1st Duke of Monmouth

DUKEDOM OF MONMOUTH

1649-1685

JAMES, eldest natural son of CHARLES II, by Lucy Walter (daughter of William Walter, of Roch Castle, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire), was born in Holland, at Rotterdam, and bore the surname of CROFTS, till, by his marriage with the Lady Anne Scott, Countess of Buccleuch de jure (daughter and sole heir to Francis, 2nd Earl of Buccleuch, in Scotland), his father then allowed him to take that surname.

In 1663, he was brought to England, and the same year was created Baron Scott of Tindale, Northumberland; Earl of Doncaster, Yorkshire; and DUKE OF MONMOUTH.

On the day of the marriage His Grace and his Duchess were created Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, Earl and Countess of Dalkeith, Baron and Baroness Scott of Whitechester and Eskdaill.

The fate of this unhappy nobleman is so well known, and the circumstances of his life, as well as death, are so fully recorded by our historians, that to dwell upon them here becomes unnecessary.

Photo Credit: The Museum of Somerset

His Grace died in the flower of his age (36); probably more a sacrifice to the jealousy of JAMES II than to the impossibility of forgiving the crime of rebellion, for which he suffered.

But James had not a particle of mercy or generosity in his disposition.

Bishop Burnet says of the Duke,

"He had several good qualities, and some that were as bad; he was soft and gentle, even to excess; and too easy to those that had credit with him." 

"He was both sincere and good-natured, and understood war well; but he was too much given to pleasure, and to favourites."

His Grace had parted with his Duchess and lived with Henrietta, Lady Wentworth; for which he endeavoured to justify himself by alleging that he had married his Duchess too young to give a free and legal consent.

By her, however, he had four sons and two daughters,

Charles, Earl of Doncaster, died in infancy;
James, Earl of Dalkeith (ancestor of the Dukes of Buccleuch);
Henry, cr Earl of Deloraine;
Francis, died in infancy;
Anne; Charlotte.

Upon the decapitation of His Grace, 1685, his honours became forfeited by reason of his attainder; but, nevertheless, in 1743, two of his subsidiary titles, viz. the barony of Scott of Tindale and the earldom of Doncaster were restored by Act of Parliament to Francis, his grandson; by whose descendant, the present Duke of Buccleuch, they still continue to be possessed.

With regard to the title of Monmouth, it was granted by WILLIAM III, in 1689, to Charles, Viscount Mordaunt, who was created EARL OF MONMOUTH; and afterwards succeeding his uncle as 3rd Earl of Peterborough, those two dignities merged.

Former seat ~ Moor Park, Hertfordshire.

Select Bibliography: Burke's Dormant and Extinct Baronage, Volume III, 1809.

First published in January, 2018.  Monmouth arms courtesy of European Heraldry. 

1st Duke of Warwick

DUKEDOM OF WARWICK

1445-46

Amongst the most eminent Norman families in the train of WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR was that of BEAUCHAMP, and amongst those that shared most liberally in the spoils of the Conquest.

HUGH DE BEAUCHAMP, the companion in arms of the victorious Norman, who obtained grants to a very great extent from his triumphant chief, as he appears, at the general survey, to be possessed of large estates in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Bedfordshire, was the founder of this illustrious house in England.

This Hugh de Beauchamp had issue,

Simon;
Payne;
WALTER, of whom we treat;
Milo;
Adeline.

The third son,

WALTER DE BEAUCHAMP, of Elmley Castle, Gloucestershire, having married Emeline, daughter and heiress of Urse d'Abetot, Constable of the castle of Worcester and Hereditary Sheriff of Worcestershire, was invested with that office by HENRY I, and obtained a grant from the same monarch of all the lands belonging to Roger of Worcester, with a confirmation of certain lands given to him by Alice, widow of his father-in-law, the said Urse.

Walter de Beauchamp was succeeded by his son,

WILLIAM DE BEAUCHAMP (c1105-70), who, for his zeal in the cause of the Empress Matilda, was dispossessed of Worcester Castle by KING STEPHEN, to which, and all his other honours and estates, however, he was restored by HENRY II; and in that monarch's reign, besides the sheriffdom of Worcestershire, which he enjoyed by inheritance, he was Sheriff of Warwickshire, Sheriff of Gloucestershire, and Sheriff of Herefordshire.

He espoused Maud, daughter of William de Braose, and was succeeded at his decease by his son,

WILLIAM DE BEAUCHAMP, who married Joanne, daughter of Sir Thomas Walerie; and dying before the thirteenth year of KING JOHN's reign, was succeeded by his son,

WALTER DE BEAUCHAMP, Governor of Hanley Castle, Worcestershire.

The family line carried on uninterruptedly to

WILLIAM DE BEAUCHAMP (1237-98), who inherited not only the feudal Elmley from his father, but had previously derived from his mother the Earldom of Warwick (originally possessed by the Newburghs) and the Barony of Hanslape.

This eminent nobleman, a distinguished captain in the Welsh and Scottish wars of EDWARD I, wedded Maud, daughter and co-heiress of Richard FitzJohn, and had surviving issue,

GUY, his successor;
Isabella; Maud; Margaret; Anne; Amy.

William de Beauchamp, 9th Earl of Warwick, was succeeded by his son,

GUY, 10th Earl (c1272-1315), so called in memory of his celebrated predecessor, the Saxon, Guy, Earl of Warwick.

This nobleman acquired high military renown in the martial reign of EDWARD I, distinguishing himself at the battle of Falkirk, for which he was rewarded with extensive grants of lands in Scotland.

He married Alice, daughter of Ralph de Toeni, of Flamsted, Hertfordshire, and had issue,

THOMAS, his successor;
John;
Maud; Emma; Isabella; Elizabeth; Lucia.

His lordship died at Warwick Castle, and was succeeded by his son, but two years of age,

THOMAS, 11th Earl (c1313-69), KG, who sustained, in the brilliant reign of EDWARD III, the high military renown of his illustrious progenitor, and became distinguished in arms almost from his boyhood.

He wedded Katherine, daughter of Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March, and had issue,

Guy;
THOMAS, his successor;
Reinbrun;
John;
Roger;
Hierom;
Maud; Philippa; Alice; Joan; Isabel; Margaret; Agnes; Juliana; Katherine.

The 11th Earl, one of the original Knights of the Garter, was succeeded by his eldest son,

THOMAS, 12th Earl (1338-1401), KG, one of the principal opponents of RICHARD II, who espoused Margaret, daughter of William, 3rd Baron Ferrers of Groby, and had issue,

RICHARD, his successor;
Katherine; Margaret; Katherine; Elizabeth.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

RICHARD, 13th Earl (1382-1439), KG, who married firstly, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas, 5th Lord Berkeley, and had issue, three daughters,

Margaret; Eleanor; Elizabeth.

He wedded secondly, Isabel, daughter and eventually heiress of Thomas, 1st Earl of Gloucester, and had issue,

HENRY, his successor;
Anne.

His lordship was succeeded by his only son,

HENRY, 14th Earl (1425-46), KG,

Who, before he had completed his nineteenth year, tendered his services for the defence of the Duchy of Aquitaine, was created, in 1444, PREMIER EARL OF ENGLAND; and his lordship obtained, at the same time, permission for himself and his heirs to wear a golden coronet in the presence of the King and elsewhere. 

Soon afterwards, in 1445, he was advanced to the dignity of a dukedom, as DUKE OF WARWICK, with precedence immediately after the Duke of Norfolk, and before the Duke of Buckingham; which extraordinary mark of royal favour so displeased the latter nobleman that an Act of Parliament was subsequently passed to appease his jealousy, declaring that the two dukes should take place of each other alternately year about, but with precedency of the first year to the Duke of Warwick;

After which His Grace had a grant in reversion of the death of the Duke of Gloucester, of the Channel Islands for the annual rent of a rose; also the Hundred and Manor of Bristol, and all the royal castles and manors in the Forest of Dean. 

His Grace was crowned, by the King himself, KING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT.

The first Duke married, in the lifetime of his father, but when ten years old and then styled Lord Despencer, Cecily, daughter of Richard Richard Nevill, jure uxoris 5th Earl of Salisbury, by whom he had an only daughter, ANNE.

His Grace died aged 22, when the Dukedom (and the male line of this branch of the Beauchamps) expired, but his other honours devolved upon his daughter,

ANNE, 15th Countess of Warwick (1443-48), then but two years old, who was committed to the guardianship first of Queen Margaret, and afterwards of William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk.

Anne dying, however, a few years later, the honours of the illustrious house of BEAUCHAMP reverted to the young Countess's aunt,

ANNE, 16th Countess of Warwick (1426-92), wife of Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury; and her husband was subsequently created EARL OF WARWICK, the celebrated Kingmaker.

Ancestral seat ~ Warwick Castle, Warwickshire. Town House ~ 32 St James's Square.

First published in October, 2017.

1st Duke of Albemarle

DUKEDOM OF ALBEMARLE

1660-88

The family of LE MOYNE, MONK or MONCK, was of great antiquity in Devon, and in that county they had, from a remote period, possessed the Manor of Potheridge, which lineally descended to

GEORGE MONCK (1608-70), the celebrated general under the usurper, Cromwell, who, for his exertions in restoring the Monarchy, was created, by CHARLES II, in 1670, Baron Monck, of Potheridge, Baron Beauchamp, of Beauchamp, Baron of Teyes, Devon, Earl of Torrington, and DUKE OF ALBEMARLE.

This eminent person was lineally descended from ARTHUR PLANTAGENET, 1st Viscount Lisle, natural son of EDWARD IV.

His Grace was soon after installed a Knight of the Garter.

To explain His Grace's titles it is necessary to state that Elizabeth Grey, the wife of his ancestor, Arthur Plantagenet, was sister and heir of John Grey, Viscount Lisle, and daughter of Edward Grey, by Elizabeth, daughter and heir of John Talbot, eldest son of John, Earl of Shrewsbury, by his second wife, Margaret, eldest daughter and co-heir of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, and Albemarle, by Elizabeth his wife, daughter and heiress of Gerard Warine, Lord Lisle, by Alice, daughter and heiress of Lord Teyes.

The military and naval achievements of MONCK have shone so conspicuously in history that any attempt to depict them in a work of this description could have no other effect than that of dimming their lustre.

He crowned his reputation by the course he adopted after the death of CROMWELL, in restoring the monarchy, and thus healing the wounds of his distracted country.

To the gloomy and jealous mind of the Usurper, General Monck was at times a cause of uneasiness and distrust; and to a letter addressed to the General himself, Cromwell once added the following singular postscript:

"There be that tell me there is a certain cunning fellow in Scotland called George Monck, who is said to lie in wait there to introduce Charles Stuart; I pray you use your diligence to apprehend him, and send him up to me."

From the time of the Restoration to that of his death, the Duke of Albemarle preserved the confidence and esteem of the restored monarch and his brother, the Duke of York; the former always calling him his "political father."

1st Duke of Albemarle KG
(Image: National Galleries of Scotland)

With the populace, Monck always enjoyed the highest degree of popularity, and his death was lamented as a national misfortune.

His funeral was public, and his ashes were deposited in HENRY VII's chapel, Westminster Abbey, with the remains of royalty.

The 1st Duke espoused Anne, daughter of John Clarges, and sister to Sir Thomas Clarges Bt, by whom His Grace had an only son,

CHRISTOPHER, 2nd Duke (1653-88), who was installed a Knight of the Garter, 1671, and sworn of the Privy Council.

His Grace wedded the Lady Elizabeth Cavendish, daughter and co-heir of Henry, Duke of Newcastle, by whom he had an only son, who died immediately after his birth.

2nd Duke of Albemarle KG
(Image: Trinity College, Cambridge)

The 2nd Duke went out as Governor-General to Jamaica, in 1687, accompanied by SIR HANS SLOANE Bt, and died there in the following year, when all his honours became extinct.

Former town residence ~ Clarendon House, Piccadilly, London.

First published in October, 2017.  Albemarle arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

1st Duke of Shrewsbury

DUKEDOM OF SHREWSBURY

1694-1718

CHARLES, LORD TALBOT (1660-1718) succeeded his father as 12th Earl of Shrewsbury and 12th Earl of Waterford in 1667 (the Earl of Shrewsbury's coat-of-arms is displayed above).

In 1681, his lordship was constituted Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire; and he renounced the tenets of the Church of Rome at the time when prosecutions were in such vigorous progress under the auspices of Titus Oates against the unhappy persons charged with the fictitious popish plot.

At the coronation of JAMES II, Lord Shrewsbury wore the Curtana or pointless sword; and the same year he was appointed Colonel of the 6th Regiment of Horse; but disgusted with the proceedings of the Court, he resigned soon after his military rank and went over to the Prince of Orange, to whom he tendered his purse and sword.

Bishop Burnet states that Lord Shrewsbury was one of the noblemen in whom the Prince placed the most confidence, and upon whose counsel he was on all occasions principally guided.

Thus promoting the Revolution, when that measure was accomplished by WILLIAM & MARY to the throne, his lordship was immediately sworn of the Privy Council and appointed Principal Secretary of State.

1st Duke of Shrewsbury,  Photo Credit: The National Trust

In March, 1694, he was installed a Knight of the Garter; and the next month, created Marquess of Alton and DUKE OF SHREWSBURY.

In 1695 and 1697, His Grace was one of the Lords Justices during the temporary absences of the King; and in 1699 he resigned the seals as Secretary of State, but was constituted soon after Lord Chamberlain, an office which he subsequently held in the reign of QUEEN ANNE; and was afterwards appointed by Her Majesty LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND.

Upon the accession of GEORGE I, the 1st Duke was appointed Groom of the Stole, Privy Purse, and sworn a member of the new Privy Council.

He was subsequently declared Lord Chamberlain of His Majesty's household, while his Duchess was appointed one of the Ladies of the Bedchamber to Caroline, Princess of Wales.

His Grace married Adelhida, daughter of the Marquis Paleotti, in Italy, descended maternally from Sir Robert Dudley, son of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, the celebrated favourite of ELIZABETH I, but died without issue in 1718, when the honours he had inherited passed to the heir-at-law, and the marquessate of Alton, dukedom of Shrewsbury, etc expired.

First published in October, 2017.

1st Duke of Buckingham

DUKEDOM OF BUCKINGHAM

1623-87

This family, which is still extant in the noble houses of Jersey and Clarendon, deduced its descent from Villiers, Seigneurs de L'Isle Adam, in Normandy, France; and the first of its members who came into England was amongst the companions in arms of WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR.

SIR GEORGE VILLIERS (c1544-1606), of Brooksby, Leicestershire, a person of eminent repute, married firstly, Audrey, daughter of William Saunders, of Harrington, Northamptonshire, and had issue,

William, created a Baronet;
Edward, ancestor of the EARLS OF JERSEY;
Elizabeth; Anne; Frances.

Sir George wedded secondly, Mary, daughter of Anthony Beaumont, of Glenfield, Leicestershire, which lady survived her husband, and was created COUNTESS OF BUCKINGHAM for life; and had further issue,

John, 1st Viscount Purbeck;
GEORGE, of whom presently;
Christopher, 1st Earl of Anglesey;
Susan.

Sir George's second son by his last wife,

GEORGE VILLIERS (1592-1628), born at Brooksby, received the first rudiments of his education at Billesdon School in Leicestershire, whence being removed at the age of 13, by his mother, he was sent to France, and there soon attained "perfection in all polite accomplishments".

Upon his return home, he went first to London as a suitor to Sir Roger Ashton's daughter, one of the Gentlemen of the Bedchamber and Master of the Robes to JAMES I, but was dissuaded from the connection by another courtier, Sir John Graham, one of the Gentleman of the Privy Chamber, who encouraged him to "woo fortune in the court".

Soon after this he attracted the attention of the King, and succeeded the favourite Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset, as cup-bearer to His Majesty (being, said Sir William Dugdale, of stature tall and comely, his comportment graceful, and of a most sweet disposition).

From this period he rose rapidly in estimation, and the Queen, through the influence of George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, an enemy of Somerset's, being induced also to protect him, his fortune was at once established.

The first honour he received was that of Knighthood, which was conferred in Her Majesty's bedchamber with the Prince's rapier: he was then sworn a Gentleman of the Bedchamber (1615), with an annual pension of £1,000 (£237,000 in today's money) payable out of the Court of Wards.

The ensuing January he succeeded Edward, 4th Earl of Worcester, as Master of the Horse; and several months later was installed a Knight of the Garter.

Before the end of the year (1616) he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Whaddon, Buckinghamshire, the ceremony of creation being performed at Woodstock; and he was very soon after advanced to a viscountcy, as Viscount Villiers.

In 1617 his lordship was created Earl of Buckingham, with a special remainder, default of male issue, to his brothers John and Christopher, and their male issue.

His lordship was further advanced, in 1618, to the dignity of a marquessate, as Marquess of Buckingham.

This last dignity was succeeded by his appointment to the great office of Lord High Admiral, and his being sworn of the Privy Council; and about this time his lordship was constituted Chief Justice in Eyre; Master of the Court of King's Bench; High Steward of Westminster Abbey; Constable of Windsor Castle; and Chancellor of Cambridge University.

In 1623, Lord Buckingham was sent into Spain with Charles, Prince of Wales, to accelerate the marriage then in contemplation between His Royal Highness and a Spanish princess.

The journey, a most exceptional one, commenced on the 18th February, when Prince Charles and Lord Buckingham, putting on false beards, assumed the names of Thomas and John Smith, their sole attendant being Sir Richard Graham, 1st Baronet, Master of the Horse.

Post-riding to Canterbury, where they took fresh horses, they were stopped by the mayor, as suspicious persons, whereupon Lord Buckingham was constrained to take off his beard, and to satisfy the mayor by stating that he was going incognito to survey the fleet as Lord High Admiral.

At Dover they found Prince Charles's private secretary, Sir Francis Cottington, and Mr Endymion Porter, who had provided a vessel for their use: on which they embarked, and landing at Boulogne, proceeded to Paris, and thence travelled through France to Madrid.

During their sojourn in Paris, Lord Buckingham is said to have fallen in love with Anne of Austria (Queen of France, consort of LOUIS XIII).

It is certainly the case that, upon his return, Cardinal Richelieu refused him permission to land in a French port.

At Madrid, Buckingham was involved in a dispute with the Count-Duke of Olivares, and received some affronts for his haughtiness, French garb, and great familiarity with Prince Charles.

His royal master continuing, however, to lavish favours upon him, sent out letters patent, in 1623, creating him DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Buckingham, failing in the object of their journey, departed from Madrid on the 12th September, and arrived at Portsmouth in October, when His Grace was appointed Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and Steward of the Manor of Hampton Court.

The death of JAMES I followed about a year and a half later, but the influence of Buckingham was undiminished.

His Grace officiated as Lord High Steward at the coronation of the new King; and was shortly afterwards sent as Ambassador Extraordinary to Holland, where he purchased a rare collection of Arabic manuscripts, procured in remote countries by the industry and diligence of Thomas Erpenius, a famous linguist.

Those valuable documents were presented to Cambridge University, for which he intended them, after the 1st Duke's death.

His Grace continued to bask in the same sunshine of royal favour, under CHARLES I, that he had so beneficially enjoyed in the last reign, but with the populace he had become an object of contempt.

His influence was paramount, and to that influence was attributed all the grievances of the nation.

The failure, too, of an expedition to Saint-Martin-de-Ré, for the relief of his Huguenot allies at La Rochelle, completed his unpopularity.

To recover the ground he had lost by this untoward enterprise, His Grace projected another expedition, and had repaired to Portsmouth in order to forward its sailing.

Here, while passing through a lobby, after breakfasting with Sir Thomas Fryer and other persons of distinction, he was stabbed in the heart by John Felton, an army officer, and died instantaneously.

The 1st Duke's assassination occurred on the 23rd August, 1628, when His Grace had just turned 36 years of age.

The Duchess was in the house, in an upper room, hardly out of bed; and the King and court at Sir Daniel Norton's, Southwick, Hampshire, merely six miles away.

His Grace had married the Lady Katherine Manners, only daughter and heiress of Francis, Earl of Rutland and Baron de Ros (which latter dignity she inherited at the decease of her father in 1632), and had issue,

GEORGE, his successor;
Charles;
Francis;
Mary.

Following the 1st Duke's murder, Her Grace wedded secondly, Randal, 2nd Earl and 1st Marquess of Antrim, of Dunluce Castle, County Antrim.

A lost masterpiece of the 1st Duke by Rubens was recently discovered.

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham KG

His Grace was succeeded by his eldest son,

GEORGE, 2nd Duke (1628-87), KG, and in right of his mother, 20th Baron de Ros.

This nobleman was very young at the time of his father's murder, and spent some years abroad after that event, travelling.

He returned to England after the civil war, and had a command in the royal army at the battle of Worcester, 3rd September, 1651, from which unfortunate field, making his escape with difficulty, he reached London and was thence enabled to make good his retreat to Holland.

At the restoration of the monarchy His Grace, with General Monck, rode uncovered before the King upon his public entry into London, and he was soon afterwards appointed a Knight of the Garter.

The 2nd Duke formed one of the unpopular administrations of CHARLES II, which was designated the Cabal, from the initial letters of the ministers' names.

"But towards the latter half of that monarch's reign", said the infamous genealogist and lawyer, Thomas Christopher Banks, "by his strange conduct and unsteady temper he sunk very low in the opinion of most people. He first seduced the wife of Francis Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, and then killed the Earl in a duel."

Horace Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford, in his Catalogue of Noble Authors, observed,

"When this extraordinary man, with the figure and genius of Alcibiades, could equally charm the Presbyterian Fairfax, and the dissolute Charles; when he alike ridiculed the witty king and his solemn chancellor; when he plotted the ruin of his country with a cabal of bad ministers, or equally unprincipled, supported its cause with bad patriots; one laments that such parts should be devoid of every virtue. 

But when Alcibiades turns chemist, when he is a real bubble, and a visionary miser, when ambition is but a frolic, when the worst designs are for the foolishest ends, contempt extinguishes all reflections on his character."

This nobleman, profligate as he was, held an elevated place amongst the great minds of his day, and as a wit was hardly equalled by any of his contemporaries.

"He began life (said Banks) with all the advantages of fortune and person which a nobleman could covet; and afterwards, by favour of the King, had great opportunities of making himself as considerable as his father had been. But he miserably wasted his estate, forfeited his honour, damned his reputation, and, at the time of his death, is said to have wanted even the necessaries of life, and not to have had one friend in the world."

Alexander Pope described him as more famous for his vices than his misfortunes; that having been possessed of £50,000 a year (in excess of £10 million today), and passed through many of the highest posts in the Kingdom, he died in 1687 at a remote inn in Yorkshire, reduced to the utmost misery.

His Grace had married Mary, only daughter and heiress of Thomas, Lord Fairfax, the parliamentary general, and granddaughter maternally of Horatio, 1st Baron Vere of Tilsbury, but had no issue.

He died in 1687, and his sister Mary, to whom the dukedom of Buckingham was in remainder, provided she had outlived the male descendants of her father, having predeceased him, all the honours which he had inherited from his father expired; while the barony of DE ROS, derived from his mother, fell into abeyance between the heirs-general of the sisters and heirs of George Manners, 7th Earl of Rutland.

Former residences ~ Helmsley Castle, Yorkshire; Wallingford House, Admiralty, London; York House, Strand, London.

First published in September, 2017.   Buckingham arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

1st Duke of Schomberg

DUKEDOM OF SCHOMBERG

1689-1719

FRIEDRICH HERMANN VON SCHÖNBERG (1615-90), KG, son of Hans Meinard von Schönberg and Anne (daughter of Edward, 5th Baron Dudley), of Heidelberg, Germany, General in WILLIAM III's army, was created, in 1689, Baron Teyes and Earl of Brentford.

His lordship was advanced, in 1690, to the dignities of Marquess of Harwich and DUKE OF SCHOMBERG, by WILLIAM III, the younger son to succeed first.

This Frederick Schomberg came over with the Prince of Orange at the Revolution, and at the battle of the Boyne was unhappily slain by a musket ball from his own men, in the aforesaid year, 1690.

His Grace married firstly, in 1638, his cousin, the Countess Johanna Elizabeth von Schönberg, and had issue,

MEINHARDT, 3rd Duke;
Otto;
Henry;
CHARLES, 2nd Duke.

He wedded secondly, in 1669, Susanne, youngest daughter of Daniel d'Aumale, Seigneur de Harcourt.

The 1st Duke was installed a Knight of the Garter in 1689.

1st Duke of Schomberg KG

He was succeeded by his youngest son,

CHARLES (1645-93), 2nd Duke, who died, 1693, by a wound he received in the battle of Marsaglia, leaving no issue.

His Grace was succeeded by his elder brother,

MEINHARDT, 3rd Duke (1641-1719), KG, who wedded firstly, in 1667, Louisa, daughter of Giovanni Rizzi; and secondly, 1682, Raugräfin Karoline Elisabeth, daughter of Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine, and had issue,

CHARLES LOUIS, his successor;
Caroline; Frederica; Mary.

His Grace was created, in 1690, Baron Tara, Earl of Bangor, and Duke of Leinster.

He was installed a Knight of the Garter by QUEEN ANNE in 1703.

Following the decease of the 3rd Duke in 1719, without surviving male issue, the titles all expired.

Hillingdon House

Fomer seat ~ Hillingdon House, Middlesex.

London residence ~ Schomberg House.

First published in September, 2017.  Schomberg arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

1st Duke of Wharton

DUKEDOM OF WHARTON

1718-31

HENRY WHARTON, of Wharton, on the banks of the river Eden, Westmorland, living during the reign of HENRY V, Lord of the manors of Wharton and Nateby, in Kirkby Stephen, married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Musgrave, Knight, of Hartley Castle, Westmorland, and had issue,

THOMAS, his heir;

Gilbert.

The elder son, 

THOMAS WHARTON, of Wharton and Croglin, wedded the daughter of Lowther, of Lowther, and had issue,

HENRY WHARTON, of Wharton, who espoused Alice, daughter of Sir John Conyers, Knight, of Hornby, Yorkshire, and had issue,

THOMAS WHARTON, of Wharton, who married Agnes (or Margaret), daughter of Reginald Warcop, of Swerdale, Westmorland, and had issue, of whom the elder son,

SIR THOMAS WHARTON (1495-1568), Knight, Governor of the town and castle of Carlisle, was summoned to Parliament, in 1545, as Baron Wharton.

His lordship married firstly, Eleanor, daughter of Sir Bryan Stapleton, of Wighill, Yorkshire; and secondly, in 1561, the Lady Anne Talbot, daughter of Francis, 5th Earl of Shrewsbury.

He was succeeded by an elder son and successor (having had issue by the former wife only), 

THOMAS, 2nd Baron (1520-72), who wedded Anne, younger daughter of Robert, 1st Earl of Sussex, and had issue, a son and successor,

PHILIP, 3rd Baron (1555-1625), who espoused firstly, in 1577, Frances, second daughter of Henry, 2nd Earl of Cumberland, and had, with three daughters, two sons,

George;
Thomas.

His lordship married secondly, Dorothy Colby; and thirdly, the Lady Anne Manners, daughter of John, 4th Earl of Rutland.

The 2nd Baron's sons having predeceased him, he was succeeded by his grandson,

PHILIP, 4th Baron (1613-96), who married firstly, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Rowland Wandesford, Knight, of Pickhay, Yorkshire, and had issue, an only daughter, ELIZABETH.

4th Baron Wharton, by Anthony van Dyck
(Image: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, USA)

His lordship wedded secondly, Jane, daughter and heir of Colonel Arthur Goodwin, of Buckinghamshire, and had issue,

THOMAS, his successor;
Goodwin, MP;
Henry;
Anne; Margaret; Mary; Philadelphia.

The 4th Baron espoused thirdly, Mrs Anne Popham.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

THOMAS, 5th Baron (1648-1715), who was created, in 1706, Viscount Winchendon and Earl of Wharton; and, 1715, advanced to the dignities of Marquess of Malmesbury and Marquess of Wharton; and at the same time was made a peer of Ireland, as Baron Trim, Earl of Rathfarnham, and Marquess of Catherlough.

Allegorical Tomb of Thomas, 1st Marquess of Wharton
Photo Credit: Government Art Collection

His lordship espoused firstly, Anne, one of the daughters and co-heirs of Sir Henry Lee Bt, of Ditchley, Oxfordshire; and secondly, Lucy, only daughter and heiress of Adam, 1st Viscount Lisburne, and besides two daughters, Lucy and Jane, an only son,

PHILIP, 2nd Marquess (1698-1731), who was created, in 1718, DUKE OF WHARTON.

His Grace married firstly, Martha, daughter of Major-General Richard Holmes, and had issue, an only child, Thomas, who died in infancy. 

He wedded secondly, Maria Theresa O'Neill, daughter of Colonel Henry O'Beirne, an Irish officer in the Spanish Service, but had no issue.

His Grace, the celebrated and witty Duke of Wharton, was attainted, 1729, and died in a Spanish monastery in 1731, when all his honours became extinct, except the barony of Wharton which became abeyant between the Dowager Marchioness of Cholmondeley, Baron Willoughby de Eresby, and Colonel Charles Kemeys-Tynte.

• Jane Wharton, 7th Baroness Wharton (1706–61) (became sole heir 1739; abeyant on her death);

• Charles Theodore Halswell Kemeys-Tynte, 8th Baron (1876–1934) (abeyance terminated 1916);

• Charles John Halswell Kemeys-Tynte, 9th Baron (1908–69);

• Elisabeth Dorothy Kemeys-Tynte, 10th Baroness (1906–74) (abeyant on her death);

• Myrtle Olive Felix Robertson, 11th Baroness (1934–2000) (abeyance terminated 1990);

• Myles Christopher David Robertson, 12th Baron.

The heir presumptive is the Hon Meghan Robertson (b 2006).

Former seat ~ Winchendon Manor, Buckinghamshire.

First published in September, 2017.  Wharton arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

1st Duke of Cleveland

DUKEDOM OF CLEVELAND

1833-1891

SIR HENRY VANE, who was knighted for his valiant achievements at the battle of Poitiers, France, in 1356, married Grace, daughter and heir of Sir Stephen de Leeke, and left a son,

JOHN VANE, who wedded Isabel, daughter and co-heir of Martin St Owen.

The grandson of this marriage,

HENRY VANE, of Hilden, Kent, espoused Isabel, daughter and co-heir of Humphrey Peshall; and was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN VANE, of Hilden, who, in the reign of HENRY VI, had a grant of the manor of Hadlow, in Kent.

He married Isabel, daughter of John Darrell, and had, with other issue,

RICHARD, ancestor of the EARLS OF WESTMORLAND;
JOHN, of whom presently.

This John Vane, senior, appears the first to have changed his name to FANE, for thus he writes himself in his will, bearing date, 1488.

His fourth and youngest son,

JOHN FANE, of Hadlow, wedded Joan, daughter and co-heir of Sir Edward Hawte, of Petham, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY FANE (c1521-80), of Hadlow, who was involved in Sir Thomas Wyatt's insurrection, and committed to the Tower; but, owing to his youth, experienced the royal clemency.

He subsequently represented Winchelsea in Parliament, and and became an eloquent and distinguished politician.

Mr Fane married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry White, of Christchurch, Hampshire, and had an only son,

HENRY FANE (1560-96), of Hadlow, who espoused firstly, Mary, only daughter and heir of Thomas Fane, but by her had no issue.

He wedded secondly, Margaret, daughter of Roger Twysden, of East Peckham, Kent, and was succeeded by his son,

SIR HENRY VANE (1589-1655), who resumed the original surname of his ancestors, of Raby Castle, County Durham, his main residence.

This gentleman was a distinguished politician, and stood high in the favour of JAMES I and CHARLES I.

He wedded Frances, daughter of Thomas Darcy, of Essex, and had, besides daughters, two surviving sons,

HENRY, his successor;
George.

Sir Henry was succeeded by his elder son,

HENRY VANE (1613-62), who married Frances, daughter of Sir Christopher Wray Bt, of Ashby, and was succeeded by the youngest and only surviving son,

SIR CHRISTOPHER VANE (1653-1723), who was elevated to the peerage, in 1699, as Baron Barnard, of Barnard Castle.

His lordship espoused Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Gilbert Holles, Earl of Clare, and sister and co-heir of John, Duke of Newcastle, by whom he had two surviving sons,

GILBERT, his successor;
William, cr Baron Duncannon and Viscount Vane.

The 1st Baron was succeeded by his elder son,

GILBERT, 2nd Baron (1678-1753), who married Mary, daughter of Morgan Randle, of Chilworth, Surrey, and had issue,

HENRY, his successor;
Morgan;
Thomas;
Gilbert;
Randle;
Charles;
Anne; Elizabeth; Jane.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY, 3rd Baron (c1705-58), who wedded, in 1725, the Lady Grace FitzRoy, daughter of Charles, 2nd Duke of Cleveland (of the first creation), and had issue,

HENRY, his successor;
Frederick;
Raby;
Anne; Mary; Henrietta.

His lordship having filled some high official employments, was created, in 1754, Viscount Barnard and Earl of Darlington.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY, 2nd Earl (1726-92), who espoused, in 1757, Margaret, sister of James, 1st Earl of Lonsdale, by whom he had WILLIAM HENRY, his successor, and two daughters who both died young.

His lordship was Lord-Lieutenant and Vice-Admiral of the County Palatine of Durham, Master of the Jewel Office, and Governor of Carlisle.

He was an alderman of the city of Durham, and Colonel of the Durham Militia.

The 2nd Earl was succeeded by his son,

WILLIAM HENRY, 3rd Earl (1766-1842) KG; Lord-Lieutenant and Vice-Admiral of Durham, and Colonel of the Durham Militia.

His lordship was created Marquess of Cleveland in 1827; and advanced to the dignity of a dukedom, in 1833, as DUKE OF CLEVELAND (second creation).

1st Duke of Cleveland KG
(Image: Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library)

His Grace wedded firstly, in 1787, the Lady Catherine Powlett, second daughter and co-heir of Harry, 6th and last Duke of Bolton, and had issue,

HENRY, his successor;
William John Frederick;
Henry George;
Louisa Catherine Barbara; Augusta Henrietta; Laura; Arabella.

The 1st Duke married secondly, in 1813, Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Russell, of Newton House, Yorkshire.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY, 2nd Duke, KG (1788-1864), who wedded, in 1809, the Lady Sophia Poulett, eldest daughter of John, 4th Earl Poulett, though the marriage was without issue, and the titles devolved upon his brother,

WILLIAM JOHN FREDERICK, 3rd Duke (1792-1864), who espoused, in 1815, Grace Caroline, daughter of William, 1st Earl of Lonsdale, though the marriage was without issue.

His Grace was succeeded in the family honours by his younger brother,

HENRY GEORGE, 4th Duke (1803-91), KG, who married, in 1854, Wilhelmina, Lady Dalmeny, daughter of Philip Henry, 4th Earl of Stanhope, though the marriage was without issue.

4th Duke of Cleveland KG (Image: The Bowes Museum)

Following the decease of the 4th Duke, the barony of Barnard passed to his kinsman, Henry de Vere Vane, who succeeded as 9th Baron Barnard.

The other titles expired.

Former seats ~ Raby Castle, County Durham; Bridges Cottons, Darlington; Newton House, Yorkshire.

Former London residence ~ Cleveland House.

First published in August, 2017. 

1st Duke of Kingston

DUKEDOM OF KINGSTON-UPON-HULL

1715-1773

Although the family of PIERREPONT did not attain the honours of the peerage until a period of comparatively recent date, yet they were persons of distinction ever since the Conquest: In which eventful era, ROBERT DE PIERREPONT was of the retinue of William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey, and at the time of the General Survey, held lands in Suffolk and Sussex, amounting to ten knights' fees, under that nobleman.

The great-grandson of this Robert, another

ROBERT DE PIERREPONT, was a person of such extensive property, that being made prisoner fighting on the side of HENRY III, at the battle of Lewes, he was forced to give security for the payment of the then great sum of seven hundred marks for his ransom.

He was, however, relieved from the obligation by the subsequent victory of the royalists at Evesham, Worcestershire.

He was succeeded by his son,

SIR HENRY DE PIERREPONT, a person of great note at the period in which he lived.

In the eighth year of EDWARD I's reign, Sir Henry having lost his seal, came into the Court of Chancery, then at Lincoln, and declared that if anyone should find it, with its seal, thereafter, that it should not be valid.

He married Annora, daughter of Michael, and sister and heir of Lionel de Manvers, whereby he acquired extensive land in Nottinghamshire, with the Lordship of Holme, now called Holme Pierrepont.

Sir Henry died about the twentieth year of EDWARD I's reign, and was succeeded by his elder son,

SIMON DE PIERREPONT, who was one of those that by special writ had summons amongst the barons of the realm, to repair with all speed to the King, wheresoever he should be in England, to treat of certain weighty affairs relating to his and their honour.

This Simon leaving only a daughter, Sibilla, was succeeded by his brother,

ROBERT DE PIERREPONT, a very eminent person in the reigns of EDWARD I and EDWARD II, and distinguished in the wars of Scotland.

He espoused Sarah, daughter and heir of Sir John Heriez, and was succeeded by his son,

SIR EDMUND DE PIERREPONT, from whom we pass to his lineal descendant,

SIR GEORGE PIERREPONT (1510-64), of Whaley, Derbyshire, and Holme Pierrepont, Nottinghamshire, who, at the dissolution of the monasteries, in the reign of HENRY VIII, purchased large manors in Nottinghamshire, part of the possessions of the Abbot and Convent of Welbeck; and others in Derbyshire, which had belonged to Newstead Abbey.

He died in the sixth year of ELIZABETH I, and was succeeded by his son,

SIR HENRY PIERREPONT (1546-1615), who wedded Frances, elder daughter of Sir William Cavendish, of Chatsworth, and sister of William, Earl of Derbyshire, and had issue,

ROBERT, his heir;
Grace; Elizabeth.

Sir Henry was succeeded by his son,

ROBERT PIERREPONT (1584-1643), who was elevated to the peerage, 1627, in the dignities of Baron Pierrepont and Viscount Newark; and the next year was advanced to an earldom, as EARL OF KINGSTON-UPON-HULL.

His lordship wedded, in 1601, Gertrude, eldest daughter and co-heir of the Hon Henry Talbot, and
had issue,

HENRY, his successor;
William;
Francis;
Robert;
Gervase;
George;
Frances.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY, 2nd Earl (1606-80), who married firstly, Cecilia, daughter of Paul, 1st Viscount Bayning, and had issue,

Henry;
Robert;
Anne; Grace.

His lordship espoused secondly, Catherine, daughter of James, 7th Earl of Derby, by whom he had no issue.

The 2nd Earl was advanced to the dignity of a marquessate, in 1647, by the title Marquess of Dorchester; though his lordship died without surviving male issue, and the marquessate expired.

Henry, 1st Marquess of Dorchester (Image: Royal College of Physicians)

The earldom of Kingston-upon-Hull subsequently reverted to Lord Dorchester's great-nephew and heir male,

ROBERT, 3rd Earl (c1660-82), who died unmarried, when the titles passed to his next brother,

WILLIAM, 4th Earl (c1662-90), who died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother,

EVELYN, 5th Earl, KG (1665-1726), who married firstly, Mary, daughter of William, 3rd Earl of Denbigh, and had issue,

WILLIAM (1692-1713), father of WILLIAM;

Mary; Frances; Evelyn.

He wedded secondly, in 1714, Isabella, daughter of William, 1st Earl of Portland, and had issue,

Caroline; Anne.

His lordship was advanced to the dignity of a marquessate, in 1706, as Marquess of Dorchester; and further advanced, in 1715, to a dukedom, as DUKE OF KINGSTON-UPON-HULL.

1st Duke of Kingston KG (Image: National Portrait Gallery)

His Grace was succeeded by his grandson,

WILLIAM, 2nd Duke, KG (1711-73), who wedded, in 1769, Elizabeth, Countess of Bristol (former wife of the 3rd Earl of Bristol), by whom he had no issue.

Following the decease of the 2nd and last Duke, the titles expired.

Former seats ~ Thoresby Hall, Nottinghamshire; Holme Pierrepont Hall, Nottinghamshire.

Former London residence ~ Kingston House.

First published in August, 2017.

1st Duke of Chandos

DUKEDOM OF CHANDOS

1719-89

The very ancient house of BRYDGES deduces its descent from SIR SIMON DE BRUGGE, of Herefordshire, who flourished in the reign of HENRY III, and who seems to have been a branch of the old Counts de Rethel, in the province of Champagne, France, princes of the first distinction in that kingdom, sprung by various alliances from the House of Charlemagne, and afterwards memorable in the crusades.

In the time of HENRY IV, THOMAS BRUGGE married Alice, daughter and co-heir of Sir Thomas Berkeley, of Coberley, Gloucestershire, by Margaret, sister and heir of Sir John Chandos (a family of nobles who had held baronial rank since the Conquest).

From this Thomas Brugge descended

JOHN BRYDGES (1492-1557), whose name was sometimes spelled Brugge of Bruges, who was elevated to the peerage, in 1554, in the dignity of Baron Chandos, of Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

EDMUND, 2nd Baron (c1522-73); from whom descended, in succession, five more Barons; and, at the demise of

WILLIAM, 7th Baron, without issue, in 1676, the barony passed to his cousin,

SIR JAMES BRYDGES, Baronet (1642-1714), as 8th Baron Chandos, of Wilton, as heir of Charles, second son of the 1st Baron.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

JAMES, 9th Baron (1673-1744), who was created, in 1714, Viscount Wilton and Earl of Carnarvon.

His lordship was further advanced to the dignities of a marquessate and dukedom, in 1719, as Marquess of Carnarvon and DUKE OF CHANDOS.

1st Duke of Chandos. Michael Dahl ~ Berger Collection

His Grace married firstly, in 1695, Mary, daughter of Sir Thomas Lake, and had issue,

John (1703-27);
HENRY, his successor.

He wedded secondly, 1713, Cassandra, daughter of Francis Willoughby; and thirdly, in 1736, Lydia Catherine, daughter of John Van Hatten.

His Grace was succeeded by his younger son,

HENRY, 2nd Duke, KB (1708-71), who wedded, in 1728, Mary, daughter of Charles, 4th Earl of Elgin, and had issue,

JAMES, his successor;
Caroline.

His Grace married secondly, 1744, Anne Wells; and thirdly, in 1767, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Major Bt.

The 2nd Duke was succeeded by his son,

JAMES, 3rd Duke (1731-89), who wedded firstly, in 1753, Margaret, daughter of John Nicol; and secondly, in 1777, Anne Eliza, daughter of John Gamon, and had issue,

THE LADY ANNE ELIZABETH BRYDGES, who married Richard, 1st Duke of Buckingham & Chandos.

Following the decease of the 3rd Duke, without male issue, the dukedom expired.

Former seats ~  Cannons, Little Stanmore, Middlesex; Stowe House, Buckinghamshire.
Former London Residence ~ Chandos House, London.

First published in August, 2017.