  going 
into  Spain,  over  the  Britsh  seas.  And  n  elected  for  Surry,  in  the 
Parliament  which  met  May  8th,  1572,  having  before  that  time 
received  the  honour  of  knighthood. 

He  was  installed  Knight  of  the  most  noble  Order  of  the  Garter 
on  April  24th,  1574:,  also  was  made  °Lord  Chamberlain  of  the 
Household.  In  1586,  he  was  Pone  of  the  Noblemen  appointed 
Commissioners  by  the  Queen's  patent,  for  the  trial  of  the  Queen 
of  Scots  j  and  therein  is  styled  of  the  Privy  Council,  and  Lord 
High  Admiral  of  England/i  having  been  so  constituted  in 
1584-5.  In  1588,  the  memorable  year  of  the  Spanish  Invasion, 
the  Queen  (as  Camden r  writes),  having  a  great  opinion  of  his 
fortunate  conduct,  and  well  knowing  him  to  be  skilful  in  mari- 
time affairs,  wary  and  provident,  valiant  and  courageous,  indus- 
trious and  active  3  and  that  by  the  sweetness  of  his  behaviour, 
and  by  his  bravery  and  conduct,  he  was  of  great  authority  and 
esteem  among  the  seamen,  she  committed  to  him  the  command 
of  the  whole  fleet :  with  which  he  had  the  honour  of  saving  his 
country,  by  dispersing  and  totally  ruining  that  fleet,  which  the 
Spaniards  had  fondly  boasted  to  be  invincible,  and  had  been 
three  whole  years  fitting  out,  at  a  vast  expence;  and  thereby 
gained  immortal  honour  to  himself  and  family.    For  which  great 

i  Camden,  p.  278.  *  Willis's  Notitia  Par!,  p.  70.  75. 

I  Hollinshed,  p,  12T2.  m  Carr.den,  p.  430.        x 

n  Willis,  p.  88.  95.  °  Camden,  p.  510. 

t  Camden  Eliz.  in  Hist,  of  Eng.  Vol.  II.  p.  $10.  <  Ibid. 

»  In  Annals  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  p.  543. 


270  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

service  the  Queen  not  only  settled  a  pension  on  him,  but  ever 
after  considered  him  as  a  person  born  for  the  preservation  of  his 
country.  And  when,  in  15Q6,  on  a  report  of  the  Spaniards  again 
attempting  to  invade  England,  a  fleet  was  equipped  of  150  ships, 
with  land  forces  on  board,  he  was  smade  Commander  in  Chief 
at  sea,  and  the  Earl  of  Essex  at  land.  In  which  expedition  Cadiz 
was  taken ;  and  he  merited  so  much,  and  his  service  therein  was 
so  well  esteemed,  that  the  Queen,  on  October  22d  the  same  year,* 
advanced  him  to  the  dignity  and  title  of  Earl  of  Nottingham 
(being  descended  from  the  family  of  Mowbray,  whereof  some 
have  been  Earls  of  that  county),  the  reasons  whereof  are  thus  "in- 
serted in  his  patent : 

"  That  by  the  victory  obtained  anno  1588,  he  had  secured  the 
kingdom  of  England  from  the  invasion  of  Spain,  and  other  im- 
pendent dangers}  and  did  also  in  conjunction  with  our  dear 
cousin  Robert  Earl  of  Essex,  seize  by  force  the  isle  and  strongly 
fortified  city  of  Cales,  in  the  furthest  part  of  Spain  ;  and  did  like- 
wise entirely  rout  and  defeat  another  fleet  of  the  King  of  Spain, 
prepared  in  that  port  against  this  kingdom." 

In  the  same  year  he  was  x  constituted  Justice  Itinerant,  for 
life,  of  all  the  forests  south  of  Trent.  And  in  41  Eliz.  when  yon 
a  report  of  the  Spaniards  again  designing  the  invasion  of  England, 
and  on  private  intelligence  that  the  Earl  of  Essex,  then  Deputy 
of  Ireland,  discontented  at  the  power  of  his  adversaries,  was  me- 
ditating to  return  into  England  with  a  select  party  of  men,  on 
which  the  Queen  raised  6000  foot  soldiers,  to  be  ready  on  any 
emergency;  she  reposed  so  entire  a  confidence  in  the  fidelity  of 
this  Earl,  that  she  z  committed  to  him  the  chief  command.  Hut 
these  forces  were  again  disbanded  in  a  few  days,  and  the  Earl  had 
no  opportunity  to  exercise  his  courage  or  conduct,  till  44  Eliz. 
when  on  the  Earl  of  Essex's  insurrection  he  was  senta  to  reduce 
Drury-house,  whither  Essex  had  retired,  which  was  presently 
surrendered.  The  same  year  he  was  b  constituted  one  of  the 
Commissioners  for  exercising  the  office  of  Earl  Marshal  of  Eng- 
land. The  year  after,  the  Queen,  sensible  of  her  declining  con- 
dition, removed  from  Westminster  to  Richmond  (where  she  ended 
h,er  days  on  March  24th,  1 602-3),  and  said  to  the  Lord  Admiral, 
for  whom  she  had  a  particular  respect,  My  throne  has  been  helc( 

»  Camden,  p.  £91.  t  pat.  39  Eliz.  p.  3,  *  Camden,  p.  599, 

x  Pat.  39  Eliz.  p.  1.  y  Camden,   p.  616. 

»  Pat.  41  Eliz.  p.  24.  in  dorso.  a  Camden,  p.  632, 

b  Pit.  41  Eliz.  p.  14.  in  dorsoa 


EARL  OF  EFFINGHAM.  2;i 

ly  Princes  in  the  nvay  of  succession,  and  ought  not  to  go  to  any  but 
my  next  and  immediate  heir.  Which  he  acquainting  the  council 
with,  some  time  before  her  death,  they  deputed  him,  the  Lord 
Keeper,  and  the  Secretary,  to  wait  on  the  Queen,  to  learn  her 
pleasure  in  reference  to  the  succession ;  whereupon  she  declared 
the  King  of  Scots  to  be  her  nearest  kinsman  and  successor. 

On  whose  accession  to  the  throne,  the  Earl  was  continued  in 
his  post  of  Lor  J  Admiral,  and  at  his  coronation,  was  c  made  Lord 
High  Steward  of  England  upon  that  occasion.  He  was  also  dsent 
ambassador  into  Spain,  attended  with  a  very  splendid  retinue  of 
English  noblemen,  and  was  made  one  of  the  commissioners  to 
treat  of  an  Union  between  England  and  Scotland. 

King  James  having  an  absolute  aversion  to  war,  was  now  led 
hastily  to  conclude  a  peace  with  Spain,  even  to  the  amazement 
and  great  advantage  of  the  Spaniards,  who  thereby  had  an  op- 
portunity given  them  of  retrieving  their  almost  desperate  affairs, 
and  of  pushing  on  the  war  with  the  Dutch,  against  whom  they 
were  deeply  enraged  on  account  of  their  revolt  for  religion  and 
liberty. e  It  is  said,  indeed,  this  peace  was  not  purchased  without 
the  aid  of  large  sums  of  money  distributed  by  the  Spanish  ambas- 
sador among  the  King's  ministers/ 

f(  The  constable  of  Castille  (says  Wei  don),  so  plyed  his  mas- 
ter's business  (in  which  he  spared  for  no  cost),  that  he  procured 
a  peace  so  advantageous  for  Spaine,  and  so  disadvantageous  for 
England,  that  it,  and  all  Christendom,  have  since  both  seen  and 
felt  the  lamentable  effect  thereof.  There  was  not  one  courtier  of 
note  that  tasted  not  of  Spaine's  bounty,  either  in  gold  or 
jewels."s 

The  treaties  of  commerce  now  concluded  by  France  and  Eng- 
land with  Spain  and  the  Archdukes,  rendered  it  necessary  to  send 
ambassadors  extraordinary  to  those  foreign  courts ;  and  the  Duke 
of  Lenox  was  dispatched  to  France;  the  Lord  Admiral  to  Spain ; 
and  the  Earl  of  Hertford  to  the  court  of  Bruxelles. 

"  The  chief  point  considered  in  the  Spanish  embassy  (says 
Carte),  was  to  send  a  person  of  equal  dignity  with  the  Constable 
of  Castille ;  and  none  could  be  thought  of  but  Charles  Howard, 
Earl  of  Nottingham,  Lord  High  Admiral  of  England:  he  solicited 
hard  to  be  made  a  duke  on  the  occasion,  but  could  not  prevail, 

*  Pat.   I  Jac.  I.  p,  18. 

d  Wilson's  Life  of  K'ng  James  in  Hist,  of  England,  Vol.  II.  p.  673. 
*  bee  Harris's  Life  of  James  I.  p.  138.        •  *  Rapin  —  Weklon,  &;c,  . 

i  P.  26,  27.  .  .      . 


272  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

the  dignity  of  his  post  being  sufficient.  He  was  the  goodliest 
person  of  the  age,  and  still  so,  though  far  advanced  in  years  j  he 
never  had  any  great  fund  of  sense,  and  was  now  grown  the  jest 
of  the  court,  too  vain  and  weak  a  man  to  be  employed  in  any 
business,  or  entrusted  with  any  important  negotiation;  but  he 
was  well  enough  cut  out  to  make  a  shew  in  matters  of  mere  cere- 
mony and  compliment  j  especially  at  the  court  of  Spain,  in  whose 
interest  he  was  entirely  embarked.  His  public  instructions  re- 
lated only  to  the  King  of  Spain's  oath  for  observance  of  the  treaty, 
and  his  own  master's  neutrality :  but  in  a  private  one  from  the 
King  and  Council,  he  was  charged  to  express  his  goodwill  to  the 
Prince  of  Wales's  marriage  with  the  Infanta,  if  it  came  to  be 
mentioned.  He  had  15,0001.  allowed  for  his  expences;  and 
carried  over  with  hicj  Sir  Charles  Cornwallis,h  who  was  to  reside 
in  Spain  as  ordinary  ambassador,  six  young  noblemen,  fifty 
knights,  and  a  retinue  of  five  hundred  persons ;  yet  his  embassy 
was  not  unprofitable  j  receiving  at  his  parting  thence  to  the  value 
of  20,0001.  in  presents}  besides  a  pension  of  12,000  crowns  to 
himself,  and  30,000  among  his  followers.  The  Admiral,  setting 
out  on  March  28th,  arrived  on  May  10th,  at  Valladolidj  and  on 
Friday,  the  last  of  this  month,  his  Catholick  Majesty  ratified  the 
peace  upon  oath  in  a  great  chamber  of  the  palace  j  and  subscribed 
the  articles,  added  by  the  Constable,  about  German  merchandize, 
and  the  inquisition.  It  was  pretended  that  the  clergy  would  not 
surfer  this  to  be  done  in  a  church  or  chapel,  where  the  neglect  of 
reverence  to  the  Holy  Sacrament  would  give  scandal  $  and  it  was 
perhaps  some  foresight  hereof  which  made  the  Constable,  when 
he  was  to  swear  to  the  peace  in  England,  desire  it  might  be  done 
in  Westminster-Hall,  though  he  was  over-ruled  by  Kin£  James, 
and  forced  to  take  his  oath  in  Whitehall  chapel.  When  that 
ceremony  was  performed  in  England  and  France,  the  Spanish 
Ambassadors  had  dined  with  both  the  Kings  -}  and  the  Admiral 
expected  the  like  honour  in  Spain ;  but  this  was  excused  as  con- 
trary to  the  custom  of  the  court;  no  French  ambassador,  no  papaj 
nuncio,  nor  even  the  Duke  of  Savoy,  though  an  absolute  prince, 
and  married  to  the  King's  sister,  being  ever  admitted  to  his  table. 
The  Admiral  leaving  Valladolid  on  June  7th,  arrived  the  2.9th  of 
that  month  at  Portsmouth,  but  found  a  worse  reception  at  Court 

h  Sir  Charles  Cornwallis  has  given  a  minute  account  of  their  arrival  at  Vaila«» 
dolid,  in  a  Letter  printed  in  Winyvood,  and  in  Memoirs  of  King  James's  Peers, 
196.  In  both  which  books  are  many  other  interesting  Letters  from.  Sir  CharL* 
relative  to  this  Embassy. 


EARL  OF  EFFINGHAM.  273 

than  he  expected  j  the  folly  of  his  tongue  in  Spain,  the  effect  of 
his  vanity,1  bringing  on  him  severe  reproaches  from  his  master.^* 
This  account  by  Carte  is  principally  drawn  from  Winwood's  Me- 
morials. 

The  next  event  in  Lord  Nottingham's  life  which  I  find  recorded 
in  history,  was  his  attendance  at  the  marriage  of  the  Princes* 
Elizabeth  with  the  Elector  Palatine. 

<c  In  February  (1012)  following  the  death  of  Prince  Henry 
(says  Arthur  Wilson),  the  Prince  Palatine  and  that  lovely  Prin- 
cess the  Lady  Elizabeth,  were  married  on  Bishop  Valentine's  day, 
in  all  the  pomp  and  glory  that  so  much  grandeur  could  express. 
Her  vestments  were  white,  the  emblem  of  innocency ;  her  hair 
dishevelled,  hanging  down  her  back  at  length,  an  ornament  of 
virginity}  a  crown  of  pure  gold  upon  her  head,  the  cognizance 
of  Majesty,  being  all  over  beset  with  precious  gems  shining  like  a 
constellation ;  her  train  supported  by  twelve  young  ladies  in 
white  garments,  so  adorned  with  jewels,  that  her  path  looked  like 
a  milky  way.  She  was  led  to  church  by  her  brother,  Prince 
Charles,  and  the  Earl  of  Northampton  j  the  young  bachelor,  on 
the  right  hand,  and  the  old  on  the  left.  And  while  the  Arch- 
bishop of  Canterbury  was  solemnizing  the  marriage,  some  corus- 
cations and  lightnings  of  joy  appeared  in  her  countenance,  that 
expressed  more  than  an  ordinary  smile,  being  almost  elated  to  a 
laughter,  which  could  not  clear  the  air  of  her  fate,  but  was  rather 
a  forerunner  of  more  sad  and  dire  events  :  which  shows  how  slip- 
pery Nature  is  to  toll  us  along  to  those  things  that  bring  danger, 
yea  sometimes  destruction  with  them. 

"  She  returned  from  the  chapel  between  the  Duke  of  Lenox, 
and  the  Earl  of  Nottingham,  Lord  High  Admiral,  two  married 
men.  The  feastings,  maskings,  and  other  royal  formalities,  were 
as  troublesome  ('tis  presumed)  to  the  lovers,  as  the  relation  of 
them  here  may  be  to  the  readers.  For  such  splendor  and  gayety 
are  fitter  to  appear  in  Princes'  courts  than  in  histories. 

"  The  city  of  London  (that  with  high  magnificence  had  feasted 
the  Prince  Palatine,  and  his  noble  retinue),  presented  to  the  fair 
bride  a  chain  of  Oriental  pearl,  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord  Mayor 
and  Aldermen  (in  their  scarlet  and  gold  chain  accoutrements),  of 

1  His  cousin  Northampton  complained  of  this  weakness  in  him  ;  and  had  a 
great  contempt  of  his  abilities.  See  his  Letters  in  Memoirs  of  James's  Peers, 
221. 

*  Carte,  III.  7*i>752- 
TOL.  IV.  T 


274  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

-such  a  value  as  Was  fit  for  them  to  give,  and  her  to  receive.  And 
the  people  of  the  kingdom  in  general  being  summoned  to  n  contri- 
bution tor  the  marriage  of  the  King's  daughter,  did  shew  their 
affections  by  their  bounty.  And  though  it  be  the  custom  of  our 
Kings  to  pay  'heir  daughters  portions  with  their  subjects  purses, 
yet  an  hundred  years  being  almost  past  since  such  a  precedent,  it 
might  have  made  them  unwilling  (if  their  obedience  had  not  been 
full  ripe),  to  recal  such  obsolete  things,  as  are  only  in  practice 
now  hy  the  meanest  of  the  people. 

"  But,  tired  with  feasting  and  jollity,  about  the  middle  of 
April,  when  the  beauties  of  the  spring  were  enticing  enough  to 
beguile  the  tediousness  of  the  way,  the  Prince  Elector  willing  to 
review,  and  the  Princess  to  see,  what  she  was  to  enjoy  ;  after  all 
the  caresses  and  sweet  embraces  that  could  be  between  the  King, 
Queen,  and  Princes,  that  were  to  be  separated  so  long,  and  at 
such  a  distance ;  and  after  all  the  shows,  pastimes,  fireworks, 
and  other  artifices  that  could  be  devised,  and  manifested,  they 
parted  at  Rochester ;  the  Lord  Admiral  being  ready  with  a  royal 
navy  in  the  Downs  for  their  passage  and  conduct.  The  season 
smiled,  and  they  arrived  the  nine  and  twentieth  of  the  month  at 
Flushing.1 

In  1619,  the  Earl  resigned  his  post  of  Lord  High  Admiral.  He 
was  now  eighty-three  years  of  age,  and  desirous  of  repose ;  but 
not  caring  to  lose  the  precedence  which  that  dignity  gave  him, 
the  King  conferred  on  him  by  a  special  patent,  the  privilege  of 
taking  place,  as  his  ancestor  John  Lord  Mowbray,  Earl  of  Not- 
tingham, had  done  in  the  time  of  Richard  II."1 

The  King  also  remitted  him  a  debt  of  18001.  and  settled  a 
pension  on  him  of  1000 1.  a  year.11 

He  died  at  Haling  House,  in  Surrey,  act.  8/,  December  14th, 
1624,  and  was  buried  in  the  family  vault  under  the  chancel  of 
Ryegate  church.0 

Fuller,  in  his  quaint  language,  gives  the  following  character  of 
him : 

"  An  hearty  gentleman,  and  cordial  to  his  Sovereign,  of  a  most 
proper  person,  one.  reason  why  Queen  Elizabeth  (who,  though 
she  did  not  value  a  jewel  by,  valued  it  the  more  for,  a  fair  case), 
reflected  so  much  upon  him.  The  first  evidence  he  gave  of  his 
prowess  was  when  the  Emperor's  sister,  the  spouse  of  Spain,  with 

1  Wilson's  History,  p.  64,   6$.  m  Carte,  IV.  5$.     Camden's  Annals; 

n  Camden's  Annals. 
a  Sec  the  inscription  on  the  brass  p'ate  of  his  coffin.     Topogr.  II.  270. 


EARL  OF  EFPINGHAM.  175 

a  fleet  of  130  sails,  stoutly  and  proudly  passed  the  narrow  seas, 
his  Lordship,  accompanied  with  ten  ships  only  of  her  Majesty's 
navy  royal,  environed  their  fleet  in  a  most  strange  and  warlike 
sort,  enforced  them  to  stoop  gallant,  and  to  veil  their  bonnets  to 
the  Queen  of  England. 

w  His  service  in  the  eighty-eighth  is  notoriously  known,  when 
at  the  first  news  of  the  Spaniards  approach,  he  towed  at  a  cable 
with  his  own  hands  to  draw  out  the  harbour-bound  ships  into  the 
sea  :  I  dare  boldly  say,  he  drew  more,  though  not  by  his  person, 
by  his  presence  and  example,  than  any  ten  in  the  place.  True  it 
is  he  was  no  deep  seaman  (not  to  be  expected  from  one  of  his 
extraction), p  but  had  skill  enough  to  know  those  who  had  more 
skill  than  himself,  and  to  follow  their  instructions,  and  would  not 
starve  the  Queen's  service  by  feeding  his  own  sturdy  wilfulness, 
but  was  ruled  by  the  experienced  in  sea -matters,  the  Queen  hav- 
ing a  navy  of  oak,  and  an  Admiral  of  osier. 

"  His  last  eminent  service  was,  when  he  was  commander  of 
the  sea  (as  Essex  of  the  land)  forces,  at  the  taking  of  Cadiz;  for 
which  he  was  made  Earl  of  Nottingham,  the  last  of  the  Queen's 
creation. 

"  His  place  was  of  great  profit  (prizes  being  so  frequent  in 
that  age),  though  great  his  necessary,  and  vast  his  voluntary  ex- 
pences;  keeping  (as  I  have  read),  seven  standing  houses  at  the 
same  time,  at  London,  Ryegate,  Effingham,  Blechingly,  &c.  so 
that  the  wonder  is  not  great  if  he  died  not  very  wealthy. 

"  He  lived  to  be  very  aged,  who  wrote  "  man"  (if  not  mar- 
ried), in  the  first  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  being  an  invited  guest  at 
the  solemn  consecration  of  Matthew  Parker  at  Lambeth ;  and 
many  years  after,  by  his  testimony,  confuted  those  lewd  and  loud 
lies  which  the  Papists  tell  of  the  Nag's  Head  in  Cheapside.  He 
resigned  his  Admiralty  in  the  reign  of  King  James  to  the  Duke 
of  Buckingham. "1 

The  Earl  of  Nottingham  had  by  his  first  wife  (Katharine 
Cary), 

1.  William,  summoned  by  writ  to  several  Parliaments  during 
his  father's  life,  who  married,  1597*  Anne,  daughter  and  sole 
heir  to  John  Lord  St.  John,  of  Bletso/  but  died  before  his  father 

P  How  different  from  the  present  day,  when  no  birth  would  be  an  excuse  for 
ignorance  of  the  profession  in  a  sailor  ! 

q  Fuller's  Worthies,  Surrey,  p.  83,  84. 

r  At  Chelsea.     Lysons,  Environs  of  London,  II.   159. 

A  daughter  Anne,  was  baptized  there  Oct.  12th,  1605.     Ibid. 


*?6  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

in  1615  :•  leaving  Elizabeth,  his  sele  daughter  and  heir,1  wh» 
became  the  wife  of  John  Lord  Mordaunt,  afterwards  Earl  of  Pe- 
terborough. 

2.  Charles,  who  succeeded  his  father  as  second  Earl  of  Notting- 
ham. 

3.  Frances,  married  to  Sir  Robert  Southwell,  of  Woodrising,  in 
Norfolk  j  and  afterwards  to  John  Stewart,  Earl  of  Carrick,  in 
Scotland. 

4.  Frances,  married  to  Henry  Fitzgerald,  Earl  of  Kildare,  in 
Ireland  j  and  afterwards  to  the  unfortunate  Henry  Brooke,  Lord 
Cobham,  whom  she  deserted  in  his  misfortunes. 

5.  Margaret,  married  to  Sir  Richard  Levison,  of  Trentham,  in 
Staffordshire,  Knt.  Vice  Admiral  of  England. 

By  his  second  wife,  the  Lady  Margaret  Steward,  the  Earl  had, 

6.  James,  buried  at  Chelsea,  June  5th,  1610. 

7.  Charles,  born  December  25th,  1616,  and  baptized  the  23d 
of  January  following,  at  Croydon  (in  which  parish  was  his  manor 
house  called  Haling)  ,u  His  father  was  now  seventy-three  years 
old.x  He  succeeded  his  half-brother  of  the  same  names,  in  1641, 
as  third  Earl  of  Nottingham? 

Besides  these,  there  was  a  son,  William,  baptized  1615,  and 
buried  two  days  afterwards;  Thomas,  buried  February  5th,  l6l7» 
and  Margaret,  baptized  December  22d,  l6l8.z 

The  Countess  their  mother  re-married  William  Viscount  Mon- 
son,  of  Ireland,  the  person  who  was  degraded  from  his  honours 
in  l66l,  for  having  been  accessary  to  the  murder  of  Charles  I. 
She  was  buried  at  Chelsea  August  19th,  Jfj3g.a 

Charles,  second  Earl  of  Nottingham,  his  eldest  surviving 
son,  was  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the  county  of  Surry,  in  162,7,  as  ap- 
pears from  a  sermon  printed  that  year  at  London,  dedicated  to 
him  with  these  titles,  The  Right  Honourable  and  most  nolly  de- 

«  Buried  at  Chehea.     Ibid. 
•  She  was  buried  at  Chelsea  November  18th,  1671.    Ibid. 
«  Now  belonging  to  William  Parker  Hamond,  Esq.      Lysons,  Environs  of 
London,  I.   178. 

*  Ibid.  196. 
y  During  the  Civil  Wars  he  attached  himself  to  the  Parliament ;  obtained 
some  of  the  sequestered  lands,  and  was  a  tenant  of  Croydon  Palace.     Ibid.     He 
died  8.  p.  April  26th,  1681. 

2  At  Chelsea.  Lysons,  Environs  of  London,  II.  120.  A  son  was  buried  at 
Ryegate  xlo8. 

*  She  had  a  son  by  Lord  Monson,  called  Stewart,  baptized  at  Chelsea  March 
31st,  itfi8,  buried  April  8th.    Ibid.  m. 


EARL  OF  EFFINGHAM.  277 

scended  Charles  Lord  Howard,  Baron  of  Effingham,  Earl  of 
Nottingham,  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the  county  of  Surry  j  wherein 
appears  his  manner  of  living,  piety,  &c.  And  several  Books  arc 
also  dedicated  to  him,  which  distinguish  his  Lordship  as  a  reli- 
gious and  loyal  Peer.  He  married  on  Tuesday,  May  19th,  1597, 
Charity,  daughter  b  of  Robert  White,  of  Christ-Church,  in  Hamp- 
shire, widow  of  William  Leche,  of  Sheffield  in  Fletching,  in 
Sussex.  Which  Lady  died  without  issue,  on  December  18th, 
161 8,  and  was  buried  in  Fletching  church.      x 

His  Lordship  married,  secondly,  in  Broad-street-church,  Lon- 
don, April  22d,  1620,  Mary,c  eldest  daughter  of  Sir  William 
Cockayne,  Knt.  Alderman,  and  some  time  Lord  Mayor  of  Lon- 
don j  and  his  Lordship  dying  without  issue  male  on  October  3d, 
1642,  was  buried  at  Ryegate,  in  Surrey,  on  the  8th  of  the  said 
month  j  Sir  Charles  Howard,  Knt.  his  half-broth er,d  succeeding 
him  in  his  honours.     Which 

Charles,  third  Earl  of  Nottingham,  received  the  honour 
of  knighthood  at  Theobalds,  on  April  2d,  1624,  and  having 
married  Arabella,  daughter  to  Edward  Smith,  of  the  Middle- 
Temple,  Esq.  and  sister  to  Sir  Edward  Smith,  Lord  Chief  Justice 
of  the  court  of  Common  Pleas  in  Ireland/  departed  this  life  on 
April  26th,  1681,  without  issue,  and  was  buried  at  Ryegate)  and 
his  widow  surviving  till  the  1 6th  January  following,  was  buried 
in  the  church  of  St.  Mary,  within  the  Savoy,  London/ 

Whereupon  the  Earldom  of  Nottingham  became  extinct,  and 
the  title  of  Lord  Howard  of  Effingham  devolved  on  Francis 
Howard,  ©f  Great-Bookham,  in  Surrey,  Esq.  great  grandson  of 
Sir  William  Howard,  of  Lingfield,  in  Surrey,  second  son  to  Wil- 
liam (who  had  first  been  created  Lord  Howard  of  Effingham), 
by  Margaret,  his  second  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Gamage. 
Which 

Sir  William  Howard  of  Lingfield,  in  the  year  1581,  was 
among  those  noble  persons  who  s  accompanied  the  Duke  of  Anjou 
on  his  departure  out  of  England,  into  the  Low  Countries,  where 
he  was  to  be  invested  with  the  chief  sovereignty.    He  afterwards 

b  Additions  and  Emendat.  in  the  Baronage  of  England,  from  the  notes  of  Sir 
W.  Dugdale,  by  Gr.  King  Lane.  Fecial. 

«  She  was  buried  at  Ryegate,  1650.     Topogr.  III.  269. 
*  Additions  and  Emendat.  in  the  Baronage  of  England,  from  the  notei  of  Sir 
W.  Dugdale,  by  Gr.  King  Lane.  Fecial. 
c  Seymour's  Survey  of  London,  fol.  682.  f  Ibid.  Vol.  II,  fol.  681, 

S  Hollinsb.  p.  2329. 


2^8  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

received  the  honour  of  knighthood ;  and  having  h  been  elected  a 
member  for  the  borough  of  Ryegate,  in  Surrey,  to  several  parlia- 
ments, departed  this  life,  on  September  1st,  1600,  and  was  buried 
at  Ryegate,  in  Surrey,  the  26th  of  the  same  month,1  seised  of  the 
manor  of  k  Great  Bookham,  with  the  appurtenances  in  Bookham; 
the  manor  or  college  of  Lingfield ;  the  manor  of  Billehurst,  and 
rectory  of  Lingfield,  and  the  advowson  of  the  living  aforesaid.  By 
Frances  his  wife,  daughter  of  William  Gouldwell,  of  Gouldwell- 
hall,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  he  had  three  sons; 

1.  Sir  Edward. 

2.  Sir  Francis.     And, 

3.  Sir  Charles;  who  were  all  honoured  with  knighthood.1 

Sir  Edward,  the  eldest  son,  inherited  the  estate,  and  served  "l 
for  the  borough  of  Ryegate  in  the  last  parliament  called  by  Queen 
Elizabeth j  as  also  in  the  first  of  King  James  I.  who  "conferred 
the  honour  of  knighthood  on  him  at  the  Charterhouse,  on  May 
11th,  1603.  He  was  Cup  bearer  to  that  King  j  and  dying  with- 
out issue  in  the  year  1620,  the  estate  descended  to  his  next  bro- 
ther and  heir, 

Sir  Francis,0  who  received  the  honour  of  knighthood  at  Cha- 
tham, on  July  4th,  1004,  and  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Sir  Wil- 
liam Monson,  of  Kinnersley,  in  Surrey,  Knt.  He  died  on  July 
/th,  1651,  and  lies  buried  in  the  church  of  Great-Bookham,  in 
Surrey,  under  a  monument  erected  to  his  memory. 

His  issue  were  seven  sons,  and  one  daughter  j  Charles,  William, 
Henry,  Thomas,  Edward,  Lodowick,  John,  and  Mary. 

Charles,  his  eldest  son,  received  the  honour  of  knighthood, 
and  dying  on  March  20th,  1672,  aged  fifty-seven,  lies  buried  un- 
der a  black  marble  in  the  church  of  Lingfield,  in  Surrey.  By  his 
wife,  Frances,  daughter  of  Sir  George  Courthope,  of  Whiligh, 
in  the  county  of  Sussex,  Knt.  he  left  issue  two  sons,  Francis  and 
George  j  and  a  daughter,  Jane,  wife  of  Thomas  Methwold,  of 
Hale-house,  in  the  county  of  Middlesex,  Esq.  The  mother  of 
these  children  died  May  6th,  1681,  and  is  buried  at  Lingfield,  in 
Surrey,  where  a  monument  is  erected  to  her  mtniory. 

fc  MS.  Coll.  de  Pari,  penes  Brown  Willis  Arm. 

1  Funeral  Certificates,  I.   16,  fo).  101.  in  Coll.  Arm. 

k  Cole's  Esc.  lib.  5.  n.  61.  A.  16.  p.  391.  in  Bibl.  Harl. 

I  St.  George's  visitation  of  Cambridgeshire,  pedigree  of  Gouldwell,  in  Coll.  Arm, 

m  MS.  ColL  de  Pari,  penes  Brown  Willes  Arm. 

»  Philpot's  Catt  of  Knights,  p.  6.  0  Ibid.  p.  30, 


EARL  OF  EFFINGHAM.  27& 

Francis,  his  son  and  heir,  on  the  death  of  Charles  Earl  of  Not- 
tingham, succeeded  to  the  title  of  Lord  Howard  of  Effingham. 

George,  second  son,  married  Anne,  daughter  of Kidder, 

of  Lewes,  in  Sussex,  Esq.  had  issue  three  sons ;  Henry,  Charles, 
and  Thomas;  and  two  daughters,  Mary  and  Frances ;  whereof 
only  Thomas  survived,  which  Thomas  was  seated  at  Bookham,  in 
Surrey.  He  served  all  the  Spanish  war,  in  the  time  of  Queen 
Anne,  with  great  reputation  ;  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  unfortu- 
nate battle  of  Almanza,  March  13th,  1/07,  N.  S.  and  detained 
two  years  in  France  At  the  end  of  the  same  reign,  when  he  was 
Lieutenant-colonel,  he  w  s  dismissed  the  service  for  his  steady 
adherence  to  the  cause  of  the  present  royal  family,  and  our  happy 
constitution.  Upon  the  accession  of 'George  I.  he  purchased  a 
regiment  of  foot  in  Ireland,  and  was  preferred  by  his  late  Majesty 
to  the  regiment  of  Buffs,  upon  the  English  establishment.  On 
December  18th,  1735,  he  was  appointed  Brigadier  general  of  bis 
Majesty's  forces,  and  one  of  his  Majesty's  Aids  de  Carop>  also  on 
July  17th,  1739,  promoted  to  the  rank  of  a  Major-general.  On 
October  12th,  1742,  he  was  appointed  Governor  of  Berwick  upon 
Twcedj  and  February.  25th,  1742-3,  constituted  lieutenant- 
general  of  his  Majesty's  forces.  He  died,  March  31st,  1753,  at 
his  house  in  Saville-street,  and  this  character  was  given  of  him^ 
on  his  decease :  *  As  a  Christian,  he  was  most  devout  and  re- 
signed }  as  an  officer,  he  was  most  brave  and  experienced :  as  a 
husband,  most  affectionate}  as  a  parent,  most  kind  and  indul- 
gent} as  a  man,  most  punctual  and  just  in  ail  his  transactions} 
being  truly  possessed  of  every  social  virtue.'  He  married  Mary, 
only  daughter  of  Dr.  Morton,  Bishop  of  Meath,  in  Ireland,  who 
died  5th  February,  1782,  at  her  house  in  Saville  row ;  and  by 
whom  he  had  four  sons  and  five  daughters.     Whereof 

Sir  George  Howard,  of  Great  Bookham,  arrived  at  the  rank  of 
Major-General,  January  16th,  1758}  Lieutenant-General,  De- 
cember 9th,  176O}  General,  September  6th,  1777?  aDd  Field- 
Marshal,  October  12th,  1793.  In  1749,  he  was  appointed  to  the 
command  of  his  father's  Regiment,  the  third  Foot }  whence  he  ob- 
tained, May  13th,  1763,  the  seventh  Regiment  of  Dragoons}  and 
thence  on  April  25th,  1779>  the  first  Regiment  of  Dragoon 
Guards.  He  was  Governor  of  Chelsea  Hospital;  Member  of  Par- 
liament for  Stamford,  in  Lincolnshire,  K,night  of  the  Bath,  and. 
LL.D.     He  died  July  16th,  1796. 

He  first  married  Lady  Lucy  Wentworth,  sister  to  William  Earl 
Strafford,  by  whom  he  had  a  son,  William,  and  a  daughter,  Lucy 


280  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

that  died  young ;  and  a  daughter,  Anne,  born  24th  February, 
1/54,  married  April  20th,  1780,  to  Major-general  Richard  Vyse. 
His  first  wife  died  April  27th,  1771,  and  he  was  remarried  on 
May  22d,  17/6,  to  Elizabeth,  relict  of  Thomas  second  Earl  of 
Effingham. 

Henry/  his  brother,  with  Mary,  married  to  Francis  Vincent, 
Esq.  eldest  son  and  heir  of  Sir  Henry  Vincent,  of  Stoke  Daber- 
non,  in  Surrey,  Bart.  8  and  Catharine,  were  all  who  survived  to 
maturity. 

Francis,  who  succeeded  as  fifth  Lord  Howard  of  Ef- 
fingham, as  beforementioned,  was  governor  of  Virginia  in  the 
reign  of  Charles  TJ.  and  departed  this  life  on  March  30th,  1694. 
His  Lordship  married  Philadelphia,  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Pel- 
ham,  Bart,  great  grandfather  of  Thomas  Duke  of  Newcastle  \ 
and  by  her,  who  died  at  Virginia  August  13th,  1685,  aged  thirty- 
one/  he  had  issue  three  sons. 

1.  Charles,  who  died  in  the  eighteenth  year  of  his  age,  April 
Jlth,  l6(j4.s 

2.  Thomas,  Lord  Howard  of  Effingham. 
And,  3.  Francis,  first  Earl  of  Effingham, 

Also  three  daughters ;  Philadelphia,  who  died  August  5th,  16Q4, 
aged  sixteen  jl  Margaret-Frances,  who  died  May  15th,  1685  ;u 
and  Elizabeth,  married  to  William  Roberts,  of  Willesden,  in  the 
county  of  Middlesex,  Esq.:  and,  secondly,  to  William  Hutcheson, 
Esq. 

The  said  Francis  Lord  Howard,  wedded  to  his  second  wife, 
Susan,  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  Felton,  of  Playford;  in  the  county 
of  Suffolk,  Bart,  and  widow  of  Thomas  Herbert,  Esq.  but  by  her 
had  no  issue. 

Thomas,  his  eldest  surviving  son,  succeeding  him  in  honour 
and  estate,  as  sixth  Lord  Howard  of  Effingham,  was,  in  the 
reign  of  Queen  Anne,  one  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Bedchamber 
to  George  Prince  of  Denmark.  He  married,  first,  Mary,  daugh- 
ter and  heir  of  Ruishe  Wentworth,  Esq.  son  and  heir  of  Sir 
George  Wentworth,  a  younger  brother  to  Thomas  Earl  of  Straf- 
ford, by  whom  he  had  issue  two  daughters  j  Anne,  who,  on  Sep- 

P  Qu.  If  still  living  ?  I  presume  he  was  father  of  Colonel  K.  A.  Howard,  of 
the  Coldstream  Regiment  ef  Foot  Guards. — I  think  the  late  Field- Marshal,  Stud- 
holme  Hodgson,  who  died  October  20,  1797*  aged  90,  married  one  of  this  family. 
S  She  died  in  August  1757.     Univ.  Mag. 
*  Inscript.  Tumuli  apud  Lingfield.  s  Ibid.  *  Ibid. 

«  Ibid. 


EARL  OF  EFFINGHAM.  281 

tember  14th,  1729,  was  married  to  Sir  William  Yonge,x  of  Es- 
cote,  in  Devonshire,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  and  Baronet,  whose 
widow  she  died  in  17/5  ;  and  Mary,  who,  on  June  21st,  1733, 
was  married  to  George-Venables  Vernon,  of  Sudbury,  in  Derby- 
shire, Esq.  created  Lord  Vernon  May  1st,  1762. 

His  Lordship  had  to  his  second  wife,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
John  Rotheram,  of  Much  Waltham,  in  the  county  of  Essex,  Esq. 
and  widow  of  Sir  Theophilus  Napier,  of  Luton-Hoo,  in  the 
county  of  Bedford,  Bart,  but  by  her  (who  was  afterwards  wife  of 
Sir  Conyers  D'Arcy,  Knight  of  the  Bath),  had  no  children.  And 
departing  this  life,  without  issue  male,  at  Spa,  in  Germany,  July 
10th,  1725,  was  buried  at  Lingfield,  and  the  barony  devolved  on 
his  brother  and  heir, 

Francis,  seventh  Lord  Howard,  and  first  Earl  of  Ef- 
fingham, was,  on  July  14th,  1731,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel ot  the  Horse  Grenadier-Guards  :•  and  on  July  22d,  next  year, 
was  constituted  Colonel  of  the  20th  Regiment  of  Foot.  In  1731, 
he  was  constituted  Deputy  Earl-Marshal  of  England.  And,  in 
consideration  of  his  great  merit  and  abilities,  created  an  Earl  of 
Great  Britain,  by  the  style  and  title>of  Earl  of  Effingham,  by 
letters-patent  dated  December  8tb~  1731.  In  June  1737,  his 
Lordship  was  appointed  Colonel  jw  the  second  troop  of  Horse 
Grenadier  Guards;  and  on  July  17P>  1739,  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  a  Brigadier-General  5  also,  December  22d,  1749,  appointed 
Captain  and  Colonel  of  the  fourth  troop  of  Horse  Guards. 

His  Lordship  married,  first,  Diana,  daughter  of  Major- General 
O'Farrel,  of  the  kingdom  of  Ireland,  by  whom  he  had  Thomas, 
second  Earl  of  Effingham. 

And  in  July  1728,  wedded,  secondly,  Anne,  sister  of  Robert 
Bristow,  Esq.  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  his  Majesty's  Board  of 
Greencloth;  and  by  her,  who  died  at  her  house  in  George- street, 
Hanover  Square,  November  5th,  1J74,  had  a  son,  George,  that 
died  young.  And  his  Lordship  deceasing  February  12th,  \742-3t 
was  buried  on  the  18th  following,  at  Great  Bookham,  in  Surrey j 
to  whom  succeeded  in  his  honours  and  estates  his  only  surviving 
son  and  heir,  t 

Thomas,  second  Earl  of  Effingham,  who  on  the  decease 
of  his  father,  was,  April  16th,  1743,  appointed  Deputy  Earl- 
Marshal  of  England.  On  April  11th,  1743,  he  was  promoted  to 
be  first  Lieutenant  and  Lieu  tenant- Colonel  of  the  second  troop  of 

x  A  wit  and  politician;  father,  by  her,  of  the  present  Sir  George. 


282  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Horse  Guards;  also,  on  August  20th,  1/4Q,  appointed  one -of  his 
Majesty's  Aids  de  Camp ;  on  December  2d,  1754,  he  was  pre- 
ferred to  the  command  of  the  34th  Regiment  of  Foot.  In  Ja- 
nuary, 17^8,  his  Lordship  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major- 
General,  and  to  that  of  Lieutenant-General,  on  December  8th, 
17*50;  having  been  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  first  troop 
of  Horse  Grenadier  Guards,  the  preceding  month. 

His  Lordship  married,  on  February  14th,  1744-5,  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Peter  Beckford,  of  the  Island  of  Jamaica,  Esq.  who 
was  grandson  of  Sir  Thomas  Beckford,  Knt.  and  Alderman  of 
the  city  of  London,  and  by  her  (who  was  one  of  the  Ladies  of 
the  Bedchamber  to  the  Queen,  and  re-married,  .177*5,  to  Sir 
George  Howard,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  and  died  October  12th, 
1791),  he  left  surviving  issue,  two  sons; 

1.  Thomas,  third  Earl  of  Effingham. 

2.  Richard  Howard,  fourth  Earl. 

And  four  daughters;  1.  Lady  Elizabeth,  born  November  10th, 
1750,  married  to  the  late  Rev.  Henry  Reginald  Courtenay,  LL.D. 
Bishop  of  Exeter,  &c.  2.  Lady  Anne,  born  May  4th,  1752,  mar- 
ried to  Thomas  Carleton,  Esq.  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  29th 
Regiment  of  Foot,  who  died  in  Canada,  1787*  3  Lady  Maria, 
born  August  31st,  1763,  married  to  Guy  Carleton,  Lord  Dor- 
chester, who  died  1808.  And,  4.  Lady  Frances -Herring,  born 
May  22d,  1755,  died  June  16th,  1 796.  His  Lordship  died  No- 
vember 19th,  1763,  and  was  buried  in  the  family  vault,  at  Book- 
bam,  in  Surrey ;  being  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son, 

Thomas,  third  Earl  of  Effingham,  born  January  13th, 
1746-7,  and  married,  in  October  14th,  1765,  to  Catherine, 
daughter  of  Metealfe  Proctor,  of  Thorpe,  near  Leeds,  in  York- 
shire, Esq.  His  Lordship  was  deputy  Earl  Marshal  of  Eng- 
land. He  was  in  April,  1782,  appointed  Treasurer  of  his  Ma- 
jesty's Household,  in  the  room  of  the  Earl  of  Salisbury;  and  in 
February  1784,  Master  of  the  Mint.  He  was  afterwards  ap- 
pointed Governor  of  Jamaica ;  in  which  appointment  he  died, 
November  15th,  1791,  without  issue.  His  Countess  having  died 
on  the  15th  of  the  preceding  month. 

He  was  succeeded  by  his  brother,  Richard,  fourth  and  pre- 
sent Earl,  who  was  born  February  21st,  1/48,  and  is  Secretary 
and  Comptroller  to  the  Queen.  He  married,  June  14th,  1785, 
Miss  March,  daughter  of  John  March,  Esq.  of  Waresley  Park* 
Huntingdonshire ;  but  has  no  issue. 


EARL  OF  EFFINGHAM.  283 

Titles.  Thomas  Howard,  Earl  of  Effingham,  and  Lord  How- 
ard of  Effingham. 

Creations.  Baron  Howard,  of  Effingham,  in  the  county  of 
Surrey,  by  letters  patent,  dated  March  11th,  1553-4,  1st  Maryj 
and  Earl  of  Effingham,  December  8th,  1731,  5  Geo.  II. 

Arms  and  Crest.  The  same  as  the  Duke  of  Norfolk's,  a  mullet 
for  difference. 

Supporters.  Two  lions,  Argent,  each  charged  on  the  shoulder 
with  a  mullet  Sable. 

Motto.     Virtus  mille  scuta. 

Chief  Seat.    At  the  Holmes,  near  Rotherham,  in  Yorkshire. 


284 


PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


STANHOPE  EARL  OF  HARRINGTON. 

In  the  account  of  the  Earls  of  Chesterfield,  is  mentioned  the 
second  marriage  of  Sir  John  Stanhope,  of  Shelford,  and  that  his 
eldest  son,  by  that  marriage,  was, 

Sir  John  Stanhope,  of  Elvaston*  knighted  by  James  I.  at 
Whitehall,  on  June  4th,  1(507,  and  in  the  18th  byear  of  that 
King,  elected  one  of  the  Knights  for  the  county  of  Derby ;  as 
also,  in  the  first  Parliament  called  by  Charles  I.  and  who  served 
for  the  c  town  of  Leicester,  in  the  third  year  of  that  reign.  d  In 
the  fifth  year  of  that  King,  he  was  Sheriff  of  Derbyshire}  and 
departed  this  life  on  May  29th,  1638.  The  inscription  on  a 
marble  monument  in  the  church  at  Elvaston  (where  his  figure 
lies  in  full  proportion),  gives  an  account  of  his  marriages  and 
children.  By  his  first  wife,  Olive,  daughter  and  heir  of  Edward 
Berrisford,  of  Berrisford,  in  Staffordshire,  Esquire,  he  had  only  a 
daughter,  wedded  to  Charles  Cotton,  Esq.e 

By  Mary,  his  second  wife,  who  was  daughter  of  Sir  John  Rad- 
clyflfe,  of  Ordsal,  in  Lancashire,  Knight,  and  erected  the  before- 
mentioned  monument,  he  had  John,  Thomas,  and  Frances,  who 
all  died  infants;  another  John,  his  successor ; 

2.  Cromwell. 

3.  Radclyffe. 

4.  Byron.  5.  Alexander.  And  Elizabeth,  and  Anne,  who 
survived  him. 

Of  the  four  sons  and  two  daughters  last-mentioned,  Anne  was 


*  Philpot's  Cat.  of  Knights.  b  Willis's  Not.  Pari.  Vol.  II.  p. 

c  lb.  MS.  *  Fuller's  Worthies  in  com.  Derb. 

e  The  father  of  Charles  Cotton,  the  Poet,  of  Beresford,  co.  Staff. 


122. 


EARL  OF  HARRINGTON.  285 

married  to  Sir  Thomas  Ellis,  of  Nocton,  in  the  county  of  Lincoln, 
Knt.  j  and  Radclyff,  Cromwell,  Byron,  and  Alexander,  had  no 
children. 

John,  his  said  heir  and  successor,  was,  at  the  death  of  his  fa- 
ther/ nine  years  of  age,  on  October  11th,  1637,  as  the  inquisi- 
tion, post  mortem,  shews.  He  took  to  wife,  Jane,  daughter  of 
Sir  John  Curzon,  of  Kedleston,  in  the  county  of  Derby,  Knt.  and 
Bart.  And  departing  this  life  on  March  26th,  1 662,  was  buried 
at  Elvaston,  near  his  Lady,  who  deceased  on  April  14th,  1652. 

John,  his  only  son,  married  Dorothy,  daughter  and  coheir  of 
Charles  Agard,  of  Foston,  in  the  county  of  Derby,  Esq.  by  whom 
he  had  issue, 

1.  John,  who  died  young. 

2.  Thomas. 

3.  Charles.     And, 

4.  William,  created  Earl  of  Harrington. 

Thomas  Stanhope,  of  Elvaston,  Esq.  his  eldest  surviving  son, 
married  Jane,  one  of  the  daughters  and  coheirs  of  Gilbert  Thac- 
ker,  of  Repton  priory,  in  the  county  of  Derby,  Esq.  and  relict  of 
Charles  Stanhope  (second  son  of  Philip  Earl  of  Chesterfield),  who 
took  the  surname  of  Wotton.  He  was  chosen  for  the  town  of 
Derby,  in  the  first  parliament  called  by  Queen  Annej  and  dying 
without  issue,  April  10th,  1730,  was  succeeded  in  his  estate  by 
Charles  Stanhope,  Esq.  his  brother  and  heir.  His  relict  deceased 
on  December  4th,  1744. 

Which  Charles  Stanhope,  of  Elvaston,  Esq.  was  Secretary  to 
the  Treasury  js  and  March  10th,  1 72 1-2,  appointed  Treasurer  of 
the  Chamber,  in  which  he  continued  till  the  death  of  his  Majesty 
George  I.  and  served  in  every  parliament  from  1714,  inclusive, 
until  he  died  a  bachelor,  March  17th,  1760,  aged  eighty- 
seven. 

William,  first  Earl,  the  youngest  son,  after  a  learned  and 
polite  education,  embraced  the  profession  of  arms,  and  had  a  com- 
pany in  the  third  Regiment  of  Foot  Guards  j  and,  in  1710,  was 
appointed  Colonel  of  a  Regiment  of  Foot.  In  17^7,  he  began 
his  diplomatic  career,  as  envoy  to  Spain.  Coxe,  in  his  Memoirs 
of  Sir  Robert  Walpole>  has  given  the  following  full  account  of 
him:  "  In  May,  1721,  he  served  as  a  volunteer  in  the  French 
army,  commanded  by  Marshal  Berwick,  which  laid  siege  to  Fon- 

f  Cole's  Esc.  in  Bibl.  Harley. 
i  He  wag  much  talked  of  in  Walpole's  administration  for  his  concern  ia  the 
South  Sea  business.     See  Cexi $  Memoirs  of  Jfalpole. 


286  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND, 

tarabia      During  the  war,  he  concerted  a  plan  for  the  destruction 
of  three  Spanish  sinus  of  the  line,  and  a  great  quantity  of  naval 
stores,  in  the  port  of  St.  Andero,  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay ;  an  English 
iquadron  effected  that  enterprize;  he  himself  contributed  to  the 
execurion,  by  accompanying  a  detachment  of  troops,  which  Ber- 
wick sent  at  his  solicitaiion,  and  was  the  first  that  leaped  into  the 
v  rer,  when  the  boats  approached  the  shore.     On  the  peace  with 
Spairt,   he  was  constituted  Brigadier-general;    and  returned  to 
Madrid  in  the  same  character  as  before.     During  his  residence  at 
that  court,  he  was  witness  to  many  extraordinary  events,  which  he 
has  ably  detailed  in  his  dispatches.     The  abdication  of  Philip  V. 
the  succession  and  death  of  Louis,  the  resumption  of  the  crown 
by  Philip,  the  return  of  the  Spanish  Infanta,  the  separation  o( 
Spain  from  France,  the  union  with  the  House  of  Austria,  and 
the  rise  and  fall  of  Ripperda.     He  manifested  great  firmness  and 
discretion,  when  that  minister  was  forcibly  ta4cen  from  his  house ; 
and  his  conduct  on  this  occasion,  principally  impressed  the  King 
and  tfte  Ministers,  with  a  deep  sense  of  his  diplomatic  talents ; 
and  contributed  to  his  future  elevation.     On  the  rupture  with 
Spain,  which  commenced  with  the  siege  of  Gibraltar,  he  returned 
to  England,  and  was  appointed  Vice  Chamberlain  to  the  King ; 
and  soon  afterwards  nominated,  in  conjunction  with  Horace  Wal- 
pole  and  Stephen  Poyntz,  plenipotentiaries  at   the  congress  of 
Soissons :  he  had  now  two  great  objects  in  view,  a  Peerage,  and 
the  office  of  Secretary  of  State.     But  he  had  to  struggle  as  well 
against  the  ill  will  of  the  King,  who  was  highly  displeased  with 
his  brother,  Charles  Stanhope,  as  against  the  prejudices  of  Sir  Ro- 
bert Walpole,  who,  deeply  impressed  with  a  recollectien  of  the 
conduct  of  Earl  Stanhope,  at  Hanover,  had  taken  an  aversion  to 
the  very  name.     It  required  all  the  influence  of  the  Duke  of 
Newcastle,  and  the  friendship  of  Horace  Walpole,  to  surmount 
these  obstructions ;  which  were  not  removed,  till  he  had  gained 
an  accession  to  his  diplomatic  character,  by  repairing  to  Spain, 
and  concluding  the  treaty  of  Seville.     His  merits,  in  that  delicate 
negociation,  extorted  the  peerage  from  the  King  'by  the  title  of 
Lord  Harrington,  in  the  county  of  Northampton,  on  Novem- 
ber 9th,  1729),  and,  on  the  resignation  of  Lord  Townshend,  he 
was  nominated  Secretary  of  State.     In  that  office,  his  knowledge 
of  foreign  affairs,  his  application  to  business,  his  attention  to  di- 
plomatic forms,  the  solemnity  of  his  deportment,  the  precision  of 
his  dispatches,  and  his  propensity  to  the  adoption  of  vigorous 
measures  against  France,  on  the  death  of  Augustus  the  Second, 


EARL  OF  HARRINGTON.  287 

rendered  him  highly  acceptable  to  the  King.  Having  offended 
Queen  Caroline,  by  affecting  to  set  up  an  interest  independent  of 
her,  he  would  have  been  removed,  had  not  his  prudence  and  cau- 
tion again  conciliated  her  favour.  He  never  cordially  coalesced 
with  Sir  Robert  Wal pole;  and  akhough  he  almost  uniformly  acted 
in  subservience  to  his  views,  he  looked  up  to  the  Duke  of  New- 
castle, as  his  patron  and  friend,  and  gave  many  instances  in  which 
he  sacrificed  his  own  interests,  even  in  opposition  •  to  the  com- 
mands of  the  King,  to  gratitude  and  friendship.  He  was  a  man 
of  strong  sense  and  moderation  ;  of  high  honour  and  disinterested 
integrity  j  and  so  tenacious  of  his  word,  that  Philip  of  Spain  said 
of  him,  '-  Stanhope  is  the  only  foreign  minister,  who  never  de- 
ceived me.'  He  was  of  a  mild  and  even  temper ;  and  had  con- 
tracted, by  Jong  habit,  so  much  patience  and  phlegm,  that  he  was 
characterised  by  the  Portuguese  minister,  Don  Arevedo,  as  c  not 
being  accustomed  to  interrupt  those  who  spoke  to  him.'  A  con- 
temporary historian  has  also  farther  described  him,  as  one  whose 
moderation,  good  sense,  and  integrity,  were  such,  that  he  was 
not  considered  as  a  party  man,  and  had  few  or  no  personal  ene- 
mies. Although  he  never  spoke  in  the  House  of  Peers,  yet  he 
was  highly  useful  in  recommending  to  the  cabinet  the  most  pru- 
dent methods  of  attack,  or  defence,  and  in  suggesting  hints  to 
those  who  were  endowed  with  the  gift  of  tongue.  On  the  change 
of  ministry,  1/42,  he  was  appointed  Lord  President  of  the  Coun- 
cil ;  and,  on  February  9th,  1742,  created  discount  Petersham, 
and  Earl  of  Harrington.  In  1744,  he  was  again  appointed 
Secretary  of  State,  and  in  1746,  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland. 

On  September  5th,  1747>  his  Lordship  set  out  for  Ireland,  and 
arrived  at  Dublin,  on  September  13th,  accompanied  by  several 
persons  of  distinction.  He  was  met  at  the  water-side  by  the  Earl 
of  Granard,  and  Lord  Tullamore,  who  proceeded  with  him  in  the 
Lord  Primate's  coach,  with  the  usual  state,  to  the  castle,  where 
he  was  sworn  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland  by  the  Privy-Council, 
and  received  the  compliments  of  the  nobility,  &c. 

On  the  6th  of  next  month,  his  Excellency  opened  the  Session 
of  Parliament  with  a  speech  from  the  throne;  and  having  passed 
the  public  and  private  bills,  concluded  it  with  another  on  April 
9th,  1748;  after  which  he  embarked  for  England,  and  arriving 
at  his  house  in  St.  James's,  April  25th,  1748,  waited  on  his  Ma- 
jesty the  next  day,  and  was  very  graciously  received. 

His  Lordship  landing. again  at  Dublin,  September  26th,  1749, 


288  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

resumed  the  government  of  Ireland ;  and  on  April  5th,  1750,  was 
again  appointed  one  of  the  Lords  Justices  during  his  Majesty's 
being  abroad.  And  in  1751,  the  Duke  of  Dorset  succeeded  his 
Lordship  as  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland. 

His  Lordship  married  Anne,  daughter  and  heir  of  Colonel 
Edward  Griffith,  one  of  the  Clerks  Comptrollers  of  the  Green- 
cloth  (by  Elizabeth  his  wife,  daughter  of  Dr.  Thomas  Lawrence^ 
first  Physician  to  Queen  Anne),  and  by  her  had  two  sons  j  Wil- 
liam, second  Earl  of  Harrington,  and  Thomas,  twins,  born  on 
December  18th,  1719}  but  their  mother  died  in  child-bed,  and 
his  Lordship  remained  a  widower  till  his  death,  December  8th, 
175(5. 

Thomas,  the  youngest  son,  in  August  "]"741,  had  a  commission 
of  Captain  in  Honeywood's  Regiment  of  Dragoons  >  and  going 
over  sea,  died  in  February  1742-3. 

William,  second  Earl  of  FIarrington,  was  elected,  in 
1741,  one  of  the  members  for  Ailesburyj  and  served  for  Bury 
St.  Edmunds,  in  the  two  following  Parliaments,  till  his  succession 
to  the  peerage.  His  Lordship  taking  to  a  military  life,  served  the 
campaign  in  1745,  as  Captain  of  a  company  in  the  first  Regiment 
of  Foot  Guards,  and  by  his  commission  had  the  rank  of  Lieute- 
nant-Colonel. Having  behaved  with  great  gallantry  at  the  battle 
of  Fontenoy,  May  11th,  1745,  his  Majesty,  on  June  15th,  that 
year,  was  pleased  to  constitute  him  Captain  and  Colonel  of  his 
second  Troop  of  Horse  Grenadier  Guards  j  and,  in  1748,  to  ap- 
point him  Customer  and  Collector  in  the  port  of  Dublin.  On 
February  24th,  1755,  his  Lordship  was  constituted  Major-Gene- 
ral ;  promoted  to  that  of  Lieutenant-General,  on  January  28th, 
17585  and  to  that  of  General,  on  April  30th,  17/0. 

His  Lordship,  on  August  11th,  1746,  was  married  to  the  Lady 
Caroline  Fitz-Roy,  eldest  daughter  of  his  Grace,  Charles  Duke  of 
Grafton,  by  whom  he  had  issue, 

1.  Lady  Caroline,  born  March  11th,  1 746-7,  married  October 
7th,  1765,  to  Kenneth  Mackenzie,  Viscount  Fortrose,  of  the 
kingdom  of  Ireland,  and  died  February  9th,  1767,  °f  a  consump- 
tion which  she  laboured  under  for  near  two  years.     Her  intellects 

h  Great  grandfather  of  Sir  Soulden  Lawrence,  a  Judge  C.  P.  and  of  Elizabeth, 
widow  of  George  Gipps,  Esq.  late  Member  of  Parliament  for  Canterbury.  He 
was  also  ancestor  of  Miss  Lawrence,  of  Studley,  in  Yorkshire,  who  has  succeeded, 
through  her  mother,  to  the  great  fortune  of  the  Aislabies.  Colonel  Griffith's 
widow  afterwards  married  Lord  Mohun,  well  known  for  his  fatal  contest  with 
Duke  Hamilton.     See  Gent.  Mag.  lvii.  p.  191. 


EARL  OF  HARRINGTON.  289 

were  good,  her  person  beautiful,  and  accomplishments  suitable 
to  her  high  birth,  and  endowed  with  an  uncommon  goodness  of 
heart. 

2.  Lady  Isabella,  born  April  4th,  1748,  married  November 
27th,  1768,  to  the  late  Richard  Molyneux,  Earl  of  Sefton. 

3.  Lady  Emilia,  born  May  24th,  1749,  married  April  16th, 
1767,  to  Richard  Earl  of  Barrymore  (mother  of  the  late  and  pre- 
sent Earls  of  Birrymorej  of  Augustus;  and  of  Lady  Caroline, 
married  to  Count  Melfort,  a  descendant  of  the  Earl  of  Middleton); 
and  died  in  September  178O. 

4.  Lady  Henrietta,  born  October  26th,  1750,  married  March 
15th,  1776,  to  Thomas,  second  Lord  Foley.1 

5.  Charles,  third  Earl. 

6.  Henry  Fitz-Roy,  baptized,  June  26th,  1754;  formerly  in 
the  army.     Married  Miss  Falconer,  and  has  issue. 

7.  Lady  Anna-Maria,  born  April  5th,  1760,  married  by  special 
licence  at  her  mother'shouse,  in  Curzon  Street,  2d  May,  1782, 
to  Thomas  Earl  of  Lincoln,  afterwards  Duke  of  Newcastle;  by 
whom  she  had  is^ue  the  present  Duke,  &:c.  She  married,  second- 
ly. Colonel  Craufurd,  brother  to  Sir  James  Craufurd,  Bart. 

His  Lordship  died  April  1st,  1779>  and  was  succeeded  by 
Charles,  the  third  and  present  Earl  of  Harrington,  born 
March  20ih,  1753,  who  married,  May  22d,  1779,  Jane,  daughter 
and  coheir  k  of  the  late  Sir  Michael  Fleming,  of  Brompton,  in 
Middlesex,  Bart,  by  whom  he  has  is.->ue, 

1.  Charles,  Viscount  Petersham,  born  April  178I,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  the  third  YWst-India  Regiment. 

2.  Lincoln -Edward-Robert,  born  1782,  Major  of  the  lfjth  Light 
Dragoons. 

3.  Anna-Maria,  born  September  3d,  1783,  married,  1808,  the 
Marquis  of  Tavistock.1 

4.  Leicester,  born  1784,  Captain  Sixth  Regiment  of  Dragoon 
Guards. 

5.  Fitz-Roy,  born  1788,  Lieutenant  First  Regiment  of  Foot 
Guards. 

6.  Francis,  born  1789,  Captain  11th  Regiment  of  Foot. 

7.  Henry,  born  1790. 

I  Mother  of  the  present  Lord  Foley. 

k  Her  mother  remarried  the  late  Loid  Harewood  j  her  sister  married  Sir  Ri- 
chard Worsley. 

1  See  a  beautiful  figure  of  her  as  a  frontispiece  to  the  Collection  of  Poems, 
entitled  The  Lyre  of  Love. 

vol.  iv.  u 


290  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

8.  Caroline,  born  1791 . 

p.  Charlotte-Augusta,  born  1792. 

10.  Augustus,  born  l7£H.m 

His  Lordship  is  a  Privy  Counsellor,  General  in  the  Array,  and 
Colonel  of  the  first  Regiment  of  Life  Guards.  He  is  also  Com- 
mander in  Chief  in  Ireland. 

Titles.  Charles  Stanhope,  Earl  of  Harrington,  Viscount  Pe- 
tersham, and  Lord  Harrington. 

Creations.  Baron  of  Harrington,  im  com.  Northampt,  by  let- 
ters patent,  November  20th,  1729,  2  Geo.  II. ;  Viscount  Peter- 
sham, and  Earl  of  Harrington,  February  9th,  1741-2,  15  Geo.  II. 

Arms.  Quarterly,  Ermine  and  Gules,  a  crescent  on  a  crescent 
for  difference. 

Crest.  On  a  wreath,  a  tower,  Azure,  with  a  demi-lion  ram- 
pant issuing  from  the  battlements,  Or,  holding  between  his  paws 
a  grenade  firing,  proper. 

Supporters.  On  the  dexter  side,  a  talbot  guardant  Argent,  gutte 
de  poix.  On  the  sinister,  a  wolf  erminois,  each  supporter  gorged 
with  a  garland  or  chaplet  of  oak,  Vert,  fructed,  Or. 

Motto.     A  Deo  et  Rege. 

Chief  Seats.  At  Elvaston,  co.  Derby ;  and  at  Gawsworth,  in 
com.  Pal.  Cest. 


m  The  Hon.  Major  Charles  Stanhope  of  the  50th  Regiment,  who  fell  gloriously 
at  the  battle  of  Corunna,  January  16th,  1809,  was  second  son  of  Earl  Stanhope. 
Set  itftre. 


WALLOP  EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  2£i 


WALLOP  EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH. 

At  the  time  of  the  conquest,  four  brothers,  Englishmen/  are 
mentioned,  inDomesday-book,  to  be  possessors  of  Wallop  in  Hamp- 
shire. And  Camden,  in  his  description  of  that  county,  makes 
this  mention  of  the  place,  and  of  the  family  :b  The  Test  having 
taken  into  it  a  little  river- from  Wallop,  or  more  truly  Well-hop, 
that  is,  ly  interpretation  out  of  our  forefathers  language,  a  pretty 
well  in  the  side  of  an  hill,  whereof  that  right  worshipful  family  of 
Wallops,  of  Knights  degree,  dwelling  hard  by,  took  name.  In  12 
Henry  II.  William  de  Wallop c  held  one  Knight's  fee  in  Wilt- 
shire, of  Humphery  de  Bohunj  and  in  the  reign  of  Henry  III. 
Geiard  de  Wallop,  held  d  one  Knight's  fee  in  Wallop  de  veteri 
Feoffamento,  viz.  whereof  his  ancestor  had  been  enfeoffed  in  the 
time  of  Henry  I. 

Nicholas  Charles,  Lancaster  Herald  in  the  reign  of  James  I. 
who  was  an  industrious  and  careful  officer,  and  Augustine  Vin- 
cent, Windsor  Herald,  a  laborious  antiquary,  his  cotemporary, 
have  both  left  pedigrees  of  this  family  among  their  collections. 

The  first  taken  notice  of  by  Vincent,e  is  Walter  de  Wallop, 
alias  Wclhop  $  but  f  Matthew  de  Wallop  is  at  the  head  of  the  pe- 
digree drawn  by  Nicholas  Charles. 

This  Matthew  de  Wallop,  on  April  27th,  1203,8  obtained  a 
grant  to  him,  and  his  heirs  for  ever,  of  the  custody  of  the  house, 
castle  and  gaol  of  Winchester,  with  the  lands  of  Wodecote,  and 

a  Jus  Anglorum  ab  Antiquo,  p.  82.  »'  Britan.  first  Eng.  edit.  p.  262. 

c  Lib.  Nig.  in  Scacc.  Wilts.  d  Teste  de  Nevill  Hants  in  Scacc, 

e  MS.  in  Offic.  Arm.  No.  130,  p.  136. 
f  MS.  Sub.  Man.  Nich.  Charles,  penes  Com.  d«  Egmont. 
S  Cart.  5  Joh.  m.  7. 


2(j2  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

one  hide  of  land  in  Andover,  with  the  appurtenances,  and  all 
other  customs  and  privileges  thereunto  belonging.  In  Q  John, 
the  Kingh  grants  to  Matthew  de  Wallop,  his  servant,  208  acres 
of  land  in  Wallop,  which  was  Stephen  de  Bendenges. 

In  16  John,  the  King  orders  him  to  deliver  'Nicholas  de  He- 
vill  (who  was  in  his  custody  at  Winchester),  to  Robert  de  Gaugy. 
And  in  6  Henry  III.k  the  Sheriff  of  the  county  of  Southampton 
had  command  to  deliver  to  Matthew  de  Wallop,  those  lands  which 
were  in  the  King's  hands  in  Wallop.     He  had  issue, 

John1  de  Wallop,  possessor  of  Wallop,  ami    1228. 

In  8  Edward  I.  the  King  grants'11  and  confirms  to  his  beloved 
and  faithful  John  de  Wallop,  three  carucates  and  a  half  of  land 
in  Ballihaulis,  and  one  carucate  and  a  half  of  land  in  Balliotyre, 
to  him  and  his  heirs  for  ever,  in  satisfaction  of  Triginta  Librata- 
rum  Terra;,  which  he  had  granted  him  for  his  services,  to  hold  of 
the  King  and  his  successors,  by  the  service  of  one  Knight's  fee. 
As  he  had  this  grant  of  lands  in  Ireland,  it  is  probable  he  served 
in  that  kingdom  :  for  our  historians  relate,11  that  the  Irish  rebel- 
led, and  were  every  where  troublesome  at  the  latter  end  of  the 
reign  of  Henry  til.  and  in  the  beginning  of  Edward  I. 

The  said  John  de  Wallop  left  issue,  by  °  Mabel  his  wife,  two 
sons,  Richard,  who  died  without  issue,  and 

Sir  Robert  de  Wallop,  who,  in  51  Henry  III.  was  of  such 
eminency,  that  he  was  appointed,  with  Gilbert  de  Clare,  Earl  of 
Gloucester,  Humphrey,  Earl  of  Hereford,  and  other  great  men,  to 
'?  provide  [as  are  the  words  of  the  statute],  for  the  good  state  of 
the  land,  and  namely,  for  certayn  persons  dysherited,  havynge 
thereunto  full  power  of  our  said  Lord  the  Kynge,  and  the  other 
Barons  and  Councellours,  accordynge  to  the  fourme  wrytten  and 
confyrmed  in  the  letters  general  and  specyal  of  the  sayd  Kinge, 
and  the  other  aforenamed  wyllinge  to  procede  accordinge  to  the 
path  of  equytie,  by  the  assent  of  the  reverend  father  Othobone, 
deacon,  cardynall  of  sancte  Adrian,  and  legate  of  the  Apostolique 
See,  and  the  nobleman  H.  of  Almine  [eldest^on  of  Richard,  King 
of  Almain],  havynge  like  power  and  auctoritie,  &c." 

The  award  they  made,  consisting  of  forty- three  articles,  be- 
tween the  King  and  the  Commons,  was  proclaimed  in  the  castle 

.    h  Claus.  9  Joh.  m.  4.  »  Pat.  15  Joh.  m.  11. 

k  Claus.  6  Hen.  III.  m.  18.  l  Ex  Stemnoate  perNic.  Charles. 

»'  Cart.  8  Edw.  I.  n.  84.  "  Cox's  Hist,  of  Ireland,  p.  71. 

o  Nicb.  Charles  praed. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  293 

of  Kenilworth,  the  day  before  the  calends  of  November,  1266, 
51  Henry  III.* 

This  Sir  Robert  de  Wallop  died  in  li  Edward  I. ^  leaving  an 
only  daughter  and  heir,  Alice,  the  wife  of  Peter  de  Barton,  Lord 
of  West  Barton,  in  the  county  of  Southampton,  who  had  issue  by 
her, 

William  de  Barton,  his  son  and  heir,  found  rgrandson  and 
heir  of  the  said  Sir  Robert  Wallop,  in  1  i  Edward  I.  and  was  dead 
16  Edward  I.  for  then  Richard  his  son  and  heir  (who  assumed 
the  name  of  Wallop),  was  in  ward  to  Joan  his  relict,  who  was 
daughter  and  heir  of  Herbert  Denmede,  by  Alice  his  wife,  daugh- 
ter of  Richard  Breton,  who  was  thirty  years  of  age  at  the  death 
of  his  father  William  Breton,  who  died  in  21  Edward  I.  And 
the  said  Richard  Breton  leaving  issue  William,  and  he  John,  who 
died  in  17  Richard  II.  leaving  Alice,  his  only  daughter  and  heir, 
married  to  Walter  Hacket,  of  the  county  of  Southampton,  and 
dying  without  is- sue  by  him,  the  said  Joan  (wife  and  relict  of 
William  de  Barton),  was  heir  to  the  family  of  Breton,  as  Den- 
mede. 

This  Joan  was,  secondly,  s  wife  of  Robert  Stratfield  5  but  I  do 
not  find  she  had  any  other  issue  than  Richard,  her  son  before- 
mentioned,  who  took  the  name  of  Wallop  from  his  grand- 
mother. 

Which  Richard  de  Wallop  was  returned  t  one  of  the  Knights 
for  the  county  of  Southampton,  to  the  Parliament  held  in  2  Ed- 
ward III.  at  Salisbury  5  and  uit  is  observable,  this  Parliament  did 
not  meet  above  sixteen  days  ;  and  the  Knights  for  the  county  of 
Southampton,  are  not  mentioned  among  the  writs  for  their  ex- 
penses :  which  Mr.  Prynn  attributes  to  the  clerk's  neglecting  to 
enrol  them. 

In  3  Edward  III.  he,  and  John  de  Grymstede,  were  returned 
for  the  said  county ,x  and  had  their  expenses  allowed;  first  in  the 
Parliament  held  at  Salisbury,  and  from  thence  adjourned  to  West- 
minster, where  they  sat  only  eleven  days,  from  the  10th  to  the 
22d  of  February.  His  wife  was  Alice,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Husee, 
of  Beechworth  castle,  in  com.  Surrey,  Knt.  sister  and  heir  to  Ro- 
ger Husee,  her  brother,  according  to  Mr.  Charles ;  but  Mr.  Vin- 
cent mentions  her  to  be  daughter  of  Roger  Husee,  who  had 

P  Stat,  s  1  H.  III.  q  Charles  and  Vincent,  prsed. 

r  Ibid.  s  ibid.  t  Prynn's  Brevia  Pari.  Vol.  I.  p.  80. 

u  Ibid.  Vol.  IV.  p.  87,  88,  89. 

x  Prynn's  Brevia  Pari,  Vol.  I.  p.  102,  103. 


2p4  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

summons  to  Parliament  among  the  Barons  in  the  reign  of  Ed- 
ward III.  and  without  doubt,  Sir  John  Husee,  the  father  of  the 
said  Roger,  was  of  the  same  stock,  with  others  of  the  name,  who 
were  also  Barons,  and  descended  from  Geffrey  de  Husee>  in  the 
reign  of  King  Stephen.  The  issue  of  the  said  Richard  and  Alice 
de  Wallop  were,  three  sonsj  Thomas,  John,  and  Richard. 

John  Wallop  was  one  of  the  members  y  for  Wilton  in  the  Par- 
liament of  21  and  22  Edward  III. 

Of  Richard  Wallop,  I  find  that  in  1405,  hez  was  in  such 
esteem  with  William  of  Wickam,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  and 
Lord  Chancellor,  that  he  left  him  a  legacy  in  his  last  will  and 
testament.  In  1  Henry  V.  he  was  aone  of  the  Justices  of  the 
quorum,  in  the  county  of  Southampton  j  and  oneb  of  the  Justices 
of  the  gaol-delivery  at  Winchester.  And  in  2  Henry  V.c  with 
five  of  the  greatest  note  in  the  county  of  Southampton,  were  com- 
missioners to  inquire  into  the  sect  of  the  Lollards,  and  other  con- 
venticlers  in  that  county,  acting  contrary  to  the  faith  of  the  Ca- 
tholic church.  In  g  Henry  V.  he  and  Sir  Richard  Brocas  d  were 
returned  Knights  for  the  county  of  Southampton,  to  the  parlia- 
ment then  held,  Milites  Gladiis  Cincti,  as  the  indenture  specifies  -, 
which  shews  he  was  knighted  before  that  year. 

Thomas  Wallop,  the  eldest  son,  married e  in  16  Edward  III. 
Margaret,  daughter  of Wellington.  He  died  on  No- 
vember 27th,  35  Edward  III.  seised  of  the  manors f  of  Soberton, 
Wilberton,  Over-Wallop,  and  Nether-Wallop,  in  com.  South- 
ampton, leaving  John,  his  son  and  heir,  of  the  age  of  eight 
years. 

Which  John  was  one  of  sthe  members  for  Salisbury,  in  the 
Parliament  held  in  2  Henry  IV.  and  died  h  1 6  Henry  VI.  He 
had  issue  by  Avice  his  wife,  daughter  of  John  Buch, 

Thomas  Wallop,  his  heir,  who  was  one i  of  the  Knights  for 
the  county  of  Southampton,  in  2  Henry  V.  and  by  marriage 
with  k  Margaret,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Nicholas  Valoynes, 
Lord  of  Farley,  and  Clidesden,  in  com.  Southamp.  had  issue  four 
sons. 

John,  his  eldest  son*  succeeded  his  grandfather,  and  was  also 

7  Prynn,  Vol.  IV.  p.  1166.  *  ExRegist.  Arundel,  p.  219.  inf.  Lamb. 

a  Pat.   1  Hen.  V.  p.  I.  b  ibid.  p.  2.  m.  36. 

«  Pat.  2  Hen.  V.  p.  1.  <*  Prynn,  Vol.  I.  p.  128. 

«  Nic.  Charles,  praed.  f  Esc.  36  Edw.  III.  p.  3.  n.  76. 

8  Prynn,  Vol.  IV.   1019.  b  Charles,  praed. 

I  Prynn,  Vol.  I.  p.  81.  k  Visitation  of  Hampshire. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  295 

possessed  of  the  manors  of  Farley,  and  Clidesden,  the  estate  of 
the  Valoynes,  as  heir  to  his  mother.  The  manor  house  of  Farley 
was  a  noble  large  structure,  and  the  seat  of  *  Sir  William  de  Va- 
loynes  (in  the  reign  of  Henry  III.)  who  had  issue  John  de  Va- 
loynes,  and  he  another  John,  the  father  of  Nicholas,  who  left 
issue  Margaret,  bis  daughter  and  heir  beforementioned. 

John  Wallop  being  possessed  of  the  manor-house  of  Farley, 
made  it  his  chief  residence,  as  it  was  of  his  descendants,  till  it 
was  burnt  in  1667 ;  and  was  rebuilt  in  1733,  by  John,  first  Earl 
of  Portsmouth.  This  John  Wallop  was  Sheriff  of  the  county  of 
Southampton  in  33  Henry  VI.m  as  also  in  the  1st  year  of  Ed- 
ward IV.  And  in  the  12th  year  of  that  Kingnwas  chosen  with 
Sir  Maurice  Berkley,  Knights  for  the  said  county,  in  the  parlia- 
ment then  held.  He  was  buried  in  the  chancel  of  the  church  of 
Farley,0  where  there  is  yet  remaining  a  tomb  erected  to  his  me- 
mory, covered  with  black  marble,  exhibiting  the  figures  of  a 
gentleman  and  his  wife  in  the  habit  of  the  times,  engraved  on 
brass,  with  labels  proceeding  out  of  their  mouths.  But  the  in- 
scription, and  all  the  brass  plates,  were  taken  away  in  the  time  of 
the  civil  war,  when  the  house  of  Farley  was  made  a  garrison  for 
the  parliament.  And  the  church  of  Farley  being  in  a  very  ruinous 
condition,  was  rebuilt  by  the  said  Earl  of  Portsmouth.  The  said 
John  Wallop,  Esq.  had  to  wife  Joan/  daughter  of  Richard  Holte, 
of  Colrythe,  in  com.  Southamp.  Esq.  by  whom  he  had  issue  three 
sons  ;^  Richard,  Robert,  and  Stephen;  also  two  r  daughters; 
Margery,  wife  of  .John  Kirby,  of  Stanbridgej  and  Margaret,  of 
John  Vaux,  of  Odyamj  both  in  the  county  of  Southampton, 
Esquires. 

Richakd  Wallop,  Esq.  the  eldest  son,  was  SherifFs  of  the 
county  of  Southampton,  in  1/  Henry  VII.  and  the  same  year  wai 
one  of  the  principal  gentlemen  of  that  county  $  certified  to  the 
King,  to  have  estate  sufficient  to  be  one  of  the  Knighti  of  the 
Bath,  which  were  to  be  made  at  the  marriage  of  Prince  Arthur, 
the  King's  eldest  son  3  but  he  had  not  that  honour  conferred  on 
him,  dying  about  that  time,  as  should  seem  by  the  will  of  Eliza- 
beth his  wife,"  who  was  daughter  and  coheir  of  —  Hampton* 
of  Old  Stoke,  in  com.  Southamp.  Esq. 

1  Vincent  and  Charles.  m  Fuller's  Worthies  in  eod.  Com.  p.  14. 

u  Prynn,  Vol.  I.  p.  128.  •  Ex  Regist.  Hogen,  qu.  35. 

P  Vincent  and  Charles.  9  Ibid.  r  Ibid. 

•  Fuller,  p.  15.  t  MS.  Not.  B.  5.  in  Bibl.  Joh.  Anitis,  Arm. 

u  Vincent. 


2p<5  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

The  said  Elizabeth,  by  her  last  will  and  testament,  bearing  date 
September  10th,  1505,x  oidrrs  her  body  to  be  buried  in  the  pa- 
rish church  of  Farley,  near  the  sepulchre  of  Richard  Wallop,  Esq. 
her  late  husband.  She  bequeathed,  to  the  maintaining  the  lights 
and  othrr  ornaments  in  the  churches  of  Farley  and  Old  Stoke, 
such  money  as  should  arise  by  the  sale  of  one  hundred  sheep; 
and  was  a  benefactress  to  the  churches  of  St.  Michael  Basingstoke, 
Over- Wallop,  and  several  other  churches;  and  bequeaths  a  legacy 
to  Gyles,  son  of  Stephen  Wallop,  to  provide  for  his  being  brought 
up  a  priest.  / 

To  the  said  Richard  Wallop,  Esq,  succeeded, 

Robert,  his  next  brother  and  heir,  who  was  afterwards 
knighted,  and  was  Sheriff  of  the  county  of  •  Southampton,  in  the 
1st,  7th,  and  15th  of  Henry  VII.  In  5  H  nry  VIII,Z  was  nomi- 
nated, by  Act  of  Parliament,  as  one  of  the  most  discreet  persons, 
Justices  of  the  peace  (as  the  words  of  the  act  are),  for  assessing 
and  collecting  a  subsidy  of  163  0001  by  a  Poil-Tax.  He  made 
his  will  on  August  22d,  152Q;  but  he  did  not  die  till  six  years 
after,  as  should  seem  by  the  probate  thereof,  which  bears  date 
June  l6th,  1535. 

a  He  thereby  ordered  his  body  to  be  buried  in  the  church  of 
Farley,  within  the  chancel,  next  to  his  father's  tomb;  and  be- 
queathed to  the  mother  church  of  St.  Swithin's,  10s.;  and  20s. 
more,  because  he  was  a  brother  of  the  chapter-house  there.  And 
according  to  the  custom  of  the  times,  left  legacies  to  several 
churches,  and  the  issues  and  profits  of  his  manor  of  Cliddesden,  to 
charitable  uses,  for  the  space  of  twenty  years,  having  for  that  end 
(as  declared  in  his  will),  settled  it  in  feoffees,  by  deed,  bearing 
date  April  7th,  lolQ. 

The  residue  of  the  profits  of  the  said  manor  of  Cliddesden,  he 
bequeaths  to  Rose  his  wife,  or  her  executors,  to  dispose  of  in 
deeds  of  mercy  and  charity,  without  any  account.  He  likewise 
bequeaths  to  her  all  his  debts,  goods,  &c.  and  makes  her  sole 
executrix,  without  any  overseer.  He  bequeaths  to  Oliver  Wal- 
lop, his  nephew,  and  his  heirs,  all  his  lands  and  tenements  in 
Andover ;  concluding  that  he  wrote  his  will  with  his  own  hand, 
and  that  at  his  request  the  Bishop  of  Durham,  John  Sackfield, 
William  Roper,  and  other  persons  of  note,  subscribed  their  names 
thereto,  to  prevent  disputes. 

x  Ex  Regisr.  Holgrave,  qu.  38.  y  Fuller,  p.  15. 

»  Rot.  Pari.  An.  5  &  6  Hen.  VIII.  Dorso  31. 

•  Ex  Regiit.  Hogen,  qu.  3$. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  297 

This  Sir  Robert  Wallop  b  leaving  no  issue,  the  estate  devolved 
on  his  nephew  and  heir,  Sir  John  Wallop,  son  and  heir  of  Stephen 
Wallop,  youngest  son  of  John  Wallop  last-mentioned. 

Which  Stephen  married  c daughter  of  Hngh  Ashley, 

of  Wymburn  St.  Giles,  in  Dorsetshire,  the  ancestor  of  Sir  An- 
thony Ashley,  of  the  same  place,  whose  daughter  and  heir,  Anne, 
was  wife  of  Sir  John  Cooper,  father  by  her  of  Anthony,  the  first 
earl  of  Shaftesbury.  And  from  this  d  marriage  proceeded  three 
sons;  Sir  John  Wallop,  beforementioned ;  Sir  Oliver  Wallop, 
ancestor  to  the  now  Earl  of  Portsmouth  j  and  e  Gyles,  a  priest. 

Sir  John  Wallop  was  greatly  distinguished  for  his  martial  ex- 
ploit?, and  prudent  conduct  in  several  embassies.  In  the  3d  of 
Henry  VIII.  Sir  Edward  Poynings  was  sent f  with  1500  archers 
to  the  assistance  of  Margaret,  Dutchess  of  Savoy,  Regent  of  the 
Low  Countries  j  and  it  is  probable  Sir  John  Wallop  was  in  that 
expedition,  and  there  received  the  honour  of  Knighthood ;  for  he 
was  not  long  after  on  an  embassy  to  the  said  Regent,  and  he  was 
knighted  before  that  time.  In  4  Henry  VIII.  I  find  him,s  by 
the  title  of  Sir  John  Wallop,  in  that  fleet  which  in  the  month 
of  March  sailed  to  Brittany,  when  Sir  Edward  Howard,  Lord  Ad- 
miral, resolved  to  board  six  gallies  of  the  French  under  Prior 
John,  in  the  harbour  of  Brest.  Sir  Edward  Howard  was  attended 
by  four  choice  Captains,  this  h  Sir  John  Wallop  being  one  of 
them ;  but  through  an  excess  of  valour,  the  Admiral  lost  his  life, 
Sir  John  Wallop  and  the  rest  escaping  very  narrowly.  In  1513, 
he  was  employed1  on  extraordinary  dispatches  to  Margaret, 
Dutchess  of  Savoy,  regent  of  the  Low  Countries,  before  the  King's 
expedition  into  France,  who  that  year  took  the  castle  and  city  of 
Tournay,  at  which  it  is  probable  he  assisted. 

In  6  Henry  VI II.  he  was  Admiral  and  Commander  in  chief 
of  the  fleet k  sent  to  encounter  Prior  John,  the  French  Admiral, 
who  landed  in  Sussex,  and  burnt  the  town  of  Brighthelmstone. 
But  the  French  getting  into  their  own  ports,  he  sailed  to  the 
coast  of  Normandy,  and  there  landed  and  burnt  twenty-one  vil- 
lages and  towns,  with  great  slaughter,  and  also  the  ships  and  boats 
in  the  havens  of  Treaport,  Staple,  &c.  wherein  he  acquitted  him- 

b  Vincent  and  Charles.  c  Ibid.  d'lbid. 

e  Ex  Regist.  Holgrave.  qu.38. 
f  Herbert's  Life  of  Henry  VIII.  in  Hist,  of  Engl.  Vol.  II.  p.  7. 
8  Stow's  Annals,  p.  492,  and  Hall's  Chron.  p.  226. 
*  Herbert  praed.  p.  13.  *  Strype's  Memorials,  Vol.  I.  p.  3,  4. 

k  Hall's  Chron.  p.  47. 


208  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

self  with  such  conduct  and  valour,  that  all  our  historians  have 
mentioned  this  expedition  much  to  his  honour. 

Hall  (who  lived  at  that  time),  writes,1  That  men  marvelled  at 
his  enterprises,  considering  he  had  at  the  most  but  800  men,  and 
landed  them  so  ofcen.  The  Lord  Herbert  writes,"1  "  That  Sir 
John  Wallop  burnt  divers  ships,  and  one  and-twenty  villages, 
landing  many  times  in  despight  of  the  French,  which  seemed  the 
more  strange,  that  his  soldiers  exceeded  not  800  men."  In  9 
Henry  VIII.  this  very  honourable  mention  is  made  of  him  in  the 
history  of  Portugal.  :n  "  John  Wallop,  an  English  gentleman  of 
worth,  afterwards  Governor  of  Calais,  came  into  Portugal,  offer- 
ing to  serve  in  Africk  on  his  own  expense.  He  served  two  years 
at  Tangier  honourably,  and  then  returned  home;  having  received 
the  order  of  Knighthood  of  Christ,  and  other  considerable  favours, 
and  continued  always  a  great  favourer  of  the  affairs  of  Portugal." 
In  14  Henry  VIII.  he  was  °one  of  the  principal  commanders  of 
that  fleet  and  forces  which  landed  in  Brittany  on  July  1st,  and 
took  the  town  of  Morlaix  by  assault ;  and  was  with  those  who 
first  entered  the  town,  where  the  soldiers  had  great  pillage,  and 
returned  to  the  Isle  of  Wight,  before  the  end  of  that  month.  He 
was  also  the  same  year  P  in  that  expedition  into  France  under  the 
Earl  of  Surrey,  who,  after  several  towns  and  villages,  left  this  Sir 
John  Wallop,^  one  of  the  chief  Captains,  worthy  of  the  best  praise 
(as  observed  by  Hall  beforementioned),  at  St.  Omers,  with  1000 
men,  to  lie  there,  and  at  Guysne,  Hammes,  and  at  Mark,  where 
he  did  good  service  by  spoiling  of  towns,  taking  of  prisoners,  &c. 
In  15  Henry  VIII.  he  was  with  the  Duke  of  Suffolk  at  the  tak- 
ing of  Bray,  Roy,  and  Montidier,  in  France  j  where  the  forces 
under  his  command  performed  such  services r  by  their  courage 
and  activity,  that  the  camp  was  frequently  supplied  with  horses, 
victuals,  and  other  necessaries.  As  our  historians5  write,  they 
are  called  Adventurers,  all  proper  men  and  hardy  -,  having,  as  my 
author  saith,1  little  or  no  wages,  but  by  their  manhood  and  poli- 
ticks took  great  booties,  and  brought  to  the  army  all  necessaries. 
Jn  16  Henry  VJII.  he  was  still  in  those  parts,  and  with  his  band 


1  Hall's  Chron,  p.  47.  m  Hist,  of  Eng.  Vol.  II.  p.  21. 

*  Hist,  of  Portugal  by  Eman.  de  Faria  y  Sousa,  translated  by  J.   Stephens, 

P-  3H- 

0  Hall,  p.  100.     Hollinshcd.  p.  873-4.  P  Ibid.  p.  103. 

«!  Martin's  Hist  of  K.  Henry  VIII.  p.  396.  r  Stew's  Annals,  p.^il. 

8  Jbid,  and  Hoi  inshed.  t  Hall,  p.  118. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  299 

of  men  performed  extraordinary  services  against  the  French/ 
whom  with  great  valour  they  defeated  in  the  month  of  May  at 
Somer  de  Boys.  Afterwards,  this  Sir  John  Wallop,  and  Sir  Wil- 
liam Fitz- Williams,  Captain  of  Guysnes,  with  1<)00  chosen  men, 
on  Mid-summer  day,  passed  the  Low-Country  of  Picardy  unto 
the  castle  of  Hardingham,  which  they  assaulted ;  and  Sir  John 
Wallop,  with  his  men,  entered  the  ditch,  and  setting  up  ladders 
to  the  walls,  some  climbed  up,  but  were  repulsed.  And  the  French 
coming  up  with  2000  horse  and  2000  foot,  the  English,  being 
weary,  retired  in  good  order  to  their  fortresses. 

In  18  Henry  VIII.  the  King  sent  him  not  only  to  the  x  Princes 
of  Germany,  to  exhort  them  to  join  against  the  Turks,  but  also 
to  y  Mary  Queen  of  Hungary,  to  comfort  her  for  the  loss  of  her 
husband;  adding  withal  such  a  supply  of  money,  as  might  testify 
his  zeal  to  that  cause  was  greater  than  theirs,  who  by  kindred 
and  neighbourhood  were  more  concerned  therein.  The  year  after 
he  was  with  Sigismund  King  of  Poland,  to  animate  him  to  join 
against  the  Turks;  which  King,2  in  his  letter  to  Thomas  Wolsey, 
Archbishop  of  York,  styles  him  the  magnificent  Sir  John  Wallop, 
great  Mareschal  of  Calais.  In  20  Henry  VIII.  he  obtained  athe 
office  of  Ranger  of  the  park  at  Ditton,  and  Steward  of  the  manor, 
for  life;  and  on  June  23d,  22  Henry  VIII.  was  b constituted 
Lieutenant  of  the  castle  of  Calais.  In  25  Henry  VIII.  I  find  him 
c  ambassador  to  Francis  I.  the  French  King,  and  continuing  at 
that  court,  Anno  1535/  he  was  ordered  to  expostulate  with  the 
French  Monarch,  for  giving  his  advice  to  the  Germans  to  own 
the  supremacy  of  the  Bishop  of  Rome,  and  to  shew  him  the  book 
wrote  against  it  by  Dr.  Samson,  Dean  of  the  chapel  to  Hen.  VIII. 
and  to  incline  him  to  the  King's  opinion  in  ecclesiastical  affairs. 
Also  was  ordered  to  attend  the  French  King  at  his  interview  with 
the  Pope  at  Marseilles,  who  then  married  his  niece  to  the  Duke 
of  Orleans.  Secretary  Cromwell  in  a  letter  to  him,e  dated  at 
Thorneberry,  August  23d,  1535,  thus  expresses  himself: 

"  The  King  having  perused  the  hoole  contents  thoroughly  of 
your  letters,  perceivying  not  only  the  liklihood  of  the  not  repayr 
into  France  of  Philip  Melancton,  but  also  your  communications 
had  with  the  French  King's  Highness,  upon  your  demaund  made 
of  the  Kynges  Majesties  pensions,  with  also  your  discrete  answers 

«  Hall,  p.  127.  x  Herbert  ut  antea,  p.  79.  Y  Ibid 

2  Rymer's  Fcedera,  torn.  XIV.  p.  196.  a  Bill.  Sign.  20  Henry  VIII. 

b  Bill  Sign.  22.  Henry  VIII.  «  Strype's  Memorials,  Vol.  I.  p.  153 

*  Ibid.  p.  335,  e  Strype's  Appendix,  p.  166. 


300  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

and  replications  made  in  that  behalfe,  for  the  which  his  Majestie 
givethe  unto  you  condigne  thanks,,  &c."     In  the  same  year,  he 
had  a  f  grant  of  the  advowson  of  the  parish  church  of  Obbyrkirk, 
in  the  Marches  of  Calais  ;  and  was  ordered  to  propose^  to  the 
French  King,  the  conditions  concerning  a  revocation  of  the  cen- 
sures inflicted  by  the  Pope  on  his  Royal  Master :  and  to  treat  of 
a  marriage  between  the  Duke  of  Angoulesme,  the  French  King's 
third  son,  and  the  Princess  Elizabeth.     He  continued  in  France 
on  his  embassy  till  1537,  when  I  find  him  h  summoned  to  attend 
at  the  christening  of  Prince  Edward  on  October  15th,  that  year, 
and  being  of  the  King's  Privy  Chamber,  was  one  which  supported 
a  rich  canopy  over  the  prince  at  that  grand  solemnity.     Also  the 
same  year,  he  was  'in  nomination  for  one  of  the  Knights  of  the 
Garter.     In  30  Henry  VIII.  in  k  consideration  of  his  services,  he 
had  a  grant  of  the  priory  of  Barlich,  in  com.  Someis.  and  the 
manors  of  Brampton,  Bury,  and  Warley,  in   the  same  county  ; 
and  the  manor  of  Morebach,  in  Devonshire,  to  him  and  his  heirs. 
In  32  Henry  VIII.   he1   was  again  in  France  on  an  embassy; 
where  he  continued  till  a  war  broke  out  with  that  realm.     And 
on  April  23d  n  St.  George's  Day,  35  Henry  VIII.  was  at  a  chap- 
ter of  the  most  noble  Order  of  the  Garter,  the  first  named  in  the 
list  of  Knights,  by  all  the  companions  present ;  and  had  more 
votes  than  the  Vise.  Lysle,  Lord  St.  John,  and  Lord  Parr,  who 
were  then  chose,   though  the  King  did   not  then  declare  him 
elected.     The  same  year,  on  a  treaty  concluded  with  the  Empe- 
ror Charles  V.  whereby  the  King  was  obliged  to  assist  him  in 
defence  of  his  dominions  in  Lower  Germany  against  the  King  of 
France;  his  Majesty  being  well  assured  (as  the  words  of  the  pa- 
tent import),  of n  the  fidelity,  prudence,  and  experience,  of  his 
trusty  and  well-beloved  counsellor  Sir  John  Wallop,  Captain  and 
Governor  of  the  castle  and  county  of  Guysnes,  constitutes  him 
Captain-General  and  Leader  of  the  forces  to  be  employed  accord- 
ing to  the  said  treaty,  with  full  power  to  give  battle  and  annoy 
all  the  enemies  of  the  said  Emperor :  and  was  authorised,  as  he 
saw  expedient,  to  punish  all  under  his  command,  even  with  death 
itself:  likewise  to  reward  all  as  should  well  deserve,  with  Knight- 

f  Bill.  Sign.  27  Henry  VIII.  S  Herbert  praed.   p.  17.9. 

h  Strypc,  Vol.  II.  p.  3,4. 

1  Anstis's  Regist.  of  the  Order  of  the  Garter,  Vol.  II.  p.  407. 

*  Pat.  30  Henry  VIII.  J  Strype,  Vol.  I.  p.  365. 

»  Anstis's  Regist.  p.  425,  426.  n  pat.  35  Henry  VIII.  p.  16-  m.  24. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  301 

hood,  and  such  military  honours  and  marks  of  distinction  as  he 
thought  fit. 

He  landed  at  Calais,  an.  1543,  and  marching0  from  thence, 
between  the  frontiers  of  France  and  the  Low  Countries,  did  much 
spoil  on  the  enemy,  till  he  joined  with  the  Emperor's  forces  be- 
fore Landrecy,  then  besieged :  whereof  the  French  King  being 
advertised,  resolved  to  relieve  it.  Hereupon  the  two  great  armies 
being  near  each  other,  it  was  expected  a  battle  would  ensue;  but 
the  French  in  the  night  dislodged  secretly,  and  retired.  After 
which,  the  Emperor  continued  the  siege  till  towards  the  midst  of 
November,  when  he  marched  (without  taking  the  town),  to 
Cambray,  and  possessed  himself  thereof. 

On  Sir  John  Wallop's  return  the  same  year,  he  was  elected 
Knight  of  the  Garter,  at  a  chapter  of  that  most  noble  Order  at 
Hampton-Court,P  especially  called  on  Christmas-Eve.  And  as  a 
special  mark  of  the  King's  favour,  Sir  John  Wallop  i  had  bis 
robes  of  the  Order  out  of  the  King's  Wardrobe,  when  he  was  in- 
stalled; viz.  rMaii  IStb,  1544.  Mr.  Ashmole,  who  wrote  the  His- 
tory of  the  Knights  of  the  Order  of  the  Garter,  did  also  intend  to 
write  the  History  of  the  Lives  of  that  most  noble  Order;  but  his' 
design3  being  represented  (as  he  complains),  through  the  wrong 
end  of  the  perspective,  by  the  Chancellor  of  the  Order,  to  King 
Charles  the  second,  and  the  Knights  Companions,  he  received  so 
great  discouragement,1  as  caused  him  to  wave  it.  In  his  Collec- 
tions, this  Sir  John  Wallop  is  mentioned  to  have  been  Ambassador 
to  the  Emperor,  to  the  Kings  of  France,  Portugal,  Hungary,  and 
Poland.  Sir  John  was  twice  Commissioner  with  the  Lord  Cob- 
ham,  and  others,  for  delivering  of  hostages,  in  Edward  the  VI. *s 
time,  concerning  the  treaty  of  Valloigne,  The  last  commission  I 
find  him  in,  was  on  November  1 6th,  1550,  when  he  was  the  first 
named  to  u  hear  and  determine  all  controversies  relating  to  the 
titles  of  lands  and  possessions,  lordships  and  territories,  as  well 
within  the  King's  limits,  as  within  the  French  King's,  on  the 
Marches  of  Calais. 

It  appears  by  several  circumstances,  that  he  was  abroad  in  the 
King's  service  at  the  death  of  Henry  VIII.  and  in  the  reign  of 
Edward  VI.  having  the  sole  command  of  our  forces  for  the  de- 

•  Herbert,  praed.  p.  239.  P  Anstis's  Regis?,  p.  427,  428,  429. 

SI  MS.  in  Bib!.  Cotron.  Julii,  F.  11.  r  Anstis,  P.  432. 

s  Hist,  of  the  Gaiter,  p.  643. 
1  Lives  of  the  Knights  of  the  Garter,  MS.  in  Bibl.  Ashmol.  No.  1117. 
■  Strype,  Vol.11,  p.  174. 


302  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

fence  of  our  territories  in  France.     And  he  died  at  xGuisnes  in 
July,  5  Edward  Vl.y  where  he  lies  buried,  leaving  z  no  issue. 

His  last  will  and  testament  bears  date  May  22d,  1551,a  the 
preamble  being  in  these  words:  "  I  Sir  John  Wallop,  Knight  of 
the  right  honourable  order,  lievtenaunte  of  the  castill  and  county  e 
of  Guysnes,  being  of  whole  mynde  and  in  perfitt  memory,  and 
sicke  in  bodye  j  considering  the  vanitie  of  this  worlde,  and  the 
soden  chaunge  of  man  out  of  this  transitorie  woride;  and  nothing 
to  be  more  certayne  then  death,  and  the  tyme  thereof  to  be  un- 
certayne:  do  therefore  deliberately  and  advisadly  ordeyne  and 
make  this  my  testament  and  last  will,  in  manor  and  form  follow- 
ing. First,  I  revoke  and  annull  all  former  testaments,  &c.  And 
then  afore  all  other  worldly  things,  I  give  and  bequeathe  my  soul 
to  almightie  God  my  maker,  redeemer  and  saviour,  humbly  de- 
siring our  Ladye  Saynt  Marie  the  virgin  mother  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  all  the  holy  company  of  Heaven,  to  be  media- 
tors and  intercessors  for  me,  that  my  soul  may  be  saved  by  the 
merits  of  Christes  passion,  and  have  place  of  glory  that  he  re 
deemyed  me  to  with  his  precious  blood,  thorrowe  the  abundance 
and  multitude  of  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christe.  And  my 
body  to  be  buried  in  christian  burial,  whare  myne  executrice  un- 
dernamyed  shall  think  most  expedient  at  the  tyme  of  my  deathe. 
Item,  I  give  and  bequeathe  to  my  singular  good  -Lord  the  Duke 
of  Somersett's  Grace,  one  of  the  two  great  guylt  cuppis  that  King 
Ferdinando,  King  of  Romayns,  did  give  to  me  being  the  King's 
ambasador  with  hyme.  Item,  I  give  and  bequeathe  to  my  very 
good  Lord  Therle  of  Warwick,  thother  greate  gilt  enpp  the  fellow 
of  the  same.  Item,  To  my  Lorde  Therle  of  Wilteshire  my  great 
gilt  boll  with  a  cover,  that  I  brought  out  of  France  with  me. 
Item,  To  my  loving  brother  Sir  Thomas  Chayne,  Lord  Gwarden 
of  the  Five  Ports,  my  great  gilt  cupp  that  the  Kinge  of  Pole  dyde 
give  me,  and  my  mules.  Item,  To  my  loving  Frende  Sir  William 
Herbert,  Knight,  Master  of  the  Horse,  one  of  my  three  new 
bollys  with  a  cover  gilt,  bought  at  Bruges.  Item,  To  Sir  Ed- 
ward Wotton,  Knight,  my  gilt  cupp  with  a  cover,  whiche  I  and 
my  wife  did  use  to  drynke  caudels  in.  And  yf  it  happen  the  said 
Sir  Edward  Wotton  to  dye  afore  me,  then  I  bequeathe  the  said 
gilt  cupp  to  Mr.  Nicholas  Wotton,  Dean  of  Canterbury,  his  bro- 
ther. Item,  To  my  brother  Oliver  Wallop  my  gown  furred  with 
sables,  and  all  my  stuf  of  household  which  I  now  have  at  my 

*  Anstif,  p.  429.  y  Ibid.  z  Vincent  and  Charles. 

*  Ex  Regist.  Buck.  qu.  24.  in  Cur.  Praerog.  Cant. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  803 

house  of  my  manor  of  Farley.  Item,  To  my  Cosyne  Cooke,  Ser- 
geant of  the  King's  Herthounds,  my  gown  furred  with  lucerns, 
and  my  velvet  cloke.  Item,  To  John  Smale,  my  Stewarde,  my 
gowne  embrodered  with  sarsenet,  and  the  sarsenet  gowne  furred 
with  black  conye.  Item,  To  Chester  the  Harrolde  my  sersenet 
cloker  embroderyd.  Item,  To  Guyens  the  Pursevaunte  my  best 
capp  and  the  best  broche,  the  same  that  the  Quene  that  last  dyed 
dyd  give  me  with  the  greate  white  stone.  Item,  To  Nicholas 
Alexander,  Captayne  of  Newnam  Bridge,  my  late  Secretary,  a 
annuitie  of  vi/.  xiiis    mid.  to  be  paid,  &c." 

He  bequeaths  to  all  his  servants  of  his  household  half  a  year's 
wages,  and  five  pounds  to  the  reparations  of  the  church  at  Gui- 
sons,  and  five  pounds  to  the  poor  there  j  also  several  other  bequests 
and  annuities  to  his  friends  and  servants.  He  bequeathed  his 
manor  of  Bury  and  Barlich,  in  the  county  of  Somerset,  and 
his  manor  of  Morebach,  in  the  county  of  Devon,  to  Elizabeth 
his  wife,  to  the  intent,  that  she  receiving  the  issues  and  pro- 
fits thereof,  should  pay  all  his  debts,  and  the  several  annuities 
which  he  left  payable  out  Of  the  said  manors.  And  after  her  de- 
cease, he  bequeathed  the  said  manors  to  his  brother  Oliver  Wal- 
lop, and  to  the  heirs  male  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten  j  and  the 
residue  of  his  goods,  &c.  to  Elizabeth  his  wife,  whom  he  ordained 
his  sole  executrix,  concluding  with  these  words :  "  And  I  most 
humbly  beseche  the  Kinges  Majesty,  that  in  consideration  I  have 
servyed  his  gracious  noble  Father  and  his  Highness  all  my  lief, 
truly  and  faithfully ;  and  have  spent  in  his  Grace's  service,  not 
only  the  revenues  and  profytts  of  mine  office,  but  also  the  rents 
and  profytts  of  myne  owne  Lands,  and  yet  remayne  sore  indebted 
to  his  Highness;  that  yt  may  lyke  his  Grace  of  his  Majesty's 
clemency,  and  my  good  Lordes  of  his  Grace's  Counsail,  to  remytt 
my  said  debt  or  parte  thereof,  as  that  shall  stande  with  his  Grace's 
and  their  pleasure :  and  the  rather  that  there  was  nyne  hundreth 
crownys  due  to  me  for  the  ransom  of  French  prisoners  that  were 
takyn,  whiche  prysoners  I  delyvered  by  his  Grace's  Counsayll 
Commaundment,  withoute  any  money  paying  for  their  raunsom, 
to  me  due.  And  farther  beseeching  most  humbly  his  Highness, 
and  my  said  good  Lordes  of  his  Grace's  Counsaill,  to  suffer  my 
said  weif,  being  myne  execu trice,  to  have  for  the  performance  of 
my  will,  and  the  help  and  reliffe  of  my  poore  servants,  the  como- 
dite  and  profytt  of  myne  office  at  Guysnys,  paying  the  waiges  and 
charges  to  be  due  untill  the  17th  daye  of  October  next  corny nge, 
that  the  half  yere  I  have  entryd  into,  doo  ende  j  whereby  his 


304  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Grace  shall  rewarde  your  sickc  servaunte,  that  is  sorry  he  hath  no 
longer  life  to  serve  your  Highness." 

This  Sir  John  Wallop  had  two  wives:  first  b Elizabeth,  relict 
of  Gerald,  son  of  Thomas  Earl  of  Kildarec  and  daughter  of  Sir 
Oliver  St.  John,  of  Lidiard  Tregose,  in  com.  Wilts,  Knt.  ances- 
tor to  the  present  Viscount  Bolingbroke;  and  to  his  second  wife. 
d  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Clement  Harleston,  of  Okinden,  in 
com.  Essex,  Knt.  She  survived  him,  as  mentioned  in  his  will  ; 
but  leaving  no  issue,  his  estate  devolved  on  his  brother  and  heir, 

Sir  Oliver,  who  for  his  conduct  and  bravery  in  the  great 
battle  of  Musselborough,e  September  10th,  1547,  had  the  honour 
of  Knighthood  conferred  on  him,  on  September  2/th,  in  the  camp 
of  Roxborough,  by  the  Duke  of  Somerset,  Genera)  of  the  Army. 
And  had  livery  of  the  manor  of  Bury  and  Barlich,  in  6  Edw.  VI. 
by  the  decease  of  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Sir  John  Wallop.  He 
was  f  Sheriff  of  the  county  of  Southampton  in  the  last  year  of 
Queen  Mary;  and  died  in  the  8th  year  of  Queen  Elizabeth.    He 

married  two  wives;  first,  Bridget,  daughter"  of —  Pigot,  of 

Beechampton,  in  com.  Bucks,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had  issue  one 
daughter,  Rose,  married  to  h  Walter  Lambert,  Esq.  and  three 
sons ;  of  whom  Sir  Henry  Wallop  succeeded  to  his  estate. 

William,  second  son,  was  returned  to  parliament  for  '  Lyming- 
ton  in  18  Eliz.  And  on  a  monument  erected  to  his  memory  in 
the  church  of  Weald,  in  com.  Southampt.  is  the  following  in- 
scription : 

"  Here  lies  William  Wallop,  Esq.  second  son  of  Sir  Oliver 
Wallop,  Knt.  His  eldest  brother  was  Sir  Henrey  Wallop,  late 
Treasurer  of  Ireland  :  He  was  Nephew  to  Sir  John  Wallop,  Knt. 
who  being  first  a  gentleman  of  the  Privy -Chamber  to  King  Henry 
Bth',  was  afterwards  Admiral  of  a  Navy,  and  Captain  of  1000 
adventurers  against  the  French.  He  served  against  the  Moors  for 
the  King  of  Portugal ;  and  was  General  of  the  English  at  the  siege 
of  Landrecy :  He  was  sent  Embassador  to  the  King  of  Hungary, 
to  NAPLES,  to  the  Emperor  Charles  V.  to  Ferdinando  King  of 
the  Romans,  and  into  France,  where  he  was  twice  Lieger  Ambas- 
sador. He  was  Captain  of  the  castle,  and  Marshall  of  the  town 
of  Calais,  Lieutenant  of  the  castle  and  county   of  Guimes ;  a 

*  Charles  ct  Visit,  of  Hamp.  prsed.  c  Ex  Stem,  de  St.  John. 

*  Charles  et' Visit,  praed.  e  Nom.  Equit.  in  Bibl.  Cotton.  Claudius,  c.  3. 

f  Fuller,  p.  15.  §  Vincent  and  Charles.  h  Ibid, 

•  i  Wallis's  Not.  Pari,  in  com.  Southamp.  MS.  , 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  305 

Privy -Counsellor  of  Estate,  and  Knight  of  the  most  noble  Order 
of  the  Garter, 

"  This  William  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  once  High  Sheriff 
of  this  county,  and  twice  Mayor  of  Southampton  :  He  had  three 
wives,  but  died  without  issue  in  the  84th  year  of  his  age;  to  whose 
memory  his  last  wife  Margery,  daughter  of  John  Fisher,  of  Chil- 
ton Candover,  Esq.  hath  erected  this  monument." 

Obiit  13  Die  Novembr.     Anno  Domini  161/ '. 

Leaving  no  issue,  his  estate  descended  to  his  nephew,  Sir  Henry 
Wallop,  hereafter  mentioned. 

Richard  Wallop,  Esq.  third  son,  was  seated  at  Bugbroke,  in 
com.  Northamp.  and  married  Mary,  sister  and  coheir  of  William 
Spencer,  of  Everton,  in  that  county,  Esq.  but  this  branch  is  now- 
extinct  in  the  male  line. 

The  said  Sir  Oliver  Wallop  had  to  his  second  wife,*  Anne, 
daughter  of  Robert  Martin,  of  Athelhampston,  in  com.  Dorset, 
Esq.  and  widow  of  Thomas,  son  and  heir  of  Sir  John  Tregonwell, 
of  Milton-Abbas,  in  the  said  county,  Knt.  by  whom  he  had  issue 
two  sons,  William  and  Stephen  ;  also  two  daughters,  Anne  and 
Grace;  but  no  issue  is  remaining  of  them. 

Sir  Henry  Wallop,  the  eldest  son  of  Sir  Oliver,  was  distin- 
guished for  his  eminent  abilities  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth, 
who  l  knighted  him  at  Basing,  Anno  15(X).  He  was  chosen  one 
of  the  members  for  the  town  of  Southampton,  m  to  that  Parlia- 
ment first  holden  at  Westminster,  May  8th,  15/2,  which  conti- 
nued n  near  upon  the  space  of  twelve  years ;  viz.  from  May  8th 
beforementioned,  to  April  19th,  25th  Eliz.  when  it  was  dis- 
solved. 

This  Sir  Henry  was  a  leading  member  in  the  house  of  Com- 
mons j  for  in  1575,  I  find  him  appointed  with  all  the  Privy- 
Council  of  the  house,  the  Lord  Russell,  Sir  Thomas  Scott,  and 
Sir  Henry  Gates,  to  meet  in  the  Exchequer-Chamber,  and  agree 
touching  the  nature  of  the  petition  to  be  made  to  the  Queen,  on 
the  motions  for  reformation  of  discipline  in  the  church.  And  on 
Friday,  March  9th,  the  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer  reported 
her  Majesty's  answer  to  their  petition.  He  was  also0  in  the  same 
session,  especially  appointed  by  the  house  of  Commons,  with  Mr. 
Treasurer  of  the  Household,  Sir  Christopher  Hatton,  Captain  of 

k  Vincent  and  Charles.  l  Cat.-  of  Knights,  MS.  penes  meips. 

m  Willis  ut  supra.  n  Dew's  Journsls  of  Pari.  p.  277.  •  Ibid. 

tol.  iv.  x 

9 


306  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

the  guard,  Sir  Henry  Rateliff,  Sir  John  Thynne,  and  seven  others 
of  the  leading  members,  to  confer  with  the  Lords  touching  such 
private  bills  in  both  houses,  as  upon  their  conference  together, 
shall  be  thought  fittest  to  be  examined. 

On  March  18th,  1580,  Mr.  Cromwell  reported  to  the  Com- 
mons p  from  the  commiitee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  returns 
and  defaults,  noted  upon  the  last  calling  of  the  house,  that  Fulke 
Grevile,  Esq.  was  returned  for  the  town  of  Southampton,  in  the 
room  of  Sir  Henry  Wallop,  Knt.  being  in  the  Queen's  service j 
whereupon  the  house  resolved,  that  it  was  an  undue  election,  and 
that  Sir  Henry  Wallop  should  continue  in  his  said  place. 

On  the  rebellion  in  Ireland,  he  raised  a  company  of  100  men, 
and  went  over  with  them  to  that  kingdom.  On  April  4th,  1580/ 
he  came  from  Limerick  to  the  Lord  Justice,  then  besieging  the 
castle  of  Asketten  ;  and  on  the  surrender  thereof,  his  company 
war>  garrisoned  there.  On  August  14th,  the  same  year,  he  was 
constitu  ed  Vice-Treasurer,  and  Treasurer  of  war,  in  Ireland,  as 
appears  from  the  inscription  on  his  monument  in  St.  Patrick's 
church,  in  Dublin. 

The  Lord  Grey  of  Wilton  resigning  his  government  of  Ireland, 
the  latter  end  of  August,  1582/  he  delivered  the  sword  to  Adam 
Loftus,  Archbishop  of  Dublin,  Lord  Chancellor,  and  Sir  Henry 
Wallop,  Vice-Treasurer,  and  Treasurer  of  war  in  Ireland  j  whom 
the  Queen  afterwards  constituted  Lords  Justices/  September  1st, 
15S2.  The. Lord  Grey  left  the  Administration  to  them  at  a  time 
when  the  Spaniards  had  landed  t  in  the  kingdom,  the  people  dis- 
quieted, and  the  government  not  settled ;  yet  as  my  author  saith, 
0  they  both  joining  their  wisdoms,  services,  and  good  wills,  were 
so  blessed  therein,  that  by  them  the  land  was  reduced  to  some  per- 
fection and  quietness.  The  rebellion  was  quelled,  and  Gerald 
Fitzgerald,  Earl  of  Desmond,  who  was  at  the  head  of  it,  after 
two  years  skulking  in  obscure  places,*  was  by  a  common  soldier 
surprised,  and  afterwards  executed. 

Secretary  Fenton,  one  much  confided  in  by  Queen  Elizabeth, 
is  said  y  to  be  a  moth  in  the  governments  of  all  the  deputies  of 
his  time;  and  either  he,  or  others,  did  some  ill  offices  to  Sir  Henry 


P  Dew's  Journals  of  Pari.  p.  277. 

<i  Chron.  of  Ireland  in  Hbllinshed,  Vol.  I.  p.  167.  r  Ibid.  p.  177. 

s  Borlase's  Reduct.  of  Ireland,  p.  130.  *  Cox's  Hist,  of  Ireland,  p.  367. 

u  Chron.  of  Ireland,  p.  177.  x  Borlase  praed. 

y  Cox's  Hist.  p.  389. 


E.UIL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  307 

Wallop;  who,  in  his  letter  to  the  Queen  from  Dundalk,  August 
I  lth,  1583,  lays  it  much  to  'heart,  that  any  rumour  should  be 
spread  to  prejudice  his  integrity  and  reputation,  and  lessen  him 
in  the  good  opinion  of  her  Majesty.  Which  letter  contains  such 
sentiments  of  honour  and  justice,  and  is  such  an  addition  to  his 
character,  that  I  shall  here  insert  it  :z 

fC  It  may  please  your  Majesty,  a  rumour  hath  been  raised  not 
long  since  at  Dublin  (I  know  not  how,  nor  by  what  particular 
person,  but  strongly  confirmed  fince  the  last  passage  out  of  Eng- 
land, neither  doth  your  service  now  in  hand  upon  this  northern 
border  suffer  me  to  examine  it),  that  your  Majesty  conceived 
some  hard  opinion  of  me,  from  which  your  Highness  is  not  yet 
removed ;  but  what  the  offence  is,  or  how  conceived,  is  neither 
by  the  reporters  published,  nor  secretly  revealed  unto  me :  and 
like  as  it  is  easy  to  judge  what  effects  this  may  work  in  the  ser- 
vice of  your  Majesty,  or  to  a  man  in  public  office  as  I  am,  in  such 
a  government  as  this  is,  where  the  obedience  for  the  most  is  con- 
strained, and  all  reputation  with  the  people  either  growing  or 
diminishing,  as  your  Majesty  either  graces  or  disgraceth  your 
officers ;  so  how  much  this  quiet  burthen  overpresseth  my  most 
devoted  and  dutiful  mind  towards  your  Majesty,  I  feel  to  my  ex- 
ceeding grief  and  discomfort.  In  examining  myself  in  what  root 
this  your  judgment  should  spring,  I  confess,  Madam,  I  have 
viewed  in  myself  many  imperfections,  some  in  nature,  others, 
perhaps,  for  lack  of  ability  and  sufficiency  to  be  a  co-operator  or 
an  assistant  in  so  great  and  so  ticklish  a  government  and  charge, 
into  which  not  ambition  in  me,  but  your  Majesty's  will  and  com- 
mandment, hath  intruded  me.  But  in  all  that  my  memory  can 
hitherto  present  unto  me,  I  find  my  loyalty  in  your  service,  and 
my  sincerity  in  employing  your  Majesty's  treasure  according  to 
your  intent,  so  unspotted  and  direct,  as  I  cannot  but  comfort  my- 
self in  opposing  my  innocency  to  the  envy  of  the  informer,  or  to 
any  other  his  hard  construction  whatsoever  :  yet  since  in  general 
consideration,  I  cannot  feel  such  a  particular  error,  as  might 
settle  in  your  Majesty's  grave  judgment  an  offence  meriting 
your  disfavour,  I  am  most  humbly  to  beseech  your  Majesty,  that 
by  knowing  my  fault  I  may  either  purge  myself  by  a  just  denial, 
or  by  confessing  it  crave  pardon  of  your  Highness,  and  reform 
myself.     If  therefore  it  shall  stand  with  your  Majesty's  good 

z  Cabala,  p.  391. 


303  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

pleasure,  to  declare  it  to  my  honourable  good  friend,  Mr.  Secre- 
tary Walsingham,  commanding  hirn  to  charge  me  with  it,  I  will 
thereupon  simply  answer,  even  as  before  the  Lord  God,  without 
concealing  any  matter  of  truth  in  any  wise,  for  ray  own  defence. 
This  grace  the  sooner  I  shall  obtain,  the  apter  I  shall  be  found  for 
your  other  services,  from  which  I  find  myself  distracted,  because 
the  end  of  my  travels  is  none  other  but  to  purchase  that  grace 
and  favour,  which  I  may  now  fear  to  be  alienated  from  me,  till 
my  cause  be  better  explained.  And  so  I  humbly  end,  praying  the 
LORD  to  bless  you  with  a  long  and  prosperous  reign. 

Your  Majesty's  most  humble  servant  and  subject, 
At  your  town  ofDundalk,  Henry  Wallop.'' 

Aug.  11,  1583. 

The  answer  to  it  I  don't  find,  the  deeds  and  writings  of  this 
family  being  destroyed  in  that  fire,  in  1667*  at  Farley,  before- 
mentioned.  But.  in  a  letter  from  the  Qu«en  to  Sir  Henry  Wal- 
lop, and  the  Lord  Chancellor,  Lords  Justices,  dated  January  31st 
following,  informing  them  that  she  had  appointed  Sir  John  Perrot, 
Knt.  Lord  Deputy,  and  requiring  them  to  administer  the  oath  to 
him  on  his  arrival, a  her  Majesty  thus  expresses  herself,  Meaning 
noxv  no  longer  to  burthen  you  with  such  a  charge,  wherein  you 
have,  according  to  the  trust  imposed  in  you,  very  wisely  behaved 
yourselves,  greatly  to  our  contentation ,  we  have  chosen,  &c. 

Whilst  they  were  Lords  Justices,  a  famous  combat  was  fought 
before  them  in  the  court  of  the  castle  of  Dublin,  and  as  it  may 
entertain  my  readers,  1  shall  give  a  short  account  thereof.b  Two 
near  kinsmen  of  the  noble  family  of  the  Oconnors,  had  charged 
each  other  with  sundry  treasons  in  the  late  rebellion,  and  desiring 
a  triai  by  combat,  the  Lords  Justices  consented  to  it.  Whereupon 
all  things  being  prepared,  according  to  the  customary  laws  in 
such  cases  in  England,  and  the  Lords  Justices,  the  Lords  of  the 
Council,  Judges,  &c.  sitting  in  places,  every  one  according  to 
their  degree,  the  appellant,  stripped  in  his  shirt,  was  brought  be- 
fore the  court,  with  only  his  sword  and  target  (the  weapons  ap- 
pointed) and  when  he  had  done  his  reverence  to  the  Lords  Justices, 
and  the  court,  was  set  on  a  stool ;  the  defendant  was  likewise 
brought  in  the  same  order,  and  with  the  like  weapons,  and  after 
doing  his  reverence,  &c.  was  placed  over-against  the  appellant. 
After  the  challenge  was  read,  each  combatant  took  an  oath  of 

*  Cabala,  p.  33S.  b  Cbron.  of  Ireland,  prced.  p.  189. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  309 

what  he  averred,  and  that  it  was  true,  and  would  justify  the  same 
both  with  sword  and  blood.  Then  the  signal,  by  sound  of  trum- 
pet, being  given  them  to  engage,  the  appellant  did  not  only  dis-^ 
arm  the  defendant,  but  also  with  the  sword  he  took  from  him, 
cut  off  his  head,  and  on  the  point  thereof  presented  it  to  the  Lords 
Justices,  who  thereupon  acquitted  him. 

Sir  John  Perrot,  who  succeeded  Sir  Henry  Wallop,  and  the 
Archbishop  of  Dublin,  took  his  oath  as  Lord  Deputy/  June  26th, 
1584.  He  was,  by  his  instructions,  ordered d  to  consult  the 
council  for  the  management  of  the  government;  and,  when  on 
his  progress,  he  came  to  Molinger,  he  sent,  July  l6th,  1584,  a 
cypher  to  Dublin,  to  the  Archbishop  and  Sir  Henry  Wallop/ 
whereby  they  might  understand  his  letters,  and  be  unintelligible 
to  the  rebels,  if  they  should  intercept  themj  by  which  it  appears 
that  they  were  still  in  his  absence  at  the  head  of  affairs. 

In  the  Irish  Parliament  which  met  in  1585,  Sir  Henry  Wallop 
was  principally  concerned  in  passing  the  act,  That  all  conveyances 
made  by  any  person  attainted  within  thirteen  years,  should  be 
entered  on  record  in  the  Exchequer,  within  a  year,  or  be  void. 
This  act  did  not  pass  the  houses  without  great  difficulty,  and  per- 
haps had  not  passed  at  all,  saith  Sir  Richard  Cox,f  if  a  pretended 
feoffment  had  not  been  produced,  to  prevent  the  Earl  of  Des- 
mond's forfeiture.  But  Sir  Henry  Wallop  discovering  the  fraud, 
and  producing  the  association  signed  by  the  said  Earl,  two  months 
before  the  said  feoffment,  the  honest  part  of  the  house  was  ashamed 
to  abet  so  ill  a  cause,  and  so  the  act  was  made  to  prevent  the  like 
contrivances.  On  April  20th,  1587,  he  s  was  commissioned, 
with  others,  to  dispose  of  the  forfeited  estates  in  Ireland,  and 
their  warrants  to  the  Chancellor  to  be  sufficient  for  passing  pa- 
tents accordingly:  in  which  commission  Sir  John  Perrot,  the  Lord 
Deputy,  being  in  disgrace  at  court,  was  left  out. 

Sir  Henry  Wallop  coming  afterwards  into  England,  Queen  Eli- 
zabeth in  15Ql,h  honoured  him  with  a  visit  at  his  seat  at  Farley- 
Wallop,  where  her  Majesty  and  her  court  were  sumptuously 
entertained  for  some  days.  William  Lord  Burghley,  Treasurer, 
writes  to  Sir  Henry  Unton,  Knt.  her  Majesty's  Ambassador  in 
France,  and  dates  his  letter,  '  From  the  Courte  at  Syr  Harry 
Wallops,  near  Basyng,  Thirteenth  of  September,  One  Thousand 

c  Borlase,  p.  139.  4  Cabala,  p.  557.  e  Cox's  His.  p.  3^0. 

{  Cox's  Hist.  p.  384.  g  Ibid.  p.  395. 

h  Ry  oner's  Feed.  Vol.  XVI.  p.  120. 


310  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND 

Five  Hundred  Ninety  one  3'  concluding,  «  My  Lord  Chancellor 
was  looked  for  to  Morrow,  but  I  doubt  he  will  not  come  but  to 
Oatland,  about  the  22  of  this  MonethV 

On  January  5tb,  1595,  he,  with  Sir  Eobert  Gardiner,  Lord 
Chief  Justice,1  were  commissioned  to  conclude  a  peace  with  the 
famous  Tyrone,  and  the  Irish  rebels ;  both  persons  of  gravity  and 
conduct,  as  Camden  has  observed.1'  The  treaty  was  very  solemn  j 
all  the  Irish  potentates  giving  in  their  petitions  and  complaints, 
related  at  large  by  Morison,  in  his  Account  of  the  Affairs  of  Ire- 
land, p.  113. 

On  June  12th,  1595,1  he  was  constituted  one  of  the  Commis- 
sioners for  propagating  the  province  of  Munster,  in  Ireland,  with 
English  inhabitants,  and  for  compounding  with  the  possessionem 
of  lands  in  the  said  province  3  having,  as  the  commission  expresses, 
been  employed  in  the  same  service  for  three  years  before.  I  don't 
find  him  in  any  other  commissons;  but  he  continued  of  the  Privy- 
Council,  and  in  the  office  of  Vice-Treasurer,  and  Treasurer  of 
war  in  Ireland,  till  his  death,  which  happened  at  Dublin,  April 
14th,  1599. 

His  integrity  and  conduct  in  the  plantation  of  Ireland,  with 
English  inhabitants,  are  evident  from  several  authorities.  He 
first  made  a  purchase,"1  March,  1584-5,  of  a  lease  of  the  abbey 
of  Eniscorthy,  as  also  of  the  castle  and  manor,  with  the  lands 
thereto  belonging,  in  the  county  of  Wexford,  which,  with  the 
other  lands  he  obtained,  are  of  a  considerable  extent,  and  large 
jurisdiction  3  and  are  now  possessed  by  his  lineal  heir,  the  present 
Earl  of  Portsmouth.  Queen  Elizabeth,  in  the  24th  year  of  her 
reign,n  granted  the  premises  to  Edmond  Spenser,0  paying  an- 
nually 3001.  6s.  4d.  and  maintaining  it  in  continual  repair. 
Edmond  Spenser,  by  indenture  of  December  9th,  1581,  conveys 
them  to  Richard  Synot,  who/  on  December  3d,  25  Eliz.  ob- 
tained a  grant  from  the  Queen  of  the  said  lease  for  forty  years,  in 
reversion  after  Spenser's  lease 5  and  on  March  8th,  27  Elizabeth, 
conveys  it  to  Sir  Henry  Wallop,  then  Treasurer  of  war  in  Ire- 
land. 

Sir  Henry  Wallop  on  May  11th,  the  same  year,  had  a  Please 

1  Cox's  Hist.  408. 

k  Life  of  Queen  Eliz.  in  Hist,  of  Engl.  Vol.  II.  p.  588. 

1  Rymer's  Feed.  torn.  16.  p.  376. 

»  Ex  Origin,  penes  praehon.  Joh.  com.  Portsmouth.  n  Ibid. 

0  Edmond  Spenser,  the  Poet. 

P  Ex  Origin,  penes  praehon.  Joh.  com.  Portsmouth.        1  Ibid. 


KARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  311 

of  the  Bishop  of  Fernes's  land;  and  in  28th  Elizabeth,  purchased 
lands  of  Dermont  Mac  Morishe,  and  three  of  his  brethren,  in  the 
county  of  Wexford.  Also  in  2Q  Elizabeth,  he  made  purchases  of 
a  lease  of  the  priory  of  Selker,  in  com.  Wexford,  and  of  lands  in 
several  towns  there.  And  was  so  prudent  a  manager,  that  he  was 
greatly  honoured  and  esteemed  for  his  public  spirit,  exemplary 
justice,  and  excellent  conduct  j  as  the  following  letter  shews, 
signed  by  Hugh  Bishop  of  Femes,  and  twenty-nine  gentlemen  of 
the  county  of  Wexford,  all  who  were  then  resident  there.r 

<•'  Right  Worshipfull, 
fl  Our  humble  Duties  remembred.  It  hath  been  geven  out  of 
late  by  Reporte,  that  your  Worship  was  to  deall  with  Morgan 
Mac  Brien,  and  the  rest  of  his  Sept,  for  his  and  theire  Lands  in 
the  Barrony  of  St.  Molyns,  and  elsewhere,  and  that  your  Inten- 
tion was  to  plante  Habytation  there,  as  you  have  alredy  done 
about  Enescorthie.  At  the  first  Report  whereof  all  Wee  the 
Gentlemen  and  rnhabytants  of  this  poore  Countie  of  Wexford, 
did  not  a  lyttle  Rejoice,  hoping  that  by  that  Meanes,  We  should 
not  only  lyve  in  better  Securytie,  then  We  have  done  hetherto, 
but  that  also,  those  lands  lyeing  now  altogether  wast,  might  in  a 
short  Time,  by  your  Worship's  Countenaunce  and  good  Pollicie 
be  peopled,  and  geve  Relief  especyallie  to  the  poore  Towen  of 
Rosse,  and  to  the  whole  Countrey,  which  is  not  a  lytle  decayed 
throughe  the  Dissolacion  of  these  Parts.  But  being  now  geven 
to  understande  that  your  Worship  having  viewed  the  same  upon 
the  Offer  made  unto  you  by  Morgan,  and  considared  of  the  Dif- 
ficulties which  arise  in  some  Condicions  between  your  Worship 
and  him,  and  otherwise,  doth  determine  to  proceede  no  further 
in  the  Matter,  we  have  bene  greatlie  grieved  and  dismaid,  to  see 
so  good  a  Purpose  broken,  of  which  we  hoped  to  have  seen 
brought  to  passe  to  the  universal  Good  and  Quiet  of  this  Coun- 
trey, and  of  all  this  Part  of  Leinster,  and  to  your  Worship's  per- 
petual Fame,  as  the  Author  of  so  great  a  Good :  for  when  we 
consider  the  Benefyt  which  we  all  feele  and  receave  alredie  by 
your  Worship's  cominge  amonge  us,  the  Reliefe  which  innumer- 
able poor  Creatures  have  had  at  your  Hands  by  your  Works, 
your  Cattle  and  your  Charetie,  which  otherwise  would  have 
starved  and  died  for  hunger  j  how  this  Border,  which  before 
your  cominge  was  a  very  Denn  of  Thieves,  and  the  chief  Recep- 

r  Ex  Autog.  penes  Joh.  com.  Partsmouth. 


312  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

tacle  of  all  the  Malefactors  of  Leinsler,  is  now  become  so  quiet 
and  free  from  such  Caterpillars,  that  no  Cattel  is  housed  in  the 
Nights  neere  about  Enescorthie  3  and  that  the  Oppressions  and 
Extorcions  wherewith  the  Poore  were  wont  to  be  continually 
wexed  and  eaten  up  by  Officers,  as  well  as  idle  Men,  are  now 
through  your  Authoritye  and  Countenaunce  restrained  and  some- 
what bridled :  Wee  did  assuredlie  hope,  that  your  Worship  ex- 
tending your  godlie  Care  throughout  the  whole  Skirte  and  Border 
of  this  poore  Countie,  would  (as  yt  were  with  a  Wall  of  Defence) 
have  invironed  Us  from  the  Annoyance  of  any  Enemies  from 
henceforth,  wherebie  Wee  might  have  enjoyed  the  Fruets  of 
Peace  and  Tranquillytie,  purchased  by  your  tender  and  fatherlie 
Care  of  the  afflicted  State  of  this  poore  Countrey,  and  with  no 
small  Travell  and  Chardge  also.  Our  Confidence  was  that  Justice 
which  your  Worship  hath  brought  amonges  us  indeed,  where 
before  she  was  but  a  shewe,  and  her  venerable  Name  used  to  the 
spoile  and  undoenge  of  most  of  us,  sholde  dwell  and  florishe  ge- 
nerallie  henceforthe  amonges  us.  And  that  the  good,  and  special 
Orders  that  you  have  alredie  begun,  and  are  in  Hande  to  establish 
in  that  happie  Corner  of  our  Contrey,  where  you  have  planted, 
shold  have  spredd  themselves  over  the  rest  of  the  Borders,  and  so 
over  the  whole  Contrey,  and  have  reduced  Us  to  our  auncyent, 
naturall,  and  most  desired  Fourme  and  Manner  of  Lyvinge,  ac- 
cording to  the  Use  and  Custome  of  Englande,  from  which, 
through  the  Libertie  that  idle  Persons,  not  corrected,  had  to  spoile 
us,  and  want  of  good  Government  and  Rule,  we  are  declyned 
and  degenerate.  But,  alas,  all,  or  the  greatest  Part  of  our  Expec- 
tation and  hope  is  fayled,  if  your  Worshipe  do  now  breake  of, 
and  reverse  that  so  good,  and  so  beneficyall  a  Purpose.  For  al- 
though the  Light  of  your  upright  Deallinge  and  Zeale  of  Justice, 
do  shine  sufficientlie  out  of  that  Place  to  shew  us  the  Waie  of  our 
happie  Estates,  if  We  have  Grace  to  acknowledge  the  Goodness 
of  Almightie  God  towards  Us  in  sendinge  you  amongst  Us  :  And 
that  your  Worships  Example  will  be  a  greate  Meanes  to  induce 
others  to  followe  your  Steppes,  and  to  stryve  to  wynn  that  Love, 
Reverence,  and  Commendacion,  which  you  have  gotten  together, 
with  the  dailie  and  harte  Praiere  of  all  Degrees  of  People  in  the 
whole  Countrey :  yet  do  Wee  certenlye  see  and  discerne,  that  un- 
less that  Border  may  be  established  with  the  Pollecie  and  Govern- 
ment as  is  devised  for  Enescorthie,  and  those  Quarters,  which 
cannot  be  done  but  by  your  Worship,  or  some  man  so  well  disposed 
#s  yourselfe,  and  of  Aucthorytie,  Countenance,  and  Habilytie  to 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  313 

go  throughe  withall,  it  will  be  almost  impossible  but  that  the 
Cavanaughes  of  that  Sept,  folio winge  theire  wonted  Manner  of 
Lief,  and  drawing  to  them  idle  Followers  and  Malefactors  from 
other  Places,  will  contynuallie  be  a  Gaull  to  this  Countrye,  and 
an  open  Passage  for  all  the  Evell  disposed  to  annoy  and  infeste 
us  still.  Wee  therefore  whose  Names  are  subscribed,  do,  with 
one  Consent,  hertelie  and  humblie  praie  and  beseech  your  Wor- 
ship, that  yon  will  vouchsaef  to  hould  on  and  persever  in  that 
Intention  of  takinge  those  Lands  of  Morgan  Mac  Brien,  and  his 
Sept,  and  planting  thereof  with  such  good  Orders  and  Govern- 
ments, as  your  Worship  can  well  devise,  for  the  inhabitinge 
thereof,  as  well  to  your  own  Comodyte  and  Benefit,  as  to  our 
Good  and  Quiet ;  wherein  if  any  thing  that  Wee  or  any  of  Us 
can  do  to  the  Furtherance  of  so  good  a  Purpose,  may  prevayle, 
your  Worship  shall  be  most  assured  to  have  our  Endeavours  to 
the  utmost  of  our  Powers.  Now  is  the  Time  to  enterprize  such 
a  Thing,  when  your  Worship  have  the  willing  Mindes  and  Con- 
sent of  all  that  Sept :  who,  if  they  be  now  deverted  from  that 
Hope  which  they  have  conceived,  that  they  maie,  under  the  Jus- 
tice and  Moderacion  of  your  Rule,  lyve  and  frame  themselves  to 
Goodness,  no  doubt  but  verie  Necessetie  and  Desperacion  will 
dryve  them  to  Naughtiness,  which  naturalie,  and  by  Kinde  they 
are  too  much  inclyned  unto;  and  that  they  will  imploie  all  the 
lyttle  Force  that  is  left  them  to  do  the  most  Mischiefe  that  they 
shall  be  bable.  Whereas,  if  your  Worship  taking  the  Countrey 
at  their  Handes,  shall  build  a  strong  Place  at  Simalyns,  and  main- 
taine  some  convenyent  Force  there ;  that  on  the  one  Side,  and 
Enesco?-thie  on  the  other,  will  be  as  two  Bullwarks  to  yoake  and 
keepe  them  under,  and  to  bridle  and  chastize  the  doubtful  Minds 
of  those  that  shall  attempt  any  Evell,  wherein  Wee  should  never 
need  to  feare  anny  more,  or  that  they  could  be  able  to  disturbe  the 
State  and  Quiet  of  this  Countrey,  as  they  have  done ;  but  rather 
hope  that  Example  of  well  disposed  People,  labouring  for  their 
Lyving,  and  the  Sweetness  of  enjoyeng  theire  own,  by  due  Ad- 
ministration of  Justice,  would  draw  them  to  that  Goodness  which 
otherwise  there  is  no  Hope  of.  And  if  haplie  the  Fear  of  en- 
vious Speeches  may  move  your  Worship  to  forbear  this  worthy 
Enterprize,  albeyt  the  Cleerness  of  your  Conscience,  and  the 
Treuthe  yt  selfe  will  alwaies  be  a  Testimonie  sufficient  of  your 
godlie  Zeale  and  sincere  Meaninge,  to  do  good  by  all  the  Meanes 
you  can  to  all  Men :  yet,  for  the  better  avoiding  of  such  slaun- 
drous  and  malicious  Reports  (if  anny  should  be  so  lewde  as  to 


314  .        PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

devise  them),  our  Testimonye  shall  bee  alwaies  readie  to  declare 
both  to  her  Majestie  (if  need  bee),  and  to  all  the  World,  that 
your  Worship's  Dooings  in  that  Behalfe  shall  have  beene  most 
profitable  for  the  Commonwealth,  and  rfytt  for  the  Advance- 
ment of  her  Highnes's  Service.  And  our  incessant  Praire  shall  be 
implored  to  Almightie  God  for  the  inclining  your  Hart  to  this 
good  Action,  and  for  the  protecting  and  defending  of  your  Wor- 
ship from  the  Mallice  of  all  envious  and  slaunderous  Tounges 
broaching  the  same,  and  for  the  happie  Successe  therein  to  your 
Worship  and  your  Posterytie,  and  to  all  other  your  and  theire 
Affayres.  And  so  we  humblie  take  Leave  the  XXth  of  August 
158;. 

Your  Worshippes  Loving  Frends 

Hugo  Fernensis,  \3c. 

Sir  Henry,  on  November  6th,  1587,  obtained  a  grant  for  a 
market  on  Thursday,  weekly,  for  the  town  of  Eniscorthy,  in  con- 
sideration, as  the  patent  expresses/  That  it  was  well  inhabited 
and  peopled  by  our  trusty  and  well-beloved  Sir  Henry  Wallop, 
Knt.  and  being  a  Place,  both  for  Seat  and  Scituation,  most  com- 
modious. In  30  Eliz.  the  Bishop  of  Femes,  and  the  Dean  and 
Chapter  of  that  cathedral,  granted  him  a  '  lease  for  ninety-nine 
years  of  all  the  lands  in  Cloyne,  as  also  the  fee-farm  rent  of  the 
said  lands.  And  Queen  Elizabeth,  at  Greenwich,  May  22d,  150)0, 
in  consideration  of  the  faithful  and  acceptable  services  heretofore 
done,  of  her  right  trusty  and  well-beloved  Counsellor  Sir  Henry- 
Wallop,  Knt.  Treasurer  of  wars  in  the  kingdom  of  Ireland  -,  as 
also  in  consideration  of  his  great  charges  and  expences  in  the 
structure  and  building  of  the  castle  of  Eniscorthy,  and  the  better 
fortification  of  it,  and  defence  of  her  faithful  subjects  in  those 
parts  j  she  likewise,  by  the  advice  of  Sir  William  Russel,  Knt. 
Deputy-General  of  Ireland,  and  of  the  Council  there,  grants  and 
confirms  to  the  said  Sir  Henry  Wallop,  his  heirs  and  assigns  for 
ever,  the  abbey  of  Eniscorthy,  with  the  appurtenances  j  also  the 
castle  of  Eniscorthy,  in  com.  Wexford,  and  the  custom  of  the 
thirteenth  part  of  all  the  wood  and  timber  passing  down  the  river 
Slane,  by  Eniscorthy,  together  with  all  castles,  rents,  services,  &c. 
to  hold  by  the  service  of  the  twentieth  part  of  a  Knight's  fee,  as 
of  the  castle  of  Dublin  :  which  passed  the  Great  Seal  of  Ireland, 
November  4th,  the  same  year. 

*  Ex  Origin.  *  Ibid. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  315 

He  begun  to  decline  in  his  health  about  a  year  before  he  died, 
as  should  seem  by  the  provision  for  the  settlement  of  his  estate. 
For  he  obtained  licence  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  April  1st,  159 8,  to 
alien  and  convey  u  to  Lewis  Basset,  Esq.  Oliver  Wallop,  Esq.  his 
second  son,  Richard  Harper,  and  John  Brown,  his  castle,  manor, 
and  abbey  of  Eniscorthy,  with  the  appurtenances,  &c.  in  Garran, 
Kilkenan,  Loughwerty,  Basricrowe,  and  Ballyne  Park,  in  com. 
Wexford,  with  all  castles,  customs,  franchises,  &c.  thereto  be- 
longing, in  trust  to  the  use  of  his  last  will  and  testament. 

The  said  Oliver  Wallop  x  was  slain  in  the  lifetime  of  his  father/ 
on  August  14th,  1598,  in  that  battle  between  the  Earl  of  Tyrone 
and  the  Marshal  Bagnal,  when  the  Irish  obtained  the  victory 
with  the  slaughter  of  thirteen  captains  and  1 500  soldiers.  And 
William  Wallop,  his  other  younger  son,  taking  to  a  military  life,2 
died  in  the  service  of  his  country  in  Brittany,  before  his  said 
brother. 

Sir  Henry  Wallop's  last  will  bears  date  on  March  31st,  1599, 
and  a. codicil  two  days  after.  Hea  is  wrote  therein  Vice-Trea- 
surer and  Treasurer  of  wars  in  Ireland  ;  and  the  disposition  of 
his  estate  shews  his  great  wisdom  and  solid  judgment.  It  also 
appears  by  the  number  of  servants  mentioned  in  it,  that  he  lived 
suitably  to  his  dignity  and  fortune.  He  leaves  all  of  them  lega- 
cies, and  orders  them  to  be  entertained  for  three  months  after  his 
decease. 

He  wills,  if  dame  Catharine,  his  wife,  is  contented  to  accept  of 
the  jointure  made  to  her  by  his  father,  Sir  Oliver  Wallop,  de- 
ceased, of  his  manor  of  Worle,  &c.  in  the  county  of  Somerset, 
and  release  her  right  of  dower  to  all  his  other  manors,  lands,  &c. 
that  for  an  augmentation  to  it,  she  should  have  his  manor  of 
Aldrington,  alias  Allington,  in  the  county  of  Wilts,  with  the 
appurtenances;  as  also  his  manor  of  Over- Wallop,  with  the  ap- 
purtenances in  Over- Wallop,  Nether- Wallop,  Appleshaw,  Ra- 
denham,  Fyfelde,  and  Lurgishall,  in  the  counties  of  Southampton 
and  Wilts,  during  her  life  ^  and  after  to  revert  to  his  son,  Henry 
Wallop,  and  the  heirs  male  of  his  body ;  in  default  to  William 
Wallop,  his  second  brother;  remainder  to  Richard  Wallop,  eldest 
son  of  Richard  Wallop,  his  third  brother;  in  default  to  John 
Wallop,  second  son  of  the  aforesaid  Richard ;  and  in  default  to 

•  Ex  Orig.  Pat.  40  Eliz.  x  Vincent, 

y  Camden's  Eli*,  in  Hist,  of  England,  Vol.11,  p.  612.  z  Vincent. 

,    a  Ex  Regis t.  vocat  Wallop,  qu.  1.  in  Cur,  Praerog;  Cant. 


316  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

every  the  other  sons  of  the  said  Richard;  in  default  to  the  right 
heirs  of  him  the  said  Henry  Wallop.     He  further  bequeaths  to 
his  son,  Henry  Wallop,  and  to  his  heirs  male  and  female,  his 
manor  of  Farley,  in  the  county  of  Southampton,  and  his  manors 
of  Worle-berry,  and  Morebach,  which  he  had  late  purchased  for 
him  and  his  heirs,  in  the  county  of  Somerset;  and  also  all  his* 
other  lands  in  England  and  Ireland.  And  in  default  of  such  heirs, 
to  dame  Anne  Powlet,  wife  of  Sir  Richard  Powlet,  Knt.  Bridget 
Halswell,  wife  of  Nicholas  Halswell,  Esq.  and  Winefride  Wal- 
lop, daughters  of  him  the  said  Sir  Henry  Wallop,  and  to  their 
heirs.      He  also  bequeaths  to  dame  Catharine,    his  wife,    /OO 
ounces  of  his  plate,  and  a  third  part  of  all  his  furniture  at  his  seat 
at  Wallop  (except  the  hangings  of  the  great  chamber  there),  and  ■ 
at  his  houses  of  Farley,  and  Eniscorthy,  except  the  bed  of  crim- 
son velvet,  with  the  furniture  thereto  belonging,  in  his  chamber, 
called  the  best  chamber  of  Farley ;  also  all  her  jewels,  her  own 
coach,  with  the  coach-horses  and  their  furniture,  and  three  geld- 
ings for  her  use.     He  appoints  Henry  Wallop,  his  only  son,  sole 
executor;  and  overseers  of  his  will,  his  good  friends,  Sir  Robert 
Gardener,  one  of  the  Lords  Justices  of  Ireland;  his  son-in-law, 
Sir  Richard  Powlet,  of  Herierd,  Knt.;  his  brother,  William  Wal- 
lop, Esq.;  and  his  son-in-law,  Nicholas  Halswell,  Esq.     He  re- 
quires his  funeral  to  be  ordered  as  follows  : 

My  Will  and  Mind  is,  that  when  it  shall  please  GOD  to  call 
me  to  his  Mercy,  out  of  this  mortal  Life,  that  my  Body  be  decently 
buried  within  two  Days  after  my  Decease,  and  no  ceremonies  be 
used  at  or  after  my  Burial,  other  than  Blacks  be  given  by  my  Ex- 
ecutor to  my  Wife,  Children,  Overseers,  and  Servants. 

He  was  buried  in  St.  Patrick's  church  in  Dublin,  with  this  in- 
scription on  a  plate  of  brass  :b 

"  Near  unto  this  Place  lieth  that  worthy  Knight,  Sir  Henry 
Wallop,  of  Farley  Wallop,  in  the  county  of  Southampton,  in  the 
Realm  of  England,  who  faithfully  served  Queen  Elizabeth  in  this 
Kingdom,  as  Vice-Treasurer  and  Treasurer  at  War,  by  the  Space 
of  eighteen  Years  and  eight  Months,  and  was  Lord  Justice  within 
this  Realm,  jointly  with  the  Lord  Chancellor  of  this  Realm,  al- 
most by  the  Space  of  two  Years,  in  the  Years  of  our  Lord  God 
1582,  1583,  1584;  in  which  Time  the  Wars  of  Desmond  were 
ended,   and  his  Head  sent  into   England;  besides  many  other 

b  Borlase,  p.  137. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  31? 

weighty  Causes  committed  to  his  Charge,  during  his  said  Service. 
He  departed  this  Life  the  14th  Day  of  April,  1599.  He  was  son 
and  Heir  of  Sir  Oliver  Wallop,  Brother  and  Heir  of  Sir  John 
Wallop,  Knight  of  the  most  Honourable  Order  of  the  Garter,  and 
Lieutenant  of  the  Castle  and  County  of  Gujines,  in  France,  Nephew 
and  Heir  of  Sir  Robert  Wallop,  Knight.*' 

He  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Richard  GirTord,  Esq.  and 
sister  of  Sir  Henry  GirTord,  of  Sombourne,  in  com.  Southampton, 
Knt.  by  c  whom  he  had  issue  three  sons ;  Henry,  who  succeeded 
him  in  his  estate 3  William  and  Oliver,  beforementioned,  who  died 
unmarried;  also  three  daughters ;  Anne,  married  to  Sir  Richard 
Powlet,  of  Herierd  (or  Harriot),  in  com.  Southamp.;  Bridget,  wife 
of  Nicholas  Halswell,  in  com  Somers.  Esq.;  and  Winifrede, 
wedded,  after  her  father's  decease,  to  Sir  Richard  Giflbrd,  of 
Sombourne,  in  com.  Southamp.  Knt. 

Sir  Henry  Wallop,  his  heir,  born  on  d  October  18th,  1508, 
was  chosen  onee  of  the  members  of  Andover,  in  39  Eliz.  and 
one  of  the  Knights  for  the  county  of  Southampton,  in  43  Eliz. 
before  which  time  he  had  received  the  honour  of  Knighthood.  He 
was  Sheriff  of  the  county  of  Southampton  f  with  Sir  Henry  Tich- 
burn,  in  the  last  year  of  Queen  Elizabeth ;  and  by  s  himself  in 
the  first  year  of  King  James.  Stow  relates,*1  that  he  and  Sir 
Hamden  Powlet,  being  Knights  for  the  county  of  Southampton, 
they  on  November  9th,  l()03,  1  Jac.  I.  received  Henry  Lord 
Cobham,  and  the  Lord  Grey  of  Wilton,  at  Bagshot,  from  Sir 
■Thomas  Vavasor,  Knight  Marshal,  and  Richard  Leveson,  who 
had  brought  them  from  the  Tower,  in  order  to  take  their  trial  at 
Winchester ;  and  Sir  Henry  Wallop,  with  a  strong  guard,  con- 
ducted them  to  the  castle ;  as  he  did  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  Knt. 
and  other  prisoners,  on  November  12th  following. 

In  the  third  of  King  James  I.  he  was  Sheriff  of  Shropshire; 
being  k  possessed  of  the  manor  and  noble  seat  of  Red-Castle,  and 
divers  other  lordships  and  manors  in  that  county,  by  marriage 
with  Elizabeth,  sole  daughter  and  heir  of  Robert  Corbet,  of  Mor- 
ton-Corbet, Esq.  eldest  son  and  heir  of  Sir  Andrew  Corbet,  Knt. 
(who  died  at  Gorton-Corbet,  Aug.  lrjth,  1578).  And  it  was  found 
by  the  jury,  on  an  inquisition  taken  after  his  death,  that  the  said 

c  Vincent  and  Charles.  d  Ex  Regist.  de  Farley, 

c  Willis,  ut  antea.  f  Fuller,  p.  16.  S  Ibid. 

h  Annals  of  K.  James.  1  Fuller  in  com.  Salop.  *  Ibid. 

1  E»c.  8th  Jan.  zi  Eliz. 


318  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Robert  was  his  son  and  heir,  and  of  the  age  of  thirty-six  7631*85™ 
and  that  Sir  Andrew  died  seised  of  the  manor  of  Morton-Corbet, 
with  the  villages  of  Preston,  Brokehurst,  Sowbache,  Egbaldon, 
Booley,  and  the  Heath-house,  Hareote-Park,  and  Bromfield, 
thereto  belonging,  and  other  the  appurtenances  in  Lacon,  Soulton, 
Warrenshall,  and  Besford,  held  of  Richard  Peshall,  as  of  his  ma- 
nor of  Chetwynd ;  also  the  manor  of  Red-Castle,  in  Gravenhan- 
ger,  with  the  villages  of  Lye,  Under-Brokehurst,  Quickshoull, 
Weston,  Keuston,  Hankeston,  Hopley,  Marchomley,  and  Lossord, 
parcel  of  the  said  manor  of  Red-Castle  :  the  manors  of  Lawlcy, 
Bcrewareyne,  and  Blechley,  Fitz,  alias  Fiteshooe,  and  Eyton,  with 
the  villages  of  Mitton  and  Grafton,  parcel  of  the  manor  of  Fitz : 
the  manor  of  Hopton,  with  the  villages  of  Chelderton,  Bradeford, 
Hagley,  Coston,  Rowton,  and  theBethowse,  members  of  the  said 
manor  of  Hopton :  the  manors  of  Waters  Upton  and  Pay n ton, 
and  the  manor  and  capital  mesuage  of  Colehurst,  alias  Cules: 
the  manors  of  Shabury  and  Wytheford-Parva,  and  Shabury-Park, 
in  Shabury,  and  divers  other  lands,  all  in  Shropshire. 

Sir  Henry  Wallop  was  married  before  June  1st,  1601,  for  then 
"Oliver,  Lord  St.  John,  Baron  of  Bletshoe  (grandfather  of  Eliza- 
beth, his  Lady),  and  Rowland  Litton,  of  Knebworth,  in  Hert- 
fordshire, Esq.  (who  had  married  Anne,  her  mother),  and  the 
said  Elizabeth,  wife  of  the  said  Sir  Henry  Wallop,  were  parties 
to  an  indenture :  wherein  it  is  specified,  that  Sir  Henry  Wallop 
having  been  at  an  expence  in  erecting  and  building  certain  iron 
works  in  the  county  of  Salop,  and  for  the  finishing  must  be  at 
further  charges,  the  said  dame  Elizabeth  Wallop,  by  the  con- 
sent and  good  liking  of  Oliver  Lord  St.  John,  Rowland  Litton, 
and  other  of  her  friends,  grants  to  the  said  Sir  Henry  Wallop,  all 
her  wood  and  timber  in  her  manors  of  Hopton,  and  Shelderton, 
in  com.  Salop. 

This  Lady  being  heir  to  the  estate  of  the  Corbets,  many  suits 
and  controversies  arose  concerning  several  castles,  manors,  &c. 
descended  to  her  by  her  father,  and  claimed  by  Sir  Richard  Cor- 
bet, his  brother  j  so  that  for  the  appeasing  and  ending  all  differ- 
ences, it  wras  left  to  the  arbitration  of  Sir  Randal  Brereton,  Sir 
Richard  Powlet,  Sir  Rowland  Litton,  and  Sir  Roger  Owens,  Knts. 
Thomas  Harley,  and  Samuel  Backhouse,  Esqrs.  who  made  an 
award  between  them,  as  it  is  specified  in  an  indenture,  July  6th, 
1607.0  But  Sir  Richard  Corbet  dying  before  the  time  limited  for 

m  Esc.  8th  Jan.  21  Eliz.  "  Ex  Orig.  »  ibid. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  319 

the  performance  thereof,  it  was  agreed  by  and  between  Sir 
Henry  Wallop,  and  dame  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  of  the  one  part, 
and  Vincent  Corbet,  Esq.  brother  and  heir  of  the  said  Sir  Rich- 
ard, on  the  other,  that  the  said  award  should  be  peformed  between 
them. 

•  Accordingly,  by  another  indenture  p  of  the  same  date  (July  6th, 
1607),  Sir  Henry  Wallop,  and  dame  Elizabeth  his  wife,  granted 
and  confirmed  to  Vincent  Corbet,  Esq.  his  heirs  and  assigns,  the 
castle  and  manor  of  Morton  Corbet,  with  the  appurtenances ;  as 
also  the  manors  of  Shauberrie,  Lawley,  Hatton-Hineheath,  alias 
High-Hatton,  with  the  rectory  of  Staunton-upon-Hineheath,  and 
advowson  of  the  vicarage :  and  all  the  lands  and  tenements  in 
the  town  of  Shrewsbury,  together  with  the  tithes  of  Besford  and 
Great- Wycheford,  in  the  said  county  of  Salop :  also  the  manors  of 
Linchlade,  alias  Linslade,  Southcott,  alias  Surcote,  and  Chelmes- 
cot,  with  the  appurtenances,  lying  in  Chelmescot,  Bragenham, 
Soulburie,  and  Great  and  Little  Hallingdon,  in  com.  Bucks : 
the  manor  of  Cropredie,  and  the  manor  and  scite  of  the  late  dis- 
solved priory  of  Clatercote,  in  com.  Oxon,  and  the  rectory  and 
parsonage  of  Severn-Stoke,  alias  Stoke-upon-Severne,  in  com. 
Wigorn  ;  with  all  advowsons,  patronages,  courts,  &c.  belonging 
to  the  said  manors.  And  by  another  indenture,  dated  the  same 
day,1!  Vincent  Corbet,  Esq.  (brother  and  heir  male  of  Sir  Richard 
Corbet,  deceased),  and  Andrew  Corbet,  his  son,  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  the  award,  granted  and  confirmed  to  Henry  Wallop, 
and  dame  Elizabeth  his  wife,  and  to  the  heirs  of  the  said  Eliza- 
beth, the  manor  of  Dailington,  with  the  appurtenances  in  Dal- 
lington,  and  town  of  Northampton,  with  the  rectory  and  impro- 
priate parsonage  of  Dailington,  and  advowson  of  the  vicarage,  and 
divers  lands,  &c,  in  com.  Bedford;  also  the  advowson  of  the  free 
chapel  at  Brockhurst,  alias  Lee  sub  Brockhurst,  and  divers  farmSj, 
&c.  in  com.  Salop.  The  above  lands  were  in  the  award;  but 
Sir  Henry  Wallop  was  possessed  of  the  manors  of  Red  Castle, 
Hopton,  and  Shelderton,  &c.  with  the  appurtenances,  in  com. 
Salop,  that  were  not  disputed:  also1"  of  the  manor  of  Mirenden, 
in  com.  Warw.  The  same  year,  July  Qth,  5  Jac.  I.  the  King,8 
in  consideration  of  the  true  and  faithful  services  of  Sir  Henry 
Wallop,  Knt.  grants  to  him  the  tithes  of  Eniscorthy,  and  con- 
firms to  him  and  his  heirs  for  ever,  his  lands  in  Ireland.     In  9 

?  Ex  Orig.  «!  Ibid.  r  Dugd.  Warwicksh.  first  edit.  p.  7^1. 

•  Pat.  $  Jac.  I. 


320  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Jac.  I,  he  had  a  confirmation  e  of  his  lands  in  Ireland,  from  Tho-> 
mas  Earl  of  Ormond,  Grand  Treasurer  j  Donat  Earl  of  Thomond, 
and  other  the  Commissioners  for  inquiring  into  defective  titles. 
And  the  year  after,  September  5th,  10  Jac.  I.  heu  constituted 
Roger  Man  waring,  Esq.  Constable,  Governor,  and  Keeper  of 
his  castle  of  Eniscorthy,  in  the  county  of  Wexford,  with  such 
jurisdictions,  privileges,  &c.  as  to  the  same  belong;  and  Ge- 
neral-Receiver of  all  his  rents,  &c.  with  the  yearly  fee  of  20  L 
English  money. 

On  February  l6th,  If3l6-17,  he  obtained  a  grant  for  x  free 
warren,  in  his  manors  and  lordships  of  Farley- Wallop,  Over- 
Wallop,  Nether -Wallop,  Clidesden,  Hatch,  IUesfield,  alias  Ulls- 
field,  Subberton,  Appleshaw,  Est-Rednam,  and  Fyfeild,  with  the 
appurtenances,  in  com.  Southamp.  also  in  his  manors  of  Ailing- 
ton,  alias  Aldrington,  in  com.  Wilts;  Hopton-Ash,  alias  Hopton- 
Castle,  Shelerton,  Broadward,  Abcot,  Oblages,  Clogonford,  alias 
Clongunnas,  and  Clongbury,  in  com.  Salop.  In  15  Jac.  I.  he  was 
constituted  one  ?  of  his  Majesty's  Council,  under  William  Lord 
Compton,  then  President  of  the  Marches  of  Wales;  and  in  1622, 
z  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  advancing  the  woollen  manufac- 
tory in  the  said  principality. 

In  1  Car.  I.  he  was  one  a  of  the  trustees  of  Elizabeth  Countess 
of  Southampton,  for  the  third  part  of  the  lordships,  manors,  &c. 
of  Henry  Earl  of  Southampton,  deceased,  during  the  minority  of 
Thomas  Earl  of  Southampton.  And  with  the  b  said  Countess, 
William  Viscount  Say,  Robert  Lord  Spencer,  Hen.y  Lord  Dan- 
vers,  and  Sir  Robert  Vernon,  had  a  grant  of  the  wardship  and 
marriage,  as  also  of  the  custody  of  the  lands  of  Thomas  Earl  of 
Southampton,  who  was  so  highly  distinguished  in  the  reigns  of 
Charles  I.  and  Charles  II.  and  died  in  the  post  of  Lord  High- 
Treasurer  of  England. 

This  Sir  Henry  Wallop  was  instructed  in  juvenile  learning  by 
Nicholas  Fuller,  afterwards  a  Prebendary  of  the  church  of  Salis- 
bury, a  very  pious  clergyman,  and  author  of  several  pieces.  He c 
was  his  tutor,  and  went  with  him  to  Oxford,  where,  in  Michael- 
mas Term,  15S4,  they  were  both  matriculated  as  members  of  St. 
John's  college,  and  afterwards  translated  themselves  to  Hart-hall, 
where  they  improved  their  studies;  and  Woodd  observes,  that 

t  Pat.  9.  Jac.  I.  «  Ex  Cop.  Oiig.  x  Ex  Grig.  Pat.  14  J-ic.  I. 

y  Rymcr,  Tom.  XVII.  p.  29.  z  Ibid.  p.  410. 
a  Ibid.  Tcru.  XVIII.  p.  199.  b  Ibid.  p.  200. 

c  Wood's  Athenx  Oxon.  Vol.  I.  p.  474.  d  Ibia. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  321 

Fuller  was  a  very  extraordinary  proficient.  His  pupil  was  also  a 
very  learned  gentleman,  and  of  exemplary  morals,  as  is  evident 
from  his  manuscript  writings;  and  was  a  judicious  manager  of  ■ 
his  estate,  as  appears  by  several  copies  of  his  letters  relating 
thereto ;  which  also  shew,  that  he  kept  a  very  hospitable  house, 
in  all  respects  suitable  to  his  fortune,  one  of  the  largest  among 
the  commoners  of  his  time.  His  country  testified  their  esteem 
and  confidence  in  him,  by  his  being  so  often  their  representative 
in  parliament ;  first,  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  and  after 
in  the  reigns  of  James  I.e  and  Charles  I.  to  the  time  of  his  death. 
In  the  first  year  of  Charles  I.  he  had  such  an  interest,  that  his 
son  f  was  elected  with  him  for  the  county  of  Southampton  ;  and 
they  sat  together  in  one  parliament,  in  the  reign  of  King  James  I. 
and  all  the  parliaments  in  King  Charles  I.'s  reign ;  the  son  for 
Andover/  and  the  father  for  the  county  of  Southampton. 

This  Sir  Henry  Wallop,  being  very  aged,h  was  not  present  in 
parliament  when  the  protestation  was  taken  by  both  houses  on 
May  4th,  1041 ;  and,  it  is  probable,  might  be  ill,  for  his  son  Ro- 
bert then  took  it.  He  died  on  November  15th,  1642  (aged 
seventy-four  on  October  18th  before  his  death),  and  was  buried 
in  the  vault  with  his  ancestors  at  Farley,  as  the  plate  on  his  coffin 
shews ;  and  his  Lady  lies  buried  with  him,  with  this  inscription 
on  her  coffin: 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  Dame  Elizabeth  Wallop,  Wife  to  Sir 
Henry  Wallop,  Knt.  who  deceased  the  5th  Day  of  Novemb.  1024. 
She  left  behind  her,  then  living,  one  son  and  five  daughters. 
Which  Dame  Elizabeth  was  daughter  and  sole  heir  to  Robert  Cor- 
'bet,  of  Moreton  Corbet,  Esq.  Which  Robert  had  to  wife  Anne, 
daughter  to  John  Lord  St.  John  of  Bletsoe. 

Their  five  daughters  were,  *Anne,  born  anno  l602>  married 
to  John  Dodington,  of  Breamer,  in  the  county  of  Southampton, 
Esq.  and  dying  in  her  widowhood,  on  December  31st,  1656,  lies 
buried  at  Farley;  Elizabeth,  born  in  1606;  Catharine,  born  in. 
16OS,  both  died  unmarried;  Bridget,  wedded  to  Sir  Henry 
Worseley,  of  Appledur-combe,  in  com.  Southampton,  Bart. 
Theodocia,  fifth  daughter,  died  unmarried,  August  29th, 
1656. 

e  Ex  Collect.  Brown  Willis  Arm.  f  Ibid.  5  Ibid. 

h  Rushw.  Vol.  IV.  p.  244,  ec  seq.  l  Ex  Collect.  Nich.  Charles. 

VOL.   IT.  Y 


322  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Robert  Wallop,  only  son,  k  born  on  July  20th,  l6l0,  suc- 
ceeded to  the  estate  of  his  father,  Sir  Henry  Wallop.  He  was 
chosen  a  member  for  Andover  to  the  Parliament  of  21  Jac.  E.i 
and  Knight  for  the  county  of  Southampton,  in  the  two  Parlia- 
ments, in  the  first  year  of  Charles  I.  And  during  the  remainder 
of  that  reign  for  the  borough  of  Andover,  and  the  aforesaid 

county. 

(f  Succeeding  to  his  father's  estate  (says  Noble,  in  his  Lives 
of  the  Regicides),  he  acquired  all  that  eminent  consequence, 
which  his  ancestors  had  possessed  in  the  county  where  they  prin- 
cipally resided.  He  was  returned  one  of  the  members  to  repre- 
sent the  borough  of  Andover,  in  the  parliament,  called  21  James  I. 
and  knight  of  the  shire  in  the  two  first  Parliaments  of  Charles  I. 
and,  during  the  remainder  of  that  reign,  was  constantly  elected 
for  Andover.  His  prejudices  against  King  Charles  appeared  be- 
fore his  going  into  the  long  parliament,  by  his  refusing  to  contri- 
bute towards  carrying  on  a  war,  in  which  it  was  evident  the 
Scotch  were  the  aggressors.  Yet  his  Majesty,  though  he  had 
gone  to  some  lengths  against  him,  had  that  confidence  in  his  ho- 
nour, that  he  said  to  the  Parliament,  he  should  be  willing  to  put 
the  militia  into  his  hands,  with  many  noblemen  and  others,  upon 
such  terms  as  his  Commissioners  at  Uxbridge  had  agreed  upon ; 
yet  this  was  rejected,  though  he,  Cromwell,  and  some  others,  in 
the  end,  proved  the  most  determined  enemies  his  Majesty  had. — 
Constantly  joined  in  all  the  subsequent  votes  against  the  King,  he 
was  named  by  the  army  junto  one  of  the  pretended  judges ;  and 
he  complied  so  much  with  their  desires,  as  to  sit  in  the  painted 
chamber,  but  did  not  sign  the  warrant  for  the  King's  execution. 
At  the  Restoration,  he  fell  into  universal  contempt ;  and  the  Par- 
liament excepted  him  from  receiving  any  benefit  from  his  estate, 
&c.  j  and,  being  brought  to  the  bar  of  the  house,  he  was  sentenced 
to  be  degraded  from  his  gentility,  drawn  upon  a  sledge  to,  and 
under  the  gallows  of  Tyburn,  with  a  halter  round  his  neck,  and 
be  imprisoned  for  life  5  which  sentence  was  put  in  force  on  Ja- 
nuary 30th,  1662.  The  peculiar  circumstances  which  induced 
this  sentence,  so  much  more  severe  than  that  of  others,  whose 
crimes  appeared  the  same,  is  not  known.*' 

He  died  in  the  Tower  of  London,  but  was  buried  with  his  an- 
cestors at  Farley  j  departing  this  life  on  November  16th,  1667, 
as  the  inscription  on  his  coffin  shews. 

k  Ex  Regist.  EccJ.  Farley.  1  Brown  Willis. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  323 

He  married  Anne,  daughter  of  Henry  Wriothesley,  Earl  of 
Southampton  -  and  was  succeeded  in  his  estate  by  his  son  and 
heir, 

Henry  Wallop,  Esq.  chosen  one  m  of  the  representatives  of 
Whitchurch,  in  the  first  parliament  called  by  Charles  II.  after 
his  restoration,  which  began  on  May  8th,  l66l,n  and  was  conti- 
nued by  several  prorogations  for  seventeen  years,  eight  months, 
and  seventeen  days;  so  that  he  died  before  it  was  dissolved,  viz.  on 
January  25th,  l(>78-()>  in  the  forty-fourth  year  of  his  age ;  as  ap- 
pears from  the  inscription  on  his  coffin,  in  the  vault  at  Farley.  He 
married  Dorothy,  youngest  daughter,  and  one  of  the  four  coheirs 
of  John  Bluet,  Esq.  by  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  John 
Portman,  Knt.  and  Bart.  Which  John  Bluet,  Esq.  was  pos- 
sessed of  one  of  the  largest  estates  in  the  West,  and  was  lineal  heir 
male  to  Sir  William  Bluet  Tor  Bloet,  as  it  was  anciently  wrote), 
said  to  have  been  living  in  the  reign  of  William  the  Conqueror. 
The  said  Dorothy  survived  many  years,  and  is  buried  with  him 
at  Farley,  where,  on  a  black  marble  in  the  chancel  is  this  in- 
scription : 

In  Memory 

Of 

The  Virtuous  and  Exemplary  Pious 

Dorothy-,  Daughter  and  Co-heir  of 

John  Bluet,  of  Hoi  comb  Regis,  in  the 

County  of  Devon,  Esq. 

Relict  of  Henry  Wallop,  Esq.  late  of  this 

Parish, 

To  both  ivhich  ancient  Families,  by  her  extraordinary  Prudence, 

Moderation, 

Piety,  and  other  eminent  Graces,  she  added  great  Lustre, 

Who  (having  had  a  considerable  Share  in  those  Troubles  and 

Difficulties  « 

Which  attend  Humanity),  after  a  Life  of  the  wisest  Conduct  * 
i  with  relation 

Both  to  Temporal  and  Spiritual  Matters,  died  as  much  like  a 

Christian 
As  she  lived;  and  into  the  Hands  of  her  GOD,  to  whom  she 

had  long  paid 

%  Brown  Willis.  *  H'm.ofEng.  Vol.  Ill  p.  369. 


324  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

A  constant  Devotion,  she  meekly  resign  d  her  pious  humble 

Soul, 
Deer,  1st.  in  the  Year  of  or.  Lord  1  1704; 

of  her  Age  J       72. 
That  he  might  pay  a  grateful  Acknowledgement  to  one  that  had 

deserved  so 
Well  of  his  Family,  and  perpetuate,  for  thy  Imitation,  so  rare 

an  Example, 

Bluet  Wallop,  Esq. 

Her  Grandson  and  Heir  ordered  this  Memorial. 

Their  issue  were  four  sons. 

Robert,  who  was  born  °  February  20th,  and  baptized  on 
March  12th,  1054,  and  died  in  his  father's  life-time,  unmarried; 
as  did  Charles,  his  youngest  son. 

Henry  Wallop,  Esq.  second  son,  born  "  on  May  18th,  1657, 
succeeded  his  father,  and  served  for  Whitchurch,  in  the  Parliament 
that  met  at  Westminster,  on  March  6ih,  16/8-g,^  as  also  in  that 
which  met  at  Oxford,  on  March  21st,  1680-1  ;  and  in  King 
James  II. 's  Parliament,  and  the  two  first  Parliaments  of  King 
William  and  Queen  Mary.  He  died  unmarried  on  December 
28th,  1691,  aged  thirty-four  years,  seven  months,  and  twenty 
days,  as  the  inscription  on  his  coffin  recites. 

John  Wallop,  Esq.  his  only  surviving  brother  and  heir,  suc- 
ceeded to  the  estate.  On  August  14th,  1683,  he  r  married  Alicia, 
third  daughter  and  coheir  of  William  Borlase,s  of  Great  Marlow, 
in  Buckinghamshire,  Esq.  second  son  of  Sir  John  Borlase,  of 
Buckmer,  in  the  same  county,  Bart. 

The  said  John  Wallop,  Esq.  was  buried  with  his  ancestors  at 
Farley,  on  January  29th,  1694,  Alicia  his  wife  surviving  him,  by 
whom  he  bad  issue  five  sons  and  two  daughters; 

1.  Bluet  Wallop,  born  on  August  8th,  1684,  hereafter  men- 
tioned. 

2.  Henry,  who  was  born  on  November  27th,  1 686,  and  died 
March  9th,  169O. 

3.  John,  first  Lord  Viscount  Lymington,  and  Earl  of  Ports- 
mouth. 

4.  William,  who  was  born  on  April  30th,  1692,  and  died  on 
June  24th  following. 

•  Ex  Eccl.  Farley.  P  Ibid.  q  Ex  Collect.  B.  Willis. 

t  Ex  Autogr.  penes  Joh.  Com.  Portsmouth.        .»  1  C.  26-111.  in  Her.  Coll. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  325 

5.  Robert,  who  after*  his  travels  in  Germany,  France,  and  Hol- 
land, died  in  the  nineteenth  year  of  his  age,  on  January  2/th,  1714, 
and  was  buried  at  Farley. 

Elizabeth,  who  was  born  on  September  IQth,  1685,  and  was 
buried  at  Farley,  on  May  4th,  l/OO,  unmarried. 

Mary  was  married  to  Henry,  Lord  Herbert  of  Chirbury,  and 
was  first  Lady  of  the  Bed-chamber  to  Anne  Princess  of  Orange. 
She  died  October  19th,  1770. 

His  eldest  son,  Bluet  Wallop,  Esq.  succeeded  to  the  estate, 
and  died  unmarried  in  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  on  Oc- 
tober 30th,  1707,  whereupon  the  estate  devolved  on  his  next  bro- 
ther and  heir, 

John,  first  Earl  of  Portsmouth,  born  on  April  15th, 
169O,  who  was  by  George  I.  in  consideration  of  his  great  abili- 
ties and  merits,  advanced  to  the  dignity  of  a  Peer  of  this  realm, 
by  the  title  of  Baron  Wallop,  of  Farley -Wallop,  in  the  county 
of  Southampton;  also  to  the  title  of  Viscount  Lymington,  in 
the  same  county,  by  letters-patent  bearing  date  June  1  lth  (1720) 
6  George  I.  the  preamble  thereof  being  as  fo!lows :  "  Since  of 
all  the  privileges  that  belong  to  the  supreme  authority,  we  esteem 
that  to  be  the  most  valuable,  which  enables  us  to  give  a  just  re- 
ward to  those  men  who  deserve  well  of  their  country: — We  have 
determined  to  place  among  the  Peers,  our  trusty  and  well-beloved 
John  Wallop,  Esq.  one  of  the  Lords  of  our  Treasury;  of  a  very 
ancient,  and  during  the  reign  of  our  Royal  ancestors  the  Saxons 
in  this  island,  of  an  illustrious  family. 

"  But  we  having  had  experience,  in  his  executing  public  af- 
fairs, of  those  virtues  that  before  adorned  a  private  life,  candour 
of  manners,  integrity  of  mind,  and  skilfulness  in  business;  we 
are  persuaded  that  the  honours  of  the  Peerage  will  neither  be 
greater  than  his  merit,  nor  conferred  upon  him  sooner  than  they 
were  expected  by  all  good  men." 

His  Lordship  was  chosen  one  of  the  Knights  for  the  county  of 
Southampton,  in  the  Parliament  called  to  meet  on  March  17'b, 
1714-15,  as  also  one  of  the  burgesses  for  Andover.  And  on  April 
13th,  171 7>  was  constituted  one  of  the  Lords  Commissioners  of 
the  Treasury,  and  re-chosen  for  the  county  of  Southampton, 
whilst  he  was  a  commoner;  and  also  continued  in  the  Commission 
of  the  Treasury. 

On  January  Uth,   1732-3,  his  Lordship  was  constituted  Lord 

*  Ex  Inscrip.  in  Cancel.  Eccl.  Farley. 


326  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Warden  and  Chief  Justice  in  Eyre  of  all  his  Majesty's  forests, 
parks,  chases,  and  warrens  beyond  Trent.  On  September  3d, 
1/33,  he  was  constituted  Lord  Lieutenant  and  Custos  Rotulorura 
of  the  county  of  Southampton,  and  of  the  town  of  Southampton, 
and  county  of  the  same ;  likewise  by  patent  of  the  same  date, 
Lord  Warden  and  Keeper  of  New  Forest,  aud  the  duckoys  in  the 
said  Forest,  and  of  the  manor  and  park  of  Lindhurst,  and  hundred 
of  Rudberg,  in  the  county  of  Southampton}  also,  November  2d, 
the  same  year,  made  Vice- Admiral  of  the  county  of  Southampton ; 
and  July  4th,  1734,  Vice-Admiral  of  the  Isle  of  Wight. 

His  Lordship,  on  the  surrender  of  his  place  of  Lord  Warden 
and  Chief  Justice  in  Eyre,  was  constituted,  July  12th,  1734,  Go- 
vernor and  Captain  of  the  Isle  of  Wight,  Captain  of  the  castle  of 
Carisbroke,  and  all  other  castles  and  fortresses  in  the  said  Isle ; 
also  Constable  of  the  castle  of  Carisbroke,  and  likewise  Steward, 
Surveyor,  Receiver,  and  BailifF  of  all  manors,  lands,  woods,  re- 
venues, &c.  within  the  said  island. 

In  1742,  his  Lordship  surrendered  his  place  of  Governor  of  the 
Isle  of  Wight,  and  soon  after  gave  up  his  posts  of  Lord  Warden 
of  New  Forest,  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the  county  of  Southampton, 
&c.  but  his  Majesty  taking  into  consideration  his  eminent  ser- 
vices, was  pleased  to  advance  him  to  the  honour  of  Earl  of 
Portsmouth,  in  the  county  of  Southampton,  by  letters-patent 
dated  April  11th,  1743.  And  on  February  22d,  1745,  he  was 
again  pleased  to  confer  on  his  Lordship  the  government  of  the 
Isle  of  Wight. 

His  Lordship  on  May  26th,  1716,  married  the  Lady  Bridget, 
eldest  daughter  to  Charles  Bennet,  Earl  of  Tankerville,  by  whom 
he  had  issue, 

1.  Bridget,  born  February  20th,  1716-17,  who  died  June  26th, 
1736,  unmarried.  • 

2.  John  Viscount  Lymington,  hereafter  mentioned. 

3.  Borlase,  born  on  June  3d,  1720,  who  took  to  a  military  life, 
and  was  first  an  Ensign  in  the  royal  regiment  of  Foot  Guards ; 
and  afterwards  Aid  de  Camp  to  General  Wentworth  in  the  expe- 
dition to  Caithagena  in  1741 ;  but  being  immediately  after  seized 
with  a  burning  fever,  he  died  in  April  that  year,  unmarried. 

4.  Mary,  born  August  17th,  1721,  and  died  April  13th,  1722. 

5.  Charles,  born  December  12th,  1722,  who,  in  1747,   was 


u  By  this  alliance  many  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton's  MSS.  came  into  possession  of 
the  present  Earl. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  327 

chosen  Member  of  Parliament  for  Whitchurch,  and  died  at  Hack- 
ney, in  Middlesex,  August  12th,  177 1,  unmarried. 

6.  Anne,  who  died  on  March  7th,  1759* 

7.  Bluet,  born  April  27th,  1726,  who  was  Page  of  Honour  to 
his  Majesty,  and  attended  on  him  in  the  campaign  in  1743  5  in 
1744  he  also  served  in  Flanders,  and  on  May  11th,  N.  S.  1745, 
was  in  the  battle  of  Fontenoy.  He  was  Equerry  to  the  Duke  of 
Cumberland,  and  was  with  him  at  the  battle  of  Culloden,  on 
April  l6th,  1745,  being  Captain  in  the  Regiment  of  Buffs;  and 
died  aged  twenty-three,  on  June  6th,  1/49,  having  been  chosen, 
in  1747,  member  for  Newport,  in  the  Isle  of  Wight. 

8.  Elizabeth,  buried  at  Farley,  June  20th,  1727. 

9.  Henry.     And, 

10.  Bennet,  who  both  died  infants. 

John  Wallop,  Viscount  Lymington,  born  August  3d,  1718, 
who,  on  July  12th,  1740,  married  Catharine,  daughter  and  sole 
heir  of  John  Conduit,  of  Cranbery,  in  com.  Southamp.  by  Catha- 
rine his  wife,  daughter  of  Robert  Barton,  Esq.  and  niece  and  co- 
heir of  the  celebrated  Sir  Isaac  Newton.11  His  Lordship  served 
in  the  9th  and  10th  Parliaments  of  Great  Britain  for  the  borough 
of  Andover,  and  died  in  1749,  leaving  four  sons. 

1.  John,  second  Earl  of  Portsmouth. 

2.  Henry,  member  of  Parliament  for  Whitchurch,  in  Hamp- 
shire,  17^8;  and  in  August  1765,  was  appointed  one  of  the 
Grooms  of  the  Bedchamber  to  his  Majesty ;  died  in  August  1794, 
aged  fifty-two. 

3.  The  Hon.  and  Rev.  Barton  Wallop,  A.M.  Rector  of  Upper 
Wallop,  and  Clidesden  cum  Farleigh,  in  Hampshire,  and  Master 
of  Magdalen  College,  Cambridge,  died  at  the  Parsonage  House  at 
Upper  Wallop,  September  1st,  1JT81 ,  having  married,  in  May 
1771,  Camilla  Powlett  Smith,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Smith 
(by  the  granddaughter  and  heir  of  Lord  William  Powlett),  sister 
to  Powlett  Smith  Powlett,  Esq.  of  Sombourne,  and  Crux-Easton, 
Hants ;  by  whom  he  had  issue  Urania  Catharine  Camilla,  born 
November  23d,  17/4;  and  a  posthumous  son,  William  Barton 
Wallop,  formerly  in  the  15th  Dragoons,  and  now  a  Captain  in 
the  Nova  Scotia  Fencibles,  who  married,  September  nth,  I8O7, 
Miss  Ward,  of  St.  John's,  in  New  Brunswick,  in  North  Ame- 
rica. 

4.  Bennet,  born  January  2gth,  1745. 

Also  a  daughter,  Catharine,  born  January  3d,  1746,  married 
October  3d,  1770,  the  Hon.  Lockhart  Gordon,  younger  brother  to 


328  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

the  late  Earl  of  Aboyne,  whose  widow  she  now  is,  and  has  issue 
the  Rev.  Lockhart  Gordon j  Loudon  Gordon,  lately  in  the  Army; 
and  a  daughter,  &c. 

The  Viscountess  Lymington,  his  relict,  died  on  April  15th, 
1750,  and  was  interred  by  the  remains  of  her  father  in  Westmin- 
ster Abbey. 

Her  Ladyship  died  of  an  apoplexy  in  the  forty-third  year  of  her 
age,  at  Lindhurst  (the  King's  house  in  New  Forest),  on  October 
12th,  1738,  and  was  buried  in  the  vault  belonging  to  the  family 
at  Farley. 

His  Lordship,  on  June  4th,  1741,  married,  secondly,  Elizabeth, 
eldest  daughter  to  James  Lord  Griffin,  and  relict  of  Henry  Grey, 
of  Billingbeer,  in  the  county  of  Berks,  Esq,  but  by  her  had  no 
issue. 

He  died  in  the  seventy-second  year  of  his  age,  on  November 
23d,  17^2j  being  then  Governor  and  Captain  of  the  Isle  of 
Wight,  Captain  and  Constable  of  Carisbroke-castle,  and  Steward, 
Surveyor,  &c.  of  all  manors,  lands,  woods,  revenues,  &c.  within 
the  said  Island  j  and  was  succeeded  by  his  grandson,  John,  eldest 
son  of  John  Viscount  Lymington,  beforementioned. 

The  said  John,  second  Earl  of  Portsmouth,  married,  on 
August  27th,  1763,  Urania,  daughter  of  Coulson  Fellows,  of 
Hampstead,  in  Middlesex;  and  of  Eggsford,  Devonshire,  Esq. 
who  was  returned  one  of  the  Knights  for  Huntingdonshire  in  par- 
liament, from  1741  to  1754,  inclusive.  By  her  his  Lordship  had 
issue ; 

J.  John-Charles,  present  Earl, 

2.  Lady  Urania  Annabella,  born  June  1st,  1769. 
-    3.  Lady  Camilla  Mary,  born  November  8th,  1770,  died  Sep- 
tember 10th,  1789. 

4.  Newton,  born  June  26th,  1772,  who  succeeding  to  the 
estates  of  his  maternal  uncle,  Henry  Arthur  Fellowes,  Esq.  of 
Eggsford,  in  Devonshire,  has  taken  the  name  and  arms  of  Fel- 
lowes, by  his  Majesty's  licence,  dated  August  9th,  1794}  and 
married,  January  30th,  1795,  Frances,  youngest  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  Castell  Sherard,  of  Huntingdonshire,  by  whom  he  has  issue^ 
1.  Fanny  Jane  Urania,  born  December  25th,  1796.  2.  Henri- 
etta Caroline,  born  July  10th,  1798.  3.  Henry  Arthur  Wallop, 
born  October  29th,  1799.  4.  Newton  John  Alexander,  born 
March  27th,  1801  j  died  September  following.  5.  Louisa  Mary, 
born  July  23d,  1802$  died  March,  1803.  He  has  represented 
Andover  in  several  Parliaments. 


EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.  329 

5.  Coulson  Wallop,  born  September  19th,  1774$  a  Captain  in 
the  South  Hants  Militia,  1794;  M.P.  for  Andover,  1796;  mar- 
ried, April  2d,  1802,  Miss  Catharine  Townly  Keatinge,  daugh- 
ter of  Maurice  Keatinge,  Esq.  and  died  without  issue  at  Verdun, 
in  France,  August  31,  I8O7. 

6.  Lady  Henrietta  Dorothea,  born  May  6th,  178O. 

7.  Lady  Emma  Maria,  born  August  13th,  1781,  died  May  22d, 
1798. 

8.  William  Fellowes  Wallop,  born  May  20th,  1784,  died  at 
school  November  20th,  1 79O. 

His  Lordship  died  May  16th,  1797  j  and  was  succeeded  by  his 
eldest  son  and  heir, 

John  Charles,  present  and  third  Earl,  born  Decemberl8th, 
1767,  married  November  19th,  1799*  the  Hon.  Grace  Norton, 
sister  to  William,  present  Lord  Grantley  :  but  has  no  issue. 

Titles.  John  Charles  Wallop,  Earl  of  Portsmouth,  Viscount 
Lymington,  and  Baron  Wallop  of  Farley- Wallop. 

Creations.  Baron  Wallop  of  Farley- Wallop,  and  Viscount  Ly- 
mington, in  com.  Southamp.  June  I lth,  1720^  6  George  I.  j  and 
Earl  of  Portsmouth,  April  11th,  1743,  16  George  II. 

Arms.     Argent,  a  bend  wavey,  Sable. 

Crest.  On  a  wreath,  a  mermaid,  holding  in  her  dexter  hand  a 
comb,  in  the  other  a  mirror,  all  proper. 

Supporters.     Two  chamois,  or  wild  goats,  Sable. 

Motto.    En  suivant  la  Verite. 

Chief-Seats.  At  Hursbourne,  near  Andover  (rebuilt  about 
thirty  years  ago) ;  and  at  Farley-Wallop,  near  Basingstoke,  in  the 
county  of  Southampton, 


330  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


GREVILE,    EARL    BROOKE,    AND    EARL    OF 
WARWICK. 


The  name  of  this  family  was  anciently  wrote  Graville,  or  Gre~ 
ville  (with  or  without  the  final  e),  and  sometimes  Grevel.  The 
learned  Leland,  in  his  Itinerary  of  England,  which  he  wrote  in 
the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  in  the  frequent  mention  he  makes  of 
this  family,  uses  the  two  first  of  those  names  promiscuously.  He 
says,  '  aSum  hold  opinion  that  the  Gravities  cam  originally  in  at 
the  Conquest.  hThe  veri  ancient  house  of  the  Gravilles,  is  at 
Draiton,  by  Banburi,  in  Oxfordshire.  But  there  is  an  nother 
manor  place  of  the  chief  Stok  of  the  Gravilles,  caullid  Milcot,  yn 
Warwickshire,  where  a  late,  as  at  a  newer,  fairer,  and  more  com  • 

modious  house  thei  used  to  ly  at. c  And  court  rolls  remayne 

yet  at  Draiton,  that  the  Grevilles  (had)  lands  ons  by  yere  3300 
marks. 

f  And  Gravilles  had  Knap  Castel,  and  Bewbusch  Parke,  and 
other  landes  in  Southsax,  by  descents  of  their  name. 

'  dGrevill,  an  ancient  Gent,  dwelleth  at  Milcote,  scant  a  mile 
lower  than  Stratford,  towards  Avon  ripa  dextra.' e 

*  Itin.  Vol.  IV.  Part  i.  fol.  16.  b  Ibid.  Vol.  VI.  fol.  19. 

c  Ibid.  Vol.  IV.  Parti,  fol.  16.  *  Ibid.  Part  ii.  fol.  167. 

e  These  and  other  authorities,  together  with  the  name  itself,  which  plainly 
appears  to  be  Norman,  sufficiently  evince  the  great  antiquity  of  this  family  in 
England  :  yet  the  fust  of  them  I  meet  with  on  record,  is  in  1294,*  when  Wil- 
liam Grevill  died  seised  of  the  manors  of  Inglethwait  and  Awldtoftcs,  in  the 
county  of  York}  and  of  the  office  of  chief  forester  of  Galteres,  with  the  juris- 
diction there. 


Esc.  23  Edw.  I.  n.  69. 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    331 

But  whatever  be  the  antiquity  of  this  came,  it  stands  on  autho- 
rity too  notorious  to  make  the  mention  of  it  indelicate,  that  the 
present  very  honourable,  and  it  may  be  added,  illustrious  house, 
took  their  rise,  like  many  others,  whose  wealth  and  titles  have 
now  been  for  ages  sanctioned  by  time,  from  commmerce ;  and  in 
that  line  which  has  ever  been  the  staple  commodity  of  the  coun- 
try, the  woollen  trade. 

William  Grevile,  a  citizen  of  London,  and  the  flower  of  the 
wool-staplers  there,  was  latterly  seated  at  Campden,  where  he  lies 
buried,  with  his  first  wife,  under  a  Jarge  blue  flat  stone,  with  brass 
figures ;  and  the  following  inscription  : 

"  Hie  jacet  Willielmus  Grevil,  de  Campeden,  quondam  Civis 
London,  et  Jlos  mercatorum  Lanar.  totius  Anglice,  qui  obiit  primo 
die  mensis  Octobris,  Anno  Domini  Milesimo  CCCCL 

"  Hie  jacet  Mariana  uxor  prcedicti  Willielmi,  qu<e  obiit  decimo 
die  mensis  Septembris  Anno  Dom.  Milesimo  CCCLXXXVI.  quo- 
rum animabus propicietur  Deus  Amen"  f 

This  William,  and  his  father,  William,  were  both  living  in 
21  Richard  II.  and  the  father  being  wrote  William  Grevil,  of 
Campeden,  lent  the  King  300  marks  (a  great  sum  in  those  days)j 
and  August  10th,  1397,  sthe  King  acknowledges  the  receipt  of 
the  said  loan  from  him,  and  promises  payment  thereof  in  the 
Quindens  of  Easter  next. 

The  year  after,  William,  the  son,  having  purchased  the  ma- 
nor of  Milcote,  in  com.  Warwick,  of  Sir  Walter  Beauchamp, 
Knt.  he,  to  strengthen  his  title,  obtained  a  release,  bearing  date 
at  Milcote,  November  5th,  1398,h  from  William  de  Peto,  cousin 
and  heir  to  Geffery  de  Langly,  whose  right  it  was  in  the  reign  of 
Edward  III.    And  being  so  possessed  thereof,  entailed  it  by  fine/ 

After  him  was  John  Grevil!,  with  whom  the  learned  Camden  begins  his  cu- 
rious and  accurate  pedigree  of  the  family  (the  original  roll  of  which  is  in  the 
poss3ssion  of  the  pnsent  Earl  of  Warwick.)  This  John  Grevill  died  before  33 
Edward  III.*  when  there  was  a  plea  between  Margaret,  the  wife  of  the  said  John, 
and  Richard  de  Caurs,  and  Jabel  his  wife,  concerning  the  Wardship  of  William 
Grevill,  the  son  and  heir  of  the  said  John. 

f  See  it  engraved  in  Bigland's  Gloucestershire,  I.  283. 

JE  Rymer's  Feeders,  Tom.  VIII.  p.  9  and  80. 

h  Dugdale's  Antiq.  of  Warwickshire,  first  Edit.  p.  526,  520. 

*  Rot.  Fin.  2  Henry  IV.  m.  $. 

*  Placita  ^^  Edward  III.  Rot.  85. 


332  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND, 

on  the  issue  male  of  his  body  by  Joan,  then  his  wife,  and  for 
want  of  such  issue  male,  upon  his  sons,  by  a  former  wife,  Mari- 
ana, who  died  1386,  John,  and  Lodowick,  and  the  issue  male  of 
their  bodies  successively,  with  remainder  to  his  right  heirs.  He 
died  in  3  Henry  IV.  as  appears  by  his  monument  beforemen- 
tioned,  and  by  the  probate  of  his  last  will  and  testament,  which 
bears  date  at  Campeden,  April  2d,  1401.  Hek  therein  orders  his 
body  to  be  buried  in  the  church  of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary  of 
Campeden,  and  bequeaths  100  marks  to  the  repairs  of  it :  also 
2001.  to  maintain  four  Chaplains  to  say  Mass  in  the  said  church 
for  ten  years  following,  for  his  soul,  and  the  souls  of  his  ancestors. 
He  bequeaths  his  manors,  lands,  &c.  to  Joan  his  wife,  John  Gre- 
vill,  his  son,  and  Richard  Brotbeil,  his  Executors ;  and  appoints 
Sir  Roger  Hatton,  Abbot  of  Evesham,  and  Sir  William  Bradley, 
Supervisors.  The  said  Joan,  his  second  wife,1  was  sister  and  heir  of 
Sir  Philip  Thornbury,  Knt.  and  lived  a  long  time  after  him.  But 
this  Lady  having  brought  him  no  sons,  the  entail  beforementioned 
took  place,  with  regard  to  John,  his  son  and  heir,  and  Lodowick, 
that  he  had  by  Margaret,  his  first  wife,  mby  whom  he  likewise 
had  issue  Mary,  the  wife  of  John  Gifford,  of  Harpre,  Esq.  and 
Alice,  of  Edmond  Ludlow,  Esq. 

Which  John  Grevill  resided  also  nat  Campeden,  and  being 
°  Sheriff  of  Gloucestershire,  and  the  Marches  of  Wales,  in  6 
Henry  IV.  bore  for  his  arms,  P  Or,  on  a  cross  engrailed,  within 
the  like  border  Sable,  ten  annulets  ofthejirst,  with  a  mullet  of  Jive 
points  in  the  dexter  quarter.  And  I  presume  he  was  the  same 
John  Grevill,  who,  in  8  Henry  V.  had  the  King's  pardon  for  all 
transgressions,  Mn  that  he,  and  Sibil  his  wife,  daughter  and  heir 
of  Sir  Robert  Corbet,  deceased,  entered  on  the  lands  and  tene- 
ments, which  Joan,  the  wife  of  the  said  Sir  Robert,  held  in  dower. 
But  he  had  another  wife,  'Joyce,  daughter  of  Sir  Walter  Coke- 

sey,  Knt.  and  sister  and  heir  to  Hugh,  and  s  widow  of 

Beauchamp,  by  whom  he  had  issue, 

John,  his  son  and  heir,  who  resided  atCherlton  Regis,  in  com. 
Gloucester ;  and  by  the  death  of  Joan,1  his  grandfather's  second 
wife,  in  28  Henry  VI.  came  to  possess  the  manor  of  Milcote 
(which  she  held  during  life),  and  thereupon  made  that  seat  his 

k  Ex  Regisr.  voc.  Arundell,  Vol.  I.  fol.  183.  ]  Esc.  28  Henry  VI. 

»  Ex  Steramat?,  per  Camden  praed.  n  Rot.  Fin.  Cu  Henry  IV.  m.  29. 

0  Ibid.  P  Dugdale,  p.  530.  1  Pat.  8  Henry  V.  m.  14. 

t  Camden  ut  antea.  s  MS.  Sr.  George.  Praed. 

t  Rot.  Fin.  28  Henry  VI.  m.  16. 


X  ' 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    3S3 

residence.  But  before  this  he  was  u  chosen  one  of  the  Knights 
for  Gloucestershire,  in  2  Henry  V.  and  in  four  other  Parliaments, 
viz.  from  the  last  of  Henry  V.  to  the  thirteenth  of  Henry  VI. 
And  after  residing  in  Warwickshire,"  he  was  in  the  commission  of 
the  peace  for  the  said  county,  and  y  Sheriff  of  that  and  Leicester- 
shire in  1  Edward  IV.  In  5  Edward  IV.Z  he  had  the  honour  of 
Knighthood  conferred  on  him ;  and  in  13th  Edward  IV.a  had 
livery  of  the  lands  descended  to  him  by  the  death  of  his  mother. 
The  same  year  he  was  Sheriff13  of  Warwickshire  and  Leicester- 
shire, as  also  a  third  time,  in  17  Edward  IV.  He  bore  the  same 
Arms  as  his  father  did,  excepting  the  Annulets  upon  the  Cross, 
as  appears  by  his  picture,  together  with  his  wife,  both  kneeling  in 
their  Surcoats  of  Arms,  in  the  east  window  of  the  parish  church  at 
Binton,  in  Warwickshire..  He  departed  this  life  August  6th,  1480, 
and  by  his  last  will/  desired  to  be  buried  in  St.  Ann's  Chapel,  in 
the  church  of  Weston  super  Avon. 

Thomas,  his  only  son  and  heir,  was  d  twenty -six  years  of  age 
at  the  decease  of  his  father  j  and  in  respect  of  the  inheritance  he 
enjoyed  by  descent  from  his  grandmother,  assumed  the  surname 
of  Cokesey ;  and  having  livery  of  his  father's  lands^  was  the  same 
year,  20  Edward  IV.e  constituted  Sheriff  of  Warwickshire  and 
Leicestershire.  His  chief  residence  was  at  Milcote;  and  at  the 
coronation  of  Henry  VII.  he f  was  one  of  the  Knights  of  the 
Bath  then  created.  In  1487,  he  was  made  §  a  Knight  Banneret, 
for  his  valiant  behaviour  in  the  battle  of  Stoke,  June  16th.  In 
4  Henry  VII.  he  was  hone  of  the  Commissioners  of  Array  in  the 
county  of  Warwick,  for  sending  archers,  &c,  into  Britany,  in  re- 
lief of  thatDachyj  and  the  year  after  was  constituted  'one  of 
the  Justices  for  jail  delivery  in  Warwickshire ;  also  in  6  Hen. VII. 
k  Commissioner  for  arraying  of  men  in  defence  of  this  realm,  then 
in  danger  of  an  invasion  from  Charles  IX.  king  of  France.  This 
Sir  Thomas  died  in  14  Henry  VII.1  leaving  no  issue  by  Elizabeth 

«  Pryn's  Brevia  Pari.  Part  i.  p.  113.  and  Part  IV.  p.  503. 

x  Pat.  ab  an.  39  Henry  VI.  usq.  7  Edward  IV.  in  d. 

y  Rot.  1  Fin.  Edward  IV.  m.  3a.         z  Pat.  5  Edward  IV.  p.  It  in  d.  m.  30. 

a  Rot.  Fin.  13  Edward  IV.  m.  3. 

b  Ibid.  m.  30.  and  17  Edward  IV.  m.  11. 

c  Lib.  3.  Test,  in  P„egist.  Episc.  Wigorn,  fol.  24. 

d  Eic.  20  Edward  IV.  n.  72.  e  Rot.  Fin.  20  Edward  IV.  m.  3. 

t  MS.  Nom.  Equit.  in  Bibl.  Cotton  Claudius,  C.  3.  p.  21. 

g  Ibid.  p.  14.  J»  Patr  4  Henry  VII.  m.  20. 

I  Pit.  5  Henry  VII.  p.  1.  m.  18.  k  Pat.  6  Henry  VII.  m.  5. 

1  Pat.  15  Henry  VII.  p.  1.  m.4. 


334  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

his  wife,  daughter  to  William  Lord  Herbert  -,  whereupon  Robert 
Russel,  and  Robert  Winter,  were  found  to  be  his  cousins,  and 
heirs,  and  inherited  the  lands  of  the  Cokeseys.  But  by  force  of 
the  entail,  made  in  2  Henry  IV.  the  manor  of  Milcote,  and  other 
manors  and  lands  of  the  Grevills,  resorted  to  John  Grevill,  great 
grandchild  to  Lodowick,  second  son  to  William  Grevill,  of 
Campden. 

This  Lodowick  (or  Lewis),  took  to  wife  m  Margaret,  sole 
daughter  and  heir  of  Sir  Giles  Ardenev  of  Drayton,  near  Banbury, 
in  Oxfordshire.  Leland  n  says,  e  The  first  notable  encrease  of 
the  Landes  of  Graville,  of  Draiton,  cam  by  one  Lewis  Graville, 
that  married  Margaret,  the  daughter  and  heir  of  a  noble,  caullid 
Syr  Giles  Ardene.  The  wife  of  the  which  Syr  Giles  was  named 
Philip,  and  she  likewise  was  a  woman  born  to  fair  landes.  So 
that  the  possessions  of  Giles  and  Philip,  descended  onto  Lewys 
Graville,  whose  fair  tumbe  is  yet  sene  in  the  paroche  chirch  of 
Draiton.'  By  this  marriage,  Lodowick  settled  at  Draiton,  the 
seat  of  that  ancient  family,  and  being  possessed  of  that  rich  inhe- 
ritance, raised  this  branch  of  the  family  of  Grevills  to  so  eminent 
a  degree,  that  Leland  (as  mentioned  before),  says,  they  were  once 
possessed  of  3300  marks  per  annum :  an  immense  estate  in  those 
days.  The  same  author  adds,  °  *  Gravilles  of  Drayton  claime  to 
be  heyres  to  the  Lord  Denham.'  This  claim  has  probably  been 
founded  on  the  rights  of  the  house  of  Ardene :  but  that  family 
has  lain  so  long  extinguished  in  the  male  line,  as  with  certainty 
now  it  cannot  be  cleared  in  that  point.  Leland  p  is  farther  so 
particular,  as  to  give  an  account  how  this  great  estate,  by  the 
fraud  of  one  Somerton  (to  whom  it  came  bequeathed  in  trust, 
without  a  proper  declaration  of  uses),  and  by  the  extravagance  of 
the  grandfather  of  Grevill,  of  Draiton,  then  living  (in  the  time  of 
Henry  VIII.),  came  to  be  reduced  to  400  marks  per  annum.  By 
this  marriage  Lodowick  had  four  sons. 

1 .  William,  his  heir. 

2.  Richard,  who  was  Knight  for  <i  Oxfordshire,  in  8  Henry  V. 

3.  Robert.     rAnd, 

4.  John,s  the  father  of  Richard  Grevill,  of  Lemington,  in 
Gloucestershire,  who  had  issue  William  Grevill,1  made  Serjeant 

»  Ex  Stem,  per  Camden,  &  Lilly,  p.  Sz. 

n  Itin.  Vol.  IV.  Fart.  I.  fol.  16.  °  Ibid.  fol.  17, 

P  Ibid.  fol.  16.  1  Pryn's  Brev.  Pari.  Part  1.  p.  izj. 

'  Ex  Collect.  Tho.  Meller.  s  Camden. 

t  Dugd.  Chron.  Series,  p.  77. 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    335 

at  law,  in  20  Henry  VII.  and  in  1  Henry  VIIL  constituted  uone 
of  the  Justices  of  the  Common  Pleas. 

The  aforesaid  Lodowick  Grevill  died  at  Drayton,  in  Oxford- 
shire, x  August  28th,  143S,  and  was  buried  at  Drayton,  being 
succeeded  by  his  eldest  son, 

William/  who  married  z  Anne,  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Fran- 
cis, of  Formark,  in  com.  Derb.  Knt.  and  departing  a  this  life,  in 
lp  Henry  VII.  was  succeeded  by 

Ralph  Grevill,  his  son  and  heir,  who  took  to  wife  Margaret,b 
daughter  and  coheir  of  Thomas  Poyntz,  of  Frampton-Cottrell,  in 
the  county  of  Gloucester,  Esq.  and  by  this  marriage  the  Grevills, 
his  descendants,  have  the  right  of  quartering  the  arms  of  five  an- 
cient and  honourable  families  ;  viz.  of  Poyntz,  Bardolph,  Mallet, 
Clanebow,  and  Acton.c    By  this  Lady  he  left  a  son  and  heir, 

John  Grevill,  who  on  the  death  of  Sir  Thomas  Grevill,  alias 
Cooksey,  in  14  Henry  VII.  as  aforesaid,  succeeded  to  the  Lord- 

!l  Par.   1  Henry  VIII.  p.  a.  n.  31.  x  Inscript.  Tumuli  apud  Draiton. 

y  Ibid.  •  z  Camden  ut  antea.  a  Dogdale,  p.  534. 

b  Camden  ut  antea. 

c  In  the  reign  of  King  }.>hn,  Nicholas  Poinz  (or,  as  it  was  afterwards  written, 
Poyntz),*  taking  part  with  the  rebellious  Barons,  was  disseised  of  his  lands,  then 
lying  in  the  counties  of  Somerset,  Dorset,  and  Gloucester;  but  upon  returning 
to  his  obedience, f  he  had  restitution  in  18  John.  He  had  to  wife,  Julian,  sister 
and  heir  of  Henry  Bardolph,  of  How,  in  Kent,  by  whom  J  he  had  Hugh,  his 
son  and  heir,  who  married  Hawise,  sister  and  coheir  to  William  Mallet,  of  Cory- 
Mallet,  in  the  county  of  Somerset,  and  dying  in  4  Henry  III.  by  her  left  Nicho- 
las, his  son  and  heir.  This  Nicholas  Poyntz  died  in  1  Edward  I.  then  seised  of 
the  manor  of  Cory-Mallet,  and  left  Hugh  his  son  and  heir,  who  ||  was  summoned 
to  parliament,  by  the  title  of  Lord  Poyntz,  Baron  of  Cory-Mallet,  from  27  Ed- 
ward I.  until  1  Edward  II.  in  which  year  he  died,  leaving  Nicholas,  his  son  and 
heir,  who  was  likewise  summoned  to  parliament,  in  zf  3,  and  4  of  Edward  II. 
He  was  twice  married :  by  his  first  wife,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Eudo  la  Zouch, 
he  had  a  son  and  heir,  Hugh,  from  whose  second  son  §  the  Poyntzes,  who  set- 
tled in  Gloucestershire,  were  descended  j  and  by  his  second  wife,  Maud,**  who 
died  in  35  Edward  III.  and  was  sister  and  heir  of  Sir  John  Acton,  he  had  a  son, 
John  Poyntz,  of  Iron-Acton.  Which  John  married  Philippa,  one  of  the  cousins 
and  heirs  of  Thomas  Clanebow,  by  whom  he  had  a  son,  Robert  Poyntz,  of  Iron- 
Acton,  who  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Thomas  Berkley,  alias  Fitz-Nicols, 
and  by  her  left  a  younger  son,  Thomas  Poyntz,  of  Frampton  Cottrell,  whose 
daughter  and  coheir,  Margaret,  was  married  to  the  aforesaid  Ralph  Grevill. 


*  Clans.  17  Joh.  m,  17.  f  Claus.  18  Joh.  m.  5. 

J  Dugd.  Bar.  Vol.  II.  p.  i}  and  2.     And  Camden  ut  antea. 
Dugd.  Bar.  $  Ibid.  **  Camden  ut  antea. 


336  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

ship  and  manor  of  Milcote,  and  other  the  ancient  demesnes  of  the 
Grevills.  In  15  Henry  VII.d  he  was  one  of  the  Justices  for  the 
Gaol-delivery  at  Warwick,e  and  also  in  the  Commission  of  the 
peace  for  the  county.  He  married  f  Jane,  daughter  of  Sir  Hum- 
phrey Forster,  of  Harpeden,  com.  Oxon,  and  had  issue, 

1.  Edward,  his  son  and  heir.     And, 

2.  Robert,?  who  left  two  daughters,  his  coheirs  j  Dorothy,  wife 
of  Edward  Morgan ;  and  Anne,  of  Thomas  Nevill,  Esqrs. 

Edward  was  in  the  Commission  of  the  peace  for  Warwick- 
shire in  1  Henry  VIII.  and  having  been  at  the  sieges  of  Teroven 
and  Tournay,  and  the  battle,  called  by  our  historians  the  battle 
of  Spurs,11  he  received  the  honour  of  Knighthood  on  October  13th, 
for  his  valiant  behaviour.  In  12  Henry  VIII.  he  was  one  of  the 
Knights1  appointed  to  attend  the  King  and  Queen  to  Canterbury, 
and  from  thence  to  Calais,  and  Guisnes,  to  the  meeting  of  Fran- 
cis I.  the  French  King;  every  one  of  that  degree  having  a  Chap- 
lain, eleven  servants,  and  eight  horses.  In  13  Henry  VIII.  he 
obtained  the  Wardship  of  Elizabeth,  one  of  the  daughters,  and  at 
last  the  sole  heir,  of  Edward  Willoughby,  the  only  son  of  Robert 
Lord  Brooke ;  a  grant,  which,  in  its  consequences,  greatly  contri- 
buted to  aggrandize  his  Family,  as  will  appear  from  what  fol- 
lows. 

He  married  Anne,  daughter  of  John  Denton,  of  Amersden,  in 
the  county  of  Bucks,k  by  whom  he  had  four  sons. 

1.  John,  his  eldest  son  and  heir. 

2.  Fulke,  of  whose  posterity  I  am  principally  to  treat. 

3.  Thomas.     And,  4.  Edward,  who  died  without  issue. 

He  departed  this  life  in  20  Henry  VIII.  and  was  buried  in  St. 
Ann's  Chapel,  in  the  church  of  Weston  upon  Avon,  according  to 
the  appointment  of  his  will. 

John  Grevill,  of  Milcote  and  Drayton,  his  eldest  son,  was  one 
of  the  Knights  for  the  county  of  Warwick,  in  30  Henry  VIII. 
and  being  knighted  at  the  Coronation  of  Edward  VI.  died  on 
November  25th  the  year  following,  leaving  by  his  wife  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  John  Spencer,  of  Hodnet,  Esq.  an  only  son, 

Sir  Edward  Grevill,  of  Milcote,1  who  married  the  daughter 

d  Pat.  15  Henry  VII.  m.  14.  e  Dugdale.  f  Camden, 

g  Ibid.  h  MS.  Claudius,  C.  3.  in  Bibl.  Cotton. 

i  MS.  Not.  B.  5.  in  Bibl.  Joh.  Anstis,  Arm.  nup.  Gart.  Reg.  Aim.  &  Ry- 
mer's  Fcedera,  Tom.  13.  p.  710,  &  seq. 

k  Camden  ut  antea.  •  Ibid. 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    337 

and  coheir  of  William  Wellington,  of  Burcheston,  in  com.  Warw. 
Esq.  by  whom  he  had  an  only  son, 

Lodowickj  who,  by  his  wife  Thomasine,  daughter  of  Sir 
William  Petre,  Knt.  left  an  only  son, 

Edward,  who  was  knighted,m  and  married  Joan,  daughter  of 
Sir  Thomas  Bromley,  Chancellor  of  England,  by  whom  he  had 
11  seven  daughters ;  Martha,  married  to  Sir  Arthur  Ingram,  Knt. 

Catherine,  to Ingram,  Esq.}  Joice,  to  William  Whitacre, 

Esq.}  Margaret,  to  Edward  Pcnnel,  Esq.}  Jane,  Elizabeth,  and 
Constance,  who  all  died  unmarried }  also  an  only  son,  John,  who 
died  unmarried,  before  his  father.  Sir  Edward  being  much  in- 
volved in  debt0  (with  the  consent  of  Sir  Arthur  Ingram,  who 
married  Martha,  one  of  his  daughters),  sold  his  whole  estate  to 
Lionel  Cranfield,  Earl  of  Middlesex.  Arid  thus  the  elder  branch 
of  the  family  of  the  Grevills  of  Milcote,  came  to  *»*»  extinct. 

I  now  return  to  Fulke,  second  son  to  Sir  Edward  GreviU,  and 
brother  to  Sir  John  Grevill  aforesaid.  This  Fulke  had  to  wife, 
Elizabeth  leforementioned,  the  ward  of  his  father,  one  of  the 
greatest  heiresses  then  in  England,  and  by  her  had  a  numerous 
issue.  She  was  not  only  sole  heir  of  the  family  of  Willoughby 
of  Brooke,  by  her  father,  but  by  her  grandmother  was  descended 
from  the  old  Earls  of  Warwick,*'  and  heir  to  one  of  the  most  con- 
siderable branches  of  that  illustrious  family. 

m  Camden  ut  antea.  *  MS.  St.  George. 

°  MS.  penes  Francisc.  Comit.  Brooke. 

P  In  this  family,  which  gave  a  succession  of  Earls  for  upwards  of  four  hundred 
years,  and  fell  at  last  by  its  own  weight,  is  exhibited  a  remarkable  instance  of  the 
dignity,  wealth,  and  power,  of  the  ancient  English  Nobility,  as  well  as  of  the  un- 
certainty of  human  grandeur. 

Of  the  several  descendants  sprung  from  that  of  Warwick,  all  of  which  are  either 
now  extinct,  or  their  estates  and  honours  transferred  by  heiresses  into  other  fami- 
lies, few  have  been  more  considerable,  and  none  came  farther  down  in  a  descent  of 
males,  than  that  of  Alcester,  and  Powyke  }  from  an  heiress  of  which,  Sir  Fulke, 
Lord  Brooke,  was  lineally  descended.  *  Walter  de  Beauchamp,  be  foremen  tioned, 
of  Alcester,  ibe  founder  of  that  family,  was  brother  to  Willbm,  the  first  Earl 
of  Warwick  of  the  Beauchamp  line,  being  second  son  of  William  de  Beauchamp 
of  Elmely,  by  Isabel,  in  her  own  right,  Countess  of  Warwick.  This  Walter, 
besides  the  moiety  of  the  manor  of  Alcester,  in  the  county  of  Warwick,  which 
he  purchased,  had  one  of  his  principal  seats,  Beauchamp-Crjurt,  near  that  town, 
and  another,  at  Powyke,  in  Worcestershire.  In  53  Henry  III.  he  was  signed 
with  the  cross  for  a  pilgrimage  into  the  Holy  Land,  and  had  a  legacy  of  two  hun- 

*  Dugd.  Bar.  Vol.  I.  p.  248,  &c. 
VOL.  IV.  Z 


S3B  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

As  the  sole  heir  of  her  grandmother,  the  said  Elizabeth  came 
to  be  seized  in  fee  of  the  whole  manor  of  Alcester,  in  consequence 
of  which,  letters  patent  of  exemplification  (in  the  possession  of  the 

dred  marks  bequeathed  to  him  by  his  father,  for  the  better  performance  of  that 
voyage.  He  was  Steward  of  the  household  to  Edward  I.  and  attended  that  King 
to  Flanders,  and  into  Scotland,  where  he  was  with  him  at  the  battle  of  Falkirk, 
July  2zd,  1298.  In  the  29th  of  his  reign,  he  was  one  of  those  Lords  in  the  par- 
liament at  Lincoln,  who  then  signified  to  the  Pope,  under  their  seals,  the  supe- 
riority of  King  Edward  over  the  realm  of  Scotland,  being  there  ftyled,  Dominui  de 
Alcester.     He  died  in  1303. 

To  him  succeeded  Walter,  his  eldest  son,  who,  the  year  after  his  father's 
death,  went  in  the  expedition  then  made  into  Scotland}  as  he  did  at  several  other 
times,  during  the  reign  of  that  King,  and  of  his  successor.  In  13 17,  soon  after 
the  death  of  Guy  de  Beauchamp.  *-rt  of  Warwick,  his  kinsman,  he  had  custody 
of  all  the  lands  belonging  «>  Warwick-Castle,  together  with  that  castle,  during 
the  minority  °*  nis  heir.  In  1327,  he  had  a  special  commission  to  execute  the 
oflGcc  Of  Constable  of  England  in  a  particular  case.  In  the  year  following  he  died, 
leaving  no  issue,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  brother  William.  This  William  wsj 
likewise  a  military  man,  and  had  attended  Edward  I.  in  several  of  his  expeditions 
into  Flanders  and  Scotland.  In  10  Edward  II.  he  had  the  Sheriffship  of  Wor- 
cestershire granted  to  him,  during  the  minority  of  the  heir  of  his  kinsman  Guy 
Earl  of  Warwick.  In  14  Edward  II.  he  was  made  Governor  of  St.  Briavel's 
castle,  in  the  county  of  Gloucester,  and  of  the  Forest  of  Dean  j  and  in  the  year 
following,  was  constituted  one  of  the  King's  Commissioners  for  the  safe  custody 
of  the  city  of  Worcester.  He  died  without  issue,  and  to  him  succeeded  his 
brother  Giles;  who,  in  the  14th  of  Edward  III.  obtained  licence  to  fortify  his 
manor-house  at  Alcester,  called  Beauchamp'? -Court,  with  a  wall  of  stone  and 
lime,  and  to  embattle  it;  and  in  16  Edward  III.  had  the  like  licence  to  fortify 
his  house  at  Fresh-water,  in  the  Isle  of  Wight.  This  Giles  left  issue,  John,  his 
son  and  heir;  of  whom  there  is  little  remarkable,  only  that  in  3  Richard  II.  he 
was  in  the  expedition  then  made  into  France. 

About  this  rime  sprung*  from  the  family  of  Alcester,  the  branch  of  the  Beau- 
champs  of  Bletsho ;  the  first  of  v/hom  was  Roger,  grandson  to  the  above-men- 
tioned Walter  de  Beauchamp,  of  Alcester  and  Powyke.  Which  Roger  had  (34 
Edward  III.)  in  right  of  his  wife,  Sybil  (eldest  of  the  sisters,  and  co-heiress  of 
Sir  William  Patshall,  Knt.)  the  manor  of  Bletnesho,  or  Bletsho,  and  other  lands, 
in  the  county  of  Bedford  ;  whereupon,  making  Bletsho  his  chief  seat,  both  he 
and  his  posterity  were  denominated  of  that  place.  He  was  summoned  to  parlia- 
ment from  37  Edward  III.  to  the  3d  of  Richard  II.  by  the  title  of  Lord  Beau- 
champ of  Bletsho.  In  the  14th  of  Henry  IV.  John  Lord  Beauchamp  of  Bletsho 
(lineal  descendant  of  this  Roger),  died,  leaving  one  son  and  a  daughter.  John  the 
son  died  unmarried,  and  Margaret,  his  sister,  becoming  sole  heir  of  this  family, 
was  married,  first,  to  Sir  Oliver  Sr.  John  (of  whom  the  Lords  St.  John  of  Blet- 
sho, as  also  the  Viscounts  Bolingbroke,  are  descended),  and  afterwards  to  John 
Beaufort,  Duke  of  Somerset.     Of  this  last  marriage  the  only  issue  was  Marga- 

•  Dwgd,  Bar.  Vol.  I.  p.  251. 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    339 

present  Earl  Brooke),  were  granted,  3  Eliz.  to  her,  then  a  widow, 
confirming  all  the  grants  of  fairs,  markets,  &c.  made  in  the  time 
of  her  ancestors,  in  behalf  of  the  manor  of  Alcester.     And  as  the 

ret,*  married  to  Edward  of  Hadham,  Earl  of  Richmond,  and  by  him  mother  to 
Henry  VII. 

But  to  return  to  John  de  Beauchamp,  of  Alcester,  the  son  of  Giles.  He  had 
two  sons  j  Sir  William,  who  succeeded  to  him ;  and  Sir  Walter,  by  whom  an- 
other noble  family  branched  out  from  that  of  Alcester,  f  viz.  the  Beauchamps, 
Lords  St.  Amand  :  for  William,  the  son  of  this  Sir  Walter,  having  married  Eli- 
zabeth, the  eldest  of  the  daughters  and  coheirs  of  Gerrard  de  Baybrooke,  cousin 
and  heir  to  Almeric  de  St.  Amand  (a  Baron  of  great  antiquity),  had  summons  to 
parliament  in  27  Henry  VI.  by  the  title  of  Lord  Beauchamp  of  St.  Amand.  This 
branch,  however,  failed  soon  in  Richard  de  Beauchamp,  Lord  St.  Amand,  who 
died  in  1508,  without  lawful  issue. 

Sir  William  de  Beauchamp,  of  Alcester,  eldest  son  of  the  said  John,  having 
succeeded  to  his  father,  was,  in  16  Richard  II.  made  Constable  of  the  Castle  of 
Gloucester  ;  in  3  Henry  IV.  Sheriff  of  Worcestershire ;  and  in  I  Henry  V.  of 
Gloucestershire.  And  having  married  Catharine,  one  of  the  daughters  of  Ger- 
rard de  Ufflete,  left  issue,  Sir  John  Beauchamp,  Knt.  who  purchased,  from  Tho- 
mas de  Botreaux,  the  other  moiety  of  the  manor  of  Alcester,  which  had  continued 
in  that  family  for  divers  descents.  In  17  Henry  VI.  upon  the  death  of  Richard 
Earl  of  Warwick,  this  Sir  John  de  Beauchamp  was  constituted  one  of  the  Com- 
missioners for  the  guardianship  of  all  his  castles  and  lands,  during  the  minority 
of  Henry,  his  son  and  heir.  And  in  25th  Henry  VI.  in  consideration  of  the 
good  and  acceptable  service  performed  by  him  to  that  King,  and  to  Henry  V.  his 
father,  he  was  by  patent  advanced  to  the  title  and  dignity  of  Lord  Beauchamp, 
Baron  of  Powyke  5  and  had  an  annuity  of  sixty  pounds,  out  of  the  fee-farm  of 
the  city  of  Gloucester,  granted  to  him  and  his  heirs,  for  the  better  support  of 
the  honour.  He  was  at  the  same  time  constituted  Justice  of  South- Wales,  with 
power  to  exercise  that  office  by  himself  or  his  sufficient  deputy.J  He  was  one 
of  the  Knights  of  the  Garter;  and  in  28  Henry  VL  was  made  Lord-Treasurer 
of  England  ;  in  which  office,  however,  he  continued  not  full  two  years.  He  died 
in  1478,  leaving  Sir  Richard  Beauchamp,  Knt.  then  forty  years  of  age,  his  son 
and  heir. 

This  Richard,  Lord  Beauchamp,  wedded  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Humphry- 
Stafford,  Knt.  in  the  private  chapel  of  the  manor-house  of  Beauchamp's  Court, 
by  virtue  of  a  special  licence  from  the  Bishop  of  Worcester.  He  died  in  18 
Henry  VII.  leaving  by  this  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  three  daughters;  Elizabeth, 
Anne,  and  Margaret,  his  heirs.  ||Elizabeth,  eldest  daughter,  was  married  to 
Robert  Willoughby,  Lord  Brooke;  Anne, .to  William  Lygon,^  in  the  county  of 
Worcester,  Esq.;  and  Margaret,  to  Richard  Read,  in  the  county  ef  Gloucester, 
Esq.     Which  Elizabeth  had  the  manor  of  Alcester,  in  reversion  after  her  father's 


*  Dugd.  Bar.  Yol.  II.  p.  237.  t  lbid-  Vo*-L  P-  *5*« 

J  Stemm.  Gull.  Camden  praed. 

||  MS.  Aut.  Tho.  Spencer,  penes  Francisc.  Comit.  Brooke,  p.  2, 

$  Ancestor  by  her  to  the  present  Lord  Beauchamp  of  Powyke,  ao  created  1804* 


340  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

sole  heir  of  her  grandfather,  it  appears,  by  an  inquisition  taken 
after  her  death  (dated  6  Elizabeth,  also  in  possession  of  the  Earl 
Brooke),  that  she  died  seised  in  fee,  not  only  of  the  manor  of 
Alcester,  but  of  sundry  other  manors  and  lands,  in  the  counties 
of  Warwick,  Worcester,  Gloucester,  Leicester,  Lincoln,  Somer- 
set, and  divers  other  counties ;  the  whole  amounting  to  so  great 
a  value,  that  she  might  well  have  been  esteemed  one  of  the  richest 
heiresses  of  her  time,  as  well  as  one  of  the  best  descended.  Hav- 
ing thus  mentioned  the  descent  of  this  great  Lady,  whose  descent 

death,  settled  upon  her  at  her  marriage;*  her  two  sisters,  having  afterwards,  for 
their  provision,  Powyke,  and  other  lands,  in  the  county  of  Worcester. 

Robert  Willo'ighby,  Lord  Brooke,  was  son  to  Sir  Robert  Willoughby;  who  (be- 
ing son  and  heir  to  John  Willoughby,  a  younger  son  of  the  family  seated  at 
Eresby,  by  Anne  his  wife,  one  of  the  daughters  and  coheirs  of  Sir  Edmund  Che- 
ney, of  Brooke,  in  the  county  of  Wilts),  in  consideration  of  his  singular  services 
and  fidelity  to  Henry  VII.  was,  in  the  seventh  year  of  the  feign  of  that  King, 
raised  by  writ  of  summons  to  the  dignity  of  a  Baron  of  this  realm,  by  the  title  of 
Lord  Brooke;  taken  from  the  place  of  his  residence^  Brooke  (near  Westbury),  in 
Wiltshire,  SO  called  from  the  rivulet  that  runs  there.  This  Robert  Willoughby, 
the  second  Lord  Brooke,  having  married  the  said  Elizabeth,  had  issue  by  her  an 
only  son,  Edward,  who  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  to  Richard  Nevil,  Lord  Lati- 
mer, lineally  descended  of  George  Lord  Latimer  (third  son  to  Ralph,  the  first 
Earl  of  Westmorland,  by  Joan,  daughter  to  John  of  Gaunt,  duke  of  Lancaster), 
and  of  Isabel,  wife  of  the  said  George,  daughter  to  Richard  de  Beauchamp,  Earl 
of  Warwick.  This  Edward  having  issue  by  his  wife,  the  said  Elizabeth,  died, 
during  the  lifetime  of  his  father,  leaving  three  daughters ;  Elizabeth,  Anne,  and 
Blanche,  his  heirs.  Robert  Lord  Brooke,  the  father  of  Edward,  after  the  death 
of  the  Lord  Beauchamp's  daughter,  married  Dorothy,  daughter  of  Thomas  Grey, 
Marquis  of  Dorset,  by  whom  he  had  issue  two  sons,  Henry  and  William,  who 
both  died  of  the  sweating  sickness  when  young;  and  two  daughters;  Elizabeth, 
married  to  John  Poulet,  second  Marquis  of  Winchester;  and  Anne,  to  Charles 
Blount,  son  and  heir  to  William  Lord  Mountjoy.  The  said  two  noblemen,  in 
fight  of  their  wivesy after  the  death  of  the  Lord  Brooke,  their  father,  obtained, f 
by  order  of  Henry  VIII.  in  council  (which  was  after  confirmed  by  act  of  parlia- 
ment), part  of  the  lands  of  this  rich  family  :  but  the  inheritance  p3ssed  by  Ed- 
ward, his  only  son,  to  his  three  granddaughters ;  and  he,  the  said  Lord  Brooke, 
died  in  1521 ;  leaving  them,  the  said  Elizabeth,  Anne,  and  Blanche,  his 
heirs. 

But  of  those  three  Ladies,  Anne  dying  unmarried,  and  Blanche,  married  to 
Sir  Francis  Dautrey,  Knt.  dying  likewise  without  issue,  Elizabeth,  the  eldest, 
was  left,  at  length,  sole  heir  to  the  last  Lord  Brooke,  her  grandfather;  also  to 
her  grandmother,  Elizabeth,  eldest  of  the  daughters  and  coheirs  of  the  last  Lord 
Beaachamp  of  Powyke  ;  and  thus,  in  her  own  person,  united  the  illustrious  sac- 
cession  of  those  two  noble  families. 

•  Dugd.  Bar.  Vol.  II.  p.  88.  f  MS.  prscd. 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    341 

I  have  deduced  in  the  notes  below,  an  attention  which  the  im- 
portance of  the  subject  justly  merited,  I  return  to  the  Grevile 
family,  into  which  she  brought  all  her  estate  and  honours. 

Upon  the  h  death  of  Robert  Willoughby,  the  last  Lord  Brooke, 
her  grandfather,  the  wardship  of  this  young  Lady  was  obtained 
(as  said  before),  by  Sir  Edward  Grevile,  of  Milcote,  in  the  county 
of  Warwick,  Knt.  Sir  Edward  intended  her  for  John,  his  eldest 
son:  but  she,  preferring,  in  affection,  Fulke,  his  younger  son,  was 
married  to  him. 

The  following  account  of  this  marriage  is  in  a  manuscript, 
entitled,  The  Genealogie,  Life,  and  Death  of  Robert  Lord  Brooke 
(written  in  ld44,  and  in  possession  of  the  Earl  Brooke),  •  In  the 
days  of  King  Henry  VIII.  (says  the  author  of  that  manuscript), 
I  read  of  Sir  Edward  Grevil,  of  Milcote,  who  had  the  wardship 
of  Elizabeth,  one  of  the  daughters  of  the  Lord  Brooke's  son.  Ihe 
Knight  made  a  motion  to  his  ward,  to  be  married  to  John,  his 
eldest  son  ;  but  she  refused,  saying,  that  she  did  like  better  of 
Fulke,  his  second  son.  He  told  her,  that  lie  had  no  estate  of  land 
to  maintaine  her ;  and  that  he  was  in  the  King's  service  of  warre 
beyond  the  seas,  and  therefore  his  returne  was  very  doubtful. 
Shee  replyed,  and  said,  that  shee  had  an  estate  sufficient  both  for 
him,  and  for  herself  j  and  that  shee  would  pray  for  his  safeties, 
and  waite  for  his  coming.  Upon  his  returne  home,  for  the  wor- 
thy service  he  had  performed,  he  was  by  King  Henry  honoured 
with  Knighthood  ;  and  then  he  married  Elizabeth,  the  daughter 
of < the  Lord  Brooke's  son.' 

By  this  marriage  the  manor  of  Alcester,  and  many  other  fair 
lordships  and  lands,  came  to  Sir  Fulke  in  right  of  his  wife;  who 
seating  himself  at  Beauchamp's  Court,  and  augmenting  this  large 
estate,  by  the  purchase  of  sundry  lands  in  the  neighbourhood; 
raised  his  family  to  high  distinction  in  the  county  of  Warwick. 
In  34  Henry  VIII.  he  was  sheriff  of  the  counties  of  Warwick 
and  Leicester  j  also  in  1  Edward  VI.  and  was  Knight  for  the 
county  of  Warwick  in  three  several  parliaments.  That  he  was 
an  affectionate  husband,  and  tender  parent  j  that  he  had  encoun- 
tered great  difficulties,  in  securing  the  inheritance  of  his  lady 
(the  daughters  of  Robeit  Lord  Brooke,  by  the  second  marriage, 
claiming  as  coheirs),  and  that  he  was  remarkably  accurate  in  his 
accounts,  and  adhered  strictly  to  justice  in  all  his  transactions, 
appears  by  the  whole  tenor  of  his  last  will,  bearing  date  Septem- 

1  Dugd.  Bar.  Vol.  II.  p.  44.2,  443. 


342  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

ber  12th,  1550,  in  which  he  thus  expresses  himself:  '  And  my 
especial  requests  to  my  executors  for  the  love  I  have  born  them, 
and  for  the  travel  I  have  taken  in  establishing  the  hole  inherit- 
ance, with  my  great  costs  also  to  be  considered,  I  most  earnestly 
require  them,  and  on  God's  behalf  charge  them,  that  my  debts  be 
paied,  if  I  die  before  the  accomplishments  thereof.'  His  executors 
were  his  Lady,  and  his  eldest  son,  Fulk  Grevile.  He  died  in  the 
first  year  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife  in  the  year 
after,  and  both  were  buried  in  the  church  at  Alcester  jr  where  an 
altar  monument  is  erected  to  their  memory,  upon  which  the  effi- 
gies of  himself  and  bis  Lady  are  laid,  with  the  portraitures  of  his 
children  on  the  sides,  and  this  inscription  round  the  verge  : 

Here  lieth  the  Body  of  Foulke  Grevyll,  Knight,  and  Lady  Eliza' 
leth  his  Wife,  the  Daughter  and  heir  of  Edward  Willoughby , 
Esquire,  the  Sone  and  Heire  of  Robert  Willoughly,  Knight,  Lord 
of  Broke,  and  Lady  Elizabeth,  one  of  the  Daughters  and  Co-heires 
of  the  Lord  Beauchamp  of  Powyk  :  which  Foulke  died  the  Xth 
Day  of  November,  Anno  Dom.  MDLXIX,  and  the  said  Lady 

Elizabeth  his  wife,  departed  IXth  Day  of in  the  Year  of 

our  Lord  MDLX,  of  whose  Soules  God  have  Mercy.     Amen. 

They  left  three  sons,  and  four  daughters. 

1.  Fulke,  the  eldest. 

2.  Robert  Grevile,  of  Thorp-Latymer,  in  the  county  of  Lin- 
coln, ancestor  to  Francis  the  present  Earl  Brooke.     And. 

3.  Edward,  afterwards  Sir  Edward  Grevile,  of  Harrold-Park„ 
in  the  parish  of  Waltham -Abbey,  in  the  county  of  Essex,  the 
youngest, s  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Lord  John  Grey,  bro- 
ther to  Henry  Duke  of  Suffolk  (widow  of  Henry  Denny,  Esq. 
son  and  heir  of  Sir  Anthony  Denny,  Knight,  Privy-Counsellor 
to  King  Henry  VIII.)  by  which  Lady  he  had  issue  three  sons  j 

1. -,  died  an  infant  j  2.  Philip,  who  died  without  issue ; 

3.  Sir  Fulk  Grevile,  Knight,  one  of  the  Band  of  Gentlemen  Pen- 
sioners to  King  James  I.  Also  eight  daughters;  of  whom,  Mary, 
Ann,  and  Mary,  died  unmarried  j  Frances  married  John  Cham- 
berlain, Esq.  j  Douglas  unmarried 5  Elizabeth  married  Sir  Francis 
Swift,  Knt.;  Helena  to  Sir  William  Maxey,  Knt. 3  and  Margaret 
to  Godfrey  Boswyle,  Esq.  Rut  this  line  terminated  in  coheirs. 

The  daughters  of  the  said  Sir  Fulke  Grevile  were,  Mary,  mar- 

r  Dugdale's  Warwickshire,  p.  540. 
*  Mont.  Waltham  Church,  Essex. 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    343 

ried  to  William  Harris,  of  Hayne,  in  the  county  of  Devon,  Esq.j 
Eleanor,  to  Sir  John  Conway,  of  Arrow  and  Ragley,  in  the  county 
of  Warwick,  Knight ;  Catharine,  to  Giles  Read,  of  Mitton,  in 
the  county  of  Worcester,  Esq.  and  Blanche,  who  died  unmar- 
ried. 

Fulke  Grevile,  the  eldest  son,  on  the  death  of  his  mother, 
succeeded  to  this  great  inheritance  j  and  was  knighted  in  7  Eliz. 
being  then  thirty-nine  years  of  age.  He  was  (according  to  the 
character  Camden1  gives  of  him),  e  a  person  no  less  esteemed 
for  the  sweetness  of  his  temper,  than  the  dignity  of  his  station.' 
We  have  the  following  account  of  him  in  the  manuscript  aforemen- 
tioned, p.  0.  '  He  was  a  gentleman  full  of  affajbijitje  and  cour- 
tesie,  and  much  given  to  hospitalitie,  which  got  the  love  p£  the 
whole  countrie.  For  in  his  time  no  man  did  bear  a  greater  sway 
in  the  countie  of  Warwicke  than  himselie.  He  was  evermore 
attended  with  a  brave  eompanie  of  gentlemen.  Upon  the  news 
of  the  death  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  he  being  at  Warwicke  at  the 
great  assize,  came  down  from  the  bench,  and  with  some  of  his 
friends,  proclaimed  King  James,  which  the  Judges  of  the  circuit 
refused  to  doe.'  He  was  Custos  Rotulorum  of  the  county  of 
Warwick ;  and  one  of  the  Knights  of  the  Shire  in  28  Eliz.  and 
in  four  other  parliaments.  He  married  Anne,  daughter  to  Ralph 
Nevile,  Earl  of  Westmorland,  and  died  in  I6Q6,  leaving  by  her 

Fuljte,  his  son  and  heir. 

And  one  daughter,  Margaret,  married  to  Sir  Richard  Verney, 
of  Compton-Murdack,  in  the  county  of  Warwick,  Knt.  ancestor 
to  the  present  Lord  Willoughhy  of  Brooke, 

This  Fulke,  afterwards  Sir  Fulke,  and  first  Lord  Brooke, 
having  been  brought  to  court  when  very  young,  by  his  uncle, 
Robert  Grevile,  who  was  then  a  servant  to  Queen  Elizabeth  3  had 
soon  the  honour  to  be  admitted  into  the  service  of  that  Princess, 
in  a  station  suitable  to  his  age  and  birth.  So  early  an  introduc- 
tion into  one  of  the  most  polite  and  learned  courts  then  in  Europe, 
gave  him  an  opportunity  of  improving  his  taste  and  genius,  which 
were  naturally  good  5  and  of  cultivating  betimes,  a  friendship 
with  those,  w.ho  either  were,  or  who  after  became  eminent :  in 
life :  Iput  of  all  the  young  men  of  quality,  who  then  made  a  figure 
at  court,  his  kinsman,  the  celebrated  Sir  Phil jp  Sidney,  was. his 
darling.  From  his  earliest  youth  he  lived  the  companion  and 
friend  of  that  great  manj  and  when  he  died  wrote  his  life. 

*  Cam.  Brit,  (in  the  last  Edition  of  the  old  Translation),  Vol.  I.  p.  6©7« 


344  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

The  passion  which  chiefly  prevailed  arnong  the  youth  of  spirit 
at  that  time,  was  to  go  to  foreign  courts  in  the  train  of  ambassa- 
dors j  to  assist  at  sieges  or  battles  under  the  conduct  of  famous 
generals  ;  or  to  sail  to  the  East  or  West-Indies,  in  hopes  of  mak- 
ing discoveries  of  new  countries,  or  conquests  upon  the  Spaniards. 
On  the  other  hand,  Queen  Elizabeth  constantly  discouraged  those 
irregular  sallies  of  ambition  j  as  she  knew,  that  if  they  were  in- 
dulged beyond  what  the  service  of  the  public  required,  the  king- 
dom might  thereby  be  deprived  of  the  bravest  subjects,  and  she  of 
her  most  valuable  servants.  Sir  Fulke,  whose  ambition  to  acquire 
honour  or  improvement  in  foreign  countries,  was  equal  to  that  of 
any  of  his  age  and  rank,  not  being  able  to  obtain  leave  from  his 
royal  mistress  to  go  abroad  so  often  as  he  desired,  was  bold  enough 
to  make  several  attempts  to  go  without  her  leave.  But  on  all 
those  occasions,  he  was  either  recalled  before  he  got  out  of  Eng- 
land, or  on  his  return,  was  received  in  such  a  manner  as  was  most 
proper  to  mortify  him  j  being  sometimes  made  to  live  in  her  court 
(as  he  himself  says),  a  spectacle  of  disfavour,  too  long,  as  he  con- 
ceived^ I  shall  give  an  instance  of  one  of  those  expeditions,  in 
his  own  words,  taken  from  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  his  life  of 
Sir  Philip  Sidney. 

'  Lastly,  the  universal  fame  of  a  battle  to  be  fought  between 
the  prime  forces  of  Henry  the  Third,  and  the  religious  of  Henry 
the  Fourth,  the  King  of  Navarre,  lifting  me  yet  once  more  above 
this  humble  earth  of  duty,  made  me  resolve  to  see  the  difference 
between  Kings  present  and  absent  in  their  martial  expeditions. 
So  that  without  acquainting  any  creature,  the  Earl  of  Essex  ex- 
cepted, I  shipped  myself  over,  and  at  my  return  was  kept  from 
her  presence  full  six  months,  and  then  received  after  a  strange 
manner.  For  this  absolute  Prince,  to  sever  ill  example  from  grace, 
avers  my  going  over  to  be  a  secret  employment  of  her' s — Protect- 
ing me  to  the  world  with  the  honour  of  her  employment,  rather 
than  she  would,  for  example's  sake,  be  forced  either  to  punish  me 
farther,  or  too  easily  forgive  a  contempt,  or  neglect,  in  a  servant 
so  near  about  her,  as  she  was  pleased  to  conceive  it.' 

We  have  still  a  stronger  instance  of  the  noble  ambition  which 
prevailed  among  the  youth  of  those  days  (which  seems  to  have 
succeeded  to  the  ancient  ardour  of  chivalry),  in  a  remarkable  pas- 
sage (Chap.  /.)  of  Sir  Philip  Sidney's  Life  l-y  Sir  Fulke.  Sir 
Philip,  in  the  midst  of  a  court,  that  esteemed,  loved,  and  almost 
adored  him ;  and  where  he  was  honoured  with  the  favour  and 
confidence  of  his  royal  mistress,  languished  after  the  glory  of  a 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    345 

mighty  foreign  expedition.  He  framed  with  himself  a  scheme 
of  attacking  the  Spaniards  in  America ;  of  subverting  their  go- 
vernment there  j  and  of  laying  the  foundation  of  an  English  set- 
tlement in'  its  place,  upon  such  a  plan,  as  it  might  become  a 
durable  establishment,  and  by  degrees  increase,  till  it  extended 
its  power  from  ocean  to  ocean.  But  knowing  the  Queen  and  her 
Council  would  never  consent,  that  he  should  go  upon  any  em- 
ployment of  so  hazardous  a  nature,  and  so  far  from  England,  he 
secretly  concerted  the  execution  of  his  scheme  with  Sir  Francis 
Drake.  It  was  agreed  between  them,  that  Sir  Francis  should 
have  the  name  and  reputation  of  the  project  while  in  England ; 
but  when  they  set  sail,  the  command  should  be  divided  betwixt 
them;  and  in  the  mean  while,  Sir  Philip  was  to  support  and 
quicken  the  expedition  with  all  his  credit  at  court.  In  conse- 
quence of  this,  Sir  Francis  soon  h£d  a  squadron  assigned  him  :  all 
dispatch  was  used,  and  no  public  expense  spared  in  the  equip- 
ment. Sir  Philip  embarked  a  great  part  of  his  own  fortune  in 
the  adventure  ;  but  carefully  kept  his  design  of  going  himself  on 
board,  a  secret  from  all  his  relations  and  friends,  excepting  Sir 
Fulke,  whom  (to  use  Sir  Fulke's  own  words),  having  been  bred 
up  with  him  from  his  youth,  he  chose  to  be  his  loving  and  beloved 
Achates  in  this  voyage.  When  the  fleet  was  ready,  the  two  ad- 
venturers made  use  of  some  specious  pretence  to  leave  the  court, 
and  go  to  Plymouth,  where  the  fleet  then  was  ;  and  where  they 
were  to  wait  for  a  favourable  wind.  In  the  mean  while  Sir 
Francis  Drake's  resolution  failed;  he  durst  not  risk  the  Queen's 
displeasure;  but  delayed  bis  departure  from  time  to  time  on  va- 
rious pretences,  till  at  last  the  design  of  Sir  Philip  and  Sir  Fulke, 
was  known  at  court.  The  Queen  immediately  dispatched  mes- 
sengers to  Plymouth  to  stop  them ;  or,  if  they  refused  to  obey,  to 
stop  the  fleet.  Sir  Philip  had  the  courage  to  withstand  this  first 
message  (the  letters  having  been  intercepted  and  conveyed  secretly 
into  his  own  hands) :  but  a  second  came  by  a  Peer  of  the  realm, 
with  an  offer  to  Sir  Philip,  on  the  one  hand,  of  an  employment 
under  his  uncle  the  Earl  of  Leicester,  then  going  General  into 
the  Low  Countries;  and  on  the  other  hand,  denouncing  the  se- 
verest displeasure  in  case  of  disobedience.  Upon  this,  our  disap- 
pointed adventurers  returned  to  court,  and  left  Sir  Francis  to 
pursue  his  voyage,  from  which  he  returned  rather  with  wealth 
than  honour. 

After  those  fruitless  attempts  to  follow  his  own  desires,  the  fire 


$46  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

of  youth  beginning  now  to  abate,  Sir  Fulke  came  to  be  sensible 
(as  he  says  himself),  that  it  was  sufficient  for  the  plant  to  grow 
where  the  Sovereigns  hand  had  planted  it:  he  therefore  con- 
tracted his  thoughts,  and  bound  his  prospect  within  the  safe  limits 
of  dvty,  and  in  such  home  services  as  were  acceptable  to  his  Sove- 
reign. 

From  that  time  his  genius  led  him,  at  his  leisure  hours,  to  the 
amusement  of  writing,  particularly  in  the  poetical  waj'.  In  this 
he  followed  the  example  of  his  friend  Sir  Philip  Sidney  ;  and 
though  it  must  be  owned  the  language  in  that  reign  was  neither 
pure  enough,  nor  sufficiently  polished,  to  admit  of  the  ease  and 
elegance  of  the  best  poetry  j  yet  the  writings  of  both  those  authors 
abound  with  noble  sentiments,  and  discover  at  once  genius  and 
good  sense.  They  were  not  satisfied  with  the  bare  amusement 
of  writing;  they  were  both  of  them  great  patrons  of  learning  and 
arts.  Sir  Fulke u  never  ceased  soliciting  Queen  Elizabeth,  till 
she  promoted  the  learned  Camden  to  the  post  of  Clarencieux 
King  at  Arms;  in  gratitude  for  which,  Camden  left  him  in  his 
last  will  a  piece  of  plate  j  and  in  his  Britannia*  mentioning  the 
father  of  Sir  Fulke,  he  adds,  {  whose  only  son  of  the  same  name, 
doth  so  entirely  devote  himself  to  the  study  of  real  virtue  and 
honour,  that  the  nobleness  of  his  mind  far  exceeds  that  of  his 
birth  j  for  whose  extraordinary  favours,  though  I  must  despair  of 
making  suitable  returns,  yet,  whether  speaking  or  silent,  I  must 
ever  preserve  a  grateful  remembrance  of  them.'  Likewise,  Speed, 
in  his  y  Theatre  of  Great  Britain,  speaking  of  Warwick  Castle, 
expresses  himself  thus,  *  The  right  worthy  Knight,*Sir  Fulke  Gre- 
ville,  in  whose  person  shineth  all  true  virtue  and  high  nobility  ; 
whose  goodness  to  me  ward,  I  do  acknowledge,  in  setting  this 
hand  free  from  the  daily  employments  of  a  manual  trade,  and 
giving  it  full  liberty  thus  to  express  the  inclination  of  my  mind  j 
himself  being  the  procurer  of  my  present  estate.' 

The  author  of  the  manuscript  beforementioned  (p.  12),  says, 
1  He  was  many  times  elected  Knight  of  the  Shire,  with  that 
thrice  worthy  and  honoured  Knight,  Sir  Thomas  Lucy.  A  better 
choyse  the  countie  could  not  make;  for  they  were  learned;  wise, 
and  honest.' 

u  Wood's  Athenae  Oxon.  Vol.  I.  p.  410* 

*  P.ige  907,  in  the  last  Edition  of  the  old  Translation. 

Y  Speed's  Theat.  of  Great  Brit.  p.  53. 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    347 

He  continued  in  the  service  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  in  some  ho- 
nourable station  or  other,  during  the  life  of  that  Princess:  among 
other  employments,2  he  had  the  office  of  the  Signet  at  the  Coun- 
cil in  the  Marches  of  Wales,  which  brought  him  in  yearly  above 
two  thousand  pounds  3  and  at  the  Queen's  death,  he  was  Trea- 
surer of  the  Navy,  having  held  that  place  for  some  years.  Nor 
were  his  services  unattended  with  the  favour  and  liberality  of  his 
Sovereign  ;  for  besides  what  he  was  able  to  do  for  his  friends  (of 
whom  he  was  never  unmindful),  having  bought  up  from  private 
hands.some  small  claims  upon  Wedgenock,  he  obtained  from 
the  Queen  (44  Eliz.)  a  grant  of  that  ancient  and  spacious  park, 
for  himself,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  in  as  large  and  ample  manner, 
as  John  Duke  of  Northumberland,  or  Ambrose  Earl  of  Warwick 
had  held  it. 

"  He  had  (says  Sir  Robert  Naunton),  no  mean  place  in 
Queen  Elizabeth's  favour,  neither  did  he  hold  it  for  any  short 
time,  or  termj  for,  if  I  be  not  deceived,  he  had  the  longest  lease, 
the  smoothest  time  without  rubs,  of  any  of  the  favourites.  He 
came  to  the  court  in  his  youth  and  prime,  as  that  is  the  time, 
or  never  j  he  was  a  brave  gentleman,  and  hopefully  descended 
from  Willoughby  Lord  Brooke,  and  admiral  to  Henry  VII.  nei- 
ther illiterate  j  for  he  was,  as  he  would  often  profess,  a  friend  to 
Sir  Philip  Sidney,  and  thereof  is  now  extant,  some  fragments  of 
his  pen,  and  of  the  times,  which  do  interest  him  in  the  Muses, 
and  which  shews  him  the  Queen's  election  had  ever  a  noble  con- 
duct j  and  its  motions  more  of  virtue  and  judgment  than  of  fancy. 
I  find  that  he  neither  sought  for,  nor  obtained  any  great  place,  or 
preferment  in  court,  during  all  his  time  of  attendance  j  neither 
did  he  need  it  j  for  he  came  thither  backed  with  a  plentiful  for- 
tune, which,  as  himself  was  wont  to  say,  was  then  better  held 
together  by  a  single  life,  wherein  he  lived  and  died,  a  constant 
courtier  of  the  ladies." 

At  the  coronation  of  James  I.  July  15th,  1(503,  he  was  made 
Knight  of  the  Bath  5  and  soon  after  was  called  from  being  Trea- 
surer of  the  Navy,  to  be  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer;  and 
was  admitted  into  his  Majesty's  Privy-Council.  In  the  second 
of  that  King's  reign,  he  obtained  a  grant  of  Warwick  Castle, 
with  the  gardens,  and  other  dependencies  about  it.  He  then 
found  it  in  a  ruinous  condition;  the  towers  and  other  strong 
places  of  it  being  used  for  the  common  gaol  of  the  county.     But 

2  MS.  prxd.  p.  12. 


348  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

at  an  expense  of  about  twenty  thousand  pounds,  he  repaired  and 
adorned  it  for  the  seat  of  his  family.  Moreover,  he  made  a  pur- 
chase of  the  Temple  grounds  adjoining,  and  beautified  them  with 
large  and  stately  plantations ;  with  an  intention,  as  it  would  seem, 
to  put  in  execution  the  design  which  George  Duke  of  Clarence  for- 
merly had,  of  making  a  park  of  them  under  his  windows :  a  design, 
which  Francis  the  present  Earl  Brooke,  and  Earl  of  Warwick,  since 
he  became  lord  of  the  manor,  has  been  able  to  accomplish.  Upon 
the  whole,  he  so  repaired  this  great  and  venerable,  but  ruinous 
castle,  as  to  render  it  (as  Dugdale  says),  a  not  only  a  place  of  great 
strength,  but  extraordinary  delight ;  with  most  pleasant  gardens, 
walks,  and  thickets :  such  as  this  part  of  England  can  hardly  pa- 
rallel', so  that  now  it  is  the  most  princely  seat  that  is  within  the 
midland  parts  of  this  realm.  Besidei  the  honour  of  this  grant,  he 
had  the  benefit  of  several  others  from  the  crown,  in  the  sai*d  reign; 
one  of  which  was  a  free  grant  of  the  manor  and  lands  of  Knowle, 
in  the  county  of  Warwick. 

It  appears  from  what  has  been  said  above,  that  he  had  in  his 
own  person,  the  hereditary  right  of  a  Peerage;  being,  by  his 
grandmother,  heir  at  law  to  Robert  Willoughby,  Lord  Brooke, 
who  had  been  called  up  by  writ  of  summons  to  the  house  of 
Lords.  But  it  was  probably  not  then  a  point  clear  in  law,  that 
after  an  honour  had  been  for  some  time  in  abeyance  in  the  female 
line,  it  could  afterwards  be  claimed  by  the  heir  at  law;  as  indeed 
the  question  was,  but  for  the  first  time,  and  in  this  very  case, 
decided  in  the  house  of  Lords  (8  William  III.)  on  the  petition 
of  Richard  Verney,  of  Compton  Murdak,  Esq.  whose  claim  to 
the  Peerage  of  Willoughby  oj  Broke  was  then  admitted;  he  being 
grandson  and  heir  to  Margaret  abovementioned,  who  was  only 
sister  and  heir  at  law  to  this  Sir  Fulke  Grevile.  But,  however 
that  point  of  law  might  then  have  been  thought  of,  Sir  Fulke 
accepted  of  letters  patent,  bearing  date  January  Igth,  1620-1,  by 
which  he  was  advanced  to  the  dignity  of  a  Baron  of  this  realm, 
by  the  title  of  Loud  Brooke,  Baron  Brooke  of  Rcauchamfis- 
Court,  in  the  county  of  Warwick;  with  limitations  of  that  honour, 
in  default  of  heirs  male  of  his  own  body,  to  his  Kinsman,  Robert 
Grevile,  son  to  Fulke  Grevile,  of  Thorpe  Latimer,  in  the  county  of 
Lincoln,  Esq.  The  reasons  assigned  in  the  patent  for  his  crea- 
tion, were  his  faithful  services  to  Queen  Elizabeth  and  the  then 
present  King ;  and  that  he  was  of  noble  extraction :  being  dc- 

a  Dugd.  Warwick,  p.  343. 


EARL  BUOOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    S49 

scended  of  the  blood  of  the  Nevils,  the  Willoughbys,  and  the 
Beauchamps.  On  his  being  created  a  Peer,  he  resigned  his  em- 
ployment of  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer,  and  was  made  one  of 
the  Gentlemen  of  his  Majesty's  Bedchamber.  He  never  married; 
but  being  desirous  to  maintain  his  family  in  the  rank  to  which 
he  had  greatly  contributed  to  raise  it,  he  freed  from  intail  all  the 
estates  he  had  inherited  from  his  ancestors  ;  and  adding  to  those, 
such  as  he  had  acquired  by  grant  from  the  crown,  or  by  pur- 
chase, he  settled  the  whole,  by  his  last  will  and  testament,  upon 
his  cousin,  Robert  Grevile  (in  whose  favour  he  had  obtained  the 
reversion  of  his  honours),  and  to  the  heirs  male  of  his  body;  with 
the  remainder  over  to  the  heirs  male  of  Sir  Edward  Grevile,  of 
Harold-Park,  the  third  branch  of  Xxis  family. 

This  will  was  executed  on  February  18th,  1627-8,  and  was 
then  witnessed  by  several  gentlemen,  at  that  time  in  his  service; 
among  whom  was  one  Haywood,  who  had  been  long  his  servant. 
Some  months  afterwards,  a  codicil  was  added,  granting  annuities 
to  those  gentlemen  by  name ;  omitting,  however,  this  Haywood, 
whom  he  probably  did  not  think  entitled  to  his  liberality.  Hay- 
wood resented  this  neglect  to  such  a  degree,,  that  a  few  days 
afterwards,  being  alone  with  his  Lord  in  his  bedchamber,  in 
Brooke-house  in  Holborn,  he  entered  into  a  warm  and  insolent 
expostulation  with  him:  and  in  his  fury  stabbed  hirn  in  the  back. 
The  villain  made  his  escape  into  another  room,  which  he  locked, 
and  before  it  could  be  broke  open  for  him  to  be  seized,  he  mur- 
dered himself.  Lord  Brooke  languished  a  few  days  with  his 
wound ;  but  before  he  died,  he  ordered  another  short  codicil  to 
be  added  to  his  will,  in  which  he  left  handsome  legacies  to  the 
surgeons,  and  others  who  attended  him  on  this  occasion.  He  died 
©n  September  30th,  1628,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age, 
and  was  buried  with  great  solemnity}  Sir  William  Segar,  Knight, 
Garter  King  at  arms;  Sir  Henry  St.  George,  Knight,  Richmond 
Herald ;  and  Henry  Chitting,  Esq.  Chester  Herald,  directing  the 
funeral.  His  body  was  laid  in  his  own  vault,  in  the  great  church 
at  Warwick,  under  a  monument,  which  he  had  erected  himself, 
with  this  remarkable  inscription : 

Fulke  Grevile, 

Servant  to  Queen  Elizabeth, 

Councellor  to  King  James, 

and  Friend  to  Sir  Philip  Sidney. 

Trophamm  Peccati. 


350  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

A  list  of  this  Nobleman's  works,  with  a  short  Memoir  of  him, 
may  be  found  in  Lord  Or  ford's  Royal  and  Noble  Authors,  with 
Additions  by  Mr.  Park.1*    Lord  O.  calls  him  "  a  man  of  much 
note  in  his  time  5  but  one  of  those  admired  wits,  who  have  lost 
much  of  their  reputation  in  the  eyes  of  posterity.     A  thousand 
accidents  of  birth,  court-favour,  ©r  popularity,   concur  some- 
times to  gild  a  slender  proportion  of  merit.    After-ages,  who  look 
when  those  beams  are  withdrawn,  wonder  what  attracted  the 
eyes  of  the  multitude.     He  piqued  himself  most,  and  it  was  his 
chief  merit,  on  being,  as  he  styled  himself  on  his  tomb,  the 
Friend  of  Sir  Philip  Sidney.0    It  was  well  he  did  not  make 
the  same  parade  of  his  friendship  with  the  Earl  of  Essex :  an 
anecdote  I  have  mentioned  before,  seems  to  show  that  he  was  not 
so  strict  in  all  his  friendships.     He  had  more  merit  in  being  the 
patron  of  Camden.     We  are  told,  that  he  proposed  to  write  the 
Life  of  Queen  Elizabeth ;  a  work  not  much  to  be  regretted,  as 
he  himself  acquainted  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  that  "  though  he 
intended  to  deliver  nothing  but  the  truth,  yet  he  did  not  hold 
himself  bound  to  tell  all  the  truth  j"  a  dispensation  which,  of  all 
ranks  of  men,  an  historian  perhaps  is  the  last  that  has  a  right 
to  give  himself.     What  he  conceals,  is  probably  the  part  that 
would  afford  most  information.     It  is  worth  the  reader's  while  to 
have  recourse  to  the  original  passage,  where  he  will  find  the  gross 
shifts  used  by  Salisbury  to  render  Sir  Fulke's  meditated  history 
abortive  j  which,  however,  he  seemed  to  have  little  reason  to 
dread,  after  the  declaration  I  have  mentioned." 

.Lord  Brooke's  principal  works  are  contained  in  the  following: 
Certaine  learned  and  elegant  IPbries  of  the  Right  Honourable 
Fulke  Lord  Brooke,  written  in  his  youth  and  familiar  exercise 
with  Sir  Philip  Sidney.  The  several  names  of  which  workes  the 
following  page  doth  declare.  London,  Printed  by  E.  P,  for  Henry 
Seyle,  and  are  to  be  sold  at  his  shop  at  the  signe  of  the  Tygers  head 
in  St.  Paules  Churchyard,  1633.  fol.  The  contents  are,  1.  A 
Treatie  of  Humane  Learning.  2.  An  Inquisition  upon  Fame  and 
Honour.  3.  A  Treatise  of  Words.  4.  The  Tragedie  of  Alaham. 
5.  The  Tragedie  of  Mustapha.  6.  Coelica,  containing  CIX  Son- 
nets. 7.  A  Letter  to  an  Honourable  Lady,  &c.  8.  A  Letter  of 
Travell.d 

fc  II.  p.  22c. 

•  It  was  on  this  pretence  that  Lord  Orford  introduced,  under  the  article  of  this 
Peer,  the  disparaging  sketch  of  Sir  Philip  Sidney,  which  has  given  such  just  of- 
fence. 

d  An  account  of  this  Peer  may  be  found  in  most  of  our  Biographical  woiks  : 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    351 

Upon  the  death  of  Fulke  Lord  Brooke,  the  elder  branch  of  the 
family,  in  the  male  line,  ended  j  and,  as  observed  before,  Mar- 
garet, his  sister,  carried  the  honours  of  the  female  line  into  the 
family  of  Verney, 

But  Robert,  second  Lord,  of  the  second  branch  of  the  fa- 
mily, who  succeeded  him  in  his  fortune  and  title,  succeeded  him 
likewise  in  the  honour,  being  next  in  male  descent  from  the  first 
Sir  Fulke,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  who,  as  already  shewn,  was 
not  only  heiress  of  the  family  of  Willoughby  of  Brooke,  but  twice 
descended  of  the  old  Earls  of  Warwick  :  for  this  Robert,  second 
Lord  Brooke,  and  Dorothy  his  sister  (married  to  Sir  Arthur  Hasle- 
rigg,  of  Nosely,  in  the  county  of  Leicester),  were  the  only  issue 
of  Fulke  Grevile,  Esq.  the  eldest  son  of  Robert  Grevile,  of  Thorpe 
Latimer,  in  the  county  of  Lincoln,  Esq.  second  son  to  the  said 
Sir  Fulke  Grevile,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife. 

This  e  Robert,  while  but  an  infant  of  four  years,  was  in  a 
manner  adopted  as  a  son  by  his  cousin,  the  Lord  Brooke,  who 
from  that  time  provided  for  his  education  and  breeding,  so  as  to 
render  him  worthy  of  the  estate  and  dignity  he  intended  to  con- 
fer upon  him.  He  returned  from  his  travels  beyond  seas  about 
the  age  of  twenty;  and  in  the  same  year  was  elected  to  serve  for 
the  borough  of  Warwick,  in  the  parliament  then  called,  but  soon 
after  unhappily  dissolved.  He  succeeded  his  cousin,  Fulke  Lord 
Brooke  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  and  soon  after  married  Lady 
Catharine  Russell,  eldest  daughter  to  Francis  Earl  of  Bedford. 

The  principles  of  government  he  had  imbibed  in  his  education, 
which  were  probably  confirmed  from  his  intimate  connection 
with  the  Bedford  family,  made  him  disapprove  of  the  measures 
which  were  carried  on  by  the  court,  in  the  beginning  of  the  reign 
of  Charles  I.  So  deeply  was  he  affected  with  the  grievances  com- 
plained of  at  that  time,  and  so  discouraged  at  the  gloomy  prospect 
that  overspread  the  nation,  that  he  entered  into  a  design  with  the 
Lord  Viscount  Say  and  Sele,  to  leave  England,  and  settle  in  a 
corner  of  the  world,  remote  from  the  oppression  of  a  court. 
f  Those  two  noblemen  procured  from  Robert  Rich,  Earl  of  War- 
wick, an  assignment  of  part  of  a  large  tract  of  land  in  North  Ame- 
rica (now  part  of  New  England),  which  he  had  obtained  a  grant 
of  from  the  crown;  and  in  1635,  sent  over  George  Fenwick,  Esq. 

particularly  Wood  j  Cibber's  Lives  of  the  Poets  ;  Biogr.  Diam.  Biogr.  Bit.  and 
Biogr.  Diet.  &c. 

*  MSS.  prxd.  p.  14  and  17. 

*  Brk.  Emp.  in  Amer.  Vol.  I.  p,  67,  68. 


352  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

to  begin  a  settlement  in  that  country,  and  prepare  a  place  of  re- 
treat for  them  and  their  friends;  in  consequence  of  which  a  town 
was  there  built,  which  thence  bears  the  name  of  Saybrook.  But 
when  afterwards  a  spirit  rose  in  England,  in  opposition  to  the  ar- 
bitrary measures  of  bad  administration,  and  that  there  were  hopes 
of  reforming  the  abuses  of  government,  he  laid  aside  the  thoughts 
of  retiring  from  his  own  country  ;  and  was  one  of  the  first  who 
assumed  the  boldness  of  asserting  the  cause  of  liberty,  even  in  the 
face  of  the  court,  s  When  the  King  in  his  expedition  against 
the  Scots,  A.  D,  1639,  had  summoned  the  nobility  to  meet  him 
at  York;  and  it  was  thought  fit,  by  the  whole  body  of  the  coun- 
cil, that  a  short  protestation  should  be  drawn,  in  which  all  men 
should  f  Profess  their  loyalty  and  obedience  to  his  Majesty,  and 
disclaim  and  renounce  the  having  any  intelligence,  or  holding  any 
correspondence  with  the  rebels;'  of  the  English  nobility,  the 
Lord  Say,  and  the  Lord  Brooke,  positively  refused,  in  the  King's 
own  presence,  to  make  any  such  protestation.  They  said,  '  If 
the  King  suspected  their  loyalty,  ha  might  proceed  against  them 
as  he  thought  fit:  but  that  it  was  against  the  law  to  impose  any 
oaths  or  protestations  upon  them,  which  were  not  enjoined  by 
law;  and,  in  that  respect,  that  they  might  not  betray  the  com- 
mon liberty,  they  would  not  submit  to  it.'  From  that  time  Lord 
Brooke  proceeded  in  the  measures  of  his  party  with  steadiness  and 
resolution ;  and  when  the  war  broke  out  betwixt  the  King  and 
the  Parliament,  and  all  the  great  men  of  England  ranged  them- 
selves on  one  side  or  the  other,  he  adhered  to  that  of  the  Parlia- 
ment ;  and  was  in  such  esteem  with  those  of  their  party,  that  (as 
Lord  Clarendon  h  says),  '  They  had  scarce  a  more  absolute  con- 
fidence in  any  man  than  in  him.'  And  yet,  from  the  universal 
character  he  had  of  good  nature,  justice,  and  love  of  his  country, 
there  is  reason  to  believe,  that  had  he  lived  to  see  to  what  a 
height  the  Parliament  afterwards  carried  matters,  he  would  have 
disapproved  of  their  conduct ;  and  might  have  been  instrumental 
in  moderating  the  violence  of  that  party,  and  in  establishing  a 
peace,  founded  upon  the  security  of  the  constitution  and  rights  of 
the  crown.  Lord  Clarendon  '  seems  indeed  to  have  been  of  an- 
other opinion.  But  it  is  certain  the  Earl  of  Bedford,  with  whom 
he  lived  in  the  strongest  connections,  not  long  after,  openly  dis- 
approved of  the  violence  of  the  Parliament  party,  and  came  over 
from  them  to  the  King. 

§  Clarend.  fol.  Vol.  I.  p.  93.  h  Clarend.  Vol.  II.  p.  114. 

i  Ibid. 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    353 

To  leave  conjectures  about  what  might  have  been,  and  return 
to  what  really  did  happen,  he  engaged  in  the  civil  war  on  the  side 
of  the  Parliament ;  and  such  was  his  influence  in  Warwickshire, 
that  he  carried  with  him  almost  the  whole  county.  He  was  of  so 
much  the  more  consequence  to  his  party,  that  by  him  they  had 
the  castle  of  Warwick ;  which  by  being  situated  in  the  heart  of 
England,  and  fortified  by  nature,  proved  a  most  convenient  place 
of  arms,  and  one  of  the  strongest  of  their  garrisons. 

k  Lord  Brooke  having,  in  consequence  of  a  commission  from 
the  Parliament,  in  the  months  of  June  and  July  1642,  arrayed  the 
militia  of  the  counties  of  Warwick  and  Stafford,  repaired  to  Lon- 
don, to  procure  artillery  and  military  stores  for  his  castle;  but 
before  he  went,  he  constituted  Sir  Edward  Peito,  of  Chesterton, 
Governor,  and  left  with  him  one  or  two  pieces  of  small  cannon, 
and  what  muskets  and  ammunition  he  could  spare.  On  his  re- 
turn with  a  suitable  train  of  artillery,  he  was  met  by  the  Earl  of 
Northampton,  at  Edge  Hill,  with  a  considerable  body  of  troops. 
The  two  Lords  at  first  prepared  for  action  5  but  (says  the  author 
of  the  manuscript  abovementioned),  to  prevent  the  effusion  of 
blood,  it  was  at  last  agreed  between  them,  that  Lord  Brooke 
should  return  back  to  Banbury  with  his  ordnance,  and  that  nei- 
ther of  them  should  fetch  it  from  thence,  without  giving  the  other 
three  days  notice.  However  that  may  be,  Lord  Northampton, 
on  Lord  Brooke's  return  to  London,  came  up  to  Banbury  with  a 
powerful  body  of  horse  and  foot,  surprised  the  castle,  and  carried 
off  the  cannon.  He  was  no  sooner  master  of  this  artillery,  than 
he  marched  to  Warwick  5  and  having  summoned  Sir  Edward 
Peito  to  surrender  the  castle,  he,  upon  his  refusal,  proceeded  to 
besiege  it.  The  siege  begun  August  7th,  and  continued  till  the 
23d  of  that  month  ;  when  the  Lord  Brooke,  coming  from  Lon- 
don with  a  body  of  horse  and  foot,  was  met  by  part  of  the  Earl 
of  Northampton's  troops  within  five  miles  of  Warwick,  between 
Southam  and  Itchington,  where  a  skirmish  ensued,  in  which  Lord 
Brooke  had  the  advantage;  and  upon  this  the  siege  was  raised  : 
Lord  Northampton  retreated  towards  the  North,  and  Lord  Brooke 
entered  the  castle,  to  the  great  joy  of  Sir  Edward  Peito,  and  his 
small  garrison,  who,  though  poorly  provided  with  ordnance  and 
military  stores,  had  defended  the  place  a  whole  fortnight. 

The  Lord  Brooke  remained  at  Warwick,  or  in  the  neighbour* 
hood,  till  near  the  end  of  September,  when  the  Earl  of 'Esse*, 

k  MS.  praed.  p.  zS,  &c. 
VOL.  IV.  2   A 


354  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

with  the  Parliament  army,  arrived  at  that  town.  Having  intelli- 
gence that  the  King's  army  were  then  at  Worcester,  the  Earl, 
with  Lord  Brooke,  and  the  whole  army,  advanced  towards  that 
place :  but  not  to  be  impeded  in  his  march,  he  left  the  most  of 
.his  heavy  ordnance,  and  what  ammunition  he  had  not  immediate 
occasion  for,  at  Warwick-Castle.  The  Earl  of  Essex,  on  his  ap- 
proach to  Worcester,  finding  the  King's  army  filed  off  towards 
Shrewsbury,  and  thence  to  the  borders  of  Oxford  and  Warwick- 
shire, prepared  to  follow  them.  But  as  his  heavy  carriages,  from 
the  badness  of  the  roads,  and  backwardness  of  the  people  in  that 
country  to  furnish  horses,  could  not  be  made  to  keep  up  with  the 
army,  it  was  thought  proper  the  Lord  Brooke  should  go  on  to 
Warwick,  and  from  thence  send  supplies  of  ammunition  to  meet 
the  army  on  their  march.  He  arrived  at  that  place  October  22d  -, 
and  the  day  following,  sent  from  the  magazines  of  the  castle  some 
cart-loads  of  ammunition  for  the  army,  which  the  night  before 
had  come  up  to  Kineton,  within  two  miles  of  Edge-hill,  where 
the  King's  army  then  lay.  Lord  Brooke  having  thus  dispatched 
his  carriages,  set  out  about  one  of  the  clock  the  same  day  (the 
23d),  to  join  the  army.  But,  while  he  was  on  the  road,  the  en- 
gagement began  ;  which  he  was  soon  informed  of,  by  the  crowds 
who  fled  on  the  first  charge  of  the  King's  horse.  He  prevailed 
with  many  to  return  with  him  j  and  making  what  haste  he  could  to 
join  the  battle,  arrived  in  time  to  have  some  share,  personally,  in 
the  success  of  the  day,  and  in  keeping  the  field  the  night  follow- 
ing. His  own  regiment  had  marched  with  the  General,1  and  was 
one  of  those  who  fought  in  the  right  wing,  which  entirely  broke 
the  left  of  the  King's  army.  The  next  day,  in  the  evening,  the 
Earl  of  Essex,  the  rest  of  the  nobility,  and  some  others  of  distinc- 
tion in  the  Parliament  army,  came  to  Warwick  j  the  whole  army 
followed  them  the  day  after,  and  went  into  quarters  of  refresh- 
ment there,  and  in  the  neighbourhood.  The  prisoners  of  note 
were  conducted  to  the  castle  j  the  chief  of  whom  (says  the  au- 
thor of  the  manuscript  beforementioned,  p.  48),  was  the  Earl  of 
Lindsey,  who  being  shot  near  the  knee,  died  of  his  wound  as  he 
entered  the  castle,  before  he  could  be  carried  into  his  chamber. 

Not  long  after  the  battle,  viz.  January  7th,  1642-3,  the  Lord 
Brooke  was  appointed  General,  and  Commander  in  chief  (under 
the  Earl  of  Essex),  and  of  the  associated  counties  of  Warwick 
and  Stafford,  and  the  parts  adjacent.     mIn  consequence  of  this 

J  Rush.  Hist.  Coll.  Part  III.  Vol.  II.  p.  37.  m  Ibid.  p.  147  and  148. 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    355 

commission,  having  cleared  Warwickshire  of  all  opposition,  he 
advanced  into  Staffordshire  j  and  hearing  that  Lord  Chesterfield, 
with  about  300  men  under  his  command,  was  in  possession  of 
Litchfield,  resolved,  in  the  first  place,  to  dislodge  them.  He 
therefore  took  a  troop  of  reformadoes,  and  400  foot,  which  he 
had  from  London;  to  which  he  added  100  out  of  Warwick- castle, 
200  out  of  Coventry,  and  about  300  of  the  most  forward  of  the 
country,  who  came  and  offered  themselves ;  a  troop  of  horse  sent 
him  by  Sir  John  Gell,  and  106  dragoons,  in  all  about  1200  strong; 
with  those,  and  one  demi-eulverin,  and  some  small  drakes,  he 
advanced,  and  came  before  the  town  of  Litchfield  on  Wednesday, 
March  1st.  After  some  hot,  but  short  service,  he  obliged  Lord 
Chesterfield  to  leave  the  town,  and  retire  into  the.  Close  (or  yard 
belonging  to  the  minster),  a  place,  which  by  the  strength  of  the 
walls,  and  its  situation,  was  more  defensible.  While  his  soldiers 
were  assaulting  this  place,  and  particularly  St.  Chad's  church, 
thereto  adjoining,  Lord  Brooke  having  withdrawn  into  a  house, 
to  give  directions,  as  he  was  looking  out  of  the  window  for  that 
purpose,  a  musket  bullet  struck  him  in  the  right  n  eye,  of  which 
he  immediately  died.  His  soldiers  were  so  exasperated  at  his 
death,  that  Sir  John  Gell  being  sent  for,  and  supplying  his  place, 
the  assault  was  renewed  with  more  fury  than  before,  the  Close 
was  forced,  and  all  within  made  prisoners. 

Sir  William  Dugdale,0  speaking  of  this  Lord  Brooke,  gives 
this  character  of  him  :  e  A  person  he  was,  who  for  the  nobleness 
of  his  extraction,  and  many  personal  endowments,  deserved  a  bet- 
ter fate;  at  least  to  have  fallen  in  a  better  cause;  who  (had  he 
lived,  it  is  believed  by  his  friends),  would  soon  have  seen  through 
the  pretences  of  that  faction.' 

His  character  (not  only  as  a  great  man,  but  an  able  writer), 
appears  in  the  hands  of  one  of  his  own  party,  one  of  the  most 
celebrated  writers  of  his  age:  Milton/  in  a  speech,  in  which  he 
pleads  for  the  liberty  of  unlicensed  printing,  addressing  himself  to 
the  Parliament,  says,  *  I  shall  only  repeat  what  I  have  learnt 
from  one  of  your  honourable  number,  a  right  honourable  and 
pious  Lord,  whom,  had  he  not  sacrificed  his  life  and  fortune  to  the 
church  and  commonwealth, we  had  not  now  missed,  and  bewailed 
a  worthy  and  undoubted  patron  of  this  argument.  Ye  fyiow  him, 
I  am  sure;  yet  I,  for  honour's  sake,  and  may  it  be  eternal  to  him, 

■■ 

n  MS.  juaeJ.  p.  57.  °  Bar.  Vol.  II,  p.  443. 

P  P*ose  Works,  Vol.  I.  p.  158.  • 


S5&  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

shall  name  him,  the  Lord  Brooke.  He,  writing  of  episcopacy, 
and  by  the  way,  treating  of  sects  and  schisms,  left  you  his  vote, 
or  rather  now,  the  last  words  of  his  dying  charge,  which  I  know 
will  ever  be  of  dear  and  honoured  regard  with  you ;  so  full  of 
meekness,  and  breathings  charity,  that  next  to  the  last  testament 
of  him  who  bequeathed  love  and  peace  to  his  disciples,  I  cannot 
call  to  mind  where  I  have  met  with  words  more  mild  and  peace- 
ful. He  there  exhorts  us  to  bear  with  patience  and  humility, 
those,  however  (hey  may  be  miscalled,  who  desire  to  live  purely, 
in  such  use  of  God's  ordinances,  as  the  best  guidance  of  their  con- 
science gives  them  j  and  tolerate  them,  though  in  some  discon- 
formity  to  ourselves.  The  book  itself  will  tell  us  more  at  large, 
being  published  to  the  world,  and  dedicated  to  the  Parliament, 
by  him,  who,  both  for  his  life  and  for  his  death,  deserves,  that 
what  advice  he  left  should  not  lie  by  without  perusal.' 

After  his  deaths  which  happened  in  the  thirty-sixth  year  of  his 
age,  the  Parliament,  by  an  ordinance,  settled  the  wardship  of  the 
young  Lord  Brooke,  his  son,  upon  Catherine  Lady  Brooke,  his 
widow/  daughter  of  Francis  Russell,  earl  of  Bedford.  And  a  few 
years  after,  the  Commons,  on  a  message  from  the  Lords,  voted 
50001.  for  the  use  of  his  youngest,  a  posthumous,  son.  By  this 
Lady  he  had  issue,  in  all,  five  sons,  viz. 

Francis,  third  Lord,  who  succeeded  him  in  honour  and 
estate,  but  died  unmarried. 

Robert,  who  succeeded  his  brother,  as  fourth  Lord  Brooke. 

Edward,  and  Algernon,  who  died  bachelors.     And 

Fulke,  who  was  born  after  the  death  of  his  father,  and  suc- 
ceeded his  brother  Robert. 

Robert,  fourth  Lord  Brooke,  was  instrumental  in  the  re- 

9  "  There  were  many  discourses  and  observations  upon  his  death,  that  it  should 
be  upon  St.  Chad's  day  (being  the  second  day  of  March),  by  whose  name,  he  be- 
ing a  bishop  shortly  after  the  planting  of  Christianity  in  this  Island,  that  church 
had  been  anciently  called.  AnJ  it  was  reported,  that  in  his  prayer  that  very 
morning  (for  he  used  to  pray  publicly,  though  his  Chaplain  were  in  his  presence) 
he  wished,  "  that  if  the  Cause  he  were  in,  were  not  right  and  just,  he  might 
be  presently  cut  off."  They  who  were  acquainted  with  him,  believed  him  to 
be  well-natured,  and  just;  and  rather  seduced,  and  corrupted  in  his  understand- 
ing, than  perverse  and  malicious.  Whether  his  passion  or  conscience  swayed  him, 
he  was  undoubtedly  one  of  those  who  could  have  been  with  most  difficulty  recon- 
ciled to  the  government  of  Church  or  State  :  and  therefore  his  death  was  looked 
upon  as  no  ill  omen  of  Peace,  and  was  exceedingly  lamented  by  his  party  ;  which 
had  scarce  a  more  absolute  confidence  in  any  man  than  in  him."  Lord  Clarendon's 
Hist.  Rebell.  Vol.  II.  p.  149. 

*  Rush.  Hist.  Coll.  Vol.  VII.  p.  965. 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    357 

storation  of  Charles  II.  and  was  sone  of  the  six  Lords  sent  by 
the  house  of  Peers  to  Holland,  with  twelve  of  the  house  of  Com- 
mons, to  present  the  humble  invitation  and  supplication  of  the 
Parliament,  That  his  Majesty  would  he  pleased  to  return,  and 
take  the  government  of  the  kingdom  into  his  hands.  He  was  ap- 
pointed Lord  Lieutenant  of  ihe  county  of  Stafford,  and  city  of 
Litchfield,  August  20th,  lfjfjO;  and  constituted  Recorder  of  War- 
wick for  life,  in  a  new  charter  granted  to  that  corporation ;  which 
office  his  predecessors,  Fulke,  first  Lord  Brooke,  Robert  Lord 
Brooke,  his  father,  and  the  Earl  of  Bedford,  his  uncle  (during 
the  minority  of  his  brother  Francis),  had  held  before  him.  He 
was  likewise  chosen  High-Steward  of  Stafford,  and  Stratford- 
upon-Avon  ;  and  contributed  much  to  the  embellishment  of 
Warwick-Castle,  by  fitting  up  the  state  apartment  there,  at  a 
considerable  expense,  and  in  a  manner  suited  to  the  taste  of  the 
times  in  which  he  lived.  He  married  Anne,  daughter,  and  at 
last  sole  heir,  to  John  Doddington,  Esq.  son  and  heir  of  Sir  Wil- 
liam Doddington,  of  Bremer,  in  the  county  of  Southampton  ;  by 
whom  he  had  six  sons,  John,  Francis,  Charles,  Robert,  William, 
and  Fulke,  who  all  died  young;  and  two  daughters;  Anne,  mar- 
ried to  William  Earl  of  Kingston;  and  Doddington,  to  Charles, 
Earl,  and  afterwards  Duke  of  Manchester.  He  died  at  Bath,  Feb- 
ruary 17th,  1676,  and  leaving  no  male  issue,  was  succeeded  in 
honour  and  estate  by  his  youngest  brother, 

Fulke,  fifth  Lord  Brooke,  who  was  (soon  after  the  death 
of  his  brother),  chosen  recorder  of  Warwick ;  and,  upon  the  re- 
newal of  the  charter  of  that  corporation,  was  therein  constituted 
Recorder  for  life.  He  married,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Sir  Samuel 
Dashwood,  Alderman  of  London,  by  whom  he  had  issue  four 
sons,  and  seven  daughters;  viz. 

1.  Francis. 

2.  Algernon,  who  married  Mary,  daughter  of  the  Lord  Arthur 
Somerset,  fifth  son  of  Henry  Puke  of  Beaufort,  by  whom  he  had 
two  daughters ;  Mary/  married  to  Shuckburgh  Boughton,  Esq. ; 
and  Hester;  as  also  one  son,  Fulke  Greville,  Esq.  of  Wil berry, 
Wilts,  a  gentleman  who  distinguished  himself  by  a  book,  enti- 
tled "  Maxims  and  Characters,"  in  the  manner  of  Rochefoucault, 
who  by  Frances11  his  wife,  daughter  of  James  Macartney,  Esq. 

»  Clarend.  Hist.  Vol.  VI.  p.  768. 
1  Mother  of  the  present  Sir  Charles  Boughton  Rojs,  Bart,  and  of  the  wife  of 
the  late  Lord  Templetown. 

11  She  was  author  of  the  celebrated  Ode  U  Indiferencje, 


356  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

had  issue  six  sons;  Algernon,  who  died  young  ;  William,  a  Cap* 
tain  in  the  Navy 5  James;  another  son  a  Clergyman;  Henry- 
Francis,  formerly  in  the  Army,  married,  first,  a  sister  of  Sir  Bel- 
lingham  Graham,  Bart. ;  and,  secondly,  the  widow  of  Sir  Henry 
Lambert,  Bart,  j  and  Charles,  married,  March  31st,  1793,  Lady 
Charlotte  Bentinck,  daughter  of  the  Duke  of  Portland,  by  whom 
he  has  issue  two  sons.  Also  one  daughter,  Frances-Ann,  married 
to  John  Crewe,  of  Crewe-Hall,  in  the  county  of  Chester,  Esq, 
now  Lord  Crewe. 

3.  Doddington,  who  died  at  Bath  unmarried,  in  1738,     And, 

4.  Robert,  who  died  beyond  the  seas. 

Of  the  seven  daughters,  Catharine  was  married  to  Baptist  Noel, 
Earl  of  Gainsborough;  and,  secondly,  to  John  Sheffield,  Duke  of 
Buckinghamshire;  Anne  died  unmarried  ;  Elizabeth,  wedded  to 
Francis  Lord  Guildford ;  the  three  next  daughters,  Sarah,  Mary, 
and  Diana,  died  unmarried;  and  Henrietta,  the  youngest,  was 
married  to  Sir  James  Long,  of  Draycote,  in  com.  Wilts,  Bart,  and 
departed  this  life  on  May  18th,  1765,  at  Bath. 

The  said  Fulke  Lord  Brooke  died  at  his  seat  at  Twickenham, 
in  com.  Middlesex,  in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age,  October 
22d,  1710. 

The  abovementioned  Francis,  the  eldest  son,  married  Lady 
Anne  Wilmot,  eldest  daughter  of  John,  and  sister  and  co-heir  of 
Charles  Earl  of  Rochester  (and  widow  of  Henry  Baynton,  of  Spy 
Park,  in  Wiltshire,  Esq.),  but  died  October  11th,  1710,  eleven 
days  before  his  father,  leaving  issue  by  the  said  Lady  Anne,  two 
sons. 

1 .  Fulke,  who  succeeded  his  grandfather. 

2.  William,  who  succeeded  his  brother. 

Also  two  daughters;  Elizabeth,  who  died  unmarried;  and  Ca- 
tharine, who  married  the  honourable  Charles  Egerton,  youngest 
son  of  John  Earl  of  Bridgewater. 

Fulke,  sixth  Lord  Brooke,  survived  his  father  and  grand- 
father but  five  months;  and  dying  at  University  College  in  Ox- 
ford, in  February  171O-II,  had  sepulture  among  his  ancestors  on 
March  3d  following,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  brother, 

William,  seventh  Lord  Brooke,  who  soon  after  he  came 
cf  age,  was  chosen  F.ecorder  of  Warwick.  He  married  Mary, 
second  daughter  and  co-heir  of  the  honourable  Henry  Thynne, 
Esq.  only  son  to  Thomas  first  Viscount  Weymouth.  By  this 
Lady  (who  died  on  March  29th,  1720),  he  had  three  sons;  Wil- 
liam, baptized  April  2d,  17 18,  who  died  at  four  months  old;  Fulke, 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    *59 

baptized  April  1st,  1719,  who  departed  this  life,  aged  twenty-two 
weeks  and  six  days  5  and  Francis,  created  Earl  Brooke.  This 
William,  Lord  Brooke,  died  in  the  thirty-third  year  of  his  age,  on 
July  28th,  1727. 

The  said  Francis,  first  Earl,  when  he  succeeded  his  father, 
as  eighth  Lord  Brooke,  was  but  eight  years  old;  and  soon 
after  he  came  of  age,  was  chosen  Recorder  of  Warwick.  His 
Lordship,  on  July  7th,  1746,  was,  by  letters  patent,  advanced  to 
the  dignity  of  an  Earl  of  Great  Britain,  by  the  style  and  title  of 
Earl  Brooke  of  Warwick-castle,  in  the  county  of  Warwick  j 
and  on  July  6th,  1749,  was  invested  with  the  offices  of  Lord- 
Lieutenant  and  Custos  Rotulorum  of  the  said  county  j  but  he  re- 
signed them  in  June  1757-  He  was,  in  March  1753,  elected  a 
Knight  of  the  most  ancient  order  of  St.  Andrew,  or  the  Thistle : 
and  the  title  of  Earl  of  Warwick  being  extinct  by  the  death  of 
Edward  Rich  Earl  Warwick  and  Holland,  on  September  7th,  175Q, 
his  Majesty  was  pleased  to  add  the  dignity  of  Earl  of  War- 
wick to  his  Lordship's  other  titles,  by  letters  patent  dated  No- 
vember 2/th,  that  year,  and  he  afterwards  obtained  a  grant  to 
him  and  his  descendants  Earls  of  Warwick,  for  bearing  the  Crest 
anciently  used  by  the  Earls  of  that  county,  viz.  On  a  Wreath  a 
Bear  erect  Argent,  muzzled  Gules,  supporting  a  ragged  Staff  of 
the  first. 

In  May  1742,  his  Lordship  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  to  the 
Lord  Archibald  Hamilton  (a  younger  son  of  William  Duke  of 
Hamilton,  by  the  Lady  Jane  Hamilton,  daughter  to  James  Earl 
of  Abercorn).    By  her,  who  survived  till  April  1800r  he  had, 

1.  Lady  Louisa-Augusta,  born  April  14th,  1743  (to  whom  his 
Royal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales  was  godfather,  and  the  Prin- 
cess of  Wales  godmother) :  she  was  married  on  April  23d,  1770* 
to  William  Churchill,  of  Henbury,  in  Dorsetshire,  Esq.  and  has 
issue. 

2.  Lady  Frances-Elizabeth,  born  May  11th,  1744,  who  on  July 
17th,  1762,  was  married  to  Sir  Harry  Harpur,x  of  Calke,  in 
Derbyshire,  Bart,  who  died  in  1787- 

3.  Lady  Charlotte-Mary,  who  married  John,  then  Lord  Gar- 
lies,  since  Earl  of  Galloway,  and  died  May  31st,  1763$  these 
daughters  were  all  born  in  London. 

On  September  16th,  1746,  he  had  a  son,  George,  born  at  War- 
wick-Castle (the  King  doing  him  the  honour  of  standing  god- 
father by  Lord  Conway  his  proxy),  who  is  now  Earl  of  Warwick, 

*  By  whom  she  had  the  present  Sir  Henry  Harpur. 


360  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

On  March  1st,  1 748,  he  had  a  fourth  daughter,  born  at  Lon- 
don, who  was  christened  Isabella,  but  died  the  same  day. 

On  May  12th,  1749,  he  had  a  second  son,  Charles-Francis, 
born  at  his  house  at  North-End,  in  the  county  of  Middlesex, . 
member  in  parliament  for  the  county  of  Warwick,  1774,  and  then 
one  of  the  Lords  Commissioners  for  Trade  and  the  Plantations, 
and  F.  R.  S.     He  died  April  I8O9. 

On  February  3d,  1751,  he  had  a  third  son,  Robert-Fulke,  born 
in  London,  who  was  a  Lieutenant  in  the  first  regiment  of  Foot 
Guards,  with  the  rank  of  Captain  in  the  army  j  and  also  member 
for  the  county  of  Warwick,  1774.  He  is  now  Groom  of  the  Bed- 
chamber to  the  King  j  and  married,  October  19th,  1797,  Louisa 
Countess  Dowager  of  Mansfield  5  and  has  issue. 

On  August  26th,  1 760,  Lady  Anne,  his  fifth  daughter,  was 
born,  and  died  May  26th,  1783. 

His  Lordship  departed  this  life  at  Warwick-Castle,  on  July  6th, 
J  773,  and  was  succeeded  in  titles  and  estate  by  his  eldest  son, 

George,  second,  and  present  Earl  Brooke  and  Earl  of 
Warwick  j  who  at  his  succeeding  to  the  Peerage,  was  one  of 
the  Knights  for  the  county  of  Warwick,  and  one  of  the  Lords 
Commissioners  for  trade  and  plantations;  and  is  now  Recorder  of 
Warwick,  and  a  Vice  President  of  the  Foundling-Hospital.  His 
Lordship  was  first  married  on  April  1st,  1/7 1>  to  Georgina,  daugh- 
ter of  Sir  James  Peachey,  Bart,  afterwards  Lord  Selsey  j  which 
Lady  was  delivered  of  a  son, 

George,  Lord  Grevile,  their  only  child,  March  25 tb,  1772,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  four  years. 

This  Lady  dying  on  April  3d,  following,  his  Lordship  remained 
a  widower  till  July  177^»  when  he  was  married  to  the  daughter 
of  Richard  Vernon,  of  Hilton,  in  the  county  of  Stafford,  Esq.  by 
whom  he  has, 

1.  Henry  Lord  Brooke,  born  April  11th,  1779>  Colonel  of  the 
Warwickshire  Militia,  and  M.  P. 

2.  Charles,  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  38th  Regiment  of  Foot. 

3.  Robert. 

4.  Lady  Elizabeth,  died  January  23d,  1806. 

5.  Lady  Henrietta,  married  February  9th,  1805,  John,  Earl  of 
Clonmell. 

6.  Lady  Caroline. 

7.  Lady  Augusta  Louisa, 
Q.  Lady  Charlotte* 


EARL  BROOKE,  AND  EARL  OF  WARWICK.    36l 

Titles,  George  Grevile,  Earl  Brooke  of  Warwick-Castle,  and 
Earl  of  Warwick,  Lord  Brooke,  and  Baron  Brooke,  of  Beau- 
champ's  Court,  in  com.  Warwick. 

Creations.  Lord  Brooke,  Baron  Brooke  of  Beauchamp's- Court, 
in  com.  Warwick,  by  letters-patent,  January  gth,  1020-1,  18 
Jac.  I. ;  Earl  Brooke  of  Warwick-Castle,  in  the  county  of  War- 
wick, July  7th,  1746,  20  Geo.  II. 3  and  Earl  of  Warwick,  No- 
vember 27th,  1759,  33  Geo.  II. 

Arms.  Sable,  on  a  cross  within  a  border  both  ingrailed,  Or, 
five  pellets. 

Crest.  In  a  ducal  coronet,  Gules,  a  swan  with  wings  expanded, 
Argent,  beak'd,  Sable. 

Supporters.  Two  swans  Argent,  beak'd  and  member'd  Sable, 
and  ducally  gorg'd  Gules. 

MottO.      VlX    EA    NOSTRA    VOCO. 

Chief  Seats.  At  Warwick-Castle,  in  the  county  of  Warwick  | 
and  at  Ealing,  in  Middlesex. 


3(52  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


HOBART  EARL  OF  BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 

From  Sir  James  Hobart,  Knight,  Attorney -general  and  of  the 
Privy  Council  to  Henry  VII,  do  the  several  branches  of  the  Ho- 
barts  owe  their  principal  rise  ;  yet  the  family  was  of  genteel  ex- 
traction in  Norfolk  for  many  generations  before. 

John  Hobart  is  a  mentioned,  in  deeds,  to  be  owner  of  lands  at 
De  la  Tye,  in  the  said  county,  in  1389  i  ms  son  Godfrey,  of  the 
same  place,  is  also  mentioned  in  1407. 

And  his  son  John,  in  10  Henry  VI.  who  had  issue 
Thomas  Hobart  of  the  Tye,  and  Gedford  street,  in  the  said 
county;  and,  deceasing  in  1458,  37  Henry  VI.  left  issue  by  his 
wife  Eleanor,  daughter  and  heir  of  Robert  At  Church  (by  his 
wife  Eleanor,  daughter  and  heir  of  John  Taylor,  alias  Amfrey,  or 
Kellesey), 

William,  his  son  and  heir,  living  in  1478,  who  was  father  of 
Thomas  Hobart,  who  resided  at  Leyham,  and  had  issue  two 
sons : 

1.  William,  who  had  tbe  estate  at  Leyham,  and  having  mar- 
ried Anne,  daughter  to  Sir  Philip  Tilney,  and  heir  to  her  mother; 
from  them  descended  the  Hobarts  of  Monks  Illegh,  afterwards  of 
Lindsey;  and  the  Hobarts  of  Milding,  and  others  who  settled  in 
London. 

2.  James,  the  youngest  son,  by  his  prudent  acquisitions,  left 
a  fine  estate  to  his  posterity.  He  was  (says  Fuller  in  his  Wor- 
thies of  Norfolk),  a  right  good  man,  of  great  learning  and  wis- 
dom. Being  entered  at  Lincoln's  Inn,  for  the  study  of  the  laws, 
he    made  such    proficiency  therein,    that  in   18  Edward  IV. 

*  Ex  Stemmate  in  Brit.  Mui.  N.  i$$z  Harl.  MSS. 


EARL  OF  BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.  sftj 

¥  he  was  elected  Lent  reader  of  that  society  $  and  in  the  same 
year  was  one  of  c  the  governors  thereof,  and  so  continued  till  23 
Henry  VII.  j  also  in  2  Henry  VII. d  was  constituted  Attorney- 
general  to  the  King,  and  afterwards  sworn  of  his  Privy  Council, 
and  continued  Attorney-general  till  his  decease  in  1507,  and  was 
buried  in  Norwich  cathedral. e  On  February  18th,  1502-3,  he 
was  made  f  one  of  the  Knights  of  the  sword,  at  the  creation  of 
Henry  Prince  of  Wales,  and  was  in  the  highest  esteem.  Dr.  Hol- 
land, in  the  additions  to  Camden,  gives  this  account  of  him: 
*  The  river  Yare  (saith  he),  receiveth  a  brook,  which  passeth  by 
nothing  memorable  but  Halles-Hall,  and  that  only  memorable  for 
the  ancient  owner,  Sir  James  Hobart,  Attorney-general,  and  of 
the  Privy-Council  to  King  Henry  the  Seventh  5  Jby  him  dubbed 
Knight,  at  such  time  as  he  created  Henry  his  son,  Prince  of 
Wales 3  who,  by  building  from  the  ground  the  fair  church  of  Lod- 
don, being  his  parish  church,  St.  Olave's  Bridge  (commonly 
called  St.  Tooley's)  over  Waveny,  that  divideth  Norfolk  and  Suf- 
folk, the  causey  thereby,  and  other  works  of  piety,  deserved  well 
of  the  church,  his  country,  and  the  common  weal,  and  planted 
three  houses  of  his  own  issue.'  From  Weevers  Funeral  Monu- 
ments, p.  862,  we  are  informed,  that  he  was  buried  in  Loddon 
church,  near  his  wife  Margaret,  daughter  of  Peter  Naunton.  Esq. 
who  died  before  him,  A.D.  14Q4  5  and  there  yet  remains  in  the 
north  chapel,  next  the  chancel,  a  raised  tomb  which  was  inlaid 
with  brass,  and  two  portraitures  thereon,  but  the  inscription  is 
defaced  5  but  according  to  Blomefield's  History  of  Norfolk,  and 
Dr.  Browne's  Repertorium,  he  was  buried  in  Norwich  cathedral. 
He  rebuilt  the  parish  church  at  Loddon,  and  the  bridge  at  St. 
Olave's,  commonly  called  St.  Tooley's  Bridge,  and  made  the 
causeway  by  it.  They  had  issue  two  sons,  Walter  and  Miles 
Hobart. 

Walter,  the  eldest  son,  succeeded  at  Halles-Hall;  and  having 
been  knighted,?  was  Sheriff  of  Norfolk  and  Suffolk,  in  27  Hen- 
ry VIII.  From  him,h  and  Anne,  his  first  wife,  daughter  to  Sir 
Henry  Heydon,  Knight,  descended  the  Hobarts  of  Halles-Hall, 
and  Blyford,  in  com.  Suff.  and  from  his  second  wife,  Ann,  daugh- 
ter to  John  Ratcliff,  Lord  Fitzwalter,  and  sister  to  Robert  Earl  of 
Sussex,  are  derived  the  Hobarts  of  Morley,  in  com.  Norf. 

b  Dugd.  Orig.  Jurid.  p.  249.  c  Ibid.  p.  258. 

d  Dugd.  Chron.  Series,  p.  75.  e  Ibid.  p.  79. 

f  Nom.  Equit.  in  Bib!.  Cotton,  Claudius.  C.  3. 

t  Fuller's  Worthies  in  Norf.  h  Visitation  of  Norfolk. 


364  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Miles,  second  son  of  Sir  James,  was  seated  at  Plumsted,  in 
Norfolk;  and  having  married  Eleanor,  youngest  daughter  to  John 
Blenerhasset,  Esq.  of  Frense,  in  Norfolk,  had  issue  two  sons. 

1.  Thomas.     And, 

2.  John,  who  married  Anne,  daughter  of  Sir  Philip  Tilney, 
Knight,  and  settling  at  Wayte,  in  com,  Norf.  became  the  founder 
of  that  branch. 

Thomas,  the  eldest,  succeeded  to  the  estate  at  Plumsted  ;  by 
his  wife  Audrey,  daughter  and  heir  of  William  Hare,  of  Beeston, 
in  com.  Norf.  Esq.  he  had  two  sons; 

1 .  Miles,  who  received  the  honour  of  knighthood,  and  inhe- 
rited the  estate  at  Plumsted. 

2.  Henry,  who  had  the  estate  of  Intwood,  in  Norfolk;  also 
two  daughters,  Mary  and  Ellen. 

Which  Henry,  Jirst  Baronet,  applied  himself  to  the  study  of 
the  laws;  and,  being  entered  at  Lincoln's-Inn,  attained  such 
knowledge  therein,  and  grew  into  such  esteem,  that  in  3Q  Eliz. 
he  was  Elected  one  of  the  governors  of  that  society;  and  in  the 
parliament  which  met  the  same  year,  was  k  returned  one  of  the 
burgesses  for  Yarmouth,  as  also  in  43  Eliz.  and,  two  years  after,1 
was  called  to  the  degree  of  Serjeant  at  Law.  On  the  accession  of 
King  James  I.  to  the  English  crown;  the  honour  of  m  knighthood 
was  conferred  both  on  him  and  John,  his  eldest  son,  July  23-d, 
1603.  In  the  first  parliament  called  by  that  King,  he  served  for 
the  city  of  Norwich,  and  after  for  Yarmouth.  He  was  so  much 
reverenced  for  his  abilities  and  learning,  that  in  the  third  of  that 
reign,  he  was  made  "Attorney  of  the  court  of  Wards;  also,  in 
the  next  year,  °  July  4th,  constituted  the  King's  Attorney  General. 
On  June  22d,P  in  the  ninth  year  of  King  James,  he  was,  by  Letters 
patent,  constituted  one  of  the  governors  of  the  Charter-house,  at 
the  first  institution  of  that  great  charity ;  and  was  advanced  to 
the  degree  of  a  Baronet  at  the  first  erection  of  that  dignity,  in 
l6ll,  being  the  ninth  in  precedency;  also  two  ^ years  after,  on 
November  26th,  was  constituted  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  the  Com- 
mon Pleas;  which  post  he  filled  with  notable  sufficiency,  and 
died  therein,  December  26th,  1625;  a  great  loss  to  the  public 
weal,  as  Sir  Henry  Spelman r  writes ;  and  I  find  that  he  contri- 

i  Dngd.  Orig.  Jurid.  p.  262.  k  Ex  Collect.  B.  Willis,  Arm. 

J  .Dugd.  Chron.  Series,  p.  101.         m  Philpot's  Cat.  of  Knights,  p.  14  and  23. 

»  Dugd.  Orig.  p.  263.  °  Pat.  4.  Jac.  I.  p.  „o. 

P  Hist.  Account  of  Tho.  Sutton,  Esq.  p.  46.- 

3  Pat.  11  Jac.  I.  p.  5.  1  Glossar.  Lit., 


EARL  OF  BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.  365 

buted  1001.  towards  new  building  the  chapel  of  Lincoln 's-Inn, 
which  was  finished  in  1623.  His  motto s  was,  Non  Moriar,  sed 
Vivam. 

Since  his  death  have  been  published  Reports  of  several 
Law  Cases,  which  bear  this  title  :  The  Reports  of  that  Reverend 
and  learned  Judge,  the  Right  Honourable  Sir  Henry  Holart, 
Knight  and  Bart.  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  his  Majesty  s  Court  of 
Common  Pleas,  and  Chancellor  to  loth  their  Highnesses,  Henry, 
and  Charles,  Princes  of  Wales,  &c. 

He  lieth  buried  under  a  fair  monument  in  the  middle  isle,  on 
the  north  side,  in  Christ-Church,  Norwich  ;  and  by  Dorothy  his 
wife,  daughter  to  Sir  Robert  Bell,  of  Beaupre-hall,  in.  com.  Norf. 
Knt.  Lord  Chief  Baron  of  the  Exchequer,  whom  he  married  at 
Blickling,  on  April  22d,  15QO,  had  issue  sixteen  children;-  the 
nativities  whereof  he  recorded  in  a  Bible,  bought  by  the  late  Ralph 
Thoresby,  of  Leeds,  F.  R.  S. :  according  to  which, 

Henry,  his  eldest  son,  was  born  at  Norwich,  on  April  28tb, 
1591  (but  died  young,  as  did  three  others),  and  that  his  twelfth 
and  youngest  son,  named  also  Henry,  was  born  on  November 
17th,  1619.     Those  who  survived1  were, 

1.  Sir  John.     And, 

2.  Sir  Miles,  of  whom  hereafter. 

3.  Nathaniel,  married  to  Ann  Beke. 

4.  James,  who  wedded  Mary  Proud. 

5.  Thomas. 

6.  Robert. 

7.  Edmund,u  who  died  October  14th,  1607,  Fellow  of  Eton 
college,  and  was  buried  in  the  chapel  thereof. 

He  had  four  daughters;  the  eldest,  Dorothy,  born  on  March 
14th,  1591-2,  was  the  first  wife  of  Sir  Robert  Crane,  of  Chilton, 
in  Suffolk,  Knt.  and  Bart,  and  died  on  April  lith,  1624.  The 
others  were  Mary ;  Elizabeth,  born  on  March  17th,  1608,  mar- 
ried to  John  Lisle,  Esq.  and  died  March  15th,  1633,  as  appears 
from  an  inscription  on  a  stone  in  Higbgate  chapel,  in  Middlesex^ 
where  she  was  buried;  Frances,  youngest  daughter,  married  to 

- Hewet,  Esq.  died  on  Whitsun-Monday,  May  21st,   1632, 

and  was  also  buried  at  Highgate. 

John,  second  Baronet,  the  eldest  surviving  son,  born  at  Nor- 
wich, on  April  19th,  15p3,  succeeded  in  the  title  of  Baronet. 

s  Dugd.  Orig.  p.  235.  *  Harl.  MSS.  No.  i$$  i  and  1552,  in  Brit.  Mus. 

u  Le  Neve,  Vol.  I.  p.  15. 


» 


3(56  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

having  been  knighted  with  his  father.  He  was  seated  at  Blick- 
ling,  in  com.  Norf.  a  manor  his  father  had  purchased,  and  had 
built  there  a  stately  house  ?  he  was  also  possessed  of  the  estate  at 
Plumsted,  upon  the  failure  of  the  line  of  his  cousin.  Sir  Thomas 
Hobart.  He  x  served  in  parliament  in  1  Jac.  I.  for  Corf-Castle, 
in  Dorsetshire 5  also  in  that  reign  for  Lestwithiel,  in  Cornwall ; 
and  for  the  borough  of  Thetford,  1  Car.  I.  j  and  for  the  county 
of  Norfolk,  in  the  l6th  of  that  reign.  He  married  two  wives  5 
Philippa,  daughter  to  Robert  Sidney,  Earl  of  Leicester,  by  whom 
he  had  a  daughter,  Dorothy  5  and  this  Lady  deceasing  in  Septem- 
ber 1620,  he,  secondly,  married  Lady  Frances,  eldest  daughter  to 
John  Egerton,  first  Earl  of  Bridgwater  5  her  Ladyship  y  was  born 
in  London,  Anno  1603,  and  had  nine  children,  of  which  only 
one  lived  to  be  married,  the  rest  died,  all  either  in  their  infancy, 
or  before  they  arrived  at  their  years  of  puberty.    The  daughter 

that  married  was  z  wife  to  Sir  John  Hobart.  Bart,  the  heir 

of  her  father's  honour.  This  lady  Frances  Hobart  died  at  Chap- 
plefield,  in  Norwich,  on  Sunday,  November  27th,  1664,  and  was 
buried  in  a  vault  belonging  to  the  family  of  her  dear  and  noble 
husband,  at  Blickling,  in  Norfolk,  on  December  1st  following  j 
therein  paying  her  deceased  husband  a  last  obedience,  who  made 
it  his  first  request  to  her  upon  her  marriage  day.  Sir  John  dying 
in  1647,  after  a  long  illness,  left  only  a  daughter,  as  is  above- 
mentioned  j  whereupon  the  title  and  estate  entailed  descended  to 
his  nephew,  John  Hobart,  Esq.  son  and  heir  of  his  brother,  Sir 
Miles  Hobart,  Knight. 

"Which  Sir  Miles  Hobart  was  born  at  Plumsted,  on  April  12th, 
1595,  and  a  knighted  at  Salisbury  by  James  1.  on  August  8th, 
1623.  He  was  a  member  of  that  parliament  which  met  on  March 
17th,  1627-8,  and  distinguished  himself  in  opposing  the  designs 
of  the  court}  being  among  those  members,b  who,  on  March  2d, 
162S  9,  foreseeing  the  dissolution  of  the  parliament,  forcibly  held 
the  Speaker  in  the  chair,  whilst  they  published  a  protestation  in 
the  house,  declaring,  1 .  Whoever  shall  bring  in  innovation  of  re- 
ligion, or  by  favour  or  countenance  seek  to  extend  or  introduce 
Popery  or  Arminianism ,  or  other  opinion  disagreeing  from  the  true 
and  orthodox  churchy  shall  be  reputed  a  capital  enemy  to  this  king- 

x  Willis's  Not.  Pari.  p.  159,  1 2 8,  212,  246. 
7  Sermon  preached  at  her  Ladyship's  funeral,  by  Mr.  John  Collings  :  London 
printed  1669,  under  the  title  of  The  Excellent  Woman. 

2  It  was  not  by  this  wife  that  his  heirs  were  descended, 
a  Philpot,  p.  87.  *>  Rushworth's  Hist.  Collections,  p.  670. 


EARL  OF  BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.  367 

dom  and  commonwealth.  2.  Whoever  shall  counsel  or  advise  the 
taking  and  levying  of  the  subsidies  of  tonnage  and  poundage,  not 
granted  by  parliament,  or  shalt  be  an  actor  or  instrument  therein, 
shall  be  likewise  reputed  an  innovator  in  the  government,  and  ca- 
pital enemy  to  the  kingdom  and  commonivealth.  3.  If  any  mer- 
chant, or  person  whatsoever,  shall  voluntarily  yield,  or  pay  the 
subsidies  of  tonnage  and  poundage,  not  being  granted  by  parlia- 
ment, he  shall  likewise  be  reputed  a  betrayer  of  the  liberties  of 
England,  and  an  enemy  to  the  same.  On  this  the  parliament  was 
immediately  dissolved,  and  Sir  Miles  Hobart  was  imprisoned  c  for 
locking  the  door  of  the  house,  during  the  publishing  the  aforesaid 
protestation.  He  was  not  discharged^  before  the  year  1631,  and 
then  was  obliged  to  give  sureties  for  his  good  behaviour.  Whe- 
ther he  was  again  imprisoned,  or  what  other  hardships  he  un- 
derwent, does  not  appear  j  but,  dying  in  l6lQ,  before  the  civil 
wars  broke  out,  his  sufferings  were  esteemed  so  meritorious  by 
the  long  parliament,6  that  they  voted,  in  the  year  1646,  that 
50001.  should  be  given  to  his  children,  in  recompence  thereof, 
and  for  opposing  the  illegalities  of  that  time.  He  married  Susan, 
daughter  to  Sir  John  Peyton,  of  Iselham,  Bart,  by  whom  he  had 
issue  John,  his  son  and  heir,  and  a  daughter,  Alice,  married  to 
John  Jermy,  of  Bayfield,  in  Norfolk,  Esq. 

Sir  John  Hobart,  third  Baronet,  who  was  twelve  years  old  at 
his  father's  death,  succeeding  his  uncle  as  beforementioned,  was 
Knight  of  the  shire  for  Norfolk,  in  the  three  last  parliaments 
called  by  Charles  II.  and  had  the  honour  of  a  visit  from  that  King, 
at  his  seat  at  Blickling,  at  which  time  he  knighted  Henry,  his 
eldest  son.  Sir  John,  by  Mary  his  first  wife,  daughter  of  John 
Hambden,  of  Hambden,  in  com.  Bucks,  Esq.  and  widow  of  Colo- 
nel Hammond,  had  also  issue,  *  .        . 

1.  Sir  Henry. 

2.  James  Hobart,  Esq.  his  second  son,  who  died  in  Jus  father's 
lifetime,  aged  near  nine  years,  and  was  buried  at  Blickling  on 
f  October  23d,  16/0;  also  two  other  sons. 

3.  John,  a  Brigadier-Genefal  in  the  army  of  his  late  Majesty, 
and  Captain  and  Governor  of  Pendennis- castle,  in  the  county  of 
Cornwall,  who  died  at  his  house  in  Queen -street,  Lincoln's-Inn- 
Fields,  on  November  7th,  1734,  and  was  buried  at  Blickling. 
And, 

c  RushworttYs  Hist.  Collections,  p.  677.  *  Whitlock's  Mem.  p.  16. 

«  Ibid.  p.  238.  *  Le  Neve,  Vol.  V.  p.  88. 


3<J&  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

4.  Thomas,  who  was  of  Lincoln's-Inn,  and  died  unmarried. 

Also  two  daughters  ;  Philippa,  married  to  Sir  Charles  Pye,  of 
Clifton-Camvile,  in  the  county  of  Stafford,  Bart.j  and  Mary,  who 
died  unmarried. 

Sir  John  married,  secondly,  the  daughter  and  heir  of  his  uncle, 
Sir  John  Hobart,  by  Lady  Frances  Egerton.s 

Sir  Henry,  fourth  Baronet,  succeeded  his  father  in  the  title 
and  estate,  and  was  elected  one  of  the  Burgesses  for  Lynn-Regis, 
in  the  parliament  that  met  at  Oxford,  23  Car.  II.  and  sat  with 
his  father,  who  served  in  the  same  parliament,  as  Knight  of  the 
shire  for  Norfolk.  He  engaged  among  the  first  who  appeared  for 
the  Revolution ;  and  in  the  Convention  Parliament  (being  one  of 
the  Knights  of  the  shire  for  Norfolk),  declared  for  the  vacancy 
of  the  throne.  He  was  gentleman  of  the  horse  to  King  William, 
and  attended  on  him  at  the  battle  of  the  Boyne,  in  Ireland,  on 
July  1st,  169O.  In  the  7th  year  of  that  Prince's  reign,  he  was 
again  elected  one  of  the  Knights  of  the  shire  for  Norfolk,  and 
constantly  behaved  himself  like  a  man  of  honour,  and  a  true  pa- 
triot of  his  country ;  but  in  1699,  resenting  some  words  spoken 
by  Oliver  Le  Neve,  Esq.  a  duel  ensued,  wherein  he  was  mortally 
wounded.  He  was  buried  at  Thetfordj  and  Mr.  Le  Neve,  being 
tried  at  Norwich,  on  March  16th,  1699-1700,  was  found  guilty 
of  manslaughter.  Sir  Henry's  Lady  was  the  eldest  daughter  of 
Joseph  Maynard,  Esq.  son  and  heir  of  Sir  John  Maynard,  Knight, 
one  of  the  commissioners  of  the  Great  Seal  in  the  reign  of  King 
William  j  which  Lady  survived  him,  and  died  of  a  consumption 
on  August  22d,  ]  701  ;  and  by  her  he  had  issue  one  son, 

John,^r^^  Earl  of  Buckinghamshire.     And 

Three  daughters  j  1 .  Henrietta,  married,  first,  to  Charles  How- 
ard, ninth  Earl  of  Suffolk  3 h  and,  secondly,  to  the  Hon.  George 

?  It  appears  by  the  funeral  sermen  before  quoted,  that  by  this  daughter  and 
heiress  of  his  uncle,  Sir  John  Hobart,  Bart,  after  several  years  he  had  a  son,  after 
which  this  Lady  did  not  long  survive,  dying  of  the  Small-pox  (several  years  be- 
fore her  mother),  and  her  son  and  only  child,  died  soon  after. 

k  She  lived  at  Marble-hill,  Twickenham  ;  and  was  a  well-known  acquaintance 
of  Pope,  the  Poet,  under  the  name  of  "  Mrs.  Howard."  She  was  in  much  fa- 
vour with  King  George  II.  an  influence  which  is  supposed  to  have  contributed 
to  the  grant  of  her  brother's  Peerage.     See  Coxe's  Memoirs  of  Sir  R.  Walpole, 

I.  279- 

"  Having  (says  Coxe),  ingrafted  herself  into  the  favour  of  Queen  Caroline, 
then  Electoral  Princess,  she  accompanied  her  to  England,  and  became  her  Bed- 
chamber woman.  If  we  were  to  draw  an  estimate  of  the  understanding  and  cha- 
racter of  Mrs.  Howard,  from  the  representations  of  Pope,  Swift,  and  Gay,  during 


EARL  OF  BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.  369 

Berkeley,  Esq.  fourth  son  of  Charles  second  Earl  of  Berkeley. 
2.  Catharine,  wedded  to  Lieutenant  General  Charles  Churchill. 
And,  3.  Dorothy,  who  died  unmarried. 

John,  first  Earl  of  Buckinghamshire,  onlyson  of  Sir  Henry, 
was  in  the  fifth  year  of  his  age  at  his  father's  decease.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  Clare-hall  in  Cambridge,  and  afterwards  travelled  beyond 
the  seas;  from  whence  on  his  return,  he  was  elected  a  member 
for  the  borough  of  St.  Ives,  in  the  county  of  Cornwall,  in  the  first 
parliament  called  by  George  I.  and  in  1722  for  the  said  borough; 
also  for  the  borough  of  Beer- Alston,  in  Devonshire.  On  Sept.  22d, 
1721,  he  was  constituted  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  trade  and 
the  plantations;  and  on  June  17tb,  1/25,  was  installed  one  of  the 
Knights  Companions  of  the  most  honourable  Order  of  the  Bath. 
At  the  accession  of  his  late  Majesty,  he  was  made  Treasurer  of  the 
Chamber;  and  elected  one  of  the  Knights  of  the  shire  for  Nor- 
folk, as  also  chosen  for  Beer- Alston.    And  was  advanced,  on  May 
28th,  1/28,  to  the  dignity  of  a  Baron  of  this  realm,  by  the  title 
of  Lord  Hob  art,  Baron  Holart  of  Blickling,  in  the  county  of 
Norfolk:  and,  on  January  31st,  1739-40,  was  sworn  Lord-Lieu- 
tenant of  the  county  of  Norfolk.     On  his  Lordship's  resigning 
his  post  of  Treasurer  of  the  Chamber,  his  Majesty  constituted  him, 
on  December  24th,  1744,  Captain  of  the  band  of  Gentlemen 
Pensioners;  and  on  January  3d,  following,  he  was  sworn  of  the 
Privy  Council.     Also  on  September  5th,  1746',  he  was  advanced 
to  the  dignity  of  an  Earl  of  the  kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  by  the 
name,  style,  and  title  of  Earl  of  Buckinghamshire;  and,  as 
such,  took  his  seat  in  the  house  of  Peers,  on  November  16th  fol- 
lowing. 

His  Lordship  married  to  his  first  wife,  Judith,  daughter  to  Ro- 
bert Britiffe,  of  Baconsthorpe,  in  Norfolk,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had 
issue  three  sons. 

1.  Henry,  who  died  an  infant. 

the  time  of  her  favour,  we  might  suppose  that  she  possessed  every  accomplish- 
ment and  good  quality  which  were  ever  the  lot  of  a  woman.  The  real  truth  is, 
that  Mrs.  Howard  was  more  remarkable  for  beauty  than  for  understanding,  and 
the  passion  which  the  King  entertained  for  her,  was  rather  derived  from  chance, 
than  from  any  combination  of  those  transcendent  qualities  which  Pope  and  Swift 
ascribed  to  their  court-divinity.  She  had  been  long  wholly  unnoticed  by  the 
Prince,  who  was  enamoured  of  another  Lady,  that  was  more  cruel  to  the  royal 
lover  than  Mrs.  Howard.  This  Lady  was  the  beautiful  and  lively  Mary  Bellen- 
den,  daughter  of  Lord  Bellenden,  Maid  of  Honour  to  Queen  Caroline,  when 
Princess  of  Wales,  and  a  great  friend  of  Mrs.  Howard."  She  lived  to  an  advanced 

^YOL  d/vng  ^  1?67'    ^    /'#^    ***    ~*"**"^   >^  ~fa*6*£    . 


3;o  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

2.  John,  second  Earl  of  Buckinghamshire.     And, 

3.  Robert,  who  died  in  the  eighth  year  of  his  age,  on  May  22dr. 
J733. 

He  had  also  five  daughters  j  whereof  Lady  Dorothy,  on  Octo- 
ber 21st,  1752,  married  Charles  Hotham,  Esq.  Colonel  of  the  first 
regiment  of  Foot  Guards  (and  eldest  son  of  Beaumont  Hotham, 
Esq.  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  Customs),  who  afterwards 
succeeded  to  the  Baronetage,  and  took  the  name  of  Thompson. 
She  died  1/98,  leaving  one  daughter.     The  others  died  infants. 

The  said  Lady,  Judith,  dying  on  February  7th,  1726-7,  his 
Lordship  married,  secondly,  on  February  10th,  1 727-8,  Elizabeth, 
sister  to  Robert  Bristow,  Esq.  one  of  the  Clerks  Comptrollers  of 
his  Majesty's  Household,  and  by  her  had  two  sons 3  viz. 

4.  George,  third  Earl. 

5.  Henry,  who  sat  many  years  in  parliament,  of  which  he  was 
an  active  member.  He  married  Anne-Margaret,  daughter  of  John 
Bristow,  Esq.  and  by  her,  who  died  July  12th,  1788,  had  issue, 
1.  Anne-Catharine,  married,  September  23d,  1784,  Montagu 
Wilkinson,  Esq.  2.  Maria  -Anne,  married  Captain  Frazer.  S.Leo- 
nora. 4.  Henry,  in  Holy  Orders.  Their  father  died  May  10th, 
1799,  M.  P.  for  Norwich,  and  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
Ways  and  Means. 

His  Lordship  died  at  his  house  in  St.  James's  Square,  London, 
on  September  22d,  1756;  and  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son 
John,  Lord  Hobart,  second  Earl  of  Buckinghamshire.  His  Lady, 
survived  him  till  September  1762. 

John,  second  Earl  of  Buckinghamshire,  whilst  he  bore 
the  title  of  Lord  Hobart,  was  returned  at  the  general  election,  in 
1747,  both  for  the  city  of  Norwich,  and  the  borough  of  St.  Ives : 
but  chose  his  seat  for  the  former  j  and  was  Knight  of  the  Shire 
for  Norfolk,  when  he  succeeded  to  the  peerage.  His  Lordship, 
in  February  1762,  exhibited  a  noble  instance  of  public  spirit  and 
regard  for  matrimony,  by  allotting  an  annual  donation  of  ten 
guineas  to  five  young  women,  daughters  of  freemen  of  Norwich, 
upon  their  marriage  with  the  sons  of  freemen.  In  his  father's 
lifetime  he  was  comptroller  of  his  Majesty's  household ;  and  soon 
after  his  accession  to  the  peerage,  was  constituted  a  Lord  of  the 
Bedchamber,  and  sworn  of  the  Privy  Council.  When  the  present 
King  ascended  the  throne,  his  Lordship  was  continued  at  the 
council*table,  and  Lord  of  the  Bedchamber ;  which  last  he  re- 
signed November  6th,  1767.  On  July  17th,  1762,  he  was  de- 
clared Ambassador-extraordinary  and  Plenipotentiary  to  Peter  III. 


EARL  OF  BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.  371 

Emperor  of  Russia;  but  that  Prince  departing  this  life  about  that 
time,  his  Lordship  was  employed  in  the  same  quality  to  his  Im- 
perial consort  and  successor,  Catherine  II.  He  resided  at  the 
Russian  court  till  January  1st,  17&5,  when  he  had  an  audience  of 
leave  of  that  Princess;  and  arriving  at  London,  on  March  2Sth 
following,  met  with  a  very  gracious  reception  from  his  Majesty. 
In  177^>  his  Lordship  was  appointed  Lord  Lieutenant  General 
and  General  Governor  of  the  kingdom  of  Ireland ;  and  arriving 
at  Dublin  on  January  3d,  1777*  w&  immediately  sworn  into  the 
said  high  office,  and  took  upon  him  the  government  of  the  said 
kingdom. 

His  Lordship  first  married  on  July  14th,  1761,  Mary- Ann, 
eldest  daughter  and  coheir  of  the  late  Sir  Thomas  Drury,  of  Over- 
stone,  in  Northamptonshire,  Bart,  by  whom  he  had  four  daugh- 
ters. 

1.  Henrietta,  born  April  7th>  1762,  married  in  March  1780, 
Armar  Corry,  Earl  of  Belmore;  and  being  divorced  in  1792,  re- 
married William,  Earl  of  Ancram. 

2.  Caroline,  born  February  24th,  1/67,  married,  June  4th, 
1792,  the  Hon.  William  Asheton  Harbord,  eldest  son  of  Lord 
Suffield. 

3.  Sophia,  born  April  5th,  1768,  married,  February  25th,  1 789, 
Richard  Earl  of  Mount  Edgcumbe,  and  had  issue. 

And ,  born  December  l/6g,  of  whom  her  Ladyship  died 

in  childbed,  and  was  buried  at  Blickling. 

His  Lordship,  on  '  September  24th,  177°>  to°k  to  his  second 
wife,  Caroline,  daughter  of  William  Conolly,  of  Stratton-Hall,  in 
Staffordshire,  Esq.  by  his  wife  Lady  Ann  Wentworth,  daughter 
of  William  Earl  of  Strafford,  by  whom  he  had  issue, 

1.  Lady  Amelia-Anne,  born  February  20th,  baptized  March 
12th,  1772;  married  June  9th,  1794,  Robert  Viscount  Castle- 
reagh. 

2.  John  Lord  Hobart,  born  August  30th,  1773,  and  died  De- 
cember 1st,  J775* 

3.  Henry  Philip,  born  February  11th,  baptized  March  8th, 
1775,  and  died  February  15th,  I77G. 

4.  Lord  Hobart,  born  1777,  died  at  Dublin  Castle,  October 
30th,  1778. 

His  Lordship  died  August  3d,  1 793;  and  was  succeeded  by  his 
next  brother, 

'  Register  of  marriages  in  the  parish  of  Sr.»  George,  Hanover- square. 


<*;*  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

George,  third  Earl  of  Buckinghamshire,  who  married, 
in  May  1757,  Albinia,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Lord  Vere  Bertie, 
by  whom  he  had  issue, 

1.  George,  who  died  young.    ^ 

2.  Robert,  present  Earl. 

3.  Henry  Lewis,  in  Holy  Orders,  Prebendary  of  Canterbury, 
and  Rector  of  Chipping  Warden,  Northamptonshire. 

4.  George  Vere,  in  the  Army,  died  in  the  West  Indies,  1802, 
having  married  Miss  Macleane,  daughter  of  Colonel  Macleane, 
of  Coll,  by  whom  he  left  issue  a  son,  now  a  Midshipman  on  board 
the  Tigre,  &c. 

5.  Lady  Albinia,  born  1/59,  married Cumberland,  Esq. 

deceased  (son  of  Richard  Cumberland,  Esq.),  who  left  issue  by 
her, 

6.  Henrietta  Anne  Barbara,  married  May  29th,  1789,  the 
Right  Hon.  John  Sullivan,  by  whom  she  has  issue. 

7.  Lady  Charlotte,  married  May  28th,  1789,  Edward  Desbo- 
rough  Taylor,  Esq. 

8.  Lady  Maria  Anne,  married  September  30th,  1730,  George, 
late  Earl  of  Guildford,  and  died  in  1/94,  leaving  a  daughter. 

The  Earl  died  November  13th,  1804,  and  was-  succeeded  by  his 
eldest  son, 

Robert,  present  and  fourth  Earl,  born  May  6th,  176O, 
brought  up  in  the  Army,  in  which  he  rose  to  the  rank  of  Major; 
acted  as  Secretary  to  the  Marquis  of  Buckingham,  when  Lord 
Lieutenant  of  Ireland,  17^9  J  and  to  his  successor,  Lord  West- 
moreland, 1790>  iu  1794,  was  nominated  Governor  of  Madras, 
which  he  retained  till  1797.  In  1801,  he  was  made  Secretary  of 
State  for  the  War  Department  5  and  in  February,  1800,  Joint 
Post-Master  General.     He  was  called  up  by  writ  to  the  House  of 

Lords  in  1798.     He  married,  first,  Henrietta,  relict  of Ad- 

derley,  by  whom  he  had  a  daughter,  Jane,  born  1/94;  and,  se- 
condly, June  1st,  1/99,  Miss  Eden,  daughter  of  Lord  Auckland. 

Titles.  Robert  Hobart,  Earl  of  Buckinghamshire,  Lord  Hobart, 
Baron  Hobart  of  Blickling,  and  Bart. 

Creations.  Baronet,  May  22d,  l6ll,  Q  Jac.  I.;  Lord  Hobart, 
Baron  Hobart  of  Blickling,  in  Norfolk,  May  28th,  1728.  1 
George  IE.;  Earl  of  Buckinghamshire,  September  5th,  174(5,  20 
George  IL 

Arms.  Sable,  a  star  of  eight  rays,  Or,  between  two  flanches 
Ermine. 


EARL  OF  BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.  3;*. 

Crest.  On  a  wreath,  a  bull  passant,  party  per  pale,  Sable  and 
Gules,  all  bezanty,  and  a  ring  in  his  nose,  Or. 

Supporters.  On  the  dexter  side  a  stag,  on  the  sinister  a  talbot, 
both  proper  and  reguardant,  each  having  a  radiant  collar  and  line, 
Or. 

MottO.       AUCTOR    PRETIOSA    FACIT. 

Chief  Scat.     At  Nocton,  Lincolnshire. 


374  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


FITZWLLTAM  EARL  FITZ-WILLIAM. 

In  1565,  Hugh  Fitz-William,  of  Sprotburgh,  in  com.  Ebor.  Esq. 
with  great  cost,  care,  and  industry,  collected  the  records  of  his 
family,  from  which  this  account  is  deduced ;  and  for  the  verity 
thereof,  it  will  not  be  improper  to  relate  some  particulars,  set 
forth  by  the  said  Hugh  Fitz- William,  in  a  very  curious  manu- 
script, now  in  the  custody  of  the  present  Earl  Fitz- William,  be- 
ginning thus : 

'  The  burninge  of  three  great  Bagges  of  evidence  of  the  Fitz- 
Williams,  by  Sir  Henry  Savell,  of  Tankersley,  who  married  Eli- 
zabeth Suthill,  sole  daughter  and  heir  to  Margery  Fitz- William, 
pretendinge  title,  by  the  right  of  his  wife,  to  the  lordshippes  of 
Emley,  Sprotburgh,  Warenhall,  Darington,  Cromwell,  Athwike, 
Rodington,  Basforde,  Hathelsey,  Plomtree,  and  others;  and  mean- 
inge  thereby  to  deface  the  bloode  and  name  forever,  hath  moved 
me,  Hugh  Fitz- William,  nowe  eldest  sonne  to  John  Fitz- Wil- 
liam, late  of  Sprotburgh,  and  of  Hathilsey,  to  gather  together  all 
such  pieces  of  evidence  and  matter  of  recorde,  as  by  diligent  scru- 
tiny I  could  fynde  in  the  Tower,  in  th'  Exchequer,  in  the  Rowles, 
and  in  the  office  of  the  Haraldes,  thereby  to  maintayne  the  right 
of  the  said  lordshippes  to  the  bloode  and  name.  And  further 
to  declare,  from  what  noble  Progenyes  the  bloode  and  name  are 
descendid,  as  well  within  this  realm,  as  in  forrayn  contreys.  The 
which  accordith  with  th'  olde  and  new  Testament,  to  mayntayne 
antiquity,  nobility,  and  birthright. 

'  For  the  veryfyeing  of  every  particular  of  this  descent,  and  to 
shew  that  Hugh  Fitz- William,  fourth  son  to  John  Fitz- William, 
the  younger,  of  Sprotburgh,  and  of  Hathilsey,  is  now  the  next 
heir  male  of  the  Fitz-Williams,  Lordes  of  Emley  j  and  for  a  per- 


EARL  FITZ- WILLIAM.  375 

petuall  memory  of  the  truth  thereof,  these  gentlemen  of  the  bloodc 
and  name,  whose  names  are  here  under  written,  have  subscribed 
with  th'  officers  of  armes  ;  whereunto  the  three  Kings  of  Armes 
have  sette  the  seals  of  their  offices,.of  every  their  several  provinces, 
the  thirde  day  of  Maye,  in  the  yere  of  our  Lord  MCCCCCLXV, 
with  their  severall  declaracions  as  folio  weth,  verbatim,  videlicet, 

■*  Whereas  it  may  right  well  seeme,  sondry  of  honour  and  wor- 
shippe  of  this  name,  by  slouthe  and  negligence,  have  bin  omitted 
and  lefte  owte  of  this  lyne,  as  Sir  John  Fitzwilliam,  Knight,  in 
the  dayes  of  King  Henry  the  Third ;  Sir  Raufe  Fitzwilliam,  Baron 
of  Gray  stoke,  in  the  days  of  King  Edward  the  First  j  Sir  George 
Fitzwilliam,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  in  the  days  of  King  Henry  the 
Eighth;  Sir  William  Fitzwilliam,  of  Wiudesore,  Knight,  one  of 
the  Privy  chambre  to  King  Edward  the  Sixt,  and  others;  the 
ofFspringe  whereof  affirme,  by  reporte  of  their  fathers,  that  they 
be  descendid  owte  of  Emley,  and  Sprotburg.  Bat  I  cannot  fynde, 
by  diligent  scrutiny,  howe,  neither  by  my  evidence,  nor  matter  of 
recorde,  to  their  greate  displeasure,  being  utterly  owte  of  helpe, 
withoute  great  costeof  further  serche.  I  have  therefore  thoughte 
it  good,  and  my  dutie  by  the  -law  ©f  nature,  for  justice  sake,  to 
preserve  the  rest  of  the  lyne,  and  combyne  them  togither,  for  that 
they  be  dispersid  into  several  counties  of  this  realme,  and  is,  by 
the  la  we  of  God,  successively  inheritable  to  the  same,  accordinge, 
as  they  be  sette  owte  with  there  due  differences  in  this  booke. 
Taking  God  to  witness,  that  I  have  not  omitted,  or  left  owte  any 
one  of  the  name,  that  I  coulde  by  eny  means  have  a u thorite  for 
my  doinges,  either  by  evidence,  or  the  memory  of  manne.  And 
have  traveylid  with  every  one  of  the  name,  that  I  could  heere  of, 
sondry  tymes,  to  my  greate  costes  and  charges  with  theim,  and 
theire  freindes,  to  know  by  what  auctoritie,  either  by  mater  of 
recorde,.  or  memory  of  manne,  that  may  menteyne  ther  descent 
and  birtheright :  and  have  set  them  foorthe  accordingly,  and  of  as 
meny  as  I  could  obteyne  auctoryte  for  the  same.  And  for  a  per- 
petuall  memory  of  the  truthe  herof,  I  have  subscribed  my  name, 
the  thirde  daye  of  Maye,  Anno  Domini  MCCCCCLXV,  and  in 
the  vuth  yere  of  the  prosperous  reigne  of  our  Sovereyne  Lady 
Elizabeth,  by  the  grace  of  God  Queene  of  Englande,  France, 
and  Irelande,  defendour  of  the  faith,  &c.  By  me  Hugh  Fitz- 
william de  Sprotslurg,  in  com.  Ebor.  And  hereunto  also  hath  set 
my  seale  of  armes  [Losenge]  with  the  Kinges  of  Armes,' 

The  rest  of  the  family  subscribed  as  follows  : 

'  By  me,  William  Fitzwilliam,  of  Milton,  Knight,  and  eldest 


376  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

brother  of  that  house,  with  the  rest  of  my  Hood,  subscribed  here- 
unto, 

f  John  Fitzwilliam  de  Milton,  in  com.  Northampton. 

f  By  me  Brian  Fitzwilliam  de  Geinsparke,  in  Essex. 

I  In  the  verifyinge  of  the  truthe  of  this  descent,  I  doo  subscribe 
my  name  William  Fitzwilliam  de  Lincolne. 

c  I  have  perusid  the  evidence  of  the  originall  of  the  particulars 
of  this  descent,  and  for  the  verifienge  of  the  truth  thereof  I  have 
sett  to  my  hande,  with  the  rest  of  my  b/oode  and  name,  by  me 
Gervis  Fitzwilliam  ofBentley. 

'  By  me  William  Fitzwilliam,  eldest  sonne  to  John  Fitzwilliam 
of  Kingesley,  in  Hampshire. 

e  William  Fitzwilliam  de  P lorn  tree. 

(  George  Fitziuilliam  of  Hathilsey. 

'  Thomas  Fitzivilliam,  eldest  sonne  to  Frauncys  Fitzwilliam  of 
Fen  ton. 

f  By  me  John  Fitzwilliam,  sonne  and  heire  to  Richard  Fitzwil- 
liam of  Ringstede. 

'  Charles  Fitzwilliam  de  Swandbie,  in  com.  Nottingham.' 

Also  Sir  Gilbert  Dethicke,  Garter;  Harvey,  Clarencieuxj  and 
William  Flower,  Norroy,  King  of  Arms,  signed  the  following 
certificates. 

'  1  have  exactly  examyned  this  descent,  with  the  recordes  of 
myne  office,  and  do  fynde  the  same  to  agree  with  this  bookej 
and  that  the  above  namyd  Hugh  Fitzwilliam,  sonne  to  John  Fitz- 
william, now  is  the  next  heire  male  of  Sprotburgh  and  Elmelcy, 
5cc.  and  for  the  verification  of  the  truth  hereof,  I  have  subscribed 
my  name,  and  set  to  the  seale  of  myne  office.  Per  me  G.  De- 
thicke, alias  Garter  principall  Kinge  of  Armes,  1565.' 

'  Although  the  order  of  this  descent  is  sufficient  to  satisfyeeny 
judge,  alleadginge  such  auctoritie  of  recorde  and  evidence,  being 
thoroughly  perusid  and  subscribid  of  the  eldist  of  every  severall 
braunche  of  the  bloode  and  name  thereof,  ratyfyenge  the  true 
naminge  and  placinge  of  there  cotes,  with  there  due  diferences, 
of  every  one  of  their  auncestors,  that  is  to  be  knowne  presently, 
either  by  mater  of  recorde,  or  memory  of  manne,  fathers,  mothers, 
uncles,  auntes,  brothren  and  sisters:  neverthelesse,  being  ernestly 
requested,  I  have  conferrid  the  saide  descent  with  the  records  of 
myne  office,  and  also  conferried  the  evidence  and  recordes  men- 
tioned in  the  same  with  the  originalls,  brought  unto  me  by  Hugh 
Fitzwilliam,  the  next  heire  male,  now  of  Emley  and  Sprotburgh, 
as  it  rray  appeere  by  the  same.  And  in  the  verifyinge  the  truthe 
of  every  particular  of  this  descent,  I  have  subscribed  my  name, 


EARL  FITZ- WILLIAM.  377 

and  sette  the  seale  of  myne  office,  the  day  and  yeere  above  writ- 
ten, William  Harvey,  alias  Clarencieux  Roy  d'Armes.' 

'  I  Norroy  Kinge  of  Armes,  have  thoroughly  perused  this  de- 
scent of  Hugh  Fitzwilliam,  with  the  bookes  of  my  recordesj  and 
for  the  verifyenge  of  the  truth  thereof,  I  have  subscribid  my 
name,  and  set  thereunto  the  seal  of  myne  office.  Per  moy  Wil- 
liam Flower,  alias  Norrey  Roy  d'Armes.' 

The  first  mentioned  in  the  said  pedigree  is  Sir  William  Fitz- 
Godric,  cousin  to  King  Edward  the  Confessor.  His  son  and 
heir, 

Sir  William  Fitz- William,  being  Ambassador  at  the  court  of 
William  Duke  of  Normandy,  attended  him  in  his  victorious  ex- 
pedition into  England,  as  Marshal  of  his  army,  A.D.  1066-,  and 
for  his  bravery  at  the  battle  of  Hastings,,  on  October  14th,  that 
year  (when  King  Harold  lost  the  crown  with  his  life),  the  Con- 
queror gave  him  a  scarf  from  his  own  arm.  This  Sir  William  Fitz- 
William  married  Emma,  daughter  and  heir  of  Monsieur  de  So- 
labis,  a  Norman  Knight,  and  by  her  was  father  of 

Sir  William  Fitz- William,*  who  is  said  in  the  manuscript 
before  mentioned,  and  in  several  pedigrees  by  different  antiquaries 
and  heralds,  to  have  wedded  Eleanor,  daughter  and  heir  of  Sir 
John  Elmley,  of  Elmley  and  Sprotborough,  &c.  in  Yorkshire, 
and  to  have  had  issue, 

Sir  William  Fitz-William,  Lord  of  Elmley  and  Sprotburgh, 
who  was  living  in  1117,  as  appears  from  his  agreement  that  year 
with  the  monks  of  Biland,  wherein  he  is  wrote  William  son  of 
William,  and  grants  to  the  said  monks  a  piece  ©f  his  wood  in 
Elmley,  viz.  from  the  way  which  comes  from  the  Monk's  Mill, 
as  far  as  Benetly,  and  from  thence  to  Dyrne,  and  so  through 
Dyrne  to  the  Sart  of  Simon,  and  thence  through  the  dry  ground 
which  comes  from  Simon's  houses,  to  Simon's  gate,  and  to  the 
highway  leading  from  Emmelie,  and  so  to  Walter's  Sart,  and 
thence  to  Tonelie  Dry  Way,  and  so  as  far  as  Emmelie-Mill, 
and  thence  to  the  Monk's-Sart,  and  so  to  the  Monk's-Mill.  And 
whatever  oak  shall  be  standing,  to  do  with  the  same  as  they  shall 
think  proper,  and  to  hold  it  for  ten  years,  paying  fourteen  marks 
at  Michaelmas.  And  that  no  person  be  permitted  to  meddle  with 
the  said  wood  besides  those  who  have  Sarts  there,  Simon  deTorp's 
men,  and  the  men  of  the  upper  town,  &c.  This  agreement  com- 
menced on  the  day  of  the  incarnation  of  our  Lord,  IH7. 

a  Liber.  Coll.  marked  4th  D.  15,  in  the  Herald's  office. 


3*8  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. . 

To  this  grant,  in  a  round  seal,  is  represented  a  man  on  horse- 
back completely  armed,  and  circumscribed,  S.  Willrm,  Filij 
Willmi  Dni.  de  Emmalaia.  And  on  the  reverse,  the  arms  of  Fitz- 
William,  viz.  Lozenge. 

This  Sir  William  Fitz- William,  or  one  of  his  descendants, 
caused  a  cross  to  be  set  up  in  the  high-street  at  Sprotborough, 
with  these  words  engraven  on  brass  :b 

Whoso  is  hungry,  and  list,  well  eate, 

Let  him  come  to  Sprodburgh  to  his  meate  j 

And  for  a  night,  and  for  a  day, 

His  horse  shall  have  both  corn  and  hay, 

And  no  man  shall  ask  him  where  he  goeth  away. 

Which  cross  was  pulled  down  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1520. 

The  son  and  heir  of  the  last  Sir  William  Fitz- William  was, 
after  his  own  name,c 

Sir  William  Fitz-William,  Lord  also  of  Elmlcy  and  Sprot- 
burgh,  who  had  to  wife  d  Ella,  daughter  and  coheir  of  William 
de  Warren,  Earl  of  Surrey,  grandson  of  William  Earl  of  Surrey, 
by  Gundred  his  wife,  daughter  of  King  William  the  Conqueror, 
by  Maud,  daughter  of  Baldwin  Earl  of  Flanders,0  and  Alice, 
daughter  of  Robert,  King  of  France. 

Sir  William  Fitz-William,  the  eldest  son,  succeeded  to  the 
inheritance  of  Elmly,  Sprotburgh,  &c.  in  1 148,  and  married  Al- 
brcda,  daughter  of  Robert  de  Lisoures,  and  sister  of  the  half  blood 
to  Robert  de  Lacy,  Lord  of  Pomfret,  alias  Pontefract,  and  also 
widow  of  Richard  Fitz-Eustace,  Constable  of  Chester.  Sir  Wil- 
liam Fitz-William  left  her  in  her  second  widowhood,  in  1184, 

b  From  manuscript  in  the  custody  of  the  Rt.  Hon.  William  Earl  Fitz-William  # 
c  Chitting  &  Jekyl,  praed.  .  <1  lb.  &  MSS.  praed.  p.  3,  &  4. 

e  Which  Baldwin  was  lineally  descended  from  Baldwin,  Forestier  de  Ardern, 
first  Earl  of  Flanders,  and  his  wife  Judith,  the  widow  of  Ethelwolf  King  of  Eng- 
land, and  daughter  of  Charles  the  Bald,  King  of  France,  son  of  Lewis  King  of 
Francis,  son  of  Charlemagne,  King  of  France,  and  Emperor  of  the  Romans.  By 
which  great  Lady  Sir  William  Fitz-William  had  issue  two  sons,  Sir  William  Fitz- 
William,  and  Roger  Fitz-William,*  to  whom  William,  Earl  Warren,  gave  the 
lordship  of  Gretewell,  to  him,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  paying  yearly,  at  Whitsuntide, 
two  pair  of  gilt  spurs.  To  which  grant  is  appendant,  on  a  seal,  a  man  completely 
armed  on  a  courser,  and  on  the  reverse,  a  shield  chequy,  the  arms  of  the  said  Earl. 


*  Ibid.  MSS.  p.  4, 


EARL  FITZ-WILLIAM.  379 

and  she  was  living  in  1 J  93,  as  f  appears  by  a  fine  levied  April  1st, 
that  year,  and  to  which  is  appendant  the  broad  seal  of  King  Ri- 
chard I.  There  are  likewise  deeds,  in  the  said  manuscript,  of 
the  before-mentioned  Albreda,  which  prove  she  had  a  son,  Sir 
William  Fitz-William,  and  a  daughter,  Donatia,  to  whom  she 
gave  lands  in  Crowle,  Sir  William  Fitz- William,  her  son,  joining 
in  the  conveyance ;  to  which  is  a  round  seal  of  the  arms  of  Fitz- 
William. 

The  said  Sir  William  Fitz- William  (son  of  Albreda),  is  men- 
tioned in  several  deeds  without  date,  whereunto  the  arms  the 
family  now  bear  are  appendant.  And  by  a  fine  levied  at  Leicester, 
on  Wednesday  after  the  feast  of  St.  Andrew,  in  120S,  he  grants 
the  advowson  of  Marham-church  to  Friar  Hemet,  master  of  the 
Knights  Templars  in  England.  He  married  Ella,  daughter  to 
Hameline  Plantagenet,  natural  brother  to  King  Henry  II.  and  Earl 
of  Surrey,  in  right  of  his  wife  Isabel,  daughter  of  William  de 
Warren,  Earl  of  Surrey.  By  the  said  Ella,  Sir  William  had  a  son 
and  heir, 

Sir  Thomas  Fitz-William,  who  in  1226,  10  Henry  III.  con- 
firmed the  grant,  which  Albreda  his  grandmother  made  to  the 
priory  of  Haverholme  (in  Lincolnshire),  of  lands  in  Wardcberg. 
He  also  granted  to  the  said  priory,  the  Wold  from  Chipston  to- 
wards Daneberhon,  and  from  Stanton  to  Cotgrave,  paying  yearly 
half  a  mark.  He  married  Agnes  daughter  of  Roger  Bertram, 
Baron  of  Mitford,  in  Northumberland,  and  sister  of  Roger;  and 
had  with  her  by  way  of  portion,  the  manor  of  Steinton,  besides  a 
rent  of  50  s.  yearly,  in  the  manor  of  Gretam,  by  grant  from  the 
said  Roger,  to  him  and  such  heirs  as  he  should  beget  of  the  said 
Agnes.  In  2fj  Henry  III.  the  truces  being  broke  between  the 
King  of  England  and  Lewis  VIII.  King  of  France,  he  was  com- 
manded to  repair  to  the  King  with  horses  and  arms,  according  to 
the  service  he  owed,  in  order  to  enter  France,  and  thereby  gain 
honour  to  himself  and  the  kingdom.  This  Sir  Thomas  had,  in 
37  Henry  III.h  a  charter  for  free  warren  in  his  lordships  of 
Plumetree,  in  Nottinghamshire,  Bambrough,  and  Darrington,  in 
Yorkshire ;  and  for  a  market  at  his  manor  of  Elmley  every  week, 
on  Thursday,  and  a  fair  to  be  held  every  year,  on  the  eve  and 
day  of  Holy-Cross,  and  the  three  following  days.  In  1253,  he 
granted  and  confirmed  to  Roche  Abby  all  those  lands,  tenements, 

f  MSS.  ut  antea.  p.  &  seq. 
t  Rymer'sFoedera,  Vol.  I.  p.  404.  {        h  Claus.  27  Henry  III. 


380  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

&c.  which  they  held  in  the  town  of  Mar,  by  gift  of  Jordan,  son 
of  Philip  de  Mar.  He  also  gave  lands  to  Byland  Abbey,  and  Ham- 
pal  j  likewise  confirmed  the  gift  of  John,  Constable  of  Chester, 
his  uncle,  to  Welbeck-Abbey.     He  left  issue, 

1.  Sir  William,  who  succeeded  him. 

2.  Sir  Roger,  to  whom  he  gave  the  lordship  of  Woodhall. 
And, 

3.  Peter,  to  whom  he  gave  the  lands  in  Denby,  alias  Denbigh. 
Also  four  daughters:  Margaret,  to  whom  he  gave  lands  in 

Thorpe,  Rytone,  Lyme,  and  Hallyhopej  and  to  his  daughter 
Agnes,  lands  in  Hangthwaite,  Adwick,  and  Stedfold ;  also  to 
another,  named  Bartha,  he  gave  Steanton,  and  Ramita;  and  the 
fourth,  Albreda,  was  married  to  Sir  Richard  Walleis,  of  Burgh- 
walleis,  Knt.  all  of  which  is  proved  by  ancient  evidences. 

The  said  Sir  Roger  Fitz- William,  of  Woodhall,  second  son, 
wedded  Maud,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Bosvile,  of  Erdesley;  and  by 
her  had  an  only  son  and  heir,  John  Fitz-William,  who,  by  Alice 
his  wife,  daughter  of  William  Middleton,  of  Stockeld,  in  York- 
shire, was  father  of  another  John  Fitz-William,  who  married 
Catharine,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Robert  Haringal,  of  the  county 
of  York  (by  Margaret  his  wife,  daughter  of  William  St.  George, 
of  Hatley  St.  George,  Cambridgeshire),  and  by  her  had  issue,  two 
sons,  Thomas  and  Roger,  who  died  bachelors  j  and  four  daugh- 
ters j  viz.  Isabel,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Barley,  of  Woodsom,  in 
Yorkshire  j  and  Catharine,  Margaret,  and  Joan,  nuns.  The  said 
Thomas  Barley,  by  his  wife  Isabel,  had  two  daughters,  Marga- 
ret, married  to  John  Drax,  Esq.  who  in  her  right  became  lord 
of  Woodhall ;  and  Mary,  wedded  to  John  Bosvile,  of  Erdesley, 
Esq. 

Sir  William  Fitz-William,  eldest  son  of  Sir  Thomas,  married 
Agnes,  daughter  of  Richard  Lord  Grey,  of  Codnor.  To  this  Sir 
William,  Simon  de  Montfort,  Earl  of  Leicester,  gave  a  fee  of 
twenty  marks  per  annum;  and  he  was  also  seised  of  four  Knights 
fees  in  the  honour  of  Pontefract,  viz.  one  in  Darrington,  and 
three  of  Lizours,  in  Sprotburgh,  Cateby,  Athwick,  and  elsewhere. 
By  fine,  in  48  Henry  III.  he  granted,  in  dower,  to  Agnes  his 
mother,  the  manor  of  Plumtree,  in  com.  Nottingham,  during  her 
life.  By  indenture,  dated  at  Pontefract,  March  25th,  1287,  he 
binds  himself  to  Edward  and  his  heirs,  in  all  his  lands  and  chat- 
tels, and  made  oath  to  assist  him,  and  his  heirs,  in  all  quarrels 
and  enterprizes.  In  the  same  year,  on  November  10th,  the  King 
granted  him  licence  to  turn  the  highway,  which  was  through  the 


EARL  FITZ-WILLIAM,  381 

middle  of  his  Park  at  Elmley,  provided  he  made  another  way  of 
the  same  length  and  breadth,  through  the  western  part  of  that 
Park,  commodious  for  passengers,  to  contain  in  length  380 
perches,  and  60  feet  of  land.  In  1Q  Edward  I.  the  King  from 
Roxburgh,  on  January  2gth,  signifies,  that,  understanding  his 
faithful  Knight,  Sir  William  de  Fitz- William,  is  in  such  an  ill 
state  of  body  that  he  cannot  well  travel  j  and  having  sent  him 
two  armed  men  and  two  archers,  who  are  in  his  army  in  Scotland, 
therefore  he  excuses  his  coming  to  him,  and  commands  his  being 
not  molested  on  that  account. 

Sir  William  Fitz- William,  his  son  and  heir,  by  the  said 
Agnes,  married  Maud,  daughter  of  Edward  Lord  Deyncourt;  and 
was  found  by  inquisition,  bearing  date  the  5th  Edward  II.  to  be 
one  of  the  heirs  of  Roger  Bertram,  Baron  of  Mitteford.  In  the 
first  year  of  Edward  III.  he  was  summoned  to  Parliament  among 
the  Barons  of  this  realm  j  and  in  the  fifth  of  that  reign,  gave 
lands  to  the  nunnery  of  Hampall,  near  Doncaster,  in  Yorkshire. 
By  his  said  wife,  Maud,  he  had  four  sons. 

1 .  Sir  John  Fitz-William,  his  heir. 

2.  Robert  Fitz-William. 

3.  Thomas  Fitz-William,  who  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  and 
heir  of  Sir  Thomas  Mablethorp,  of  Mablethorp  (otherwise  Mai- 
lerthorp),  in  the  county  of  Lincoln,  Knt,  and  from  them  the 
Fitz- Williams  of  that  place  are  descended.     And, 

4.  Richard  Fitz-William. 

By  the  same  Lady  he  was  also  father  of  five  daughters;  1.  Eli- 
zabeth, wedded  to  Sir  Thomas  Musgrave,  of  Hartley-castle,  in 
Westmoreland,  Knt.  2.  Margaret,  to  Henry  de  Pierrepoint,  an- 
cestor to  the  Dukes  of  Kingston  j  3.  Joan,  said  by  some  to  be  the 
wife  of  Sir  William  Trusbut  j  4.  Agnes j  and,  5.  Isabel,  mar- 
ried to  William  Bingham,  Lord  of  Bingham,  in  Nottingham- 
shire. 

Sir  John  Fitz-William,  Knt.  the  eldest  son,  married  Joan, 
daughter  of  Sir  Adam  Reresby,  and  was  seised  of  Skelton,  and 
West-Drayton.  He  died  about  the  24th  of  Edward  III.  having 
had  issue  Sir  John,  his  heir  j  and  Elizabeth,  married  to  Reginald 
Lord  Mohun. 

Sir  John  Fitz-William,  son  and  heir  of  Sir  John,  was  seised 
of  the  lordship  of  Shadestre;  and  John  Thursby,  Archbishop  of 
York,  did  homage  to  him  in  1353,  for  lands  held  of  him.  This 
Sir  John,  in  1372,  founded  the  chantry  of  St.  Edward  in  the 


382  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

church  of  Sprotburgh  ;  and  having  wedded  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  William  Lord  Clinton,  had  by  her  three  sons. 

1.  Sir  William,  his  heir,  of  whom  more  fully,  as  ancestor  to 
the  present  Earl  Fitz-William. 

2.  Richard  Fitz-William,  to  whom  he  gave  in  reversion,  East, 
West,  and  Middle  Haddlesey.     And, 

3.  Edmond  Fitz-William,  of  whom  and  his  posterity,  after 
giving  an  account  of  his  sisters,  who  were, 

1.  Joan,  first  married  to  Thomas  Stapleton,  Esq.  son  and  heir 
of  Sir  Miles  Stapleton  ;  and,  secondly,  to  John  Felton,  Esq.  2. 
Anne,  wedded  to  Sir  Henry  Hastings,  of  Ficeringlith,  Knt.  And, 
3.  Isabel,  to  Sir  Bryan  Thornhill,  Knt. 

Edmond  Fitz-William,  third  son  of  Sir  John,  before  mentioned, 
was  possessed  of  Stainton,  Salt-FIetby,  Castle-Drayton,  Skelman- 
thorp,  Bilham,  Sandall,  and  Wadsworth,  as  appears  by  his  will 
dated  the  6th  year  of  the  reign  of  Richard  II.  and  having  espoused 

,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Hotham,  of  Scarborough,  Knt.  had 

by  her  an  only  son  and  her,  Edmund  Fitz-William,  who,  by  Ca- 
tharine his  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Clifton,  Knt.  had  a  son 
and  heir,  Sir  Richard  Fitz-William,  and  a  daughter,  Catharine, 
married  to  Sir  Richard  Sutton,  Knt.  The  said  Sir  Richard  Fitz- 
William  lies  buried  at  Ecclesfield  j  having  had  by  Elizabeth  his 
wife,  daughter  and  heir  of  Thomas  Clarel,  of  Aldwark,  in  York- 
shire, six  sons;  1.  Sir  Thomas  Fitz-William,  his  heir.  2.  Ri- 
chard Fitz-William.  3.  Edward,  ancestor  of  the  Fitz- Williams 
of  Claworth,  in  the  county  of  Nottingham.  4.  Edmund  Fitz- 
William.  5.  George,  from  whom  the  Fitz- Williams  of  Kings- 
ley,  in  Hampshire.  And,  6.  Humphrey  Fitz-William.  Sir  Ri- 
chard, by  the  same  wife,  had  also  five  daughters :  1.  Elizabeth, 
married  to  her  cousin,  John  Fitz-William,  of  Sprotborough,  after 
mentioned.  2.  Isabella,  wedded  to  William  Wentworih,  of 
Wentworth-Woodhouse,  ancestor  to  the  Earls  of  Strafford.  3. 
Margaret,  to  Ralph  Reresby  of  Yorkshire.  4.  Anne,  to  Sir  Wil- 
liam Myrefield,  Knt.  And,  5.  Catherine,  to  Sir  John  Skipwith, 
of  Ormesby,  in  Lincolnshire,  Knt.  ancestor  of  the  Baronets  of 
Newbold-hall,  in  Warwickshire.  Sir  Thomas  Fitz-William,  eldest 
son  of  Sir  Richard,  was  seated  at  Aldwark  aforesaid  5  and  by 
Lucy  his  wife,  daughter  and  coheir  of  John  Nevil,  Marquis  Mon- 
tacute,  or  Montague,  besides  two  daughters,  viz.  Margaret,  mar- 
ried to  Sir  William  Gascoigne,  of  Gauthorpe,  Knt.  and  Elizabeth, 
who  had  two  husbands  5  first,  §ir  William  Maleverer  (in  some 


EARL  FITZ-WILLIAM.  383* 

pedigrees  called  Thomas),  and,  secondly,  Sir  Nicholas  Hervay, 
Knts.  had  three  sons  j  l.  Thomas,  his  heir,  who  was  killed  at 
Flodden,  on  September  9th,  1513,  5  Henry  VIII.  and  by  Anne 
his  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  Nicholas  Pagenham  (by  some  called 
Hugh),  had  a  son,  William,  who  died  unmarried;  and  also  three 
daughters;  Alice,  wedded  to  Sir  James  Foljambe,  of  Walton,  in 
Derbyshire,  Knt.  but  left  no  issue  j  Anne,  who  died  unmarried  j 
and  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Godfrey  Foljambe,  Esq.  brother  to 
Sir  James.  2.  John  Fitz-William,  who  fell  with  his  elder  bro- 
ther at  Flodden,  unmarried.  And,  3.  William  Fitz -William r 
who  enjoyed  the  great  offices  of  Vice-admiral  of  the  Fleet,  Trea- 
surer of  the  King's  household,  Chancellor  of  the  duchy  of  Lan- 
caster, Admiral  of  England,  Wales,  Ireland,  &c.  and  Lord  Privy- 
seal,  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  by  whom  he  was,  moreover,, 
created  Earl  of  Southampton,1  by  letters  patent  dated  October 
18th,  1537.  This  eminent  statesman  and  warrior,  who  was  also 
Knight  of  the  Garter,  died  A.D.  1543,  and  lies  interred  at  Mid- 
hurst,  in  Sussex ;  but  left  no  issue  by  Mabel  his  wife,  daughter 
of  Henry  Lord  Clifford,  and  sister  to  Henry  first  Earl  of  Cum- 
berland }  whereupon  his  two  surviving  nieces  aforesaid  were  his 
heirs. 

Having  thus  deduced  the  posterity  of  Edmond  Fitz-William,, 
third  son  of  Sir  John  Fitz-William,  by  Elizabeth  his  wife,  Lord 
Clinton's  daughter,  we  shall  proceed  with  the  descent  of  Sir  Wil- 
liam Fitz-William,  the  eldest  son,  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl. 
Fitz-William. 

The  said  Sir  William  Fitz-William  wedded  Maud,  daughter  of 
Ralph  Lord  Cromwell,  of  Tattershall,  and  coheir  to  her  nephew, 
Ralph  Lord  Cromwell,  Treasurer  of  England  in  the  reign  of 
Henry  VI.  and  by  her  was  father  of  one  son  and  two  daughters; 
viz.  Sir  John,  his  heir;  Joanna,  married  to  Sir  Henry  Suthill, 
of  Suthill-hall  j  and  Elizabeth,  to  Sir  Robert  Rockley,  o£ 
Rockley. 

Sir  John,  the  only  son  and  heir,  received  homage  from  Henry 
Bowett,  Archbishop  of  York,  as  his  grandfather,  Sir  John,  had 
done  from  Archbishop  Thursby;  and  departed  this  life  in  1418. 
By  Eleanor  his  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  Green,  of  Drayton, 
hj  had  a  daughter,  Maud,  wedded  to  William  Bosvile,  of  Erdes- 
ley  :  and  also  six  sons. 

*  See  •  fin?  portrait  of  him  among  the  Holbein  Heads,  published  by  Chamber* 
laiae. 


384  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

1.  John,  his  heir,  of  whom  afterwards. 

2.  Nicholas,  who  was  seated  at  Aldwick,  and  by  Margery  his 
wife,  daughter  of  John  Causley,  had  a  son,  John,  who  died  with- 
out issue. 

3.  Ralph  Fitz-William,  captain  of  the  castle  and  county  of  Sal- 
vaterra,  in  France,  of  whose  descendants  afterwards. 

4.  Robert  Fitz-William,  who  was  seated  at  Bentley,  and  had  a 
son,  Ralph,  who  left  one  son,  named  Nicholas,  who,  by  Alice  his 
wife,  daughter  of  Robert  Bayldon,  was  father  of  Gervis  Fitz-Wil- 
liam (who  died  without  issue),  and  two  daughters;  Elizabeth  and 
Margaret. 

5.  William  Fitz-William,  who  died  at  Plumtree.     And, 

6.  John  Fitz-William,  of  Milton  and  Green's-Norton,  in 
Northamptonshire,  Esq.  ancestor  to  the  Earl  Fit%~William. 

But  before  we  proceed  with  this  line,  we  shall  give  an  account 
of  the  descendants  of  John  and  Ralph,  the  first  and  third  sons  of 
Sir  John  Fitz-William,  his  elder  brothers. 

John,  the  eldest  son,  departed  this  life,  A.D.  1421,  and  had 
sepulture  at  Sprotburgh.  By  Margaret  his  wife,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Clarell,  of  Aldwark,  in  the  county  of  York,  he  was  fa- 
ther of  two  sons  and  a  daughter  j  viz.  William,  his  heir;  Hugh; 
and  Eleanor,  the  spouse  of  Sir  William  Ryder. 

William,  the  eldest  son  and  heir,  wedded  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  Sir  Thomas  Chaworth,  of  Wiverton,  in  Nottinghamshire,  Knt. 
and  by  her  had 

Sir  William,  his  only  son  and  heir,  and  two  daughters,  Isabel, 
married  to  Richard  Wentworth,  of  Bretton,  in  Yorkshire,  Esq. 
progenitor  to  the  knightly  family  seated  there ;  and  Catherine, 
the  wife  of  Sir  Thomas  Wortley,  of  Wortley,  in  the  said  county 
of  York,  Knt. 

Sir  William,  the  only  son,  aforesaid,  wedded  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  Sir  John  Conyers,  of  Sockburne,  in  the  palatinate  of  Dur- 
ham, and  Hornby  Castle,  in  Yorkshire,  Knt,  and  by  her  was 
father  of  five  children;  1.  John,  his  heir.  2.  Richard,  who  died 
without  issue.  3.  William,  who  also  died  without  issue.  4.  Mar- 
gery, the  wife  of  Thomas  Suthill,  of  Suthill-hall,  Esq.  whose 
daughter  and  heir,  Elizabeth,  was  wedded  to  Sir  Henry  Savile,  of 
Tankersley,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  mentioned  in  the  before  quoted 
collection  made  by  Hugh  Fitz-William.  And,  5.  Dorothy,  mar- 
ried to  Sir  William  Copley,  of  Copley,  in  Yorkshire,  Knt.  Sir 
William  departed  this  life  in  1494,  and  had  interment  at  Sprot- 
burgh. 


£ARL  FITZ-WILLIAM.  385 

John",  his  eldest  son/died  before  him,  in  1400}  and  having 
■wedded  Elizabeth,  eldest  daughter  of  Sir  Richard  Fitz-William, 
before  mentioned^  had  by  her  an  only  son, 

William,  who  succeeded  his  grandfather,  but  left  no  issue  by 
Margery  his  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Broughton,  Knt.  and 
was  the  last  heir  male  of  the  eldest  line  of  Fitz-William  of  Sprot- 
burgh  (or  Sprotborough),  and  Elmley. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  his  will  (shewed  in  the  office  of  arms, 
unto  Robert  Cook  alias  Clarencieux,  and  William  Flower  alias 
Norroy,'King  of  Arms),  under  the  seal  of  the  Fitzwilliams,  and 
the  Chancellor's  seal,  subscribed  by  a  pub  lick  Notary. 

'  In  the  name  of  God,  so  be  it,  the  5th  day  of  March,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  1516.  I  William  Fitz-William,  of  Sprotborough, 
Esq.  of  whole  mind  and  perfect  remembrance,  thanked  be  God, 
maketh  this  my  last  will  and  testament,  of  all  my  lands  in  rever- 
sion, and  will  that  William  Lord  Conyers,  and  all  other  my  co- 
feorTees,  and  their  heirs,  that  be  specified  in  a  deed  of  feoffment, 
bearing  date  the  27th  of  January,  in  the  7th  year  of  King  Henry 
the  Eighth,  after  my  debts  and  legacies  paid,  and  after  the  death 
of  Thomas  Suthill,  of  Suthill-Hall,  Margery  his  wife,  and  Eliza- 
beth Suthill  his  daughter,  stand  seised  of  my  manors  of  Emley, 
Darrington,  and  Hathilsay,  and  their  appurtenances,  in  the  county 
of  York,  to  the  use  of  John  Fitzwilliam  of  Sprotborough,  and  to 
his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever,  eldest  son  to  Ralph  Fitzwilliam 
that  was  Captain  De  Salva  Terra  in  France,  in  Henry  the  Sixth's 
days,  and  was  third  son  of  Sir  John  Fitzwilliam  of  Sprotborough, 
Knight,  Lord  of  Elmley  3  for  whereas  William  Fitzwilliam,  my 
dear  ancestor,  entailed  the  aforesaid  lordships,  with  the  manor  of 
Plumtree  in  com.  Nottingham,  to  the  said  John  Fitzwilliam  and 
his  heirs  male,  it  shall  never  be  justly  said  of  me,  that  I  am  a 
hinderer  of  him,  and  his  being  of  my  blood,  and  name,  which 
God  hath  so  long  blessed  with  worship  and  ancienty,  that  I  think 
all  such  as  go  about  to  prejudice  the  same,  cannot  avoid  his  plague 
and  indignation :  and  therefore  I  have  given  nothing  away  at 
all  from  the  said  John,  and  his  heirs ;  but  only  to  Margaret  my 
wife,  for  term  of  life,  and  to  the  above  written  Thomas,  Marga- 
ret, and  Elizabeth,  for  term  of  their  lives,  to  pay  my  debts  and 
legacies  ;  in  consideration  whereof  I  do  give  unto  the  said  John 
Fitzwilliam,  and  his  heirs  for  ever,  my  manor  of  Cromwell,  with 
the  appurtenances  in  com.  Nottingham,  after  the  decease  of  the 

vol.  iv.  2  c 


380  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

said  Thomas  Suthill,  and  Margery  his  wife,  and  Elizabeth  his 
daughter.  In  witness  whereof,  I  have  set  to  my  seal  the  day  and 
year  above  written,  in  the  presence  of  these  witnesses;  Sir  Thomas 
Rockley,  Knight;  John  Everingham,  Parson  of  Sprotborough ; 
Hugh  Boswell,  Parson  of  Darfield;  Sir  Thomas  Silles,  Priest;  and 
others.' 

Having  thus  traced  the  descent  of  John,  the  eldest  son  of  Sir 
John  Fitz-William,  by  Eleanor  Green,  we  shall  next  go  on  with 
that  of  Ralph,  the  third  son,  before  mentioned,  who  was  captain 
of  the  castle  and  county  of  Salva  Terra,  in  France,  as  appears 
by  his  patent  bearing  date  1441 ,  the  19th  year  of  King  Henry  VI. 
He  married  Joan,  daughter  of  Richard  Bolton,  Esq.  and  had  issue, 
John,  his  eldest  son  and  heir;  William;  Elizabeth,  and  Joan, 
married  to  William  Holmes,  of  Holmes-hall,  Esq. 

John  Fitz-William,  of  Sprotborough,  and  Hadlesey,  Esq.  his 
eldest  son  and  heir,  married  Margery,  daughter  of  John  Ctare- 
vaulx,  of  Croft-Hall,  Esq.  and  had  issue,  John,  William,  and 
Margaret,  married  to  John  Cranmer,  of  Aslacton,  Esq.  eldest 
brother  of  the  renowned  Thomas  Cranmer,  Archbishop  of  Can- 
terbury. 

John  Fitz  William,  Esq.  eldest  son  and  heir  of  John,  Lord  of 
Sprotborough  and  Hadlesey,  was  living  in  the  9th  of  King  Henry 
VIII.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  sole  heir  of  Chris- 
topher D'Amory,  of  Crockwell  Grange:  and  by  her  had  issue 
nine  sons;  of  whom,  Ralph  died  young;  Anthony,  second  son, 
died  in  London,  anno  1540;  John,  third  son,  went  beyond  sea  m 
the  last  year  of  King  Henry  VIII  where  he  died  in  1562;  Hugh, 
the  fourth  son,  was  put  young  to  William  Fitz-William,  Earl  of 
Southampton  aforesaid,  when  King  Henry  VIII.  was  at  York; 
went  into  Italy  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Mary,  as  appears  by  her 
licence,  bearing  date  October  14th,  1554,  the  second  year  of  her 
reign,  returned  to  England,  and  made  the  before-mentioned  col- 
lection of  vouchers  relating  to  his  family;  Ralph,  fifth  son,  tra- 
velled into  Spain;  William,  sixth  son,  went  into  Ireland;  George, 
seventh  son;  Nicholas,  the  eighth  son,  died  at  London;  and  Tho- 
mas, ninth  son.  The  said  John  Fitz-William  had  also  two  daugh- 
ters ;  Elizabeth  and  Anne. 

Having  thus  brought  the  male  branches  of  Woodhall,  Aldwark, 
and  Sprotborough,  to  a  period,  we  shall  proceed  with  that  of  John 
Fitz-William,  of  Milton  and  Green's- Nor  ton,  in  Northampton- 
shire, Esq.  (sixth  son  of  Sir  Henry  Fitz-William,  by  his  wife 
Eleanor,  daughter  to  Sir  Henry  Green,  of  Drayton),  before  men- 


EARL  FITZ- WILLIAM.  387 

tioned,  lineil  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  Fitz- William,  chief  of 
all  the  families  of  his  ancient  and  illustrious  surname. 

This  John  Fitz- William,  of  Milton,  &c.  married  Ellen  (or 
Eleanor),  daughter  of  William  Villiers,  of  Brokesby,  in  the  county 
of  Leicester,  Esq.  and  by  her  had  three  sons. 

1.  Sir  William,  his  heir. 

2.  Bartholomew.     And, 

3.  Richard,  who  was  of  the  city  of  London,  and  by  — — —  his 

Wife,  daughter  of —  Harris,  is  said  to  have  had  a  daughter 

i — —  wedded  to  Robert  Denham. 

By  the  same  Lady,  John  Fitz-William,  Esq.  was  also  father  of 
two  daughters  j  1.  Elizabeth,  successively  married  to  Thomas 
Rolleston,  of  Rolleston  (commonly  Rolston),  in  Staffordshire, 
Esq.  (k  whose  only  daughter  and  heir,  Isabel,  was  wife  of  Richard 
Peshall,  Esq.  of  Horsley,  com.  Staff.)  ;  and  Richard  Francis,  of 
Formark,  in  the  county  of  Derby  j  and,  2.  Mary,  who  also  had 
two  husbands  j  first,  Thomas  Waddington,  Esq.;  and,  secondly, 
Richard  Ogle,  of  Pinchbeck,  in  Lincolnshire,  Esq. 

Sir  William  Fitz-William,  the  eldest  son,  was  of  Milton 
aforesaid,  of  Geinsparke  (or  Gaines-park  halls),  in  Essex,  and  also 
of  the  city  of  London,  of  which  he  was  Sheriff"  in  1506,  and  was 
also  Alderman  of  Bread-street  ward,  and  rebuilt  the  greatest  part 
of  the  church  of  St.  Andrew  Undershaft  at  his  own  expense.  He 
served  the  office  of  Sheriff  for  Essex  in  1514,  and  in  1521  for 
Northamptonshire.  He  had  been  for  some  time  retained  in  the 
service  of  Cardinal  Wolsey,  and  retiring  afterwards  to  his  house 
at  Milton,1  there  gave  his  old  master,  the  Cardinal,  kind  enter- 
tainment when  he  was  in  disgrace ;  and  being  interrogated  by  his 
Majesty  how  he  durst  entertain  so  great  an  enemy  to  the  state  ? 
he  answered,  that  he  had  not  contemptuously  or  wilfully  done  it, 
in  disobedience  to  his  Majesty,  but  only  as  the  Cardinal  had  been 
his  master,  and  (partly)  the  means  of  his  greatest  fortunes :  at 
which  answer  the  King  was  so  well  pleased,  that,  saying  he  had 
few  such  servants,  he  immediately  knighted  him,  and  made  him 
one  of  his  Privy-Council.  The  said  Sir  William  Fitz-William 
gave  a  charity  of  121.  13s.  4d.  to  the  poor  of  Marham,  in  the 
county  of  Northampton,  payable  by  the  company  of  Merchant- 
taylors  of  London,  for  ever,  out  of  the  revenues  belonging  to 
their  company  j  and  also  gave  a  charity  to  maintain  six  poor  wo- 
men in  an  alms-house  at  Gainspark-Hall,  in  Essex,  payable  like- 

k  Stemm,  Peihall  in  Vitit.  com.  Staff.  1  Stow's  Survey,  p.  89. 


388  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

wise  by  the  Merchant-taylors  company,  for  ever,  out  of  their 
revenues.  This  noble  Knight  was  possessed  of  a  great  estate,  and 
was  very  prudent,  munificent,  and  charitable  j  which  is  apparent 
from  the  following  abstract  of  his  last  will  and  testament,  dated 
May  2 1 st,  1534,  20  Henry  VIII. 

Writing  himself  Sir  William  Fitz- William,  the  elder,  of  Mil- 
ton, in  the  county  of  Northampton,1"  Knt.  he  bequeaths  his  body 
to  be  buried  in  the  new  chancel  at  Marham,  in  the  said  county  of 
Northampton,  which  he  had  of  late  caused  to  be  made,  and  newly 
edificed  there,  and  that  his  executors  cause  a  tomb  of  marble  to 
be  made  there,  with  a  scripture  making  mention  of  his  name,  as 
shall  be  devised  by  his  executors ;  and  wherever  he  happens  to 
decease  within  the  realm  of  England,  that  his  corpse  be  conveyed 
to  the  said  chancel  of  Marham. 

He  charges  his  executors  that,  without  fraud  and  delay,  they 
cause  to  be  immediately  paid  all  just  debts  at  the  time  of  his  de- 
cease, and  expenses  of  his  funeral ;  and  make  such  restitution  to 
every  person,  or  persons,  as  they  could  duly  prove  he  had  injured 
them.  And  if  he  happens  to  decease  in  London,  he  bequeaths 
five  pounds  to  the  five  orders  of  Friers  within  that  city,  viz.  the 
Grey  Friers,  the  Black  Friers,  Augustine  Friers,  White  Friers, 
and  the  Crossed  Friers ;  to  the  intent  that  they  should  bring  forth 
his  corpse  (if  he  deceases  there),  out  of  the  liberties  of  the  said 
city,  and  to  have,  in  each  of  the  said  places,  a  trental  of  masses. 
Also  to  the  four  orders  of  Friers  of  Stamford,  if  they  be  at  his 
burial  at  Marham,  four  pounds,  they  saying  a  trental  of  masses, 
in  every  of  their  places,  for  his  soul,  and  all  christian  souls. 

He  likewise  bequeathed  40  s.  to  each  of  the  parishes  of  St.  Pe- 
ter the  Poor's  church,  and  St.  Thomas  the  Apostle,  within  London, 
and  the  like  sum  to  the  parish  of  Theydon,  in  the  county  of 
Essex,  they  saying  a  trental  of  masses  as  aforesaid.  And  to  the 
marriages  of  poor  maidens  1001.  sterling,  to  be  distributed  by  the 
discretion  of  his  executors,  as  well  amongst  his  tenants  within 
the  counties  of  Northampton  and  Essex,  as  within  the  city  of 
London.  And  remits  and  forgives  all  such  poor  as  be  in  his  debt, 
and  not  able  to  content  the  same,  whose  names  appeareth  in  his 
seventh  book  of  debts,  under  whose  names  he  had  written  these 
words,  Amore  Dei  Remitto ;  and  wills  that  they  be  in  no  wise 
troubled  for  the  same  by  his  executors. 

And  whereas  he  had  given,  and  executed  by  indentures,  to  his 
right  dear  and  well-beloved  wife,  Dame  Jane  Fitz- William,  for 

■  Ex  Rcgist.  vocat  Hogen  in  Cur.  Praerog.  Cuituar. 


EARL  FITZ-WILLIAM.  389 

term  of  her  life,  the  manors  of  Hennials,  Maydells,  Marshalls, 
and  Arneways,  with  other  lands  and  tenements,  in  the  county  of 
Essex,  for,  and  in  the  name  of  her  jointure,  he  wills  that  she 
shall  peaceably  enjoy  the  same,  and  after  to  descend  to  Sir  William 
Fitz -William,  his  eldest  son.  He  farther  bequeaths  to  her  his 
bason,  with  the  ewer  thereunto,  of  silver  gilt,  and  several  other 
pieces  of  plate  there  specified  ;  and  500  marks  sterling,  on  con- 
dition that  she  suffer  Robert  Dormer,  Esq.  to  enjoy  the  manor  of 
Eythorpe,  with  the  appurtenances,  according  to  a  lease  made  by 
him,  the  said  Sir  William  Fitz- William,  he  paying  her  yearly 
100 1.  sterling,  during  her  life,  for  the  same  manor,  &c.  Also, 
that  the  said  Dame  Jane,  his  wife,  shall  have  the  possession  of  his 
mansion-hoase,  &c.  within  the  parish  of  St.  Thomas  the  Apostle, 
in  the  city  of  London,  during  her  life,  whilst  she  remained  his 
widow,  on  condition  of  paying  41.  per  annum  to  his  executors, 
which  he  orders  them  to  bestow  yearly,  for  the  delivery  of  poor 
prisoners  within  the  city  of  London,  that  shall  be  acquitted  and 
remain  for  their  fees. 

He  bequeaths  to  the  poor  scholars  within  the  universities  of 
Oxford  and  Cambridge  40 1.  to  be  distributed  by  the  advice  of 
two  Doctors  of  Divinity,  and  30 1.  amongst  poor  people;  also 
501.  on  the  making  the  highway  between  Gaynes-Park-Hall  and 
Chigvvell,  in  Essex;  also  the  like  sum  of  501.  to  mending  the 
highways  between  Thornhaugh  and  Sawtrey-Chapel,  in  the 
county  of  Huntingdon.  And  to  the  prior  and  convent  of  Clerk- 
enwell,  in  London,  10 1.  to  have  a  dirge  and  mass  for  his  soul 
within  their  monastery.  Also  to  the  master  and  wardens  of  the 
fellowship  of  Merchant-taylors,  in  the  city  of  London,  his  best 
standing  gilt  cups  with  covers,  for  a  perpetual  remembrance  of 
him,  to  be  kept  in  their  hall,  and  they  to  pray  for  his  soul. 

He  bequeaths  to  Sir  William  Fitz- William,,  his  eldest  son,  300 
marks  sterling,  with  all  his  harness  and  coats  of  fence,  in  his  gal" 
lery  chamber;  his  rich  briganders,  his  cross  of  gold  with  a  ruby, 
set  with  three  diamonds,  on  condition  he  keepeth  it  as  long  as  he 
liveth ;  likewise  several  pieces  of  plate,  and  all  his  household- 
stuff,  &c.  at  Gaynes-Park-Hall,  and  his  manor  place  of  Milton. 
He  further,  besides  his  wife's  jointure  before  specified,  settles  on 
him  his  manors  of  Milton,  Marholme,  alias  Marham,  Etton  cum 
Woodcroft,  Butlers,  Thoroldes,  Mynskipes,  and  Gaynes-Park* 
Hall,  and  all  and  singular  his  other  manors,  &c.  within  the  coun- 
ties of  Northampton,  Essex,  and  Lincoln,  not  by  his  will  be- 
queathed.   To  hold  to  his  said  eldest  son  and  heir,  Sir  William, 


3C>0  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

William,  for  the  term  of  eighty  years,  if  he  should  so  long  live, 
and  after  to  his  grandson,  William  Fitz-William,  and  his  heirs 
male ;  in  default  to  John  Fitz- William,  second  son,  in  tail  malej 
in  default  to  Brian  Fitz- William,  third  son  of  his  said  eldest  son, 
Sir  William  Fitz- William ;  in  default  to  the  heirs  male  of  the 
body  of  the  said  Sir  William  Fitz-William  their  father ;  in  default 
to  Richard  Fitz-William,  in  tail  male;  in  default  to  Christopher 
Fitz-William;  in  default  to  Francis  Fitz-William;  in  default  to 
Thomas  Fitz-William;  sons  of  him  the  said  Sir  William  Fitz- 
William  the  elder ;  in  default  to  the  daughterss  of  the  said  Sir 
William  Fitz-William,  viz.  Elizabeth,  Anne,  Ellen,  and  Mary, 
for  their  lives  only ;  and  after  their  decease,  to  the  right  heirs  of 
the  body  of  Sir  William  Fitz-William,  his  eldest  son;  in  default 
to  the  right  heirs  of  his  brothers  before  recitecl,  in  tail;  in  default 
to  the  next  heirs  of  him  the  said  Sir  William  Fitz-William  the 
elder. 

On  Richard  Fitz-William,  his  second  son,  he  settles  his  lands 
at  Lambourn,  in  the  county  of  Essex,  and  all  such  manors,  &c. 
specified  in  indentures  between  him  the  said  Sir  William  Fitz- 
William,  Sir  John  Dansie,  Knt,  John  Cheney,  and  Anthony  Bab- 
ington,  Esqrs.  dated  the  lfjth  of  November,  20  Henry  the 
Eighth,  to  the  use  of  the  said  Richard,  and  the  heirs  male  of  his 
body ;  in  default  to  William  Fitz-William,  his  elder  brother,  in 
tail  male;  in  default  to  Christopher,  Francis,  and  Thomas,  be- 
fore mentioned,  younger  sons  of  him  the  said  Sir  William  Fitz-» 
William.  Also  his  manors  of  Colys,  Ringstede,  and  Raunds,  with 
the  appurtenances,  in  the  county  of  Northampton,  lately  bought 
of  Robert  Dormer,  Esq.  and  of  the  manors  of  Champneys  and 
Forsters,  in  Wiggington,  in  the  county  of  Hertford;  with  the  like 
remainders. 

He  bequeaths  to  Christopher  Fitz-William,  his  third  son,  500 
marks,  to  purchase  lands,  &:c.  to  him,  and  the  heirs  of  his  body 
lawfully  begotten ;  also  his  mansion  and  dwelling-place,  with  the 
garden  and  other  appurtenances,  in  the  parish  of  St.  Peter,  in 
Bread-street,  London,  to  him,  and  the  heirs  male  of  his  body ; 
in  default,  with  like .  remainders  to  his  brothers,  as  aforemen- 
tioned. 

On  Francis,  his  fourth  son,  he  settled  his  manor  of  Fcnton,  in 
tcora.  Line,  and  on  the  heirs  male  of  his  body;  in  default,  with 
like  remainders  on  his  brothers. 

Qn  Thomas  Fitz-William,  his  youngest  son,  he  settled  the  ma^ 
nor  of  Northborough,  alias  Norborough,  with  the  appurtenances, 


EARL  FITZ-WILLIAM.  3pl 

in  com.  Northamp.  and  on  the  heirs  male  of  his  body;  in  default 
to  Sir  William  Fitz-William,  his  eldest  son;  in  default  with  like 
remainders  on  his  brothers  before  mentioned,  in  tail  male. 

He  bequeaths  to  his  singular  good  lord,  the  Earl  of  Wiltshire, 
Thomas,  father  of  Queen  Anne  Boleyn,  his  rich  rose  of  diamond 
and  rubies,  beseeching  him  to  be  aiding  to  his  executors,  in  the 
performance  of  his  will.  He  also  bequeathed  legacies  and  annui- 
ties to  several  of  his  servants,  particularly  mentioned,  payable  out 
of  his  manor  of  Etton,  in  Northamptonshire.  He  constitutes  his 
executors,  John  Baker,  Esq.  Recorder  of  London;  Anthony  Cook, 
the  younger,  Esq.;  Richard  Waddington,  his  cousin;  and  his 
cousin  Richard  Ogle,  the  younger :  and  they  to  dispose  of  all  his 
goods  and  chatties,  pay  his  debts,  legacies,  and  bequests.  And 
directs,  that  the  residue  of  his  plate,  jewels,  ready  money,  &c. 
and  whatsoever  he  has  not  bequeathed  by  this  his  last  will,  shall 
be  divided  into  two  parts;  the  one  half  among  his  children  in- 
differently,  and  the  other  to  his  poor  kinsfolks,  and  for  the  health 
and  profit  of  his  soul,  according  to  the  discretion  of  his  execu- 
tors. 

He  died  at  his  house,  in  the  parish  of  St.  Thomas  the  Apostle, 
in  London,  on  August  9th,  1534,  and  was  buried  at  Marham 
aforesaid,  where  a  tomb  is  erected  to  his  memory. 

He  married,  to  his  first  wife,  Anne,  daughter  to  Sir  John 
Hawes,  of  the  city  of  London,  Knt.  Mildred,  his  second  wife, 
was  second  daughter  to  Richard  Sackville,  of  Buckhurst,  in  the 
parish  of  Withiam,  in  the  county  of  Sussex,  Esq.  ancestor  to  the 
present  Duke  of  Dorset ;  and  his  third  wife  was  Jane,  daughter, 
to  John  Ormond,  or  Ormond,  but  by  her  he  had  no  issue, 

By  his  first  wife,  he  had  two  sons. 

1 .  Sir  William,  his  heir.     And, 

2.  Richard,  who  was  seated  at  Ringstede,  in  the  county  of 

Northampton,  and  by  his  wife,  —  daughter  of ,  had 

a  son,  John  Fitz- William,  who  died  without  issue,  A.D.  1568. 

Sir  William,  by  the  same  Lady,  was  also  father  of  two  daugh- 
ters, viz.  Elizabeth,  married  to  Sir  Thomas  Brudenell,  of  Deane, 
in  Northamptonshire,  ancestor  to  the  Earl  of  Cardigan;  and 
Anne,  wedded  to  Sir  Anthony  Coke,  of  Giddy  (or  Gedney)  hall, 
in  Essex,  who  by  her  had  a  daughter,  Mildred,  who  is  celebrated 
for  her  knowledge  in  the  Greek  tongue,  by  the  learned  Roger 
Ascham,  in  his  Epistles,  and  was  the  second  wife  of  William  Ce- 
cil, Lord  Burleigh,  Lord  High  Treasurer  of  England ;  who,  by 
Jier,  was  father  of  Robert  the  first  Earl  of  Salisbury, 


392  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Sir  William  Fitz- William,  by  his  second  wife,  besides  two 
daughters,  Eleanor,  married  to  Sir  Nicholas  Strange,  of  Hunstan- 
ton, in  Norfolk,  Knt.  and  Mary,  successively  wedded  to  Sir  Wil- 
liam Shelley  and  Sir  John  Guilford,  Knights,  had  three  sons. 

3.  Christopher,  who  died  without  issue. 

4.  Francis,  of  Fen  ton,  in  Lincolnshire,  who  by  his  wife,  Eliza*- 
beth,  daughter  of  William  Saintpere,  was  father  of  Henry,  who, 
by  his  first  wife,  Frances,  daughter  of  Sir  James  Foljambe,  Knt. 
had  no  issue ;  but  by  his  second,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Henry 
Armstrong,  of  Blithburgh,  Esq.  had  two  sons,  Henry  and  Wil- 
liam, who  both  died  issueless  j  and  five  daughters ;  Elizabeth, 
Anne,  Joan,  Mary,  and  Mildred.     And, 

5.  Thomas  of  Northborough  (or  Norborough),  in  Northamp- 
tonshire, who  married  Alice,  daughter  of  William  Rufford. 

Sir  William  Fitz-William,  the  eldest  son  and  heir  of  Sir  Wil- 
liam, succeeded  his  father  in  1534,  at  Milton,  and  Gaines-Park- 
Hall  ;  and,  by  his  will,  had  also  the  manors  of  Hennals,  Madells, 
and  Marshals,  in  the  county  of  Essex  j  also  the  manors  of  Mar- 
ham,  Etton,  Woodcroft,  Butlers,  Thorolds,  Minskipes,  and  alj 
and  singular  his  other  manors,  lands,  &c.  in  the  counties  of  North- 
ampton, Essex,  and  Lincoln,  not  otherwise  bequeathed  by  him 
in  his  will.  This  Sir  William  Fitz-William  married  Anne,  daugh- 
ter  to  Sir  Richard  Sapcote,  of  Elton,  in  the  county  of  Huntingdon, 
Knt.  by  v/hom  he  had  four  sons,  and  a  daughter,  named  Chris- 
tian, first  married  to  Sir  Richard  Wingfield,  Knt.  Lieutenant  of 
Portsmouth ;  and^  secondly,  to  Sir  George  Delves,  Knt.  one  of  the 
Gentlemen  Pensioners  to  Queen  Elizabeth.     The  sons  were, 

1.  Sir  William. 

2,  John.     3.  Bryan. 

And,  4.  another  John,  who  was  trained  up  in  France ;  and 
when  Queen  Mary  involved  England  in  a  war,  in  behalf  of  her 
husband,  Philip  II.  King  of  Spain,  against  the  French  monarch, 
Henry  II.  in  1557,  he  was  appointed  maistre  de  camp  to  the  Eng- 
lish auxiliaries.  He  also  served  in  Ireland  against  the  great  rebel 
O'Neile,  whom  he  defeated  in  1567,  and  died  without  issue  j  as 
did  Bryan  his  brother,  who  was  a  Captain,  and  in  1569  served 
against  the  rebels  in  the  north  of  Ireland ;  whither  he  went  again 
in  1580,  in  company  with  Sir  William  Russell,  son  to  the  Earl  of 
Bedford,"  with  150  horse,  raised  by  the  clergy  of  England. 

Sir  William,  the  eldest  son,  was  sole  heir  to  his  father,  and 

»  Cox's  H-Istory  of  Ireland,  p.  36?. 


EARL  FITZ- WILLIAM.  393 

succeeded  him  at  Milton,  &c.  The  said  Sir  William  was  born 
in  the  year  1526;  and  being  bred  up  under  the  tuition,  and  in  the 
service  of  his  kinsman,  by  the  mother,  John  Lord  Russel,  Lord 
Privy-Seal,  and  first  Earl  of  Bedford,  of  that  noble  family,  was 
by  him  preferred  to  Edward  VI.  by  whom  he  was  made  Marshal 
of  the  King's  Bench ;  and  was  afterwards  employed  by  Queen 
Mary,  in  Ireland,  under  Thomas  RatclifF,  Earl  of  Sussex,  the 
Lieutenant  of  that  kingdom.  On  July  24th,  1559,  the  first  of 
Queen  Elizabeth,  he  was  by  letters-patent  made  Vice-Treasurer, 
and  Treasurer  at  War,  in  the  said  realm,  and  so  continued  until 
the  14th  year  of  that  Queen's  reign.  In  the  interim,  notwith- 
standing his  employments  in  those  offices,  the  same  Queen  called 
him  to  a  greater  authority,  making  him  five  several  times  Gover- 
nor over  that  realm,  as  particularly  hereafter  followeth  : 

Imprimis,  by  letters  patent,  bearing  date  at  Westminster,  January 
18th,  1560,  he  was  Lord  Deputy,  and  received  his  oath,  and  her 
Highness's  sword,  in  the  presence  of  divers  of  the  Nobility  and 
Commons,  at  Christ  Church,  in  Dublin,  February  15th  following, 
and  so  continued  until  June  25th,  1561. 

Item,  by  letters  patent,  dated  January  10th,  1561,  he  was  made 
Lord  Justice  the  second  time,  and  again  received  his  oath,  and 
her  Highness's  sword,  as  aforesaid,  at  Christ  Church,  February  2d 
following,  and  so  continued  till  June  5th,  1562. 

Item,  by  other  letters  patent,  dated  December  20th,  he  was 
made  Lord  Justice  the  third  time;  and  likewise  received  his  oath 
and  the  sword,  as  before,  at  Christ  Church,  January  22d  fol- 
lowing, anno  1562,  and  so  continued  until  the  29th  of  July, 
1563. 

Item,  by  other  letters  patent,  dated  October  9th,  1566,  he  wa* 
made  Lord  Justice  the  fourth  time,  and  also  received  his  oath, 
and  the  sword,  at  Christ  Church,  the  same  day,  together  with 
Dr.  Weston,  then  Lord  Chancellor  (joined  with  him  in  the  pa^. 
tent),  and  so  he  continued  until  the  28th  of  October,  1567. 

Item,  by  other  letters  patent,  dated  April  1st,  he  was  made 
Lord  Justice  the  fifth  time,  and  then  also  received  his  oath,  and 
the  sword,  as  before,  at  Christ  Church,  the  same  day,  1570,  being 
elected  and  chosen  thereunto  by  the  Nobility  and  Commons  of 
the  said  realm,  according  to  a  statute  in  such  case  set  forth  and 
provided,  and  so  he  continued  until  the  eleventh  of  December 
1571,  and  received  his  oath,  and  the  sword,  as  aforesaid,  at  St. 
Patrick's,  the  13th  of  January  following,  and  so  continued  un- 
til the  5th  pf  August  1575;  at  which  time  Sir  Edward  Fitton, 


3g*  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Knt.  was  sent  over  to  be  his  successor  in  the  office  of  Vice-Trea- 
surer, and  Treasurer  at  War,  as  aforesaid. 

Item,  by  other  letters  patent,  dated  the  20th  of  February,  1588, 
he  was  made  Lord  Deputy  of  Ireland  the  second  time,  and  re- 
ceived his  oath,  and  the  sword,  at  Christ  Church,  in  the  presence 
of  the  Nobility,  and  divers  of  the  Commons,  there  assembled,  the 
last  day  of  June  following,  and  so  continued  until  the  °llth  of 
August  15.Q4. 

'  This  Sir  William  Fitz- William  was  not  only  eminent  for  his 
great  services  in  Ireland,  in  which  he  continued  between  thirty 
and  forty  years,  and  discharged  himself,  in  all  his  honourable 
employments  in  that  kingdom,  with  great  prudence  and  fidelity, 
whereby  he  justly  merited  his  Royal  Mistress's  favour,  and 
gained  an  universal  applause  and  esteem  among  the  nobility  and 
people  of  that  realm.  And  her  Majesty,  as  a  further  mark  of 
the  trust  and  confidence  she  reposed  in  his  abilities  and  fidelity 
for  her  service,  was  pleased  to  constitute  him  Constable  of  Fo- 
theringay-Castle,  in  the  county  of  Northampton ;  where  he  be- 
haved himself  with  so  much  civility  towards  the  Queen  of  Scots, 
during  her  imprisonment  under  his  care,  in  that  castle,  that,  the 
morning  before  she  was  beheaded,  she  presented  him  with  the 
picture  of  her  son,  James  the  First ;  which  picture  is  yet  in  the 
family/ 

Thus  far  the  manuscript  history  of  the  family,  in  possession  of 
the  present  Earl  Fitz- William ;  and  I  find  this  further  mention 
of  him/  that  in  October  1554,  this  Sir  William  Fitz- William, 
with  Sir  John  Allen,  and  Valentine  Brown,  Esq.  were  commis- 
sioned by  Queen  Mary,  with  Sir  Anthony  St.  Leger,  Lord  Deputy 
of  Ireland,  for  the  management  of  the  crown  lands  in  that  king- 
dom; also  on  the  third  of  July  1555/1  he  was  made  Keeper  of 
the  Great  Seal,  till  September  13th,  when  Hugh  Curwen,  Arch* 
bishop  of  Dublin,  was  appointed  Lord  Chancellor.  Fuller,  in  his 
Worthies  of  England,  p.  285,  recites,  '  That  Sir  William  Fitzi 
William  was  five  times  Lord  Deputy  of  Ireland,  a  sufficient  evi- 
dence of  his  honesty  and  ability;  Queen  Elizabeth  never  trusting 
twice,  where  she  was  once  deceived  in  a  Minister  of  State.  And 
she  so  preserved  him  in  the  power  of  his  place,  that  sending  over 
Walter,  Earl  of  Essex,  to  be  Governor  of  Ulster,  the  Earl  was, 
prdered  to  take  his  commission  from  the  Lord  Deputy.'    And  Sif 

o  Ccx's  History  of  Ireland,  p.  403.  P  Ibid.  p.  301. 

9  Ibid.  p.  30Z 


EARL  FITZ- WILLIAM.  395 

i 
John  Davis,  in  his  Discourse  of  Ireland,  p.  2S7,  relates,  That  he 

was  very  serviceable  in  the  reduction  of  Ireland;  first,  in  raising 

a  composition  in  Munster ;  afterwards  in  settling  the  possessions 

of  the  Lords  and  tenants  in  Monahan,  one  of  the  last  acts  of  state 

(tending  to  the  reformation  of  the  civil  government)  performed  in 

the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth.    His  vigilance  was  very  conspicuous 

in  the  memorable  year  of  the  Spanish  invasion,  anno  1588,  when 

the  routed  Armada,  in  its  return,  dared  not  to  land  in  Ireland, 

except  against  their  wills  driven  by  tempest,  when  they  found  the 

shore  worse  than  the  sea  to  them.     He  died  on  June  22d,  1599, 

and  lies  buried  at  Marham,  in  Northamptonshire,  where  a  noble 

monument  is  erected  to  his  memory,  exhibiting  the  figures  of  him 

,and  his  Lady,  with  the  following  inscription : 

To  the  memory  of 
<The  Right  Honourable  Sir  William  Fitz- William,  Knt. 
who  by  her  Majesty  Queen  Elizabeth 
was  three  several  Times  made  her  Deputy, 
alias  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the  Kingdom  of 
Ireland.     He  was  also  five  several  times 
one  of  the  Lords  Justices  of  that  Kingdom, 
and  General  and  Commander  in  Chief  of 
the  Army  there,  near  39  years ;  when 
being  in  a  very  advanced  Age,  and  worn  out  by  the 
Fatigues  of  the  War,  and  the  State  there,  he,  by  her 
Majesty's  Permission,  returned  into  this 
Kingdom,  and  retired  to  his  Native  Place, 
Milton,  where  he  died  in  June,  1599, 
and  lies  buried  in  this  Chancel.    He  married 
Anne,  Daughter  of  Sir  William  Sidney,  and  Sister  to 
Sir  Henry  Sidney,  Father  of  the  first  Earl  of  Leicester. 
She  lies  also  here  buried  by  him. 

His  said  Lady  died  June  11th,  irj02,  and  appointed  by  her  will 
an  hospital  to  be  erected  at  Heydon  Gernon,  in  Essex  (in  which 
church  a  monument  is  erected  to  her  memory),  for  the  perpetual 
maintenance  of  four  poor  widows  and  their  successors,  and  be- 
queathed to  each  of  them  twelve  pence  a  week. 

He  had  issue  by  her  two  sons,  and  three  daughters  $  Mary,  mar- 
ried to  Sir  Richard  Dyer,  nephew  and  heir  of  Sir  James  Dyer,  of 
Great  Stoughton,  in  the  county  of  Huntingdon,  Knt.  Lord  Chief 
justice j  Philippa,  to  Sir  Thomas  Coningsby,  of  Hampton-Court, 


396  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

in   the  county  of  Hereford,  Knt.    ancestor   to  Margaret,  late 
Countess  of  Coningsby  j  and  Margaret,  married  to  John  Byron, 
Esq.  son  and  heir  of  Sir  John  Byron,  of  Clayton,  in  the  county 
of  Lancaster,  Knt.  grandfather  by  her  of  John  first  Lord  Byron. 
The  two  sons  were, 

1.  Sir  William.     And, 

2.  John,,  a  Captain  in  the  wars  of  Scotland,  who  died  without 
issue. 

The  eldest  son,  Sir  William,  succeeded  his  father,  and  re- 
sided at  Milton,  and  Gaines-Park-Hall,  aforesaid.  He  married 
Winifred,  daughter  to  Sir  Walter  Mildmay,  of  Apethorp,  in  the 
county  of  Northampton,  Knt.  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer,  and 
Under  Treasurer  of  England;  and  deceasing  on  August  5th,l6l8, 
was  buried  at  Marham. 

He  had  by  her  a  daughter,  Anne,  married  to  John  Isham,  of 
Picheley,  in  the  county  of  Northampton,  Esq.  and  two  sons,  Wil- 
liam, and  Walter  Fitz- William,  who  died  without  issue. 

William  Fitz- William,  of  Milton,  and  Gaines-Park -Hall, 
Esq.  their  eldest  son,  was,  by  letters  patent  bearing  date  at  West- 
minster, December  1st,  1620,  created  Lord  Fitz- William  of  Lif- 
fer,  alias  Lifford,  in  the  county  of  Donegal!,  in  the  kingdom  of 
Ireland:  and  deceasing  at  his  house  in  the  Strand,  on  January  6th, 
1643-4,  was  buried  at  Marham  aforesaid.  He  had  issue,  by 
Catharine  his  wife,  daughter  of  William  Hyde,  of  South  Dench- 
worth,  in  the  county  of  Berks,  Esq.  and  sister  of  Sir  George 
Hyde,  of  Kingston  Lisle,  in  the  same  county,  Knight  of  the  Bath, 
two  sons,  and  three  daughters;  viz. 

William,  second  Lord  Fitz-William,  his  eldest  son. 

John,  second  son,  who  died  without  issue  in  November,  163/ ; 
Winifred,  eldest  daughter,  who  died  without  issue  1635;  and 
Catharine,  second  daughter,  who  wa6  married  to  Sir  John  Lee, 
of  St.  Edmund's  Bury,  in  the  county  of  Suffolk,  Knight.  Ann, 
the  third  daughter,  died  unmarried. 

William,  second  Lord  Fitz- William,  married  Jane,  daughter 
and  coheir  to  Hugh  Perry,  alias  Hunter,  Esq.  who  was  Sheriff 
and  Alderman  of  London,  second  son  of  Thomas  Perry,  alias 
Hunter,  of  Wotton  under  Edge,  in  com.  Gloucester,  by  whom  he 
had  issue  four  sons,  and  three  daughters. 

1.  William,  eldest  son,  who  died  at  six  months  old, 

2.  William,,  third  Lord  Fitz-William. 


EARL  FITZ-WILLIAM.  39; 

Charles,  third  son,  who  was  a  Colonel  of  Horse,  anno  1689, 
and  died  in  Ireland  without  issue. 

Ferdinand©,  fourth  son,  who  deceased  young. 

Catherine,  eldest  daughter,  who  died  young. 

Jane,  second  daughter,  who  was  married  to  Sir  Christopher 
Wren,  Knt.  Surveyor-General  to  her  Majesty  Queen  Anne,  and 
the  architect  of  St.  Paul's  cathedral,  London. 

Frances,  third  daughter,  who  died  young. 

The  said  William,  second  Lord  Fitz- William,  deceasing,  at  his 
house  in  the  Savoy,  in  com.  Middlesex,  was  interred  at  Marham 
aforesaid,  on  February  2lst,  1658;  and  his  lady  surviving  him, 
was  buried  at  Marham,  April  8th,  1671. 

William,  third  Lord  Fitz-  William,  and  first  Irish  Earl,  was 
born  ar  the  Dutchy-house  in  the  Savoy,  on  April  29th,  1643.' 
His  Lordship,  on  the  accession  of  George  I.  was  constituted  Gus- 
tos Rotulorum  of  the  city  and  liberty  of  Peterborough  ;  and  was 
created  Viscount  Miltown,  in  the  county  of  West-Meath,  and 
Earl  Fitz- William,  of  the  county  of  Tyrone  in  Ireland,  by  letters 
patent,  bearing  date  July  21st,  17*6>  in  the  second  year  of  his 
reign.  His  Lordship  married  Anne,  daughter,  and,  at  length 
sole  heir,  to  Edmund  Cremor,  of  West-Winch,  in  the  county 
of  Norfolk,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had  issue  four  sons,  and  six 
daughters. 

William  Fitz- William,  eldest  son,  born  at  Milton,  on  August 
19th,  1678,  died  unmarried  on  November  25th,  1699,  and  was 
buried  at  Marham. 

Charles  Fitz-William,  Esq.  second  son,  who  died  an  infant. 

John  Fitz-William,  third  son,  who  succeeded  his  father,  and 
was  Earl  Fitz-William. 

George  Fitz-William,  fourth  son,  who  deceased  young  ;  Ca- 
therine, eldest  daughter  j  Frances,  second  daughter;  Rachel,  third 
daughter;  and  Mary,  fourth  daughter;  who  all. died  young. 

Anna  Maria,  fifth  daughter,  who  was  married  to  Sir  Charles 
Barrington,  of  Barrington-Hall,  in  the  county  of  Essex,  Bart, 
who  died  in  January,  1714-5,  and  his  Lady  on  July  17th,  aged 
forty-one,   and  was  buried  in  her  family  vault  at  Marham.  And 

Jane  Fitz-William,  iixth  and  youngest  daughter,  who  died 
young. 

The  said  William,  Earl  Fitz- William,  departed  this  life  on 
December  28th,  1719*  m  tne  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age,  and 
was  buried  at  Marham,  having  survived  his  Lady,  who  died  on 


398  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

February  4th,  1716-17,  aged  seventy-one.     He  was  succeeded 
by  his  only  surviving  son, 

John,  second  Earl  Fitz-William,  of  Ireland,  who  was  Mem- 
ber of  Parliament  for  the  city  of  Peterborough,  and  Custos  Eotu- 
lorum  for  the  said  city  and  liberty ;  and  died  on  August  28th, 
1728.  He  married  Anne,  daughter  and  sole  heir  to  John  Strin- 
ger, of  Sutton  upon  Lound,  in  the  county  of  Nottingham,  Esq. 
who  died  in  ]  726,  and  was  buried  at  Marham,  and  by  her  had 
issue  one  son,  William,  born  on  January  15tb,  1719,  third  Earl 
Fitz-William,  and  three  daughters :  Lady  Anne,  born  on  August 
23d,  1722,  married  to  Francis  Godolphin,  Esq.  who  succeeded 
to  the  barony  of  Godolphin ;  Lady  Elizabeth,  born  on  Decem- 
ber 9th,  1724)  and  Lady  Mary,  born  on  February  4th,  1725, 
married  to  John  Archer,  of  Welford,  in  the  couty  of  Berks,  Esq, 
she  diedr  10th  September,  ]77®>  and  was  buried  at  Coopersale, 
in  Essex. 

William,  the  third  Earl  Fitz-William,  of  Ireland,  and  first 
Earl  Fitz-William,  of  England,  being  left  a  minor,  was  first 
of  Eton  school ;  and  after  having  finished  his  travel's  abroad, 
was  early  distinguished  by  King  George  II.  who  on  April  19th, 
1742,  created  him  a  Peer  of  Great  Britain,  by  the  name,  style, 
and  title  of  Lord  Fitz-William,  Baron  of  Milton  in  th«  county 
of  Northampton.  On  September  6th,  174(5,  his  Lordship  was 
created  a  discount,  and  Earl  of  Great  Britain,  by  the  name, 
style,  and  titles  of  discount  Milton,  and  Earl  Fitz-William 
of  Norlorough,  ir^  the  county  of  Northampton ;  and  appointed 
Custos  Rotulorum  of  the  city  and  liberty  of  Peterborough,  on 
November  23d,  1741.  At  the  funeral  of  Frederick  Prince  of 
Wales,  his  Lordship  was  one  of  the  six  Earls  who  supported  the 
pall  ;  and  on  June  24th,  1751,  was  constituted  one  of  the  Lords 
of  his  Majesty's  bedchamber. 

On  June  22d,  1744,  his  Lordship  married  the  Lady  Anne 
Wentworth,  eldest  daughter  of  Thomas  Marquis  of  Rockingham  ; 
and  by  her  (who  died  on  May  4th,  1759,  and  was  interred  at 
Marham)  he  had  issue  six  daughters;  viz.  Lady  Anne,  born 
March  24th,  1744;  Charlotte,  born  on  July  14th,  1746,  and 
married  to  Thomas  Dundas,  Esq.  eldest  son  of  Sir  Lawrence 
Dundas,  of  Ask-hall,  in  the  said  county,  Bart,  now  Lord  Dun- 
das; Lady  Frances,  born  October  22d,  1750;  Lady  Emilia-Ma- 
ria, born  December  12th,  1751,  and  died  on  August  8th,  1752  \ 

t  Coffin  plate. 


EARL  FITZ- WILLIAM.  399 

Lady  Henrietta,  born  on  March  21st,  1752,   died  unmarried; 
and  Lady  Dorothy,  born  on  May  22d,  3/54. 
His  Lordship  had  also  two  sons ;  viz. 

1.  William,  now  Earl  Fitz- William.     And, 

2.  The  Hon.  George  Fitz-William,  a  posthumous  child,  died 
May  6th,  1766. 

He  departed  this  life  on  August  10th,  1756,  and  had  sepulture 
with  his  ancestors  at  Marham.  His  Lordship  was  succeeded  in 
dignity  and  estate  by  his  said  eldest  son, 

William,  the  present  and  second  Earl  Fitz-William,  of 
Great  Britain,  and  fourth  Earl  of  Ireland.  His  Lordship  was 
born  on  May  30th,  1748,  was  married  11th  July,  1770,  to  Lady 
Charlotte  Ponsonby,  daughter  of  William  Earl  of  Besborongh  j 
and  is  the  twenty-second  in  paternal  descent  from  Sir  William 
Fitz-Goderick,  cousin  to  King  Edward  the  Confessor.  He  has 
issue  an  only  child,  viz. 

Charles -William  Viscount  Milton,  M.  P.  for  the  county  of 
York,  1807,  married,  July  8th,  1806,  Charlotte,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Lord  Dundas,  by  whom  he  has  a  daughter,  born  July 
12th,  I8O7. 

His  Lordship  succeeded  in  1782,  to  the  great  fortune  of  his 
uncle,  the  Marquis  of  Rockingham;  and  has  added  the  name  of 
Wentworth  to  his  own. 

On  July  11th,  1704,  his  Lordship  was  appointed  Lord  Presi- 
dent of  the  Council,  which  he  held  till  December  17th  following. 
On  January  4th,  1795,  he  was  appointed  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ire- 
land, which  he  only  held  till  the  24th  of  March  following. 

In  18C6,  he  was  again  appointed  Lord  President  of  the  Council, 
which  he  held  till  the  fall  of  the  Grenville  administration  in  the 
following  year.    • 

Titles.  William  Fitz-William,  Earl  Fitz-William,  Viscount 
Milton,  and  Lord  Fitz-William,  Baron  of  Milton,  English  ho- 
nours :  also  Earl  Fitz-William,  Viscount  Miltown,  and  Ba- 
ron Fitz-William  of  Liffer,  alias  Lifford,  in  the  kingdom  of 
Ireland. 

Creations.  Baron  Fitz-William  of  Liffer,  alias  Lifford,  in  the 
county  of  Donegall,  by  letters  patent  dated  December  1st,  1 620, 
18th  James  I.;  Viscount  Miltown,  of  the  the  county  of  West- 
Meath,  and  Earl  Fitz-William,  of  the  county  of  Tyrone,  by  letters 
patent  bearing  date  July  21st,  1716,  2d  of  George  I.  honours  of 
the  kingdom  of  Ireland. 


400  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Lord  Fitz- William,  Baron  of  Milton,  by  letters  patent  dated 
April  19th,  1742,  15th  of  George  II.  j  Viscount  Milton,  and  Earl 
Fitz- William  of  Norborough,  all  in  the  county  of  Northampton, 
by  letters  patent,  dated  September  6th,  1/46,  20th  of  George  II. 
English  honours. 

Arms.     Lozengy,  Argent  and  Gules. 

Crest.  In  a  ducal  coronet,  Or,  a  triple  plume  of  ostrich  fea- 
thers, Argent. 

Supporters.  Two  savage  men ;  wreathed  about  their  heads  and 
waists  with  oak  leaves,  and  in  their  exterior  hands,  a  tree  eradi- 
cated, the  top  broken  off,  all  proper. 

Motto.     Appetitus  Rationi  Parkat. 

Chief  Seats.  At  Milton,  in  the  county  of  Northampton  j  and 
Wentworth  House,  Yorkshire. 


EARL  OF  EGREMONT.  *  401 


WYNDHAM  EARL  OF  EGREMONT. 

His  Lordship  derives  his  descent  from  Ailwardus,  an  eminent 
Saxon,  in  the  county  of  a  Norfolk,  who  soon  after  the  Norman 
conquest,  being  possessed  of  lands  in  Wymondham  (now  wrote 
Wyndham),  in  that  county,  assumed  his  surname  from  thence  j 
and  the  said  Ailwardus  de  Wymondham,  with  Richard,  his  son, 
Hugh,  Pagan,  and  Edmund  de  Wymondham,  were  witnesses  to  a 
charter  of  William  de  Albini,  butler  to  King  Henry  I.  whereby 
he  gave  the  church  of  Wymondham  to  the  prior  and  convent  of 
Wyndham. 

Richard,  son  of  Ailward,  was  father  of  Richard,  who  had 
issue  John  de  Wymondham,  who  by  Margaret,  daughter  to  Ro- 
bert Churchon  (or  Curzon),b  had  issue  another  John  of  Whichle- 
wood,  and  Crounthorpe,  in  the  county  of  Norfolk  $  which  were- 
their  principal  seats  for  many  generations,  and  are  yet  part  of  the 
possessions  of  a  branch  of  the  family. 

In  44  Henry  III.  Thomas  de  Wymondham,  Chanter  of  Litch- 
field, was  a  Baron  of  the  Exchequer;  and  on  c  April  4th,  12(56, 
was  constituted  Treasurer  of  England ;  also  the  year  after/  bear- 
ing the  title  of  Chanter  of  the  church  of  Litchfield,  had  his  patent 
renewed. 

In  52  Henry  III.  he  had  a  e  grant  of  fifty  marks  per  annum, 
for  the  better  maintaining  himself  in  the  office  of  Treasurer, 
wherein  he  continued  till  54  Henry  III.f 

In  10  Edward  II.  William,  son  of  Ralph  de  Wimondham, 

*  Monast.  Ang.  Vol.  I.  p.  37.  and  339.  *  Ex  Stemmate. 

c  Pat.  50  Henry  III.  tn.zo.  d  Pat.  31  Henry  III.  m,  6. 

*  Liberate  de  Anno  52  Hen,  hi,  5.  f  DugdaleYGhreh.  Series,  p.  32. 

TOL.  If.  2D 


402  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

was  possessed  of  the  manors  of  Crounthorpe  and  Whichlewood, 
wherein  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Sir  John,  who  by  Cathe- 
rine, daughter  of  Sir  John  de  Redisham,  of  Redisham,  Knt.  had 
three  sons;  1.  Thomas.  2.  Sir  Richard  de  Wymondham,  Knt.s 
who,  in  1356,  had  the  King's  protection,  going  into  Brittany  un- 
der his  son  Edward,  Prince  of  Wales;  and  on  September  19th, 
that  year,  was  at  the  famous  battle  of  Poictiers,  wherein  John  the 
French  King  was  taken  prisoner.  3.  Henry,  Prior  of  Wynd- 
ham. 

Thomas  de  Wimondham,  in  the  pedigree  of  the  family,  is  said 
to  be  elder  brother  to  Sir  Richard,  and  to  have  married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Sir  Walter  Walcot,  Knt.  by  whom  he  had  issue  John 
de  Wimondham,  who  had  to  wife  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John 
Sharington,  by  whom  he  was  father  of  John  Wimondham,  who 
wedded  Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Segrave,  Knt.  and  had 
issue  John,  his  son  and  heir. 

Which  John  was  of  Crounthorpe,  and  of  Felbrigge,  in  com. 
Norfolk  j  which  last  estate  he  purchased  of  the  trustees  of  Sir 
John  Felbrigge,  Knight  of  the  Garter.  He  was  an  eminent  as- 
Sertor  of  the  House  of  Lancaster;  and  in  38  Henry  VI.  was 
joined  in  commission  with  others,  to  withstand  the  attempts  of 
the  Earl  of  Warwick :  also,  in  the  same  year,  h  was  one  of  the 
Knights  for  the  county  of  Norfolk,  in  the  parlian>ent  held  at  Co- 
ventry, wherein  the  Earl  of  Warwick,  and  other  accomplices  of 
the  Duke  of  York,  were  attainted  of  high-treason.  He  had  to 
wife  Margery,  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Clifton,  of  Bokenham-castle, 
in  com.  Norfolk,  and  widow  of  Sir  John  Hastings.  But  Weever, 
in  his  Funeral  Monuments,  p.  804,  says,  she  was  the  widow  of 
Sir  EdwarH  Hastings,  and  was  buried  in  the  Augustine  Friers  in 
Norwich,  in  the  year  1456.  By  the  said  John  Wyndham,  Esq. 
she  had  issue  two  sons  3  Sir  John ;  and  Sir  Roger,  who  died  with- 
out issue  5  Ela,  married  to  Thomas  Fastolfe,  Esq.  and  Isabel,  to 
Simon  Wiseman,  of  Great  Thornham,  in  Suffolk,  Esq. 

Sir  John  Wyndham,  in  1487,  was  in  the  battle  of  Stoke,  near 
•Newark,  against  the  Earl  of  Lincoln,  Lambert  Simnel,  and  their 
adherents,1  and  was  knighted,  immediately  after  the  victory,  for 
his  valiant  behaviour :  but  being  afterwards  engaged  in  the  inte- 
rests of  the  house  of  York,  he  was  apprehended;  and  on  May 
2d,  in  17  Henry  VII.  arraigned  in  Guildhall,  London,  where  be- 

l  Rymer's  Fcedera,  VqJ.  V.  p.  844.  h  Pryn'g  Brevia.  Parliam.  p.  69- 

*  MS.  Claudius  C.  3.  in  Bibl,  Cotton.  ♦ 


EARL  OF  EGREMONT.     m  403 

ing  found  guilty  of  high  treason,  as  an  accomplice  of  Edmund  de 
la  Pole,  Earl  of  Suffolk,  he,k  with  Sir  James  Tyrrell,  Lieutenant 
of  Guisnes-castle,  were  beheaded  on  Tower-Hill,  May  6th,  follow- 
ing, and  their  bodies  and  heads  were  buried  in  the  Augustine 
Friers  church  of  London,  as  Stow  writes. 

Sir  Francis  Bacon,  in  his  Life  of  King  Henry  VII.1  gives  the 
following  account:  '  In  1501,  on  the  Earl  of  Suffolk's  flying  into 
Flanders,  King  Henry  the  Seventh  growing  jealous  of  him, 
caused  Sir  Robert  Curson,  Captain  of  the  castle  of  Hammes,  to 
fly  from  his  charge,  and  to  feign  himself  a  servant  of  the  Earl  of 
Suffolk's  j  who  thereby  insinuating  himself  into  his  secrets,  gave 
advertisements  to  the  King  of  such  who  were  friends  to  him. 
Whereupon  William  Courtney,  Earl  of  Devonshire,  brother-in- 
law  to  the  Earl,  as  also  William  de  la  Pole,  his  own  brother,  Sir 
John  Wyndham,  and  others,  were  taken  into  custody ;  and  Sir 
John  was  attainted  and  beheaded  the  6th  of  May,  1503/ 

This  Sir  John  Wyndham  had  two  wives  ;  first,  the  Lady  Mar- 
garet, daughter  to  John  Howard,  Duke  of  Norfolk,  by  whom  he 
had  issue  Sir  Thomas,  his  son  and  heir ;  Edward  ;  George,  who 
died  in  1543,  having  been  Archdeacon  of  Norwich,  Precentor  of 
St.  Paul's,  and  Master  of  the  college  of  Rushworth,  in  Norfolk  ; 
who,  together  with  his  brethren,  the  friers  of  that  college,  in  26 
Henry  VIII.m  swore  fealty  to  the  King,  Queen  Anne,  and  the 
issue  begotten  on  her  body;  also  that  they  will  make  known, 
preach,  and  persuade  the  people  to  do  the  same,  whenever  place 
and  opportunity  shall  serve.  Likewise  three  daughters  ;  Anne, 
wife  of  Thomas  Radcliffe,  Esq. ;  Elizabeth,  first,  of  Sir  Francis 
Calthorpe,  of  Ingham,  in  com.  Norfolk;  and  afterwards  of  Sir 
John  Culpeper,  Knt.  and  Dorothy. 

His  second  wife11  was  Eleanor,  daughter  of  Norman  Wash- 
bourne,  of  Washbourne,  in  Worcestershire,  Esq.  and  widow  of 
Sir  Richard  Scrope,  a  younger  son  of  Henry  Lord  Scrope,  of  Bol- 
ton ;  by  whom  he  had  a  son,  Francis,  who  died  young,  and  a 
daughter,  Frances;  which  Lady  died  in  21  Henry  VII.  as  ap- 
pears by  the  probate  of  her  will,  bearing  date  December  11th, 
21  Henry  VII.  1505.  She  therein  writes  herself  Elianore  Wynd- 
ham, widowe,  late  wife  of  Sir  John  Wyndham,  Knt.  and  orders 
her  body  to  be  buried  in  the  choir  of  the  Austin  Friers,  in  Nor- 

*  Scow's  Annals,  p.  484.  *  General  Hist,  of  Engl.  Vol.  I.  p.  630,  63 1 . 

m  Rymer's  Foedera,  Vol.  XIV.  p.  518. 
«  Vis  dc  Com.  Norf.  G,  I.  in  Offic  Armor. 


404  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

wich,  beside  the  high-altar  there,  to  which  she  bequeaths  a  pair 
of  chalices,  silver  and  gilt  j  to  the  intent  that  the  Friers  there 
shall  pray  for  the  soul  of  her,  the  said  Eleanor,  and  Sir  John 
Wyndham,  late  her  husband  ;  and  that  a  Frier  priest  sing,  and 
pray  for  her  soul,within  the  said  place,  the  space  of  a  whole  year, 
and  to  have  for  his  salary  53s.  4d.  She  was  also  a  benefactor  to 
the  White  Friers  of  Norwich,  to  the  Black  Friers  in  Norwich, 
and  to  the  Grey  Friers  there ;  the  abbey  of  Barking,  and  to  other 
religious  houses.  And  wills,  that  on  the  day  of  her  burial,  51. 
be  bestowed  in  alms  $  and  at  her  burying  day,  her  seventh  day, 
month  day,  and  year  day,  there  be  disposed  for  her  401.  after  the 
discretion  of  her  executors.  And  that  an  honest  priest  sing  for 
her  in  the  university  of  Cambridge,  for  two  years,  and  be  allowed 
for  his  stipend  eight  marks  every  year.  She  bequeaths  to  the 
Lord  of  Oxford  a  cross  of  gold  with  diamonds^  and  to  the  Lady, 
his  wife,  a  ring  with  a  ruby.  To  the  Lady  Beaumont,  her  daugh- 
ter, a  pursle  of  sable,  her  best  feather-bed,  and  other  furniture. 
To  Thomas  Wyndham,  her  son-in-law,  a  vestment,  and  mass? 
book,  three  hangings,  and  other  furniture.  To  her  daughter, 
Alianore  Wyndham,  wife  of  the  said  Thomas,  a  gown  of  black 
velvet,  furred  with  marten,  &c.  And  other  legacies  to  Dame 
Anne  Scrope,  her  daughter,  her  daughter  Mary  Scrope,  her 
daughter  Jane  Scrope,  her  daughter  Frances  Wyndham.  Also  to 
George  Wyndham,  Elizabeth,  Margaret,  and  Eleanor  Wyndham, 
Edmund  Wyndham,  and  John  Wyndham.  Also  to  her  daugh- 
ters unmarried,  which  she  had  by  her  first  husband,  Sir  Richard 
Scrope,  all  the  residue  of  her  array,  and  household  stuff,  not  be- 
fore bequeathed;  and  leaves  the  residue  of  her  fortune  to  her 
executors,  Sir  Thomas  Tyrrell,  Knt.  John  Tey,  Esq.  and  Richard 
Wode,  Gent.°    To  which  she  set  her  seal,  &c. 

Sir  Thomas  Wyndham,  of  Felbrigge,  eldest  son,  was  Pone 
of  the  commanders  of  that  fleet,  which,  sailing  from  Dover,  and 
scouring  the  seas,  came  into  Portsmouth  about  the  middle  of 
May,  in  4  Henry  VIII.  He  also  attended  Sir  Edward  Howard, 
Lord  Admiral,  in  the  expedition  to  Biscay  the  same  year,1*  and 
was  by  him  knighted  in  Croyton-Bay,  in  France.  Her  was  also 
with  that  Admiral,  when  he  was  drowned  in  the  attempt  on 
Brest :  and  being  one  of  the  Knights  of  the  King's  body,8  at- 

•  Regist.  Dean  Qu.  i.  in  cur.  praerog.  Cantuar. 

P  Hall's  Chron.  in  Life  of  Henry  VIII.  f.  16. 

<  Weever's  Funeral  Monuments,  p.  796.  *  Sum's  Annals,  p.  491, 

«  Weevfcr,  praed. 


EARL  OF  EGREMONT.  405 

tended  his  Majesty  at  the  sieges  of  Therouene  and  Tournay, 
where  he  did  good  service,  as  also  in  other  places j  and  was  of 
his  Privy-Council. 

In  12  Henry  VIII.  he  attended  the  King,1  at  his  conferences 
with  the  French  King,  between  Guysnes  and  Ardres,  having,  in 
his  retinue,  a  chaplain,  eleven  servants,  and  eight  horses. 

This  Sir  Thomas  Wyndham,  Knt.  made  his  will,u  at  his  manor 
of  Felbrigge,  October  22d,  1521,  which  being  remarkable,  I  shall 
insert  it  in  his  own  words.     First  (says  he),  for  the  recommenda- 
cion  of  my  soule  into  the  moost  mercifull  hands  of  him  that  re- 
demed  me,  and  made  it,  I  make  and  say  this  my  accustomed 
prayer.     Domine  Ihu  Creste,  qui  me  ex  Nichelle  Creasti,  Ftcisti, 
Rede?nisti,  &  Prcedestinasti  ad  hoc  quod  sum,  Tu  sets,  quod  de 
me  facer e  vis.    Face  de  me  secundum  Vbluntatem  tuam  cum  M'nt- 
ricordia.     Therfor  do  of  me  thy  wylle,  with  grace,  petie,  and 
mercy,  humbly  and  intirely  I  beseche  thej  and  into  thy  moost 
merciful  hands  my  soule  I  commytte.     And  howe  be  it,  as  syrt- 
full  creature,  in  synns  conceyved,   and   in    synne  have  lyvedj 
knowinge  perfectly  that  of  my  merits  I  cannot  atteyn  to  the 
lyfe  everla^tyng,  but  only  by  the  merits  of  thy  blissid  passion, 
and  of  thyne  infinite  mercy  and  grace.     Nevertheless  my  mer- 
cifull Redeemer,  Maker,  and  Savyour,  I  trust  that  by  the  spe- 
ciall  grace  and  mercy  of  thy  blessed  mother,  ever  virgyn,  our 
Lady  Mary,  in  whom,  after  the  in  this  mortall  lyfe,  hath  ben  my 
moost  singular  trust  and  confidence,  to  whom  in  all  my  necessi- 
ties I  have  made  my  contynuall  refuge,  and  by  whom  I  have 
hitherto  ever  had  my  speciall  comfort  and  releefj  will  in  my 
moost  extreme  nede,  of  her  infinite  pitye,  take  my  soule  into  her 
hands,  and  hit  present  unto  her  moost  dere  sonnej  whereof  swete 
Lady  of  mercy,  very  mother  and  virgyn,  well  of  petie,  and  surest 
refuge  of  all  nedefull,  moost  humbly,  most  intirely,  and  most 
hartely  I  beseche  the,  and  for  my  comfort  in  this  behalfe  I  trust.. 
Also  to  the  singular  mediacions,  and  prayers  of  all  the  holy  com* 
pany  of  hevyn,  aungells,  archaungells,  patriarches,  prophets,  apo- 
stells,   evaungelists,   martyres,   confessoures   and  virgynesj    and 
specially  to  myn  accustomeed  advourrys,  I  call  and  crye,  Saint 
John  evangelist,   Saint  George,  Saint  Thomas  of  Canterbury, 
Saint  Margaret,  Saint  Kateryn,  and  Saint  Barbara,  humbly  be- 
seche you,  that  not  onlye  at  the  houre  of  deth,  soo  too  ayde/ 

*  MS.  B.  5.  in  Bibl.  Joh.  Anstii  Arm.  nup.  Gart.  Reg.  Arm. 
*  Ex  Regiit.  Bodfelde  Quire  3.  in  Cur,  Prserog.  Cantuar, 


405  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

socour  and  defend  me ;  that  the  auncyent  and  goostly  enemy,  nor 
noon  other  yll  or  dampnabell  spirite,  have  power  to  invade  me, 
nor  with  his  tereablenes  to  anoye  me  5  but  also  with  your  holy 
prayers,  to  be  intercessorice,  and  mediatrice,  unto  my  maker  and 
redemer,  for  the  remyssion  of  my  synnes,  and  salvacion  of  my 
soulej  and  for  as  moche  as  I  intende  and  purpose,  to  the  honor 
of  God,  and  our  blessed  Lady  Saint  Mary  the  virgyn,  to  adowrne 
and  vawghte  a  chapeil,  called  our  feady  Chapelt,  set  and  buylded 
at  the  estende  of  the  Quere,  within  sight  of  the  monastery  of  the 
Holy  Trinitie,  at  the  citie  of  Norwiche ;  and  also  to  have  in  the 
same  monastery,  for  the  comforte  of  my  soule,  and  remission  of 
my  synnes,  a  yerely  memorial  of  my  obyte,  inperpetuum,  T  will 
and  bequethe  that  whensoever  it  shall  please  my  Savyer  Jhu  Crist, 
to  call  me  owyte  of  this  transitorye  lyfe,  and  my  body  be  buryed 
in  the  mydst  of  the  same  chapeil  of  our  blissed  Lady,  after  my 
poor  estate  and  substaunce  that  God  hath  gcvyn  me,  without 
dampnable  pomp,  or  superfluities.     Where,  uppon  my  body  I 
woll  have  a  tombe,  as  shall  be  thought  convenient  to  myn  execu- 
tors, sufficiently  large  for  me  and  my  two  wyfs,  yf  my  wife  Eli- 
zabeth woll  be  there  buried.     And  as  touching  the  funerall  in- 
terment of  my  body,  and  charges  of  my  sepulture,  I  remitt  it  to 
the  discrecion  of  myn  executors,  desyring  theym  that  it  may  be 
convenient  after  my  little  substance.     And  ip  any  wyse,  I  woll 
have  a  sermon  made  by  a  Doctor  of  divinitie,  at  the  mass  of  re- 
quiem. Also  I  will  have  immediatelie  after  my  decesse,  as  shortly 
as  may  be  possible,  a  M.  masses  to  be  said  within  the  citie  of 
Norwich,  and  other  places,  within  the  shire  of  Norfolk;  whereof 
I  will  have,  in  the  honor  of  the  blissed  Trinitie,  one  hundredth  ; 
in  honor  of  the  5  wounds  of  our  Savyour  Jhu  Crist,  one  hun- 
dreth ;  in  honour  of  the  5  joys  of  our  blissed  Lady,  one  hundreth; 
in  the  honor  of  the  g  orders  of  Aungells,  one  hundreth;  ir;  the 
honor  of  the  Patriarchs,  one  hundreth.     In  the  honor  of  the  12 
Jpostells,  one  hundreth.  In  the  honor  of  all  Saints,  one  hundreth. 
Of  Requiem,  one  hundreth.    In  the  honour  of  St.  John  the  Evan- 
gelist,  30.     In  the  honor  of  St.  George,  40.     In  the  honor  of  St. 
Thomas  of  Canterbury,  30.     In  the  honor  of  St.  Margaret,  40. 
In  the  honor  of  St.  Kateryn,  30.      And  of  St.  Barbara,  30  3 
which  maketh  the  whole  nombr  of  M.  masses.     Also  I  will  that 
all  my  debts,  first  and  before  all  other  charges,  be  paid  by  the 
handes  of  myne  executors ;  wherewith  I  charge  theym,  as  they 
will  aunswere  before  God,  and  discharge  my  conscience.     Also  J 
"Will  yf  any  man  pr  woman  cause  or  complayne  of  any  injuries,  or 


EARL  OF  EGREMONT.  40/ 

wrongs,  doen  by  me,  and  so  duely  proved  before  myn  executors, 
or  supervisors,  that  they  be  restored  to  the  uttermost.  Also  I  will 
that  myn  executors,  as  sone  as  it  may  be  boorn  out  of  my  goodes, 
doo  cause  the  said  chapel  of  our  blissed  Lady  to  be  wawtyd  with 
free  stone  after  the  workmanship  and  wawtyng  of  the  chu;ch 
there,  as  well  in  stars  and  colours,  as  in  gilding  with  sterrys,  as 
shall  be  devysed  by  myn  executors ;  and  with  myn  arms,  badgys, 
and  devyses.  Also  I  will  have  a  priest,  secular  or  religious,  to 
synge  for  me,  my  said  wyffs  and  frends,  in  the  said  chapel  inpcr- 
petuum,  with  an  yerely  obite,  to  be  kept  with  a  solempne  dirige 
and  masse  of  requiem,  by  the  prior  and  convent  and  their  succes- 
sors ;  every  such  a  daye  as  it  shall  happen  me  to  dye  upon,  or  as 
near  as  it  may  be  conveniently;  and  the  said  prior  and  convent, 
and  their  successors,  shall  distribute  yerely  as  they  think  conve- 
nient, inperpetuum.  Proved  4  March  1522;  and  Eliz.  his  re- 
lict, and  Thomas  Earl  of  Surry,  were  administrators.  As  to  his 
manors,  lands,  &c.  he  made  the  following  disposition. 

I  Sir  Thomas  Wyndham,  Knyght,x  sonne  and  heire  of  Sir 
John  Wyndham,  Knyght,  this  12  October,  13  Hen.  VIII.  As  to 
the  disposition  of  all  my  manors,  lands,  tenements,  rents,  services, 
and  reversions,  hereditaments,  with  their  appurtenances.  And 
also  of  all  my  wards  and  marriages  now  bowght  by  me,  with  all 
advowsons  by  any  means  belonging  to  me,  or  to  any  other  to  my 
use,  in  the  counties  of  Norfolk,  and  Yorkshire,  or  ells  where 
within  the  realme  of  Englond. 

First  I  will  that  my  co-feofFees,  surTre  Dame  Elizabeth  my 
wife,  to  occupie  my  manors  of  Bentley  and  Hamelthwayte  in 
Yorkshire,  and  all  purchased  lands  within  the  same  manors;  and 
my  manor  of  Melton  Constable  in  com.  Norfolk,  for  term  of  hir 
lyfe,  according  to  the  purport  of  indentures  the  same  shall  de-? 
scend;  remainder  to  my  sonne  Edmond  and  to  the  heires  of  his 
body ;  and  in  defaulte  to  the  right  heires  of  me  the  said  Sir  Tho- 
mas Wyndham.  .And  yf  it  fortune  my  next  heir  to  be  not  of  full 
age  at  the  death  of  my  said  wyfe,  that  then  my  executors  shall 
receive  and  take  the  pronits  of  the  manors  of  Bentley  and  Hamel- 
thwayte, in  Yorkshire,  during  the  nonage  of  my  said  next  heire, 
toward  the  performaunce  of  my  last  will  and  testament.  He  wills 
that  his  son  Edmonde,  his  heir  apparent,  shall  have  all  his  ma- 
nors of  Crownthorpp,  Wybylwode,  and  Hackforth,  immediately 
after  his  decesse,  to  hym  and  to  Susanne  his  wyfe,  and  to  the 

x  Ex  Reg.  Bodfeldc  Qu.  3,  ut  antca. 


405  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

longer  lyvcr  of  them,  and  to  the  heires  of  his  body  lawfully  be- 
gotten.    And  for  defawte  of  issue,  to  the  right  heires  of  him  the 
said  Sir  Thomas,  in  fee  simple.     And  yf  it  fortune  the  saide  Ed- 
monde, and  Susanne  his  wyfe,  to  dye  without  yssue  within  vii 
yeres  next  after  his  decesse  ;  and  yf  his  next  heire  be  then  of  full 
age,  he  wille  that  he  shall  have  the  said  manors  to  him  and  his 
heires,     And  that  his  executofs  shall  receive,  towards  the  per- 
formance of  his  will,  all  the  proffits  of  the  manors  of  Felbrigge, 
Aylmerton,  and  Runton,  with  the  advowsons  and  presentations  to 
the  same ;  and  of  the  manors  of  Todyngton,  Barnyngham,  Yng- 
worth,  and  Colby,  with  the  like  advowsons  and  presentations  j 
and  of  the  manors  of  Briston,  and  Wolterton,  and  of  the  manor 
of  Whighton  in  Yorkshire,  with  all  purchased  lands  within  any 
of  the  said  manors  j  excepted  suche  purchased  lan^s  as  he  had 
graunted  to  Peter  Nobis  D.  D.  for  terme  of  his  life.     To  holde 
the  said  manors  for  term  of  vii  yeres  fully  complete  after  his  de- 
cesse, to  be  imployed  to  the  use  of  his  wille.    Also  my  wyfe  shall 
"have  the  manor  place  of  Felbrigge,  the  manors  of  Aylmerton  and 
Runton,  for  terme  of  her  lyfe,  being  a  widowe,  sole  and  unma- 
ryed.     And  yf  she  will  dwell  in  the  said  place,  to  pay  to  my  ex- 
ecutors for  the  performance  of  my  will,  yerely  xll.  out  of  the 
said  manors.     And  Doctor  Peter  Nobys,  the  proffits  of  2  partes 
of  the  manors  of  t-ystens  in  Metton,  and  of  all  the  lands  called 
Tyllocks,  and  Sadelers,  lying  in  Colby  and  Suffeld.     And  also  of 
the  manor  of  Yves  in  Bryston,  by  me  puichased,  for  terme  of  his 
lyfe  5  as  I  have  graunted  unto  him  by  my  dedes.   That  my  sonne 
Edmonde,  or  who  shall  fortune  to  be  my  next  heire,  shall  have 
the  manors  of  Felbrigge,  Aylmerton,  and  Runton,  after  the  7 
yeres  exspyred.     And  after  the  decesse  of  my  wyfe,  to  him  and 
to  the  heires  of  his  body;  and  for  defaulte  of  the  heires  of  my 
sonne  Edmonde,  to  remayne  to  the  right  heirs  of  me  the  said  Sir 
Thomas,  according  to  an  intaile  thereof  made  by  my  grauntfader, 
John  Wyndham,  Esquier.      That  my  sonne  Edmonde,  or  any 
other  that  shall  fortune  to  be  my  next  heire,  shall  have  out  of  the 
said  manors  of  Felbrigge,  Aylmerton,  and  Runton,  yerely  after 
the  vii  yeres  exspyred,  the  which  I  have  appoynted  for  the  per- 
formance of  my  wylle,  xll.  to  be  paid  by  my  wyfe,  Dame  Eli- 
zabeth Wyndham,  yf  she  will  dwell  in  it.     Also  1  woll  that  my 
sonne  Edmond,  or  any  other  that  shall  fortune  to  be  my  next 
■heire;  shall  have  the  manors  of  Todyngton,  Barnyngham,  Yng- 
worth,  and  Colby,  imediatly  after  the  7  yeres  exspyred  next  after 
my  deth,  and  to  his  heirs  of  his  body  lawfully  begotton.    And  for 


EARL  OF  EGREMONT.  409 

defaute  of  issue  of  him,  the  said  manore  to  remayn  to  the  right 
heirs  of  me  the  said  Sir  Thomas,  according  to  an  intayle  thereof, 
made  by  my  grauntfader  John  Wyndham,  Esquier.     Also  I  woll 
that  immediatly  after  the  7  yeres  exspyred,  for  the  performaunce 
of  my  will,  the  said  E<  monde  my  sonne,  or  any  other  that  shall 
be  myn  next  heire,  shall  have  the  manor  of  Bryston  to  him  and 
to  his  heires,  in  fee  simple.     Also  I  woll  that  my  executors  shall 
take  and  receyve  the  profits  of  the  manor  of  Susted,  called  Danys, 
and  of  all  other  londes  thereto  belonging,  the  which  I  lately  pur- 
chased of  Robert  Danne,  for  terme  of  7  yeres  after  my  decesse ; 
and  after  the  7  yeres  exspyred,  and  the  deth  of  my  wyfe,  to  my 
next   heire,  upon   suche  condicion   as   before  expressed.     That 
my  sonne,  John  Wyndham,  shall  have  my  parte  of  the  manor 
of  Wulterton,  after  7  yeres  exspyred,  for  the  perfourmance  of 
my  wille,  and  also  the  manor  of  Melton  Constable,  after  the 
decesse  of  my  wyfe,  to  hold  the  said  manors  to  him  and  his  heires 
and  for  defaute  of  yssue  of  him,  to  the  right  heires  of  me  the  said 
Sir  Thomas.    That  my  sonne,  Thomas  Wyndham;  shall  have  my 
manor  of  Whighton  in  Yorkshire,  when  he  comyth  to  the  age  of 
21  yeres.     To  hold  to  him  and  to  the  heires  of  his  body;  and  for 
defaute  of  suche  issue,  to  the  right  heires  of  me  the  said  Sir  Tho- 
mas.    That  my  said  son,  Thomas,  shall  have  the  moytie  of  the 
manors  of  Bowking,  called  Dorwarde.    And  also  of  the  moytie  of 
the  manor  of  Alseford,  of  the  which  manors  I  lately  bought  the  re- 
version.   I  woll  that  Erasmus  Paston,  sonne  and  heire  of  William 
Paston,  Knyght,  shall  marry,  and  take  to  wife,  Mary  Wyndham, 
my  daughter.     But  yf  the  said  marriage  happen  not  to  take  effect 
for  lack  of  agreement,  casualtie  of  deth  or  otherwise,  then  I  will 
that  myn  executor  shall  receive  all  suche  sumes  of  money  com* 
prysed  in  certain  indentures. 

I  will  that  m^  sonne  Edmonde,  or  any  other  of  my  sonnes  and 
their  heires,  that  shall  happen  to  be  myn  heire,  whensoever  it 
shall  happen  them  to  have  my  purchased  londs,  with  the  profits 
of  my  manors  of  Felbryee,  Aylmerton,  and  Metton,  Runton,  and 
Susted,  with  their  appurtenances,  and  all  my  purchased  lands 
within  the  same;  and  my  manors  of  Todyngton,  Barnyngham, 
Yngworth,  and  Colby;  that  he  or  they  shall  fynde  an  honest 
preest  to  synge  in  the  churche  of  Felbrige,  for  my  soule,  for  my 
wyfs  soule,  my  fader,  and  moder  soules,  and  all  my  frends  soules. 
And  that  he  shall  have  x  marks  by  yere,  without  mete  and  diynk; 
And  yf  he  will  have  mete  and  drynk  with  them  at  the  place,  then 
Jie  to  have  v  mar&s  for  his  fiypende,  and  this  to  be  contyned  as 


410  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

long  as  it  shall  please  God,  that  any  of  my  blood  shall  contynue, 
and  to  kepe  myn  obeite.  In  recompence  whereof,  I  have  pur- 
chased certeyn  lands  in  Aylmerton,  SuiFeld,  Colby,  Albye,  Mel- 
ton, Briston,  Crownthorpp,  Wykylwood,  Sustede,  and  Bcntley, 
in  Yorkshire,  and  in  other  places,  to  the  yerely  value  of  461.  by 
the  yere  and  above. 

I  will  that  myn  executors  shall  take  the  profHts  of  all  such 

londs,  as  I  now  have  in  my  hands,  by  the  reason  of  the  nonage 

of  Edmond  Knevet,  or  of  his  next  heire ;  or  by  reason  of  any 

bargain  made  with  Edmond  Knevet,  by  the  will  of  Sir  William 

Knevet  j  and  of  suche  lands  as  shall  happen  to  fall  in  reversion, 

by  any  graunt  made  by  the  King,  of  the  said  Edmond,  or  of  his 

next  heires.     Also  I  wyll  that  Anthony  Wyngfield  shall  buy  the 

marriage  of  the  said  Edmond,  yf  he  will  pay  cccc  1.  at  the  lest, 

for  he  cost  me  v.  c.  pounds.     And  I  will  that  he  shall  have  to 

kepe  him  xxl.  by  the  yere  at  the  moost.     And  wher  I  have  putt 

eer.ein  manors  in  feoffment,  and  declared  my  last  will  of  them, 

towarde  the  helpyng  of  my  2  younger  sonnes,  I  think  it  very 

reasonable,  and  that  my  next  heire  shuld  in  noo  wyse  grudge  at 

it  3  for  I  have  fedemyd  all  my  lands  out  of  King  Hen.  the  7th 

hands,  who  had  of  me  in  money,  for  the  same,  2b50  marks,  over 

and  above  my  costs  of  sute  for  the  same.     Also  I  have  paid  to 

Mary,  Jane,  and  Kateryn  Scrope,  my  first  wvfs  susters,  1000 1.  in 

redy  mony,  the  which  was  owyng  for  the  purchas  of  Bentley* 

and  Hemelthwayte,  in  Yorkshire,   purchased  by  my  fader  Sir 

John  Wyndham.  And  also  I  have  left  in  possession  ane  reversion, 

as  moch  lands  to  my  next  heire,  of  myn  own  purcheas,  as  I  have 

gevyn  to  my  2  younger  sonnys,  the  which  lyeth  more  necessarye 

for  him,  than  the  pther  dyd.     In  witnesse,  &c.  Probat.  4  March, 

}  522. 

He  was  buried  in  the  chapter-house  (as  Weever  writes),  but 
more  probably  in  the  midst  of  the  chapel  joining  to  the  cathe- 
dral church  of  Norwich/  where  a  fair  monument  was  erected  to 
his  memory,  which  was  much  defaced  in  1630,  and  part  of  the 
inscription  only  remained,  as  follows  (so  that  it  is  likely  the  cha- 
pel mentioned  in  his  will,  was,  on  the  reformation,  made  a  chapter 
house) : 

Orate  pro  Animabus  Thome  Windham  Militis,  Eleanore  & 
Domine  Elizaiethe  uxorum  ejus.  Qui  quidem  Thomas  fuit  unus 
consiliariorum,  Domini  Regis  Henrici  octavi,  ac  unus  militum  pro 
0orpore  ejusdem  Domini  Regis,  nee  non  vice  admirallus.  ...... 

f  Weevei's  Funeral  Monuments,  p.  '$6, 


EARL  OF  EGREMONT.  411 

Also  in  the  said  chapter-house  was  this  inscription,  thus  maime4 
in  1(530: 

Orat.  .  .  .  Tho.  Wyndham  militis  &  Elizalethe  uxoris  ejus, .  .  . 

unus  constabul.  ,  •  • . .  Domini  Regis  Hen,  8.  ac  un militum 

pro  corpore 

This  Sir  Thomas  had  two  wives,  first,  Eleanor,1  daughter  and 
coheir  of  Sir  Richard  Scrope,  of  Upsale,  in  Yorkshire,  Knight; 
by  whom  he  had  issue,  as  mentioned  in  his  will,  Sir  Edmund 
Wyndham,  of  Felbrigge;  Sir  John  Wyndham,  of  Somersetshire, 
ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  of  Egremont-,  and  three  daughters; 
Margaret,  wife  of  Sir  Andrew  Lutterell,  of  Dunstar  Castle,  in 
com.  Somers.  Knight ;  Mary,  married  to  Sir  Erasmus  Paston, 
of  Paston,  in  com.  Norf.  Knight,  ancestor  to  the  late  Earls  of 
Yarmouth ;  and  Elizabeth,  of  whom  there  is  no  further  men- 
tion. 

The  second  wife  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  Went- 
worth,  of  Nettlested,  in  Suffolk,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  and  relict 
of  Sir  Roger  Darcy,  of  Danbury,  in  Essex,  Knight,  by  whom  he 
had  Sir  Thomas  Wyndham,  Knight,  who  by  his  father's  will  had 
the  manor,  &c.  of  Whighton,  in  Yorkshire,  the  moiety  of  the 
manor  of  Bocking,  called  Dorwarde,  and  the  moiety  of  the  manor 
of  Alesforde.  He  was  a  very  eminent  sea  commander,  and  pro* 
genitor  to  the  Wyndhams  of  Stokesby,  Clere,  and  Craik,  in  the 
counties  of  York  and  Durham.  , 

Sir  Edmund  Wyndham,  eldest  son,  was  knighted  in  the  28 
Henry  VIII.  at  the  creation  of  Edward  Seymour,  Lord  Viscount 
Beauchamp;  and  was  the  year  following  sheriff  of  Norfolk ;  also 
in  2  Edward  VI.  much  and  deservedly  trusted,  on  the  insurrec- 
tion of  Ket,  the  tanner,  in  that  county.  This  Sir  Edmund  was 
in  great  favour  with  King  Henry  VIII.  and  had  from  him  seve* 
ral  beneficial  grants  of  lands,  belonging  to  the  dissolved  abbies 
in  Norfolk,  and  elsewhere.  He  married  Susan,  daughter  of  Sir 
Roger  Townsend,  of  Raynham,  in  Norfolk,  Knight,  by  whom 
he  was  father  of  three  daughters,  of  whom,  Jane  was  first  mar- 
ried to  John  Pope,  of  Oxfordshire,  Esq.;  secondly,  to  Humphry 
Coningsby,  Esq.  and  dying  22d  November,  1608,  in  the  sixty- 
seventh  year  of  her  age,  was  buried  at  Felbrigge,  in  Norfolk : 
also  of  three  sons  j   ] .  Roger,  who  died  without  issue. 

2.  Sir  Francis  Wyndham,  who,  in  15  Eliz.a  was  with  others 

2  Pedigree  of  the  family  of  Portman,  drawn  ann.  1661,  in  the  possession  of 
Jlcnry  Semour  Portman,  of  Orchard,  Somersetshire,  Esq. 
a  Rymer's  Fcedera,  Vol,  XV.  p.  72$. 


412  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND, 

commissioned  in  the  county  of  Norfolk,  to  inquire  into  all  offences 
committed,  contrary  to  an  act  of  Parliament  in  1  Eliz.  for  unifor- 
mity of  common  prayer,  and  service  of  the  church,  and  administra* 
tion  of  the  sacraments.  The  year  after  he  was  b  one  of  the  Gover- 
nors of  Lincoln's  Inn.  In  1557,  he  was  c  called  to  the  degree  of 
a  Serjeant  at  Law;  and  in  Michaelmas  term  21  Eliz.  maded  one 
of  the  Judges  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  He  was  buried  in 
the  church  of  St.  Peter,  in  Norwich,  and  a  stately  monument  was 
there  erected  to  his  memory,6  with  his  effigies  from  his  middle, 
in  his  Judge's  robes,  with  a  black  cap  on  his  head,  his  right  hand 
leaning  on  a  death's  head,  and  in  his  left  hand  a  book;  with  an 
arch  over  his  heaJ,  supported  by  pillars,  on  the  top  of  which  are 
his  arms  and  crest  5  but  no  inscription  was  thereon  in  Weever's 
time. 

Thomas,  third  son  of  Sir  Edmund,  died  unmarried,  and  a  mo- 
nument is  erected  to  his  memory,  in  the  church  of  Felbrigge,  in 
Norfolk,  with  this  inscription : 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  Tho.  Wyndham,  Esq.  (third  son  of  Sir 
Edmond  Windham,  Knt.  deceased),  who  lived  a  single  life,  and 
died  the  20th  day  of  December,  in  the  yeare  of  our  Lord  1599, 

and  of  his  age  the —  to  whose  worthy  memory  Sir  John 

Windham,  of  Orchard,  in  the  county  of  Somerset,  Knt.  being  hii 
cosin  and  heire,  hath  set  this  marble. 

Livest  thou,  Thomas?  yeas;  where?  with  God  on  highe. 
Art  thou  not  dead  ?  yeas,  and  here  I  lye. 

I  that  with  men  on  earth  did  live  to  die, 

Pied  for  to  live  with  Christ  eternallie. 

But  the  three  sons  of  Sir  Edmund  Wyndham  leaving  no  issue, 
the  manors  of  Crownthorpe,  and  Felbrigge,  with  the  rest  of  the 
ancient  patrimony  of  the  family,  by  the  entail  of  Sir  Thomas 
Wyndham,  descended  to  the  issue  of  his  second  son,  Sir  John 
Wyndham,  of  whom  I  am  principally  to  treat. 

Which  Sir  John,  by  the  will  of  his  father,  Sir  Thomas,  was 
possessed  of  the  manors  of  Wulterton,  and  Melton  Constable,  in 
the  county  of  Norfolk  ;  and  by  marriage  with  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter and  coheir  of  John  Sydenham,  of  Orchard,  in  the  county  of 

*  Dugdale's  Orig.  Jurid.  p.  260.  c  Dugdale's  Chronica  Series,  p.  95, 

'  Ibid.  p.  9^.  •  Weever's  Monument!,  p.  802, 


EARL  OF  EGREMONT.  41S 

Somerset,  had  that  estate  in  right  of  his  wifej  and  made  it  his 
principal  residence,  which  now  retains  the  name  of  Orchard 
Wyndham.  He  was  knighted  f  at  the  coronation  of  King  Ed- 
ward VI.  and  living  at  Orchard,  to  a  great  age,  died  in  16  Eliz. 
as  the  probate  of  his  last  will  shews.  Leland,  who  was  contem- 
porary with  him,  has  given  this  account  in  his  Itinerary : 

•  A  quarter  of  a  mile  s  from  Willington,  or  more,  I  cam  to 
Orchard,  where  Mr.  Johp  Wyndeham  dwelleth.  This  manner 
place  was  erected  by  a  younger  brother  of  the  Sydenhams.  And 
of  this  name  ther  hath  beene  4  owners  of  Orchard,  that  was  pur- 
chased by  the  first  of  the  4,  The  secunde  Sydnham  married  with 
the  heire  general  of  one  Gamon,  or  rather  Cambourne,  a  man  of 
200  markes  of  lande  in  Devonshire  and  Cornewal.  This  Gamon 
gave,  in  a  felde  of  sylver,  thre  legges,  sables.  Sidenham  the  2, 
builded  moste  parte,  or  almost  all  the  good  building  of  Orchard. 
The  3.  dyed  leving  a  sunne  and  2  doughtersj  the  sunne  or  he 
came  to  xxii  yeres  of  age  dyed.  The  2  doughters  were  thus  mar- 
ried ;  one  to  John  Wyndham,  a  younger  brother  of  Wyndham  of 

Felbridge  in  Norfolk.     The  other  was  married  to h    I 

markid  yn  the  glasse  wyndowes  at  Master  Wyndehams,  the  armei 
of  John  Wyndham,  and  Thomas  Wyndham,  Knights.  The  one 
of  them  married  the  doughter  of  Haward  D.  of  Norfolke,  the 
other  the  doughter  of  the  Lord  Scrope  of  Bolton.  Orchard  is  yn 
the  paroche  of  S.  Decun,  alias  Decumane,  a  mile  or  more  from 
the  se  side,  and  a  2  miles  from  the  chapelle  of  our  Lady  of 
Clyfe.* 

By  his  last  will  and  testament,  which  bears  date  at  Orchard 
the  7th  of  April,  1573,'  he  bequeaths  his  soul  to  Almighty  God, 
his  Maker  and  Creator,  and  to  his  only  son  Jesus  Christ,  in 
whom,  and  by  the  merits  of  his  blessed  death  and  passion,  is  all 
his  whole  trust,  for  clear  remission  and  forgiveness  of  all  his  sins. 
He  orders  his  body  to  be  entombed  within  the  tomb,  which  he 
had  lately  (through. God's  permission  and  sufferance),  erected 
and  ended,  within  the  parish  church  of  St.  Decumannes  j  and  he 
wills  that  there  be  bestowed  about  his  burial  so  much  money,  as 
shall  be  convenient  for  one  of  his  calling.  Also  whereas  by  the 
procurement  of  the  right  honourable,  and  my  singular  good  Lord 

f  MS.  Claudius  C.  3.  in  Bibl.  Cotton. 
C  Leland's  Itinerary  Vol.  II.  p.  69,  70. 
h  To  Thomas  Brydges  younger  brother  to  John  first  Lord  Chandos.     Sec  his 
inscription  in  Charlbury  church,  Oxfordshire.     See  Topographer,  Vol.  I. 
I  Ex  Regist.  Pykering  Qu.  ifij  in  Cur.  Piarog.  Cant. 


414  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Earl  of  Sussex,  hit  hath  liked  the  right  honourable  the  Lord  Trea- 
sourer,  to  have  graunted  and  committed  unto  me  the  marriage, 
wardship  and  custody,  as  well  of  the  bodie,  as  also  of  the  lands  of 
John  Wyndeham,  son  of  John  Wyndeham,  Esquier,  my  son  de- 
ceased, and  ward  to  the  Queen's  most  excellent  Majesty  j  as  by 
an  entry  made  in  the  book  of  the  said  Threasourer  yt  doth  ap- 
pear j  I  do  devise  and  bequeath  the  marriage  and  wardship  of  the 
said  John  Wyndeham,  and  of  his  lands,  during  his  minoritye, 
unto  Humphry  Wyndeham,  and  Charles  Wyndeham,  two  of  my 
sons,  and  uncles  to  the  said  ward,  to  their  own  uses.     Requiring 
and  straightlie  charging  them,  that  they  be  careful  of  his  bringing 
up  at  the  universitie,  and  innes  of  courte.     He  bequeaths  legacys 
to  his  daughter  Margaret,  wife  of  John  Francis,  Esquier  j  his 
daughter  Eleanor,  wife  of  Thomas  Carne,  Esquier  j  his  daughter 
Catharine,  wife  of  Christopher  Wood,  Esquier.     He  constitutes 
his  sons,  Edmund,  Charles,  and  Humphry  Windham,  his  execu- 
tors j  and  overseers  of  his  will,  his  sons-in-law,  John  Francis,  and 
Thomas  Carne,  Esquires.     And  on  the  2d  of  March,  in  the  16th 
year  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  made  a  codicil,  wherein  he  declared, 
that  his  son  Charles  Wyndham  should  enter  into  the  like  bond 
for  the  performance  of  his  will,  as  his  sons  Edmond  and  Humphry 
had  done.     He  died  soon  after,  the  probate  bearing  date  April 
28th,  1573. 

He,  with  his  Lady,  lies  buried  in  St.  Decuman's  church,  under 
a  tomb,  built  of  freestone,  four  feet  high,  three  broad,  and  seven 
in  length,  on  the  top  whereof  are  their  effigies,  engraved  at  full 
length,  on  two  plates  of  brass,  and  inlaid,  over  their  respective 
epitaphs.  Which  tomb  stands  under  a  triumphal  arch,  supported 
by  four  pillars,  after  the  Gothic  manner,  neatly  carved,  and 
adorned  with  the  arms  of  the  family,  and  other  devices.  On  two 
plates  of  brass  are  the  following  epitaphs : 

Although  a  man  be  never  so  posseste 

Withe  all  the  gyftes  that  fortune  can  lestowe, 
And  thoughe  his  mynde  be  bewtified  and  bleste, 

With  everye  grace  that  from  the  Heavens  doflowe. 
Yet  at  the  faste,  thisjickle  life  we  owe, 

Perforce  must  fele  the  stroke  of  fatal  knyfe, 
Suche  is  the  fray  Hie  of  our  present  lyfe. 
A  perfeight  patterne  to  approve  the  same3 

Lo  here  the  corps  of  Syr  John  Wyndham,  Knight, 
Whose  faultles  lyfe  hathe  pur  chaste  suche  a  fame, 


.    EARL  OF  EGREMONT.  415 

As  deathe  with  all  his  darts  shall  never  frighte ; 
The  sonne  itself  shall  sooner  lose  his  lighte, 

Then  he  shall  want  his  well  deserved  praise, 
Suche  werthie  deedes  of  his  forepassed  daies. 
This  werthie  Knight  of  knightlie  parentage. 
In  Norfolk  borne,  the  midle  sonne  of  the, 
Who  when  he  was  hut  yet  of  sornige  age, 

Putforthe  suche  luddes  of  proofe  what  he  wolde  he. 
As  being  stirred  with  zeale  to  hear  and  see 

The  worlde,  whereby  him  selfe  mighte  advaunce, 
He  paste  the  seas  to  serve  the  King  of  Fraunce. 
Where  entertaynde  in  place  of  good  accompte, 

Here  to  the  Prince  in  favour  lyved  still, 
Till  care  of  countrey  soil  (which  doth  surmounte) 

Did  drawe  him  home,  where  bending  witte  at  will, 
Tofeates  ofarmes  and  other  ivarlike  skill, 
His  liege  in  lieu  of  loyal  service  done, 
Advaunste  him  to  the  seat  ofknightlie  rome. 
Thus  happelie  led  this  wort  hie  Knight  his  life, 

And  died  in  faith  by  Christ  of  future  joy  et 
Hjw  good  and  virtuous  Ladye  to  his  wyfe 

He  had,  what  seed  hir  epitaphe  dothe  showe. 
To  us  behinde  thereby  thisfruyte  dothe  growe, 

First  in  his  deathe  Godes  power  and  praise  is  knowne, 
Then  by  his  life  we  learn  to  mende  our  owne. 

An  epitaphe  upon  the  deathe  of  the  Ladye  Elizabeth 
Wyndham. 

That  goodly  grafte  which  erste  in  Orchard  grewe, 
Drawn  by  discente  from  worthie  Sydnams  race,    * 
Looe  here  yt  lyes  by  aime  of  outward  vewe, 
Wrapte  in  the  webbe  of  thrice  unhappy  case, 
But  yet  indeede  (through  undeserved  grace) 
Is  planted  ?wwe  in  such  a  pleasant  soyle, 
As  springs  for  aye,  and  yet  requires  no  toyle. 
What  cause  hir  deathe  dothe  offer  to  lamente, 
None  knowes  so  well  as  Sir  John  Wyndham,  Knight, 
Withe  whome  twise  two  and  forty  yeres  she  spente, 
In  blissfull  state  of  bothe  thezre  hartes  delyghte, 
To  whom  herfrutefull  wombe  brought  unto  lighte 


416  PEER/VGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

A  race  of  children  Jittinge  hir  degree, 
Of  daughtere  sixe,  hir  sonnes  werefower  and  three. 
Those  goodly  gyftes  that  did  her  minde  possesse, 
As  zealous  love  to  God  and  to  his  lawes, 
Her  awnswringe  lyfe  to  that  she  did  prof  esse, 
Hir  redye  hande  to  helpe  the  porest  cause, 
(Since  fame  resounds)  my  sillie  penne  shall  pawse, 
And  praie  to  God,  that  we  which  here  abyde, 
May  treade  the  stepps  of  such  a  parfght  guyde. 

Oliit primo  die  Januarii,  157 1. 

Their  children  were,  *1.  John,  of  whom  hereafter. 

2.  Edmond,  ancestor  to  the  Wyndhams  of  Kentsford,  Ca- 
thangre,  Pillcsdon,  Yale,  and  Trent.  Which  Edmond  Wyndham 
of  Kentsford,  in  com.  Somerset,  married  k  Mary,  daughter  and 
coheir  of  Richard  Chambetlaine,  Esq.  Alderman  of  London,  and 
had  several  children  -}  Sir  Hugh  Wyndham,  his  fourth  son,  was 
created  a  Baronet,  August  4th,  1641,  but  by  Mary,1  daughter  of 
Christopher  Alanson,  of  London,  Esq.  leaving  only  daughter* 
and  coheirs,  his  title  became  extinct.  Sir  Thomas  Wyndham, 
elder  brother  to  Sir  Hugh,  was  of  Kentsford,  and  married  m  Eli- 
zabeth, daughter  of  Richard  Coningsby,  of  Hampton-Court,  in 
com.  Heref.  Esq.  by  whom  he  had  several  children.  Most  of 
his  sous  engaged  in  the  service  of  King  Charles  I.  Colonel  Francis 
Wyndham,  his  fourth  son,  is  memorable  for  conducting  King 
Charles  II.  to  his  seat  at  Trent  after  the  battle  of  Worcester, 
where  he  entertained  the  King  with  the  following  remarkable 
passage  of  his  father,  Sir  Thomas  Wyndham  :n  '  That,  not  long 
before  his  death,  in  the  year  1636,  he  called  unto  him  his  five 
sons  (having  not  seen  them  together  in  some  years  before),  and 
discoursed  unto  us  (said  he)  of  the  loving  peace  and  prosperity 
this  kingdom  had  enjoyed,  under  its  three  last  glorious  Monarchs; 
of  the  many  miseries  and  calamities  which  lay  sore  upon  our  an- 
cestors, by  the  several  invasions  and  conquests  of  foreign  nations, 
and  likewise  by  intestine  insurrections  and  rebellions.  And  not- 
withstanding the  strange  mutations  and  changes  in  England,  he 
shewed  how  it  pleased  God,  in  love  to  our  nation,  to  preserve  an 
undoubted  succession  of  Kings,  to  sit  on  the  regal  throne.     He 

*  Le  Neve's  MSS.  Vol.  II.  p.  13$.  ■  Ibid.  "t  ibid. 

*  Vide  the  Account  of  the  King'*  Concealment  at  Trent,  at  the  end  of  B01- 
cobel,  p.  129. 


EARL  OF  EGREMONT.  417 

mentioned  the  healing  conjunction  of  the  two  houses  of  York 
and  Lancaster,  and  the  blessed  union  of  the  two  crowns  of  Eng- 
land and  Scotland;  stopping  up  those  fountains  of  blood,  which, 
by  national  feuds  and  quarrels  kept  open,  had  like  to  have  drowned 
the  whole  island.     He  said,  he  feared  the  beautiful  garment  of 
peace  would  shortly  be  torn  in  pieces,  through  the  neglect  of  ma- 
gistrates, the  general  corruption  of  manners,  and  the  prevalence 
of  a  puritanical  faction,  which  (if  not  prevented),  "would  under- 
mine the  very  pillars  of  government.    My  son!  we  have  hitherto 
seen  serene  and  quiet  times ;    but  now  prepare  yourselves  for 
cloudy  and  troublesome.     1  command  you  to  honour  and  obey 
our  gracious  Sovereign,  and  in  all  times  to  adhere  to  the  crown  j 
and  though  the  crown  should  hang  upon  a  bush,   [  charge  you, 
forsake  it  not.    These  words  being  spoken  with  much  earnestness 
both  in  gesture  and  manner  extraordinary,  he  rose  from  his  chair, 
and  left  us  in  a  deep  consultation  what  the  meaning  should  be  of 
— The  Crown  hanging  upon  a  bush.     These  words,  Sir  (said  the 
Colonel),  made  so  firm  an  impression  in  all  our  breasts,  that  the 
many  afflictions  of  the  sad  times  cannot  raze  out  their  indelible 
characters.  Certainly,  these  are  the  days  which  my  father  pointed 
out  in  that  expression ;  and  I  doubt  not,  God  hath  brought  me 
through  so  many  dangers,  that  I  might  shew  myself  both  a  duti- 
ful son,  and  a  loyal  subject,  in  faithfully  endeavouring  to  serve 
your  sacred  Majesty,  in  this  your  greatest  distress." 

This  Colonel  Windham  was,  in  the  civil  war,  Governor  of 
Dunstar  Castle,  and  for  his  services  therein,  and  particularly  for, 
affording  the  King  so  generous  an  asylum  at  his  house,  was  ad- 
vanced to  the  dignity  of  a  Baronet.  He  married  Anne,  daughter 
and  coheir  of  Thomas  Gerard,  of  Trent,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had 
that  estate :  but  this  title  became  extinct  on  the  death  of  Sir 
Francis  Wyndham,  of  Trent,  Bart,  in  his  minority,  in  April,1719j 
and  Frances,  his  sister  and  heir,  was  married  to  Henry  Bromley, 
of  Horseheath,  in  com.  Cantab.  Esq.  Knight  of  the  Shire  for  that 
county,  afterwards  created  Lord  Montfort. 

The  third  son  of  Sir  John  Wyndham,  of  Orchard  (by  the 
daughter  and  coheir  of  Sydenham),  was'  °  Humphry  of  Wivelis- 
combe,  in  com.  Somers.  Esq.  whose  sole  daughter  and  heir,  Eliza- 
beth, was  married  to  John  Colles,  of  Barton,  in  com.  Somers.  Esq. 

4.  Charles  Wyndham,  ancestor  to  the  Windhams,  of  Sandhill, 

0  Portxnan's  Pedigree  praedlct. 
VOL.  IV.  2£ 


418  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

both  in  Somersetshire.  Of  the  six  daughters  of  Sir  John,  two 
died  young  j  Margaret  was  wife  of  John  Fraunceis,  of  Combflory, 
in  com.  Somerset ;  Eleanor,  of  Thomas  Carne,  of  Wenny,  in  com. 
Glamorgan  5  Catherine,  of  Christopher  Wood,  of  Tawton,  in 
com.  Devon  ;  and  Elizabeth,  of  ■  Welch,  Esqrs. 

I  now  return  to  John,  Sir  John  Wyndham's  eldest  son,  before 
mentioned,  who  died  in  his  father's  lifetime.  He  married  Flo- 
rence, daughter  of  John,  and  sister  and  coheir  to  Nicholas  Wad- 
ham,  of  Merifield,  in  com.  Somerset,  and  of  Edge,  in  Devonshire, 
Esq.  (founder  of  Wadham  College,  in  Oxford),  by  whom  he  had 
an  only  son.  Sir  John,  the  father,  lies  buried  in  the  church  of 
St.  Decuman's,  with  his  and  his  Lady's  effigies,  engraved  in  brass 
of  about  four  feet  in  length,  and  underneath,  the  following  in- 
scription on  two  plates  of  brass : 

Here  lieth  the  lodie  of  John  Windham,  Esq,  son  and  heire  of 
Sir  John  Windham,  of  Orchard,  in  the  countye  of  Somerset, 
Knight,  deceased,  who  died  (his  father  then  living)  the  25th  day  of 
August,  in  the  yeare  of  our  Lorde  1572,  and  of  his  age  about  56; 
and  of  Florence  his  Wife,  one  of  the  daughters  of  John  Wadham, 
of  Merefield,  in  the  countie  of  Somersett,  Esq.  and  coheire  of  Ni- 
cholas Wadham,  of  Merefield  aforesaid,  sonne  of  the  said  John, 
and  brother  of  her  the  said  Florence,  who  died  the  26th  day  of  Fe- 
bruarie,  in  the  year  of  our  Lorde  15g6,  and  of  her  age  58.  They 
had  issue  only  Sir  John  Windham,  of  Orchard  aforesaid,  who,  of 
his  dutifull  affection  to  the  memorie  of  his  dere  parents,  hath  here 
plased  this  monument. 

Maritvs.        When  changeless  fate  to  death  did  change 

MY   LIFE, 

i  pkayd  it  to  be  gentle  to  my  wife. 
Vxor.  But  shee  who  hart  and  hand  to  thee  did 

WEDD, 

Desired  nothing  more  then  this  thie  bedd. 

FaTVM.  I    BROVGHT    YOVRE    SOVLES    THAT    LINCKT    WERE 

EACH    IN    EITHER, 
To     REST     ABOVE,     YOYRE     BODIES     HERE    TOGEI- 
THER. 

Sir  John  Wyndham,  of  Orchard,  inherited,  in  right  of  his  mo- 
ther, the  rich  manor  of  Silferton,  in  Devonshire/  which  had 

P  Prince's  Worthies  of  Devon. 


EARL  OF  EGREMONT. 


419 


been  purchased  by  Sir  John  Wadham,  a  Justice  of  the  Common 
Pleas  in  the  reign  of  Richard  II.  He  succeeded  to  the  estate  of 
Felbrigge,  in  Norfolk,  on  the  death  of  the  last  male  heir  of  Sir 
Edmond  Wyndham,  in  41  Eliz.  and  in  1  Jac.  I.  was  Sheriff  of 
Somersetshire.  He  was  buried  at  St.  Decuman's,  where  the  fol- 
lowing inscription  is  engraved,  on  one  entire  piece  of  black  po- 
lished marble,  about  ten  feet  high,  and  five  broad  :  between  the 
motto  and  inscription  are  the  busto  of  him  and  his  Lady,  cast  in 
brass  and  gilt,  and  let  into  the  marble,  as  follows,  which  sets  forth 
his  marriage,  &c. 


i 


Memorise   Joannis  Windham  equestri    ordine    insignis, 

ANTIGIVA    ET    ILLVSTRI    GENTE  WlNDHAMlORVM    DE    FeLBUIGG, 

Qvo    Gavisvs    est    ivre    HEREDITARIO, 

In  agro  Norfolcienci  orivndi; 

«t   charissimjE   vxoris  Joannje,   filije  Henrici  Portman 

de  Orchard  ivxta  Tavnton  egivitis  avrati. 

castissimo  conivgio  liberos  svscepervnt 

mascvlos  novem,  sex  filiasj 

gvingtvaginta  dvos  annos  continvos  in  hac  faroch1a 

Sti    Decvmani    in    jEdibus    svis    de    Orchard    familiam 

alvervnt. 
Patriae  ivdicio,  et  popvli  testimonio, 
pietate    et    probitate    SVMME    CONSPICVl, 
HORVM     CINERES     HIC     CLAVSI     jETERNVM     DIEM, 

est  svas  animas  et  svvm  pkiestolantvr  redemptorem. 
Jlle  1  apr.  Illa  13  Sep. 

1645  OBIERE.  1633 

JETATIS    SVM  ■  iETATIS    SVJE 

87  68 

They  had  nine  sons,  and  six  daughters.  John,  his  eldest  son, 
who  succeeded  him  in  the  Somersetshire  estate.  2.  Henry,  who 
died  unmarried.  3.  Thomas  Windham,  of  Felbrigge,  and  Croun- 
thorpe,  who  dying  on  March  1st,  1653,  aged  eighty-two,  had 


<*20  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

sepulture  at  Felbrigge,d  and  by  his  first  wife,  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  Sir  Rowland  Litton,  Knight  of  the  Garter,  had  a  son, 
John,  who  died  before  his  father ;  also  by  his  second  wife,  Eli- 
zabeth, daughter  of  Sir  John  Mede,  of  Loftus-hall,  in  Essex, 
Knt.  had  two  daughters,  Elizabeth  and  Joan;  and  four  sons; 
Thomas,  who  died  lfjfjl,  and  was  buried  in  Wendon  Loughts 
church,  Essex;  William,  George,  and  John ;  from  the  eldest  of 
whom  descended  Ashe  Windham,  Esq.  who  represented  the 
county  of  Norfolk  in  parliament,  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne, 
and  dying  aged  seventy-eight,  on  April  5th,  1749,  was  succeeded 
Z>  5oGk/*U+  in  his  estate  by  his  only  son,  William  W^dhan^JSsq/  4.  Hura- 
yS/  phry  Wyndham,  ancestor  to  the  Wyndhams,  now  of  Dunraven- 

Castle,  in  com.  Glamorgan,  and  Clower-Wall,  in  com.  Gloucest. 
5.  George,  who  died  unmarried.  6.  Sir  Hugh  Wyndham,  of 
Silton,  Knt.  who  was  called  to  the  degree f  of  Serjeant  at  Law, 
on  June  1st,  166O;  June  23d,  l6/0,e  constituted  one  of  the 
Barons  of  the  Exchequer,  and  at  length  one  of  the  Justices  of 
the  Common  Pleas;  heh  is  buried  at  Silton,  in  Dorsetshire,  un- 
derneath a  noble  monument  of  white  marble,  which  has  this  in- 
scription ; 

"  Here  resteth  the  body  of  Sir  Hugh  Windham,  Knt.  one  of 
the  Justices  of  the  Common  Pleas  at  Wesiminster,  under  King 
Charles  the  Second  for  13  years.  He  was  the  eighth  son  of  Sir 
John  Windham  of  Orchard  Windham,  in  the  county  of  Somerset, 
Knt.  He  died  in  his  circuit  at  Norwich,  the  27th  of  July,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  1634,  in  the  82d  year  of  his  age.  He  had  three 
wives;  Jane,  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Woodhouse  of  Kimberly, 
Norfolk,  Bart,  who  also  lies  here  interred ;  by  her  he  had  two 
sons,  John,  and  Hugh  ;  and  three  daughters ;  Blanch,  Joan,  and 
Rachel.  John,  Hugh,  and  Joan  diecj  young.  Hugh  lies  here  in- 
terred. Blanch  was  married  to  Sir  Nathaniel  Napier  of  More- 
Critchel,  Bart,  and  Rachel  to  John,  Earl  of  Bristol,  of  Sherborne. 
Elizabeth,  his  second  wife,  who  also  lies  here  interred,  was  widow 
of  Sir  Henry  Berkeley  of  Wimondham,  in  Leicestershire,  Bart, 
and  one  of  the  daughters  of  Sir  William  Minn  of  Woodcot,  in 
Surry,  His  third  wife,  who  survived  him,  was  widow  of  Sir  Ed- 
ward Hooper  of  Boveridge,  Dorset,  Knt.  and  one  of  the  daughters 

d  Le  Neve's  Mon.  Anglican.  Vol.  V.  p.  16. 
\     e  Father,  Irpregami,  of  the  present  Right  Hon.  William  Windham.  /t*+t.  /7$V 
f  Dugdale's  Chron.  Series,  p.  115.  S  I  kid.  p.  116.     ^  ^/JVy 

ll  Hutchin's  Dorsetshire,  Vol.  II.  p.  324,-479. 


y 


EARL  OF  EGREMONT.  *         421 

of  Thomas  Fleming  of  Stoneham,  Hants.     By  his  two  last  wives 
he  had  no  issue." 

7.  Sir  Wadham  Wyndham,  called  to  the  degree  of  Serjeant  at 
Law  the  24th  of  June,  l660,h  and  appointed  one  of  the  Judges 
of  the  King's  Bench  on  November  24th  following.  He  married 
Barbara,1  daughter  of  Sir  George  Clerke,  of  Watford,  in  North- 
amptonshire j  and  became  ancestor  to  the  Wyndhams  of  Norring- 
ton,  Dinton,  Salisbury,  and  Spargrovej  and  Thomas  Wyndham, 
late  Lord  Chancellor  of  Ireland.  8.  Sir  George  Wyndham,  from 
whom  the  Wyndhams  of  Cromer,  in  com.  Norfolk,  are  descend- 
ed. And,  9.  Francis,  who  died  unmarried.  Two  of  the  sons, 
Henry  and  George,  lie  buried  together  in  St.  Decuman's  church, 
under  an  handsome  monument,  of  alabaster,  whereon  are  the 
effigies  of  the  two  brothers  in  armour,  both  on  their  knees ;  one 
of  them  with  a  cloak  on,  and  a  book  before  him.  Under  it  is  the 
following  inscription : 

HOC    SAXVM    EFFIGIES     REFERT    DVORUM    FRATRVMj     HeNRICI 

Windham 
et    Georgii    senioris:    avos    inter    numerosam    prolem, 

svscepit 
Johannes    Windham    miles,     e     conivge    Joanna,    filia 

Henrici 
portman  milltisj  apvd  oxon.  gradvs  academicos  obtin- 

VERUNT, 
VNDE  TRANSLATI,  ILLE  JBI   STUDIJS  CIVIL1BVS,  NEC    NON  THEO- 

LOGICIS 

Gnaviter    nimis     insvdasset,     apvd    Orchard    decvbvit. 

HlC    VERO, 
MILITI-flS  AMORE  incitatvs,  primo,  instrvcta  CLASSE  REGIA, 
vltra    colvmnas    Hercvlis    contendit,    inde    reversvs, 
Belgiam    petiit,    IBia.   pu^fectura  brevi  potitvs,   inter 
militks,  ferventi  morbo    correptus  Hvisdoni   corrvit, 

VBi      NECESSITATI     PAUFERVM     HV1VS     PAROCHIjE     SVPPEDITARE 

ET    HOC    IN    SVI    FRATRISO..    MEMORIAM    EXTRVERE, 

PROPRIIS    SUMPTIBVS,    CVRAV1T. 

Henricvs  Primogenitvs  9  Nov.  1613.  anno  ^etatis  30. 

OBIIT  ' 
Georgivs  Septimogenitvs  5  Ivnii  1624.  Alivo  jjetatii  3a. 

h  Pugdale's  Chron.  Series,  p.  114. 
*  Monument  in  Watford  Church. 


422  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

His  daughters  were,  Joan,  wife  of  John  Gifford,  of  Brightley ; 
Margaret,  of  John  Courtenay,  of  Molland;  and  Florence,  of  John 
Harris,  of  Heane,  all  in  com.  Devon.  Esqrs.  ;  Rachel,  wife  of 
Thomas  Moore,  of  Heitesbury,  in  com.  Wilts;  Margery,  of  Tho- 
mas Carew,  of  Crocomb,  in  com.  Somerset,  Esqrs.;  and  Anne,  of 
Sir  John  Strode,  of  Parnam,  in  com.  Dorset,  Knt. 

John,  the  eldest  son  of  Sir  John  Wyndham,  married  Catharine, 
daughter  of  Robert  Hopton,  of  Witham,  in  com.  Som.  Esq.  sister 
and  coheir  to  that  loyal  and  valiant  commander,  Ralph,  Lord 
Hopton.  He  died  in  l64p,  and  was  father  of  Sir  William  Wynd- 
ham, Bart,  who  succeeded  him;  Thomas  Wyndham,  of  Witham, 
and  three  other  sons,  that  died  unmarried ;  also  of  four  daugh- 
ters; Florence,  wife  of  Sir  John  Malet,  Knt.;  Mary,  of  William 
Okeden,  of  More-Crichell,  in  Dorsetshire ;  Anne,  of  Anthony 
Bullen ;  and  Catharine,  married,  first,  to  John  Speccot,  and  after- 
wards to  John  Tanner,  Esqrs. 

Sir  William  Wyndham  was  created  a  Baronet,  13  Car.  II.  and 
having  worthily  served  his  country  in  Parliament,  and  many  other 
stations,  died  at  Orchard,  in  1683,  and  was  buried  at  St.  Decu- 
man's,  with  his  ancestors;  where  there  is  a  noble  monument 
erected  to  his  memory,  of  black  and  white  marble,  finely  deco- 
rated and  embellished  with  figures  of  cherubims'  heads,  angels, 
arms,  &c.  with  this  inscription  : 

To  the  Memory 

Of  the  most  worthy  of  Immortal  Memory 

Sir  WILLIAM  WYNDHAM,   of  Orchard  Wyndham,   Knt. 

and  Bart. 

Chiefe  of  the  Antient,  Great,  and  Noble  Family 

of  WYNDHAM  of  FELBRIG  in  the  County  of  NORFOLK, 

Who 
Haveing  Heroically  trod  in  the  steps  of  his  ancestors,  in  their 

Faithfull  and 
Important  Services  to  the  Crowne ;  and  in  particular  having 

with  blessed 
Successe,  like  another  Curtius,  Devoted  himself,  and  his  very 

weighty  Interest,  to  the 
closeing  the  dreadful  Breach  of  the  late  Monstrous  Divisions, 

Betooke  himselfe 
On  the  nine  and  twentyeth  day  of  October,  in  the  one  and 
fiftyeth  yeare  of  his  age,  to  the  Enjoyment  of  his  more  glo- 
rious Immortality;  and  in  the  yeare  of  our  Lord  1683. 


EARL  OF  EGREMONT.  423 

His  Lady 
FRANCES    (daughter  of  ANTHONY   HVNGERFORD,   of 

Fayrly  Castle,  Esq.) 
By  whom  he  had  five  sonnes  and  six  daughters,  the  hopeful 

Remainder  of  which  number 

were  at  the  time  of  his  death  two  sonnes  EDWARD  and  HVGH, 

and  fower  daughters, 

RACHEL,  Lady  Speke, 

ELIZABETH,  wife  of  THOMAS  ERLE,  Esq. 

FRANCES,  wife  of  NATHANIEL  PALMER,  Esq. 

and  IOANE,  unmarryed, 

Hath, 

As  a  Small  Instance  of  her  Great  Veneration, 

For  the  Memory  of  her  most  deare  Husband, 

Erected  this. 

By  Frances,  his  said  wife,  daughter  of  Anthony  Hungerford, 
of  Farley-castle,  in  com.  Wilts,  Esq.  he  had  issue  John,  William, 
and  Hugh,  who  died  unmarried ;  Sir  Edward  Wyndham,  who 
succeeded  him ;  Rachel,  wife  of  Sir  George  Speke,  of  Haselbury, 
in  Wilts,  Barts.  and  afterwards  of  Richard  Musgrave,  Esq.}  Eli- 
zabeth, married  to  Thomas  Erie,  of  Charborough,  in  Dorsetshire, 
Esq.  General  of  the  foot,  and  Privy-Counsellor  to  Queen  Anne,' 
and  to  George  1. j  Frances,  wife  of  Nathaniel  Palmer,  of  Fair- 
field, in  com.  Somerset,  Esq.  j  and  Joan,  wife  of  William  Cary, 
of  Clovelly,  in  com.  Devon,  Esq. 

Sir  Edward  Wyndham,  Bart,  married  Catharine,  daughter  to' 
Sir  William  Levison  Gower,  Bart,  sister  to  John  Lord  Gower ; 
by  which  Lady,  who  died  March  14th,  1/04,  he  bad  issue,  Sir 
William  Wyndham,  and  one  daughter,  Jane,  married  to  Sir  Ri-» 
chard  Grosvenor,  of  Eaton,  in  Cheshire,  Bart,  to  whom  she  was 
first  wife,  and  had  only  a  daughter,  that  died  young. 

Sir  William  Wyndham,  Bart,  his  only  son  and  successor, 
was  by  her  Majesty  Queen  Anne,  made  Master  of  the  Buck- 
hounds,  and  on  the  18th  of  June,  I711,k  constituted  Secretary  of 
War,  and  sworn  one  of  her  Majesty's  Privy-council;  which 
place  he  resigned  on  his  being  made  Chancellor  of  the  Exche- 
quer,1 August  the  17th,  1713.  He  served  as  Knight  of  the  Shire 
for  the  county  of  Somerset,  in  the  three  last  parliaments  of  her 
reign,  and  in  every  parliament  after,  to  his  death. 

k  Pointer's  Chron.  His'.  Vol.  II.  p.  720,  721.  l  Ibid.  p.  73$, 


434  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

I  He  was  twice  married ;  first  (July  21st,  1708),  to  the  Lady  Ca- 
tharine Seymour,  second  daughter  of  his  Grace,  Charles,  Duke 
of  Somerset,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons,  and  two  daughters ;  Sir 
Charles  his  successor,  late  Earl  of  Egremont ;  and  Percy  Obrien, 
of  Shortgrove,  in  Essex,  Esq.  who  inheriting  the  estate  of  his 
uncle,  Henry,  Earl  of  Thomond,  bore  the  name  and  arms  of 
Obrien,  and  was  advanced  to  the  dignity  of  Baron  I  Brickan,  and 
Earl  of  Thomond,  in  the  kingdom  of  Ireland,  but  died  a  batchelor 
July  21st,  1774  5  Catharine,  who  died  unmarried  in  April  1734; 
and  Elizabeth,  who  died  at  Wootton,  in  Buckinghamshire,  on 
5th  of  December,  1769,  having  been  married  in  1749  to  the  Ho- 
nourable George  Grenville,  Esq.  second  son  of  the  Right  Ho- 
nourable Hester,  Countess  Temple,  and  father  by  her  to  the  pre- 
sent Marquis  of  Buckingham, 

His  second  Lady  was  Maria-Catharina,  daughter  of  M.  Peter 
D'Jong,  of  the  province  of  Utrecht,  in  Holland,  and  relict  of 
William,  Marquis  of  Blandford,  who  died  August  24tb,  1/31,  also 
sister  to  the  Countess  of  Denbigh  ;  but  had  no  issue  by  her. 

He  died  at  Wells,  in  Somersetshire,  after  an  illness  of  a  few 
days,  July  17th,   1740. 

He  was  in  person  very  amiable,  and  accomplished  in  all  parts 
of  fine  breeding;  well  read  in  learning,  and  of  a  happy  memory; 
of  great  honour  and  integrity,  in  every  act  of  life ;  and  strictly 
attached  to  the  interest  of  his  country.  He  was  esteemed  one  of 
the  best  speakers  in  the  House  of  Commons,  where  his  eloquence 
was  well  heard.  Mr.  Pope  has  transmitted  to  posterity  this  cha- 
racter of  him,  among  others  :m 

*  How  can  I,  Pult'ney,  Chesterfield  forget, 
While  Roman  spirit  charms,  and  Attic  wit! 
Or  Wyndham,  just  to  freedom  and  the  throne. 
The  master  of  our  passions,  and  his  own  ?' 

On  the  accession  of  the  house  of  Hanover,  he  took  a  strenuous 
part  in  opposition,  and  became  for  many  years  the  leader  of  the 
Tories,  against  the  Walpole  administration ;  in  which  he  was  of 
so  much  importance,  that  the  union  of  Tories  and  discontented 
Whigs  was  dissolved  by  his  death."  By  his  marriage  in  17O8, 
with  Lady  n  Catherine  Seymour,  second  daughter  of  Charles,  the 
proud  duke  of  Somerset,  he  much  increased  his  consequence.  Coxe 
says,  that  •'  he  was  brought  forward,  at  a  very  early  age,  by  his 

»  Pope's  second  dialogue  for  the  year  1738.  n  See  Coxe,  p  ssirm 


EARL  OF  EGREMONT.  425 

friend  Bolingbroke,  with  whom  he  lived  in  habits  of  the  strictest 
intimacy  j  and  by  whose  brilliant  talents  he  was  seduced  into  si- 
milar excesses  of  pleasure  and  gallantry."  Speaker  Onslow  says, 
"  He  was,  in  my  opinion,  the  most  made  for  a  great  man,  of  any 
one  that  I  have  known  in  this'  age: — every  thing  about  hirn 
seemed  great: — there  was  no  inconsistency  in  his  composition:— 
all  the  parts  of  his  character  suited,  and  were  a  help  to  one  an* 
other.  There  was  much  of  grace  and  dignity  in  his  person,  and 
the  same  in  his  speaking.  He  had  no  acquirements  of  learning  j 
but  his  eloquence,  improved  by  use,  was  strong,  full,  and  without 
affectation,  arising  chiefly  from  his  clearness,  propriety,  and  ar- 
gumentation; in  the  method  of  which  last,  by  a  sort  of  induction, 
almost  peculiar  to  himself,  he  had  a  force  beyond  any  man  1  ever 
heard  in  public  debates.  He  had  not  the  vivacity  of  wit  and 
pleasantry  in  his  speeches,  so  entertaining  in  Daniel  Pulteneyj  but 
there  was  a  spirit  and  power  in  his  speaking,  that  always  anima- 
ted himself  and  his  hearers,  and  with  the  decoration  of  his  man- 
ner, which  was,  indeed,  very  ornamental,  produced  not  only  the 
most  attentive,  respectful,  but  even  a  reverend,  regard  to  whatever 
he  spoke."0 

He  was  succeeded  in  dignity  and  estate  by  his  eldest  son, 
Sir  Charles  Wyndham,  Bart,  who  succeeded  to  the  titles  of 
Earl  of  Egremont,  and  Baron  of  Cockermouth,  by  the 
death  of  his  Grace,  Algernon,  Duke  of  Somerset,  without  heir 
male,  who  had  been  created  Earl  of  Egremont,  and  Baro?i  of 
Cockermouth,  in  the  county  of  Cumberland,  by  letters  patent, 
bearing  date  October  3d,  23  George  II.  with  limitation  of  those 
honours,  to  his  said  nephew,  Charles,  late  Earl  of  Egremont,  and 
his  heirs  male)  and,  in  default  of  such  issue,  to  his  brother,  Percy 
Wyndham  Obrien,  Esq. 

His  Lordship,  whilst  he  was  a  Commoner,  was  elected  to  Par- 
liament, as  soon  as  he  came  of  age,P  for  the  borough  of  Bridge- 
water,  in  Somersetshire,  on  the  decease  of  Thomas  Palmer,  Esq. 
who  died  in  March,  1735  ;  and  for  i  Appleby,  in  Westmoreland, 
in  the  succeeding  Parliament,  summoned  to  meet  June  25th,  1741. 
Also  in  the  Parliament,  summoned  August  13th,  1/41,  he  was 
chosen  for  Taunton,  in  Somersetshire,  and  for  Cockermouth,  in 
Cumberland.  On  30th  April,  1751,  he  took  the  oaths  before  the 
King  at  St.  James's,  as  Lord  Lieutenant  and  Custos  Rotulorum 
of  the  county  of  Cumberland,  and  continued  so  till  his  death. 

•  Coxe,  II.  $6zy  where  see  more  of  him. 
P  British  Parliam.  Register,  No.  180.  1  Ibid.  No.  20T. 


425  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

His  Lordship,  on  April  24th,  1761,  was  nominated  the  first  of  the 
three  Plenipotentiaries,  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain,  to  the  in- 
tended Congress  at  Augsburg,  for  a  general  pacification  between 
the  belligerent  powers,  Great  Britain,  France,  Hungary,  Sweden, 
Russia,  Prussia,  and  Saxony.  He  was  sworn  of  his  Majesty's 
Privy-council  on  July  8th,  and  constituted  Secretary  of  State  on 
October  9th,  that  year,  on  the  resignation  of  William  Pitt,  Esq. 
On  December  29th,  1 762,  his  Lordship  took  the  oaths,  at  St. 
James's,  as  Lord  Lieutenant  and  Custos  Rotulorum  of  the  county 
of  Sussex  -,  and  was  elected  Governor  of  the  Charter-House,  in 
June,  J763  ;  but  died  of  an  apoplectic  fit  on  August  21st  follow- 
ing, at  his  house  in  Piccadilly,  London/ 

On  March  12th,  1750-1,  his  Lordship  married  Alicia-Maria, 
daughter  of  George,  Lord  Carpenter,  and  sister  to  George  Earl  of 
Tyrconnel,  in  Ireland  5  and  by  her  Ladyship  (who  was,  at  the 
establishment  of  the  present  Queen's  household,  in  September, 
1761,  appointed  one  of  the  Ladies  of  the  Bedchamber  to  her  Ma- 
jesty, and  re-married  on  July  6th,  176/,  to  Count  Bruhl,  a  Saxon 
nobleman,  and  died  in  1794),  had  four  sons,  and  three  daughters. 

1.  George,  noiv  Earl  of  Egremont. 

2.  Percy-Charles,  born  on  September  23d,  1757» 

3.  Charles- William,  born  on  October  8th,  17595  now  M,  P. 
for  Sussex,-  married,  February  4th,  1801,  Lady  Anne,  daughter 
of  George,  late  Earl  of  Jersey,  and  widow  of  W.  H.  Lambton,  Esq. 

4.  William-Frederick  (to  whom  their  Majesties  were  sponsors 
in  person),  born  April  6th,  1 763,  married  Miss  Harford,  natural 
daughter  of  the  late  Frederick  Lord  Baltimore  5  and  has  issue, 
1.  George-Francis,  born  August  30th,  1785.  2.  Laura.  3.  Julia. 
4.  A  son  born  at  Florence  in  July  1794  5  where  the  father  was 
his  Majesty's  Minister  in  1798. 

Lady  Elizabeth-Alicia-Maria,  born  on  November  30th,  1752, 
and  married  July  1771,  to  Henry  Earl  of  Caernarvon. 

Lady  Frances,  born  on  July  10th,  1755,  and  married  to  Charles, 
now  Earl  Romney ;  and  died  January  15th,  1795. 

Lady  Charlotte,,  born  on  September  5th,  1756,  but  died  young. 

George,  the  present  and  second  Earl  of  Egremont,  was 
born  on  December  7th,  1751,  succeeded  his  father,  in  titles  and 
Estate,  on  August  21st,  1763,  and  is  unmarried.  His  Lordship 
resides  principally  at  his  magnificent  seat  of  Petworth,  where  he 
has  distinguished  himself  by  his  attention  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits. 

*  See  Park's  R.  and  N.  A.  IV.  256. 


EARL  OF  EGREMONT.  42jr 

Titles.  George,  Earl  of  Egremont,  Lord  and  Baron  of  Cocker- 
mouth,  and  Bart. 

Creations.  Earl  of  Egremont,  and  Baron  of  Cockermouth,  both 
in  the  county  of  Cumberland,  October  3d,  1749,  23  George  II.  j 
and  Bart.  December  3d,  l66l,  13  Car.  II. 

Arms.  Azure,  a  chevron,  between  three  lions  heads  erased, 
Or. 

Crest.  A  lion's  head,  erased,  within  a  Fetterlock,  Or :  but 
whether  granted  by  the  house  of  York,  whose  cognisance  was  a 
Fetterlock,  or  in  an  allusion  to  the  family  of  Felbrigge,  who  also 
bore  it,  is  not  known. 

Supporters.  On  the  dexter  side,  a  lion  rampant,  Azure,  winged 
invertedly,  Or.  On  the  sinister  side,  a  griphon,  argent,  gutte  dc 
sang. 

Motto.     Au  Bon  Droit. 

Chief  Seats.  Petworth,  in  the  county  of  Sussex ;  and  Wresii- 
castle,  in  Yorkshire;  and  at  Orchard  Windham,  and  Witham,  ia 
Somersetshire. 


428  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


HARCOURT  EARL  HARCOURT. 


This  ancient  and  illustrious  family  is  descended  from  Bernard, 
a  nobleman  of  the  blood  royal  of  Saxony,  who,  being  born  in 
Denmark,  was  surnamed  the  Dane.  This  Bernard  was  chief 
counsellor,  and  second  in  command  to  the  famous  Rollo,  proge- 
nitor to  the  Kings  of  England  of  the  Norman  line,  in  his  descent 
upon  Normandy,  A.  D.  876,  and  obtained  the  Lordships  of  Har- 
court,  Caileville,  and  Beauficel,  in  recompence  for  his  eminent 
services,  when  Rollo,  who  was  also  a  Dane,  made  himself  master 
of  that  province.  Bernard  was  likewise  minister  to  Rollo's  son, 
and  successor,  William,  styled  Longa-Spatha,  and  guardian  to 
his  son  Richard,  Duke  of  Normandy,  surnamed  the  Hardy,  as 
well  as  regent  of  the  Norman  territories,  during  his  minority. 

This  renowned  statesman  and  warrior  married  ■ de  Sprote, 

a  lady  of  the  Royal  family  of  Burgundy,  and  by  her  left  an  only 
ion  and  heir, 

Torf,  surnamed  the  Rich,  who  added  Torville,  Torcy,  Torny, 
and  Pontatou,  to  his  paternal  inheritance  3  and  by  Ertemberga  his 
wife,  daughter  of  Launcelot  de  Briquebec,  a  nobleman  of  Danish 
extraction,  had  three  sons,  viz. 

1.  Touroude,  or  Turulph. 

2.  Turchetil,  ancestor  to  the  present  Earl  Harcourt  (as  shall  be 
fully  shewn,  after  giving  an  account  of  the  descendants  of  his  said 
elder  brother  Touroude).     And, 

3.  William  de  Torville. 

Touroude,  or  Turulph,  the  eldest  son,  was  Lord  of  Pont-au-de- 
mer  (or  Pontaudomare),  Torville,  Torcy,  Pontatou,  and  Eourg- 
touroude,  and  joint  governor  and  guardian,  with  his  brother  Tur- 
chetil, to  the  aforesaid  William  Duke  of  Normandy,  during  his 


EARL  HARCOURT.  42$ 

minority.  He  married  Wiva  (by  some  called  Duceline),  sister 
of  Gunnora,  second  wife  of  Richard  Duke  of  Normandy:  and  by 
her  was  father  of  five  sons,  and  one  daughter,  viz.  Humphrey  de 
Vetulis;  Herbrand;  Gilbert;  Richard;  and  Ilbert.  a His  daugh- 
ter was  Josseline,  who  wedded  Hugh  de  Montgomery,  and  by  him 
was  mother  of  Roger  de  Montgomery,  Earl  of  Shrewsbury,  and 
Arundel,  and  Chichester. 

Humphrey  de  Vetulis,  was  Lord  of  Pont-au-de-mer,  Preaux, 
Beaumont,  &c.  and  founded  the  two  abbies  of  St.  Peter  and  St. 
Leger  in  France.  By  his  wife,  Auberia  or  Albreda  de  la  Haye, 
he  had  two  sons,  Robert  de  Beaumont,  who  was  killed,  without 
issue,  by  Roger  de  Clare;  and  Roger  de  Beaumont,  who  succeeded 
to  all  the  possessions  of  his  father  and  brother;  and  accompa- 
nied William  the  Conqueror  in  his  expedition  to  England,  A.  D. 
1Q6G. 

This  Roger  de  Beaumont,  called  Barbatus,  espoused  Adeline, 
daughter  of  Walleran,  and  sister  and  heir  of  Hugh,  Earl  of  Mel- 
lent,  and  by  her  was  father  of  four  children ;  viz.  Robert  de 
Beaumont,  Earl  of  Mellent  and  Leicester;  Henry,  surnamed  de 
Newburgh,  who  in  IO76  was  created  -Earl  of  Warwick,  but  his 
issue  male  expired  in  1242.  William  de  Beaumont;  and  Albreda, 
who  took  the  veil,  and  became  an  abbess. 

Robert  de  Beaumont,  the  eldest  son,  was,  in  1103,  created 
Earl  of  Leicester  by  King  Henry  1.  having  before,  on  the  death 
of  his  mother,  became  Earl  of  Mellent.  He  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Hugh  the  Great,  Earl  of  Vermandois,  of  the  blood 
royal  of  France,  and  died  A.  D.  1118;  having,  by  his  said  Lady, 
had  Walleran,  his  eldest  son ;  Robert,  second  son  (surnamed  Bos- 
su),  of  both  whom  more  fully;  and  several  other  children,  be- 
sides Hugh,  third  son,  called  Pauper  (or  Poor),  who  was  created 
Earl  of  Bedford,  and  wedded  Alice  D'Estouteville,  but  "  \1  with- 
out issue. 

Walleran  de  Beaumont,  the  said  eldest  son,  succeeded  to 
the  earldom  of  Mellent,  and  was  farther  dignified  with  the  title 
of  Earl  of  Worcester,  by  King  Stephen,  A.  D.  1144.  He  married 
Elizabeth,  sister  of  Simon  Mont  fort,  Earl  of  Eureux,  and  by  her 
was  father  of  Robert  de  Beaumont,  who  succeeded  him  as  Earl 
of  Mellent,  and  by  Maud  his  wife,  daughter  of  Reginald  Earl  of 
Cornwall  (natural  son  of  King  Henry  I.)  was  father  of  Peter 
de  Beaumont,  his  successor  in  the  earldom  of  Mellent;  and  of 

*  Mr.  Edmons  tn's  Baronagium  Genealogium. 


430  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Joan,  wedded  to  Robert  de  Harcourt,  from  whom  the  Harcourts 
of  France  are  descended,  as  shall  be  fully  shewn. 

Robert  de  Beaumont,  surnamed  Bossu,  second  son  of  Ro- 
bert de  Beaumont,  and  Elizabeth  daughter  of  Hugh  Earl  of  Ver- 
mandois,  succeeded  his  father  as  Earl  of  Leicester,  and  departed 
this  life  A  D.  1168.  He  had  two  wives ;  first,  Amicia,  daugh- 
'  ter  of  Ralph  de  Waier,  Earl  of  Norfolk  j  and,  secondly,  Amicia, 
daughter  of  Ralph  de  Montfort.  By  the  latter  he  had  no  chil- 
dren, but  by  the  first  he  had  Robert  his  heir  (styled  Blanchmains, 
or  White  Hands)  5  Isabel,  wedded,  first,  to  Simon  St.  Liz,  Earl 
of  Huntingdon;  and,  secondly,  to  Gervase  Paganel;  and  Hawyse, 
married  to  William  Earl  of  Gloucester.  The  said  Robert  (styled 
Blanchmains),  besides  inheriting  the  earldom  of  Leicester  from 
his  father,  had  the  honour  of  Hinckley,  and  the  office  of  High 
Steward  of  England,  with  his  wife  Petronilla,  daughter  of  Hugh 
de  Grentemesnil  5  and  by  her  was  father  of,  1.  Robert  (called 
Fitz-Parnel),  who  succeeded  him  in  H90,  as  Earl  of  Leicester, 
but  died  in  1204,  without  any  issue  by  his  wife,  Lauretta,  daugh- 
ter of  William  Lord  Braose,  of  Brember ;  2.  Roger  de  Beau- 
mont, who  died  Bishop  of  St.  Andrew's,  in  Scotland,  A.D.  1202; 
3.  William,  who  is  by  some  said  to  have  died  without  issue,  but 
according  to  Sir  Robert  Douglass,  in  his  Peerage  of  Scotland, 
p.  32(5,  was  ancestor  of  all  the  Hamiltons  in  Scotland,  &c.  4, 
Amicia,  succesively  wedded  to  Simon  Montfort,  and  Henry  de 
Barres;  and,  5.  Margaret,  married  to  Sayer  de  Quincy,  Earl  of 
Winchester,  and  by  him  mother  of  Orabella,  the  wife  of  Sir  Ri- 
chard Harcourt,  of  Stanton-Harcourt,  Ellenhall,  &c.  hereafter 
mentioned. 

Having  thus  brought  down  the  line  of  Touroude,  or  Turulph, 
the  eldest  son  of  Torf  and  Ertemberga  de  Briquebec,  we  shall  now 
proceed  to  trace  the  descendants  of  Turghetil,  the  second  son, 
lineal  ancestor  of  the  present  Earl  Harcourt. 

The  said  Turghetil  was  Lord  of  Turquevile,  Turqueray,  &c. 
and  joint  guardian  and  governor,  with  his  said  elder  brother, 
Touroude,  to  William  Duke  of  Normandy,  as  before  taken  notice 
of  j  and  at  last  basely  murdered  for  his  attachment  to  that  prince. 
He  married  Adeline  de  Montfort,  sister  of  Toustain  Lord  of 
Montfort  sur  Risle ;  and  by  her  had  Anchitel,  his  heir;  Walter 
de  Turqueville ;  and  Lesseiine,  the  wife  of  William  Earl  of  Eu, 
Exmes,  and  Montreuil. 

Anchitel,  the  eldest  son  of  Turchetil,  was  the  first  who  took 
the  surname  of  Harcourt  :  and  by  his  wife,  Eve  de  Boessey, 


EARL  HARCOURT.  431 

Lady  of  Boessey  la  Chastely  had  seven  sons,  and  one  daughter; 
viz.  1 .  Errand,  or  Anguerrand  de  Harcourt.  2.  Robert  de  Har- 
court.  3.  John  de  Harcourt.  4.  Arnold  de  Harcourt.  5.  Ger- 
yase  de  Harcourt.  6.  Ivo  de  Harcourt.  7-  Renauld  de  Harcourt. 
And  Agnes,  the  wife  of de  Formeville. 

Errand  de  Harcourt,  the  eldest  son,  wedded  Emma 
D'Estouteville ;  was  commander  of  the  archers  of  Val  de  Ruel  in 
the  descent  of  William  the  Conqueror  upon  England,  A.  D. 
lOfjo,  and  returned  to  his  native  country  after  that  Prince's  coro- 
nation, which  was  solemnized  on  Christmas-day  that  year. 

Robert  de  Harcourt,  second  son,  surnamed  the  Strong,  was  the 
ancestor  of  the  present  Earl  Harcourt,  and  as  such  shall  be  treated 
of;  and 

Arnold  de  Harcourt,  fourth  son,  was  sent  for  to  England  from 
Normandy,  by  William  the  Conqueror,  A.  D.  1068,  to  assist 
against  the  Danes,  by  whom,  he  was  slain  in  an  engagement. 

Robert  de  Harcourt,  second  son,  before  mentioned,  surnamed 
the  Strong,  built  the  castle  of  Harcourt  ;  and  also,  with  his  elder 
brother  Errand,  attended  William  Duke  of  Normandy  in  his  ex- 
pedition to  England,  A.  D.  1066.  -  This  Robert  married  Colede 
D'Argouges,  and  by  her  had  seven  sons.  1,  William,  of  whom 
more  at  large  hereafter.  2.  Richard  de  Harcourt,  who  founded 
the  commandery  of  St.  Stephen  at  Reneville,  became  a  Knight 
Templar,  Grand  Prior  of  France,  and  was  buried  at  St.  Stephen's 
aforesaid.  3.  Philip  de  Harcourt,  who  was  Dean  of  Lincoln, 
Archdeacon  of  York,  nominated  to  the  bishopric  of  Salisbury, 
and  appointed  Bishop  of  Bayeux,  where  he  was  buried,  A.  D.  1 163. 
4,  Henry  de  Harcourt.  5.  Baldwin  de  Harcourt.  6.  Errand  de 
Harcourt.  And,  J,  Rollo  de  Harcourt;  who  settled  in  England; 
and  by  his  wife,  Roesia,  sister  and  coheir  to  William,  son  of  Pain 
Peverell,  Lord  of  Brunne,  and  Standard-bearer  to  Robert  Curtois 
(eldest  son  of  William  the  Conqueror),  in  the  Holy  Land,  was 
father  of  an  only  child,  Albreda,  the  wife  of  Sir  William  Tursbut, 
of  Yorkshire. 

William  de  Harcourt,  eldest  son  of  Robert,  before  mentioned, 
taking  part  with  Henry  I.  against  his  brother  Robert  Curtois 
aforesaid,  commanded  the  troops  which  defeated  Walleran  de 
Beaumont,  Earl  of  Mellent,  in  the  battle  near  Bourgtouroude, 
A.  D.  1 123,  and  for  his  services  was  rewarded  with  large  posses- 
sions in  England.  He  wedded  Hue  D'.Amboise,  by  whom  he  had 
three  sons,  and  two  daughters;  viz.  Robert  de  Harcourt,  Ivo  de 
Harcourt,  of  both  of  whom  more  amply;   Simon  de  Harcourt, 


432  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

•who  married  Adeliza,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Osbert  de  Arden, 
of  Kingsbury,  in  Warwickshire,  but  died  without  issue  ;  Peretta, 
the  wife  of  John,  Lord  of  Hellenviliier,  in  France  -,  and  Beatrix, 
espoused  to  Robert  Basset. 

Robert  de  Harcourt,  eldest  son  of  William  aforesaid,  was 
Baron  of  Harcourt,  Elboeuf,  la  Saussay,  Beaumesnel,  Poligny, 
Boessey  le  Chastel,  and  Reneville ;  and  ancestor  of  John  de  Har- 
court, Viscount  of  Chatelleraut,  Baron  of  Elboeuf,  Brione,  d'Ars- 
cot,  Mezieres,  l'lslebone,  Gravenshon,  &c.  in  whose  favour  the 
barony  of  Harcourt  was,  by  Philip  de  Valois,  or  Philip  VI.  King 
of  France,  erected  into  an  earldom,  in  March,  1338.  He  was 
also  progenitor  of  the  Harcourts,  Counts  of  Harcourt  cmd  Aumalle, 
and  of  the  Marquisses  of  Montmorency,  1578,  as  also  of  Peter  de 
Harcourt,  Baron  of  Beauvron,  BeaufTou,  &c.  in  recompence  of 
whose  services,  the  Baronies  of  la  Motte,  Mery,  Cleville,  and 
Vareville,  were,  by  letters  mandatory,  J 593,  (temp.  Henry  IV.) 
erected  into  a  martjuisate,  called  la  Motte  Harcourt.  From  this 
Peter  de  Harcourt  descended  Henry  de  Harcourt,  Mareschal  of 
France,  from  whom  the  marquisates  of  Thury,  and  la  Motte  Har- 
court, were  united,  and  erected  into  the  dukedom  of  Harcourt, 
1700,  and  made  a  peerdom  of  France,  1709,  (temp.  Lud.  XIV.) 
Robert  de  Harcourt  was  progenitor  of  these  illustrious  families, 
by  his  wife  Joan,  daughter  of  Robert  Beaumont,  Earl  of  Mellent, 
as  already  taken  notice  of.  By  the  same  Lady  he  was  also  an- 
cestor of  the  Harcourts,  Barons  Bonestable  and  Montgomery,  ex- 
tinct, and  of  the  Harcourts  present  Barons  d'OUonde. 

Ivo,  second  son  of  William  de  Harcourt  and  Hue  D'Amboise, 

inherited  all  his  father's  possessions  in  England ;  and  by  his 

wife,  was  father  of  Robert  de  Harcourt,  his  successor  5  John  de 
Harcourt  j  and  Lucy,  the  wife  of Daunley. 

Robert  de  Harcourt,  successor  to  his  father,  Ivo,  was  Sheriff 
of  Warwick  and  Leicester,  in  the  years  11  (JQ,  1201,  and  1202, 
in  which  last  year  he  departed  this  life.  In  the  9th  of  Richard  I. 
he  was  acquitted  of  scutage-money  to  the  King,  by  writ  of  the 
Chief  justiciar,  because  his  son  William  did  service  for  him  in  his 
Majesty's  army.b  He  was  seated,  in  the  right  of  his  wife  Isabel, 
at  Stanton,  in  Oxfordshire,  since  that  time  called  Stanton-Har- 
court.  The  said  Isabel  was  the  only  child  and  heir  of  Richard  de 
Camville,  who  was  third  son  of  Richard  de  Camville,  who  founded 
Combe-abbey,  in  Warwickshire,  and  was  son  and  heir  of  Gerard 

b  Madex's  Hist,  of  the  Exchequer,  p.  458. 


EARL  HARCOURT.  433. 

dc  Camville,  Lord  of  Lilbourne,  near  Creek,  in  Northampton- 
shire :  and  Isabel's  mother  was  Milicent,  cousin  to  King  Henry 
J.'s  second  consort,  Adeliza,  or  Adelicia  (daughter  to  Godfrey  I. 
Duke  of  Brabant),  who  gave  to  the  said  Milicent,  on  her  mar- 
riage with  the  said  Richard  Camville,  the  Lordship  of  Stanton 
aforesaid,  which  was  confirmed  to  her,  and  her  heirs,  by  King 
Stephen  and  King  Henry  II.  By  this  Isabel,  the  said  Robert  de 
Harcourt  had  four  sons  and  one  daughter  j  viz. 

1.  William,  his  heir. 

2.  Oliver  de  Harcourt,  who  joined  Lewis  Prince  of  France,  and 
his  party,  against  King  John,  but  was  made  prisoner  at  the  battle 
Of  Lincoln,  A.D.  1217. 

3.  John  de  Harcourt,  who  was  seated  at  Roledge  (Rodeley), 
in  Leicestershire,  and  married  Hawis,  daughter  of  Sir  William 
Burdet. 

4.  Sir  Robert  de  Harcourt,  who  married  Dionysia,  daughter 
and  coheir  of  Henry  Pipard,  of  Lapworth,  in  Warwickshire, 
And, 

Alice>  successively  the  wife  of  John  de  Limesi,  and  Walleran 
de  Newburg,  Earl  of  Warwick. 

William  de  Harcourt,  eldest  son  of  the  said  Robert  and  Isabel, 
was  called  the  Englishman,  to  distinguish  him  from  others  of  the 
same  name ;  and  adhered  to  King  John  against  Lewis  Prince  of 
France,  and  the  rebellious  Barons,  in  121 7.  He  was  with  Sayer 
de  Quincy,  Earl  of  Winchester,  and  others,  at  the  siege  of  Da- 
mietta,  in  Palestine,  A.D.  1218  j  and,  next  year,  was  Governor 
of  Tamworth  castle.  This  William,  by  appointment  of  King 
John,  married  Alice,  eldest  of  the  two  daughters  and  coheirs  of 
Thomas  Noel,  by  his  wife,  Margaret,  eldest  of  the  three  daugh- 
ters of  Guy  le  Strange,  of  Knockin,  and  coheirs  to  their  brother 
Raphe :  and  the  said  Thomas  Noel  was  elder  brother  of  Philip 
Noel,  difect  ancestor  of  the  late  Earls  of  Gainsborough.  With 
the  said  Alice,  William  de  Harcourt  had  the  Lordships  of  Ellen- 
hall,  Seighford,  Bridgeford,  Podmore,  with  a  moiety  of  Cutculme, 
in  Staffordshire,  together  with  Granborough,  in  Warwickshire. 
By  this  said  Lady  he  had  two  sons,  and  one  daughter ;  viz.  Sir 
Richard  de  Harcourt,  his  successor ;  Sir  Henry  de  Harcourt,  who 
being  knighted  in  1278,  espoused  Emma,  daughter  and  heir  of 
William  Maunsel,  of  Erdington,  in  Warwickshire,  and  by  her, 
at  his  death,  A.  D.  1293,  was  father  of  an  only  child,  Margaret, 
who  was  married,  first,  to  John  Pipe  (the  son  of  Edward  Pipe, 
her  mother's  second  husband)  j  and,  secondly,  to  John  de  Saun- 

VOL.  IV.  2   F 


431  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

dersted;  and  the  daughter  was  Hellen,  the  wife  of  Hugh  Bi°ct, 
Justiciar  of  England. 

Sir  RiCHARDd  de  Harcourt,  eldest  son  and  heir  of  the  aforesaid 
William,  Lord  of  Stanton-Harcoitrt,  Ellenhall,  &c.  married  Ora- 
bella,  daughter  of  Sayer  (or  Robert,  according  to  the  Visitation 
of  Staffordshire,  anno  15S3),  de  Quincy,  Constable  of  Scotland, 
Earl  of  Winchester,  &:c.  by  Margaret  his  wife,  sister  and  coheir 
of  Robert  (Fitz-Parnel),  Farl  of  Leicester,  as  before  narrated.  He 
had  the  manors  of  Bosworth,  Elstow,  or  Ailston,  Charnwood,  &c; 
in  com.  Leicest.  in  marriage  with  the  said  Orabella,  who  bore  to 
him  two  sons  and  a  daughter;  viz.  Sir  William,  his  successor; 
Sayer  de  Harcourt,  who  joined  Simon  Montfort,  Earl  of  Leices- 
ter, against  King  Henry  III.  and  being  taken  at  the  battle  of 
Evesham,  August  6th,  1266,  died  in  confinement  and  disseised  of 
his  lands,  the  same  year;  and  Maud,  the  wife  of  Sir  Giles  Pene- 
ston,  Knt.  Sir  Richard  died  in  1258,  and  was  succeeded  by  his 
eldest  son, 

Sir  William  de  Harcourt,  who  in  4J  Henry  III.  had  sum- 
mons, amongst  divers  others,  to  attend  at  Worcester,  sufficiently 
furnished  with  horse  and  arms,  on  Lammas-day,  to  resist  the 
power  of  Llewellyn,  Prince  of  Wales,  then  in  arms  at  the  head 
of  his  countrymen:  and  next  year,  1264,  received  command  to 
attend  the  King  at  Oxford,  in  Mid-lent,  with  horse  and  arms, 
there  to  give  him  counsel,  and  to  march  along  with  him  against 
the  said  Llewellyn.  However,  he  afterwards  joined  Simon  Mont-- 
fort,  Earl  of  Leicester,  and  his  parti zans,  against  the  said  King 
Henry ;  but  had  the  benefit  of  the  Dictum  de  Kenilworth,  pro- 
claimed on  October  31st,  1266,  after  the  King  recovered  his  li- 
berty at  the  battle  of  Evesham.  Sir  William  departed  this  life, 
A.  D.  1278,  having  married  two  wives;  first,  Alice,  daughter  of 
Alan  la  Zouche,  by  whom  he  had  two  daughters;  viz.  Margery, 
wedded  to  Sir  John  Cantelupe,  without  issue;  and  Orabella,  who 
was  wedded  to  Sir  Fulke  Pembrugge,  and  died  in  1279 ;  ana*, 
secondly,  Hillaria  (or  Eleanor),  daughter  of  Henry,  Lord  Hast- 
ings, by  Ada  his  wife,  daughter  of  David,  Earl  of  Huntingdon, 
brother  to  Malcolm  IV.  and  William  (denominated  the  Lion), 
Kings  of  Scotland.  By  this  Lady  Sir  William  had  an  only  son 
and  successor, 

Sir  Richard  de  Harcourt,  Knt.  who,  in  1293,  obtained,  from 
King  Edward  I.  a  grant  of  the  fairs  and  markets  at  Bosworth. 
He  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Beke,  of  Eresby,  in 
Lincolnshire,  and  sister  and  coheir  of  Sir  Walter  Beke,  lineally 


EARL  HARCOURT.  435 

descended  from  Walter  Bee,  who  had  a  fair  inheritance  in  Flan- 
ders ;  and,  coming  to  England  with  William  the  Conqueror,  bad 
a  grant  from  him  of  the  said  Eresby,  and  divers  other  fair  lord- 
ships. This  Sir  John  Beke,  of  Eresby,  by  his  last  will,  dated  at 
Eresby,  on  Wednesday  preceding  the  feast  of  St.  Margaret  (July 
20th),  1301,  bequeathed  his  body  to  be  buried  in  the  chapel  of 
St.  Maurice,  within  the  abbey  of  Kirstedej  unto  whjch  he  gave 
his  coat  of  mail,  gauntlets,  harness  of  iron,  lance,  and  target ; 
leaving  the  rest  of  his  armour  to  Sir  Robert  de  Willoughby,  and 
Sir  John  de  Harcourt,  son  of  this  Sir  Richard,  who,  besides  the 
said  Sir  John,  had  also,  by  Margaret  his  wife,  another  son,  Ni- 
cholas, Rector  of  Sheppey,  in  Leicestershire,  who  by  a  roll  of 
fines,  4  Edward  III.  appears  to  have  conveyed  to  his  nephew,  Sir 
Richard,  and  his  wife  after -mentioned,  the  manors  of  Stanton- 
Harcourt  and  Market  Bosworthj  which  he  probably  held  in 
trust. 

Sir  John  de  Harcourt  succeeded  his  father  Sir  Richard,  anno 
21  Edward  I.  and  was  knighted,  at  Whitsuntide,  with  Edward, 
Prince  of  Wales,  A  D.  1306,  King  Edward  I.  preparing  then 
for  an  expedition  into  Scotland,  where  this  John  de  Harcourt 
served,  bearing  on  his  banner,  Gules,  two  Bars,  Or.  He  had  two 
wives ;  first,  Ellen,  daughter  of  Eudo  la  Zouch,  of  Mellesentree, 
by  whom  he  was  father  of  Sir  William,  his  only  son,  and  heir ; 
and,  secondly,  Alice,  daughter  of  Peter  Corbet,  of  Causcastle,  in 
Shropshire,  but  by  her  had  no  issue.  Sir  John  died  in  1330,  and 
was  succeeded  by  his  son, 

Sir  William  Harcourt,  who  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Rich- 
ard Lord  Grey  of  Codnor  j  and  by  her  (who,  after  his  decease, 
which  happened  on  June  6th,  1349,  was,  secondly,  the  wife  of 
Ralph  de  Ferrers,  and  died  on  August  19th,  1369},  he  had  two 
sons  5  Sir  Richard,  and  Sir  Thomas.  Sir  Richard  Harcourt, 
the  eldest  son,  who  died  in  the  lifetime  of  his  father,  wedded 
Joan,  daughter  and  heir  to  Sir  William  Skareshull,  of  Skareshull, 
in  Staffordshire,  Knt.  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  England,  and  by  her 
had  an  only  daughter,  Elizabeth,  his  heir,  who  was  married  to 
Thomas  Astley,  of  Nelston,  in  Leicestershire  (second  son  of  Tho- 
mas, Lord  Astley),  from  whom  the  Astleys  of  Patishul,  in  Staf- 
fordshire, were  lineally  descended. 

Sir  Thomas  Harcourt,  second  son,  upon  the  death  of  his  elder 
brother,  without  male  issue,  became  heir  to  his  father  Sir  Wil- 
liam, and,  in  1366,  received  the  honour  of  knighthood.  King 
Edward  III.  next  year,  granted  his  general  letters  of  attorney,  to 


436  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

hold  for  one  year,  to  this  Sir  Thomas,  going  in  his  service  to 
Milan,  with  his  son  Lionel,  Duke  of  Clarence.  Sir  Thomas  was 
Knight  in  Parliament  for  the  county  of  Oxford,  A.  D.  1376.  cHe 
married  Maud  (or  Alice,  according  to  the  Monasticon  (or  Elea- 
nor, according  to  the  Visitation  of  Staffordshire),  daughter  to 
Robert,  Lord  Grey,  of  Rotherfield,  and  widow  of  Sir  John  Bote- 
tourt, of  Woody,  Lord  Botetourt ;  and  by  her  was  father  of  two 
sons,  and  three  daughters ;  viz.  Thomas,  his  heir}  Sir  Richard 
Harcourt  j  Joan,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Erdington,  of  Erdington,  in 
Warwickshire;  Catherine j  and  Isabel. 

Thomas,  the  eldest  son,  succeeded  his  father  on  April  12th, 
1417,  and  departing  this  life  on  June  3d,  1460,  was  buried  at 
Stanton-Harcourt.  By  his  wife  Joan,  daughter  of  Sir  Robert 
Frauncis,  of  Formark,  in  Derbyshire,  he  had  five  sons,  and  two 
daughters}  viz.  Sir  Robert,  his  heir;  Sir  Richard,  continuator 
of  the  male  line;  John  Harcourt ;  William  Harcourt,  who  was 
steward  d  to  George,  Duke  of  Clarence,  the  unfortunate  brother 

to  King  Edward  IV.  and,  by his  wife,  left  Isabel,  his  sole 

child  and  heir,  wedded  to  William  Moseley,  of  Moseley,  in  Staf- 
fordshire j  George,  who  died  young  3  as  did  the  two  daughters, 
Alice,  and  Isabel. 

Sir  Robert  Harcourt,  the  eldest  son,  was  Sheriff  of  Leicester- 
shire and  Warwickshire  in  1445,  and  was  Knight  of  the  Garter 
in  1463,  being  present,  with  other  Knights  of  that  most  noble 
order,  at  a  chapter  held  by  the  King,  at  Windsor,  on  April  22d, 
that  year.  He  was  excused,  by  the  King,  from  attending  a  chap- 
ter on  April  29th,  next  year,  being  assigned,  by  his  Majesty,  for 
the  defence  of  the  northern  borders,  in  conjunction  with  other 
Knights  of  the  Garter.  In  1467,  he  was  commissioned  with 
Richard  Nevil,  Earl  of  Warwick  (styled  the  King-Maker),  and 
others,  to  treat  of  a  peace  between  King  Edward  IV.  and  Lewis 
XL  of  France.  This  Sir  Richard  signalized  himself  in  the  wars 
of  Henry  VI.  and  Edward  IV.  and  lost  his  life  in  the  service  of 
the  latter,  being  slain  by  the  Staffords,  of  the  Lancastrian  party, 
on  November  14th,  1470,  according  to  Vincent.  He  was  buried 
in  the  church  of  Stanton-Harcourt,  as  was  his  Lady,  where  a  mo- 
nument is  erected,  exhibiting  their  figures ;  his  in  the  habit  of 
the  Garter  over  his  armour,  with  a  sword  by  his  side;  and  on  her 

c  William  Moton,  of  Peckleton,  in  Leicest.  who  died  temp.  Edward  IV.  mar- 
ried Margaret,  daughter  of Harecourt,  of  Bosworth.  Burton '9  Leic.  p.  219. 

d  Dugdale's  Warwickshire,  Vol.  II.  p.  891. 


EARL  HARCOURT.  437 

effigies  is  the  Garter,  just  above  the  elbow  on  the  left  arm,  with 
the  motto,  Hony  soit  qui  mat  y  pense.  From  this,  and  other 
authorities,  Mr.  Anstis  has  observed,  that  anciently  the  Ladies  of 
the  Knights  of  the  Garter  had  not  only  the  habit  of  the  order, 
which  was  semee  of  Garters,  but  that  they  had  also  the  ensign  of 
the  Garter  delivered  to  them.  The  said  Lady  of  this  renowned 
Knight  was  ^Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Byron,  of  Clayton, 
in  Lancashire  j  and  by  her  Sir  Robert  had  John  Harcourt,  his 
successor,  and  three  younger  sons,  Robert,  Thomas,  and  George, 
who  all  died  without  issue. 

The  said  John  Harcourt  was  twenty  years  of  age  at  the  death 
of  his  father  5  and  by  Anne,  his  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Nor- 
ris,  of  Bray,  in  Berkshire,  left,  at  his  decease  on  June  26th,  14S5, 
an  only  son, 

Sir  Robert  Harcourt,  who  was  Standard-bearer  to  King  Henry 
VII.  at  the  battle  of  Bosworth,  August  22d,  1485;  and,  in  14()5, 
made  one  of  the  Knights  of  the  Bath,  at  the  creation  of  Henry 
Duke  of  York,  that  Monarch's  second  son,  and  successor.  He 
was,  moreover,  dubbed  Knight-banneret  for  his  gallant  behaviour 
at  the  battle  of  Blackheath,  against  James,  Lord  Audley,  and  his 
Cornish  followers,  June  22d,  1497-  This  Sir  Robert  Harcourt, 
who  lies  interred  at  Stanton-Harcourt,  married  Agnes,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Lymerick ;  and  by  her  had  a  son,  John,  who  died  in 
his  life-time,  without  issue;  and  five  daughters,  who  then  became 
his  coheirs  j  viz,  Elizabeth,  married  to  Robert  Gainsford,  of 
Hampton-Poyle,  in  com.  Oxon.  Esq-;  Letitia,  successively  the 
wife  of  Humphry  Peshal,  Esq.  and  Thomas  Nevil,  Esq.;  Cathe- 
rine, wedded  to  Thomas  Stoner,  Esq. ;  Ellen,  to  Richard  e  Beck- 

ingham,  of  Pudlicot,  in  Oxfordshire;  and to  William  Cope, 

of  Hanwell,  in  the  same  county,  Esq. 

Having  thus  brought  dowa  the  descendants  of  Sir  Robert  Har- 
court, eldest  son  of  Thomas  Harcourt,  we  shall  now  proceed  with 
those  of  Sir  Richard  Harcourt,  second  son  of  the  said  Thomas, 
eldest  son  of  Sir  Thomas  Harcourt,  and  the  daughter  of  Lord 
Grey  of  Rotherfield.  The  said  Sir  Richard  Harcourt  died  on  Oc- 
tober 1st,  1487,  having  had  three  wives;  first,  Edith,  daughter 
and  heir  of  Thomas  St.  Clere;  secondly,  Eleanor,  daughter  of 
Sir  Roger  Lewknor,  of  Raunton,  in  Staffordshire,  Knt. ;  thirdly, 

Catherine,  daughter  of ,  and  widow  of  Sir  Miles  Stapleton, 

Knt. 

*  MS,  St.  George  praeJ, 


438  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

By  the  first  he  had  Sir  Christopher  Harcourt,  his  heir ;  and 
Anne,  successively  wedded  to  Henry  Fiennes,  Lord  Say  and  Sele, 
anc3  to  John,  son  of  Simon  Montfort. 

By  the  second  he  was  father  of  John  Harcourt,  of  Staunton, 
who  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  William  Bray,  of  Pembridge, 
in  Herefordshire. 

And  by  his  thi^d  Lady  (who  died  on  October  13th,  1489),  ne 
had  an  only  son.  William  Harcourt. 

Sir  Christopher,  the  eldest  son  and  heir  of  Sir  Richard,  died 
in  1474,  having  had  issue  by  his  wife,  Joan,  daughter  and  heir  of 
Sir  Miles  Stapleton,  aforesaid,  three  sons;  Richard,  who  died  un- 
married j  Sir  Simon  Harcourt,  continuator  of  the  line;  and  Miles 
Harcourt,  who  died  unmarried. 

The  said  Sir  Simon  Harcourt,  second  but  eldest  surviving  son, 
having  distinguished  himself  at  the  sieges  of  Terouenne  and 
Tournay,  and  at  the  action  fought  on  August  18th,  1513,  near 
Guinegaste  (commonly  called  the  battle  of  spurs),  received  the 
honour  of  knighthood  for  his  bravery  on  those  occasions.  This  Sir 
Simon  dying  on  January  ltJth,  1547,  wa*  interred  at  Stanton- 
Harcourt,  which  reverted  to  him  on  the  extinction  of  the  male 
line  of  Sir  Robert  Harcourt,  elder  brother  of  Sir  Richard  Har- 
court, abovementioned.  Sir  Simon  was  twice  married  ;  first,  to 
Agnes,  daughter  of  Thomas  Darrel,  of  Scotney,  in  Kent;  and, 

secondly,  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of ■ ,  and  widow  of 

Sir  Richard  York,  Knt.  By  the  last  he  had  no  issue  ;  but  by  the 
first  was  father  of  two  sons  ;  viz.  Sir  John  Harcourt,  his  succes- 
sor; and  Edmund  Harcourt;  as  also  of  a  daughter,  Florence,  mar- 
ried to  Sir  John  Cotesmore,  Knt.  of  Baldwin  Brightwell,  Ox- 
fordshire. 

Sir  John  Harcourt,  the  eldest  son,  married  Margaret,  daugh- 
ter, and  at  length  coheir  of  Sir  William  Barentyne,  of  Hasely,  in 
Oxfordshire,  and  sister  to  Francis  Barentyne ;  and  by  her  had  six 
sons;  viz. 

1.  Sir  Simon,  his  heir, 

2.  Robert,  who  wedded  Elizabeth,  daughter  of ,  and 

widow  of Rohyns,  citizen  and  merchant  of  London,  but 

had  no  issue  by  her,  who  departed  this  life,  A.  D.  1582,  and  had 
interment  at  Chebsey,  in  Staffordshire. 

3.  Michael,  who  married ,  daughter  and  heir  of Til- 

ney,  widow  of Greenway,  of  Bucks. 

4.  Edward/  who  married  Anne,  daughter  and  heir  of  Thoma* 

«  Visitation  of  Staffordshire,  Bucks,  and  Surrey. 


EARL  HARCOURT.  43Q 

-Windsor,  of  Stoke  Poges,  in  Bucks,  and  widow  of  John  Purefoy, 
of  the  same  county. 

5.  Walter.     And,  6.  Henry. 

By  the  same  Lady,  Sir  John  was  also  father  of  eight  daughters; 
1.  Winifrid,  the  wife  of  Anthony  Green  way.     2.  Joan,  wedded 

to Clark.     3.  Catherine,  successively  the  wife  of  John 

Herle,  of  Stanton-Harcourt,  in  corn.  Oxon,  and  of  Sir  John  Pe- 
sha!l,f  of  Checkley,  in  Staffordshire,  Knt.     4.  Ursula,  married 

to Guisnes,  of  Sussex.     5.  Anne,  wedded,  first,  to  John 

Knevet,  of  Ashwelthorp,  in  Norfolk  j  and,  secondly,  to  William 
Bowver,  Keeper  ot  the  Records.  6.  Susan.  7-  Elizabeth.  And, 
8.  Mary,  wife  of  William  Tavernor,  of  Wood-Eaton,  Oxfordshire, 
and  re-iparried  to  Lee  Cromwell,  of  Holly  well,  in  Oxford. 

Sir  John,  departing  this  life  on  February  lgth,  15(55,  had  sepul- 
ture at  Stanton-Harcourt;  and  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son, 

Sir  Simon  Harcourt,  who  had  three  wives;  first,  Mary, 
daughter  of  Sir  Edward  Aston,  of  Tixhall,  in  Staffordshire,  Knt. 
and  ancestor  of  the  present  Lord  Aston  of  Forfar,  in  Scotland. 

Secondly,  Grace,  daughter  of  Humphry  Fitz-Herbert,  of  UpsaL 
in  Herefordshire,  and  widow  of  William  Robinson,  of  Drayton- 
Basset,  in  Staffordshire,  Esq.jS  and, 

Thirdly,  to  Jane,  daughter  to  Sir  William  Spencer,  of  Worm- 
leighton,  in  Warwickshire,  Knt.  (ancestor  of  the  Duke  of  Marl- 
borough), and  relict  of  Sir  Richard  Bruges,  of  Shefford,  in  Berk- 
shire, and  Lutgarshall,  in  Southampton,  Knt.  but  by  this  Lady 
Sir  Simon  had  no  issue. 

By  the  second  he  had  a  daughter,  Wilgiforta,  married  to  Wil- 
liam Leyeton,  and 

By  the  first  was  father  of  five  sons  and  four  daughtersj  viz. 

1 .  Sir  Walter,  his  heir. 

2.  John  Harcourt,  who  by  his  wife,  Mary,  daughter  of  Walter 
Jones,  of  Whitney,  in  Oxfordshire,  and  widow  of  Bryan  de  Coges, 
had  an  only  child,  Essex  Harcourt. 

3.  Robert  Harcourt,  who  purchased  the  manor  of  Chebsey,  in 
Staffordshire,  from  Sir  Edward  Stafford,  of  Grafton,  and  died 
without  issue. 

4.  Edward  Harcourt,  who  married  Anne,  daughter  of  Robert 
Colyer,  of  Carleston,  in  the  county  of  Stafford. 

5.  William,  who  wedded  Catharine,  daughter  of Smith. 

f  Ex  Inform.  Dom.  J.  Peshall,  Barti. 
?  "  1 8th  May,  1563,  was  married  the  Right  Worshipful  Maister  Simon  Hai- 
court,  of  Raunton,  Esq.  and  the  right  worshipful  Grace  Robinson.'*    Draytoa 
Par.  Reg.  in  Shaw's  Staffordshire,  II.  p.  10. 


440  PEERAGE  OB*  ENGLAND. 

Jane,  the  wife  of  John  Grey,  of  Envil,  in  Staffordshire,  pre- 
decessor to  the  Earl  of  Stamford ;  Elizabeth,  married  to  Richard 
Chamberlain,  of  Ashley,  in  Warwickshire ;  Frances ;  and  Mary. 

This  Sir  Simon,  who  was  knighted  by  Henry  VIII,  and  served 
the  office  of  Sheriff  for  the  counties  of  Oxford  and  Berkshire, 
died  on  July  27th,  1577,  and  was  interred  at  Stanton-Harcourt. 

Sir  Walter,  his  eldest  son,  was  knighted  by  the  Earl  of  Essex 
at  Rome,  and  possessed  Stanton-Harcourt,  and  Ellen-hall,  in 
St  afford  sir  re,  A.  D.  1604;  at  the  first  of  which  places  he  lies  bu- 
ried. He  had  to  wife  Dorothy,  daughter  of  William  Robinson, 
of  Drayton-Basset,  in  Staffordshire 5  and  by  her  was  father  of  two 
sons. 

1.  Robert,  his  successor.     And, 

2.  Michael  Harcourt,  Captain  of  a  ship  under  Sir  Walter  Ra- 
leigh. 

Also  of  three  daughters;  viz.  Grace,  who  died  young,  on  June 
13th,  1583,  and  was  buried  at  Rantonj  Jane,  married  to  William 
Essex,  of  Lamborne,  in  Berkshire  j  and  Elizabeth,  Maid  of  Ho*- 
nour  in  1607  to  Queen  Anne,  the  Consort  of  King  James  I. 

Robert,  the  eldest  son  and  heir  of  Sir  Walter  Harcourt  (aged 
nine  years  at  the  time  of  the  Visitation  of  Staffordshire,  anno 
1583),  was  the  most  considerable  adventurer  with  Sir  Walter 
Raleigh,  in  his  voyage  to  Wiassero,  Guyana,  &c.  in  America; 
having  obtained  a  patent  from  James  I.  for  planting  part  of  Guy- 
ana. He  began  his  voyage  thither  in  16OQ,  with  his  brother 
Capt,  Michael  j  and  afterwards,  in  1(H3,  published  an  account 
of  his  voyage,  describing  the  climate,  situation,  &c.  of  the  place.11 
He  had  two  wives;  first,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Fitz-Her- 
bert,  of  Norbury,  in  Derbyshire,  Esq.  and,  secondly,  Frances, 
daughter  of  Geffrey  Vere,  Esq.  youngest  son  of  John  Earl  of  Ox- 
ford, and  sister  to  those  renowned  warriors,  Sir  Francis  Vere,  and 
Horace  Lord  Vere  of  Tilbury.  He  had  no  issue  by  the  first  Lady; 
but  by  the  second  he  was  father  of 

1.  Sir  Simon  Harcourt,  his  successor. 

2.  Francis,  who  died  unmarried. 

3.  Vere  Harcourt,  D.  D.  of  whom  afterwards. 

Elizabeth,  who  died  young ;  Jane,  married  to  Henry,  son  of 
Sir  Giles  Wroughton,  of  Broadhenton,  in  Wiltshire,  Knt.;  Doro- 
thy, wire  of  Thomas  Chetwynd  (son  of  Edward  Chetwynd,  D.D. 
Dean  of  Bristol),  he  died  in  September  1641  5  and  Margaret, 

h  He  embarked  and   lost  $©00  I.  in  the  expedition  ;  which  for  the  two  ne$t 
generations  obscured  the  family  property, 

i 


EARL  HARCOURT.  441 

who  was  born  in  1607,  but  died  the  same  year,  and  was  buried  at 
Stanton-Harccurt. 

Vere  Harcourt,  the  third  son,  D.  D.  was  Archdeacon  of  Not- 
tingham, and  rector  of  Plumtree  in  that  county,  A.D.  1660,  and 
prebendary  of  Lincoln.  He  died  in  1083,  and  was  buried  in 
York  Cathedral  ;  having  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  Roger 
Thornton,  of  Snailwell,  in  Cambridgeshire,  Esq.  and  had,  by 
her,  Simon  Harcourt,  his  heir,  besides  another  son,  and  two 
daughters,  who  died  unmarried.  Simon,  the  eldest  son,  and  heir, 
was  Clerk  of  the  Crown,  and  inherited  Pendley,  in  Hertfordshire, 
in  right  of  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heir  of  Sir  Richard 
Anderson,  of  Pendley,  Bart,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife, .  one  of  the 
sisters  and  coheirs  of  George  Lord  Viscount  Hewit,  and  Baron  of 
Gowran,  in  Ireland.  By  the  said  Elizabeth  Anderson,  who  died  on 
March  29th,  1694,  and  was  buried  at  Aldbury,  in  Hertfordshire, 
this  Simon  had  many  children,  but  of  them  only  three  sons,  and 
three  daughters,'  lived  to  the  age  of  maturity;  viz.  Henry,  Rich- 
ard, Simon,  Elizabeth,  Margaret,  and  Arabella ;  which  last  four 
died  unmarried.  Richard,  the  second  surviving  son,  had  two 
wives  j    first,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Philip  Harcourt,  Knt, 

after  mentioned ;  and,  secondly,   .         daughter  of Banister. 

By  the  last  wife,  Richard  had  two  daughters;  Elizabeth,  and 
Jane  j  and  by  the  first  he  was  also  father  of  two  children  :  first, 
Richard  Harcourt,  of  Wigsel,  in  Sussex,  Esq.  who  by  Phebe  his 
wife,  daughter  of  Sir  Charles  Palmer,  of  Dorney-court,  in  Buck-^ 
inghamshire,  Bart,  had  two  daughters  ;  viz.  Phebe,  wedded  to 
Anthony  Sawyer,  Esq.;  and  Elizabeth;  secondly,  Anne,  married 
to  Sir  Charles  Palmer,  of  Dorney-court.  Henry  Harcourt,  the 
eldest  son  of  Simon  Harcourt,  of  Pendley,  aforesaid,  succeeded 
his  father  on  March  30th,  1724  ;  and  by  Frances  his  wife,  only 
daughter  and  heir  of  Nathaniel  Bard,  Esq.  and  of  his  wife  Per- 
uana, daughter  and  sole  heir  of  Henry  Bard,  Earl  of  Belomont,  in 
Ireland,  had  issue, three  sons,  and  eight  daughters;  Richard  Bard, 
his  heir;  John,  who  died  on  August  14th,  1748;  Henry  Har-r 
court,  rector  of  Warbleton  and  Crowhurst,  in  Sussex;  Elizabeth; 
Ernestina-Sophia-Cbarlotte;  Louisa-Sophia-Cbarlotte;  Melusina- 
J3ophia-Charlotte;k  Anne;  Persiana;  and  Caroline  and  Sophia, 
who  both  died  infants.     Henry,  the  father,  dying  on  November 

*  From  the  monumental  inscription  in  Wotton's  English  Baronetage.  Vol.  IJ. 
k  She  died  in  £t.  James's  Street,  20th  January,  1782^  aged  sixty-four, 


442  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND, 

pth,  1741,  h'^  sepulture  with  his  father  at  Aldbury,  abovemen- 
ttonedj  and  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son,  Richard-Bard  Har- 
court,  of  Penley,  in  Herts,  who  married  Rachel,  daughter  of  Al- 
bert Nesbit,  Esq.  and  by  her  has  a  son,  Henry  Harcourt. 

Having  thus  traced  the  descendants  of  Vere,  the  third  son  of 
Robert  Harcourt  and  Frances  Vere,  we  shall  proceed  with  Sir 
Simon,  eldest  son  and  heir  of  the  said  Robert,  who  departed  this 
life  on  May  20th,  1631,  aged  fifiy-seven  years. 

This  Sir  Simon  Harcourt  signalized  himself  by  feats  of  arms, 
in  which  he  was  initiated  against  the  Spaniards  in  the  Low 
Countries,  where  he  was  Major  of  the  regiment  commanded  by  his 
heroic  uncle,  Sir  Horace  Vere,  Baron  of  Tilbury,  abovementioned; 
at  whose  seat,  at  Kirby-hall,  in  Essex,  were  the  pictures  of  his 
Lordship's  officers,  and  among  them  this  Sir  Simon  Harcourt's, 
who  is  said  to  be  one  of  his  scholars,  in  the  Epistle  to  the  reader 
before  Sir  Francis  Feres  Commentaries.  He  was  knighted  at 
Whitehall,  on  June  2f3tb,  1627,  and  Sir  John  Temple,  in  his  Jp- 
pcndix  to  the  History  of  the  Irish  Rebellion,  p.  52,  gives  this 
account  of  him  :  "  The  Lords  Justices  and  Council  were  shut  up 
within  the  city  of  Dublin,  in  a  most  miserable  condition,  despe- 
rately threatened  on  every  side,  until  the  most  happy  and  welcome 
arrival  of  that  truly  valiant  gentleman,  and  gallant  commander,  Sir 
Simon  Harcourt,  who,  being  designed  governor  of  the  city  of 
Dublin,  was  dispatched  away  by  special  order  of  Parliament,  with 
his  regiment,  for  the  preservation  of  that  place;  and  landed  there 
on  the  last  day  of  December,  164 1,  to  the  great  joy  and  comfort 
of  all  his  Majesty's  Protestant  and  well-affected  subjects,  and  to 
the  terror  of  the  rebels  in  arms."  Borlace,  in  his  Reduction  of 
Ireland,  p.  241,  says,  he  was  (t  a  long  experienced  and  excellent 
officer,  who  was  worthy  the  memory  of  the  best  Prince,  and  most 
grateful  people ;  who  afterwards  was,  by  an  especial  order,  ad- 
mitted into  the  Privy-Council,"  On  his  landing  at  Dublin,  as 
aforesaid,  with  his  regiment  (which  consisted  of  1200  foot),  he 
was  immediately  invested  with  the  government  of  that  city;  and, 
on  January  10th  following,  dislodged  the  enemy  from  Swords,  a 
village  about  six  miles  distant,  and  raised  the  blockade.  Of  his 
last  exploit  we  have  this  account:  on  March  26th,  1643,  Sir 
Simon  Harcourt,  with  a  small  party,  marched  out  of  Dublin  to- 
wards Wicklow,  and  finding  the  rebels  possessed  of  the  castle 
of  Carrick  Main,  but  four  miles  from  the  city,  he  sent  back  for 
two  great  guns  to  batter  it  5  but,  before  they  arrived,  Sir  Simon, 
as  he  was  viewing  the  castle,  with  200  musketeers,  received  a 


EARL  HARCOURT.  443 

sliot  from  the  garrison,  which  killed  him  on  the  spot.  His  troops 
were  so  enraged  that  within  a  few  hours  after  the  cannon  came 
up,  having  made  a  breach,  and  entering  the  castle,  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Gibson,  they  pat  all  therein  to  the  sword, 
refusing  quarter  to  those  rebels  who  had  slain  their  beloved  colo- 
nel. This  valiant  Knight,  whose  corpse  was  buried  in  I 
church,  at  Dublin,  espoused  Anne,  daughter  to  William  Lord 
Pagetj  and  by  her  (who  was,  secondly,  married  to  Sir  William 
Waller,  of  Osterly-P<rk,  the  Parliament's  General),  he  had  two 
sons;  Sir  Philip,  his  heirj  and  Frederick  Harcourt,  who  died 
without  issue. 

Sir  Philip,  eldest  son  and  heir  of  Sir  Simon  Harcourt,  received 
the  honour  ot  knighthood,  at  Whitehall,  on  June  5th,  l660;  and 
was  elected  Knight  for  Oxfordshire,  to  the  Parliament  which  mejt 
on  March  21st,  1680-1,  at  the  capital  of  that  county.  He  died 
jn  April,  1088,  and  was  buried  at  Stanton  Harcourt. 

He  had  two  wives  ;  first,  Anne,  daughter  of  Sir  William  Wal- 
ler, of  Osterly  park,  in  Middlesex,  before-mentioned,  by  Lady 
Anne,  second  daughter  of  Thomas  Finch,  Earl  of  Winchelsea; 
and,  secondly,  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heir  of  John  Lee,  of  An- 
jkerwyke,  in  Buckinghamshire,  Esq. 

;  By  his  first  Lady  (who  died  on  August  23d,  1664,  and  was 
buried  at  Stanton-Harcourtj,  he  had  Simon,  afterwards  Baron 
find  Viscount  Harcourt, 

And  by  his  second  he  was  father  of  three  sons,  and  four  daugh- 
ters ;  viz.  Philip;  John  who  died  in  September  1(577;  Lee,  who 
died  in  February,  16SO;  Isabella,  who  died  in  March  lfJS8j 
Mary,  who  died  in  1745,  and  was  buried  at  Stanton-Harcourt,  as 
Jier  deceased  brothers  and  sister  had  been  ;  Elizabeth,  married  to 
Jtichard,  second  son  of  Simon  Harcourt,  of  Pendley,  before-men- 
tioned ;  and  Anne,  who  was  wedded  to  Thomas  Powell,  of  Pem- 
brokeshire, Esq  and,  departing  this  life  in  1742,  was  interred  at 
jStanton-Harcourt. 

The  aforesaid  Philip,  eldest  son  of  Sir  Philip  Harcourt,  by  his 
second  wife,  Elizabeth  Lee,  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heir 
of  Timothy  Woodroffe,  Esq.  and  by  her  had  three  sons,  and  two 
daughters ;  viz.  Philip  Harcourt,  of  Ankerwyke,  Esq.  who  died 
without  issue,  by  his  wife,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Henry  Hall,  o( 
Hutton-Hall,  in  Essex,  Esq. ;  Lee  Harcourt,  who  also  died  with- 
out issue;  John  Harcourt,,  who  espoused  Anne,  daughter  of  —- -» 
Parker  Esq;.1  Elizabeth  ;  and  Mary. 

J  Hence  perhaps  descends  Lieut-Colonel  Harcourt  of  the  13th  Reg.  of  Foot. 


4U  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Sir  Simon  Harcourt,  first  Viscount,  the  only  son  of  Sir 
Philip  by  his  first  Lady,  born  166O,  was  educated  at  Pembroke- 
college  in  Oxford,  and  studied  the  law  in  the  Inner  Temple, 
London.  He  served  for  Abingdon  in  all  the  Parliaments  called 
by  King  William  from  the  year  I69O,  and  in  the  first  summoned 
by  Queen  Anne.  He  was  one  of  the  Members  for  Bossiney,  in 
the  Parliament  which  was  convened  in  1/06',  and  met  again  on 
October  23d,  170/,  as  the  first  Parliament  of  Great  Britain ;  and 
for  the  town  of  Cardigan,  in  that  which  assembled  on  November 
lfjth,  17O8.  He  was  elected  again  in  1710,  for  Abingdon,  of 
which  he  was  also  Recorder;  but  was  appointed  Lord  Keeper  be- 
fore the  Parliament  met.  On  June  2d,  1702,  he  was  knighted, 
and  constituted  Solicitor-General  to  the  Queen  at  the  same  time. 
Attending  her  Majesty,  in  August  that  year,  to  Oxford,  when  she 
honoured  the  University  with  her  presence,  he  was,  among  other 
persons  of  distinction,  in  her  Majesty's  retinue,  created  Doctor  of 
Laws,  on  the  27th  of  that  month.  On  April  23d,  1707,  he  was 
advanced  to  the  place  of  Attorney-general,  which  he  sustained 
with  great  dignity,  but  quitted  it  with  greater,  on  February  12th 
ensuing,  by  a  voluutary  resignation,  then  made  and  enrolled;  the 
only  instance  of  that  nature  on  our  records.  On  the  change  of 
the  ministry,  he  was  restored  to  that  important  employment,  Sep- 
tember 18th,  1710  ;  on  October  1 8th,  the  same  year,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Lord  Keeper  of  the  Great  Seal  j  and  next  day  nominated 
one  of  the  Privy-Council.  On  September  3d,  1711,  ne  was 
created  a  Peer  of  Great  Britain,  by  the  style  and  title  of  Baron 
of  Stanton- Harcourt,  in  Oxfordshire :  and  as  the  preamble 
to  the  patent  sets  forth,  without  hyperbole,  his  Lordship's  eminent 
abilities,  we  here  insert  a  copy  of  it : 

"  There  is  nothing  wherein  we  more  willingly  exercise  that 
royal  authority  which  God  has  entrusted  us  with,  than  by  re- 
warding true  merit  and  virtue,  and  advancing  to  all  suitable  dig' 
nity  men  who  have  merited  well  of  us,  and  whose  ancestors  have 
been  remarkably  famous  in  their  generation.  Among  these,  none 
is  more  conspicuous  than  our  well-beloved  and  very  faithful 
Counsellor  Sir  Simon  Harcourt,  Knt.  Keeper  of  our  Great  Seal ; 
a  Gentleman  recommended  to  us  by  a  long  descent  of  progenitors 
of  very  ample  fortunes,  and  renowned  for  their  warlike  actions 
ever  fince  the  Norman  times  j  one  of  whom,  for  his  bravery  sig- 
nalized under  the  standard  of  Edward  IV.  was  made  Knight  of 
the  Garter ;  another,  fighting  courageously  against  the  Irish  re- 


EARL  HARCGUET.  445 

bels,  in  the  cause  of  his  royal  master  King  Charles,  the  best  of 
Princes,  was  the  first  Englishman  that  fell  a  sacrifice  to  their 
fury.     Nor  is  there  one  of  all  that  race,  descended  from  such 
noble  ancestors,  who  has  not  been  eminent  for  h'13  love  to  his 
country,  and  loyalty  to  his  Prince.     He  suffered,  indeed,  in  his 
paternal  inheritance,  which  was  diminished  by  the  fury  of  the 
civil  wars,  but  not  in  his  glory,  which,  being  acquired  by  military 
valour,  he,  as  a  lawyer,  has  advanced  by  the  force  of  his  wit  and 
eloquence}  for  we  have  understood,  that  his  faculty  in  speaking 
is  so  full  of  variety,  that  many  doubt  whether  he  is  fitter  to  ma- 
nage causes  in  the  lower  court,  or  to  speak  before  a  full  Parlia- 
ment} but  it  is  unanimously  confessed  by  all,  that  among  the - 
lawyers  he  is  the  most  eloquent  orator,  and  among  the  orators  the 
most  able  lawyers.     To  this  praise  of  his  eloquence,  he  has  added 
those  domestick  virtues,  magnanimity  and  fidelity  j  supported  by 
which,  he  has  resolutely  persevered  in  maintaining  the  cause  he 
had  undertaken,  and  in  despising  danger ;  and  has  kept  the  en- 
gagement of  friendship,  whether  in  prosperity  or  adversity,  sacred 
and  inviolable.     Whom  therefore,  furnished  with  such  great  en- 
dowments of  mind,  all  clients  have  wished  to  defend  their  causes; 
not  without  reason  we  preferred  to  be  one  of  our  counsel  at  law  ] 
whom  we  a  second  time  called  to  be  our  Attorney-general,  which 
office  he  had  once  before  sustained  with  honour,  as  far  as  it  was 
thought  convenient  }  whom  lastly,  since  we  perceived  that  all 
these  things  were  inferior  to  the  largeness  of  his  capacity,  we 
have  advanced  to  the  highest  pitch  of  foiensical  dignity,  and  made 
him  supreme  Judge  in  our  court  of  equity.     He  still  continues  to 
deserve  higher  of  us,  and  of  all  good  men;  and  is  so  much  a 
brighter  ornament  to  his  province,  as  it  is  more  honourable  than 
the  rest  he  has  gone  through  :  he  daily  dispatches  the  multitude 
of  suits  in  Chancery,  he  removes  the  obstacles  which  delay  judg- 
ment in  that  court,  and  takes  special  care  that  the  successful  issue 
of  an  honest  cause  should  cost  every  plaintiff  as  little  as  may  be. 
Which  things,  as  they  are  very  grateful  to  us  honourable  to  him- 
■elf,  and  beneficial  to  the  commonwealth,  we  think  them  deserv- 
ing of  higher  reward.     Therefore,  that  the  most  upright  asserter 
of  justice  may  not  be  without  a  vote  in  the  most  supreme  court} 
that  he,  who  can  think  and  speak  so  excellently  well,  should  not 
be  silent  in  an  assembly  of  the  eloquent,  we  grant  him  a  place 
among  the  Peers,  and  that  he  may  add  some  splendor  to  that  or- 
der, from  which  both  he  and  his  posterity  will  deserve  so  much: 


446  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

and  that  the  same  seat,  which  is  known  at  this  time,  and  has  been 
for  above  six  hundred  years,  by  the  name  and  patrimony  of  Har- 
court,  be  honoured  with  that  title,  which  we  now  confer,  and 
will  continue  (if  God  permit),  from  generation  to  generation. 
Now  know  ye,  &c." 

On  April  7th,  1712,  he  was  declared  Lord  High  Chancellor 
of  Great  Britain}  and,  being  in  that  office  at  the  demise  of  Queen 
Anne,  was  one  of  the  Lords  of  the  Regency,  till  the  arrival  of 
King  George  I.  Sept.  18th;  four  days  after  which  the  Great  Seal 
was  delivered  to  Lord  Cowper.  However,  on  July  24th,  1721,  his 
Majesty  was  pleased  to  advance  him  to  the  dignity  of  Viscount 
Harcourt;  and  on  August  25th,  next  year,  to  call  him  to  the 
council-board.  Besides,  he  was  so  much  in  favour,  that  he  was 
nominated  one  of  the  Lords  Justices  in  1723,  17  25,  and  1727, 
during  his  Majesty's  absence  in  visiting  his  German  dominions  ; 
but  departed  this  life  on  July  29th,  the  last  of  the  said  years,  aged 
sixty-seven,  and  had  sepulture  at  Stanton-Harcourt.m 

His  Lordship  had  three  wives;  first,  Rebecca,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Clark,  Esq.;  secondly,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Richard 
Spencer,  of  the  county  of  Derby,  Esq.  and  widow  of  Richard 
Anderson,  Esq.  second  son  of  Sir  Richard  Anderson,  of  Pendley, 
Bart,  beforementioned ;  and,  thirdly,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir 
Thomas  Vernon,  of  Twickenham-Park,  in  Middlesex,  and  relict 
of  Sir  John  Walter,  of  Saresden,  in  Oxfordshire,  Bart.  His  Lord- 
ship had  no  issue  by  his  two  last  ladies;  but  by  the  first  he  was 
father  of  three  sons;  viz.  Simon,  of  whom  more  fully;  Philip 
and  Walter,  who  both  died  in  their  infancy ;  and  also  of  two 
daughters;  viz.  Anne,  wedded  to  John  Barlow,  of  Slebeck,  in 
Pembrokeshire,  Esq.  and  died  in  November  1 733 ;  and  Arabella, 
to  Herbert  Aubrey,  of  Cley-Hanger,  in  the  county  of  Hereford, 
Esq. 

His  Lordship's  eldest  son,  the  Hon.  Simon  Harcourt,  was 
returned  for  the  boroughs  of  Aylesbury  and  Wallingford  to  the 
Parliaments,  which  met  in  1710  and  1713,  and  were  the  two  last 
called  by  Queen  Anne.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John 
Evelyn,  Esq.  and  sister  to  Sir  John  Evelyn,  of  Wotton,  in  Surry, 

m  Lord  Harcourt's  political  principles  may  be  known  by  his  adherence  to  Har- 
ley  ;  but  Walpok  won  him  over  before  his  death.  Our  historians  have  not  left 
any  very  prominent  traits  of  him.  One  is  pleased,  however,  to  see  the  heir  of  a 
most  ancient  family  thus  exalt  himself  by  his  own  exertions. 


EARL  HARCOURT.  41/ 

Bart,  and  by  that  Lady,  who  departed  this  life  on  April  6th,  1760, 
and  was  buried  at  Santon-Harcourt,  he  had  one  son,  . 

Simon,  late  Earl  Harcourt  3  and  three  daughters ;  viz. 

Elizabeth,  who  died  unmarried,  September  23th,  17^5,  and 
was  buried  at  Stanton  -Harcourt  j  Anne,  who  died  young;  Martha, 
wedded  to  George  Venables  Vernon,  of  Sudbury,  in  Derbyshire, 
afterwards  created  Lord  Vernon ;  and  Mary,  who  died  an  in- 
fant. 

He  departed  this  life  in  the  year  1720,  at  Paris,  whence  his 
corpse  was  brought  to  England,  and  buried  at  Stanton-Harcourt, 
where  a  monument  is  erected  to  his  memory,  with  the  following 
inscription  by  the  celebrated  Mr.  Pope : 

"  To  this  sad  shrine,  whoe'er  thou  art  t  draw  near! 
Here  lies  the  friend  most  lov'd,  the  son  most  dear: 
Who  ne'er  knew  joy,  but  friendship  might  divide, 
Or  gave  his  father  grief,  but  when  he  dy'd. 
How  vain  is  reason,  eloquence  how  weak  ! 
If  Pope  must  tell  what  HARCOURT  cannot  speak. 
Oh  let  thy  once-lov'd  friend  inscribe  thy  stone, 
And  with  a  father's  sorrow  mix  his  own !" 

Simon,  Baron  and  Viscount  Harcourt,  surviving  his  said  soil/ 
was  succeeded  by  his  grandson,  » 

Simon,  first  Earl,  whom  his  late  Majesty,  on  December  1st, 
1749,  was  pleased  to  dignify  further  with  the  titles  of  discount 
Harcourt,  of  Nuneham- Courtney ,  and  Earl  Harcourt,  op 
Stanton-Harcourt.  His  Lordship  was  the  twenty-seventh  in 
paternal  descent  from  Bernard,  his  great  ancestor,  from  whom  so 
many  noble  and  illustrious  families,  besides  his  Lordship's,  arc 
descended;  and  the  twenty- first  from  Ivo,  patriarch  of  the  Har- 
courts  of  England.  In  May,  1735,  he  was  appointed  a  Lord  of 
the  Bedchamber  to  the  late  King ;  and  attended  his  Majesty  at 
the  battle  of  Dettingen,  June  2/th,  1743.  On  the  breaking  out 
of  the  rebellion  in  1745,  his  Lordship  was  one  of  the  thirteen 
Peers,  who  were  commissioned  to  raise  a  regiment  of  foot,  each, 
for  the  defence  of  the  government.  In  1751,  he  was  constituted 
Governor  to  his  present  Majesty,  then  Prince  of  Wales  ;  and  on 
April  30th,  that  same  year,  was  sworn  of  the  Privy-Council:  but 
in  I/62  resigned  the  office  of  Governor  to  his  Royal  Highness; 
upon  whose  accession  to  the  throne  on  October  25th,  17^0,  his 


448  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Lordship  was  continued  at  the  council-board.  After  his  Majesty/ 
on  July  8th,  1761,  had  declared  his  resolution  to  demand  the 
Princess  Charlotte  of  Mecklenburgh  StrelitZ  in  marriage,  he 
nominated  Earl  Harcourt  his  Ambassador  Extraordinary  and  Ple- 
nipotentiary for  that  purpose :  and  his  Lordship  arriving  at  the 
court  of  Strelitz,  concluded  and  signed,  on  August  15th,  a  treaty 
of  marriage  between  his  Britannick  Majesty  and  the  said  Princess, 
whom  his  Lordship  attended  to  England  ;  having  been  on  Septem- 
ber 5th,  during  his  absence,  declared  Master  of  the  Horse  to  her 
Majesty,  in  which  office  he  continued,  until  he  was,  on  April 
2lst,  1763,  constituted  Lord  Chamberlain  of  the  Household  to 
her  Majesty.  On  November  4th,  1768,  his  Majesty  in  Council 
was  pleased  to  appoint  his  Lordship  Ambassador  to  the  Court  of 
France,  from  which  embassy  his  Lordship  returned  in  August 
following.  On  November  9th,  I/69,  his  Lordship  was  declared 
Lieutenant-general,  and  General  Governor  of  the  kingdom 
of  Ireland,  and  landing  at  Dublin  on  the  30th  of  the  same 
month,  was  sworn  into  that  high  office,  in  which  he  continued 
till  the  year  1/77*  His  Lordship  was  general  in  the  army,  a  Fel- 
low of  the  Royal  Society,  and  one  of  the  Vice-presidents  of  the 
Society  for  the  encouragement  of  Arts,  Manufactures,  and  Com- 
merce. 

His  Lordship,  in  October,  1735,  married  Rebecca,  sole  daugh- 
ter and  heir  of  Charles  Le  Bass,  of  Pipwell-abbey,  in  Northamp- 
tonshire, Esq.  by  his  wife,  Mary,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Sir 
Samuel  Moyer,  of  Pilsey-hall,  in  Essex,  Bart,  and  by  her  Lady- 
ship (who  died  on  January  16th,  1/65,  and  was  interred  at 
Stanton-Harcourt),  had  issue,  two  sons,  and  two  daughters; 
viz. 

1.  George-Simon,  his  successor.  , 

2.  the  Hon.  William  Harcourt,  now  Earl  Harcourt. 

3.  Lady  Elizabeth,  who  was  born  on  January  18th,  1/38-g, 
was  one  of  the  ten  young  Ladies,  daughters  of  Dukes  and  Earls, 
who  supported  the  train  of  Queen  Charlotte,  at  her  nuptials,  on 
September  8th,  1761  ;  and  on  June  20th,  1763,  married  the  late 
Sir  William  Lee,  of  Hartwell,  in  Bucks,  Bart,  who  died  July  6th, 
1 799*  leaving  issue  the  late  Sir  William  Lee,  who  died  Lieut- 
Colonel  of  the  25th  Light  Dragoons  at  Madras,  1801;  and  the 
present  Rev.  Sir  George  Lee,  of  Hartwell. 

And,  4.  Lady  Anne,  born  1741,  who  died  young,  in  IJ46, 
and  was  buried  at  Stanton-Harcourt. 


EARL  HARCOURT.  449 

His  Lordship  was  accidentally  drowned  in  an  old  well  in  his 
park  at  Nuneham,  on  September  16th,  1777  J  occasioned,  as  it 
is  imagined,  by  his  over-reaching  himself  in  order  to  save  the  life 
of  a  favourite  dog,  who  was  found  in  the  well  by  him,  standing 
on  his  Lordship's  feet.n  He  was  buried  the  24th,  it  Stanton- 
Harcourt. 

George-Simon,  second  Earl  Harcourt,  his  eldest  son  and 
successor,  was  born  August  1st,  1736,  and  at  the  general  election, 
176],  was  returned  one  of  the  Members  for  the  borough  of  St. 
Albans.  1 

His  Lordship  was  married  at  Nuneham,  September  26th,  1 765, 
to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  George  Venables  Vernon,  Lord  Vernon, 
but  has  no  issue.     His  Lordship  died  April  201  h,  I8O9,  get.  73. 

"  This  Nobleman  ought  not  to  pass  to  the  sepulchre  of  his 
ancestors  without  that  tribute  which  Truth  owes  to  superior  Vir- 
tue. Earl  Harcourt  possessed  a  very  cultivated  understanding. 
His  mind  was  stored  with  no  common  portion  of  general  know- 
ledge, and  the  whole  was  refined  by  an  exquisite  taste.  No  man 
ever  felt  an  higher  sense  of  honour  j  no  man  ever  acted  from 
stronger  impressions  of  moral  duty,  both  as  it  regards  the  com- 
rhon  offices  of  social  life,  or  as  it  is  enlarged  and  purified  by  the 
spirit  of  that  Religion  which  he  seriously  professed.  No  man 
reflected  more  on  the  part  he  was  called  upon  to  perform  in  the 
world,  or  acted  with  greater  rectitude  on  the  principles  which  he 
had  adopted.  A  natural  love  of  tranquillity,  a  taste  for  the  Fine 
Arts  and  the  more  flowery  paths  of  Literature,  to  which  not  only 
the  circumstances  of  his  early  life,  but  the  bent  of  his  genius  may 
have  disposed  him,  and  a  constitution  which  never  appeared  to 
be  calculated  to  encounter  the  fatigues  of  public  business,  might 
have  combined  to  prevent  his  being  engaged  in  any  of  the  active 
departments  of  the  State.  The  embassy  to  Spain,  during  the 
Marquis  of  Lansdown's  Administration,  was  pressed  upon  himj 
and  he  declined  it.  The  office  of  Master  of  the  Horse  to  her 
Majesty  was,  we  have  equal  reason  to  believe,  conferred  upon 
him,  as  a  mark  of  personal  regard,  by  the  King ;  and  he  enjoyed 
it  to  the  close  of  his  life.  Hence  it  is  that  this  Nobleman  was 
only  known  in  the  great  circle  of  the  world  by  an  appearance, 
suited  to  his  rank  and  office,  /the  distinguished  urbanity  of  his 
manners,  and  as  a  lover  and  admirable  judge  of  the  Fine  Arts,  in. 

«  Ann.  Reg.  1777,  Deaths,  229. 
VOL.  IV.  2  G 


450  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

which,  as  far  as  he  chose  to  indulge  himself,  he  may  be  said  to 
have  excelled.  Whether  it  was  a  mere  juvenile  caprice,  which 
had  possessed  him  during  his  foreign  travels,  or  whether  he  was 
influenced  by  his  descent  from  an  ancient  and  distinguished  fa- 
mily among  the  Peers  of  France,  it  is  not  necessary  to  consider  j 
but  his  entrance  into  public  life  was  marked  by  such  a  decided 
preference  to  French  manners  and  fashions,  and  his  appearance 
so  adapted  to  it,  as  almost  to  disguise  the  exterior  of  an  English- 
man. But  this  whimsical  propensity  did  not  affect  his  mind,  or 
gallicise  his  character ;  nor  did  he  render  it  offensive  to  others. 
He  indulged  his  fancyj  and  when  his  intimate  friends  made  it  an 
object  of  their  sportive  sallies,  he  would  enliven  them  by  his  own 
good  humour,  and  turn  aside  any  pleasant  ridicule  by  the  display 
of  his  own  amiable  temper.  If,  however,  he  had  one  fashionable 
folly,  he  had  no  fashionable  vice ;  and  his  leisure  hours  were 
passed  in  the  pursuits  and  embellishments  of  science.  It  was,  we 
believe,  at  this  period  that  he  produced  the  Set  of  Etchings, 
which  are  highly  estimated  by  the  Collectors  in  that  branch  of 
Art,  and  which  the  late  Lord*  Oxford  mentions  in  his  Works  as  a, 
very  beautiful  specimen  of  it.  The  French  fancy,  however,  wore 
away,  and  was  lost  in  the  easy  affability  of  the  accomplished 
English  gentleman.— Lord  Harcoqrt  considered  good  breeding 
as  the  first  of  the  minor  virtues,  and  never  deviated  from  it;  but, 
as  his  notion  of  it  partook  rather  de  la  vieille  cour,  he  might  be 
represented  by  those  who  only  knew  him  in  the  public  circles  as 
an  inflexible  observer  of  every  rule  of  courtly  etiquette  j  and  espe- 
cially at  a  time  when  the  manners  and  appearance  of  our  young 
men  of  fashion  and  fortune  are  scarcely  superior  to  those  of 
their  grooms,  and  very  often  inferior  to  that  of  their  valets  and 
butlers.  But  he  had  no  unbecoming  pride  j  his  behaviour  never 
overawed  the  poor,  nor  did  it  trench  upon  the  ease  of  familiar 
association.  His  punctilios  were  those  of  a  refined  and  dignified 
benevolence,  and  never  served  but  as  a  check  to  those  indecorums 
which  are  ever  held  to  be  inadmissible  in  the  sphere  of  polished 
life.  He  might  think,  as  many  men  of  superior  understanding 
have  done,  that,  on  certain  occasions,  it  is  the  duty  of  rank  and 
station  to  preserve  certain  forms,  and  to  dress  behaviour  with 
somewhat  of  appropriate  ceremony:  and  it  may  be  owing,  in 
some  degree,  to  the  neglect  of  those  forms,  which  at  present  pre- 
vails in  rank  and  station,  that  a  respect  for  the  higher  orders  has 
so  materially  diminished  among  the  inferior  classes  of  the  people. 


EARL  HARCOURT.  451 

But,  in  his  family,  among  bis  private  friends,  in  his  intercourse 
with  his  tenants,  and  in  all  his  ordinary  avocations,  his  carriagewas 
such  as  to  give  pleasure  to  all  who  had  communication  with  him. 
With  his  more  ennobling  qualities  he  possessed  a  comic  elegance 
of  thought,  and  a  classical  facetiousness,  which  rendered  his  pri- 
vate society  infinitely  pleasant  j  and  even  in  his  nervous  mo- 
ments, for  he  was  occasionally  troubled  with  them,  he  would 
describe  himself  in  such  a  way  as  not  only  to  relieve  the  distress 
of  his  friends,  but  force  that  hilarity  upon  them  which  would 
operate  also  as  a  temporary  relief  to  himself.  At  Nuneham,  in 
Oxfordshire,  his  country  residence,  and  whose  native  beauties  his 
taste  bad  so  embellished  and  improved,  as  to  render  it  one  of  the 
most  admired  places  m  that  part  of  the  kingdom,  he  was  a  bless- 
ing to  all  who  lived  within  the  sphere  of  his  protection;  while 
to  the  neighbourhood  it  is  well  known  that  the  village  of  Nune- 
ham is  so  ordered,  by  the  regulations  he  framed,  by  the  encou- 
ragements he  afforded,  by  the  little  festivals  he  established,  and 
the  rewards  he  distributed,  as  to  display  a  scene  of  good  order, 
active  industry,  moral  duty,  and  humble  piety,  of  which  it  were 
to  be  wished  there  were  more  examples :  though,  while  we  offer 
this  testimony  to  the  merits  of  the  dead,  it  would  ill  become  us 
to  pass  by  those  of  the  living ;  and  we  must  mention,  that  Lady 
Harcourt  has  ever  had  her  full  share  in  that  constant  exercise  of 
public  and  private  benevolence  which  gives  a  benign  lustre  to  the 
most  splendid  station.  To  these  .-qualities  may  be  added  his  capa- 
city for  friendship ;  nor  can  we  pass  unnoticed  a  very  signal  ex- 
ample of  it,  in  the  asylum  he  afforded  to  the  Duke  d'Harcotirt 
and  his  family,  when  the  French  Revolution  drove  them  from 
the  proud  situation,  the  exalted  rank,  and  extensive  property, 
which  they  possessed  in  their  own  country,  to  a  state  of  depend- 
ence in  this.  Indeed  to  all,  whatever  their  condition  might  be, 
who  had  shewn  him  kindness,  or  done  him  service,  his  friendship 
was  appropriately  directed.  Mr.  Whitehead  the  Poet-laureat, 
and  Mr.  Mason  the  poet,  were  among  those  whom  he  distin- 
guished by  his  early  regard,  and  it  accompanied  them  to  the  end 
of  their  lives ;  nor  did  it  quit  them  there :  in  certain  sp»Js  in  his 
beautiful  garden  at  Nuneham,  which  they  respectively  preferred, 
the  urn  and  the  tablet  commemorate  and  record  their  virtues. 
The  old  and  faithful  domestics  who  died  in  his  service.,  are  not 
without  their  memorials  j  and  in  the  parochial  church-yard,  the 
grave  of  an  ancient  gardener  is  distinguished  by  the  flowers  whicfc 


452  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

are  cultivated  around  it.  These  may  be  said  to  be  little  things, 
but  they  nevertheless  mark  the  character  of  that  heart  which 
suggested  them.  It  is  almost  superfluous  to  add,  that  in  the 
nearer  and  dearer  relations  of  life,  he  exercised  the  virtues  which 
they  required  of  him.  Above  all,  Earl  Harcourt  was  a  sincere 
Christian  j  and  it  pleased  that  Being,  who  measures  our  days  and 
years  at  his  pleasure  to  suffer  him  to  attain  an  age  beyond  the 
common  allotment  of  man.  Tn  his  seventy-third  year  he  closed 
his  venerable  life.  Such  is  the  imperfect  tribute  which  Affection 
offers  to  departed  Excellence— and  it  is  offered  with  tears  and 
with  truth." 

His  Lordship  was  succeeded  by  his  only  brother,  William, 
third  and  present  Earl  Harcourt,  born  March  20th,  1742-3, 
who  embracing  a  military  life,  distinguished  himself  in  the  Ame-< 
rican  War  as  Colonel  of  the  16th  Regiment  of  Light  Dragoons; 
was  appointed  a  Major  General,  November  12th,  J/82;  a  Lieu- 
tenant-General, October  12th,  1793:  and  a  General,  January  1st, 
179&.  In  \779>  he  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  lrJth 
Light  Dragoons,  in  the  room  of  General  Bunoyne,  having  been 
previously  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  18th  Dragoons.  In  the  ex- 
pedition to  the  Continent  1794,  he  had  the  command  of  the  Ca- 
valry. On  the  establishment  of  the  Military  College  at  High 
Wycombe  and  Marlow,  he  was  appointed  Governor  j  and  suc- 
ceeded his  brother  in  the  office  of  Master  of  the  Horse  to  the 
Queen. 

His  Lordship  married,  in  September  177$>  Mrs«  Lockhart,  re- 
lict of  Thomas  Lockhart,  of  Craig  House,  in  Scotland,  Esq.  and 
eldest  daughter  of  the  Rev.  William  Danby,  of  Farnley,  co.  York, 
D.  D.  but  has  no  issue. 

Titles.  William  Harcourt,0  Earl  and  Viscount  Harcourt,  Vis- 
count of  Nuneham-Courtney,  and  Baron  Harcourt  of  Stanton- 
Harcourt. 

Creations.  Baron  Harcourt  of  Stanton-Harcourt,  in  com. 
Oxon.  September  3d,  1711,  10  Queen  Anne ;  and  Viscount  of 
the  same,  July  24th,  1721,  7  George  I.  j  and  Viscount  of  Nune-, 
ham-Courtney,  in  com.  Oxon.  and  Earl  Harcourt,  December  1st, 
1749,  23  George  II. 

0  No.  6365,  Harl.  M.S.  in  Brit.  Museum,  is  a  large  collection  of  inscriptions, 
&c.  of  this  family. 


EARL  HARCOURT.  453 

Arms.     Gules,  two  bars,  Or. 

Crest.    In  a  ducal  coronet,  Or,  a  peacock  close,  proper. 

Supporters.  Two  lions,  Or,  each  gorged  with  a  bar  gemel, 
Gules. 

Motto.     Le  Bon  Temps  Viendra. 

Chief  Seats.  At  Stanton-Harcourt,  and  at  Nuneham-Courtney, 
in  the  county  of  Oxford. 


434  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


NORTH  EARL  OF  GUILFORD. 

This  family  is  descended  from  Robert  North,  Esq.  who  de- 
parted this  life  in  10  Edward  IV.  leaving  issue,  by  Alice  his  wife, 
daughter  to  John  Harcourt,  of  Oxfordshire, 

a Thomas  North,  Esq.  of  Walkringham,  in  Nottinghamshire  > 
and  a  daughter,  Ellen,  wife  of  John  Parker ,b  of  Norton  Lees,  in 
com.  Derb.  The  said  Thomas  North,  of  Walkringham,  had 
issue 

Roger  North,  Esq.  who  died  10  King  Henry  VII.  leaving 
two  sons, 

1.  Thomas,  ancestor  to  the  Norths  of  Walkringham. 

And,  2.  Roger  North,0  who  had  issue,  by  Christian  his  wife, 
daughter  of  Richard  Warcup,  of  Sconington,  near  Appleby,  in 
Kent  (and  widow  of  Ralph  Warren),  one  son,  Edward,  and  two 
daughters ;  Joan,  wife  of  William  Wilkinson,  of  London,  Alder- 
man -f  and  Alice,  of  Thomas  Burnet,  Auditor  of  the  Exchequer. 
The  said  Roger  North  died  anno  1509,  an^  was  succeeded  by 
his  only  son  and  heir, 

Edward  North,  first  Lord  North,  born  about  the  dyear 
14Q6,  and  trained  up  in  the  study  of  the  lawsj  in  which  he  made 
so  fair  a  progress,  that  he e  came  to  be  of  council  for  the  city  of 
London. 

In  22  Henry  VIII.  he,f  with  Sir  Brian  Tuke,  Knt.  were  con- 
stituted Clerks  of  the  Parliament}  an  office  of  much  more  respect 

*  Lilly's  Ped.  of  Nob.  M.S.  p.  876,  penes  John  Comes  Egmont. 

b  Said  to  be  ancestor  of  the  Earls  of  Macclesfield. 

c  Brought  up  to  merchandize. 

*  Life  of  Edw.  Lord  North,  p.  4.  e  Ibid,  p  6. 

f  Fat.  32  Henry  VIII.  p.  3. 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  455 

than  now  it  is,  being  afterwards  enjoyed  by  Sir  William  Paget, 
then  secretary  of  state,  and  so  it  came  to  Sir  John  Mason  and 
others.  About  the  same  time  he  married  his  first  wife,  who, 
having  had  two  husbands,  brought  him  such  an  increase,  as,  not 
long  after,  he  purchased  his  manor  of  Kittling.  In  1536,  28 
Henry  VIII. f  he  became  one  of  the  King's  Serjeants  at  law,  be- 
ing so  styled  by  the  King  in  a  grant  then  made  to  him  :  and  on 
the  surrender  of  his  office  of  clerk  of  the  Parliament,  in  32 
Henry  VIIT.  was  made  Treasurer  h  of  the  court  of  augmentations, 
an  office  newly  erected  on  the  dissolution  of  monasteries.  In  33 
Henry  VIII.  he  was  a  Knight,'  and  elected  one  of  the  represen- 
tatives for  the  county  of  Cambridge.  In  36  Henry  VIII.  he  was 
Chancellork  of  the  court  of  augmentations,  jointly l  with  Sir  Rich- 
ard Rich  'j  and  within  a  few  months  following,  sole  Chancellor 
of  that  court,  by  resignation  of  the  said  Sir  Richard  Rich.  He 
enjoyed,  alone,  that  office  above  four  years  j  and  might  have 
made  a  greater  addition  to  his  fortune  than  what  he  left,  had  he 
not  been  a  person  of  very  great  integrity.  In  37  Henry  VIII.  he 
was  in  commission  m  with  the  Bishops  of  Westminster,  Worces- 
ter, and  Chichester,  to  see  that  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  the 
several  cathedral  churches  of  Canterbury,  Rochester,  Westminster, 
Winchester,  &c.  then  lately  founded  and  erected,  should  distri- 
bute, annually  each,  a  certain  sum  of  money  in  alms  among  poor 
householders,  and  for  the  repair  of  the  highways;  which,  by 
their  several  statutes  and  ordinances,  they  were  obliged  to  per- 
form. He  was  n  then  made  a  Privy-counsellor,  and  had  frequent 
grants  of  land  from  the  King,  as  a  testimony  of  his  favour,  and 
of  the  good  services  done  him  :  but,  as  it  was  usual  in  that  King 
to  throw  down  those  he  had  raised,  he  was  watchful  not  to  offend 
him.  However,  one  morning  there  came  a  messenger  from  the 
King  to  him,  to  command  his  immediate  repair  to  court.  He 
then  resided  at  the  Charter-house,  and  one  of  his  servants,  an  at- 
tendant in  his  bed-chamber,  when  the  message  was  delivered, 
observed  his  master  to  tremble  at  itj  but  Sir  Edward  made  the 
utmost  haste  to  wait  on  the  King,  and  took  with  him  his  said 
servant.  On  his  admittance,  he  found  the  King  was  walking, 
and  continued  doing  so  with  great  earnestness,  looking  at  him 
with  an  angry  eye,  which  was  received  with  a  very  still  and  sober 

g  Vita  ejus,  p.  7.  •»  Pat.  szKenry  VIII.  p.  3. 

i  Notit.  Pari.  Vol.  I.  p.  14*.  k  pdt.  36  Henry  VW.   p.  2T>  l»  dors. 

1  Vita  ejus,  p.  8.  m  Ry.ioer,  T.  XV.  p.  77. 

n  Vita  ejus,  p.  ia, 

\ 


456  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

carriage.  At  last  the  King  broke  out  in  these  words  :  We  are 
informed  you  have  cheated  us  of  certain  lands  in  Middlesex.  And 
receiving  no  other  than  a  plain  and  humble  negation  ;  the  King, 
after  some  little  pause,  replied,  How  was  it  then,  did  we  give 
those  lands  to  you  ?  Whereunto  Sir  Edward  answered,  Yes,  Sir, 
your  Majesty  was  pleased  so  to  do.  The  King  on  this,  after  a 
small  pause,  put  on  a  milder  countenance,  and,  calling  him  to  a 
cupboard,  conferred  privately  with  him  a  long  time 5  whereby  his 
said  servant  (as  Dudley:,  the  second  Lord  North,  was  informed) 
saw  the  King  could  not  spare  his  master's  service  as  yet :  but 
whether  the  cause  lay  in  the  King's  occasions,  or  in  his  humble 
behaviour  and  answers,  must  be  left  to  the  judicious  to  determine. 
Ever  after  that,  he  was  in  high  esteem  with  King  Henry  VIII. 
and  among  divers  of  the  nobility  and  others  whom  he  most  trusted 
(being  upon  his  death-bed),  he°  was  constituted  one  of  his  exe- 
cutors, as  also  appointed  to  be  of  council  to  his  son  and  sucessor, 
King  Edward  VI.  and  had  a  legacy  in  his  will  of  300 1. 

On  King  Edward's  accession  to  the  crown,  he  was  again  elected 
oneP  of  the  Knight:,  of  the  shire  for  the  county  of  Cambridge 
in  the  parliament  then  called  j  in  which  an  act  being  passed  for 
the  alteration  of  religion,  and  a  Communion-book  printed  in 
English,  he  was  one  of  the  privy-council  who  signed  the  letters 
missive,  dated  March  13th,  to  be  <isent  to  the  several  Bishops  in 
England  for  the  use  of  it,  to  commence  at  Easter  following.  He 
continued  of  the  privy-council  all  King  Edward's  reign,  and  was 
chosen r  again  Knight  of  the  shire  for  Cambridge,  in  the  second 
and  last  parliament  called  by  that  King,  being  specially s  recom- 
mended by  his  letters  to  the  Sheriff  of  that  county.  When  by 
the  Duke  of  Northumberland's  practices  the  Lady  Jane  Grey  was 
proclaimed  Queen,  he  was  *  one  of  the  council  who  signed  that 
letter  sent  to  the  Lady  Mary,  afterwards  Queen,  wherein  they 
acknowledge  the  Lady  Jane  to  be  their  lawful  sovereign.  But 
this  was  no  hindrance  to  Queen  Mary's  favour,  having  otherwise 
manifested  himself  a  faithful  subject ;  so  that,  on  her  accession," 
he  was  of  her  privy-council  3  and  on  February  1/th,  1553-4,  in 
the  first  year  of  her  reign,  in  consideration  of  his  great  merits 
and  abilities,  lie  was  advanced  to  the  dignity  of  a  Baron  of  thi$ 
realm  by  *  summons  to  parliament,  and  took  his  place  in  the 

0  Rymer,  T.  XV.  p.  1-14.  P  Notit.  Pari,  praed. 

1  Strype's  Memorials,  Vol.  II.  p.  6*.  r  Notit.  Pari.  pr*d. 

*  Sirype,  praed.  p.  395.  t  Hollinshed,  p.  1085. 

«  Vita  ejus,  p.  zz,  *  Journal  of  Pari. 


EAUL  OF  GUILFORD.  457 

house  of  Peers  on  April  7th.  The  year  following,  he  J  waited  on 
Philip  Prince  of  Spain,  on  his  landing  at  Southampton  on  July 
19th,  and  accompanied  him  to  Winchester,  where  his  marriage 
with  the  Queen  was  solemnized. 

After  which,  on  December  18th„  1558,  1  Eliz.  he  was  z  con- 
stituted one  of  the  Lords  Commissioners  to  consider  and  allow  of 
the  claims  which  those  should  make,  who  were  to  perform  any 
service,  by  tenure,  on  the  day  of  that  Queen  s  coronation  -,  and 
wasa  constituted  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Cambridgeshire,  and  the 
Isle  of  Ely  j  which  was  confirmed  to  him  by  another  patent  in 
the  second  year  of  her  reign.  And  by  his  b  testament,  bearing 
date  on  March  20th,  ]  563-4,  bequeathed  his  body  to  be  buried 
at  Kirtling  (now  called  Catlage),  in  com.  Cantab,  gave  to  his  son 
and  heir,  Sir  Roger  North,  Knt.  his  parliament  robes,  beseeching 
God  to  bless  him,  and  give  him  his  grace  truly  and  faithfully  to 
serve  the  Queen,  and  this  realm,  and  to  beware  of  pride  and  pro- 
digal expenses.  He  was  c  so  fearful  of  both  his  sons  unthriftiness, 
that  he  entailed  his  estate,  to  prevent  alienations,  as  strongly  as 
the  law  of  those  times  would  bear,  with  a  remainder  to  his  kin- 
dred of  Walkringham. 

He  married  to  his  first  wife,  d  Alice,  daughter  of  Oliver  Squyer, 
of  South  by,  near  Portsmouth,  in  com.  Southamp.  widow  of  Ed- 
ward Myrffyn,  of  London/  son  to  Sir  John  Myrffyn,  Knt.  and 
alderman  of  that  city,  and  also  the  relict  of  John  Brigadine,  of 
Southampton,  with  whom  he  had  a  considerable  fortune;  and 
who  died,  leaving  issue  by  him  two  daughters  and  two  sons. 

1.  Sir  Roger  North,  Knt.  And, 

2.  Sir  Thomas  North,  Knt.  This  Sir  Thomas  was  a  learned 
man,  and  studied  at  Lincoln's  Inn  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Mary. 
He  translated  into  English,  Guevaras  Horologium  Principum  : 
and  Plutarch's  Lives,  1579 — 1595/  &c.  &c.  long  a  popular  book. 

He  married,  first,  Elizabeth,  daughter  to Col  well,  and  relict 

of  Robert  Rich :    but  she  dying  without  issue,  he  married,  se- 
condly, the  widow  of Bridgewater,  Doctor  of  the  civil  law, 

and  by  her  had  issue  Edward  North,  who  married  Elizabeth,, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Wren,  of  Hadnam,  in  the  Isle  of  Ely. 

His  Lordship's  two  daughters  were,  Christian,  married  to  Wil- 

y  Hollingshed,  p.  inS.  »  Pat.  i  Eliz.  p.  4,  in  dors. 

*  Vita,  p.  26.  k  Morrison,  qu.  7.  c  Vita,  p.  3 1. 

d  Vita,  p.  32. 

e  His  son  died  1553. 

f  Tanner's  Bibloth.  549. 


458  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Ham,  third  Earl  of  Worcester  5  and  Mary,  to  Henry,  Lord  Scroope, 
of  Bolton. 

He  had  to  his  second  wife,  Margaret,  daughter  to  Richard  But- 
ler, of  London,  widow  of  Sir  David  Brooke,  Knt.  Lord  Chief 
Baron  of  the  Exchequer,  who  survived  him,  and  had  sepulture  in 
the  chancel  of  St.  Lawrence  Jury,  London,  where  on  her  tomb 
is  this  epitaph : 

8  Lo  here  the  Lady  Margaret  North 

in  tomb  and  earth  doth  lye ; 
Of  husbands  four  the  faithful  spouse, 

whose  fame  shall  never  dye. 
One  Andrew  Fraunces  was  the  frst, 

the  second  Robert  hight, 
Surnamed  Chartsey,  Alderman; 

Sir  David  Brooke,  a  Knight, 
Was  third.     But  he  that  passed  all, 

and  was  in  number  fourth, 
And  for  his  virtue  made  a  Lord, 

was  caird  Sir  Edward  North, 
These  altogether  do  I  wish 

a  joyful  rising  day  : 
That  of  the  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ, 

all  honour  they  may  say. 
Obiit  2  die  Junii,  An.  Dom.  15J5. 

The  said  Edward  Lord  North,h  departed  this  life,  at  his  house 
called  the  Charter-house,  in  the  suburbs  of  London,  on  Sunday, 
December  31st,  anno  1564,  and  was  buried  in  a  vault  under  the 
chancel  at  Catlage,  on  the  south  side,  which  he  had  caused  to 
be  made  for  that  purpose,  where  is  this  memorial  on  a  monument 
of  black  marble : 

Serva  Fidem, 
Edvardum  finxit  Northum  natura  beatum, 

addidit  et  Magnas  gracia  Regis. opes. 

providus  et  sapiens  claros  suscepit  honores, 

et  tamen  in  tanto  comis  honore  fuit. 

qiue  natura  dedit,  qucs  gracia  principis  auxitr 

omnia  mors  una  sustulit  atra  die* 

%  Stowe's  Survey  of  London,  p.  285. 
h  I.  13.  Offic.  Arm.  f.  58.  a. 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  45Q 

qui  obiit  ultimo  Decemlris 
Anno  Domini  1 564. 

Hahuit  Jilios  Rogerum  nunc  Dominum  North,  et  Thomam, 
Jilias  vero  Christianam  et  Mariam,  quorum  altera  Willi 
Comitis  Wigornice  uxor,  altera  Henrico  dno  Scroop  nupta. 

"  By  his  picture,1  whereof  there  is  yet  a  copy  k  remaining,  he 
appears  to  have  been  a  person  of  a  moderate  stature,  somewhat 
inclined  to  corpulency,  and  a  reddish  hair.     As  to  his  character-, 
it  can  only  appear  from  what  has  been  said  of  him  j  and  his  let- 
ters shew  he  rather  affected  the  delivery  of  a  full  and  clear  sense, 
than  any  curiosity  of  style  or  expression.     The  bravery  of  his 
mind  may  be  best  judged  of,  by  his  delight  to  live  in  an  equipage 
rather  above  than  under  his  condition  and  degree ;  and  by  his 
magnificence  in  buildings,  which  were  very  noble  for  materials 
and  workmanship,  as  may  appear  by  the  two  houses  he  set  up  at 
Kirtling1  and  Charter-house.      His  piety,  charity,  and  love  of 
learning,  is  evident  from  his  bestowing  the  parsonage  of  Burweli 
on  the  University  of  Cambridge;  as  also  the  vicarage  of  Burwellr 
And  to  Peter-house,  the  ancientest  college  of  that  University,  as 
a  token  of  his  gratitude  for  what  he  gathered  there  in  the  way  of 
learning,  the  parsonage  of  Ellington.     He  provided  chapels  in 
6uch  houses  he  built,  which  shews  a  desire  in  him  of  an  assiduity 
in  the  service  of  God  by  himself  and  family ;  which  care  of  pro- 
viding peculiar  places  for  divine  service,  within  families,  was  too 
much  neglected  in  the  following  age,  as  may  be  witnessed  by 
many  great  and  stately  houses  then  built.     He  also  built  a  chapel 
for  the  interment  of  his  posterity,  adjoining  to  the  south  part  of 
the  chancel  in  Kirtling  church  j  for,  though  the  main  superstition 
was  expired,  yet  burials  in  those  days  were  attended  with  the 
performance  of  much  religious  duty." 

1  Vita,  p.  33,  34,  35. 
k  There  is  one  at  Peter-house  (to  which  he  was  a  considerable  benefactor),  in 
the  university  of  Cambridge,  with  this  d'stich  under  it : 

Nobilis  hie  vere  fuerat,  si  ncbil's  ulius, 
Qui  sibi  principium  nobilitatis  erat. 
Thus  in  English  J 

This  man  was  noble,  if  so  any  be, 
For  he  begun  his  own  nobility. 

See  this  picture  engraved,  though  badly,  in  Harding's  Biog.  Mirror,  III.  4.1. 

1  It  has  been  lately  taken  down.     See  a  print  of  it,  with  an  account,  in  Top** 
graphical  Mis(*Uanitsf  Lond.  X79I>  4*0,  No.  IV. 


460  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

On  the  inquisition  m  taken  on  April  26th,  1565,  the  jury  found 
that  he  died  seised  of  divers  manors  and  lands  in  the  counties  of 
Middlesex,  Surrey,  Cambridge,  and  Suffolk,  to  all  which  Sir  Ro- 
ger North  was  found  to  be  heir,  as  his  son,  and  of  the  age  of 
thirty-five  years  j  who  had  issue  John  North,  his  son  and  heir; 
and  Henry,  second  son. 

His  eldest  son,  the  said  Sir  Roger  North,  second  Lord 
North,  succeeding  him  in  his  honour,  had  summons11  to  parlia- 
ment in  8  Eliz.  and  took  his  place  there  accordingly.  He  had 
been  °  elected,  in  2  and  3  Philip  and  Mary,  one  of  the  Knights 
of  the  shire  for  the  county  of  Cambridge  5  and  having,  on  Queen 
Elizabeth's  accession  to  the  throne,?  received  the  honour  of 
knighthood,  was  again  ^  elected  one  of  the  Knights  for  that 
county  in  her  first  and  second  parliaments.1-  In  9  Eliz.s  he  ac- 
companied the  Earl  of  Sussex,  with  the  Order  of  the  Garter,  to 
Maximilian  the  Emperor,  then  at  Vienna.  And  in  15  Eliz.1  was 
one  of  the  Peers  who  then  sat  on  the  trial  of  Thomas,  Duke  of 
Norfolk.  In  21  Eliz.  the  Queen  honoured  him  with  a  visit,  at 
his  seat  in  Cambridgeshire,  where  she  was  entertained  (as  Hol- 
linshed  relates),"  not  in  the  least  behind  any  of  the  best  for  a 
frank  house,  a  noble  heart,  and  a  well-ordered  entertainment. 
In  28  Eliz.  having  accompanied  the  Earl  of  Leicester,  General 
of  the  forces  sent  to  the  assistance  of  the  States,  he  x  was,  for  his 
valour,  made  a  Knight  Banneret,  and  gained  reputation  in  the 
wars  in  the  Netherlands.  In  the  engagement  before  Zutphen, 
September  22d,  1586,  he  behaved  with  the  greatest  bravery;  as 
appears  by  the  Earl  of  Leicester's  letter  to  Sir  Thomas  Heneage, 
relating  the  hazardous  enterprises  of  this  Lord  North ;  "  who, 
though  he  had  before  been  bruised  on  the  knee  with  a  musket 
shot,  yet  leaving  his  bed,  hastened  to  the  skirmish,  one  boot  on 
and  the  other  off,  and  went  to  the  matter  very  lustily,"  saith  the 
Earl. 

His  intimacy  with  that  great  Peer,  is  evident  from  his  memo- 

m  Cole's  Esc.  Lib.  III.  p.  i2£,  not.  6*.  a  14.  in  Bibl.  Harley. 

n  Journal  of  Pari.  °  Notit.  Pari,  praed.  p.  146. 

P  Cat.  of  Knights,  MS.  9  Notit.  Pari,  ut  antea. 

'  Strype,  in  his  Annals,  H.  B.  1.  c.  36,  records  an  unjustifiable  attempt  of 

this  Peer  to  wrest  some  estates  of  the  See  of  Ely  from  the  good  old  Bishop  Cox, 

whose  resistance  he  resented  by  a  vehement  persecution. 

s  Hollinshed,  p.  1210. 

*  Camb.  Ann.  of  Q.  Eliz.  in  Kist.  of  Eng.  Vol.  II.  p.  437. 

«  Ibid,  p.  1299.  x  Stowe's  Annals,  p.  738. 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  401 

rial  on  his  examination  to  prove  the  marriage  of  the  Earl  with 
the  Lady  Lettice,  Countess  of  Essex;  and,  by  his  will,y  he  had  a 
legacy  of  a  bason  and  ewer  of  40 1.  value.  His  deposition  being 
very  memorable,  I  shall  insert  it  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  cu- 
rious. 

"  On  the  15th  of  March,  1580,  23  Elizabeth,2  '  Roger  North, 
Baron  of  Kirtling,  of  the  age  of  forty  years,  saith,  That  he  has 
byne  very  conversant  with  the  Erie  of  Leicester,  by  the  space  of 
theis  ten  or  twelve  yeares  last  passed.  And  that,  by  reason  of 
such  familiaritie,  the  said  P^rie  of  Leicester  did  sondry  times,  by 
manie  good  and  godlie  speeches,  both  acknowledge  unto  this  de- 
ponent, and  also  humbly  thank  the  Lord  God  for  his  infinite 
mercy  and  goodness,  which  he  had  bestowed  and  powered  upon 
him  in  great  measure  of  his  blessing,  still  devising  and  studying 
how  he  might  walk  in  those  ways  that  might  be  most  pleasing 
to  his  merciful  God.  And  with  all  told  this  deponent,  that  there 
was  nothing  in  this  liefe  which  he  moredesyred  than  to  be  joyned 
in  marriage  with  some  godlie  gentlewoman,  with  whom  he  might 
lead  his  liefe  to  the  glory  of  God,  the  comfort  of  his  soule,  and 
to  the  faithfull  service  of  her  Majesty,  for  whose  sake  he  had  hi- 
therto forborne  marringe,  which  long  held  him  doubtfull.  Theis 
and  such  like  speeches,  passed  from  the  said  Erie  to  this  exami- 
nant ;  who,  for  his  part,  as  he  saith,  did  ever  like  his  godlike 
disposition,  and  ever  comforted  his  lordship  therein,  and  hartned 
him  thereunto.  Whereupon,  as  he  saith,  the  said  Erie  did  divers 
times  impart  to  this  deponent  the  hartie  love  and  affection  which 
he  bare  unto  the  Countess  of  Essex,  w  horn  he  knew  to  be  a  most 
godlie  and  virtuous  gentlewoman ;  adding  with  all  that  he  greatly 
desyred  and  longed  after  some  yssue  of  his  own  boddy,  yf  so  it 
pleased  God  to  contynue  and  hold  up  his  house  and  name.  And 
after  manie  conferences  passing  between  them  to  this  purposea 
the  said  Erie  of  Leicester  brake  with  this  deponent,  as  he  saith 
(on  a  tyme),  and  tould  him  plainlie,  that  he  was  resolved  to  marry 
and  take  to  wief  the  Countesse  of  Essex,  which  in  a  short  tyme 
he  performed.  For  he  sayeth,  that  on  a  Satterdaie,  the  20th  of 
September,  an.  Dni.  15/8  (as  far  as  he  now  remembreth),  the 
Queen's  Majesty  then  lying  at  Stovers  House  in  the  forrest,  the 
Erie  of  Leicester  went  to  his  house  at  Wainsted  to  bedd,  and 
tooke  this  deponent  with  him.     In  which  night  there  was  also  at 

y  Ex  Regist.  vocat  Leicester  in  cur.  praerog.  Cantuar. 
a  Ex  Evident,  apud  Penshurst.^ 


462  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLANb. 

Wainsted,  the  Erles  of  Warwick  and  Pembroke,  Sir  Francis 
Knolles,  and  the  Countess  of  Essex.  At  which  tyme  and  place 
the  said  Erie  of  Leicester  told  this  deponent  after  supper,  that  he 
intended  to  be  married  the  next  morning,  by  the  leave  of  God, 
and  therefore  prayed  this  deponent  to  ryse  somewhat  by  times  for 
that  purpose.  Whereupon  the  dai  following  beinge  Sundaie,  this 
cxaminant  rose  early,  and  came  to  the  said  Erie,  whom  he  found 
walkinge  in  a  little  gallery,  looking  towards  the  garden.  And, 
after  ordinary  salutation,  the  Erie  of  Leicester  said  to  this  depo- 
nent, that  he  should  presently  solemnize,  if  the  Lords  and  Sir 
Francis  Knolles  were  reddy.  And  thereupon  departed  from  this 
cxaminant  to  fetch  them  together;  and  gave  this  deponent  his 
double  key,  praying  him  to  go  downe,  and  to  bring  up  thither, 
by  the  privy  waie,  Mr.  'i  indall,  a  chaplain  of  his  Lordship's, 
which  this  deponent  (r^s  he  sayeth),  did  accordinglie,  insomuch 
as  this  deponent  and  Mr.  Tindall  were  in  the  said  gallerv  first; 
and  ymediately  after  came  the  Erles  of  Leicester,  Warwick,  and 
Pembroke,  Mr.  Treasurer  Knolles,  and  then  the  Countess  of  Es- 
sex :  in  which  time  and  place,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  persons 
aforerecited,  Mr.  Tindall  did  marry  the  aforesaid  Erie  of  Leicester 
and  Countess  of  Essex  together,  by  the  booke  of  Common  Prayer, 
after  the  due  order  of  the  same.  And  Mr.  Treasurer  Knolles, 
father  of  the  Countess,  did  give  her.  And  further  this  deponent 
saith,  he  well  remembreth,  that,  as  he  looked  aside,  he  saw  Mr. 
Richard  Knolles,  brother  to  the  Countess,  stand  in  the  door  which 
came  out  of  the  Erie's  chamber,  with  his  body  half  in  the  gallery, 
and  half  out,  who,  together  with  the  persons  before-mentioned, 
both  satv  and  heard  the  solemnization  oi  the  said  marriage.  And 
other  the  deponent  knows  not." 

This  Roger,  second  Lord  North,  was  Ambassador  Extraordinary 
from  Queen  Elizabeth  to  Charles  IX.  King  of  France,  and  was 
sworn  of  the  privy-council  to  the  Queen;  also  a  constituted  Trea- 
surer of  the  household  in  3p  Eliz.  His  Lordship  married  Wini- 
frid,  daughter  of  Ptobert  Lord  Rich  (Chancellor  of  England,  and 
progenitor  to  the  late  Earls  of  Warwick  and  Holland),  and  widow 
of  Sir  Henry  Dudley,  son  to  John  Duke  of  Northumberland;  and 
by  her  had  two  sons. 

It  Sir  John,  his  heir.     And, 

2.  Sir  Henry. 

And  likewise  a  daughter,  Mary,  who  died  unmarried. 

t 

a  Camd.  pra?d.  p.  $95. 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  463 

His  last  will  bears  date  bon  October  20th,  l600,  wherein  he 
bequeathed  his  body  to  sepulture  in  the  church  of  Kirtling,  where 
he  was  buried  on  December  22d  following,  by  Garter  King  of 
Arms,  and  a  monument  erected  to  his  memory,  with  this  in- 
scription ; 

Durum  pad. 
Rogerus  dominus  North  de  Kirtlinge, 
Thesaurarius  Hospitii  Regii,  et  e  Sacris      t 
Consiliis  sub  Regina  Eli%abetha,  uxor  em 
Duxit  Winifridam  jiliam  Ricardi  domini 
Rich  de  Lees  in  Com.  Essex,  Summi  Anglite 
Cancetlarii :  ex  qua  Jilios  genuit  Johannem,  et 
Henricum,  Milite;,  et  Jiliam  unicam  Mariam, 
quee  decessit  innupta. 

Diem  obik  extremum 

Anno  AEtatis  LXXmo 

et  Anno  Domini  MDCiXl°. 

He  died  on  December  3d,  1(500;  and  Camden  (in  his  History 
of  Queen  Elizabeth),0  gives  this  character  of  him,  That  he  was  a 
person  of  great  briskness  and  vivacity,  with  an  head  and  heart  Jit 
for  service. 

Milden-hall  Branch. 

Sir  Henry  North,  his  youngest  son,  taking  early  to  arms,  was 
in  23  EJiz.  in  that  expedition  to  Norembega,  under  Sir  Humphry 
Gilbert;  and  in  23  Eliz.  serving  with  his  father  in  the  Low 
Country  wars,  he d  had  the  honour  of  knighthood  conferred  on 
lum  by  the  Earl  of  Leicester.  He  was  seated,  first,  at  Wickham- 
brooke,  and  afterwards  at  Milden- hall?  in  Suffolk;  and  departing 
this  life,  November  20th,  ]Q20,  aged  sixty-four,  at  his  house  at 
Badmondelfield,  in  Wickhambrooke,  was  interred  in  the  church 
of  Milden -hall.  f  By  his  wife,  Mary,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Rich- 
ard Knevit,  Esq.  son  and  heir  of  Christopher  Knevit,  younger 
son  of  Sir  William  Knevit,  Knt.  he  had  three  sons;  viz.  Sir 
Roger,  Henry,  and  John  died  an  infant;  and  also  three  daugh- 

b  Woodhall,  <ju.  16.  c  FF  in  Offic.  Arm.  f.  654. 

d  Camb.  p.  6Z9. 
e  This  ancient  mansion,  apparently  of  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  is  stll| 
Standing.    It  has  very  many  apartments,  and  a  long  gallery,  the  extent  of  the 
front. 

f  Hollinsh.  p.  13^9. 


A64r  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

ters  ;  Elizabeth,  Mary,,  and  Dorothy.  The  said  Henry,  second 
son  (who  dying  on  November  20th,  1620,  aged  sixty-four,  had 
sepulture  at  Milden-hall),  was  of  Laxfield,  in  Suffolk,  in  right  of 

his  wife,  Sarah,  daughter  and  heir  of Jennor,  of  Laxfield, 

Esq.  and  had  by  her  two  sons ;  Henry  and  Edward. 

Sir  Roger,  the  eldest  son,  was  born  on  February  18th,  1577, 
and  dying  on  Jdne  17th,  1051,  at  his  house  called  Finborow,  was 
interred  at  Milden-hall.  *He  had  two  wives ;  first,  Elizabeth, 
daughter  and  coheir  of  Sir  John  Gilbert,  of  Great  Finborow,  in 
Suffolk,  Knt.  and  with  whom  he  had  that  estate;  and,  secondly, 
Thomasine,  daughter  to  Thomas  Clenche,  of  Holbrooke,  in  the 
county  aforesaid.  By  this  last  he  had  no  issue;  but  by  the  first 
(who  died  on  November  29th,  16 12,  and  was  buried  at  St.  Dun- 
stan's  in  the  West,  London),  he  was  lather  of  two  sons;  Sir 
Henry,  and  Dudley  North ;  and  likewise  of  a  daughter,  Mary, 
married  to  k  Colonel  Blagge,  Governor  of  Yarmouth,  &c. 

Sir  Henry,  the  eldest  son,  was  of  Milden-hall,  and  had  the 
dignity  of  Knight  Baronet  conferred  upon  him,  June  14th,  1660; 
he  departed  this  life  on  August  29th,  1671,  aged  sixty-two,  and 
was  buried  at  Milden-hall.  By  Sarah,  his  wife,  who  died  July  1st, 
.1670  (after  being  married  thirty-nine  years),  daughter  to  ■ 

Rayney,  of  Tyer's-hall,  in  Darfield,  Yorkshire,  Esq.  he  had  Sir 
Henry,  his  successor,  who  died  on  July  5th,  l6t)5,  and  was  bu- 
ried at  Milden-hall ;  Thomasine,  who  was  the  wife  of  Thomas 
Holland,  Esq.  son  and  heir  of  Sir  John  Holland,  of  Quiddenham, 
in  Norfolk,  Bart.;  and  dying  on  September  28th,  lfjfjl,  in  the 
twenty-eighth  year  of  her  age,  was  interred  at  Milden-hall;  and 
Dudleia,  who  was  married  to  Sir  Thomas  Cullum,  of  Hawstede, 
in  Suffolk,  Bart. ;  and  Peregrina,  single,  in  1670.  These  daugh- 
ters were  coheirs  to  their  brother  Sir  Henry.1 


Sir  John  North  (eldest  son  of  Roger,  second  Lord  North), 
in  21  Eliz.  with  other  brave  young  men,  transported  themselves 
into  m  the  Netherlands,  to  learn  the  rudiments  of  military  disci- 
pline. He  was  "elected,  in  27,  28,  and  31  Eliz.  one  of  the 
Knights  for  the  county  of  Cambridge ;    and  having  afterwards 

i  Ex  Epitaphio.  k  Monument  in  St.  Dunstan's  Church. 

1  The  heiress  of  this  branch  married  into  the  Hanmer  family ;  and  Sir  Tho- 
mas Hanmer,  the  Speaker,  resided  at  Milden-hall.     From  the  Speaker's  sister, 
Susan,  the  estate  passed  to  the  Bunbury  family;  ani  the  father  of  the  present  Sir 
Charles  Bunbury  resided  there.     See  Gent.  Mag.  Vol.  LXVI.  p.  542,  543. 
m  In  Hist,  praed.  p.  460.  n  Notit.  Pari,  p.  146. 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  46J 

received  the  honour  of  knighthood,  died  in  the  lifetime  of  his 
father,  in  the  wars  of  the  Netherlands,  on  June  5th,  15Q7.  He 
married  Dorothy,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Sir  Valentine  Dale,  Doc- 
tor of  the  civil  law,  and  Master  of  the  requests,  by  whom  he  had 
issue  four  sons. 

1.  Dudley,  who  succeeded  to  the  title  of  Lord  North. 

2.  John,  who  was,  in  November  l6l<5,  made  Knight  of  the 
Bath  at  the  creation  of  Charles  Prince  of  Wales,  and  Gentleman 
Usher  of  the  privy -chamber. 

3.  Roger,0  who  was  a  sea  commander  of  note,  and  engaged  in 
making  new  discoveries  for  the  honour  of  his  country. 

And,  4.  Gilbert. 

Also  two  daughters  j  Elizabeth,  married  to  William,  son  and 
heir  to  Sir  Jer.  Horsey  j  and  Mary,  wedded  to  Sir  Francis  Co- 
ningsby,  of  South  Mymmes,  in  com.  Hertf.  Knt. 

Dudley,  third  Lord  North,  as  successor  to  his  grandfather, 
married  Frances,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Sir  John  Brocket,  of 
Brocket-hall,  in  com.  Hertf.  and  by  her  had  issue  four  sons.. 

1.  Dudley,  who  succeeded  him. 

2.  Charles  j  and,  3.  Robert,  who  died  in  his  lifetime. 
And,  4.  John. 

Also  two  daughters;  Borothy,  married  to  Richard,  Lord  Dacre 
of  the  South/  at  St.  Margaret's,  Westminster,  January  4th,  1624; 
and  after  his  decease,  to  Chaloner  Chute,  of  the  Vine,  in  Hamp- 
shire, Esq.;  and  Elizabeth,  who  died  unmarried. 

He  enjoyed  the  title  for  a  great  many  years  indeed,  even  from 
the  time  of  Elizabeth,  till  some  years  after  the  Restoration.  "  He 
was  a  person  full  of  spirit  and  flame,  yet  after  he  had  con- 
sumed the  greatest  part  of  his  estate  in  the  gallantries  of  King 
James's  Court,  or  rather  his  son,  Prince  Henry's,  retired,  and 
lived  more  honourably  in  the  country,  upon  what  was  left^  than 
ever  he  had  done  before."^  He  enjoyed  life  to  the  great  age  of 
eighty-five;  so  as  to  see  his  grandchildren  almost  all  grown  up, 
and  Francis  North,  the  second  of  them,  beginning  to  rise  at  the 
Bar.  This  young  man  was  rather  a  favourite  with  his  grand- 
father, and  spent  much  of  his  early  vacations  with  him;  for  the 
old  Peer  loved  to  hear  him  talk  of  news,  philosophy,  and  passages 
in  London ;  he  made  him  play  at  backgammon,  and  fiddle, 
whenever  he  thought  fit ;  and  the  course  of  life  altogether  was 

0  Camden's  Annals,  p.  654.  P  Ex  Reglst  Eccl.  S.  Marg. 

q  Roger  North's  Life  of  his  brother  Lord  Keeper  Guilford,  Pref.  III. 

VOL.  IV.  2  H 


466  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

not  displeasing  to  a  young  person ;  for  here  was  fishing,  billiards, 
hunting,  visiting,  and  all  country  amusements  5 r  and  as  to  "  sport- 
ing on  horseback,  there  was  opportunity  enough  here,  where 
there  was  a  very  large,  and  well-stocked  deer-park;  and  at  least 
twice  a  week,  in  the  season,  there  was  killing  oi  deer.  The  me- 
thod then  was,  for  the  keeper  with  a  large  cross-bow  and  arrow, 
to  wound  the  deer,  and  two  or  three  disciplined  park-hounds 
pursued,  till  he  dropped.  Here  were  also  setting,  coursing,  bowl- 
ing, and  the  other  country  sports  to  divert  a  large  family,  and 
within-doors,  backgammon,  as  has  been  mentioned,  and  cards."8 
But  his  grandfather  did  not  keep  him  a  great  while  in  his  favour; 
for  he  had  carried  into  the  country  with  him  the  dregs  of  an  old 
courtier,  and  was  capricious,  violent,  vindictive,  tyrannical,  and 
unprincipled.  There  is  a  portrait  of  him  at  Wroxtonj  and  an- 
other of  his  daughter  Dorothy,  by  Cornelius  Janssen,  with  his 
initials,  and  date  1624 :  she  was  married  to  Richard  Lord  Dacre. 

The  said  Dudley,  Lord  North,  was  *  nominated,  in  1645,  by 
both  Houses  of  Parliament,  with  the  Earls  of  Northumberland, 
Essex,  Warwick,  and  others,  to  manage  the  affairs  of  the  Admi- 
ralty. He  was  author  of  a  Miscellany  in  prose  and  verse,  entitled 
ri  A  Forest  promiscuous ,"  &c.  Lond.  \65Q.  Fol.  (See  Walp. 
R.  and  N.  Auth.  I.  231).u  He  departing  this  life x  on  January 
l6tb,  1666,  being  then  eighty-five  years  of  age,  was  buried  at 
Catlage. 

His  son  and  heir,  Dudley,  fourth  Lord  North,  had  a 
learned  education  in  the  university  of  Cambridge.  He  had  been 
made  Knight  of  the  Bath,  as  early  as  ]6l6,  at  the  creation  of 
Charles,  Prince  of  Wales,  and  had  stood  as  the  eldest  son  of  a 
Peer,  at  the  state  in  the  House  of  Lords,  at  sixty-three,  and  was 
an  eminent  instance  of  filial  duty  to  his  father,  before  whom  he 
would  not  put  on  his  hat,  or  sit  down,  unless  enjoined  to  do  it. 
He  was  bred  in  the  best  manner;  for  besides  the  court,  and 
choicest  company  at  home,  he  was  sent  to  travel,  and  then  into 
the  army,  and  served  as  a  Captain  under  Sir  Francis  Vere.  At 
length  he  married  Anne,  one  of  the  daughters  and  coheirs  of  Sir 
Charles  Montagu.  He  served  his  country  in  several  parliaments; 
and  was  misled  to  sit  in  that  of  forty,  till  he  was  secluded.    After 

r  Roger  North's  Life  of  his  brother  Lord  Keeper  Guilford,  Pref.  JII.  p.  16. 

s  Ibid.  p.  29.  t  Whitlock's  Memorials,  p.  137. 

u  See  also  a  long  account  of  him,  and  extracts  from  his  Forest,  in  «'  Memoirs 
•f  King  James's  Peers;"  and  Park's  Edit,  of  the  R.  and  N.  A. 
*  Ex  Inscript.  Tumul.  ap.  Carthage 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  '  461 

which  he  lived  privately  in  the  country,  at  Tostock,  in  Suffolk  $ 
and  towards  the  latter  end  of  his  life  entertained  himself  with 
justice-business,  books,  and  (as  a  very  numerous  issue  required); 
economy.  He  put  out  a  little  tract  on  that  subject  with  a  pre- 
face lightly  touching  the  chief  crises  of  his  life.  Afterwards  he 
published  a  small  piece,  entitled  Passages  relating  to  the  Long- 
Parliament,  with  an  apologetic,  or  rather  recantation  preface. 
He  wrote  also  the  History  of  the  Life  of  Lord  Edward  North,  the 
£rst  Baron. y 

His  essays  are,  Light  in  the  Way  to  Paradise,  with  other  occa- 
Clonals,  Of  Truth,  Of  Goodness,  Of  Eternity,  of  Original  Sin  j 
which  shew  he  was  stedfast  in  his  religion,  according  to  the 
established  church  in  our  nation,  and  led  an  exemplary  life.2  He 
was  a  Christian  speculatively  orthodox,  and  good,  regularly  cha- 
ritable and  pious  in  his  family,  rigidly  just  in  his  dealings,  and 
exquisitely  virtuous  and  sober  in  his  person.  There  is  a  won- 
derfully tine  portrait  of  him,  in  a  black  dress,  with  his  own 
hair,  at  Wroxton.  He  outlived  his  father  ten  years,  and  died 
in  1677 ;  having  had  the  happiness  to  see  a  numerous  family  of 
children  settled  prosperously,  and  one  arriving  at  the  highest 
honours. 

He  had  issue  by  Anne  his  wife,  daughter  and  coheir  to  Sir 
Charles  Montagu,  Knt.  (a  younger  brother  to  Henry,  Earl  of 
Manchester),  fourteen  children}  whereof  six  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters lived  to  maturity  5  viz. 

1.  Charles,  his  son  and  heir. 

2.  Sir  Francis  North,  Knt.  Lord  Guilford,  second  son,  ancestor 
to  the  Earls  of  Guilford. 

3.  Sir  Dudley  North,  a  Turkey  Merchant,  in  which  country 
he  lived  several  years,  and  made  a  large  fortune,  and  afterwards 
memorable  for  his  city  contests  on  the  Tory  side.     He  died  on 
December  31st,  1691,  having  married  Anne,  daughter  of  Sir  Ro- 
bert Cann,  of  the  city  of-Bristol,  Bart,  and  widow  of  Sir  Robert 

Gunning,  of  Cold-Ashtori,  near  the  said  city,  by  whom  he  left 
issue  two  sons  j  Dudley  North,  of  Glemham,  in  com.  Suff.  Esq. 
who  married  Catharine,  daughter  and  coheiress  of  Elihu  Yale/ 


y  See  Park's  R.  and  N.  A. 

z  Portraits  of  him  and  his  father  may  be  seen  in  Adolphus's  British  Cabinet, 
and  in  Park's  R.  and  N.  A. 

a  The  above-mentioned  Elihu  Yalf,  Esq.  brought  such  quantities  of  goods 
from  India,  that,  finding  no  one  house  large  enough  to  stow  them  in,  he  had  a 


46s  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Esq.  Governor  of  Fort  St.  George,  by  whom  he  had  issue,  Dud- 
ley, Anne,  Mary,  and  Elihu ;  of  whom,  the  survivor,  Anne  (co- 
heiress with  her  late  sister,  Mary),  married  the  Hon.  Nicholas 
Herbert,  of  Great  Glemham,  in  Suffolk,  great  uncle  to  the  pre- 
sent Earl  of  Pembroke,  and  had  issue  several  sons  and  daughters; 
whereof  the  only  survivor,  Barbara,  married  the  late  Edward 
Stratford,  eldest  son,  and  afterwards  successor,  to  John  Earl  of 
Aldborough,  in  the  kingdom  of  Ireland;  but  died  without  issue. 

John,  the  fourth  son,  was  Doctor  of  Divinity,  and  sometime 
Professor,  at  Cambridge,  of  the  Greek  language,  of  which  he  was 
an  eminent  master.  Hec  published,  anno  l6/3,  a  Review  of 
Plato's  select  dialogues,  de  Rebus  Divinis,  in  Greek  and  Latin. 
This  learned  and  pious  divine  was  Clerk  of  the  closet  to  King 
Chailes  II.  Prebendary  of  Westminster,  and  died  Master  of  Tri- 
nity College,  in  Cambridge,  in  1682,  unmarried.d 

The  fifth  son  was  Montague,  who  died  2/th  of  September, 
1710,  and  was  buried  at  Rougham,  in  Norfolk;  he  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Gjyer,  of  Stoke  Poges,  in  Bucks,  near 
Windsor,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  by  whom  he  had  issue  two  sons 
and  five  daughters. 

Roger,  the  sixth  son,  studied  in  the  Middle  Temple,  and  wa* 
of  Rougham,  in  Norfolk.  He  wrote  the  historical  piece,  called 
Examen;  the  Life  of  his  brother,  Sir  Francis,  Lord  Guilford^  &c. 
which  shew  the  author's  great  erudition,  and  exquisite  know- 
ledge of  the  English  constitution  5  as  well  as  talents  for  amusing 

public  sale  of  the  overplus,  and  that  was  the  first  auction  in  England.     On  hi* 
tomb,  at  Wrexham,  in  Denbighshire,  is  the  following  inscription; 

Under  this  Tomb  lyes  interr'd  Elihu  Yale, 

of    Place-Gronow,    Esq.    born    5th    April, 

1648,    and    dyed   the    8th   of  July,    1721, 

aged   73  years. 
Born  in  America,  in  Europe  bred, 
In  AfFrk  travell'd,  and  in  Asia  wed, 
"Where  long  he  liv'd  and  tbriv'd,  at  London  dead. 
Much  Good,  Som*  111  he  did,  so  hopes  all's  even, 
And  that  his  soul  thro'  Mercy's  gone  to  Heav'ft. 
You  that  survive  and  read  take  Care 
For  this  most  certain  Exit  to  prepare  j 
For  only  the  actions  of  the  Just 
.Smell  sweet  and  blossom  in  the  Dust* 

«  Wood's  Fast.  Oxon.  Vol.  II.  p,  $$0, 
d  See  a  short  life  of  hjm.  by  bis  brothej  Roger,  as  well  as  an  account  of  his 
brother  Six  Dudley. 


} 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  46g 

biography.  These  Lives  have  been  reprinted  in  1808,  8vo.  He 
was  ancestor  to  the  Norths  lately  remaining  at  Rougham. 

The  four  daughters'  of  the  said  Dudley,  Lord  North,  were, 
Mary,  married  to  Sir  William  Spring,  of  Pakenham,  in  com.  Sufi\ 
Bart. ;  Anne,  married  to  Robert  Foley,  of  Stourbridge,  in  Wor- 
cestershire, Esq.}  Elizabeth,  first,  to  Sir  Robert  Wyseman,  Knt. 
Doctor  of  the  Civil  Law,  and  Dean  of  the  arches,  seventh  son  of 
Sir  Thomas  Wyseman,  of  Rivenhall,  in  Essex  $  and  afterwards  to 
William,  Earl  of  Yarmouth  j  and  Christian,  to  Sir  George  Wen- 
yeve,  of  Brettenham,  in  com.  Suff.  Knt.  She  died  13th  April, 
1708,  and  was  buried  at  St.  Anne's  church,  Westminster. 

Dudley,  Lord  North,  their  father,  was  buried  at  Catlage, 
where  a  monument  is  erected,  with  this  inscription,  to  his  me- 
mory : 

Hie  humatus  est  Dudleius  North 

Miles  de  Balneo,  Baro  North  de 

Kirtling,  qui  duxit  uxorem  Annam, 

Filiam  et  Coheredem  dni  Caroli 

Montague  Equitis  Aurati,  et  ex  ea 

Suscepit  quatuordecem  Lib  eras,  et. 

Superstates  reliquit  novem,  scilicet 
Sex  Jilios,  et  ires  Jilias,     Obiit 
Vicesimo  quarto  Junii  1677-     Hoe 
Marmor  superimposuit  Vidua 
Moerens  Uxor. 

Anne,  his  Lady,  died  in  the  year  1680,  aged  sixty-seven,  and 
was  buried  by  him. 

Their  eldest  son,  Charles,  fifth  Lord  North,  having  mar- 
ried Catharine,  daughter f  to  William,  Lord  Grey  of  Wark,  widow 
of  Sir  Edward  Mosely,  of  the  Hough,  in  com.  Pal.  Lane,  Bart, 
was,  in  the  lifetime  of  his  father,  by  a  special  writ  of  summons, 
called  to  parliament,  in  the  25  of  Charles  II.  by  the  title  of 
Lord  Grey  of  Rolleston,  in  com.  Staff.  He  is  not  handed 
down  to  us  as  equally  amiable  with  some  of  his  brothers.  Of  the 
Lord  Keeper's  rise  he  is  said  to  have  felt  a  very  unbecoming  and 

e  He  had  a  fifth  daughter,  Catharine,  baptized  at  Clerkenwell,  February  j8th, 
1643-4,    See  Malcolm's  Lond.  Rediv.  III. 

f  Aunt  of  the  notorious  Ford  Lord  Grey,  Earl  of  TankerviUe. 


470  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

unnatural  jealousy.       He  was  buried  at  Callage,  where  is  this 
memorial : 

Hie  humatus  est  Bom.  Carolus  North,* 

Baro  North,  &  Grey,  de  Kir t ling,  & 

Rolleston,  qui  duxit  Katherinam 

jiliam  Bom,  Gulielmi  Grey, 

Baronis  Grey  de  Warlt,  et  ex  ea  suscepit 

Septem  Liberos,  et  Superstites 

Reliquit  quatuor,  scilicet  duos 

jilios,  &  duas  Jilias.     Hoc  Marmor 

Vidua  superimposuit. 

Salutis  169O. 
jEtatis  suce  56. 


oliit  Anno 


His  two  sons  were,  William,  Lord  North  and  Grey;  and 
Charles,  who  died  of  a  calenture  in  Flanders,  during  the  siege  of 
Lisle,  unmarried.  His  daughters  likewise  died  unmarried.  Dud- 
leia,  the  only  surviving  sister,  emaciated  herself  with  study  ;  and 
having  made  herself  mistress  of  Greek,  Latin,  and  the  Oriental 
Languages,  died  under  the  infliction  of  a  sedentary  distemper, 
leaving  a  choice  collection  of  books  in  Eastern  literature,  which 
her  brother  gave  to  the  parochial  library  of  Rougham,  in  Nor- 
folk. 

William,  fifth  Lord  North,  and  Lord.  Grey,  was  born 
December  22d,  1(573,  and  tooks  his  place  in  the  House  of  Peers, 
January  l6th,  1698.  In  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne  he  was  Lord 
Lieutenant  of  the  county  of  Cambridge,  Governor  of  Portsmouth, 
Lieutenant-general  of  her  Majesty's  forces,  and  one  of  her  Privy- 
council.  He  served  under  the  Duke  of  Marlborough,  through 
the  whole  course  of  the  war  ;  and,  at  the  battle  of  Hockstet,  or 
Blenheim,  August  13th,  N.  S.  1704,  had  his  right 'hand  shot  off. 
His  Lordship  married  Maria-Margaretta,  daughter  of  Mons.  Ell- 
meet,  Receiver-general  to  the  States  of  Holland,  and  the  other 
provinces,  but  had  no  issue  by  her  5  who  remarried  Patrick,  Lord 
Elibank,  and  retained  Catlage  as  her  jointure  house,  surviving 
many  years;  and,  departing  this  life  at  Madrid,  on  October  31st, 

f  There  is  a  good  engraving  of  him  in  Vol.  III.  of  Harding's  Biogr.  Mirror, 
done  just  before  his  death,  by  Edward  Harding,  a  rising  young  artist,  who  died, 
aged  twenty,  in  J 796. 

g  Journal  Dom.  Procer. 


Ez\RL  OF  GUILFORD.  471 

1734,  the  title  of  Lord  Grey  of  Rolleston,  became  extinct}  and 
the  title  of  Lord  North  devolved  on  Francis,  Lord  Guilford,  son 
and  heir  of  Francis,  Lord  Guilford,  son  and  heir  of  Francis, 
created  Lord  Guilford,  second  son  of  Dudley,  fourth  Lord  North 
of  Catlage. 

Which  last  Francis,  was  created  Lord  Guilford  in  1683. 
Applying  himself  to  the  study  of  the  laws  in  the  Middle -Temple, 
he  became  so  eminent  for  his  great  learning  and  knowledge 
therein,  that  King  Charles  II.  conferred  the  honour  of  knight- 
hood on  him,h  May  23d,  1671;  and  on  the  same  day  he  was 
sworn  into  the  office  of  Solicitor-general  to  his  Majesty.  In  1(5/3, 
he  was  constituted  Attorney-general ;  succeeding  Sir  Heneage 
Finch,  on  his  being  made  Lord-Keeper.  In  1674,  at  the  begin- 
ning of  Hilary-Term,'  his  Majesty,  in  consideration  of  his  faithful 
services,  appointed  him  to  succeed  Sir  John  Vaughan,  late  Lord 
Chief  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  :  Whereupon  he  ap- 
peared in  the  High  Court  of  Chancery  ;  and  being  sworn  Serjeant 
and  performing  all  formalities  belonging  to  that  degree,  the  Lord 
Keeper  of  the  Great  Seal  came  into  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas, 
and  declared  the  King's  pleasure  to  him,  in  an  eloquent  speech. 
Upon  which  Sir  Francis  North,  standing  in  the  middle  of  the  bar 
of  the  said  court,  made  his  acknowledgments  of  the  Kings  great 
favour,  and  returned  his  humble  thanks  to  his  Majesty;  and  was 
immediately  conducted  from  thence,  between  the  two  ancient  est 
Serjeants,  into  the  said  court,  where  the  Lord  Keeper  delivered 
unto  him  his  patent  of  the  said  office :  and  after  he  had  taken  the 
oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy ,  and  the  oath  of  Chief  Justice 
of  that  court,  the  Lord  Keeper  put  on  his  square  cap;  and  he  took 
his  seat  of  Chief  Justice,  and  afterwards  entertained  the  Lord 
Keeper,  and  divers  of  the  Nobility,  and  all  the  Judges  and  Ser- 
jeants, at  dinner,  at  Serjeants-Inn  in  Chancery -lane. 

In  the  year  1679,  when  his  Majesty  dissolved  his  Privy-council, 
declaring  he  would  lay  aside  the  use  he  had  hitherto  made  of  a 
single  Ministry,  and  his  resolution  to  chuse  a  new  Privy-council, 
whose  known  abilities,  interest,  and  esteem  in  the  nation,  should 
render  them  without  all  suspicion  of  either  mistaking,  or  betraying 
the  true  interest  of  the  kingdom,  the  Lord  Chief-Justice  North  fe 
was  in  that  Right  Honourable  list. 

Upon  the  death  of  the  Earl  of  Nottingham,  his  Majesty,1  on 

h  H:st.  of  Engl.  Vol.  III.  p.  309.  *  Ibid.  p.  329. 

*  Ibid.  p.  363.  1  Wood's  Athena:  Oxon,  p.  540. 


472  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

December  20th,  1082,  committed  the  custody  of  the  Great  Seal 
to  him,  with  the  title  of  Lord  Keeper  of  the  Great  Seal  of  Eng- 
land; and  two  days  after,  his  Lordship  was  sworn  at  the  Council- 
board,  and  took  his  place  as  Lord-Keeper.  Likewise  his  Majesty,1" 
as  a  mark  of  the  gracious  esteem  he  had  for  the  great  and  faithful 
Services,  which  the  Right  Honourable  Sir  Francis  North,  Lord- 
Keeper  of  the  Great  Seal  of  England,  had  rendered  the  Crown, 
created  him  a  Baron  of  this  kingdom,  by  the  name  and  style  of 
Lord  Guilford,  Baron  of  Guilford,  in  the  county  of  Surrey, n 
by  letters  patent  bearing  date  September  27 th,  1683. 

On  the  accession  of  King  James  to  the  throne,  his  Lordship 
was  continued  Lord-Keeper  of  the  Great  Seal  j  and,  on  his  coro- 
nation, was  one  of  the  Commissioners  to  determine  the  °  claims 
of  such,  who,  in  regard  to  divers  tenures,  exhibited  their  petitions 
to  perform  several  services  on  the  coronation-day,  by  ancient 
customs  and  usages  of  the  realm :  in  which  year  his  Lordship 
departed  this  life,  viz.  on  v  Saturday,  September  5th,  at  his  seat 
at  Wroxton,  near  Banbury,  in  Oxfordshire,  and  *  was  buried  in  a 
vault  under  part  of  the  church  there,  among  the  ancestors  of  his 
Lady,  Frances,  second  daughter  and  coheir  of  Thomas  Pope, 
Earl r  of  Down  j  which  Lady  died  in  the  year  1(5/8,  and  was  also 
buried  there. 

m  Hist,  of  Engl.  p.  407.  *  Bill,  signat.  35  Car.  II. 

*  Hist,  of  the  Coronation,  p.  8.  P  Hist,  of  Engl.  p.  439. 

9  Wood's  Fasti  Oxon,  p,  504. 

7  Wroxton  Priory,  founded  by  Michael  Belet  early  in  the  reign  of  Henry  III. 
for  Canons  Regular  of  St.  Augustin,  after  the  dissolution,  falling  into  the  hands 
of  Sir  Thomas  Pope,  the  founder  of  Trinity  College,  Oxford,  was  given  (part  of 
it  at  least),  to  the  endowment  of  that  society.  But  his  brother,  John  Pope,  had 
a  seat  at  that  place  at  least  as  early  as  the  reign  of  Edward  VI. }  and  in  1557,  their 
mother,  who  is  supposed  to  have  lived  with  this  son  here,  was  buried  in  this 
church.*  Their  father,  William  Pope,  ofDedington,  Gent,  died  in  1523,  and 
seerns  to  have  lived  in  a  decent  and  creditable  condition,  though  undoubtedly  his 
Son,  Sir  Thomas  (who  was  born  at  Dedington  in  1508,  and  died  in  January 
J559)>t  w-*s  the  maker  of  his  own  large  fortune,  and  most  probably  of  his  bro- 
ther John's. 

John  Pope,  of  Wroxton,  died  there  1583.     By  his  first  wife,  Anne  Staveley, 


*  Warton's  Life  of  Sir  T.  Pope,  p.  4.  ?nd  406. 
•p  His  seat  was  at  Tittenhanger,  in  Hertfordshire,  which  came  after  his  wife's 
death,  to  her  family,  the  Blounts,  who  were  also  descended  through  the  Love? 
from  Sir  Thomas's  sister.  The  present  mansion  there  was  built  by  Sir  Henry 
Blount,  the  Traveller,  and  belongs  to  the  present  Eari  of  Kardwicke,  to  whom  if 
came  from  his  mother,  who  had  it  by  maternal  descent  from  the  BJounts, 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  473 

The  following  epitome  of  his  Life  and  Character  is  taken  from 
the  Topographical  Miscellanies,  1791*  "  He  was  born  about 
1640,  and  being  bred  to  the  Bar,  after  a  liberal  education  at 

of  Bygnell,  in  this  county,  he  h?d  a  daughter  married  to  Edward  Blount,  of  Bur- 
ton on  Trent,  co.  Staff,  in  1573  (probably  nephew  of  Sir  Thomas  Pope's  wife), 
and  by  his  second  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Brockett,  of  Brockett-hall,  in  Hert- 
fordshire, had  three  sons,  of  whom  two  died  young,  and  six  daughters.  By  his 
third  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  Edmund  Wyndham,  of  Somersetshire,  he  had  no 
issue,* 

Sir  William  Pope,  his  only  surviving  son,  was  bom  at  Wroxton  in  1^73,  a 
student  of  Gray's  Inn  1594;  made  Knight  of  the  Bath  at  St.  James's  1603; 
and  a  Baronet  May  22d,  161  r,  being  then  styled  of  Wilcote,  where  he  had  an 
house.  In  1629,  he  was  created  Baron  of  Bellturbet,  and  Earl  of  Downe,  in  Ire- 
land, and  died  July  2d,  1631,  at  Wroxton,  in  which  church  he  was  buried,  on 
the  north  side  of  the  altar,  under  an  alabaster  monument,  of  elegant  and  costly 
workmanship,  on  which  are  the  recumbent  figures  of  himself  and  wife,  large  as 
life.  This  monument  was  made  by  the  famous  Nicholas  Stone.  He  built  from 
the  ground  the  present  mansion  at  Wroxton,  which  he  finished  in  itfi8  (besides 
having  built  another  large  seat  at  Coggs,  in  this  reign).  He  married  in  159.S, 
Anne,  daughter  of  Sir  Owen  Hopton, -j-  Lieutenant  of  the  Tower  of  London,  relict 


*  Warton,  ut  supr,  409. 

•j-  His  other  daughter,  Mary,  married  William  fourth  Lord  Chandoi.  The 
present  Earl  of  Guilford  is  descended  through  the  Popes,  and  Brownlows,  from 
both  these  daughters.  Sir  Owen  Hopton,  Lieutenant  of  the  Tower,  born  1533 
(whose  seat,  I  believe,  was  at  Wytham,  in  Somersetshire,  of  which  county  Ar- 
thur Hopton,  of  Wytham,  was  sheriff,  25  Eliz.)  had  issue  as  well  as  the  above 
Anne,  Countess  of  Downe,  Mary,  wife  of  William,  fourth  Lord  Chandos,  and 
Sir  Arthur  Hopton,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  who,  by  Rachel,  daughter  of  Edmund 
Hall,  of  Gretford,  in  Lincolnshire,  had  Arthur  Hopton,  his  fifth  son,  born  about 
3595,  at  Wytham,  who  was  a  learned  man,  and  Author  of  the  Concordance  of 
Years,  and  died  16 14.  (See  Wood's  Atli.  I.  39$.)  I  conceive  also  that  his  first 
son-was  Robert  Hopton,  of  Wytham,  father  of  Ralph,  created  Lord  Hopton,  of 
Stratton,  19  Char.  I.  who  died  1652,  without  issue, — Dugd,  Bar.  II.  469. 

Jane,  Lady  Finett,  granddaughter  of  Sir  Owen  Hopton,  was  wife  of  Sir  John 
Finett,  of  Soulton,  in  the  parish  of  Westcliffe,  near  Dover,  in  Kenr,  Master  of 
the  Ceremonies  to  Charles  I.  who  was  a  person  of  some  celebrity.  .  He  was  son 
and  heir  of  Robert  Finett,  of  Soulton  (grandson  of  John  Finett,  of  Siena,  in  Italy, 
who  came  into  England  with  Cardinal  Campegius,  10  Henry  VIII.  by  the 
daughter  of  Mantell,  Maid  of  Honour  to  Queen  Katharine),  which  Robert  had 
issue  by  Joan,  daughter  and  coheir  of  John  Wenleck,  besides  Sir  John,  two 
other  sons,  Richard  and  Thomas ;  and  a  daughter,  Joan,  Maid  of  Honour  to  the 
Q^'een,  who  married  Thomas  Foche,  of  Wootton  (who  had  issue  by  her,  who 
died  1 6 16,  Thomas  Foche,  of  Wootton,  who  married  Elizabeth  Gibbon,  of  West- 
cliffe, and  died  1687),     Ex  M.S. pedigr, penes  meipsum. 

Sir  John  Finett  was  bred  in  the  Court,  where,  by  his  wit,  innocent  mirth,  and 
great  skill  in  composing  songs,  he  was  a.  high  favourite  of  James  I,  •  He  was 


474  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Cambridge,  rose  by  the  union  of  great  abilities,,  and  uncommon 
application,  through  every  gradation  of  practice,  10  the  highest 
offices  of  the  law,  and  yet  found  time  to  accomplish  himself  in 

of  Henry  Lord  Wentworth,'of  Nettlested),  and  by  her  bad  two  sons,  and  a  daugh- 
ter, who  died  unmarried. 

'  Sir  Wiil:am  Pope  (eldest  son),  was  born  at  Wroxton  1596,  and  knighted  at 
Woodstock  1616.  He  lived  at  Coggs,  and  died  in  his  father's  lifetime  in  162.4., 
leaving  issue  by  Elizabeth  his  wife,  eldest  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Watson,  of 
Halstead,  in  Kent.  Knt.  (who  remarried  Sir  Thomas  Pennystone,  of  Cornwell, 
in  Oxfordshire,  Bart.)  three  sons,  and  two  daughters.  That  the  two  younger 
sons,  of  whom,  John  was  born  in  1623,  and  William,  in  1G24-5,  both  atCoggs, 
died  without  legitimate  issue  male,  is  demonstrable,  for  their  elder  brother  was 
succeeded  in  the  honours  by  his  uncle.* 

Thomas  Pope  (the  eldest  son),  who  succeeded  his  grandfather,  as  second  Earl 
of  Downe,  was  born  at  Cogges  1622,  and  was  an  active  loyalist  in  the  subsequent 
troubles;  by  which  he  suffered  so  severely  in  his  estates,  as  to  be  obliged  to  sell 
his  house  at  Cogges,  and  being  necessitated  to  leave  the  kingdom,  took  the  op- 
portunity ctf  improving  himself  by  travel.  Upon  the  restoration  he  returned 
home,  but  survived  it  but  a  few  months,  dying  at  Oxford,  December  28th,  1660, 
at  the  early  age  of  thirty-eight  ;  leaving  by  his  wife,  Lucy,  daughter  of  John 
Dutton,  Esq.  of  Sherborne,  co.  Glouc.  (who  was  buried  atCoberley),  a  daughter 
and  heir,  married  to  Sir  Henry  Lee,  of  Ditchley. 

He  was  succeeded  by  his  uncle,  Sir  Thomas  Pope,  who  became  third  Earl  of 
Downe.  He  was  born  at.  Wroxton  1598,  and  was  then  therefore  sixty-two  years 
old.  He  had  been  knighted  at  Woodstock  in  1625,  an(*  had  married  in  1636, 
Beata,  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  Poole,  of  Saperton,  in  Gloucestershire.  He  enjoyed 
the  honours  seven  years,  and  dying  January  nth,  1667,  was  buried  at  Wroxton. 
He  was  father  of  five  daughters;  Elenor  (who  died  an  infant);  Anne,  Beata, 
Frances,  and  Finetta;  and  three  sons;  of  whom,  the  first,  Henry,  died  an  infant  ; 
and  the  second  a  student  at  Oxford;   and  the  eldest  son, 

Thomas,  became  fourth  Earl  of  Downe,  but  enjoyed  the  honour  only  a  few 
months;  dying  May  18th,  1668,  and  being  buried  at  Wroxton.  Here  the  male 
line  and  honours  of  the  noble  family  of  Pope  ended,  and  the  sisters  became 
coheirs,  f 


sent  into  France  in  1614,  about  public  concerns,  and  the  year  after,  knighted; 
in  1626,  on  the  death  of  Sir  Lewis  Lewknor,  to  whom  he  had  been  assistant,  he 
was  appointed  Master  of  the  ceremonies ;  concerning  which  he  was  Author  of 
a  curious  and  scarce  book,  entitled  Fineti  Philoxenes,  published  after  his  death, 
1656,  is  well  as  a  translation  from  the  French,  concerning  the  beginning,  confix 
nuance,  and  decay  of  estates,  1606.  He  died  July  12th,  1641,  aged  seventy,  and 
was  buried  in  the  church  of  St.  Martin's  in  the  Fields,-  London,  near  Jane  his 
wife,  daughter  (as  has  been  mentioned),  of  Henry  Lord  Wentworth,  of  Nettle- 
sted.    See  Wood's  Fasti.  I.  270.     Warton's  Sir  T.  Pope,  411,  412. 

*  Yet  Mr.  Warton  inadvertently  puts  the  supposition  of  one  of  them  being 
grandfather  of  Alexander  Pope,  the  Poet. 

f  Warton,  ut  supr.  425, 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  47$ 

all  the  liberal  arts  and  sciences.  He  was  a  master  of  languages, 
skilled  in  music  and  painting,  and  delighted  with  most  parts  of 
philosophy.  At  the  time  of  his  marriage  with  Lady  Frances  Pope 
he  was  Solicitor  General.  This  match  was  produced  by  that  of 
her  sister  with  Mr.  Soame,  whose  seat,  at  Thurlowe,  was  about 
four  miles  from  his  father's  at  Catlage.  For  on  that  event,  r*  the 
grave  Countess  of  Downe,  as  the  custom  was,  attended  the  new 
married  couple  to  their  habitation,  and  made  some  stay  there, 
during  which  time  the  visits  of  joy  came  in ;  and  amongst  the 
rest,  the  family  from  Catlage  made  their  appearance  j  and  the 
Countess,  and  her  daughters,  in  due  time  made  their  return, 
which  happened  to  be  when  Sir  Francis  North  was  there.  His 
mother  laid  her  eyes  upon  the  eldest  unmarried  daughter,  and 
when  they  were  gone,  turned  about,  and  said,  Upon  my  life  this 
Lady  would  make  a  good  wife  for  my  son  Frank.  In  short,  at  the 
next  visit,  by  the  consent  of  her  son,  she  moved  it  to  the  Coun- 
tess, who  consented  that  Sir  Francis  might  make  his  advances.* 
Her  fortune  was  then  14,0001.  The  marriage  was  concluded, 
and  there  were  great  feastings  and  jollities  in  the  neighbourhood. 
e(  It  was  a  Cavalier  country,  and  the  Popes  eminent  sufferers  for 
their  loyalty  in  the  late  wars ;  and  his  Lordship  having  the  like 
character,  and  being  known  to  be  an  obliging,  as  well  as  a  flou- 
rishing  loyalist,  there  was  scarce  a  family  which  did  not  shew  aU 
respect  imaginable  to  the  new  married  folks,  by  visits,  invitations, 
and  festival  rejoicings.  So  that  it  was  about  three  weeks  before 
Sir  Francis  could  clear  himself  of  these  well-intended  importuni- 
ties."1 But  after  he  had  .enjoyed  all  possible  happiness  with  his 
wife  for  about  three  years,  it  was  not  a  little  curtailed  by  the  bit- 
terness poured  into  his  cup  by  her  sickness,  which  began  about 
1674,  and  at  last  brought  her  to  her  grave.  He  took  a  house  for 
her  at  Hammersmith,  for  the  advantage  of  better  air,  but  at 

Anne,  born  1637,  married  Sir  Edward  Boughton,  of  Lawford,  in  Warwickshire, 
Bart,  but  died  without  issue.* 

Beata,  born  1639,  married,  1668,  William  Soames,  Esq.  of  Thurlowe,  in  Suf- 
folk, who  was  afterwards  created  a  Baronet,  but  died  without  issue. -f- 
*  Frances,  born  1647,  married  March  $th,  1671,  Sir  Francis  North,  afterwards 
Lord-Keeper,.  &c. 

Finetta,  married,  May  4th,  1674,  Robert  Hyde,  Esq.  son  of  Alexander  Hyde> 
Bishop  of  Salisbury. 

■  Roger  North's  Life,  p.  80.  *  Ibid.  p.  81. 

*  Kimb.  Bar.  I.  39$.  f  Ibid.  II.  480. 


A76  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

length  the  distemper  proceeded  from  bad  to  worse,  and  he  went 
down  with  her  to  Wroxton ;  it  was  then  evident  she  could  not 
last  for  many  weeks  $  and  not  long  after,  during  his  absence  in 
London,  a  blood-vessel  broke  in  a  fit  of  coughing,  and  carried  her 
off,  November  15th,  16/8,  set.  31,  leaving  three  children.1  He 
was  then  Chief-Justice  of  the  Common-Pleas  (to  wiiich  he  had 
been  appointed  in  1674),  and  survived  her  about  six  years.  In 
1082,,  on  the  death  of  Lord  Nottingham,  he  was  appointed 
Lord  Keeper ;  and  in  1683,  created  a  Peer,  by  the  title  of 
Baron  of  Guilford,  in  Surrey.  But  uneasiness  consumed  his 
days  and  nights ;  his  steady  loyalty  to  the  crown  (which  has 
induced  a  herd  of  party-writers  to  blacken  his  character),  yet 
his  firm  disapprobation  of  the  many  unprincipled  men  and  mea- 
sures of  those  days,  and  a  surly  integrity  that  unfitted  him  for 
the  looseness  of  the  Court,  contributed  to  render  his  situation 
so  unhappy,  that  he  told  several  of  his  friends  he  had  not  enjoyed 
one  easy  and  contented  minute  since  he  had  the  Seal."  At  length 
Charles  II.  died,  and  affairs  became  more  critical  than  ever.  The 
cares  of  that  time,  to  a  man  of  his  integrity,  in  such  a  situation, 
and  the  affronts  put  upon  him  by  designing  and  ambitious  people, 
really  seemed  to  have  broke  his  heart.*  He  fell  desperately  ill, 
and  afterwards  a  little  recovered,  but  grew  worse  again,  and 
seemed  to  have  no  way  left,  but  to  repair  to  Wroxton,  and  drink 
the  waters  of  the  neighbouring  wells  of  Astrop,  which  it  was 
hoped  would  cleanse  his  blood,  and  restore  his  decayed  spirits.  60 
the  Lord-Keeper,  with  the  great  Seal,  and  all  his  officers,  removed 
thither ;  and  the  house  was  filled  also  with  his  own  family,  who 
loved  and  respected  him.  The  gentlemen  of  the  county  were 
very  humane  and  obliging,  for  they  all  came  and  dined  with  him, 
and  with  deference  to  his  ease  invited  him  j  but  he  could  go  no 
where.  Every  kind  of  amusement  was  attempted  to  divert  his 
mind.  "  Our  course  was  in  the  morning  (says  his  brother,  Ro- 
ger North),  to  attend  his  Lordship  in  his  chamber  with  merry 
entertainment,  while  he  was  drinking  the  waters,  and  then  being 
up,  we  that  took  the  post  of  being  his  architects,  fell  to  measur- 
ing, mapping,  and  debating  about  our  projects  concerning  his 
gardens,  buildings,  and  plantations.  It  was  very  observable,  that 
our  proceedings  discovered  plainly  when  his  Lordship  thought 
well  of  himself,  and  when  not,  for,  if  he  was  in  good  heart,  and 

\  Roger  North's  Life,  p.  13.  u  Roger  North,  ut  jsupr.  p.  193, 

*  Ibid,  p,  ;6i. 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  477 


thought  he  might  recover,  then  he' observed  us  narrowly,  and 
would  put  in  his  oar,  and  like  or  dislike,  joining  very  much  in 
altercation  among  us,  as  if  he  were  a  party  concerned.  But  if  he 
thought  he  could  not  get  off,  then  he  left  us  to  ourselves,  and 
made  no  inquiry,  or  question  at  all  upon  what  we  were  doin°-, 
and  scarce  would  give  attention,  when  we  shewed  him  our 
draughts.  I  remember  1  had  laid  out  the  plantation  of  his  avenue, 
which  was  a  wretched  position;  for  the  entrance  was  at  one  cor- 
ner, and  not  in  the  straight.  I  had  shaped  a  demi-lune  before 
the  court-gate,  and  at  the  further  end  a  whole  sweep,  with  rows 
detached  from  that  to  the  entrance.  He  put  out  the  whole  sweep, 
and  ordered  the  rows  of  trees  to  be  refracted  that  way.  At  which 
I  was  very  angry ;  and  declared,  that  no  architect  was  ever  s,o 
used  as  I  was.  This  pleased  him  much;  and  he  very  often  made 
a  jest  to  his  company  of  this  rant  of  his  architect.  These  were 
harmless  amusements,  and  beneficial  to  him  as  much  as  any  thino* 
might  be. — Thus  the  heavy  time,  day  after  day,  was  got  off. 
Oh  !  what  a  difference  between  his  own  family,  friends,  and  re- 
lations, and  the  Court !" 

After  dinner  the  coaches  were  usually  got  ready,  and  he  used 
to  go,  with  his  nearest  relations,  to  Edgehill  (whence  there  is  a 
glorious  prospect),  to  take  the  air ;  but  he  seldom  seemed  to  enjoy 
it  much.y 

There  were  chaplains  in  the  house,  and  constant  prayers  in  a 
small  chapel,  morning  and  evening,  for  the  family,  as  ought  to 
be  in  every  great  man's  house ;  and  after  he  was  confined  to  his 
room,  service  was  performed  in  his  chamber,8  and  at  length  he 
received  the  sacrament,  being  not  likely  to  live  many  hours. z — 
Death  approached,  and  he  began  to  agonize  ;  and  then,  after 
some  stiuggles,  laid  himself  down  with  patience  and  resignation 
for  good  and  all,  and  expired  in  September  l6S5.z 

It  had  been  usual  for  writs  to  bear  Test  where  the  Lord  Keeper 
resided;  but  his  Lordship  thinking  it  a  mere  vanity,  would  suffer 
none  to  bear  Test  apud  Wroxton, 

But  for  a  full  character  of  the  many  virtues  of  this  great  man, 
I  must  refer  to  the  ample  and  excellent  life,  written  by  his  bro- 
ther, Roger  North,  from  which  I  have  borrowed  so  much  of  this 
account." 

His  Lordship  had  issue,  by  Lady  Frances  Pope,  three  sons. 
1,  Francis,  his  successor. 

X  Roger  North,  ut  supr.  p.  366.  *  Ibid,  pt  »67— 261. 


478  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

2.  Charles,  who  served  in  several  Parliaments  for  Banbury,  and 
died  unmarried. 

And,  3.  Pope,  who  died  an  infant. 

Also  two  daughters  5  Anne,  who  died  unmarried  5  and  Frances> 
wj^o  died  an  infant. 

His  eldest  son  Francis,  who  now  became  second  Lord  Guil- 
ford, was  at  this  time  about  ten  years  old,  being  born  December 
14th,  1673 ;  and  his  guardianship,  as  well  as  that  of  the  other 
children,  was  committed  to  the  care  of  the  uncles,   who  had 
also  the  trust  of  the  estates,  which  were  those  of  the  Popes,  some 
that  the  late  Lord  had  purchased  in  Essex,  and  in  money  about 
30,0001.  to  be  laid  out  in  land.a    Their  uncles  (Sir  Dudley  and 
Roger),  during  the  time  their  nephew  was  abroad  on  his  travels, 
sometimes  spent  their  summers  at  Wroxton.     Here  their  jway  of 
life  was  singular  j  they  entertained  themselves  with  all  sorts  of 
tnanual  exercises :  they  formed  a  laboratory,  in  which  they  worked 
of  mornings,  and  made  themselves  as  black  as  tinkers  j  and  of 
afternoons,  as  the  cleaner  exercise,  became  carpenters,  turners^ 
planners,  and  measurers.     Roger  had  been  in  full  practice  at  the 
Bar,  and  Sir  Dudley  had  undergone  a  variety  of  scenes  as  a  rich 
and  successful  merchant  in  Turkey.     u  Yet  (says  Roger  of  the 
other),  here  for  many  afternoons  together  he  hath  sat,  perhaps, 
scraping  a  stick,  or  turning  a  piece  of  wood,  all  the  while  singing 
like  a  cobler,  incomparably  better  pleased  than  he  had  been  in  all 
the  stages  of  his  life  before.     And  it  is  a  mortifying  speculation, 
that  of  the  different  characters  of  this  man's  enjoyments,  separated 
one  from  the  other,  and  exposed  to  an  indifferent  choice,  there  is 
scarce  any  one,  but  this  I  have  here  described,  worth  taking  up. 
And  yet  the  slavery  of  our  nature  is  such,  that  this  must  be  de- 
spised, and  all  the  rest,  with  the  attendant  evils  of  vexations, 
disappointments,  dangers,  loss  of  health,  disgraces,  envy,  and 
what  not  of  torment,  be  admitted.    It  was  well  said  of  the  philo- 
sopher to  Pyrrhus :    What  follows  after  all  your  victories.     To  sit 
down,  and  make  merry.     And  cannot  you  do  so  now?" 

His  Lordship  had  his  education  \f\  Trinity-  College,  in  Oxford,b 
and  was  created  Master  of  Arts,  on  December  11th,  169O.  On 
November0  30th,  1694,  his  Lordship  took  his  place  in  the  House 
of  Peers 5  and  on  February  25th,  1 694-5,  married  Elizabeth,  third 
daughter  of  Fulk  Grevil,  Lord  Brook,  who  died  in  child-bed  in 

a  Roger  North's  Life  of  Sir  Dudley  North,  p.  182. 
b  Wood's  Fasti  Oxon.  p.  904.  c  Journal  Dom.  Proceer. 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  479 

November  1699,  and  was  buried  the  18th  of  the  same  month; 
leaving  no  issue  surviving  her. 

His  Lordship  had  for  his  second  Lady,  Alice,  second  daughter 
and  coheir  of  Sir  John  Brownlow,  of  Belton,  in  the  county  of 
Lincoln,  Bart,  (by  the  coheir  of  George  Brydges,  Lord  Chandos), 
by  whom  he  had  issue  three  sons;  viz. 

1.  Francis,  first  Earl  of  Guilford. 

2.  Brownlow.     And,  3.  Peregrine,  who  died  infants. 
And  a  daughter,  Alice,  who  died  unmarried.. 

In  1702,  his  Lordship  was  constituted  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the 
county  of  Essex,  and  town  of  Colchester,  and  Custos  Rotulorum 
thereof ;  and  on  July  7th,  1712,  one  of  the  Lords  Commissioners 
for  Trade  and  the  Plantations.  Also,  in  July,  I714,d  was  consti- 
tuted First  Lord  Commissioner  for  Trade  and  the  Plantations ; 
and  was  one  of  her  Majesty's  most  Honourable  Privy-council, 
and  departing  this  life  on  October  17th,  1729,  was  buried  at 
Wroxton. 

Francis,  first  Earl  of  Guilford,  and  seventh  Lord 
North,  born  on  April  13th,  1704,  was  chosen  a  member  for  the 
borough  of  Banbury,  in  the  county  of  Oxford,  in  the  first  Parlia- 
ment called  by  George  II.  and,  after  succeeding  his  father,  was, 
in  October,  1730,  appointed  one  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Bed- 
chamber to  his  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales. 

On  October  31st,  1734,  he  succeeded  to  the  title  of  Lord 
North,  by  the  death  of  William,  Lord  North  and  Grey,  whose 
heir  he  was.  His  Lordship,  on  June  17th,  1750,  being  then  one 
of  the  Lords  of  the  Bed-chamber  to  his  Royal  Highness  Frederick 
Prince  of  Wales,  stood  proxy  at  the  baptism  of  his  Royal  High- 
ness's  fifth  son,  Prince  Frederick- William,  for  his  Serene  High- 
ness Prince  William  of  Saxe-Gotha  j  and  was  that  year  appointed 
Governor  to  the  present  King.  At  the  funeral  procession  of  the 
aforesaid  Frederick,  Prince  of  Wales,  on  April  13th,  1751,  his 
Lordship  attended  as  one  of  the  Lords  of  his  Bed-chamber:  and, 
in  consideration  of  his  Lordship's  eminent  services,  and  the  nobi- 
lity of  his  descent,  his  late  Majesty  was  pleased  to  advance  him 
to  the  dignity  of  an  Earl  of  Great  Britain,  by  the  style  and  title 
of e  Earl  of  Guilford,  by  letters  patent  bearing  date  April  8th, 
1752,  and,  on  December  29th,  1773,  his  Lordship  was  appointed 
Treasurer  and  Receiver  General  to  her  Majesty.     He  was  also 

*  Pointers  Chron.  Hist.  p.  484.  e  Pat.  25  George  II, 


480  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

High  Steward  of  Banbury,  and  one  of  the  Vice  Presidents  of  St. 
George's  Hospital. 

His  Lordship  died  at  a  very  advanced  age,  August  4th,  179O. 

His  Lordship  married,  on  June  l(5th,  172S,  Lady  Lucy,  daugh- 
ter of  George  Montagu,  late  Earl  of  Halifax,  by  whom  he  had 
issue  one  son, 

Frederick,  second  Earl ;  and  a  daughter,  Lucy,  who  died  an 
infant,  and  was  buried  at  Wroxton. 

Her  Ladyship  departing  this  life  on  May  7th,  1734,  was  buried 
at  Wroxton. 

In  January  1735-6,  he  married,  secondly,  Elizabeth,  relict  of 
George  Lord  Viscount  Lewisham,  eldest  son  of  William,  Earl  of 
Dartmouth,  and  only  daughter  of  Sir  Arthur  Kaye,  of  VVoodsome, 
in  the  county  of  York,  Bart.  And  by  her  Ladyship  (who  died 
on  Aprji  21st,  17-15),  had  issue, 

Lady  Louisa,  born  March  13th,  1737*  and  married,  on  October 
8th,  1761,  to  John  Peyto,  the  present  Lord  Willoughby  de  Broke. 
She  died  February  2d,  1798. 

Frances  and  Charlotte,  both  deceased. 

Augustus-Francis,  who  died  June  24th,  17-45,  and  was  buried 
at  Wroxton. 

Brownlow,  born  in  July,  1741,  who  having  entered  into  holy 
orders,  was  made  Canon  of  Christ  Church;  on  October  27th, 
3  770,  promoted  to  the  deanery  of  Canterbury;  was  elected  Bi- 
shop of  Litchfield  and  Coventry  in  June  1771,  and  translated  to 
the  see  of  Worcester  in  December  1774;  made  Bishop  of  Win- 
chester in  September  1/81.     He  married,  January  17th,  1771, 

Henrietta,  daughter  of Banister,  Esq.  and  by  her,  who 

died  November  19th,  l/()6,  he  has  issue,  1.  Henrietta,  born 
November  20th,  baptized  December  18th,  1 7/1,  married  June 
8th,  1797,  the  Rev.  William  Gamier,  A.M.  Prebendary  of  Win- 
chester, 2.  Francis,  born  December  17th,  1772,  baptized  Ja- 
nuary 15th,  1773,  married  Hesther,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  John 
Harrison,  of  Bighton,  Hants.  3.  Louisa  Anne,  born  March 
30th,  baptized  April  25th,  1 774,  married  August  12th,  1802, 
the  Hon.  and  Rev.  Thomas  De  Grey,  son  of  Lord  Walsingham, 
and  has  issue.  4.  Lucy,  born  April  25th,  baptized  May  3d, 
1775.      5.    Elizabeth,  born  October  2fjth,    baptized  November 

20th,  1776.    6.  Brownlow,  born 1778.   And,  7.  Charles, 

born  in  1785. 
His  Lordship  married,  thirdly,  on  June  13th,  1751,  Anne, 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  481 

retict  of  Lewis  Watson,  Earl  of  Rockingham,  and  daughter  and 
coheir  of  Sir  Robert  Furnese,  Bart,  of  Waldershare,  in  Kent/ 
Her  Ladyship  died  without  issue  December  17/6,  and  was  buried 
at  Wroxton. 

His  Lordship's  eldest  son,  Frederick,  second  Earl  op  Guil- 
ford, better  known  as  Lord  North,  wras  returned  Member  for 
Banbury,  at  the  general  elections  in  1754  and  1/6],  1768  and 
J 774,  1/SO  and  1784.  His  Lordship,  on  June  2d,  1759,  was 
declared  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  Treasury ;  on  August 
1/66,  his  Lordship  was  appointed  Joint-Receiver  and  Pay-Master 
of  the  Forces;  was  sworn  of  the  Privy-council,  December  3d* 
1766;  on  December  1st,  1767,  was  appointed  Chancellor  of  the 
Exchequer,  and  a  Lord  of  the  Treasury;  on  January  28th,  1770, 
was  constituted  first  Lord  Commissioner  of  the  Treasury; 
on  June  ]4tb,  1771,  w'as  appointed  Ranger  and  Warden  of 
Busbey  Park;  was  unanimously  chosen  Chancellor  of  the  univer- 
sity of  Oxford,  October  3d,  1772,  and  elected  Fellow  of  the  An- 
tiquarian Society,  February  29th,  1776;  at  a  Chapter  of  the  Gar- 
ter held  at  St.  James's,  June  1 8th,  1772,  his  Lordship  was  elected 
one  of  the  Knights  of  that  most  noble  Order. 

His  Lordship  was  likewise  Lord  Lieutenant  and  Custos  Rotu- 
lorum  of  the  county  of  Somerset,  Recorder  of  Gloucester  and 
Taunton,  one  of  the  Elder  Brethren  of  the  Trinity  house,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Foundling  Hospital  and  the  Asylum,  and  Governor  of 
the  Turkey  Company  and  Charter-house. 

"  Lord  North  (says  Adolphus),  commenced  his  education  at 
Eton,  and  completed  it  at  Oxford,  with  considerable  reputation 
for  his  proficiency  in  classical  literature.  His  elegant  taste  as  a 
scholar  was  eminent  through  a  life  fully  occupied  with  the  most 
momentous  public  concerns.  On  his  travels,  he  applied  with 
much  assiduity  to  the  acquisition  of  diplomatic  knowledge,  and 
studied  with  great  success  the  Germanic  constitution,  under  the 
celebrated  Mascove.  He  commenced  his  parliamentary  career  in 
J  754;  and  during  Mr.  Pitt's  administration  in  1759,  obtained  a 
seat  at  the  Treasury  Board.  He  was  removed  by  the  Rockingham 
ministry  in  17^5;  but  with  Lord  Chatham  came  again  into  office 
as  Joint-Paymaster  of  the  forces.  His  talents,  erudition,  and  ex- 
perience, eminently  qualified  him  for  the  important  situation  he 
was  now  called  upon  to  fill.  His  abilities  for  debate  were  uni- 
versally acknowledged,  and  had  been  advantageously  displayed  in 

f  By  her  he  acquired  the  noble  seat  of  Waldershare,  near  Dover,  and  a  large 
surrounding  estate  of  upwards  of  5000 1.  a  year. 
VOL.  JV.  •  2  1 


482  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

the  motions  against  Wilkes,,  and  in  the  discussions  on  India 
affairs."s 

In  March  1782,  his  Lordship  resigned  the  reins  of  Govern- 
ment, which  he  had  held  for  twelve  years. 

H  Such  (adds  Adolphus)  was  the  close  of  the  first  permanent 
administration  formed  during  the  reign  of  George  III.  From  the 
prime  minister  the  acts  of  government  took  their  character;  and 
in  speaking  of  him,  his  most  inveterate  opponents  never  accused 
his  warmest  friends  of  exaggeration.  Of  his  character  and  attain- 
ments when  he  was  raised  to  the  office  of  Chancellor  of  the  Ex* 
chequer,  mention  has  already  been  made 5  and  what  remains  for 
history  to  record,  has  been  in  a  great  degree  anticipated.  His 
eloquence  was  less  distinguished  by  peculiar  splendour  of  diction, 
than  by  suavity,  perspicuity,  and  arrangement.  The  impression 
of  his  harangues  was  aided  by  an  extraordinary  degree  of  candour, 
and  ingenuous  confidence;  which  were  known  to  be  unassumed, 
and  convinced  the  hearers  of  the  purity  of  his  motives,  even  though 
they  did  not  assent  to  the  propriety  of  his  measures.  His  temper 
was  seldom  ruffled;  and  though  reiterated  attacks  sometimes  ex- 
torted a  sarcastic  sally,  his  wit,  of  which  he  possessed  an  uncom- 
mon fecundity,  never  left  on  the  minds,  even  of  those  whom  he 
overwhelmed  with  ridicule,  a  sentiment  of  rancour.  His  honour 
was  unblemished,  his  integrity  unquestionable ;  and  in  a  long  and 
stormy,  and,  at  length,  an  unfortunate  administration,  he  had  many 
political  opponents,  almost  without  a  personal  enemy.  These 
estimable  qualities  were  supposed  to  be  counterbalanced  by  too 
great  a  facility  in  adopting  the  suggestions  of  others;  and  the 
absence  of  that  strictness,  or  severity,  which  is  often  necessary  to 
enforce  or  insure  exertion,  gave  the  appearance  of  procrastination, 
and  a  want  of  energy  seemed  to  pervade  the  other  departments  of 
administration. h" 

In  the  following  year,  the  celebrated  coalition  between  his 
Lordship,  and  his  former  virulent  opponent,  Mr.  Charles  Fox, 
took  place;  and  brought  an  odium  upon  both,  which  they  never 
entirely  recovered.  By  their  united  strength  they  soon  drove 
Lord  Shelburne  from  the  helm ;-  and  forced  themselves  once  more 
into  office.  On  April  20th,  1783,  the  Duke  of  Portland  was  de- 
clared First  Lord  of  the  Treasury;  and  Lord  North,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  Mr.  Fox,  was  contented  to  take  the  Seals  of  Secretary  of 

Z  Ado'phus's  George  III.  I.  326. 
J>  Adolphys's  Reign  of  George  III.  Vol.  III.  p.  473, 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  483 

State.  It  was  only  till  the  1 8th  of  December  that  they  held  their 
power;  when  Fox's  East  India  Bill,  opposed  by  the  mighty  elo- 
quence of  Pitt,  produced  their  dismissal. 

From  this  period  this  amiable  minister  returned  no  more  to 
power;  and  took  no  very  active  part  in  politics.  In  1700  he 
succeeded  his  father  in  the  Earldom  ;  but  survived  him  only  two 
years:  having  latterly  lost  his  sight  ;  and  passed  his  last  days  in 
the  calmness  and  endearments  of  domestic  privacy,  to  which  his 
ehearful  and  benign  temper  was  particularly  adapted. 

Dr.  Bisset  views  his  administration  in  the  same  light  as  Adol- 
phus. 

(i  Thus  ended  (says  Dr.  Bisset)  the  administration  of  Lord 
North,  of  which  the  greater  part  teemed  with  calamitous  events, 
beyond  any  of  the  same  duration  to  be  found  in  the  annals  of 
British  history.  A  war  with  so  great,  productive,  and  important 
part  of  our  community,  lost  thirteen  flourishing  and  powerful  co- 
lonies, the  promoters  of  private  and  public  wealth,  and  the  nou- 
rishers  of  national  force.  Hostilities,  whencesoever  they  arose, 
not  only  subtracted  from  us  such  constituents  of  strength,  but 
added  them  to  our  inveterate  enemies.  Year  after  year,  our  blood 
and  treasure  were  expended  to  no  purpose :  myriads  of  men  were 
killed;  hundreds  of  millions  were  lavished  without  obtaining  any 
valuable  object.  Temporary  gleams  of  partial  success  were  fol- 
lowed by  the  permanent  gloom  of  general  disaster.  Were  we  to 
judge  from  result  solely,  and  to  draw  a  conclusion  from  the  broad 
principle,  that  an  uniform  series  of  miscarriages,  in  the  natural 
course  of  human  affairs,  implies  a  great  portion  of  misconduct, 
our  estimate  of  this  administration  might  be  easily  formed;  but 
general  rules,  applied  to  the  appreciation  of  conduct,  often  require 
to  be  nicely  modified  according  to  the  circumstances.  I  trust  it 
has  appeared  to  the  impartial  reader,  that  the  chief  minister  pos- 
sessed very  considerable  talents  and  fair  intentions,  though  min- 
gled with  defects,  and  acting  in  such  emergencies  as  precluded 
beneficial  exertions  and  consequences.  But  however  erroneous 
and  hurtful  the  series  of  measures  was  during  this  administration, 
far  is  the  blame  from  being  confined  to  ministers.  It  indeed  be- 
longs chiefly  to  parliament,  which  by  its  approbation  sanctioned 
their  acts,  and  to  the  people  themselves,  of  whom  the  greater 
part  was  eager  for  commencing  and  continuing  the  war.  When 
the  nation  censures  his  burdensome  and  disastrous  war/  they  must 
remember  that  it  originated  in  themselves." 

I  Bisset's  George  III.  Vol.  III.  p.  331. 


484  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND, 

The  following  compliment  by  the  elegant  pen  of  Gibbon,  is  in 
the  Preface  to  his  seventh  volume,  Svo.  of  the  Decline  and  Fall  of 
the  Roman  Empire:  "  Were  I  ambitious  (says  he),  of  any  other 
patron  than  the  public,  I  would  inscribe  this  work  to  a  statesman, 
who,  in  a  long,  a  stormy,  and  at  length  an  unfortunate  admini- 
stration, had  many  political  opponents,  almost  without  a  personal 
enemy  j  who  has  retained,  in  his  fall  from  power,  many  faithful 
and  disinterested  friends  j  and  who,  under  the  pressure  of  severe 
infirmity,  enjoys  the  lively  vigour  of  his  mind,  and  the  felicity  of 
his  incomparable  temper.  Lord  North  will  permit  me  to  express 
the  feelings  of  friendship  in  the  language  of  truth :  but  even  truth 
and  friendship  should  be  silent,  if  he  still  dispensed  the  favours  of 
the  crown." 

This  amiable  minister  has  also  had  the  happiness  to  be  thus  re- 
corded in  the  beautiful  language  of  his  great  opponent,  Burke 
himself.  **  He  was  a  man  of  admirable  parts  j  of  general  know- 
ledge; of  a  versatile  understanding  fitted  for  every  sort  of  busi- 
ness; of  infinite  wit  and  pleasantry  3  of  a  delightful  temper,  and 
with  a  mind  most  disinterested.  But  it  would  be  only  to  degrade 
myself  by  a  weak  adulation,  and  not  to  honour  the  memory  of  a 
great  man,  to  deny  that  he  wanted  something  of  the  vigilance  and 
spirit  of  command  that  the  time  required. "k 

His  Lordship  died  August  5th,  1/92. 

On  March  10,  1/50,  his  Lordship  was  married  to  Anne,  daugh- 
ter and  coheir  of  George  Speke,  of  White  Lackington,  in  the 
county  of  Somerset,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had  issue. 

1.  George-Augustus,  the  third  Earl. 

2.  Francis,  the  present  Earl. 

.  3.  Catharine- Anne,  born  February  ]6th,  176O3  married  Sep- 
tember 27th,  1789,  to  the  Right  Hon.  Sylvester  Douglas,  Lord 
Glenbervie. 

4.  Anne,  born  January  8th,  1764;  married  January  22d,  1 798, 
John,  Lord  Sheffield. 

5.  Frederick,  born  February  7th,  1766,  late  Governor  of  the 
island  of  Ceylon. 

6*.  Charlotte,  born  December  177°}  married,  April  1800,  the 
Hon.  Lieutenant-colonel  John  Lindsay,  brother  to  Alexander  Earl 
of  Balcarras. 

7.  Dudley,  born  May  31st,  1777,  died  June  18th,  1779. 

\His  Lordship  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  George-Augustus, 

k  Letter  to  a  tjlobl*  Lord  on  the  Duke  of  Bedford's  Attack. 


EARL  OF  GUILFORD.  485 

the  third  Earl,  born  September  11th,  1757j  married,  Septem- 
ber 30th,  1785,  Maria,  daughter  of  George,  third  Earl  of  Buck- 
inghamshire, by  whom  (who  died  April  23d,  1794),  he  had 

Lady  Maria,1  born  December  26th,  1703. 

The  Earl  married,  secondly,  Susan,  daughter  of  Thomas  Coutts* 
Esq.  and  sister  to  the  Marchioness  of  Bute,  and  Lady  Burdett, 
and  has  issue, 

Lady  Susan !  and  Lady  Georgiana.1   * 

Dying  April  20th,  1802,  he  was  succeeded  by  his  brother, 

Francis,  fourth  Earl  of  Guilford. 

His  Lordship  was  born  December  25th,  1761,  and  is  a  Lieute* 
nant-colonel  in  the  army;  High  Steward  of  Banbury  5  and  Patent 
Comptroller  of  the  Customs. 

Titles.  Francis  North,  Earl  of  Guilford,  Lord  North  and 
Guilford. 

Creations.  Baron  of  Guilford,  by  letters-patent,  September 
27th,  1683,  35  Car.  jl.j  and  Earl  of  Guilford,  by  letters-patent, 
April  8th,  1752,  25  George  II. 

Arms.  Azure,  a  lion  passant,  Or,  between  three  Fleurs-de-lis, 
Argent. 

Crest.  On  a  wreath,  a  dragon's  head  erased,  Sable,  ducally 
gorged  and  chained,  Or. 

Supporters.  Two  dragons,  Sable,  ducally  gorged  and  chained, 
Or. 

Motto.     Animo  et  Fide.' 

Chief  Seat.  At  Wroxton-Abbey,  in  the  county  of  Oxford  (the 
old  seat  at  Catlage,  in  Cambridgeshire;  being  pulled  down) ;  and 
at  Waldershare,  in  Kent, 

1  Between  these  daughters  the  Barony  of  North,  being  a  barony  in  fee,  is  in 
abeyance.  t 


436  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


YORKE  EARL  OF  HARDWICKE. 

It  is  well  known,  that  this  family,  now  flourishing  in  honours 
and  estates,  owe  their  elevation  to  the  great  talents  and  integrity 
of  Lord  Chancellor  Hardwicke,  one  of  the  most  illustrious  orna- 
ments that  ever  sat  on  the  bench  of  British  Justice.  His  owri 
merit  justly  stands  in  the  place  of  an  host  of  ancestors.  It  has 
hitherto  therefore  been  deemed  sufficient  to  begin  the  pedigree 
with  this  great  man.  But  it  seems  something  like  defrauding  the 
dead  of  their  rights,  to  withhold  from  them  the  honour  of  hav- 
ing produced  so  eminent  a  descendant.  This  false  delicacy  has 
had  a  different  effect  from  that  which  was  intended.  It  has 
seemed  to  sanction  silly  rumours,  which  perhaps  it  was  designed 
to  suppress  by  a  contemptuous  silence.  The  family  of  this  cele- 
brated nobleman,  if  of  no  particular  lustre,  either  from  titles  or 
estates,  was  neither  mean,  insignificant  in  point  of  property,  nor 
unrespectable  in  alliances.  From  them  therefore,  if  he  borrowed 
no  splendour,  from  them  he  derived  no  disgrace. 

Simon  Yorke, a  of  Dover,  in  Kent,  merchant,  who  had  a  good 
landed  property,  died  February  3d,  1682,  aged  seventy-six  years, 
and  was  buried  in  the  church  of  St.  James,  Dover.b  By  Alice 
his  wife,  he  had  five  sons,  and  one  daughter.  One  of  these  sons 
was  the  father  of  Simon  Yorke,  Esq.  who  settled  at  Erthig,  in 
Denbighshire;  and  dying  July  28th,  1767,  left  issue  the  late 
Philip  Yorke,  of  Erthig,  Esq.  F.A.  S.  a  man  not  unknown  to 

*  He  is  said  to  have  been  born  at  Calne,  in  Wiltshire,  in  1606,  and  supposed 
to  have  come  from  the  North  of  England  j  and  to  have  been  a  branch  of  the 
Varices  of  Richmond,  in  Yorkshire. 

»  Gent.  Mag.  Vol.  L1X.  p.  7o«. 


EARL  OF  HARDWICKE.  487 

literature,  who  died  February  19th,  1804,  aet.  61,  having  married 
July  2d,  1770,  Elizabeth,  sister  to  the  late  Lord  Brownlow,  by 
whom  he  had  issue  Simon  Yorke,  late  M.  P.  for  Grantham,  &c. 

Philip  Yorke,  one  of  the  sons  of  Simon,  was  born  about  1651, 
and  practised  the  law  with  good  reputation  at  Dover.  He  mar- 
ried a  lady  of  a  family  of  ancient  extraction  in  that  county,  and 
at  that  time  well  allied,  and  of  very  considerable  property.  This 
was  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heir  of  Richard  Gibbon,  of  Dover/ 
Gent,  who  died  August  2d,  1679,  aged  fifty-two.  She  was  wi- 
dow of  her  cousin,  Edward  Gibbon,  Esq.d  eldest  son  (by  the 
second  wife),  of  Thomas  Gibbon,  Esq.  of  Westcliffe,  near  Dover. 
She  survived  till  October  17th,  1727,  aet.  69,  leaving  issue  by 
him,  who  died  June  18th,  1721,  set.  70,  one  son  and  two  daugh- 
ters -,  viz. 

1.  Philip. 

2.  wife  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Billingsly. 

3.  Mary,  wife  of  Charles  Valence  Jones,  Esq.     She  died  Oc- 

c  His  wife  was  Deborah  Stratfold,  who  survived  till  July  2d,  17 19,  aged 
eighty-©ne  j  so  that  she  lived  to  see  her  grandson  rising  into  fame,  he  having 
been  appointed  Solicitor  General  on  the  29th  of  March  following.  It  cannot  be 
exactly  ascertained  in  what  degree  of  relationship  this  Richard  Gibbon  stood  to 
the  Gibbons  of  Westcliffe,  with  which  family  his  daughter  first  married  5  though 
it  is  known  in  that  family  that  they  were  nearly  allied.  Probably  Richard  was  a 
son,  either  of  Matthew  Gibbon,  the  elder,  or  Matthew  Gibbon,  the  younger,  of 
Soulton,  in  Westcliffe.  The  Lord  Chancellor  always  quartered  the  Gibbon  arms  ; 
as  may  be  seen  in  the  Middle  Temple  Hall,  and  under  his  prints. 

d  She  had  been  second  wife  of  Edward  Gibbon,  whose  first  wife  was  Martha, 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Roberts,  Knt.  by  whom  he  had  Jane,  wife  of  John  Brydges 
of  Wootton,  Esq.  Barrister  at  Law.  Mrs.  Yorke  had  by  her  first  husband  a  son, 
who  dieth  a  youth.  As  from  this  family  of  Gibbon  descended  another  peison, 
whose  talents  and  literature  have  rendered  his  name  conspicuous  over  all  the  po- 
lished nations  of  Europe,  it  may  be  proper  to  mention  a  few  genealogical  particu- 
lars of  them.  Thomas  Gibbon,  of  Westcliffe,  near  Dover,  Esq.  born  1^90,  was 
grandson  of  another  Thomas,  who  purchased  the  manor  of  Westcliffe  of  Thomas 
Lord  Borough,  early  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  and  died  in  1596.  Tho- 
mas, the  grandson,  was  buried  at  Westcliffe,  November  19th,  1671,  at  the  age 
of  eighty-one.  He  had  three  wives  ;  Alice,  the  second,  was  sister  to  Dame  Jane 
Maynard,  wife  of  the  celebrated  lawyer,  Sir  John  Maynard,  who  afterwards,  at 
the  Revolution,  was  appointed  one  of  the  Lords  Commissioners  of  the  Great  SeaJ. 
Matthew  Gibbon,  born  1642,  one  of  the  younger  sons  by  this  second  wife,  was 
father  of  Edward  Gibbon,  Esq.  a  South-Sea  Director,  &c.  who  died  1736,  leaving 
issue  Edward  Gibbon,  of  Buriton,  in  Hants,  Esq.  who  died  November  10th, 
1770,  set.  64,  leaving  an  only  son,  the  late  celebrated  Edward  Gibbon,  Esq.  the 
Historian  of  the  Decline  and  Fall  of  the  Roman  Empire,  who  died  January  t6th, 
I7S>4-  - 


488  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

tober  6th,  I  /62,  act.  6J  5  having  had  issue  by  him,  who  died  Jul/ 
1st,  1727,  set.  38,  one  son,  and  two  daughters. 

Philip  Yorke,  the  son,  first  Earl  op  Haedwicke,  was 
born  at  Dover,  December  1st,  16QO.  Having  received  a  well- 
grounded  education  in  classical  learning,  in  which  he  is  reported 
to  have  attained  great  skill,  and  to  have  retained  his  tastec  through 
his  laborious,  and  fully-occupied  life,  he  was  early  designed  for 
the  profession  of  the  Bar,  which  was  deemed  not  inconsistent 
with  the  competent  landed  estate  to  which  he  was  heir.f  For  this 
purpose  he  was  first  put  under  the  instruction  of  an  eminent  Con- 
veyancer of  the  name  of  Salkeld;  and  at  the  same  time  was  en- 
tered of  the  Middle  Temple.*  Here  he  applied  himself  with  such 
assiduity  and  success  to  the  studies  of  his  profession,  that  he  was 
called  very  young  to  the  Bar ;  rose  immediately  into  practice, 
and  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-nine  years,  attained  the  office  of 
Solicitor  General. 

He  served  in  three  parliaments  whilst  a  Commoner:  first,  for 
the  borough  of  Lewes,  in  Sussex,  in  April  1 7 1 9 ;  and  in  the  two 
succeeding  Parliaments  for  Seaford.  On  March  23d,  1719-20, 
he  was  appointed  Solicitor-General ;  and  on  June  13th,  1720,  re- 
ceived the  honour  of  knighthood. 

On  January  31st,  1/23-4,  he  was  constituted  Attorney- Gene- 
ral, in  which  office  he  was  continued  by  his  late  Majesty,  till 
October  31st,  1733,  on  which  day  he  took  upon  him  the  degree 
of  a  Serjeant  at  Law;  and  by  writ  patent,  under  the  great  seal, 
bearing  teste  the  same  day,  his  Majesty  was  pleased  to  constitute 
him  Lord  Chief- Justice  of  the  Court  of  Kings- Bench,  and  to 
create  him  a  Baron  of  Great  Britain,  as  beforementioned,  by  let- 
ters patent,  dated,  at  Westminster,  November  23d  following,  by 
the  title  of  Lord,  Hardwicke. 

In  that  year  he  was  chosen  a  Governor  of  the  Charter-House. 

On  February  21st,  1736-7,  his  Majesty,  in  council,  delivered 
the  Great  Seal  to  his  Lordship,  whereupon  the  oath  of  Lord 

c  The  following  exquisite  epigram  is  by  tradition  ascribed  to  him,  as  written 
to  accompany  the  gift  of  an  hare. 

"  Mitto  tibi  leporem ;  gratos  mihi  mitte  lepores. 
SJ  mea  commendat  muriera  ;  vestra  sales." 
f  The  present  Earl  still  retains  two  large  farms  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Dover, 
which  were  derived  from  the  Chancellors  ancestors. 

£  It  is  a  family  tradition,  that  the  conduct  of  his  progress  to  the  Bar  was  un- 
der the  care  and  advice  of  Mr.  John  Brydges,  of  Gray's  Inn,  who  had  married  his 
n„ear  relation,  Jane  Gilbon. 


EARL  OF  HARDWICKE.  4$Q 

High  Chancellor  of  Great  Britain  was,  by  his  Majesty's  com- 
mand, administered  to  him,  and  his  Lordship  took  his  place  at 
the  board  accordingly. 

On  May  12th,  1740,  he  was  nominated  one  of  the  Lords  Jus- 
tices for  the  administration  of  the  government  during  his  Majesty's 
absence i  also  on  April  21st,  1743}  and  in  1/45.  In  1746,  he 
was  appointed  Lord  High-Steward  of  England,  for  the  trials  of 
the  Earls  of  Kilmarnock  and  Croraartie,  and  Lord  Balmerino ; 
and  in  1 747,  for  the  trial  of  Lord  Lovat.  In  1 748,  he  was  again 
one  of  the  Lords  Justices;  and  on  July  31st,  1749,  unanimously- 
chosen  High-Steward  of  the  university  of  Cambridge,  on  the  re- 
signation of  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  who  was  elected  Chancellor? 
and  the  year  after  was  again  one  of  the  Lords  Justices.  Also  on 
March  30th,  1752,  his  Lordship  was  appointed  one  of  the  Lords 
Justices  for  the  administration  of  the  government  whilst  the  King 
visited  his  German  dominions.  And  his  Majesty,  taking  into 
consideration  his  long  and  eminent  services,  was  pleased  to  ad- 
vance him  to  the  titles  of  h  Viscount  Royston,  and  Earl  of 
Hardwicke,  by  letters-patent,  bearing  date  April  2d,  1754. 

His  Lordship  departed  this  life,  in  the  seventy-fourth  year  of 
his  age,  at  his  house  in  Grosvenor-square,  London,  on  Tuesday, 
March  6th,  1764,  at  a  quarter  after  three  in  the  afternoon;  and, 
on  the  25th  of  that  month,  his  corpse  was  buried,  near  that  of  his 
Countess,  at  W.impole,  in  Cambridgeshire.     On  the  day  after  his 
death,  there  appeared  an  account  of  his  Lordship's  offices  and 
promotions  (already  taken  notice  of),  with  this  character:1  '  The 
reputation  with  which  he  filled  that  seat  of  judicature  [the  King's 
Bench],  could  only  be  equalled  by  that  with  which  he  afterwards 
discharged  the  office  of  Lord  High-Chancellor,  when  called  to  it 
on  the  decease  of  Lord  Talbot,  in  February,  1 736-7 '  and  it  is  no 
small  evidence  of  the  acknowledged  abilities  and  integrity,  with 
which  he  presided  in  the  Court  of  Chancery,  that,  during  the 
space  of  near  twenty  years,  in  which  he  sat  there,  a  period  longer 
than  that  of  any  of  his  predecessors,  since  Lord  Chancellor  Eger- 
ton,  only  three  of  his  decrees  were  appealed  from,  and  those  after- 
wards confirmed  by  the  House  of  Lords.     His  resignation  of  the 
Great  Seal,  in  November,  1756,  gave  an  universal  concern  to  the 
nation,  however  divided  at  that  time  in  other  respects;  but  he 
still  continued  to  serve  the  public  in  a  more  private  station,  with 
an  unimpaired  vigour  of  mind,  which  he  enjoyed  under  a  long 
and  severe  indisposition,- till  his  latest  moments. 

h  Bill.  Signat.  27  George  II.  i  Public  Advertiser,  No.  $►!$$. 


490  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND 

'  His  talents  as  a  speaker  in  the  senate,  as  well  as  oti  the" 
bench,  have  left  too  strong  an  impression  to  need  being  dilated 
upon  j  and  those,  as  a  writer,  were  such  as  might  be  expected 
from  one,  who  had  early  distinguished  himself  in  that  character 
in  The  Spectator.  His  private  virtues,  amiableness  6f  manners; 
and  extent  and  variety  of  knowledge,  were  as  much  esteemed  and 
admired,  by  those  who  had  the  honour  and  happiness  of  his  ac- 
quaintance, as  his  superior  abilities  were  by  the  nation  in  general. 
In  his  public  character,  wisdom,  experience,  probity,  temper; 
candour,  and  moderation,  were  so  happily  united,  that  his  death, 
in  the  then  situation  of  affairs,  was  reckoned  a  loss  to  his  country 
as  unseasonable  as  important.* 

His  Lordship,  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  besides  being  a  Privy- 
counsellor,  was  High  Steward  of  the  university  of  Cambridge, 
Fellow  of  the  Royal  Society,  Doctor  of  Laws,  one  of  the  Trustees 
of  the  British  Museum,  one  of  the  Governors  of  the  Charter- 
house, second  Vice-president  of  St.  George's  Hospital,  and  Re- 
corder of  Dover,  the  place  of  his  nativity. 

(<  This  great  lawyer  (says  Coxe),  who  sat  so  long,  and  with  so 
distinguished  a  character  for  integrity  and  knowledge,  at  the 
head  of  the  law,  had  raised  himself  solely  by  his  eminent  talents. 
— The  style  of  his  eloquence  was  more  adapted  to  the  House  of 
Lords,  than  the  House  of  Commons.  The  tone  of  his  voice  was 
pleasing  and  melodious  j  his  manner  was  placid  and  dignified. — 
Precision  o,f  arrangement,  closeness  of  argument,  fluency  of  ex- 
pression, elegance  of  diction,  great  knowledge  of  the  subject  on 
which  he  spoke,  were  his  particular  characteristics.  He  seldom 
rose  into  great  animation  j  his  chief  aim  was  more  to  convince 
than  amuse  j  to  appeal  to  the  judgment,  rather  than  the  feelings 
of  his  auditors,  tie  possessed  a  perfect  command  over  himself  j 
and  his  even  temper  was  never  ruffled  by  petulant  opposition,  or 
malignant  invective." 

His  Lordship  married  Margaret,k  one  of  the  daughters  of  Charles 
Cocks,  of  the  city  of  Worcester,  Esq.  and  Mary  his  wife,  eldest 
sister  of  John,  Lord  Somers,  Lord  High  Chancellor  of  England 
in  the  reign  of  King  William  III.  and  by  her  Ladyship,  who  died 
on  September  19th,  1761,  had  issue  five  sons,  and  two  daugh- 
ters. 

1.  Philip,  second  Earl  of  Hardwicke. 

2.  Charles,  of  Lincolris-Inn;  a  man  of  almost  equal  eminence 

k  She  was  then  a  wido.v.    See  Nash's  Worcestershire. 


EARL  OF  HARDWICKE.  4gi 

with  his  father,  whose  steps  he  followed  in  attaining  the  highest 
honours  of  his  profession  ;  but  of  him  hereafter,  as  father  to  the 
present  Earl. 

3.  Sir  Joseph,  Lord  Dover,  who  was  Captain  of  a  company  in 
the  first  regiment  of  foot  guards,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  and  Aid  de  Camp  to  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke,  at 
the  battle  of  Fontenoy,  May  1 1th,  1/45,  N.S.  On  March  ISth, 
1755,  he  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  9th  regiment  of  foot,  and 
afterwards  Colonel  of  the  5th,  or  Royal  Irish  regiment  of  dragoons. 
On  January  18th,  1758,  he  was  appointed  a  Major-General  j  on 
December  11th,  1/60,  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant- 
General;  and  on  August  29th,  1777,  to  that  of  General.  He 
accompanied  the  late  Earl  of  Albemarle  as  Secretary  of  embassy, 
when  his  Lordship  went  in  1749,  Ambassador  Extraordinary  to 
the  Court  of  France;  and,  being  Aid  de  Camp  to  his  late  Ma- 
jesty, he  was  in  September,  1751,  nominated  Minister  Plenipo- 
tentiary to  the  States- General;  in  which  character  he  resided 
generally  at  the  Hague,  until  the  present  King  was  pleased,  on 
August  4th,  1761,  to  constitute  him  Ambassador  Extraordinary 
and  Plenipotentiary  to  the  same  republic;  having  been,  on  April 
24th3  that  year,  appointed  one  of  the  three  Ministers  Plenipoten- 
tiary, on  the  part  of  his  Britannic  Majesty,  to  the  intended  Con- 
gress at  Augsburg,  for  a  general  pacification.  On  April  11th, 
1761,  he  was  elected  a  Knight  Companion  of  the  most  honour- 
able Order  of  the  Bath,  and  installed  on  May  26th  following ; 
sworn  of  his  Majesty's  most  Honourable  Privy-council  on  June, 
1768.  He  served  in  the  I  Oth  and  11th  Parliaments  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, for  East  Grinsted;  and  as  one  of  the  Barons  for  the  town 
and  port  of  Dover,  and  in  1774,  represented  the  borough  of 
Grampound,  in  Cornwall.  He  was  afterwards  a  Knight  of  the 
Bath,  General,  and  finally  Field-marshal  in  the  army,  Colonel  of 
the  first  regiment  of  life  guards.  He  continued  Envoy  Extraor- 
dinary and  Ambassador  at  the  Hague,  from  November  1751,  to 
to  December  25th,  1780.  He  married,  June  22d,  1783,  the 
dowager  Baroness  de  Boetzalaer,  widow  of  the  Baron  de  Boetza- 
laer,  first  noble  of  the  province  of  Holland,  and  was  created  a 
Peer  by  the  title  of  Baron  Dover,  September  1 1th,  1788,  but 
dying  without  issue,  December  2d,  1792,  the  title  became  extinct. 

4.  John,  who  was  Clerk  of  the  Crown,  for  life,  patentee  for 
making  out  commissions  of  Bankruptcy,  Member  of  Parliament 
for  Ryegate,  and  F.  R.  S.  He  died  in  January,  1769;  having 
married  Elizabeth,  only  daughter  of  Reginald  Lygon,  of  Madres- 


4gl  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

field,  in  Worcestershire,  Esq.  and  by  her,  who  died  July  17th, 
1766,  had  a  daughter,  Jemima,  born  on  June  1st,  1?63,  married 
November  18th,  1784,  the  Right  Hon.  Reginald  Pole  Carew,  and 
died  1804,  leaving  issue  by  him. 

5.  The  Reverend  and  Honourable  James  Yorke,  ordained  at 
Cambridge  in  April  1/54  j  and  soon  after,  on  a  vacancy,  made  a 
Prebend  of  Bristol,  and  Rector  of  Great  Horsley,  in  Essex.  He 
was,  in  July,  1756,  made  Canon  of  Windsor}  on  January  23d, 
3  762,  was  promoted  to  the  Deanry  of  Lincoln}  and  then  to  the 
Bishopric  of  St.  David's,  from  whence  he  was  translated  to  Glou- 
cester; and  thence,  in  1781,  to  Ely.  On  June  29th,  1762,  he 
wedded  Mary,  daughter  of  Dr.  Isaac  Maddox,  late  Bishop  of  Wor- 
cester, by  whom  he  had  issue,  Charles-Isaac,  born  May  14th, 
1764,  died  November  11th,  1791;  Joseph,  born  in  1705,  mar- 
ried, November  J  7th,  1800,  Catharine,  daughter  of  James  Cocks, 
Esq.  j  James,  born  July  27th,  1766;  and  Philip,  in  holy  orders, 
Prebendary  of  Ely,  born  in  March  1771*  married,  December 
*797 >  to  the  Honourable  Anna -Maria  Cocks,  youngest  daughter 
of  Charles,  first  Lord  Somers:  and  three  daughters  j  Margaret, 
born  June  11th,  17^3,  married,  May  10th,  1 788,  Thomas  Wad- 
dington,  D.  D.  Prebendary  of  Ely,  and  Rector  of  Northwold,  in 
Norfolk,  died  July  2d,  1800;  Mary,  born  October  11th,  1767, 
died  July  5th,  1795;  Elizabeth,  born  1772,  married,  February 
1798,  to  John  Buller,  Esq.  of  Morval,  Cornwall.  The  Bishop 
died  1808. 

His  Lordship's  two  daughters  were,  Lady  Elizabeth,  who  was 
married  to  George  Lord  Anson,  and  died  on  June  1st,  1760,  and 
Lady  Margaret,  for  whom  is  an  elegant  marble  monument  in 
Normanton  Church,  Rutlandshire.  She  married  Sir  Gilbert  Heath- 
cote,  Bart,  on  June  22d,  174Q,  and  died  in  childbed,  August  19th, 
176*9. 

Philip,  his  eldest  son,  second  Earl  of  Hardwicke,  on  De- 
cember 14th,  1738,  was  appointed  one  of  the  Tellers  of  the  Ex- 
chequer, 

On  May  22d,  1740,  he  was  married  to  the  Lady  Jemima 
Campbell,  only  daughter  of  John,  Earl  of  Breadalbin,  by  the 
Lady  Amabel  Grey,  eldest  daughter  and  coheir  of  Henry  de  Grey, 
late  Duke  of  Kent,  by  whom  he  had  two  daughters, 

Lady  Amabel,  born  on  January  22d,  1750-1,  and  married  July 
1  (5th,  1772,  to  Alexander  Hume  Campbell  (eldest  son  to  the  late 
Earl  of  Marchmont),  created  Lord  Hume  of  Berwick,  who  died 
S.P.  in  February,  1781. 


EARL  OF  HARDWICKE.  4g3. 

2.  Lady  Jemima,  born  on  February  9th,  1756,  married,  Au- 
gust 17th,  J  780,  Thomas,  second  Lord  Grantham,  by  whom  she 
had  the  present  Lord  G. 

Their  mother,  by  descent  from  his  Grace  the  said  Duke  of 
Kent,  was  Baroness  Lucas,  of  CrudweU,  and  Marchioness  de 
Grey. 

His  Lordship  was  returned  a  Member  for  Ryegate,  in  the  Par- 
liament summoned  to  meet  on  June  25th,  1741 5  as  also  in  the 
succeeding  Parliament,  which  sat  first  on  business  November  12th, 
17473  but,  being  then  chosen  for  Cambridgeshire,  he  made  his 
election  for  that  county,  and  continued  to  serve  for  the  same  till 
he  succeeded  to  the  peerage  on  the  death  of  his  father,  on  March 
6th,  1764.  Having  been  present  at  Cambridge,  at  the  instalment 
of  his  Grace  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  Chancellor  of  the  Univer- 
sity, he,  on  Monday  after,  July  3d,  1749,  was  admitted  to  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws.  His  Lordship  was,  on  December  17th, 
1760,  sworn  of  his  present  Majesty's  Privy-council,  and  took  his 
place  at  the  Board  accordingly.  He  was  also  Lord  Lieutenant 
and  Custos  Rotulorum  of  Cambridgeshire,  High  Steward  of  the 
university  of  Cambridge,  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Society,  and  one  of 
the  Trustees  of  the  British  Museum. 

Mr.  Adolphus  has,  in  the  British  Cabinet,  accompanied  the 
portrait  of  his  Lordship  with  the  following  memoir: 

"  He  received  his  education  at  Bennet  College,  Cambridge, 
under  the  care  of  Dr.  Salter,  afterwards  Master  of  the  Charter 
House ;  and  with  a  degree  of  assiduity  and  perseverance,  not 
common  in  persons  of  rank,  applied  himself  to  those  branches  of 
science  and  literature,  which  may  be  cultivated  with  so  much  ad- 
vantage in  that  university. 

"  During  the  latter  part  of  his  residence  in  College,  a  work 
was  undertaken  by  his  Lordship,  assisted  by  some  of  his  cotem- 
poraries,  which  is  a  proof  of  the  learning  and  taste  of  the  literary 
society  to  which  he  belonged.  It  is  entitled,  The  Athenian  Let' 
ters;  and  was  first  published  for  general  circulation  in  1799, 
though  it  had  long  been  distributed  among  his  Lordship's  friends; 
and  was  allowed  to  be  a  work  of  considerable  merit,  particularly 
when  it  is  recollected,  that  the  persons  who  bore  the  greatest 
share  of  it,  the  late  Earl  of  Hardwicke,  and  his  brother,  Mr.  C. 
Yorke,  were  at  that  time  extremely  young  men. 

"  Though  J^ord  Hardwicke  was  a  good  classical  scholar,  and 
had  read  the  best  works  of  ancient  and  modern  literature,,  yet 


494  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

the  object  to  which,  from  the  early  period  of  his  youth,  he  most 
particularly  directed  his  attention,  was  modern  history.  He  pub- 
lished The  Correspondence  of  Sir  Dudley  Carleton,  Ambassador 
to  the  States  General  during  the  reign  of  James  I.  and  prefixed  to 
It  an  historical  preface,  containing  an  account  of  the  many  im- 
portant negotiations  carried  on  during  that  period.  In  \779>  ne 
published  two  volumes  of  State  Papers,  selected  from  the  collec- 
tions at  the  Paper  Office  and  the  British  Museum,  as  well  as 
from  his  own  valuable  collection  5  and  if  his  health  and  vigour 
had  not  declined  in  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  it  is  probable  he 
would  have  made  further  additions  to  the  stores  of  history. 

<f  The  infirm  state  of  his  Lordship's  health,  combined  with  an 
attachment  to  literary  pursuits,  prevented  him  from  plunging 
very  deep  into  the  stream  of  practical  politics.  He  had  the  ho- 
nour, however,  of  a  6eat  in  the  Cabinet,  during  the  existence  of 
that  short-lived  administration  in  1J65,  of  which  Lord  Rocking- 
ham was  at  the  head;  but  without  any  salary  or  official  situation, 
which,  though  repeatedly  offered,  he  never  would  accept!" 

His  Lordship  died  May  l6tb,  17QO,  aet.  70.  He  was  succeeded 
in  his  Earldom"1  by  his  nephew,  Philip,  eldest  son  of  his  nextbror 
ther,  Charles,  already  mentioned,  of  whom  it  will  now  be  proper 
to  speak  more  at  large. 

Charles  Yorke,  second  son  of  Lord  Chancellor  Hardwicke, 
born  1722,  was  educated  at  Bene't  College,  Cambridge,  and  at 
Lincoln's  Inn;  and  jointly  with  his  brother,  had  the  office  of 
Clerk  of  the  Crown  conferred  on  them,  June  27th,  20  George  II. 
He  was  chosen  Member  for  Ryegate,  to  the  parliament  which 
met,  first  on  business,  November  12th,  1747,  and  continued  after- 
wards to  be  elected  for  the  same  borough.  On  November  6th, 
1756,  he  was  appointed  Solicitor  General;  and  on  December 
27th,  17^1,  Attorney  General;  but  resigned  it  on  November  2d, 
1763.  In  January  1770,  he  was  appointed  Lord  Chancellor; 
and  a  patent  was  ordered  to  be  made  out,  creating  him  a  Peer,  by 
the  title  of  Baron  Morden;  but  a  few  days  before  the  patent 
could  be  completed,  he  suddenly  closed  his  valuable  life,  at  the 
age  of  forty-eight. 

Of  this  truly  ingenious,  and  very  excellent  man,  whose  life 
must  have  furnished  so  many  materials  for  the  most  interesting 
biography,  a  full  and  entire  memoir  is,  I  believe,  still  wanting. 

*n  The  magnificent  seat  at  Wrest,  in  Bedfordshire,  with  the  appendant  estates 
of  the  Dukes  of  Kent,  which  came  by  his  wife,  went  of  course  to  his  daugh- 
ters. 


EARL  OF  HARDWICKE.  495 

Having  accepted,  as  it  is  said,  the  Seals  at  the  urgent  entreaty  of 
his  Sovereign,  his  acute  sensibility  was  so  struck  on  his  return 
home,  at  the  cold  and  averted  looks  of  his  party,  who  being  in 
strong  opposition  to  the  Court,  disapproved  the  step  he  had  taken, 
that  in  the  first  poignant  agonies  of  chagrin  and  despair,  he  went 
home  and  died. 

"  Charles  Yorke  had  (says  Adolphus),  studied  the  laws  and 
constitution  of  his  country,  and  their  application  to  the  science 
of  politics,  in  the  best  school  of  the  age;  and  was  no  less  eminent 
at  the  Bar,  than  in  the  estimation  of  the  most  enlightened  states- 
men; his  extensive  literary  acquirements;  his  great  abilities;  and 
the  integrity  of  his  character,  were  well  known,  and  universally 
respected.  His  probable  elevation  to  the  dignity  of  Chancellor, 
had  been  long  contemplated  with  hope  and  expectation  by  the 
public;  and  consequently  his  death  was  considered  highly  preju-f 
dicial  to  the  interest  of  the  nation ;  as,  had  he  lived,  a  more  firm 
and  comprehensive  system  of  administration  might  have  been 
formed,  and  wiser  and  more  conciliatory  measures  adopted  to- 
wards the  American  Colonies." 

The  delicate  touches  of  his  character  require  the  pen  of  one 
not  only  able,  but  at  leisure,  and  furnished  with  private  materials. 
He  was  not  merely  a  lawyer,  and  a  statesman,  but  had  both  a 
taste  and  a  genius  for  almost  the  whole  circle  of  literature.  He 
had  an  intimate  and  confidential  correspondence  with  many  of  his 
cotemporaries  most  distinguished  for  intellectual  powers  and  ac- 
quirements. With  Bishop  Warburton  he  corresponded  at  the 
age  of  twenty,  on  the  subjects  of  some  of  his  profoundest  works. 
In  one  of  these  early  letters  (1742),  the  following  passage  claims 
insertion,  as  a  striking  and  beautiful  trait  of  him :  "  Your  cor- 
respondence (says  he),  is  exceedingly  acceptable  to  me.  When 
I  am  conversing  with  you  on  subjects  of  literature  or  ingenuity, 
I  forget  that  I  have  any  remote  interest  in  what  is  going  forward 
an  the  world,  nor  desire  in  any  time  of  life  to  be  an  actor  in  par- 
ties; or,  as  it  is  called  somewhere,  svbire  tempestates  reipullicae. 
But  when  I  find  every  body  inquiring  to-day  concerning  the  re-< 
port  of  the  Secret  Committee  yesterday,  this  passion  for  still  life 
vanishes;  agilis  jio,  et  mersor  civilibus  undis.'  How  naturally 
and  strongly  does  this  pourtray  that  struggle  between  the  love  of 
quiet,  and  the  flame  of  ambition,  which  characterizes  minds  of 
high  capacity ! 

His,  active  life  did  not  leave  him  much  leisure  for  authorship; 


AqQ  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

but  his  pamphlet,  containing  Considerations  on  the  Law  of  For' 
feiture  for  High  Treason,  first  published  1?45,  has  gone  through 
several  editions.11 

His  talents  for  poetry  were  far  from  inconsiderable. 

In  short,  few  men  more  able  or  more  amiable,  have  adorned 
the  Bar,  than  this  accomplished  and  gentle-tempered  man  3  in 
whom  were  mingled  so  many  brilliant  and  so  many  kindly  quali- 
ties, that  the  nation  felt  an  universal  regret  at  his  thus  prema- 
turely falling  a  sacrifice  to  too  nice  a  sense  of  honour. 

He  married,  first,  Catharine,  daughter  and  heir  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
"William  Freeman,  of  Hammels,  in  Hertfordshire,  by  Catharine, 
daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Pope  Blount,0  Bart,  of  Tittenhanger,  in 
the  same  county,  and  by  her,  who  died  on  July  10th,  175g?3  had 
two  daughters,  who  died  infants  5  and  Philip,  son  and  heir,  now 
Earl  of  Hardwicke. 

He  married,  secondly,  Agneta,  one  of  the  daughters  and  co- 
heiresses of  Henry  Johnson,  Esq.  of  Great  Berkhamstead,  in 
Herts,  by  whom  he  had  issue, 

2.  The  Right  Hon.  Charles  Yorke,  born  March  12th,  1/64, 
who  having  been  educated  at  Cambridge,  and  the  Bar,  was  re- 
turned M.  P.  for  the  county  of  Cambridge,  in  17Q0,  1796,  1802, 
180(5,  and  180/.  In  1801  he  held  under  the  Addington  Admi- 
nistration the  place  of  Secretary  at  War;  which  office  he  dis- 
charged with  much  industry  and  ability:  and  in  Aug.  1803,  Se- 
cretary of  State  for  the  Home  Department,  which  he  held  till 
May  1804.  His  talents  from  his  very  early  years  raised  great  ex- 
pectations; and  the  part  he  has  taken  in  parliament  carries  great 
Weight  with  it,  on  account  of  the  manliness  of  Vis  character,  his 
integrity,  and  freedom  from  factious  politics.     He  married,  July 

n  It  appears  from  Bishop  Warburton's  Letters,  that  in  1752,  «  he  narrowly 
escaped  with  his  life"  from  a  fire  at  Lincoln's  Inn.  "  This  makes  me  (adds 
the  Bishop),  think  all  the  rest  a  trifle :  though  he  has  lost  (together  with  excel- 
lent chambers  of  his  own),  an  excellent  library  ;  and  what  is  irreparable,  all  the 
State  Papers  of  his  great  uncle,  Lord  Somers,  in  thirty  or  forty  volumes  in 
folio,  full  of  very  material  things  for  the  history  of  those  times ;  which  I  speak 
upon  my  own  knowledge." 

0  Descended  from  the  celebrated  Sir  Henry  Blount,  the  traveller,  who  mar- 
wed  the  widow  of  Sir  William  Mainwaring,  who  fell  on  the  walls  of  Chesrer, 
1 64  J,  and  was  father  by  her,  of  Sir  Thomas  Pope  Blount,  Bart.  th,e  author  of 
Censura  Authorum  Cclebriorumt  Sec. 

P  Bishop  Warburton  says  to  Bishop  Hurd,  "  Mr.  Yorke  has  had  an  exceeding 
great  loss  in  a  very  amiable  wife.     I  lament  for  him  and  her." 


EARL  OF  HARDWICKE.  497 

1st,  1790,  Miss  Harriot  Manningham,  sister  to  Major-General 
Manningham  ;  but  has  no  issue. 

3.  Sir  Joseph  Yorke,  Knt.  born  June  6th,  17@8;  promoted  to 
be  a  Post-captain  in  the  Navy,  in  1793  5  and  now  commands  the 
Christian  the  VII.  of  80  guns.  He  married  in  April,  1798,  Miss 
Rattray;    and  has  issue  a  son,   Charles  Philip,   born  in  April, 

1779. 

4.  Caroline,  born  August  29th,  17&5,  married  September  9th, 
179O,  John,  second  Lord  Eliot/i 

Philip,  eldest  son,  succeeded  his  uncle  as  third  Earl  op 
Hardwicke.  He  was  born  May  3 1 st,  1757,  and  was  educated 
at  Queen's  College,  Cambridge;  and  was  afterwards  returned 
M.  P.  for  the  county  of  Cambridge,  178O,  and  1784. 

In  1801  his  Lordship  was  appointed  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ire- 
land, which  he  held  till  1805.  In  1803  he  was  also  honoured 
with  the  Order  of  the  Garter. 

His  Lordship  is  also  Lord  Lieutenant  and  Custos  Rotulorum  of 
the  county  of  Cambridge,  High  Steward  of  Cambridge  Univer- 
sity, Register  of  the  Court  of  Admiralty,  F.  R.  and  A.S.  and 
LL.D. 

He  married,  July  24th,  1782,  Lady  Elizabeth  Lindsay,  daugh- 
ter of  James,  fifth  Earl  of  Balcarras,  by  whom  he  has  issue, 

Anne,  born  April  13th,  1783;  married,  August  29th,  1807, 
John,  Viscount  Pollington,  son  of  the  Earl  of  Mexborough. 

Philip,  Viscount  Royston,  born  May  7th,  1784,  drowned  near 
Memel,  April  7th,  1808. 

Catharine  Freman,  born  April  14th,  1786. 

Elizabeth-Margaret,  born  January  14th,  1789* 

Caroline- Harriet,  born  October  15th,  1794- 

Charles  James,  Viscount  Royston,  born  July  15th,  1797» 

Joseph- John,  born  August  20th,  1800. 

Titles.  Philip  Yorke,  Earl  of  Hardwicke,  Viscount  Royston, 
Lord  Hardwicke,  and  Baron  of  Hardwicke. 

Creations.  Baron  Hardwicke,  of  Hardwicke,  in  the  county 
of  Gloucester,  November  23d,  1733,  7  George  II.;  Viscount 
Royston,  and  Earl  of  Hardwicke,  April  2d,  1754,  27  George  II. 

Arms.    Argent,  on  a  Sal  tire,  Azure,  a  Bezant. 

1  They  were  related.  His  mother  was  the  daughter  of  Edward  Elliston,  Esq. 
by  the  aunt  of  Edward  Gibbon,  the  Historian ;.  and  of  this  family,  it  has  been 
already  shewn,  was  Lord  Chancellor  Hardwicke's  mother. 

VOL.  IV.  2  K 


498  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND, 

Crest.  On  a  wreath  of  the  colours,  a  lion's  head  erazed  proper, 
collared  Gules,  charged  with  a  Bezant. 

Supporters.  On  the  dexter  side,  a  lion  gardant,  Or,  collared 
Gules,  charged  with  a  Bezant.  On  the  sinister  side,  a  stag  pro-, 
per,  attired  and  unguled,  Or,  and  collared  in  like  manner. 

MottO.      NEC    CUPIAS,    NEC    METUAS. 

Chief  Seats.    At  Wimpole,  in  Cambridgeshire :  and  at  Ham- 
mels,  and  Tittenhanger,  in  Hertfordshire, 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.  499 


VANE  EARL  OF  DARLINGTON. 


Having  in  part  treated  of  his  Lordship's  ancestors,  under  the 
title  of  Fane,  Earl  of  Westmoreland,  and  therein  shewn  the  ori- 
ginal name  to  be  Fane-,  when  it  varied,  &c.  also  observed,  that 
from  Richard  Fane,  Esq.  the  Earl  of  Westmorland  derived  his 
descent  ;  and  that  John,  his  brother,  was  ancestor  to  the  present 
Earl  of  Darlington,  and  son  (as  I  have  by  undoubted  evidence 
proved),  of  John  Vane,  Esq.  who  first  took  the  name  of  Fane, 
2nd  died  in  13  Henry  VII.  as  by  his  last  will  and  testament,  and 
the  probate  thereof,  appears;  a  wherein  he  writes  himself  John 
Fane,  of  Tunbridge,  Esq. 

I  shall  now  proceed  to  treat  of  the  said  John  his  son;  who 
also  wrote  his  name  Fane;  and  his  father,  by  his  said  will,  left 
him  the  lands  and  tenements  called  Hollynden;  and  other  lands 
assigned  to  him  by  deed  of  fee-simple,  bearing  date  on  April  1st, 
preceding  the  making  of  the  said  will.  Also  by  the  gift  of  Henry 
Fane,  of  Hadloe,  his  elder  brother,  who  died  without  issue  (as  I 
have  shewn  under  the  title  of  Westmorland),  he  had  his  lands 
lying  in  Great  Peckham,  in  Kent;  and,  after  the  decease  of  Alice, 
the  wife  of  the  said  Henry  Fane,  all  the  lands  that  she  held  in 
jointure.  And,  by  the  entail  on  him  of  the  manor  and  mansion 
of  Hadloe,  with  the  lands  thereunto  belonging,  was  possessed 
thereof  in  4  Edward  VI.  when  Sir  Ralph  Vane  was  beheaded, 
leaving  no  issue.  The  time  of  his  decease  I  do  not  find;  but  bby 
Joan  his  wife,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Edward  Haute,  Esq.  he 
had  two  sons,  Henry  and  Richard,0  both  mentioned  in  the  will  of 

a  Ex  Regist.  vocat.  Milks,  q.  77,  in  Cur.  Praerog.  Cantuar. 

b  Visit,  de  Com.  Kant,  G.  12,  in  Offic.  Armor. 

c  Ex  Regist.  Hogen,  Qu.  4. 


500  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

their  uncle  Henry  Fane,  Esq.  in  25  Henry  VIII.;  also  another 
son,  Thomas,  of  Winchelsea,  recited  in  the  will  of  Henry,  his 
brother,  as  will  hereafter  appear. 

Which  Henry  Fane,  his  eldest  son,  was  written  of  Hadloe* 
Esq.  After  the  decease  of  his  father,  he  was  unwarily  drawn  into 
that  insurrection  under  Sir  Thomas  Wyat,  to  prevent  the  mar- 
riage of  Queen  Mary  with  Philip  Prince  of  Spain.  On  his  defeat 
he  was  d  committed  prisoner  to  the  Tower,  on  February  7th;  but 
his  youth  being  considered,  he  was  among  those  that  had  their 
pardon,  and  was  released  out  of  the  Tower  on  March  24th  fol-» 
lowing.  He  was  educated  in  the  reformed  religion,  the  whole 
family  being  early  professors  of  it;  and  his  kinsman  Thomas  Fane, 
Esq.  (after  knighted),  father  of  Francis,  first  Earl  of  Westmor- 
land, was  also  in  Wyat's  rebellion,  and  a  warrant  sent  to  the 
sheriff  of  Kent  for  his  execution,  with  three  others  :e  but  the 
Queen,  at  her  manor  of  St.  James,  on  March  18th,  1554,  in  the 
first  year  of  her  reign,  sent  orders  to  Stephen  (Gardiner)  Bishop 
of  Winchester;  Chancellor  of  England,  to  cause  writs  of  super-* 
sedeas,  to  the  sheriff  of  Kent,  not  to  proceed  to  his  execution, 
having  compassion  on  his  youth. 

In  the  two  first  parliaments  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  this  Henry 
was  returned  for  the  cinque  port  of  Winchelsea;  and  his  abilities 
were  so  conspicuous,  that  he  was  one  of  the  leading  members  of 
the  House  of  Commons,  as  their  Journals  shew. 

He  had  ever  been  a  steady  assertor  of  the  reformed  religion; 
and  his  last  will  and  testament  shews  his  piety,  learning,  and  re- 
fined qualities:  which  containing  some  remarkable  particulars.,  ( 
shall  insert  part  of  it  in  his  own  words: 

f  f  The  orje  and  twentieth  day  of  January,  in  the  twentieth 
year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Queen  Elizabeth,  I  Henry 
Fane,  of  Hadlowe,  in  the  county  of  Kent.  Esq.  calling  to  my  re- 
membrance, and  acknowledging  the  manyfold  benefits  and  graces 
wherewith  it  hath  pleased  God,  of  his  infinite  mercy,  most  abun- 
dantly to  bless  and  enrich  me,  most  unworthy  and  sinful  crea- 
ture; and  further  knowing  and  seeing  by  daily  experience,  that 
nothing  is  more  certain  than  death,  and  the  return  of  all  flesh 
into  dust  from  whence  it  came :  and  yet  is  there  nothing  more 
uncertain  than  the  time  or  place,  when  and  how  it  is  the  pleasure 
pf  the  Almighty  to  call ;  and  therefore  a  thing  both  expedient  an<3 

i  Stow's  Annals,  p.  6zit  623.  *  Rymer's  Foedera,  Vol.  XV.  p.  373, 

f  Ex  Regist,  Rowe,  Not.  65,  Qu.  6,  in  Cur,  Praerog.  Cantuar, 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.  501 

most  necessary  for  all  men  to  provide  themselves,  and  be  ever  in 
readiness;  first  towards  God,  by  hearty  and  unfeigned  repent- 
ance, and  true  faith  in  him;  and  then  (o  the  world,  by  due  satis- 
faction and  reconcilement,  whereinsoever  our  conscience  appealeth 
as  guilty;  and  also  forgiving  our  brothers,  as  we  desire  our  hea- 
venly father  to  forgive  us;  and,  lastly,  to  the  intent  that  we  may 
leave  and  establish  peace  and  love  amongst  all  meri,  and  espe- 
cially our  children  and  posterity,  it  behoveth  all  men  by  writing  to 
dispose,  devise,  and  publish  their  intent,  meaning,  and  determi- 
nation, concerning  the  order  of  their  lands,  goods,  and  other 
things  whatsoever,  the  use  and  disposition  whereof  it  hath  pleased 
our  good  God  to  grant  us,  during  our  abode  in  this  variable 
world.  Wherefore  I  the  said  Henry  Fane,  being  in  good  and 
perfect  memory,  thanked  be  God,  and  often  revolving  these 
and  other  just  and  good  causes  and  considerations,  have  thought 
it  convenient,  at  this  present  time,  to  make,  declare,  and  finish, 
this  my  last  will  and  testament,  in 'manner  and  form  following, 
viz. 

"  In  the  name  of  God,  Amen.  I  Henry  Fane  do  confess  and. 
protest  myself  a  most  grievous  and  penitent  sinner,  trusting  to  be 
saved  by  the  death  and  passion  of  my  Redeemer  Jesus  Christ,  of 
whom  only  I  crave,  and  faithfully  hope  to  receive,  all  forgiveness 
through  his  meircy  and  grace;  and  therefore  yield  and  commit 
myself,  both  body  and  soul,  into  his  Omnipotent  hands,  both  now 
and  ever,  Amen*  Also  my  will  is,  that  my  body  shall  be  buried 
in  such  order,  time,  and  place,  as  shall  seem  best  to  my  executor 
and  overseers,  or  any  of  them,  to  whom,  in  like  sort,  I  grant  au- 
thority to  give  to  the  poor  people  of  Hadlowe  such  money  as 
they  shall  think  meete.  Also  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  dear 
friend,  my  Lady  Ellin  Somerset,  a  ring  with  a  Turky  stone  there- 
in, now  in  the  custody  of  my  cousin  Mary  Ashburnham,  desiring 
my  Lady  to  keep  and  wear  it  for  my  sake.  Also  I  will  to  my 
cousin  Thomas  Fane*  of  Buston,  her  husband,  my  damask  gown> 
desiring  him  to  accept  and  wear  it  for  my  sake.  Also  I  will  to 
William  Mauley,  my  servant,  three  pounds  yearly,  out  of  my 
lands  ill  Hadlowe,  for  so  many  years  as  he  shall  serve  my  son 
Henry.'  .    . 

After  which,  he  bequeaths  to  Henry  Fane,  his  nephew,  son  of 
his  brother  Richard  Fane,  an  annuity  out  of  his  lands,  &c.  in 
hadlowe,  during  his  life;  then  bequeaths  to  his  son  Henry  Fane, 
when  he  accomplishes  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  and  to  his 
heirs  for  ever,  all  his  manors,  lands,  tenements,  &c.  and,  if  he 


502  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

deceased  without  heirs  of  his  body,  he  then  entaileth  them  on  his 
nephew  Thomas  Fane,  son  of  his  brother  Thomas  Fane,  of  Win- 
chelsea,  and  to  the  heirs  male  of  his  bodyj  in  default,  to  his  bro- 
ther Richard  Fane,  and  the  heirs  of  his  body.  After  which  he 
thus  expresses  himself: 

'  Also  my  will,  desire,  and  request  is,  that  it  will  please  the 
Right  Honourable,  and  my  especial  good  Lord,  and  ever  assured 
friend,  my  Lord  Cobham,  Lord  Warden  of  the  Cinque  Ports,  to 
accept  my  son  Henry  Fane,  into  his  rule,  order,  and  government, 
until  my  said  son  shall  accomplish  the  age  of  twenty-two  years : 
and  I  will  and  charge  my  said  son  to  continue  and  shew  himself 
always  obedient  and  willing  to  be  ruled,  ordered,  and  directed 
by  my  said  Lord,  whom,  I  protest,  I  have,  during  all  my  life, 
honoured  and  loved  above  all  men ;  and  1  trust  my  son  will  fol- 
low his  father's  steps,  and  do  the  like.  Also  my  will  and  mind 
is,  that  as  well  my  lease  that  I  have  of  Sir  John  Rivers,  Knt.  of 
part  of  the  parsonage  of  Hadlowe,  as  also  all  other  my  leases, 
writings,  and  evidences,  plate,  household  furniture,  whatsoever, 
shall  entirely  remain  to  be  in  the  custody  of  my  cousin  Thomas 
Fane,  of  Buston,  whom  I  make  my  overseer,  until  my  said  son 
shall  attain  to  the  age  of  two  and  twenty  years:  at  which  time 
my  will  is,  that  he  shall  redeliver  them,  with  a  just  and  true  ac- 
count (all  his  reasonable  charges  allowed  and  deducted),  to  my 
said  son  Henry,  or  his  assigns.  Also  I  give  to  my  brother  Richard 
Fane,,  all  the  money  he  oweth  me.  Finally,  I  ordain  my  son 
Henry,  my  sole  and  only  executor,  &c.' 

The  probate  bears  date  on  February  4th,  3  582,  when  Henry 
Fane,  his  son,  administered. 

The  inquisition  taken  at  Deptford,  after  his  decease,  *  shews, 
that  he  died  on  June  11th,  in  22  Elizabeth,  and  that  Henry,  his 
son  and  heir,  was  then  twenty  years  of  age  and  more,  and  mar- 
ried to  Mary,  only  daughter  and  heir  of  Thomas  Fane,  of  Buston, 
Esq.  the  overseer  of  his  father's  will.  His  mother,  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  ■  Godsalve,  Esq.  died  before  his  father,  leaving 
him,  the  said  Henry,  surviving.  ^^ 

Which  Henry  Fane,  of  Hadlowe,  Esq.  was  likewise^*"  judi- 
cious and  accomplished  gentleman*  His  wife  Mary,  before- 
mentioned,  died  without  leaving  issue  by  him;h  so  that,  in  2/ 
Elizabeth,  he  took  to  his  second  wife  Margaret,  daughter  of  Roger 
Twisden,  of  East-Peckham,  in  Kent,  Esq.     In  1588,  the  me- 

S  Escaet.  Lib.£,  M.Si  not.  6i,  A.  i6,'  in  Bib.  Harley. 
fa  Escaet.  Lib.  z.  M.S.  not.  6i,  A.  13,  in  Bibl.  Harley. 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.  503 

morable  year  of  the  Spanish  invasion,  he  repaired  to  the  camp  of 
Tilbury,-  with  the  aid  of  his  friends  and  dependants,1  the  county 
of  Kent  having  supplied  a  hundred  and  fifty  horse,  and  five  thou- 
sand foot,  which  was  more  than  any  other  county,  except  Mid- 
dlesex, did.  Having  been  thereby  seasoned  in  a  military  life,  he 
had  a  command  in  those  forces  sent  to  the  assistance  of  Henry  IV. 
the  French  King,  particularly  in  15Q5,  when,  before  he  embarked, 
he  made  his  will,  dated  on  September  4th,  the  same  year.  And 
that  he  was  in  France  the  year  after,  is  evident  from  the  codicil 
to  his  will,  which  bears  date  at  Roan,  on  October  13th,  1 596  5 
and  that  he  dk;d  there  the  day  after,  the  inquisition  shews,  taken 
on  his  decease,  as  customary  in  those  times.  By  his  said  will> 
and  other  circumstances,  it  appears  that  he  followed  his  father's 
example,  both  in  his  pious  disposition,  integrity,  and  honourable 
principles.  1  shall  therefore,  as  a  proof  thereof,  give  part  of  it  in 
his  own  words. 

Writing  himself  of  Hadlowe,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  Esq.  he 
recites  :k  *  That  since  it  hath  pleased  God,  of  his  great  mercy 
and  love,  to  bless  me,  and  Margaret  my  now  wife,  with  four 
children ;  that  is  to  say,  two  sons  and  two  daughters  already  born, 
and  the  fifth  child  likely  to  be  born,  if  it  please  the  Lord  to  send 
my  wife  safe  deliverance  j  my  will  and  meaning  is,  according  to 
the  warrant  and  commandment  of  our  Lord  to  tlie  good  king  He- 
zekiah,  pronounced  by  the  mouth  of  the  prophet  Isaiah,  That  he 
should,  before  his  death,  put  his  house  in  order}  my  meaning  is, 
I  say,  to  provide  for  my  said  wife  and  children,  and  to  order  and 
dispose  of  my  goods  and  lands ;  and  being  now  of  good  and  per- 
fect memory,  do  make,  declare,  and  finish  this  my  last  will  and 
testament,  in  manner  and  form  following.  In  the  name  of  God, 
Amen,  my  will  is,  that  my  body  shall  be  buried  in  such  order, 
time,  and  place,  as  shall  seem  best  to  my  executor  and  overseers. 
Also  my  will  is,  that  my  most  dear  and  entirely  beloved  Thomas 
Fane,  of  Buston,  Esq.  father  of  my  first  wife  while  she  lived,  and 
Roger  Twisden,  of  Peckham,  Esq.  my  dear  and  well-beloved 
father-in-law,  whom  I  constitute  overseers  of  this  my  last  will 
and  testament;  that  they,  the  said  Thomas  and  Roger,  shall  take, 
or  cause  to  be  taken,  after  my  decease,  a  true  inventory  of  all  my 
plate,  household-stuff,  and  furniture  of  household,  at  Hadlowe; 
and  shall  equally  and  indifferently,  according  to  their  discretionf* 

i  Stow's  Annals,  p.  747. 
k  Ex  Regist.  vocat.  Cobharia,  in  cur.  Prserog.  Cant.  Qu;  $* 


504  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND; 

divide  them  between  Margaret,  my  well  beloved  wife,  and  Henry- 
Fane,  my  son.  All  the  rest  of  my  goods,  &c.  I  bequeath  to  the 
said  Margaret,  my  wife,  whom  I  make  my  sole  executrix.  And 
my  will  is,  that  Thomas  Fane,  and  Roger  Twisden,  overseers  of 
my  will,  shall  receive  and  employ  two  parts  of  all  the  profits  of 
my  rents,  of  all  and  singular  my  manors,  lands,  &c.  within  the 
realm  of  England  (my  wife's  jointure  excepted),  and  divide  into 
three  equal  parts:  first  for  the  payment  of  my  debts,  next  satis- 
fying my  legacies  and  funeral,  then  for  the  bringing  up  and  edu- 
cation of  all  my  children;  lastly,  for  the  necessary  repairing  of 
all  my  houses,  and  for  the  defence  of  my  manors,  lands,  &c.  if 
any  question  or  controversy  should  be  unjustly  moved/ 

After  which  he  wills,  that  his  said  wife  shall  dwell  in  his  man- 
sion-house of  Hadlowe,  till  his  son  Henry  accomplish  the  full  age 
of  twenty-one  years,  and  have  the  occupation  of  the  lands  there- 
unto belonging.  He  bequeaths,  to  each  of  his  two  daughters, 
Eleanor  and  Elizabeth,  four  hundred  pounds  at  their  marriage, 
or  at  twenty-one  years:  and  if  the  child  his  wife  goeth  on  be  a 
daughter,  four  hundred  pounds;  but  if  a  son,  an  annuity  of  forty 
marks  a  year,  to  him  and  his  heirs  for  ever,  to  be  paid  out  of  all 
his  lands  lying  in  Hadlowe.  He  bequeaths  to  his  son,  Ralph 
Fane,  all  those  lands  called  by  the  name  of  Stiles,  purchased  of 
Thomas  Darell,  of  Scotney,  Esq.  to  him  and  his  heirs  for  ever: 
but  that  his  overseers  shall  have  two  parts  of  his  said  lands,  till 
Henry,  his  son  and  heir,  shall  attain  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years,  and  then  deliver  up  the  writings  to  him,  and  his  heirs  for 
ever. 

Finally,  he  bequeaths  to  the  said  Henry,  his  son  and  heir,  all 
the  residue  of  his  manors,  lands,  &c.  whatsoever  in  England,  to- 
gether with  the  reversion  of  the  said  parts,  appointed  to  his  said 
overseers.  And  by  a  codicil,  dated  at  Roan,  October  13th,  15Q6, 
whereunto  Thomas  Milles,  Percival  Hart,  and  Edward  Russel, 
were  witnesses,  he  recites,  ?  That  whereas  he  is  indebted  to  his 
loving  and  kind  father-in-law,  Thomas  Fane,  Esq.  in  two  hun- 
dred pounds,  whereof  one  hundred  he  hath  no  specialty;  and  to 
his  loving  cousin  Richard  Fane,  in  two  hundred  marks,  for  the 
which  he  hath  no  specialty;  and  to  his  cousin  Henry  Fane,  bro- 
ther to  the  said  Richard,  in  twenty-two  pounds,  for  the  which  he 
hath  also  nothing  to  shew;  he  orders  his  overseers  to  discharge 
those  sums/  The  probate  bears  date  May  4th,  1597,  ana*  Mar- 
garet, his  relict,  had  administration  granted  to  her. 

By  the  inquisition  taken  at  Greenwich,  on  November  13th,  38 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON,  503 

Eliz.  after  his  decease,1  the  jury  found  that  he  died  at  Roan>  in 
France,  on  October  14th  last  j  and  that  Henry  was  his  son  and 
heir  (by  Margaret  his  wife*  daughter  of  Roger  Twisden,  of  East- 
Peckham,  Esq.  whom  he  married  in  2J  Eliz.),  and  of  the  age  of 
seven  years  on  February  18th  last,  and  Ralph  Fane,  his  second 
son  j  and  that  he  died  seised,  besides  his  manor  and  mansion  of 
Hadlowe,  &c.  of  the  manors  of  Shipbourne,  alias  Shibborne,  with 
the  appurtenances,  parcel  of  the  priory  of  Dartford,  in  Shibborne 
and  Wrotehamj  of  Stubborn,  alias  Puddenham,  parcel  of  the 
priory  of  Tunbridge,  with  the  rectory  of  the  chapel  of  Shibborne, 
parcel  of  the  priory  of  St.  John's  of  Jerusalem,  in  England  j  of 
the  manors  of  Goodins,  alias  Fromondsj  Crowbery,  alias  Crowe- 
beryj  and  of  Caninston,  alias  Cawnstonsj  all  in  Kent,  and  de- 
scended to  the  said  Henry,  his  son  and  heir. 

Which  Sir  Hknry  assumed  the  ancient  name  of  his  ancestors, 
writing  himself  Henry  Fane,  and  his  posterity  have  continued  so 
to  do  ever  since.  He  removed  his  principal  residence  into  the 
North,  and  was  seated  at  Rahy  Castle,  in  the  county  of  Durham, m 
and  had  the  honour  of  knighthood  conferred  on  him,  in  the  seven- 
venteenth  year  of  his  age,  by  King  James  I.n  at  Whitehall,  on 
March  28th,  16H3  after  which  he  improved  himself  by  travel, 
and  a  knowledge  of  foreign  languages. 

In  12  King  James  I.  he  was  returned  one  of  the  members0  for 
the  city  of  Carlisle ;  he  was  also  elected  for  the  same  county  to 
the  succeeding  parliament ;  in  these  parliaments  his  abilities  were 
so  conspicuous,  as  also  his  affection  to  the  royal  family,  that  King 
James  made  him  Cofferer  p  to  his  son,  Charles  Prince  of  Wales, 

1  Eseaet.  Lib.  2.  not.  61,  A  13,  and  Lib.  5,  not.  61,  A  61,  A  16,  in  Bibl. 
Harley. 

«n  Raby  Castle  was  the  chief  residence  of  the  great  family  of  Neville,  Earls  of 
Westmorland,  and  was  probably  among  the  estates  forfeited  for  the  rebellion  in 
the  North  by  Charles,  the  last  Earl,  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth.  It  must 
have  come  to  Sir  Henry  Vane  by  purchase,  or  grant  from  the  Crown.  He  had 
no  blood  of  the  Nevilles,  though  his  cousin,  Sir  Thomas  Fane,  had  married  the 
heiress  of  another  branch  of  that  illustrious  house ,  whence  his  son,  when  made 
an  Earl,  took  the  title  of  Earl  of  Westmorland.  Perhaps,  as  he  was  a  vain  man, 
this  coincidence  made  him  particularly  desirous  of  obtaining  the  title  of  Baron  of 
Raby. 

n  Philpot's  Catal.  of  Knights. 
o  Willis's,  Notit.  Parliament,  p.  167,  168. 

P  The  present  Editor  feels  himself  bound  to  let  the  account  of  Sir  Henry  Vane 
stand  as  it  appeared  in  former  editions }  because  the  facts  seem  to  rest  on  autho- 
rities which  cannot  be  disputed.     But  if  Lord  Clarendon's  Characters  may  be 


50(5  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

on  the  establishment  of  his  household ;  and  he  was  continued  in 
the  said  office  by  King  Charles  I.  on  his  accession  to  the  throne, 
who  sent  him  to  notify,  to  the  States  of  Holland,  the  death  of  his 
royal  father;  from  whence  he  returned  in  June,  l625.fi 

He  was,  May  30th,  1625,  in  commission  (bearing  the  title  of 
Cofferer  of  the  household),  with  Thomas  Earl  of  Arundel,  John 
Earl  of  Clare,  Edward  Earl  of  Dorset,  Edward  Lord  Conway, 
one  of  the  principal  Secretaries  of  State,  and  others,  to  examine 
into  all  new  erected  buildings  within  the  city  and  suburbs  of 
London,  and  to  prevent  any  new  buildings,  as  they  shall  think 
proper.1-  And  King  Charles  I.  when  Prince  of  Wales,  being  in 
want  of  money,  he  borrowed,  in  the  twenty-second  year  of  his 
father's  reign,  twenty  thousand  pounds;  whereof  Sir  Henry  Vane s 
was  bound  for  four  thousand  pounds,  part  of  it  to  George  Hux- 
ley, Esq.  Also  on  another  loan  of  twenty  thousand  pounds,  he 
was,  with  Sir  Henry  Hobart,  Lord  Chief  Justice,  and  Chancellor 
to  the  Prince,  and  others,  bound  for  the  payment  thereof.  Like- 
wise in  a  third  loan,  Sir  Henry,  and  others,  were  bound  for 
twenty-three  thousand  pounds.  Whereupon  King  Charles  I.  on 
July  20th,  1(525,  promises  to  see  the  same  discharged ;  and,  for 
the  further  security  of  the  persons  engaged  therein,  makes  over 
to  them  divers  honours,  manors,  &c.  for  ninety-nine  years,  giving 
the  said  Sir  Henry  Vane,  and  them,  power  to  receive  the  rents 
and  issue  of  the  premises;  also  granting  to  them  three  thousand 
pounds  per  annum,  out  of  the  receipt  of  the  court  of  Wards  and 
Liveries;  and,  if  that  be  not  sufficient,  he  will  order  the  Lord 
High  Treasurer  to  pay  what  shall  be  wanting  thereof. 

In  King  Charles  I.'s  parliament,  1625,  Sir  Henry  Vane  was 
chosen  u  both  for  the  borough  of  Lestwithiel,  in  Cornwall,  and  for 
the  city  of  Carlisle;  and  served  in  every  parliament  after  to  the 
time  of  his  decease,34  being  elected  for  Thetford,  in  Norfolk; 
Wilton,  in  Wiltshire;  and  for  the  county  of  Kent. 

On  August  12th,  1625/  bearing  the  title  of  Cofferer  of  the 

relied  on  (and  what  wise  or  impartial  person  will  doubt  them  ?)  it  will  be  evi- 
dent, what  imperfect  and  even  erroneous  inferences  may  arise  from  bare  records, 
and  dry  official  notices.  With  all  these  high  employments,  Lord  Clarendon,  as 
will  be  hereafter  seen,  sets  Sir  Henry  Vane  in  a  very  insignificant  and  contemp- 
tible light. 

q  Willis's  Notit.  Parliament,  p.  176,  177.         r  Cabala,  Part  1.  4*0.  p.  13 1. 
»  Rymer's  Fcedera,  Vol.  XVIII.  p.  97.  '  Ibid.  p.  153  to  157. 

«  Willis  ut  antea,  p.  199.  x  Ibid.  p.  237,  240,  259,  262. 

T  Notwithstanding  all  these  employments,  Lord  Clarendon  says,  that  by  the 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTOM.  507 

Household,  he2  was  in  the  commission  for  governing,  demising, 
and  disposing  of  the  King's  customary  lands  within  the  duchy  ot 
Cornwall,  and  all  other  manors,  &c.  he  had,  before  his  accession 
to  the  crown,  passed  over  for  the  payment  of  such  debts  they 
stood  engaged  forj  but  some  doubt  arising  whether  they  could 
agree  for  leases  of  the  demesne  lands,  parcel  of  the  said  duchy, 
the  King,  by  a  new  commission,  bearing  date  February  20th  fol- 
lowing, impowers  them  to  dispose  of  all  honours,  castles,  manors, 
&c.  parcel  of  the  said  duchy,  or  annexed  thereto,  and  of  all  the 
revenues,  &c.  arising  therefrom,  except  the  coinage  and  customs, 
&c.  of  Tin  (within  the  counties  of  Cornwall  and  Devon),  for  the 
payment  of  the  said  debts.  Hea  was  likewise  the  same  year  in 
commission,  to  take  a  survey  of  the  wardrobe,  in  all  the  King's 
castles,  houses,  &c. 

On  July  24th,  1630,  bearing  the  b  title  of  Comptroller  of  the 
King's  Household,  and  of  his  Privy-council,  he  was  in  com- 
mission, with  others  of  the  council,  to  put  in  execution  the  laws 
relating  to  the  buildings  in  Westminster  and  London,  according 
to  the  King's  proclamation.  Also,  on  October  2d  following,  was 
in  commission,0  to  examine  the  records,  &c.  in  custody  of  Sir 
Robert  Cotton,  Knt.  and  Bart.  The  King,  in  the  preamble  to 
the  patent,  recites/  e  That  it  having  come  to  his  knowledge, 
that  there  remain  in  possession  of  Sir  Robert  Cotton,  Knt.  and 
Bart,  divers  records,  books,  writings,  and  original  papers  of  state, 
properly  belonging  to  the  crown,  and  not  fit  to  be  kept  by  any  pri- 
vate person:  and  by  a  late  order  and  decree  in  the  court  of  Star- 
chamber,  it  was  thought  fit,  that  he  should  appoint  some  persons 
of  trust  and  quality,  to  search  and  view  what  books  and  papers, 
and  other  writings  of  state,  properly  belonged  to  him,  to  the  end 
they  might  be  disposed  of  as  instruments  of  state  at  his  pleasure : 
ke  therefore  empowers  the  aforesaid  Counsellors,  or  any  two  of 
them,  to  enter  the  house  of  the  said  Sir  Robert  Cotton,  and  there 
to  search,  find  out,  and  view,  all,  every,1  or  any  records,  books, 
escripts,  papers,  or  writings  of  the  said  Sir  Robert  Cotton,  either 
in  his  custody,  or  in  the  custody  of  others  by  his  appointment. 
And  upon  such  view,  his  will  and  pleasure  is,  that  they  set  down, 
and  deliver  unto  him  in  writing,  such  as  properly  belong  to  him, 

disfavour  of  the  Duke  of  Buckingham,  he  met  with  some  severe  mortifications 
at  the  beginning  of  this  reign. 

»  Rymer's  Foedera,  Vol.  XVIII.  p.  306,' 367.  a  Ibid.  p.  768, 

b  Rymer,  Vol.  XII.  p.  181.  c  ibid.  p.    198,  199, 

<i  Pat.  6  Car.  I.  p.  10,  n.  9. 


508  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

&c.  that  he  may  thereupon  give  further  order  and  direction 
touching  the  disposing  of  them,  as  in  his  royal  judgment  he  shall 
think  fit.'  And  for  their  belter  ease  and  help,  they  were  em- 
powered to  call  to  their  assistance  Sir  William  Beecher,  Knt.  and 
William  Boswell,  Esq.  Clerks  of  the  Council. 

Likewise,  on  January  5th,  the  same  year,  hee  was  in  commis- 
sion, with  others,  for  relieving  the  poor;  and  they  were  empowered 
to  inquire  into  the  execution  of  the  statutes  relating  thereto,  and 
the  employment  of  lands,  goods,  and  monies  given  for  charitable 
uses,  the  training  up  of  youth  in  trades,  and  repressing  drunken-* 
ness,  idleness,  &c. 

On  April  10th,  1(531,  hef  was,  with  others,  commissioned  to 
give  orders,  and  take  into  their  care  the  reparations  of  the  cathe- 
dral church  of  St.  Paul,  London :  and,  on  May  6th  following,  was 
in  commission/  to  hear  and  examine  all  questions  and  contro- 
versies, kc.  that  shall  arise  about  the  jurisdiction  of  any  of  the 
courts  ecclesiastical  or  civil,  or  any  of  the  courts  of  justice,  or 
betwixt  the  Judges  and  Officers  of  the  courts  of  judicature,  in 
any  matter  or  cause  concerning  jurisdiction,  and  to  determine  the 
same. 

On  September  20th,  the  same  year,11  the  King,  in  consideration 
of  the  prudence,  faith,  and  industry,  he  reposes  in  his  well  beloved 
Sir  Henry  Vane,  Knt.  of  his  Privy-council,  and  Comptroller  of 
his  Household,  commissions  him  to  renew  the  treaty  of  friend- 
ship and  confederacy  with  Christian  IV.  King  of  Denmark.  Aha- 
by  another  commission,  bearing  date  the  same  day  and  year,  he  ' 
was  empowered  to  treat  and  conclude  on  a  firm  peace  and  confe- 
deracy with  Gustavus  Adolphus,  King  of  Sweden,  and  the  Ger- 
man Princes  in  alliance  with  him.  The  Marquis  of  Hamilton 
that  year  went  over  to  the  King  of  Sweden's  assistance  with  six 
thousand  men,  and  Sir  Henry  Vane  was  ordered  to  confer  with 
him.  He  met  the  Marquis  at  Wurtburgh,  in  October/  and, 
being  admitted  to  an  audience  of  the  King  of  Sweden,  at  Frank- 
fort, January  29th,  earnestly  pressed  him  to'  undertake  the  resti- 
tution of  the  King  of  Bohemia,  Elector  Palatine,  to  his  estates 
and  dignities:  but  the  Swedish  Monarch  answered,  '  That  he 
could  not,  without  having  war  with  France  and  Bavaria  -,  nor 
would  undertake  such  war,  unless  the  King  of  England  would 

•  Rymer,  Vol.  XII.  p.  231,  &  seq.  f  Pat.  7  Car.  I.  p.  10.  n.  9. 

i  Rymer,  Vol.  XIX.  p.  279,  &  seq.  h  Ibid.  p.  317. 

i  Rymer,  Vol.  XIX.  p.  318. 
k  Life  of  King  Charles  in  Hist,  of  Eng.  Vol.  II.  p.  04, 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.  509 

enter  into  an  alliance  with  him  against  the  Spaniards/  However* 
it  was  concerted,  that  on  the  King  of  Bohemia's  arrival  in  the 
Swedish  camp,  where  he  was  speedily  expected,  the  Chancellor 
of  Sweden,  and  Sir  Henry,  the  English  Ambassador,  should  enter 
into  treaty  on  that  ardent  affair y  which,  on  his  arrival,  came  to 
no  effect. 

Sir  Henry  Vane,  intent  on  the  subject  of  his  embassy,  followed 
the  King  of  Sweden  in  his  marches  through  Germany,  and  left 
no  means  unessayed  to  prevail  on  him  to  restore  the  King  of  Bo- 
hemia to  his  dominions  in  the  Palatinate  -,  but  the  Swede,  flushed 
with  victory,  insisted  on  terms  that  could  not  be  yielded  to  with 
honour.  Sir  Henry  had  his  last  audience  of  that  successful  1  Prince 
about  the  middle  of  July,  1632,  when  all  that  he  could  obtain 
from  him  was,  That  he  should  hold  his  country  as  a  donative  of 
the  King  of  Sweden,  and  make  no  martial  levies,  or  any  league  or 
article  with  any  other  Prince,  without  his  consent.  That,  during 
the  war,  he  should  furnish  him  with  what  forces  he  could  raise 
and  pay,  and  put  two  of  his  chief  est  towns  in  his  hands,  for  per-' 
forming  of  the  covenants.  These  terms  Sir  Henry  Vane  thought 
so  dishonourable,  that,  expostulating  with  the  King  of  Sweden  on 
the  hardships  of  them,  they  both  parted  in  heat,  and  the  treaty 
broke  off.  But  his  conduct  therein  was  satisfactory  to  his  own 
Sovereign,  who  so  far  approved  of  his  Ambassador's  carriage, 
that  he  sent  letters  to  the  King  of  Sweden,  charging  him  with 
obstructing  the  league  between  them,  and  recalled  Sir  Henry 
Vane,  and  ordered  the  Marquis  of  Hamilton  to  return  home  with 
his  forces. 

Robert  Sidney,  Earl  of  Leicester,  in  a  letter  from  Rensbourg, 

in  Holstein,  dated  October  8th,  ]6'32  (being  then  in  embassy  to 

the  King  of  Denmark),  has  this  remark,"1  Sir  Henry  Vane  is  gorie 

from  the  King  of  Sweden,  without  effecting  the  business  he  came 

for,  which  I  believe  will  be  other  mens  fortunes  as  well  as  his,  in. 

their  employments. 

Sir  Henry  departed  from  the  Swedish  camp  the  latter  end  of 
October,"  leaving  his  instructions  with  his  Secretary,  Mr.  Curtius, 
who  staid  as  his  Majesty's  Agent  with  the  King  of  Sweden;  but 
the  battle  fought  at  Lutzen,  November  6th,  1(532,  wherein  the 
King  of  Sweden  was  slain,  together  with  the  death  of  the  King  of 

1  Rushworth's  Collections,  Part  2.  Vol.  I.  and  Life  of  K.  Charles,  ut  antea, 
p.  68. 
ra  Sidney  Letters,  Vol.  II.  p,  372.  V  Rushworth,  &c,  ut  antea, 


5 JO  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Bohemia,  who  died  on  the  29th  of  the  said  month,  put  an  end 
to  all  negociations  on  that  head. 

-  Immediately  after  his  return,  November  20th,  1632,°  he  was 
in  commission  (retaining  his  place  of  Comptroller  of  the  House- 
hold), to  exercise  and  perform  all  and  every  acts,  matters,  &c. 
which  to  the  office  of  Lord  High  Admiral  of  England,  Ireland, 
Wales,  &c.  appertaineth  of  belongeth,  as  well  concerning  the 
navy  and  shipping,  as  the  rights  and  jurisdiction  of  the  office  of 
Lord  High  Admiral  of  England,  &c.  Also  on  February  20th 
following,  in  commission,?  to  reprieve  and  stay  from  execution, 
such  as  may  be  convicted  of  felony,  whom,  for  strength  of  body, 
or  other  abilities,they  may  think  fit  to  be  employed  in  foreign  dis- 
coveries, or  other  services  beyond  the  seas. 

The  year  1033  began  with  King  Charles's  preparation  for  a 
progress  into  Scotland,  where  he  had  been  long  expected  to  so- 
lemnize his  coronation.  He  set  out  from  London,  May  13th,  with 
the  Earls  of  Northumberland,  Arundel,  Pembroke,  Southampton, 
Marquis  of  Hamilton,  the  Bishop  of  London,  Sir  Henry  Vane, 
and  many  other  persons  of  quality.  He  accepted  1  of  noble  en- 
tertainments by  the  way;  at  Welbeck,  from  the  Earl  of  New- 
castle -,  at  Raby-Castle,  from  Sir  Henry  Vane;  at  Durham,  from 
Thomas  Morton,  the  Bishop;  and  at  Newcastle,  from  the  magis- 
trates and  town;  making  it  a  month  in  his  journey  to  Edinburgh. 
On  his  Majesty's  arrival  there,  his  English  servants  and  officers 
yielded  up  their  places  and  attendance  to  the  Scots;  and  Sir  Henry 
Vane  returned  to  Raby-Castle. 

On  December  1/th  following,  her  was  in  commission  for  the 
better  governing  of  the  great  wardrobe,  &c.  Also  in  another 
commission  of  the  same  date,s  to  put  in  execution  an  act  of  the 
first  of  Elizabeth,  entitled,  An  Act  restoring  to  the  crown  the  an-> 
cient  jurisdiction  over  the  State  ecclesiastical  and  spiritual,  and 
abolishing  all  foreign  power,  repugnant  to  the  same.  And,  on 
February  1/th  ensuing,1  was  in  a  special  commission  to  inquire 
into  the  exactions  and  abuses  committed  in  the  several  courts  of 
justice,  and  other  inferior  courts  within  the  realm. 

On  November  19th,  1634,  heu  was  with  the  other  Lords  of 
the  Admiralty,  appointed  Commissioners  of  Appeal,  in  cases  of 
prizes  taken  by  virtue  of  letters  of  marque,  and  to  determine  the 

o  Pat.  8  Car.  I.  p.  8.  n.  9.  dors,  P  Rymer,  Vol.  XIX.  p.  406,  &  seq. 

H  Rushworth,  p.  69.  r  Pat.  9  Car.  I.  p.  6.  n.  8,  dors, 

s  Rymsr,  Vol.  XIX.  p.  487,  &  sfcq.  *  Pat.  9  Car.  I.  p.  6,  n,  8.  dors. 

«  Rymer,  Vol,  XIX,  p.  581, 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.  -  511 

same.  On  May  9th,  1 1  Car.  I.  he  was  in  commission/  with 
others,  who  were  empowered  to  call  before  them  the  officers  of 
the  standing  wardrobes,  in  any  of  the  King's  honours,  castles,  or 
manor-houses,  in  England  and  Wales,  and  to  take  an  account  of 
the  wardrobe  stuff  in  his  or  their  keeping.  Also,  on  August  23d 
the  same  year,  was  commissioned^  with  others,  to  compound 
with  all  the  King's  subjects  who  held  their  estates  by  defective 
grants.  And  on  November  16th  following,2  was  in  commission 
with  other  Lords  of  the  Admiralty,  to  fend  as  ma*ny  ships,  fitly 
prepared  and  victualled,  as  the  Lords  of  the  Council  should  di- 
rect, in  aid  and  ease  of  such  counties  as  could  not  furnish  the 
same  as  by  the  King's  writs  were  required.  In  the  same  year  he 
obtained  a  a  grant  of  free  warren,  and  Master  Forester  and  Chief 
Warden  of  all  forests  and  chases  within  the  dominion  of  Castle 
Barnard,  commonly  called  Barnard's-Castle,  in  the  bishoprick  of 
Durham  3  to  hold  to  the  said  Sir  Henry  Vane,  and  the  heirs  male 
of  his  body. 

On  April  10th,  163Q,  he  b  was  in  commission  to  hear  and  de- 
termine, according  to  their  discretions,  all  quarrels  between  the 
subjects  of  his  Majesty's  colonies  in  America,  and  their  governors, 
for  delaying  of  justice,  &c.  that  may  be  brought  before  them  in 
England,  &c.  Also,  nine  days  after,0  was  in  another  commis- 
sion, concerning  the  buildings  of  London  and  Westminster.  And 
complaint  being  made  by  sundry  of  the  King's  subjects,  of  being 
robbed  and  pillaged  at  sea,  by  ships  belonging  to  subjects  of  fo- 
reign Princes  and  States,  hed  and  the  rest  of  the  Commissioners 
of  the  Admiralty,  or  any  three  of  them,  were  empowered  to  give 
warrants  to  the  Judges  of  the  High  Court  of  Admiralty,  to  issue 
letters  of  marque  and  reprisal  to  such  of  his  Majesty's  subjects  as 
have  been  pillaged,  &c.  signed  by  the  King  on  October  11th,  in 
the  twelfth  year  of  his  reign.  Likewise,  on  December  24th  en- 
suing,6 he  was  in  an  especial  commission  with  others,  the  Com- 
missioners of  the  Admiralty,  to  lend  such  ships  to  those  counties, 
which,  of  themselves,  cannot  find  ships  for  the  King's  service,  as 
required  by  his  Majesty's  writs,  and  to  set  them  forth  in  full  equU 
page  of  men  and  provisions.  And  Sir  William  Russel,  Treasurer 
of  the  Navy,  was  empowered  to  receive  of  the  several  sheriffs  and 
officers  of  the  said  counties  all  such  monies  as  shall  be  paid  in 


X 


Rymer,  Vol.  XIX.  p.  66$,  Y  Pat.  11  Car.  I.  p.  23.  n.44,  dors. 

2  Rymer,  Vol.  XIX.  p.  697,  et  seq,  a  Pat.  11  Car.  I.  p.  zo.  n.  16. 

b  Rymer,  Vol.  XX.  p.  8,  &  seq.  c  Ibid.  p.  10. 

«*  Ibid.  p.  74,  75.  «  Ibid,  p,  95,  &  seq. 


512  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND.    ' 

for  the  said  ships  and  service.  And,  by  another  commission  bear- 
ing date  the  same  day/  they  were  empowered  to  give  warrants  to 
the  Master  of  the  Ordnance,  to  sell  and  deliver  to  George  Collins, 
Gent,  and  Samuel  Cordwell,  Gent,  such  quantities  of  salt-petre 
and  gunpowder,  pursuant  to  the  contract  made  with  them.  Also, 
on  February  27th  following,^  were  commissioned  to  grant  letters 
of  marque  and  reprisal  against  the  French  King's  subjects. 

Continuing  in  the  Commission  of  the  Admiralty,  as  also  Comp- 
troller of  the  King's  Household,  and  of  his  Privy-council,h  he 
was  again  with  them  commissioned,  December  28th,  1637,  to 
furnish  and  lend  ships  to  such  counties  as  cannot  find  the  same 
for  the  King's  use.  And  on  March  30th,  1637,  '  Algernon,  Earl 
of  Northumberland,  being  made  Lord  High  Admiral  of  England, 
on  May  21st  following,  14  Car.  1.  the  King  reciting/"  '  That 
March  the  lrjth,  in  the  eleventh  year  of  his  reign,  he  had  assigned 
Commissioners,  Sir  Henry  Vane,  &c.  with  full  power  and  autho- 
rity to  execute  and  perform  all  acts,  matters,  and  things,  which 
appertained  to  the  office  of  a  Lord  High  Admiral  of  England, 
Ireland,  and  Wales,  and  the  dominions  thereunto  belonging,  town 
of  Calais,  and  the  marches  thereof,  Normandy,  Gascoigne,  and 
Aquitaine;  as  well  touching  the  navy  and  shipping,  as  what  con- 
cerned the  right  and  jurisdiction  of,  or  appertaining  to  the  office 
of  Lord  High  Admiral  of  England;  and  whereas  he  had  lately 
constituted  Algernon  Earl  of  Northumberland,  Lord  High  Ad- 
miral; and  forasmuch  as  the  accounts  of  the  Vice- Admirals,  and 
other  officers  of  the  navy,  who  are  accountable,  are  not  finished, 
and  some  other  matters  not  perfected,  the  King,  reposing  especial 
trust  and  confidence  in  the  approved  wisdoms,  integrities,  and 
circumspections  of  the  said  Sir  Henry  Vane,  &c.  commissions 
them  to  perfect  such  businesses  as  are  undispatched  by  them, 
concerning  the  Admiralty;  and  to  call  to  account  all  such  Vice- 
Admirals,  and  other  officers,  &c.  who  are  accountable  for  profits, 
&c.  accruing  to  the  King,  from-  the  death  of  George  Duke  of 
Buckingham,  Lord  Admiral  of  England,  until  the  date  of  the 
letters-patent  granted  of  that  office  to  the  Earl  of  Northumber- 
land; and  as  they  shall  find  cause,  give  a  full  acquittal  for  dis- 
charging the  said  accountants,  &c.' 

On  June  26th  following,  he  *  was  in  commission  for  the  repair 

f  Rymer,  Vol.  XX.  p.  97,  &  seq.  S  Ibid.  p.  21$. 

Ibid.  p.  184,  &  seq.  i  Pat.  13  Car.  I.  p.  13,  in  do 

k  Rymer,  Vol.  XX.  p.  22?,  &  seq. 


*»  Ibid.  p.  184,  &  seq.  *  Pat.  13  Car.  1. 

k  Rymer,  Vol.  XX.  p.  225,  &  seq. 
I  Pat.  14  Car.  I,  p.  6.  n.  24,  dors. 


dors, 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.  513 

and  re-edifying  the  Tower  of  London;  as  also  for  annexing 
thereto  fitting  privileges,  benefits,  and  duties,  the  charge  whereof 
to  be  borne  out  of  the  revenue  and  rights  anciently  belonging 
thereto:  and  were  empowered,  as  well  by  examination  and  depo- 
sition of  witnesses  on  their  oaths,  as  by  other  good  and  lawful 
means,  to  enquire  and  find  out  what  prerogatives,  privileges,  ju- 
risdictions, bounds,  liberties,  precincts,  hamlets,  commands, 
benefits,  rights,  fees,  services,  rents,  &c.  have  heretofore  apper- 
tained to  the  said  royal  castle,  commonly  called  the  Tower  of 
London,  or  that  may  hereafter  be  annexed  or  held  as  appertaining 
thereto,  and  be  settled  and  established,  &c.  and  by  what  means 
monies  may  be  raised  sufficient  to  re-edify  and  repair  the  said 
Tower  of  London;  as  also  what  further  works,  in  their  discre- 
tions, they  shall  find  requisite  for  the  King's  service ;  and  for  the 
better  storing  and  safe  keeping  munitions,  provisions  of  war,  and 
other  necessaries  therein,  &c.  with  other  large  powers. 

What  I  find  next  of  him  is,  that  he  was  made  Treasurer  of  the 
Household  in  September  l63g.  m  And  on  February  5th  follow- 
ing he  was  n  constituted  principal  Secretary  of  State  °  for  life  \ 
also  was  permitted  to  hold  the  place  of  Treasurer  of  the  House- 
hold with  it.  He  succeeded  Secretary  Coke  (who  was  so  aged  as 
to  be  unfit  for  business),  after  much  opposition  from  the  Earl  of 
Strafford.  Algernon,  Earl  of  Northumberland,  in  a  p  letter  to 
Robert  Earl  of  Leicester,  Ambassador  in  France,  advertises  him, 
'  That  the  King  sent  the  Lord  Treasurer  to  Secretary  Coke,  to 
let  him  know,  that  by  reason  of  his  age  he  found  him  not  able  to 
discharge,  as  he  ought  to  do,  the  business  incident  to  the  place  he 
held,  and  if  he  would  willingly  resign,  his  Majesty  would  take  it 
well  at  his  hands,  and  be  ready  to  shew  him  favour;  which  he 
immediately  submitted  to.  Thus  far  it  proceeded  without  the 
knowledge  of  the  Archbishop,  Hamilton,  the  Lieutenant  of  Ireland, 
or  any  other  Minister  of  this  court;  nor  had  the  Lord  Treasurer 
any  guess  for  whom  the  place  was  intended.  The  next  day  Coke 
made  his  complaints  to  the  Lieutenant  of  Ireland,  and  then  it  be- 
gan to  break  out,  that  Mr.  Treasurer  Vane  was  the  man  designed 
to  be  Secretary.  Much  labouring  there  hath  been  to  cross  him  in 
it;  but  the  King  is  so  far  engaged,  that  I  doubt  he  will  not  be 

m  Birch's  View  of  the  Negotiations  between  England  and  France,  &c.  in  In- 
troduction, p.  13. 

■  Par.  1$  Car.  I.  p.  2.  n.  3. 
•  See  afterwards  Lord  Clarendon's  remark  oa  this  ill-starred  promotion. 

P  Sidney's  State  Papers,  Vol.  II.  p.  631. 
VOL.    IV.  3  l 


514  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND.      - 

wrought  off.  If  possible  that  can  be  done,  I  have  better  hopes 
than  ever,  that  it  will  be  obtained  for  Leicester;  for  I  assure  you 
of  the  Lord  Deputy's  using  the  uttermost  of  his  power  to  effect 
it.  In  another  letter,  dated  February  6th,  1739/1  his  Lordship 
acquaints  the  Earl  of  Leicester,  '  On  Saturday  last  the  Seals  were 
delivered  to  Mr.  Treasurer  Vane,  and  the  day  following  he  was 
sworn  Secretary:  the  Queen's  solicitation  hath  much  furthered 
that  business j  *ut  certainly  no  money  hath  been  employed,  either 
to  H.  Germain  (Jermyn),  or  to  any  body  else  on  this  occasion. 
The  affairs  of  France,  Germany,  Holland,  and  all  those  parts  in 
the  Baltick  sea,  are  put  into  Mr.  Treasurer's  hands  3  and,  if  I  be 
not  deceived,  you  will  find  him  ready  to  serve  you.  Mr.  Trea- 
surer would  not  accept  of  the  Secretary's  place,  until  he  was  as- 
sured of  holding  the  while  staff  also.* 

The  Earl  of  Clarendon  has  observed,1"  '  That  the  Earl  of  Straf- 
ford, with  great  earnestness,  opposed  Sir  Henry  Vane  being  made 
Secretary  of  State,  and  prevailed  for  above  a  month's  delay;  and, 
about  the  same  time  being  to  be  made  Earl  of  Strafford,,  would 
have  a  new  creation  of  a  barony,  and  took  the  title  of  Baron 
Raly,  a  house  belonging  to  Sir  Henry  Vane,  and  an  honour,  he 
made  an  account,  should  belong  to  himself;  which  was  an  act 
(saith  the  noble  author),  of  the  most  unnecessary  provocation  that 
I  have  known,  and  I  believe  was  the  chief  occasion  of  the  loss  of 
his  head.'  It  is  also  further  observed,  by  the  same  noble  author,6 
that,  on  his  being  made  Secretary  of  State,  the  bulk  and  burthen 
of  state  affairs,  whereby  the  envy  attended  them  likewise,  lay  prin- 
cipally on  the  shoulders  of  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  the 
Earl  of  Strafford,  and  the  Lord  Cottington;  some  others  being 
added  to  them  by  their  places,  as  the  Earl  of  Northumberland, 
Sir  Henry  Vane,  and  Sir  Francis  Windebank,  &c,  who  made  the 
committee  of  state  reproachfully  called  The  Junto,  and  met  on  all 
occasions,  when  the  Secretaries  received  any  extraordinary  intel- 
ligence, or  were  to  make  any  extraordinary  dispatch  ;  whereas  the 
body  of  the  council  observed  set  days  for  their  meeting,  and  came 
not  else  together,  except  specially  summoned. 

On  February  4th,  l6'3g,  he  was  in  commission1  with  Alger- 
noon  Earl  of  Northumberland,  Lord  High  Admiral  and  President 
of  the  Council  of  War,  William  Bishop  of  London,  Lord  Trea- 

*  Sidney's  State  Papers*  Vol.  II.  p.  634,  635.. 

'  Hist-of  the  Rebellion,  8vo.  Vol.  I.  p.  150,  l£i* 

«  Ibid.  Vol.  1,  p.  r49»  «  Rymer,  Vgl.  XX.  p.  369,  &  se<j. 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.  515 

surer,  James  Marquis  of  Hamilton,  Master  of  the  Horse,  Sir 
Francis  Windebank,  Secretary  of  State,  and  George  Goring,  Go- 
vernor of  Portsmouth,  for  a  Council  of  War:  and  were  autho- 
rised to  meet  together,  as  often  as  may  best  conduce  to  the  King's 
service;  and  to  consider  of  securing  his  kingdoms  and  dominions, 
and  all  other  matters  concerning  war  and  warlike  provisons,  and 
to  take  cognizance  of  all  misdemeanors,  abuses,  and  offences 
touching  martial  affairs,  &c.  also  for  the  ordering  and  managing 
the  trained-bands  within  the  realm  of  England,  and  dominions 
thereunto  belonging;  and  furnishing  of  forts  and  fortifications 
within  the  realm,  &c.  for  the  safety  of  the  kingdom. 

On  July  27tb,  1640,  bearing  u  the  titles  of  Treasurer  of  the 
Household  and  Secretary  of  State,  he  was  commissioned  with 
others  to  call  before  them  such  officers,  or  others,  as  have  the  cus- 
tody of  any  of  the  King's  jewels,  and  to  require  their  bringing 
before  them  the  said  jewels,  to  be  viewed;  together  with  all  books, 
notes,  or  inventories,  wherewith  they  may  be  charged  with  any  of 
the  said  jewels,  &c.  and  to  order  perfect  and  full  inventories  to 
be  made  thereof,  &c. 

Afterwards  he  waited  on  the  King  in  his  last  expedition  against 
the  Scots  in  1640:  and  was  at  York  when  a  cessation  of  arms 
was  agreed  on.  Of  the  King's  council  were  three  of  the  commis- 
sioners that  concluded  it,  the  Earls  of  Pembroke,  Salisbury,  and 
Holland,  who  (as  related  by  the  Earl  of  Clarendon),"  ■  were  all 
inspired  by  the  Scots,  and  liked  well  all  that  they  pretended  to 
desire.  Besides  those,  the  King  had  nobody  to  consult  with  but 
the  Lord  Keeper  Finch,  the  Duke  of  Richmond,  the  Marquis  of 
Hamilton,  the  Earl  of  Strafford,  and  Sir  Henry  Vane,  Principal 
Secretary  of  State.  And  the  King  agreed  y  thereto,  as  he  thought 
the  Parliament  of  England  would  be  more  jealous  of  his  honour, 
and  more  sensible  of  the  indignities  he  suffered  from  the  Scots, 
than  his  Commissioners  appeared  to  be.'  When  the  King  left 
York,  he  was  accompanied  by  all  the  Lords,  and  Sir  Henry  Vane; 
but  the  Earl  of  Strafford  was  left  in  the  North,  to  take  care  of  the 
army,  on  which  Lord  Clarendon  has  made  some  observations  of 
the  errors  then  committed,  without  any  mention  of  Sir  Henry 
Vane  being  concerned  in  them. 

Sir  Henry  Vane  continued  so  far  in  the  King's  favour,  that, 

0  Pat.  16  Car.  I.  n.  19. 

*  History  of  the  Rebellion,  8vo.  Vol.  I.  p.  158. 

X  Ibid.  p.  15^. 


5\6  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

when  William  Juxon,  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  humbly  besought 
the  King  to  resign  the  office  of  Lord  High  Treasurer,  his  Ma- 
jesty, on  May  18th,  l64l,  constituted  z  Sir  Henry  Vane  Treasurer 
of  the  Household,  and  Principal  Secretary  of  State,  with  the  Lord 
Keeper  Littleton,  Henry  Earl  of  Manchester,  Lord  Privy  Seal, 
and  two  others,  Commissioners  for  executing  the  several  offices 
of  Treasurer  of  the  Exchequer,  and  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer. 
And  on  August  9th  following,  on  his  Majesty's  taking  a  journey 
into  Scotland,  hea  constituted  his  Privy-Council  (whereof  Sir 
Henry  Vane  was  one),  Regents  of  the  kingdom  during  his  ab- 
sence, and  to  take  care  for  the  safety  of  his  dearest  consort  the 
Queen,  his  dearest  son  Prince  Charles,  and  the  rest  of  his  roya* 
children,  and  to  defend  them  from  all  insurrections,  &c. 

Yet  not  long  after,  on  Sir  Henry  Vane's  appearing  in  the 
prosecution  of  the  Earl  of  Strafford,  the  King  was  so  offended, 
that  he  removed  him  from  his  places  of  Treasurer  of  his  House- 
hold, and  Secretary  of  State,  though,  in  the  patent  granting  that 
office  to  him,  he  was  to  hold  it  during  life.  And  thereupon  the 
Parliament,  when  they  raised  their  army,  and  published  their  de- 
claration, avowed,  '  it  was  only b  for  the  defence  of  the  King's 
person,  and  the  religion,  liberties,  and  laws  of  the  Kingdom,  and 
for  those,  who  for  their  sakes,  and  for  those  ends,  had  observed 
their  orders.  That,  by  the  instigation  of  evil  counsellors,  the 
King  had  raised  an  army  of  Papists,  by  which  he  intended  to  awe 
and  destroy  the  Parliament,  &c.  and  the  putting  out  the  Earl  of 
Northumberland,  Sir  Henry  Vane,  and  others,  &c.  from  their 
several  places  and  employments,  were  sufficient  and  ample  evi- 
dences thereof.' 

It  does  not  appear  that  he  was  concerned  in  any  measures 
against  the  King,  but  continued  in  London,  without  acting  in  the 
rebellion.0  And  on  December  1st,  1645,  the  Parliament,  debating 
oh  propositions  Of  peace  with  the  King,  voted,  that  it  be  recom- 
mended to  his  Majesty  to  create  Sir  Henry  Vane,  senior,  a  Baron 
of  the  kingdom/1  He  lamented  the  unhappy  state  of  the  nation 
in  those  times  of  confusion,  and  was  not  in  any  commission  or 
employment  under  the  Parliament.     In  July,  1645,  his  castle  of 

zPat.  17  Car.  1.  n.  5,  dors.  a  Rymer,  Vol.  XX.  p.  481,  482. 

b  Clarendon's  History  of  the  Rebellion,  Vol.  IV.  p.  70a. 
e  Whitlock's  Memorials,  p.  188. 
«*  The  best  proof' of  his  active  zeal  against  the  King,  is  this  recommendation 
of  the  Parliament.    Editor, 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.  517 

Rabye  was  surprized  by  the  King's  forces  raised  by  Sir  George 
Vane,  his  son.  Before  the  cruel  murder  of  the  King,  he  retired 
to  his  seat  at  Raby  castle,  neither  he  nor  his  sons  being  concerned 
therein,  but  opposed  it  all  that  lay  in  their  power. 

Notwithstanding  what  has  been  said,  it  stiil  becomes  necessary 
to  insert  the  character  given  of  him  by  Lord  Clarendon,  that  the 
reader  may  judge  for  himself. 

"  The  last  of  the  King's  counsellors  (says  Lord  Clarendon), 
who  stayed  with  the  Parliament,  was  Sir  Henry  Vane,  who  had 
so  much  excuse  for  it,  that  being  thrown  out  of  court,  he  had  no 
whither  else  to  go;  and  promised  himself  to  be  much  made  of  by 
them,  for  whose  sakcs  only  he  had  brought  that  infamy  upon 
himself.  He  was  of  very  ordinary  parts  by  nature,  and  had  not 
cultivated  them  by  art  j  for  he  was  illiterate.  But  being  of  a 
stirring  and  boisterous  disposition,  very  industrious  and  very  bold, 
he  still  wrought  himself  into  some  employment.  He  had  been 
acquainted  with  the  vicissitudes  of  court;  and  had  undergone 
some  severe  mortification,  by  the  disfavour  of  the  Duke  of  Buck-r 
ingham,  in  the  beginning  of  the  King's  reign.  But  the  Duke 
was  no  sooner  dead  (which  made  it  believed  that  he  had  made  his 
peace  in  his  lifetime,  for  the  King  was  not,  in  a  long  time  after, 
reconciled  to  any  man,  who  was  eminently  in  the  Duke's  disfa-- 
vour),  but  he  was  again  brought,  into  the  court,  and  made  a  coun- 
sellor, and  controller  of  the  household  j  which  place  he  became 
well,  and  was  fit  for;  and,  if  he  had  never  taken  other  prefer- 
ment, he  might,  probably,  have  continued  a  good  subject:  for  he 
had  not  inclination  to  change;  and,  in  his  judgment,  he  had  liked 
die  government,  both  of  the  church  and  state;  and  only  desired 
to  raise  his  fortune,  which  was  not  great;  and  which  he  found 
many  ways  to  improve.  And  he  was  wont  to  say,  '  that  he 
never  desired  any  other  preferment;  and  believed  the  Marquis 
Hamilton  (with  whom  he  had  never  kept  fair  quarter),  when  he 
first  proposed  to  him  to  be  Secretary  of  State,  did  it  to  affront  him, 
well  knowing  his  want  of  ability  for  the  discharge  of  that  office.' 
But  without  doubt,  as  the  fatal  preferring  him  to  that  place,  was 
of  unspeakable  prejudice  to  the  King,  so  his  receiving  it  was  to 
bis  own  destruction.  His  malice  to  the  Earl  of  Strafford  (who 
had  unwisely  provoked  him  wantonly,  and  out  of  contempt), 
transported  him  to  all  imaginable  thoughts  of  revenge;  which  is 

e  Whitlock's  Memorials,  p.  151. 


$18  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

a  guest  that  naturally  disquiets  and  tortures  those,  who  entertain 
it,,  with  all  the  perplexities  they  contrive  for  others,  and  that  dis- 
posed him  to  sacrifice  his  honour  and  faith,  and  his  master's  in  - 
terest,  that  he  might  ruin  the  Earl,  and  was  buried  himself  in  the 
same  ruin;  for  which,  being  justly  chastised  by  the  King,  and 
turned  out  of  his  service,  he  was  left  to  his  own  despair;  and 
though  he  concurred  in  all  the  malicious  designs  against  the  King, 
and  against  the  church,  he  grew  into  the  hatred  and  contempt 
of  those,  who  had  made  most  of  him:  he  died  in  universal  re- 
proach, and  not  contemned  more  by  any  of  his  enemies,  than  by 
his  own  son,  who  had  been  his  principal  conductor  to  destruc- 
tion." 

He  lived  to  the  latter  end  of  the  year  l()54,f  when  he  departed 
this  life,  at  his  seat  at  Raby-Castle,  in  the  sixty-ninth  year  of  his 
age. 

He  had  to  wife,  Frances,  daughter  of  Thomas  Darcy,  of  the 
county  of  Essex,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had  issue  four  sons,  and  five 
daughters.* 

Thomas,  and  John,  who  died  infants 

Sir  Henry  Vane,  third  son  and  heir 

Sir  George  Vane,  youngest  son,  knighted  at  Whitehall  on  No- 
vember 22d,  J 640,  seated  at  Long-Melton,  in  the  county  Palatine 
of  Durham,  aged  forty-six,  on  September  7th,  1666,  when  the 
visitation  of  that  county  was  taken.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter and  sole  heir  of  Sir  Lionel  Maddison,  of  Rogerley,  in  Durham, 
by  whom  he  had  issue  four  sons  and  eight  daughters.  Lionel, 
eldest  son,  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Sir  George  Fletcher, 
Bart,  and  had  four  sons,  and  a  daughter.  George,  eldest  son,  was 
father  of  the  late  Rev.  Sir  Henry  Vane,  D.  D.  Prebendary  of  Dur- 
ham, who  was  created  a  Baronet,  1782,  and  died  1784,  leaving 
Sir  Henry,  who  has  taken  the  name  of  Tempest,  in  right  of  his 
mother,  and  has  married  Anne,  Countess  of  Antrim,  in  Ireland, 
by  whom  he  has  a  daughter,  Walter,  younger  son  of  Lionel,  took 
the  name  of  Fletcher,  16Q2,  and  was  father  of  Sir  Lionel  Wright 
Vane  Fletcher,  of  Hutton,  who  was  created  a  Baronet,  1786;  and 
was  father  of  the  present  Sir  Lionel  Wright  Vane,  Bart,  who  was 
born  176O,  and  has  a  son,  Francis,  born,  1797. 

The  five  daughters11  of  Sir  Henry  Vane  were,  Margaret,  mar- 

»  Visitation  of  Durham,  C.  41,  in  the  Office  of  Aims.  %  Ibid, 

h  Ibid, 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.  5ig 

ried  to  Sir  Thomas  Pelham,  of  Holland,  in  com.  Sussex,  Bart, 
ancestor  to  Thomas,  late  Duke  of  Newcastle;  Frances,  second 
daughter,  was  wedded  to  Sir  Robert  Honeywood,  of  Pett,  in  the 
county  of  Kent,  Knt.;  Anne,  third  daughter,  was  wife  of  Sir 
Thomas  Liddell,  of  Ravensworth,  in  the  bishoprick  of  Durham, 
Bart.;  Elizabeth,  of  Sir  Francis  Vincent,  of  Stoke-Dabernon,  in 
com.  Surr.  Bart.;  and  Catharine. 

Sir  Henr?  Vane,  the  eldest  surviving  son  and  heir,  was  born 
about  l6l2,  and  being  educated  at  Westminster-school  under 
Lambert  Osbaldiston,  was  admitted  a  gentleman  commoner  in 
Magdalen-hall,1  Oxford,  about  the  age  of  sixteen  years.  He  was 
knighted  at  Whitehall,  on  June  23d,  1640;  and  had  (as  observed 
by  the  kEarl  of  Clarendon),  great  natural  parts;  and  a  quick 
conception,  and  very  ready,  sharp,  and  weighty  expression.  The 
same  noble  author  adds,  (  that  within  a  very  short  time  after  he 
returned  from  his  studies  in  Magdalen -College  in  Oxford,  where, 
though  he  was  under  the  care  of  a  very  worthy  tutor,  he  lived 
not  with  great  exactness,  he  spent  some  little  time  in  France, 
and  more  in  Geneva;  and,  after  his  return  into  England,  con- 
tracted a  full  prejudice  and  bitterness  against  the  church,  both 
against  the  form  of  the  government,  and  against  the  liturgy.  In 
this  giddiness,  which  then  much  displeased  his  father,  who  still 
appeared  highly  conformable,  and  exceeding  sharp  against  those 
who  were  not,  he  transported  himself  [in  1035]  into  New-Eng- 
land. He  was  no  sooner  landed  there,  but  his  parts  made  him 
quickly  taken  notice  of,  and  very  probably  his  quality,  being  the 
eldest  son  of  a  Privy-counsellor,  might  give  him  some  advantage $ 
insomuch,  that  when  the  next  season  came  for  the  election  of 
their  magistrates,  he  was  chosen  their  Governor;  in  which  place 
he  had  not  the  fortune  to  please  them  long;  and  he  unsatisfied 
with  them,  and  they  with  him,  he  thereupon  returned  to  Eng- 
land. When,  being  reformed  from  his  extravagancies,  he,  with 
his  father's  approbation  and  direction,  married  a  lady  of  a  good 
family;  and,  by  his  fathers  credit  with  the  Earl  of  Northumber- 
land, who  was  High-Admiral  of  England,  was  joined  with  Sir 
William  Russell,  in  the  office  of  Treasurer  of  the  Navy  (a  place 
of  great  trust  and  profit),  which  he  equally  shared  with  the  other 
(and  surviving  him,  had  it  solely),  and  seemed  well  satisfied,  and 
composed  to  the  government.' 

1  Wood's  Athense  Oxon,  Vol.  II.  p.  391. 
k  History  of  the  Rebellion,  8vo.  Vol.  I.  p.  S87. 


52©  ■  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

But  when  his  father  (as  Lord  Clarendon  further  observes),  re- 
ceived  the  disolligation  from  the  Lord  Strafford,  by  his  being 
created  Baron  of  Raby,  the  house  and  land  of  Vane  (which  title 
he  had  promised  himself  hut  it  was  unluckily  cast  upon  the  Earl, 
purely  out  of  contempt  to  Fane),  they  sucked  in  all  the  thoughts  of 
revenge  imaginable;  and,  from  thence,  the  son  betook  himself  to 
the  friendship  of  Mr.  Pym,  and  all  other  discontented  or  seditious 
persons,  and  communicated  all  that  intelligence  that  designed  the 
ruin  of  the  Earl,  and  which  grafted  him  in  the  entire  confidence 
of  those  who  promoted  the  same-,  so  that  nothing  was  concealed 
from  him,  though  it  is  believed,  that  he  communicated  his  own 
thoughts  to  very  few. 

The  part  he  acted  in  the  civil  wars1  is  recited  at  large  in  our 
historians,  and  therefore  I  shall  only  mention,  that  when  he  was 
Treasurer  of  the  Navy  (which  place  he  held  till  the  first  wars  be- 
tween the  English  and  Dutch),  he  shewed  a  rare  example  of 
honour  and  integrity.  The  fees  of  his  office  were,  at  that  time, 
four-pence  in  the  pound,  which,  by  reason  of  the  war,  honestly 
amounted  to  little  less  than  30,0001.  per  annum;  bat  Sir  Henry 
Vane  looked  on  it  as  too  much  for  a  private  subject,  and  very 
generously  gave  up  his  patent  (which  he  had  for  life  from  King 
.  Char.  I.),  to  the  then  parliament,  desiring  but  two  thousand  pounds 
per  annum,  for  an  agent  he  had  bred  up  to  the  business,  and  the 
remainder  to  go  to  the  publick.  This  was  done,  and  the  method 
of  a  fixed  salary  has  continued  ever  since  in  that  office.  He  was 
such  a  strenuous  opposer  of  all  tyrannical  government,  that  he  "* 
incurred  the  hatred  of  Cromwell;  who,  in  1 653,  when  he  turned 
out  the  Speaker,  and  the  Members,  stamping  with  his  foot,  bid- 
ding them  give  place  to  honester  men,* he,  in  wrath,  taking  Sir 
Henry  Vane,  junior,  by  the  cloak,  said,  thou  art  a  juggling  felr- 
low,  and,  abusing  others,  commanded  his  guards  to  turn  them 
out  of  the  house. 

On  the  restoration  of  King  Charles  II.  he  was  looked  on  as  a 
dangerous  person ;  and  being  brought  on  his  trial  for  high  trea- 
son, was  found  guilty,  and  receiving  sentence  of  death  on  June 
11th,  1662,  was  executed  on  the  14th  of  the  same  month. 

Bishop  Burnet,  in  his  History  of  his  Own  Times,  gives  an  ac- 
count, that,  '  as  the  sparing  of  Martin,  Goodwin,  and  Milton, 

*  Every  one  remembers  Milton's  famous  Sonnet  to  him : 
"  Vane,  young  in  years,  but  in  sage  counsel  old,"  &c. 
f1  Dugdale's  short  View  of  the  Troubles  in  England,  p.  40$.    • 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.  $21 

who  had  not  only  justified,  but  magnified,  the  putting  the  King 
to  death,  in  their  writings,  was  much  censured;  so,  on  tbe  other 
hand,  the  putting  Sir  Henry  Vane  to  death  was  as  much  blamed: 
for,  the  declaration  from  Breda  being-  full  for  an  indemnity  to 
all,  except  the  Regicides,  he  was  comprehended  in  that ;  since, 
though  he  was  for  changing  the  government,  and  deposing  the 
King,  yet  he  did  not  approve  of  the  putting  him  to  death,  nor  of 
the  force  put  on  the  parliament,  but  did  for  .some  time,  while 
these  things  were  acted,  withdraw  from  the  scene.     This  was  so 
represented  by  his  friends,  that  an  address  was   a  ade,  by  both 
houses  of  parliament,  on  his  behalf:  to  which   the  King  gave  a 
favourable  answer,  though  in  general  words:   so  he  reckoned  that 
he  was  safe;    that  being  equivalent  to  an  act  of  pr.r'iament, 
though  it  wanted  the  necessary  forms.     Yet  the  great  share  he 
had  in  the  attainder  of  the  Earl  of  Strafford,  and  in  the  whole 
turn  of  affairs,  to  the  total  change  of  government;   but,  above  all, 
the  great  opinion  that  was  had  of  his  parts  and  capacity  to  embroil 
matters  again,  made  the  court  think  it  was  necessary  to  put  him 
out  of  the  way.     He  was  beheaded  on  Tower  hill,  where  a  new 
and  very  indecent  practice  was  begun.     It  was  observed,  that  the 
dying  speeches  of  the  regicides  had  left  impressions  on  the  hear- 
ers, that  were  not  at  all  to  the  advantage  of  the  government;  so, 
strains  of  a  peculiar  nature  being  expected  from  him,  to  prevent 
that,  drummers  were  placed  under  the  scaffold,  who,  as  soon  as 
he  began  to  speak  to  the  public,  upon  a  sign  given,  struck  up 
with  their  drums.     This  put  him  in  no  d  sorder:   he  desired  they 
might  be  stopped,  for  he  understood  what  was  meant  by  it.  Then 
he  went  through  his  devotions;  and,  as  he  was  taking  leave  of 
those  about  him,  he  happening  to  say  somewhat  with  relation  to 
the  times,  the  drums  struck  up  a  second  time;  so  that  he  gave 
over,  and  died  with  so  much  composedness,  that  it  was  generally 
thought  the  government  had  lost  more  than  it  had  gained  by  his 
death.' 

He  had  to  wife  n  Frances,  daughter  of  Sir  Christopher  Wray, 
of  Ashby,  in  Lincolnshire,  Bart,  and  by  her  had  tour  sons. 

1 .  Henry,  who  died  without  issue. 

2.  William.     3.  Rich,  who  died  without  issue. 
4.  Christopher,  created  Lord  Barnard. 

Also  six  daughters;   1.  Dorothy,  married  to  John  Crispe,  of 
Oxfordshire,  Esq. 5  2.  Benina,  to— —Forth 5  3.  Frances,  to 

«  Visitation  of  Durham,  ut  antea. 


522  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

— — y—  Kegwich;  4.  Margaret,  to  Sir  James  Tilley,  of  Wales; 
5.  Ann;  6.  Catherine.,  who  both  died  young. 

Christopher,  first  Lord  Barnard,  who  was  knighted  by 
King  Charies  II.  was  sworn  of  the  Privy-council  to  King  James 
II.  on  July  25  th,  1688  3  and  was  created  a  Baron  of  this  realm,0 
by  letters  patent,  bearing  date  on  July  8th,  l6gg,  by  the  style 
and  title  of  Lord  Barnard,  of  Barnard- Castle,  in  the  lishoprick 
of  Durham. 

His  Lordship  married  Elizabeth,  eldest  daughter  to  Gilbert 
Holies,  Earl  of  Clare,  and  sister  and  coheir  to  John  Duke  of 
Newcastle,  by  whom  he  had  issue  two  sons,  and  three  daughters, 
who  all  died  young:  viz.  Henry,  who  died  March  4th,  1677, 
aged  thirteen  months,  and  was  buried  at  Shipborne,  in  Kent; 
Christopher,  Elizabeth,  Albina,  and  Mary)  and  two  surviving 
aons. 

1.  Gilbert,  his  successor. 

2.  William;  also  a  daughter,  named  Grace,  that  survived  their 
father. 

His  Lordship  died  on  October  28th,  1723,  in  the  seventieth 
year  of  his  age,  at  his  seat  at  Fairlaivn,  in  Kent  (which  his  grand- 
father purchased  of  George  Chown,  Esq.  in  the  reign  of  Charles 
I.),p  was  buried  in  the  church  of  Shipbourn,  in  that  county,  his 
Lady  surviving  him.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Curteis,  who 
preached  his  funeral  sermon,  and  claimed  the  honour  of  having  a 
very  long  friendship  with  his  Lordship,  has  given  the  following 
character  of  him,  in  his  sermon  preached  at  Wroteham,  in  Kent, 
November  27th,  1723.  In  the  conclusion  thereof  he  thus  ex- 
presses himself : 

'  It  may  be  expected  I  should  say  something  of  the  noble  per- 
son, whose  obsequies  we  now  commemorate:  and  though  dis- 
courses of  this  nature  are  not  designed  for  the  commendation  of 
the  dead,  but  for  the  instruction  of  the  living,  I  think  myself 
obliged  to  touch  a  little  upon  the  former;  yet  so  as  not  to  exceed 
the  bounds  of  truth  and  decency:  for  such  an  extreme  would  be 
the  more  criminal,  as  it  relates  to  one,  who  in  his  lifetime  ap- 
peared very  far  from  affecting  popularity. 

'  His  Lordship's  judgment  of  persons  and  things  was  clear, 
solid,  and  penetrating;  and  his  discourse  open,  familiar,  and  im- 
proving, to  those  who  had  the  honour  and  pleasure  of  his  most 
intimate  conversation.     He  seldom  cared  to  enter  much  into  po- 

•  Probably  as  a  reward  for  his  father's  sufferings  in  the  cause  of  liberty. 
P  Harris's  History  of  Kent. 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.  52S 

litics,  though  very  few  understood  them  better.  Books  were 
his  chief  diversion  ;  and  he  had  a  ready  command  of  what  was 
valuable  or  instructive  in  them.  As  his  temper  was  generally 
even,  free  from  the  ruffles  of  passi6n,  and  excellent  in  itself;  so 
nothing  but  a  chosen  retirement,  chiefly  occasioned  by  a  very 
long  ill  state  of  health,  could  have  hindered  his  personal  abilities, 
both  natural  and  acquired,  from  shining  in  a  more  diffusive  light. 
He  had  a  very  just  and  honourable  zeal  for  our  excellent  esta- 
blished church  and  its  interests;  yet,  not  without  a  charitable 
latitude  towards  those  who  conscientiously  differed  from  it:  nor 
was  he  a  less  zealous  advocate  for  our  happy  civil  constitution 
and  liberties.  He  always  declared  himself  an  hearty  lover  of  the 
public  peace,  and  of  such  measures  as  he  thought  most  directly 
tending  to  perpetuate  so  invaluable  a  blessing :  and,  as  he  per- 
fectly understood,  so  he  practised  those  virtues  which  conduce  to 
the  quiet  and  happiness  of  social  life.  He  was  a  very  great  eco- 
nomist, and  a  most  exact  manager  of  his  private  affairs:  yet,  on 
some  special  occasions,  he  shewed  instances  of  a  very  generous 
liberality,  to  a  degree  uncommon,  and  in  a  way  as  much  concealed 
from  the  world  as  possible.  Neither  was  his  Lordship  less  soli- 
citous for  the  public  good ;  for,  when  through  some  disagreeable 
events,  or  the  caprices  of»the  people,  the  national  credit  has  been 
endangered  by  a  sudden  run  upon  the  Bank,  he  has  immediately 
thrown  in  large  sums  to  support  it;  as  he  had  both  a  better  way 
of  judging  than  many  others,  in  respect  of  danger,  and  a  due  re- 
gard to  the  common  safety.  One  thing  I  ought  also  particularly 
to  mention,  which,  like  a  city  on  an  hilt,  cannot  he  hid:  I  mean, 
that  pious  work  of  rebuilding  the  decayed  church  of  Shipborn,  in 
a  very  regular,  beautiful,  and  sumptuous  manner;  a  work  which 
will,  as  a  precious  ointment,  embalm  his  memory  to  after  ages, 
But  what  I  shall  chiefly  observe  is,  that  in  his  last  sickness,  so 
long  as  he  retained  the  use  of  his  reason,  he  bore  the  painful  de- 
cays of  nature  with  great  meekness  and  patience:  and,  by  his 
frequently  desiring  the  suitable  appointed  prayers,  both  from  his 
own  domestic  chaplain  and  myself,  together  with  his  devout 
joining  in  them,  he  had  recourse  to  the  true  means  of  support  in 
that  hour  of  trial,  which  needed  the  strongest  consolation  from 
above  j  and  thereby  appeared  to  leave  the  world  in  a  truly  pious 
disposition:  so  that  we  may  charitably  hope  he  has  made  the 
blessed  and  most  advantageous  exchange  which  J  have  been  de- 
scribing.* 


524  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Gilbert,  his  eldest  son,  succeeded  his  Lordship  in  honour  and 
estate.  r^ 

William,  the  youngest  son/i  was  of  a  generous,  candid,  and 
engaging  temper,  joined  with  an  inviolable  attachment  to  our 
constitution  and  civil  liberties;  and  zealously  affected  to  our  pre- 
sent happy  establishment.  Her  served  for  the  county  of  Dar- 
ham,  in  the  parliament  that  sat  first  on  business,  November  18th, 
1/08 j  and  afterwards  for  Steyning,  in  Sussex.  And  our  late 
Sovereign  was  pleased,  by  privy-seal,  dated  at  St.  James's,  June 
12th,  1720,  and  by  patent,  dated  at  Dublin,  on  October  13th  fol- 
lowing, to  create  him  a  Viscount  and  Baron  of  the  Kingdom  of 
Ireland,  by  the  title  of  Viscount  Vane,  and  Baron  of  Dunca?inon, 
in  the  county  of  Tyrone.  He  married  Lucy,  daughter  and  co- 
heiress of  William  Jolliffe,  Esq.  of  Caverswall  Castle,  in  Stafford- 
shire j  and  dying  in  1734,  left  issue  by  her,  who  died  March 
27th,  1742,  William,  second  Viscount  Vane,  well  known  for  his 
eccentricities,  and  for  the  imprudence  with  which  he  squandered 
away  a  large  fortune;  till  a  life  begun  in  wasteful  affluence, 
closed  in  1789,  under  the  sufferings  of  long  pecuniary  embarrass- 
ment, without  issue  by  his  wife,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Hawes,  a 
South  Sea  Director,  and  the  widow  of  Lord  William  Hamilton: 
a  Lady,  whose  name  in  the  annals  of  gallantry  was  long  too  con- 
spicuous.5 

Gilbert,  second  Lord  Bernard,  the  eldest  son,  baptized 
in  London  on  April  17th,  1678,  married  Mary,  daughter  to  Mor- 
gan Handle,  of  Chilworth,  in  the  county  of  Surrey,  Esq.  by 
whom  he  had  issue  six  sons,  and  three  daughters. 

1.  Henry,  succeeded  him  in  honour  and  estate,  and  was  created 
Earl  of  Darlington. 

2.  Morgan,  in  1729,  arrived  at  St.  James's,  from  Mr.  Stanhope 
(late  Earl  of  Harrington),  Ambassador  Extraordinary  and  Pleni- 
potentiary to  the  Court  of  Spain,  with  the  treaty  concluded  and 
signed  by  that  court  on  November  9th,  N.  S.  In  1732,  he  was 
made  Comptroller  of  the  Stamp-office;  in  which  year,  on  Ja- 
nuary 23d,  he  was  married  to  Margaret,,  daughter  of  Robert 
Knight,  Esq.  late  cashier  of  the  South- Sea  Company;  and  sh 

q  He  had  a  large  fortune  out  of  the  Newcastle  estates,  and  had  the  seat  at  Fair- 
lawn  from  his  father:  which  his  son  devised  in  1789  to  David  Papillon,  Esq. 
who  sold  it  to  Mr.  Simpson. 

f  British  Pari.  Regist.  No.  70,  and  194. 

•  Her  Memoirs,  said  to  be  written  by  herself,  may  be  found  in  a  well  known 
novel  of  Smollec. 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.  525 

dying  at  Bath,  in  May,  1739,  left  a  son,  Morgan  Vane,  who  was 
Comptroller  of  the  Stamp  duties,  and  who  died  at  Harrowgate, 
November,  1779;  having  married  on  July  4th,  1/(50,  Miss  Up- 
ton, and  by  her  had  a  daughter,  who  died  177^*     He,  secondly, 

married  Mary,  daughter  of Fowler,  of  Fehham,  in 

Middlesex,  Esq.  but  by  her,  who  died  at  Bilby,  in  Nottingham- 
shire, July  11th,  1/71,  had  no  issue. 

Thomas,  third  son,  seated  at  Straindrop-Hall,  in  com.  Pal. 
Durham,  died  unmarried,  on  February  19th,  .1758. 

Gilbert,  fourth  son,  in  February  1732,  was  made  an  Ensign  in 
the  first  regiment  of  foot-guards,  and  after  Lieutenant  in  the 
same;  and,  in  the  rebellion  in  1745,  was  Lieutenant-Colonel  to 
the  Earl  of  Berkeley's  new-raised  regiment  of  foot.  He  was 
Deputy-Treasurer  of  Chelsea-College,   and  died  October  2Stb, 

1772. 

Randle,  fifth  son,  died  in  the  twenty-first  year  of  his  age. 

Charles,  sixth  son,  was  settled  in  the  county  of  Norfolk.     He 

was  married,  February  15th,  17/6,  to eldest  daughter  of 

Richard  Wood,  Esq. 

His  three  daughters  were,  Anne,  who  died  at  the  Bath,  unmar- 
ried, on  March  11th,  1735-6;  Elizabeth,  wedded  to  Sir  William 
Humble,  of  Thorpe-underwood,  in  Northamptonshire,  Eart,  and 
died1  February  22d,  17/0,  aged  fifty-seven ;  and  Jane,  to  Tho- 
mas Staunton,  of  Stock-Grove,  in  the  county  of  Bucks,  Esq. 

Lady  Barnard,  their  mother,  died  on  August  4th,  1 728,  in  the 
forty-seventh  year  of  her  age:  and  his  Lordship  deceasing  on 
April  27th,  1753,  aged  seventy -five,  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest 
son. 

Henry,  first  Earl  of  Darlington,  whilst  he  was  a  Com- 
moner, was  first  elected,  on  a  vacancy,  May  27th,  1726,  a  Mem- 
ber for  Launceston,  in  that  parliament  summoned  to  meet  on 
May  10th,  1722;  and  for  St.  Maws,  in  the  two  succeeding.  To 
the  parliament  summoned  to  meet  on  June  25th,  1741,  he  was 
chosen  for  Ripponj  and  in  the  next  for  the  county  of  Durham.  In 
1742,  he  was  appointed  Vice-Treasurer,  Receiver-General,  and 
Paymaster-General  of  all  his  Majesty's  revenues  in  Ireland  j  and 
was  made  one  of  the  Lords  Commissioners  of  the  Treasury,  in 
1749.  In  1753,  he  succeeded  his  father  in  his  honour  and  estate: 
and  his  Majesty  was  pleased  to  create  him  a  Viscount  and  Earl 
of  this  kingdom,  by  the  styles  and  titles  of  Viscount  Barnard, 

*  Co.nn-plate. 


52<S  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

• 
Earl  of  Darlington,  by  letters-patents,  April  3d,  1754.     On 

March  6th,  1758,  his  Lordship  departed  this  life,  being  then  Lord 

Lieutenant  and  Vice- Admiral  of  the  county  of  Durham,  and  joint 

paymaster  of  the  forces.     In  1725,  he  married  Lady  Grace  Fitz* 

roy,  third  daughter  of  Charles  Duke  of  Cleveland}  and  by  her 

Ladyship,  who  survived  him  till  September,  1 763,  he  had  thre* 

sons,  and  three  daughters. 

1.  Henry,  his  successor. 

2.  The  Honourable  Frederick  Vane,  was  born  on  June  26th, 
1732,  and  at  the  general  election,  in  1761,  was  returned  one  of 
the  Knights  for  the  county  of  Durham  to  the  twelfth  parliament 
of  Great  Britain;  married,  first,  Henrietta,  sister  to  Sir  William 
Meredith,  Bart,  by  whom  he  had  an  only  daughter,  who  mar- 
ried, February  22d,  1795,  Captain  Metcalf  j  and,  secondly,  Grace, 
second  daughter  of  Arthur  Lysaght,  younger  brother  of  John, 
Lord  Lisle.     And, 

3.  The  Honourable  Raby  Vane,  born  on  January  2d,  1736; 
and  being  bred  to  a  maritime  life,  was  Captain  of  one  of  his  Ma- 
jesty's ships  of  war.  When  his  elder  brother  succeeded  to  the 
Peerage,  he  was  elected,  in  his  Lordship's  room,  Knight  for  the 
county  of  Durham  j  and  was  returned  one  of  the  citizens  for 
Carlisle  to  the  parliament  which  met  first  on  business,  November 
3d,  1761.     He  married,  at  St.  George's  church,  Hanover  Square, 

17th,  April,  176S,  to ,   daughter  of  the  late  Bishop  Eyre, 

and  died  in  October,  1  ?6g. 

His  Lordship's  three  daughters  were,  Lady  Anne,  married,  in 
March,  1746,  to  the  Honourable  Charles  Hope  Weir,  of  Craige- 
Hall,  in  Scotland,  Esq.  brother  to  the  late  Earl  of  Hopetoun,  from 
•whom  being  divorced,  she,  secondly,  married  the  Honourable 
^Brigadier-General  George  Monson,  and  died  in  the  East-Indies  in 
1775;  Lady  Mary,  wedded,  in  October,  1752,  to  Ralph  Carr,  of 
Cocken,  in  com.  Pal.  Durham,  Esq.  and  died  April  11th,  1781 5 
and  Lady  Henrietta,  who  was  born  on  December  26th,  1738,  and 
died  on  January  20th,  175Q,  unmarried. 

Henry,  his  Lordship's  eldest  son  and  successor,  as  aforesaid, 
second  Earl  of  Darlington,  being  present  at  Cambridge  at 
the  instalment  of  his  Grace  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  Chancellor 
of  the  University,  was,  on  July  30th,  1749,  admitted  Master 
of  Arts  of  that  University.  His  Lordship  was  on  a  vacancy 
elected  Member  for  Downton,  in  Wiltshire,  to  the  tenth  parlia- 
ment of  Great  Britain,  and  sat  for  that  borough  till  he  vacated 
his  seat  by  accepting  the  offices  of  Steward  and  Bailiff  of  the 


EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.  527 

three  Chiltern  hundreds,  of  Stoke,  Disborough,  and  Burnham,  in 
Buckinghamshire,  after  his  father's  succession  to  the  Peerage,  as 
Lord  Barnard,  when  he  was  chosen  in  his  place  one  of  the 
Knights  for  the  county  of  Durham j  which  he  continued  after- 
wards to  represent,  until  he  became  entitled  to  a  seat  in  the  House 
of  Peers  by  the  death  of  his  father,  on  March  6th,  1758,  as  Earl 
of  Darlington,  &c.  On  June  3d  that  year,  he  was  declared  Lord 
Lieutenant,  and  Vice- Admiral,  of  the  said  county  palatine  of 
Durham,  and  continued  in  the  same  places  by  his  present  Ma- 
jesty j  who,  moreover,  on  January  29th,  17@3,  constituted  hinv 
Master  of  the  Jewel-office,  and  Governor  of  Carlisle  in  August 
following.  His  Lordship  was  also  an  Alderman  of  the  city  of 
Durham,  and  Colonel  of  the  Militia  of  the  said  county.  Betaking 
himself  to  a  military  life  in  his  youth,  he  rose  gradually  till  he 
got  the  command  of  a  company  in  the  second  (or  Coldstream), 
regiment  of  foot-guards,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel  of  foot;  but 
resigned  his  commission  in  1758. 

His  Lordship,  on  March  10th,  1757,  married  Margaret,  sister 
of  Sir  James  Lowther,  Bart,  afterwards  Earl  of  Lonsdale,  and  by 
her  Ladyship  had  two  daughters. 

Lady  Grace,  born  December  3d,  1757,  who  died  fourteen  days 
old;  and  Lady  Elizabeth,  born  April  28th,  1759,  who  died  in 
July,  1765  ;  and  a  son, 

William-Harry,  Lord  Barnard,  his  successor. 

His  Lordship  died  September  8th,  1792,  and  was  succeeded  by 
his  only  son, 

William-Harry  Vane,  third  Earl  of  Darlington,  born 
July  27th,  1766.  His  Lordship  married,  September  19th,  1787* 
Catharine,  daughter  of  Harry,  sixth  and  last  Duke  of  Bolton,  by 
whom  (who  died  June  16th,  1807),  he  had 

Henry,  Viscount  Barnard,  born  August  16th,  1788. 

Louisa-Catharine-Barbara,  born  January  4th,  1/91 . 

William-John-Frederick,  born  April  3d,  1792. 

Caroline-Mary,  born  February  8th,  1795,  and  died  the  11th 
May  following. 

Augusta-Henrietta,  born  December  2(5th,  1796. 

His  Lordship  is  Lord  Lieutenant  and  Vice-Admiral  of  the  bi- 
shopricK  of  Durham. 

Titles,  William-Harry  Vane,  Earl  of  Darlington,  Viscount 
and  Baron  Barnard,  of  Barnard-Castle,  in  the  bishoprick  of 
Durham. 


523  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Creations.  Baron  Barnard,  of  Barnard-Castle,  in  the  bishop- 
rjck  of  Durham,  by  letters-patent,  July  8th  (l6gg)  10th  William 
III.;  Viscount  Barnard,  and  Earl  of  Darlington,  April  3d  (1754) 
27  George  II. 

Arms.     Azure,  three  gauntlets,  Or. 

Crest.  On  a  wreath  a  dexter  hand  in  armour,  couped  at  the 
wrist,  Proper,  holding  a  sword,  Argent,  hilt  and  pomel,  Or. 

Supporters.  On  the  dexter  side  a  griphon,  Argent;  on  the 
sinister,  an  antelope,  Or;  each  gorged  with  a  plain  collar,  Azure; 
the  dexter  charged  with  three  left-hand  gauntlets,  as  in  the  coatj 
the  other  with  three  Martlets,  Or. 

MottO.       NEC    TEMERE    NEC    TIMIDE. 

Chief  Seat.     At  Raby-Castle,  in  the  bishoprick  of  Durham* 


EARL  OF  ILCHESTER.  52.9 


FOX  EARL  OF  ILCHESTER. 

There  have  "been  several  persons  of  great  note  in  England  of 
the  surname  of  Fox  ;  but  the  first  of  his  Lordship's  family,  on  re- 
cord, was  William  Fox/  of  Farley,  in  Wiltshire,  who  had  a 
competent  fortune  there,  and  brought  up  his  sons  agreeably 
thereto.  He  had  to  wife  b  Elizabeth,  daughter  to  Thomas  Pavey, 
of  Plaitford,  in  Wiltshire,  by  whom  he  had  issue c  a  daughter, 
Margaret,  baptized  at  Pitton,  on  July  3d,  1616,  Walter  Fox,  bap- 
tized at  Pitton,  on  July  30th,  1618,  who  died  without  issue  5 
William  Fox,  baptized  on  May  14th,  1(520,  who  also  died  unmar- 
ried ;  as  did  Richard,  another  son,  baptized  on  May  26th,  1627. 
So  that  the  said  William  Fox,  deceasing  in  October,  1652,  left 
issue  only  two  sons,  John,  and  Stephen  Fox,  ancestor  to  the  pre- 
sent Earl  of  Ilchester,  and  Lord  Holland. 

John  Fox,  Esq.  the  eldest  son,  took  up  arms  for  King  Char.  I. 
and,  when  King  Charles  II.  came  into  England  from  Scotland, 
he  immediately  repaired  to  him;  and,  escaping  from  the  battle 
of  Worcester,  fought  on  September  3d,  1051,  he  returned  to 
Farley,  to  his  father's}  but  soon  after  retired  into  France,  where 
he  lived  till  the  restoration  of  King  Charles,  and  then  was  made 
Clerk  of  the  Acatry  to  his  households  He  was  seated  at  Aver- 
bury,  in  Wiltshire;  and  by  Elizabeth  his  wife,  daughter  of  Henry 
Smart,  of  Plymouth,  in  Devonshire,  had  issue  John  Fox,  his  only 
son,  thirty-two  years  old,  June  14th,  \QJ2  (who  left  issue  an  only 
son,  Stephen  Fox,  Esq.  who  died  unmarried  about  1O99),  and 
four  daughters;  Mary,  wife  of  Edward  Thorneborow,  son  and 

a  Lib.  de  Benefactors,  MS.  not.  S.  I,  in  Offic.  Arm.  b  Ibid. 

c  Ex  Regist.  Eccl.  de  Pitton. 
d  Lib.  de  Benefact.  MS.  not.  S.  i.  p.  70,  in  Offic  Arm. 

VOL.  IV.  2  M 


530  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

heir  of  Sir  Edward  Thorneborowj  Elizabeth,  married  to  Thomas 
Dunkley,  Closet-keeper  to  King  Charles  II. ;  Margaret,  wedded 
to  Sackvile  Whittle,  one  of  his  Majesty's  surgeons ;  and  Jane, 
the  wife  of  Richard  Ridge,  of  Portsmouth,  who  had  issue  by  her 
Thomas  Ridge,  Esq. 

Stephen  Fox,  the  youngest  son,  was  born  at  Farley,  in  Wilt- 
shire, on  March  2/th,  162/ j  and,  having  a  liberal  education,  his 
proficiency  in   learning   and  sagacity  were  conspicuous   in   his 
youth.     John  Fox,  his  elder  brother,  escaping  from  the  battle  of 
Worcester    (as  before-mentioned),    his   brother,   Stephen   Fox, 
went  with  him  from  Farley  to  Paris,  being  then  in  the  twenty- 
fourth  year  of  his  age.   On  his  arrival  there,  he  was  (as  Lord  Cla- 
rendon relates)/  entertained  by  Henry  Lord  Percy,  then  Lord 
Chamberlain  of  the  King's  household :  arid  about  the  latter  end 
of  the  year  1652,  '  on  the  remove  of  his  Majesty  from  Paris,  the 
charge  of  governing  the  expences  of  his  family,  and  of  payment 
of  the  wages  of  the  servants,  and  issuing  of  all  moneys,  as  well  in 
journeys,  as  when  the  court  resided  any  where,  -was  committed 
(as  the  noble  author  relates),  to  Mr.  Stephen  Fox,  who  was  well 
qualified  with  languages,  and  all  other  parts  of  clerkship,  honesty, 
and  discretion,  as  was  necessary  for  such  a  trust  j  and,  indeed,  his 
great  industry,  modesty,  and  prudence,  did  very  much  contribute 
to  the  bringing  the  family,  which  for  so  mai.y  years  had  been  un- 
der no  government,  into  very  good  order;  by  which  his  Majesty, 
in  the  pinching  straights  of  his  condition,  enjoyed  very  much  ease 
from  the  time  he  left  Paris.' 

It  is  certain  Mr.  Fox  discharged  his  trust  with  great  fidelity, 
which  appeared  so  visibly  to  the  King,  that  he  was  actually  sworn 
Cofferer  of  his  household:  but,  on  the  restoration,  never  obtained 
that  office,  as  Mr.  William  Ashburnham  produced  a  reversionary 
grant  from  King  Charles  I.  However,  in  consideration  of  his 
good  and  faithful  services,  Sir  Edward  Walker,  then  Garter, 
Principal  King  of  arms,  by  his  Majesty's  command,  granted  to 
him,  and  his  heirs,  an  honourable  augmentation  to  his  arms  out 
of  the  royal  ensigns  and  devices,  viz.  in  a  canton  Azure,  a  Fleur 
de  Lis,  Or;  as  by  a  special  instrument,  under  his  hand  and  seal, 
appearcth,  dated  at  Brussels,  November  23d,  1(558. 

When  his  Majesty  took  up  his  residence  for  some  time  at  Co- 
logne, her  royal  highness  his  sister,  Princess  of  Orange,  making 
a  visit  to  him,  was  so  surprisingly  affected  with  Mr.  Fox's  con- 
duct, in  the  management  of  the  whole  course  of  her  entertain- 

*  Hist,  of  th«  Rebellion,  8to.  Vol.  VI.  p.  £27. 


EARL  OF  ILCHESTER.  531 

ment,  that  she  shewed  him  very  particular  marks  of  her  esteem, 
and  presented  him  with  a  diamond  ring  of  value.  She  also  re- 
commended him  to  her  royal  brother,  as  the  most  grateful  mes- 
senger he  could  send  to  her  on  any  emergent  occasion  5  and  his 
Majesty  knew  so  well  his  prudence  and  conduct,  that  he  employed 
him  in  several  important  dispatches  to  the  Princess,  as  also  to 
persons  of  the  greatest  note  in  Holland  -}  and  his  negociations  had 
that  weight  and  success,  as  to  procure  frequent  supplies  of  money, 
to  the  value  of  10,0001.  per  annum,  constantly  paid,  till  his  Ma- 
jesty's return  into  England. 

During  the  King's  exile,  he  likewise  kept  a  correspondence 
with  the  Royalists  in  England,  and  had  such  intelligence,  that  he 
received  the  news  of  Oliver  Cromwell's  death  six  hours  before  it 
reached  Brussels,  and  imparted  it  to  the  King,  whilst  he  was 
playing  at  tennis  with  the  Arch-Duke  Leopold,  Don  John,  and 
other  Spanish  Grandees.  The  King  thenceforward  employed  Mr. 
Fox  on  messages  from  the  Netherlands  to  England,  as  one  the 
royal  party  confided  in. 

He  married  his  first  lady,  Elizabeth,  only  surviving  child  of 
Mr.  William  Whittle,  of  Lancashire,  before  he  went  abroad jf 
for  Stephen,  his  eldest  son,  was  born  and  buried  in  France. 

When  the  King  came  to  Breda,  on  the  invitation  of  the  States- 
General,  being  desired  to  make  a  public  entry  into  their  pro- 
vinces, Mr.  Fox,  and  Sir  Edward  Walker,  Garter,  King  of  arms, 
were  jointly  sent  to  the  Hague,  to  adjust  the  ceremonies  of  his 
Majesty's  reception  there. 

After  the  King's  happy  return  to  his  dominions,  his  faithful 
services  were  immediately  rewarded,  being  made,  first  Clerk  of 
the  Green  cloth,  on  the  settlement  of  the  King's  household;  the 
Duke  of  Ormond,  Lord  High  Steward,  having  a  great  esteem  for 
him,  and  desirous  of  leaving  the  management  thereof  to  one  he 
knew  so  well  experienced  in  it.  Also  on  that  wild  insurrection 
of  Venner,  and  the  fifth-monarchy-men,  in  January,  1 660-1,  the 
King  being  advised  not  to  be  without  guards,  two  regiments  were 
raised,  of  which  Mr.  Fox  was  appointed  paymaster:  and  after- 
wards other  forces  being  raised,  on  the  war  with  the  Dutch,  he 
was  constituted  paymaster-general  of  all  his  Majesty's  forces  in 
England.  By  that  title,  as  also  that  of  first  clerk  of  the  Green 
cloth,  I  find  shim  among  the  benefactors  to  the  building  of  the 
College  of  Arms,  after  the  fire  of  London. 

f  Ex  Stermnate  in  lib.  de  Benefact.  praeJ. 
C  Lib.  de  Benefact.  MS.  S.  i.  p.  71,  in  Offic.  Arm. 


532  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

The  just  profits  of  those  two  offices  not  only  enabled  him  to 
provide  for  his  family,  but  also  to  exercise  acts  of  generosity  and 
charity.  His  regard  was  shewn  to  the  place  of  his  birth,  by 
building  the  church  of  Farley  at  his  own  charge;  and,  in  16/8, 
he  built  and  founded  an  hospital  there,  for  six  old  men,  and  six 
old  women;  a  neat  building,  with  a  chapel  in  it,  and  handsome 
lodgings  for  a  Chaplain,  who  resides  there,  and  hath  the  title  of 
Warden  of  the  hospital.  This  he  endowed  with  1881.  per  an- 
num; and  there  is  likewise  a  charity-school,  wherein  are  taught 
six  boys,  and  six  girls,  all  at  his  sole  charge,  by  the  said  Chaplain 
or  Warden.  He  also  built  an  hospital  at  Brome,  in  Suffolk;  and 
another  at  Ashby,  in  Northamptonshire. 

In  the  North  part  of  Wiltshire,  he  built  a  chancel  entirely  new, 
where  he  was  not  at  all  concerned  in  the  tythes;  but,  the  Rector 
being  unable,  it  moved  him  to  build  it.  He  likewise  built  the 
church  of  Culford,  in  Suffolk;  and  pewed  the  body  of  the  cathe- 
dral church  of  Sarum;  in  a  manner  suitable  to  the  neatness  of 
that  church,  to  which  he  was  many  other  ways  a  great  bene- 
factor. 

These  are  lasting  monuments  of  his  piety  and  generosity;  and 
he  was  h  the  first  projector  of  the  noble  design  of  Chelsea-hospital, 
having  contributed  to  the  expense  of  it  above  13,0001.  His  mo- 
tive to  it  was  known  from  his  own  words:  he  said,  He  could  not 
bear  to  see  the  common  soldiers,  who  had  spent  their  strength  in 
our  service,  to  beg  at  our  doors.  He  therefore  did  what  he  could 
to  remove  such  a  scandal  from  the  kingdom.  He  first  purchased 
some  grounds  near  the  old  college  at  Chelsea,  which  had  been 
escheated  to  the  crown  in  the  leign  of  King  James  I.  and  which 
that  monarch  designed  for  the  residence  and  maintenance  of  Pro- 
testant divines,  to  be  employed  in  defence  of  the  Reformation 
against  all  opposers :  and  on  these  grounds  the  present  college  is 
erected.  In  memory  of  which  publick  benefaction,  his  name  is 
transmitted  to  posterity,  in  a  fine  prospect  and  description  of 
Chelsea-college,  by  Mr.  Inglish,  then  Comptroller  of  the  works 
thereof,  inscribed  to  the  Right  Honourable  Sir  Stephen  Fox,  the 
Earl  of  Ranelagh,  and  Sir  Christopher  Wren,  with  their  several 
coats  of  arms. 

•I  shall  now  proceed  to  treat  of  the  publick  employments  and 
honours  conferred  on  him.     King  Charles  II.  to  distinguish  so 


*  Vide  the  Sermon  at  his  Funeral  by  Mr.  Eyre,  canon -residentiary  of  the 
ihurch  of  Sarum. 


EARL  OF  ILCHESTER.  533 

valuable  a  servant,  knighted  him,  on  July  1st,  1665.  And,  as 
he  had  been  in  the  intimacy  and  confidence  of  George  Monk,  the 
renowned  Duke  of  Albemarle,  he  paid  a  respect  to  his  memory, 
at  the  pompous  and  public  funeral  of  his  Grace,  on  April  30th, 
1(570/  from  Somerset-house  to  Westminster-abbey,  being  the 
first  assistant  in  bearing  the  Royal  standard.  Also,  when  the 
effigy  was  taken  out  of  the  open  chariot  at  the  West  door  of 
Westminster-abbey,  and  carried  under  a  canopy  to  be  placed  in  a 
mausoleum  there,  Sir  k  Stephen  was  the.  first  of  the  six  Knights, 
supporters  of  that  canopy. 

In  1679}  ne  was  constituted1  one  of  the  Lords  commissioners 
of  the  treasury;  in* which  place  he  was  thought  so  very  service- 
able, that  he  was  kept  in  it  (through  divers  changes),  longer  than 
could  ever  be  said  of  any  man  but  himself  $  being  continued, 
without  intermission,  in  all  commissions,  except  that  when  the 
Earl  of  Rochester  was  Lord  Treasurer  on  February  16th,  1685-6, 
till  he  chose  to  retire  from  public  business. 

In  the  same  year,  l679,m  the  King  appointed  him  first  com- 
missioner in  the  office  of  Master  of  the  horse,  in  conjunction  with 
Sir  Richard  Mason,  Sir  Nicholas  Armorer,  Thomas  Wyndham, 
and  Roger  Pope,  Esqrs. 

In  1681,  the  Prince  of  Orange,  after  his  marriage,  coming  over 
to  visit  the  English  court,  came  post  from  Margate  to  Whitehall, 
on  July  234 j  and,  the  King  being  then  at  Windsor,  the  Prince 
made  his  first  visit"  to  Sir  Stephen  Fox,  and  did  him  the  honour 
of  dining  with  him  the  same  day,  and  in  the  evening  he  waited 
on  his  Majesty  at  Windsor. 

On  his  being  in  the  treasury,  and  supplying  the  place  of  Master 
of  the  horse,  his  son,  Charles  Fox,  Esq.  and  Nicholas  Johnson, 
Esq.°  were,  on  December  26th,  1679,  constituted  joint  paymaster 
of  the  forces;  but,  he  dying  in  1682,  Sir  Stephen,  hy  his  interest, 
got  it  solely  conferred  on  p  his  son,  Charles  Fox,  Esq.  though  he 
was  then  but  in  the  twenty-third  year  of  his  age.  And  on  Fe- 
bruary 18th,  1684,  Sir  Stephen  was  made  sole  commissioner  for 
Master  of  the  horse. 

King  James  II.  on  his  accession  to  the  throne,  on  February  6th, 

*  Funeral  of  .he  Duke  of  Albemarle,  p.  19.  *  Ibid.  p.  25. 

1  Life  of  King  Charles  II.  in  Hist,  of  England,  fol.  Vol.  III.  p.  368. 

»  Chamberlain's  State  of  Eng.  in  List  of  Officers,  anno  1679. 

■  Hist,  of  Eng.  Vol.  III.  p.  392.  •  Ibid.  p.  368.^ 

P  Ibid.  p.  396. 


534  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

1684-5 j  continued  him  first  Clerk  of  the  Green  cloth  ;  and,  on  the 
dismission  of  the  Earl  of  Rochester  from  being  Lord  Treasurer, 
in  December,  l68fj,  constituted  him  1  one  of  the  commissioners 
of  his  treasury,  with  John  Lord  Bellasis,  Sidney  Lord  Godolphin, 
Henry  Lord  Dover,  and  Sir  John  Ernley,  Chancellor  of  the  ex- 
chequer. 

Sir  Stephen  continued  in  that  employment  till  the  Revolution, 
when  he  concurred  in  voting  the  throne  vacant,  and  for  the  fill- 
ing it  with  the  Prince  and  Princess  of  Orange^  declaring,  That 
Popery  was  inconsistent  with  the  English  constitution  ;  and  there- 
fore all  Papists  should  le  for  ever  excluded  from  the  succession 
to  the  crown  of  England. 

On  March  19th,  1689/  he  was  again  constituted  one  of  the 
Lords  commissioners  of  the  treasury;  and  was  continued  in  the 
several  changes  of  that  commission,  till  he  retired  from  publick 
business,  in  J701. 

In  1692,  when  King  James  was  come  to  La  Hogue,  with  a 
considerable  army  to  invade  England,  he  sent  over  a  very  formal 
declaration,  promising  pardon  to  all  that  should  return  to  their 
duty  ;  but  by  name  s  excepted  Sir  Stephen  Fox,  with  several 
noble  peers,  &c.  This  invasion  was  prevented  by  Admiral  Russell's 
beating  the  French  fleet. 

Sir  Stephen  was  elected  to  the  first  parliament  called  by  King 
Charles  II.  for  the  city  of  Salisbury,  which  he  also  represented  in 
the  parliament  called  by  King  James  II.  in  1085.     In  1 678-9, 
the  31st  of  King  Charles  II.  the  city  of  Westminster l  chose  him 
one  of  their  representatives;  as  also  in  1695,  the  seventh  year  of 
King  William  III.     He  was  a  strenuous  asserter  of  the  integrity 
of  the  Earl  of  Clarendon,  and  voted  against  his  impeachment, 
though  he  was  in  a  manner  commanded  by  the  King  to  act  in  a 
contrary  part;  which  is  more  particularly  specified  in  the  histo- 
ries of  England,  written  by  Dr.  Echard  and  Mr.  Rapin.   His  son, 
Mr.  Charles  Fox,  deceasing,  who  had  been  elected  in  1698,  1700, 
1/01,  1702,  1705,  1708,  1/10,  and  1713,  to  serve  for  the  city  of 
Salisbury  in  parliament,  among  the  circumstances  of  his  affliction 
be  thought  himself  deprived  of  the  satisfaction  he  long  had,  in 
serving  in  his  own  person,  or  in  his  son's,  for  that  city;  being 
born  near  to  it.    This  prevailed  on  him  to  resume  the  taking  his 
seat  in  parliament  again  for  that  city,  at  a  time  when  our  divi- 

q  Hist,  of  Engl.  Vol.  III.  p.  4^1.  r  Ibid.  p.  $87.  610.  665. 

s  Ibid.  p.  639.  t  Stow's  Survey  in  second  Appendix,  p,  10. 


EARL  OF  ILCHESTER.  535 

sions  were  at  a  great  height}  and  he  was  unanimously  chosen, 
upon  a  vacancy  by  the  death  of  his  said  son,  to  sit  in  the  last  par-* 
liament  called  by  Queen  Anne,  whom  he  had  the  honour,  by  her 
Majesty's  particular  desire,  to  lead  going  in  procession  to  her  co- 
ronation, on  April  23d,  1/02. 

He  had  the  comfort  and  happiness,  to  the  conclusion  of  his 
life,  not  to  be  afflicted  with  any  of  the  infirmities  of  old  age, 
which  could  make  him  the  least  burthensome  either  to  himself, 
his  friends,  or  his  servants.  '  It  must  be  owned,  wisdom  doth  not 
bestow  the  same  happiness  to  every  one  that  findeth  her,  but  dis- 
tributes to  them  their  portion  in  a  very  different  measure,  with 
more  reason  than  we  are  able  to  discern.'  Her  bounty  to  him 
was  as  if  she  emptied  both  her  hands,  and  held  back  nothing 
from  him.  He  had  the  blessing  of  her  right-hand  in  the  length 
of  his  days j  and  he  had  those  of  her  left-hand,  in  his  riches  and 
preferments. 

He  made  his  last  will  and  testament,"  when  he  was  aged  eighty- 
eight  years,  in  full  health  and  memory,  as  is  therein  mentioned. 
And  his  sanity  of  mind  appears,  by  the  prudent  disposition  he 
made  of  his  fortune.  He  was  thoughtful  of  his  family  and  friends 5 
and  the  day  before  he  made  his  will,  he  settled  the  most  part  of 
his  estate  on  trustees,  for  the  benefit  of  his  sons,  during  their  mi- 
norities j  which  he  confirmed  by  his  said  will  and  testament, 
dated  on  May  25th,  1716;  but  signed,  sealed,  and  delivered,  on 
August  6th  following:  which  is  likewise  a  proof  of  his  mature 
deliberation  in  the  making  of  it. 

He  first  recites,  That  by  indentures  of  lease  and  release,  bear- 
ing date  the  22d  and  23d  of  January,  1688,  he  had  charged  his 
manor  and  lands  in  Madington,  in  Wiltshire,  with  an  annual 
rent  of  401.  payable  to  the  vicar  or  minister  of  the  church  of  Ma- 
dington: al«o  with  an  annual  rent  of  1881.  for  the  endowment 
of  an  hospital  built  at  Farley.  And  by  deed,  bearing  date  the 
day  before  his  will,  he  charges  his  said  manor  of  Madington,  with 
201.  more,  to  be  paid  to  the  vicar  of  Madington. 

His  next  care  was,  in  leaving  a  handsome  support  to  Dame 
Christian  Fox,  his  wife,  with  all  his  furniture,  plate,  pictures,  &c, 
at  his  lodgings  in  Whitehall}  constituting  her  sole  executrix  of 
his  will,  and  also  guardian  of  his  sons  and  daughter,  during  their 
respective  minorities.     Greatly  (as  his  own  words  are),  conjiding 

u  From  the  Register,  entitled  Fox,  number  5^2,  in  the  Prerogative  Court  of 
Canterbury 


536  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

in  her  care  and  prudent  management,  of  which  I  have  had  ample 
experience.  He  further  recites :  (  And  I  entreat  and  desire  my 
good  friend,  Francis  Gwynne,  Esq.;  my  grandson,  William  Gore, 
Esq. j  my  faithful  friend,  John  Ward 5  and  my  faithful  servant, 
Richard  Miller,  to  see  my  will  performed,  and  be  assisting  to  my 
■wife  in  the  execution  thereof,  and  performance  of  the  trust  which 
I  with  great  satisfaction  repose  in  her.  And,  in  case  of  her  death, 
I  constitute  and  appoint  my  said  trustees,  Francis  Gwynne,  Wil- 
liam Gore,  John  Ward,  and  Richard  Miller,  and  the  survivors  of 
them,  to  be  guardians  of  my  said  children,  and  their  estates,  du- 
ring their  respective  minorities.  And,  for  the  greater  ease  of  my 
executrix  and  trustees,  I  have  caused  an  account,  or  state  of  my 
debts  and  credits,  to  be  drawn  up  in  writing,  and  have  examined 
and  signed  the  same.' 

He  bequeathed,  by  his  will,  to  the  poor  of  St.  Martin's  in  the 
Fields  20 1.  being  his  usual  yearly  allowance;  to  the  poor  of  the 
chapel  in  Westminster  20 1.  to  be  distributed  by  George  Lord 
Bishop  of  Bristol,  or  the  minister  for  the  time  being,  officiating 
in  the  chapel ;  to  the  poor  of  Chiswick,  in  Middlesex,  401.  j  to 
the  poor  of  the  city  of  Salisbury  301. ;  and  to  the  poor  of  the  Close 
there  lOl.j  to  the  poor  of  Cricklade,  in  Wiltshire,  201.;  to  the 
poor  of  Farley,  and  Pitton,  in  the  said  county,  20.1.  to  the  poor 
of  Grimsted,  Plaitford,  and  Whaddon,  in  the  said  county,  101.; 
and  8l.  to  the  poor  at  Farley,  to  be  distributed  at  the  discretion 
of  his  executrix. 

On  the  conclusion  of  his  will  he  makes  this  recital:  '  And  I 
desire  Mr.  Thomas  Gibson,  who  hath  been  assistant,  and  very 
useful  to  me  in  my  concerns  in  his  way,  may  likewise  be  so  to 
my  executrix  and  trustees;  and,  as  a  testimony  of  my  satisfaction 
in  his  past  services,  I  give  him  501.'  And,  lastly,  revoking  all 
trusts  and  limitations,  &c.  by  former  wills,  he  declares  this  his 
last,  &c. 

Having  built  a  house  at  Chiswick,  in  Middlesex,  he  chiefly  re- 
sided there  till  his  death,  which  happened  without  any  approach- 
ing warning  of  sickness,  in  the  eighty-ninth  years  of  his  age,  on 
Sunday,  October  28th,  1/16;  and  on  November /th  following, 
he  was  buried  in  the  church  of  Farley,  in  Wiltshire,  a  new  struc- 
ture he  had  built  from  the  ground,  having  endowed  the  vicarage. 

His  first  lady  (as  is  already  said),  was  Elizabeth  Whittle,  who 
had,  in  1694,  a  confirmation  from  Sir  Thomas  St.  George,  Gar- 
ter, King  of  Arms,  of  the  coat  armour,  that  was  found  to  be- 
long to  the  family  of  Whittle,   viz.    Guks,  a  Chevron,  Ermin, 


EARL  OF  ILCHESTER.  537 

fimbriated,  letiveen  three  Tallots  heads,  erazed,  Or.  And  she  is 
therein  said  to  be  the  only  surviving  child  of  Mr  .William  Whittle, 
of  Lancashire.  She  died  in  1696,  and  was  buried  at  Farley,  on 
August  20th,  that  year.  Sir  Stephen  had  issue  by  her  a  son, 
Stephen,  born  and  buried  in  France;*  and  his  second  son  was 
born  in  l65Q,  and,  having  the  King  for  his  godfather,  was  chris- 
tened Charles.  After  the  restoration  of  the  royal  family,  he  had 
five  other  sons  born  in  England ;  Stephen,  who  was  buried  in  the 
cloisters  of  Westminster-abbey,  on  October  23th,  16/5^  Wil- 
liam, who  died  on  April  1/th,  1680,  and  was  buried  by  him  on 
the  23d,  aetatis  20;  Edward,7-  who  died  on  October  lQth,  1660, 
cetatis  7,  and  was  buried  in  Westminster-abbey;  James,  born 
anno  166.5,  and  died  on  November  19th,  1677,  aetatis  13;  and 
John,  who  died  on  November  17tb,  1667,  aetatis  1,  and  was  bu- 
ried in  Westminster-abbey:  also  three  daughters;  Elizabeth/ 
who  was  married  in  King  Henry  VII.'s  chapel,  in  the  collegiate 
church  of  St.  Peter,  Westminster,  on  December  27th,  1673,  to 
John  Lord  Cornwallis,  and  died  at  Tun  bridge- wells  in  1682 ; 
Margaret,  second  daughter,  was  buried,  unmarried,  in  Westmin- 
ster-abbey, on  April  8th,  1687*  ana"  Jane,  the  youngest  daughter, 
was  married,  in  1685,  to  George  Earl  of  Northampton,  and  died 
on  July  10th,  1721. 

The  eldest  surviving  son,  Charles  Fox,  Esq.  was  in  several 
great  employments  to  the  end  of  his  life.  He  served  in  parlia- 
ment for  Eye,  in  Suffolk;  and  for  Calne,  in  Wiltshire;  and  for 
the  city  of  Salisbury.  Before  he  was  twenty  one  years  of  age,  he 
was  constituted  with  b  Nicholas  Johnson,  Esq.  Joint  Paymaster- 
general  of  the  forces,  viz.  on  December  26th,  1679,  and  on  April 
l6th,  1682,°  sole  Paymaster,  being  then  but  twenty-three  years 
of  age.  Yet  his  abilities  were  so  conspicuous,  that  he  was  esteemed 
able  to  discharge  the  business  requisite  thereunto.  He  held  the 
place  of  Paymaster-general  of  the  forces  in  the  reigns  of  King 
Charles  II.  King  James  II.  and  Queen  Anne.  And  in  the  reign 
of  King  William  III.  he  was  Vice-treasurer,  and  Receiver-gene- 
ral, and  Paymaster  of  the  revenues  in  Ireland,  and  was  likewise 
Treasurer  to  Catherine,  Queen  Dowager  of  England.  In  1679, 
he  married  Elizabeth-Can% Trollop,  only  daughter  and  heir  of  Sir 
William  Trollop,  of  Casewick,  in  the  county  of  Lincoln,  Bart. 

x  Lib.  Benefact.  MS.  S.  i.  p.  71.  in  Offic.  Arm. 

7  Ex  Regist.  de  Eccl.  Abb.  de  Westmin.  z  Lib  Benefac.  prsed. 

a  Ex  R<?g:st.  Eccl.  prad.  b  Hist,  of  Eng.  Vol.  III.  p.  36S. 

«  Pointer's  Chron,  Hist,  of  Engl.  p.  298. 


538  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

by  Elizabeth  his  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Carr,  of  Sleeford, 
in  the  same  county,  Bart,  Chancellor  of  the  exchequer,  and  of 
the  Privy-council  to  King  Charles  II.  She  was  buried  d  at  Far- 
ley, on  March  23d,  1703,  leaving  no  issue  by  him;  and  he  con- 
tinued a  widower  till  his  death,  in  the  fifty-fourth  year  of  his  ager 
in  September,  1713,  and  was  buried  near  her  at  Farley.  By  his 
last  will  and  testament,  he  left  legacies  to  all  his  nephews  and 
nieces,  sons  and  daughters  of  his  sisters,  the  Countess  of  North- 
ampton, and  the  Lady  Cornwallis;  as  also  to  his  brothers,  Stephen 
Fox,  and  Henry  Fox,  and  his  sister,  Charlotte  Fox;  and  constituted 
his  father,  Sir  Stephen  Fox,  his  executor. 

Which  Sir  Stephen,  in  1703,  married,  secondly,  Christian 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Charles  Hope,  of  Nasely,  in  Lincoln- 
shire, who  survived  him;  and,  departing  this  life  on  February 
21st,  l71gj  was  buried  at  Farley  five  days  after. e 

He  had  issue  by  her  two  sons> 

1.  Stephen,  first  Earl  of  Ilchester. 

2.  Henry,  of  whom  afterwards,  as  Lord  Holland. 

Also  two  daughters,  one  of  which  died  young,  by  an  accidental 
fall  from  a  window;  the  other,  named  Charlotte,  was  married  to 
the  Honourable  Edward  Digby,  Esq.  (second  son  to  William^ 
Lord  Digby),  who  was  one  of  the  knights  of  the  shire  for  the 
county  of  Warwick  in  four  parliaments,  and  she  died  his  widow 
in  1778. 

Stephen,  first  Earl  of  Ilchester,  the  eldest  son  was,  on 
a  vacancy,  in  April,  1726,  elected  for  the  borough  of  Shaftesbury, 
in  the  county  of  Dorset,  and  served  in  the  two  succeeding  parlia- 
ments for  the  same  town ;  till  his  Majesty,  in  consideration  of  his 
great  merits,  was  pleased  to  create  him  a  Peer  of  this  realm,  by 
the  title  of  Lord  Ilchester,  of  Ilchester,  in  Somersetshire,  and 
Baron  Strangeways,  of  Woo&ford-Strangewaijs,  in  Dorsetshire, 
by  letters  patent,  bearing  date  on  May  11th,  1741. 

The  said  King  was  moreover  pleased,  by  letters  patent,  dated 
on  January  3d,  1746-7,  to  grant  unto  his  Lordship  the  dignity  of 

d  Ex  Regist.  de  Farley. 

«  I  subjoin  the  encomium  of  Granger  on  Sir  Stephen  Fox. 

Granger  speaks  thus  honourably  of  Sir  Stephen,  under  the  reign  of  James  II. 
(Vol.  IV.  p.  307.)  "  Sir  Stephen  Fox,  who  never  hurt  his  conscience  by  ac- 
quiring his  fortune  in  the  late  reign,  and  scorned  to  increase  it  in  the  present  by 
betraying  the  interests  of  his  country,  was,  for  voting  contrary  to  the  King's  in- 
clination in  the  House  of  Commons,  forbid  his  Majesty's  presence,  and  dismissed 
from  his  place  of  Paymaster  to  the  Army,  which  was  valued  at  10.000 1.  per  an- 
num."    See  Rembfs  Memoirs,  4-to.  p,  127. 


EARL  OF  ILCHESTER.  539 

a  Baron  of  Great  Britain,  by  the  name,  style,  and  title,  of  Lord 
Ilchester  and  Stavordale,  Baron  of  Redlynch,  in  the  county  of 
Somerset,  to  him  and  the  heirs  male  of  his  body,  lawfully  begot- 
ten; and  in  default  of  such  issue,  to  his  brother,  Henry  Fox,  Esq. 
afterwards  Lord  Holland,  and  the  heirs  male  of  his  body,  lawfully 
begotten  j  and,  further,  in  consideration  of  his  Lordship's  eminent 
services,  to  grant  unto  him  the  dignity  of  an  Earl  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, by  the  title  of  Earl  of  Ilchester,  with  remainder  /q  his 
said  brother,  as  before-mentioned,  by  letters  patent  bearing  date 
June  5th,  1756. 

His  Lordship,  on  June  23d,  1747,  was  constituted  one  of  the 
two  Comptrollers  of  the  accounts  of  the  army;  and  was  conti- 
nued in  that  office  by  his  present  Majesty,  who,  moreover,  ad- 
mitted his  Lordship  a  member  of  his  Privy-council,  on  April  22d, 
1763. 

He  married,  in  March,  1736,  f  Elizabeth  Horner,  only  daugh- 
ter and  heir  of  Thomas-Strangeways  Horner,  of  Mells,  in  the 
county  of  Somerset,  Esq.  by  Susannah  his  wife,  the  only  surviv- 
ing sister  and  heir  of  Thomas  Strangeways,  of  Melbury-Samp- 
ford,  in  the  county  of  Dorset,  Esq.  by  whom  he  had  issue  three 
sons. 

1.  The  Right  Honourable  Henry-Thomas  Fox,  the  late  Earl  of 
Ilchester. 

2.  The  Honourable  Stephen-Strangeways-Digby  Fox,  born 
December  3d,  1751;  a  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  army  on  half- 
pay. 

3.  The  Honourable  and  Rev.  Charles  Redly nch  Fox,  born  on 
April  27th,  1761 ;  married,  August,  1787,  Jane,  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Hains,  and  has  issue,  1.  Charles,  in  the  Royal  Navy, 
born  December  25th,  1789.  2.  Thomas,  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
Royal  Artillery,  born  December  2Sth,  1790.  3.  Henry,  born 
February  25th,  1794.  4.  Susanna,  born  September  12th,  1795. 
5.  Frances,  born  December  ]Sth,  1797.  6.  John,  born  February 
12th,  1799,  deceased.  7.  George,  born  November  2d,  1802. 
8.  Edward,  born  April  2d,  1806. 

Also  six  daughters.  Susannah-Sarah-Louisa,  born  February 
12th,  1743;  married,  April  7th,  1773,  William  O'Brien,  of  Stins- 
ford,  in  the  county  of  Dorset,  Esq. ;  Charlotte-Elizabeth,  died 
1755;  Juliana-Judith,  died  1 749;  Lucy,  born  December  15th, 
17483  married  October  1st,  1771,  the  Hon.  Stephen  Digby,  uncle 

f  Ex  Stemmate  de  Horner  penes  Com.  de  Ilchester, 


540  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

to  the  second  Earl  Digby,  and  died  August,  1787  (leaving  issue, 
Charles,  born  May  1775  3  Stephen,  born  in  1776;  Charlotte- 
Elizabeth,  born  in  August  1778J  and  Kenelm,  born  in  1785); 
Christiana-Caroline-Henrietta,  born  January  3d,  1750;  married, 
in  1771  *  John-Dyke  Ackland,  eldest  son  of  Sir  Thomas-Dyke 
Ackland,  of  Kelleton  House,  in  Devonshire,  Bart,  (by  whom  she 
had  issue,  two  sons,  and  three  daughters;  the  only  surviving 
daughter,  Elizabeth-Kitty,  was  born  December  1772;  married,  in 
April  1796,  Henry-George,  Lord  Porcht-ster,  eldest  son  of  the  Earl 
of  Carnarvon);  Frances-Muriel,  born  August  1/55;  married, 
August  24th,  1 777  >  Richard  Quin,  now  Lord  Adare,  of  Ireland, 
and  has  issue. 

His  Lordship  dying  September  26th,  1 77§>  was  succeeded  by 
Henry-Thomas,  second  Earl,  born  August  9th,  17^7}  who 
took  his  seat  in  the  House  of  Peers  November  12th,  1776. 

His  Lordship  married,  first,  August  26th,  1772,  Mary-Theresa, 
daughter  of  Standish  Grady,  Esq.  of  Cappercullin,  in  the  county 
of  Limerick,  in  Ireland,  by  whom  (who  died  in  June  171)0),  he 
had  issue,  two  sons,  and  six  daughters;  viz. 

1.  Elizabeth-Theresa,  born  November  16th,  1773;  married, 
first,  April  17tb,  1796,  William-Davenport-Talbot,  Esq.  of  Lay- 
cock  Abbey,  Wilts,  who  died  August  1 800,  leaving  issue,  one 
son;  and,  secondly,  April  24th,  1804,  Charles  Fielding  Esq.  Cap- 
tain in  the  Royal  Navy,  and  nephew  to  the  Earl  of  Winchelsea. 

2.  Mary-Lucy,  born  February  11th,  177®  >  married,  February 
1st,  1794,  Thomas-Mansell  Talbot,  Esq.  ot  Margam,  in  Glamor- 
ganshire, and  has  issue,  Mary  Theresa,  born  August  1/95;  Jane- 
Harriet,  born  November  179^;  Christiana-Barbara,  born  April 
1798. 

3.  A  son,  born  in  1777>  and  died  the  same  year. 

4.  Harriet,  born  June  17th,  1 778;  married,  September  1799? 
James  Frampton,  Esq.  of  Moreton,  in  Dorsetshire. 

5.  Charlotte-Anne,  born  February  7th,  1784. 

6.  Louisa-Emma,  born  June  27th,  1785 ;  married,  March  30th, 
1808,  Lord  Henry  Petty,  who,  in  November  I8O9,  succeeded  hii 
brother  as  third  Marquis  of  Lansdowne. 

7.  Henry-Stephen,  the  present  Earl. 

8.  Susanna-Carolina,  born  May  3d,  ]  790,  died  in  January  1792. 
His  Lordship  married,  secondly,  August  28th,  1794*  Maria, 

third  daughter  of  the  Rev.  William  Digby,  late  Dean  of  Durham, 
and  brother  to  the  first  Earl  Digby,  and  had  issue, 

9.  William-Thomas-Horner,  born  May  7th,  1795. 


EARL  OF  ILCHESTER.  541 

10.  Giles-Digby-Robert,  born  May  26th,  1798. 

11.  A  posthumous  son,  born  February  6th,  1803. 

His  Lordship  deceasing  September  5th,  1802,  was  succeeded 
by  bis  eldest  son,  Henry-Thomas,  the  present  and  third  Earl. 
His  Lordship  was  born  February  21st,  1 787. 

Titles.  Henry -Thomas  Fox,  Earl  of  llchester,  Lord  Ilchester, 
and  Stavordale,  Baron  Strangeways,  of  Woodford-Strangeways, 
and  Baron  of  Redlynch. 

Creations.  Lord  Ilchester,  in  Somersetshire,  and  Baron  Strange- 
ways,  of  Woodford-Strangeways,  in  Dorsetshire,  on  May  11th, 
1741,  14  George  II.  Lord  Ilchester  and  Stavordale,  in  Somerset- 
shire, and  Baron  of  Redlynch,  in  the  same  county,  with  remain- 
der, in  default  of  heirs  male  lawfully  begotten  of  his  own  body, 
to  his  brother,  Henry,  afterwards  Lord  Holland,  and  the  lawful 
heirs  male  of  his  body,  January  3d,  1/46-7,  20  George  II.  and 
Earl  of  Ilchester,  with  like  limitation,  June  5th,  1/56,  2Q  Geo.  II. 

Arms.  Ermin,  on  a  chevron,  Azure,  three  foxes  heads,  erazed, 
Or  -,  and  in  a  canton,  Azure,  a  Fleur  de  lis,  Or. 

Crest.  On  a  chapeau,  Azure,  turned  up  Ermin,  a  fox,  sejant, 
Or. 

Supporters.  On  the  dexter  side,  a  fox,  Ermin,  frette,  Or,  col- 
lared, dove-tail,  Azure,  charged,  with  three  Fleurs-de-lis,  Or; 
and,  on  the  sinister,  a  fox,  proper,  collared  in  like  manner. 

Motto.     Faire  sans  dire. 

Chief  Seats.  At  Redlynch,  near  Bruton,  in  Somersetshire  j  and 
Melbury,  in  Dorsetshire'. 


543  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


APPENDIX. 

The  appointment  of  Earl  Fitzwilliam,  as  Lord  Lieutenant 
of  Ireland  in  1795,  has  been  mentioned  at  p.  3gg,  of  this  Volume. 
But  as  some  peculiar  circumstances  attended  his  sudden  recall, 
and  as  they  arose  out  of  a  difference  of  opinion  on  a  subject  which 
still  agitates  the  public  mind,  the  subject  of  Catholic  Emancipa- 
tion, it  ought  not  to  be  passed  over  in  such  total  silence,  as  it  has 
been  in  the  page  already  mentioned.  I  will  endeavour  to  avoid 
all  political  asperity  on  the  matter.  I  will  first,  therefore,  tran- 
scribe Dr.  Bissefs  account,  in  his  Reign  of  George  III.  though 
short  and  imperfect. 

"  Irish  affairs  (says  he),  at  this  season  were  extremely  inte- 
resting and  important.  When  Earl  Fitzvvilliam  accepted  the 
Vice-Royalty,  as  he  afterwards  declared,  he  had  been  authorized 
to  complete  the  Catholic  emancipation;*  and  as  soon  as  he  en- 
ered  upon  his  office,  he  had  prepared  to  put  this  popular  mea- 
sure into  execution.  The  chief  members  of  the  Irish  Ministry  at 
this  time  were  the  Beresford  party,  always  inimical  to  the  encou- 
ragement of  Catholics,  but  ardent  supporters  of  most  of  the  mea- 
sures recommended  by  the  English  Ministers.  Lord  Fitzwilliam 
dismissed  from  their  offices  some  of  these  persons,  and  chose  in 
their  places  others  favourable  to  the  grand  system  which  he  had 
in  view.  The  steps  for  accelerating  the  Catholic  emancipation 
passed  without  animadversion  from  the  English  Ministry;  but 
the  dismissal  of  Mr.  Beresford,  and  his  adherents,  gave  great  of- 
fence to  the  Cabinet  of  London.  Lord  Fitzwilliam  refusing  to 
change  his  arrangements,  he  was  recalled,  and  Lord  Camden,  son 
to  the  illustrious  Judge,  was  appointed  his  successor.  Lord  Fitz- 
william arrived  in  Britain,  made  his  appearance  in  parliament, 
challenged  ministers  to  prove  that  his  measures  deserved  the 
blame  which  their  conduct  intimated,  and  demanded  an  Inquiry. 
Ministers  contended,  that  no  blame  was  attached  to  Lord  Fitz- 
william, and  therefore  no  Inquiry  was  necessary  for  his  vindica- 
tion; and  that  there  wrere  reasons  of  state,  which  rendered  the 
discussion  altogether  improper.  The  motions^ in  the  respective 
houses  were  negatived."b 

*  See  Lord  Fitzwilliam's  Letter  to  Lord  Carlisle. 
b  Bisset,  VI.  39. 


APPENDIX.  543 

Mr.  John  Giffbrd,  in  his  Political  Life  of  Mr.  Pitt,  1809,  gives 
a  fuller,  but  less  favourable  account,  from  which  I  shall  only- 
make  a  few  extracts.  He  observes,  that,  "  Lord  Fitzwilliam 
reached  Dublin  on  the  Sunday,  and  by  the  Wednesday  following, 
he  had  resolved  to  dismiss  Mr.  Beresford." — "  The  fact  (he  con- 
tinues),  appears  to  be  this,  that  Lord  Fitzwilliam  having  resolved 
to  pursue  a  different  system  of  policy  from  that  pursued  by  his 
predecessors,  thought  the  usual  advisers  of  government  very  unfit 
counsellors  for  him;  he  therefore  called  to  his  councils  Mr.  Pon- 
sonby  and  Mr.  Grattan,  who  had  formed  a  system  which  syste- 
matically opposed  every  measure  of  the  Government  ;  and  from 
these  advisers,  no  doubt,  the  Viceroy  received  the  character  of  Mr. 
Beresford,  and  of  other  respectable  gentlemen  whom  he  chose  to 
dismiss  from  their  respective  offices.  It  was  clearly  Lord  Fitz- 
william's  fixed  determination  to  release  the  Papists  of  Ireland 
from  every  restriction  to  which  they  still  remained  subject. 
Without  waiting  to  know  how  far  a  plan  so  fraught  with  the 
most  serious  consequences  was  conformable  with  the  views  of 
the  British  Cabinet,  he  authorised  his  confidential  adviser,  Mr. 
Grattan,  to  move,  three  weeks  after  the  meeting  of  parliament, 
for  leave  to  bring  in  a  bill  for  that  purpose.  He  immediately  re- 
ceived the  opinion  of  the  British  Cabinet  in  disapprobation  of  the 
measure.  He  did  not  choose  however  to  stop  short  in  his  career; 
but  continuing  to  oppose  his  own  sentiments  to  those  of  the  Cabi- 
net, he  was  recalled.  His  Lordship  considered  himself  disgraced ; 
and  determined  to  promote,  if  possible,  a  parliamentary  investi- 
gation of  the  business." 

"  The  Ministers,  in  both  houses,  confined  themselves,  in  the 
examination  of  the  question,  to  the  simple  ground  of  justice  and 
policy.  They  refused  to  enter  at  all  into  the  particulars  of  the 
correspondence  which  had  taken  place  between  themselves  and 
the  Viceroy;  they  declared  explicitly,  that  no  blame  was  imput- 
able to  the  Cabinet  Ministers,  and  disclaimed  all  intention  of  pre- 
ferring any  charge  against  Lord  Fitzwilliam.  The  King  had 
exercised  his  prerogative  legally  and  constitutionally;  and  Parlia- 
ment were  not  justified,  either  by  precedent  or  by  the  peculiar 
circumstances  of  the  case  itself,  in  interfering  in  the  business." 

*■  It  appears  certain,  from  a  close  attention  to  all  the  known 
circumstances  of  this  transaction,  that  Lord  Fitzwilliam  had  la- 
boured under  some  gross  misconception  of  the  views  and  inten- 
tions of  the  Cabinet.  He  must  have  misunderstood  some  con- 
versation which  had  passed  on  the  affairs  of  Ireland;  for  it  if 


544  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

impossible  otherwise,  that  a  nobleman  of  his  honourable  mind, 
the  integrity  of  which  no  one  ever  attempted  to  question,  could 
have  pursued  that  line  of  conduct,  which  he  began  to  adopt 
almost  immediately  after  his  arrival  in  Ireland.  Still  he  thought 
it  necessary  to  write  for  further  instructions  from  Ministers :  his 
letter  was  written  on  the  27th  of  January;  but  not  having  re- 
ceived an  answer  so  soon  as  he  expected,  he  chose  to  consider 
their  silence  as  an  assent  to  his  proposed  measures,  and  to  have 
the  Bill  for  the  relief  of  the  Catholics  brought  forward  on  the  12th 
of  February.  This  precipitation  orr  a  matter  of  such  vast  import- 
ance, was  highly  censurable;  it  was  unbecoming  a  statesman  to 
draw  such  hasty  inferences  as  he  drew,  and  to  act  on  conjecture 
when  certainty  was  within  his  reach.  On  the  14th  of  February 
he  received  the  marked  disapprobation  of  Ministers:  it  was 
perfectly  clear  therefore,  first,  that  he  had  misunderstood  them  5 
for  they  never  could  have  changed  their  views  and  designs  in  the 
short  period  which  had  elapsed  since  his  departure  from  England; 
and  if  they  had  sanctioned  his  new  system  of  policy  at  that  time, 
they  would  not  have  condemned  it  so  soon  after:  and,  secondly, 
that  his  Lordship  did  not  consider  his  instructions  as  conclusive, 
or  himself  at  liberty  to  pursue  his  own  plan,  without  further 
communications  with  the  Ministers."0 

•  Life  of  Pitt,  Vol.  IV,  p.  313  —  333. 


ADDENDA  ET  CORRIGENDA. 

EARL  POULETT.— P.  l. 

P.  15.  Lieutenant-Gcneral  Vere  Poulett  died  at  his  house  at 
Addington,  Bucks,  March  J  5th,  1812.  His  daughter,  Harriet 
Jane,  died  March  23d,  1811. 

Ibid.     Countess  Poulett  died  January  24th,  1811. 

Lady  Sophia  Poulett  married,  November  18th,  I8O9,  Henry, 
Viscount  Barnard,  son  of  the  Earl  of  Darlington. 

George,  second  son,  born  May  13th,  1786,  in  the  royal  navy, 
married,  December  9th,  1811,  Catharine  Sophia,  eldest  daughter 
of  Sir  George  Dallas,  of  Patsal,  com.  Staff.  Bart. 

Vere,  fourth  son,  is  since  deceased. 

John,  Viscount  Hinton,  married,  May  18th,  I8O9,  the  sister 
of  Mrs.  Farquharson. 

EARL  CHOLMONDELEY.— P.  16. 

P.  29.  The  younger  brother  of  Thomas  Cholmondeley,  Esq. 
is  Dean  of  Chester ;  and  is  an  accomplished  man,  and  well  versed 
in  history  and  genealogy. 

P.  36.  The  widow  of  the  Honourable  and  Reverend  Robert 
Cholmondeley,  died  April  4th,  1811. 

EARL  OF  OXFORD.— P.  37. 

P.  84.     Add  to  the  issue  of  the  Earl  of  Oxford, 
Fourth,  a  son,  born  in  January,  I8O9. 
Fifth,  a  son,  born  December  17th,  1811. 

EARL  OF  DARTMOUTH.— P.  105. 

George,  third  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  died  November  4th, 
1810,  aged  fifty- five,  at  Sidmouth  in  Devonshire,  whither  he  had 
gone  for  the  recovery  of  his  health.     He  was  Lord  Chamberlain 

VOL.    IV.  2  N 


546  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

to  his  Majesty,  and  a  Knight  of  the  Garter,  and  was  born  Oc- 
tober 2d,  IJ755;  was  educated  at  Oxford,  and  obtained  the  de- 
gree of  M.  A.  in  1775.  In  1779*  he  was  returned  member  of 
parliament  for  the  borough  of  Plymouth;  and  in  178O,  for  Staf- 
fordshire j  and  two  years  after,  he  was  appoinced  one  of  the 
Lords  of  the  Bedchamber  to  the  Prince  of  Wales  j  and  in  1789, 
Lord  Warden  of  the  Stannaries.  In  1783,  he  was  nominated  one 
of  the  commissioners  of  Mr.  Fox's  new  board  of  Admiralty,  who 
were  to  be  assisted  by  a  subordinate  board  of  nine  directors.  In 
the  summer  of  I8O7,  he  resigned  his  colonelcy  of  the  Loyal  Bir- 
mingham Volunteers  on  account  of  ill  health.  While  member 
for  Staffordshire,  he  supported  the  Coalition,  and  Mr.  Fox's  India 
bill.  His  Lordship  was  a  man  of  the  mildest  and  most  amiable 
manners.  The  following  lines  were  written  on  the  late  Earl,  by 
the  Earl  of  Carlisle,  when  they  were  boys  at  Eton  school. 

•*  Mild  as  the  dew  that  whitens  yonder  plain, 
Legge  shines  serenest  midst  yon  youthful  train. 
He  whom  the  search  of  fame  with  rapture  moves, 
Disdains  the  pedant  though  the  muse  he  loves : 
By  nature  form'd  with  modesty  to  please, 
And  joins  with  wisdom  unaffected  ease." 

Ann.  Reg.  1810,  p.  407, 408. 

He  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son, 

William,  fourth  and  present  Earl  of  Dartmouth, 
who  was  born  November  29th,  1784. 

EARL  OF  TANKERVILLE.— P.  125. 

P.  132.  Lady  Augusta  Sophia  Bennet  died  February  10th, 
I8O9. 

Honourable  John  Astley  Bennet,  captain  in  the  royal  navy, 
married,  August  29th,  1811,  the  daughter  of  John  Cony ers,  of 
Copped  Hall,  Essex,  Esq. 

Charles  Augustus,  Viscount  Ossulton,  Was  Treasurer  of  the 
Household  in  the  late  Administration.     He  has  issue, 

First,  a  daughter,  born  June,  1808. 

Second,  a  son,  born  January  10th,  1>810. 


ADDENDA  ET  CORRIGENDA.  547 


EARL  OF  AYLESFORD.— P.  134. 

P.  137.  The  Honourable  John  Finch,  younger  son  of  the 
present  Earl,  was  appointed  lieutenant  of  the  fifteenth  dragoons, 
December  20tb,  1810. 

EARL  OF  BRISTOL.— P.  139. 

P.  154.     The  late  Felton  Lionel  Hervey  had  issue, 
First,  Felton  Elwell  j  second,  Frederick  B.  appointed  lieute- 
nant-colonel of  the  fourteenth  dragoons,  July  12th,  1810  $  third, 
Selina. 

P.  160.  John  Thomas  Forster,  Esq.  died  in  17963  and  Lady 
Elizabeth  remarried,  October  19th,  I8O9,  William,  late  Duke  of 
Devonshire. 

EARL  COWPER.— P.  162. 

P.  169.  The  Honourable  Edward  Spencer  Cowper  married, 
May  23d,  1803,  Catharine,  youngest  daughter  of  Thomas  March 
Phillips,  Esq.  of  Garrendon  Park,  Leicestershire. 

Ibid.     The  fresent  Earl  has  issue, 

First,  George  Augustus  Frederick,  Viscount  Fordwich, 
born  June  26th,  1806. 

Second,  Lady  Emily  Caroline  Catharine,  born  November  6th, 
1810. 

Third,  a  son,  born  December  12th,  1811. 

EARL  STANHOPE.-— P.  171. 

P.  178.  On  December  28th,  1811,  departed  this  life,  at  her 
country  seat  at  Ovenden  in  Kent,  after  a  few  days  illness,  the 
Countess  Dowager  Stanhope,  in  the  ninety-third  year  of  her  age. 
Her  Ladyship  was  the  relict  of  the  late  Earl  Stanhope,  and  the 
mother  of  the  present  Earl.  A  person  more  remarkable  for  acute- 
ness  of  understanding,  and  exquisite  sensibility  of  heart,  has,  per- 
haps, never  existed.  Notwithstanding  her  very  advanced  age,  she 
retained  her  faculties  entire,  and  the  superior  qualities  of  her  mind 
only  appeared  the  more  conspicuous,  from  her  possessing  them  at 
a  period  of  life  when  the  affairs  of  this  world  seldom  attract  our 
attention.     Such  was  her  philanthropy,  that  she  always  took  the 


548  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

most  lively  interest  in  every  event  that  occurred,  even  in  the  re- 
motest part  of  the  globe,  that  could  anywise  affect  humanity. 
Religion,  and  the  confident  expectation  of  a  future  and  a  better 
state,  were  to  her  (what  they  uniformly  are  to  all  good  and  vir- 
tuous characters)  a  never  failing  source  of  comfort  and  exalted 
happiness.  The  distressed  always  found  in  her  Ladyship  a  warm- 
hearted friend;  and  her  judicious  and  extensive  charity  relieved 
many  hundreds  of  the  poor  in  her  neighbourhood.  The  amiable- 
ness  of  her  disposition  was  never  more  strikingly  observable  than 
in  her  last  moments  j  and  one  of  the  affecting  expressions  which 
she  used  a  short  time  before  her  death,  was,  that  she  had  the  con- 
solation to  reflect,  that  she  had  never  spared  any  trouble  to  be  of 
use.  Her  Ladyship  has  left  a  will,  in  which  she  has  bequeathed 
her  property  to  her  only  son,  the  present  Earl  Stanhope,  whom 
she  has  appointed  her  sole  executor.  By  a  codicil,  she  has  left 
legacies  to  several  of  her  old  and  faithful  servants. 

P.  179.  The  Honourable  Charles  Banks  Stanhope,  m3jor  of 
the  fiftieth  foot,  fell  gloriously  at  the  head  of  his  regiment  at  the 
battle  of  Corunna,  in  January,  I8O9. 

Philip  Henry,  Viscount  Mahon,  is  keeper  of  the  records  in 
Birmingham  Tower,  Ireland  ;  and  surveyor  of  the  Green  Wax  in 
England. 

1  * 

EARL  OF  HARBOROUGH.— P.  180. 

P.  184.  Lady  S.  Sherard,  third  daughter  of  the  late  Earl, 
married,  in  1812,  the  eldest  son  of  Sir  Thomas  Whichcot,  of 
Aswarby  House,  com.  Lincoln,  Bart. 

Eleanor,  widow  of  the  late  Earl,  died  October  9th,  I8O9. 

EARL  OF  MACCLESFIELD.— P.  190. 

P.  195.  Mary,  Countess  Dowager  of  Macclesfield,  died  May 
29th,  1812. 

llid.  The  Honourable  Thomas  Parker,  brother  to  the  pre- 
sent Earl,  has  several  daughters,  and  a  son  born  March  17th,  1811. 

EARL  OF  POMFRET.— P.  197. 

P.  207.     Lady  Louisa  Clayton  died  June  30th,  1 8O9. 
The  Honourable  T.  F.  Fermor  was  advanced  to  the  rank  of 
colonel  in  the  army,  July  25th,  1810. 


ADDENDA  ET  CORRIGENDA.  549 

EARL  GRAHAM.-P.  209. 

P.  231.  His  Grace,  the  present  Earl  and  Duke,  was  ho- 
noured with  the  Order  of  the  Garter  in  1812. 

EARL  WALDEGRAVE.— P.  232. 

P.  248. — George,  present  Earl,  was  appointed  major  of 
the  twelfth  dragoons,  March  13th,  1812. 

EARL  OF  ASHBURNHAM.— P.  249. 

P.  263.  John,  second  and  late  Earl  of  Ashburnham, 
died  April  8th,  1812,  aged  eighty-eight,  and  was  succeeded  by 
his  only  son, 

George,  third  and  present  Earl,  who  was  summoned  to 
the  upper  house  as  Baron  Ashburnham,  March  23d,  1803. 
(See  vol.  vi.  p.  132.) 

John,  his  second  son,  an  ensign  in  the  foot  guards,  was 
drowned  in  his  passage  from  Portugal  in  1810. 

His  Lordship  has  issue  by  his  present  Countess, 

Percy,  born  November  22d,  1/95. 

Bertram,  born  November  23d,  \797>  at  Westminster  school. 

Charles, 

Thomas,  born  July  3d,  1 800. 

Lady  Charlotte  Louisa,  born  February  23d,  1806. 

Lady  Theodosia  Julia,  born  November  2/th,  1805. 

EARL  OF  EFFINGHAM.— P.  264. 

P.  280.  Henry  Howard,  Esq.  of  the  Tower  House,  Arundel, 
Sussex,  only  surviving  brother  of  the  late  Sir  George  Howard, 
K.  B.  died  September  10th,  181  J,  aged  seventy-six,  and  was  in- 
terred in  the  family  vault  at  Ryegate.  He  left  issue  an  only  son, 
Major-General  Kenneth  A.  Howard,  second  Major  of  the  Cold- 
stream foot  guards,  and  now  serving  in  Portugal,  who  married, 
May  27th,  i  800,  Lady  Charlotte  Primrose,  daughter  of  Niel, 
present  Earl  of  Roseberry,  by  whom  he  has  issue. 


550  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 


EARL  OF  HARRINGTON.—P.  284. 

P.  2S9.  The  Honourable  Lincoln  Stanhope  was  appointed 
Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  seventeenth  dragoons,  January  2d., 
1812. 

The  Honourable  Fitzroy  Stanhope  has  left  the  army,  and  is 
now  in  holy  orders.  He  married,  October  8th,  1808,  Miss 
Caroline  Wyndham. 

The  Honourable  Francis  C.  Stanhope  was  appointed  a  captain 
in  the  tenth  dragoons,  1810. 

EARL  OF  PORTSMOUTH.— P.  291. 

P.  328.  The  Countess  Dowager  of  Portsmouth  died  January 
29th,  1812. 

EARL  OF  BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.— P.  363. 

P.  372.  The  tresent  Earl  was  appointed  President  of  the 
Board  of  Control,  June  13th,  1812;  and  on  May  23d,  J  812, 
Chancellor  of  the  Duchy  of  Lancaster,  which  he  resigned  soon 

after. 

EARL  FITZWILLIAM.— P.  374. 

P.  399.  Charles  William,  present  Viscount  Milton,  has  a 
second  daughter  born  May  2d,  1810. 

EARL  OF  EGREMONT.— P.  401. 

P.  427.  Laura,  daughter  of  the  Honourable  Frederick  Wil- 
liam Wyndham,  married,  July  10th,  I8O9,  William  Miller,  Esq. 
of  Ozleworth  Park,  com.  Glouc.  Julia,  another  daughter,  died 
July  23d,  1811. 

EARL  HARCOURT.— P.  429. 

P.  448.  Lady  Elizabeth  Lee,  sister  of  the  present  Earl,  died 
in  January,  1611. 

P.  452.    The  present  Earl  Harcourt  has  resigned  the 


ADDENDA  ET  CORRIGENDA.  551 

office  of  Governor  of  the  Royal  Military  College,  and  is  now  Go- 
vernor of  Portsmouth,  and  Deputy  Ranger  of  Windsor  Great 
Park. 

.  EARL  OF  GUILFORD— P.  454. 

P.  485.  Francis,  present  Earl  of  Guilford,  married, 
July  19th,  1810,  Maria,  fifth  daughter  of  the  late  Thomas  Boycott, 
Esq.  of  Rudge  Hall,  Shropshire: 

P.  480.  Charles  Augustus  North,  youngest  son  of  the  Bishop 
of  Winchester,  is  in  holy  orders,  and  married,  March  11th,  I8O9, 
Rachael,  second  daughter  of  the  late  Thomas  Jarvis,  Esq.  of 
Laverstoke  House,  Hants. 

EARL  OF  HARDWICKE.— P.  486. 

P.  492.  Joseph  Pole  Carew,  Esq.  son  of  R.  P.  Carew,  Esq. 
by  Jemima  Yorke,  married,  September  10th,  181  J,  Caroline, 
second  daughter  of  John  Ellis,  Esq.  of  Mamhead. 

Ibid.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  Buller,  Esq.  died  August  26th, 
]  808. 

P.  497.  Sir  Joseph  York  is  a  Rear  Admiral,  and  was  lately  a 
Lord  of  the  Admiralty.     His  Lady  died  February  29th,  1812. 

Charles  James,  Viscount  Royston,  died  May  1st,  1810. 

Lady  Catharine  Freman  Yorke  married,  October  16th,  1811, 
Dupre  Alexander,  Earl  of  Caledon  in  Ireland,  late  Governor  of 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

P.  496.  The  Right  Honourable  Charles  Yorke  is  now  member 
of  parliament  for  St.  German's,  com.  Cornwall.  He  was  ap- 
pointed a  Teller  of  the  Exchequer  on  the  death  of  the  Honourable 
W.  F.  E.  Eden,  February,  1810,  and  has  since  been  First  Lord 
of  the  Admiralty,  from  which  he  retired  in  1812. 

EARL  OF  DARLINGTON.— P.  499. 

P.  525.  The  Honourable  Charles  Vane,  sixth  son,  of  Mount 
Ida  in  Norfolk,  left  issue  an  only  daughter  and  heir,  Henrietta 
Elizabeth  Frederica,  who  married,  August  20th,  1795,  the  late 
Sir  William  Langham,  Bart,  and  died  November  1 1th,  180/,  leav- 
ing issue  by  him,  who  died  March  8th,  1812,  Sir  William  Henry 
Langham,  Bart,  his  successor,  who  survived  him  not  more  than 
two  months  j  and  two  daughters,  coheirs  .to  their  brother. 


552  PEERAGE  OF  ENGLAND. 

P.  527.  Henry,  Viscount  Bernard,  married,  November  luth, 
I8O9,  Lady  Sophia,  eldest  daughter  of  John,  Earl  Poulett,  K.  T. 

EARL  OF  ILCHESTER.— P.529. 

P.  540.  Lady  Charlotte  Anne  Strangways  married,  Dec.  5th, 
JSIO,  Charles,  only  son  of  Sir  William  Lemon,  of  Carclew,  Bart. 

P.  541.  The  present  Earl  of  Ilchester  married,  February 
<6th,  1812,  Caroline,  second  daughter  of  the  late  Lord  George 
Murray,  Bishop  of  St.  David's. 


END  OF  VOL.  IV. 


Frintefl  by  T.  Benstey, 
Bolt- court,  FItet- street,  London. 


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