Franklin Maxims: IX

WOULD YOU LIVE WITH EASE, DO WHAT YOU OUGHT, NOT WHAT YOU PLEASE

Agnew of Kilwaughter

THE AGNEWS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY ANTRIM, WITH 9,770 ACRES

PATRICK AGNEW, of Lochnaw, Wigtownshire, said to be a kinsman of the Agnew Baronets, Collector of Rents for the Earl of Antrim, married, in 1622, Janet Shaw, and built a castle at Kilwaughter, County Antrim.

Mr Agnew was succeeded by his son,

JOHN AGNEW, who wedded his cousin, Eleanor Shaw, and was succeeded by his son,

PATRICK AGNEW, who married and purchased the remaining lands at Kilwaughter which, until 1660, had been in the possession of the Agnews of Lochnaw:

Sir Patrick Agnew, 1st Baronet, 8th Hereditary Sheriff of Galloway, father of Colonel Alexander Agnew, of Whitehills, who, with Andrew Agnew, his brother, afterwards the 9th Sheriff, was frequently in Ulster.

Mr Agnew, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1669, was succeeded by his son,

PATRICK AGNEW, who married and had issue,

PATRICK, of whom we treat;
Margaret, m James Crawford;
Jean, m Robert Blair, of Blairmount;
Helen, m James Stewart.

Mr Agnew died in 1724, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

PATRICK AGNEW, who espoused Martha Houston (or Houseton) and had issue,

WILLIAM, of whom we treat;
Frances;
John;
James (?);
Patrick (?);
Henry;
Hugh (?).

The eldest son,

WILLIAM "SQUIRE" AGNEW, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1744, married his cousin, Margaret Stewart, of Killymoon Castle, Cookstown, County Tyrone, and had issue,

James, died unmarried;
William, died unmarried;
MARIA, of whom we treat;
Jane, m Henry Shaw, later of Ballygally.

MARIA AGNEW wedded firstly, James Ross; and secondly, in 1763, Valentine Jones, by whom she had issue, one son, Edward; and a daughter, Margaret.

Valentine Jones (1712-1806) was a merchant with West Indian interests and founding member of the Belfast Charitable Society. He was at the Society’s inaugural meeting in August 1752. 

The Valentine Jones dynasty, which had premises at Winecellar Entry off High Street, Belfast, were wine merchants and rum and sugar importers who had established a thriving agency in Barbados where they bought goods from the planters and also sold goods to them.

The only son,

EDWARD JONES (1767-1834), MP for Antrim County, 1792-96, High Sheriff of County Antrim, 1803, succeeded his grandfather and assumed the additional surname of AGNEW.

He married Eleanor Galbraith and had issue,

WILLIAM, his heir;
Maria, m Dr T C Simon; mother of MARIA AUGUSTA.

Mr Jones Agnew was succeeded by his son and heir,

WILLIAM AGNEW (1824-91), who died unmarried, and was succeeded in the Kilwaughter estate by his niece,

(MARIA) AUGUSTA, COUNTESS BALZANI (1847-95), only child of Thomas Collins Simon and Maria (née Agnew) Simon, who wedded Count Ugo Balzani, and had issue, two daughters,

Gendoluni, Madame Valensin;
Nora.

First published in June, 2016.

The Richardson-Bunbury Baronets

About the time of the rebellion in Ireland, 1641, the RICHARDSONS, who were of Scotland, obtained the castle and estate of Augher, County Tyrone, by the intermarriage of 

ARCHIBALD RICHARDSON, the representative of Sir James Richardson Bt, of Smeaton, Fife, with the daughter of Sir James Erskine.

This gentleman neglecting, for some reason or other, to revive the baronetcy of Nova Scotia, to which he was heir, it fell into disuse, and so continues.

Mr Richardson was great-uncle of,

WILLIAM RICHARDSON (c1749-1830), of Augher, County Tyrone (son of St George Richardson by his wife Eliza, eldest daughter of Benjamin Bunbury, of Mount William, County Tipperary).

Mr Richardson, MP for Augher, 1783-90, Ballyshannon, 1798-1801, was created a baronet in 1787, designated of Augher, County Tyrone.

He married firstly, in 1775, Eliza, daughter of the Rev Galbraith Richardson, and had issue,

JAMES MERVYN, his successor;
Anne; Letitia.

Sir William wedded secondly, Mary, daughter of William Newburgh, and had further issue,

Maria Isabella.

He was succeeded by his son and heir,

SIR JAMES MERVYN RICHARDSON, 2nd Baronet (1781-1851), of Castle Hill, County Tyrone, who espoused, in 1810, Margaret, daughter of John Corry Moutray, of Favour Royal, County Tyrone, and had issue,

JOHN, his successor;
William, great-grandfather of 5th Baronet;
Alfred;
Diana; Catherine; Caroline; Isabella; Mary; Emily; Letitia Augusta.

Sir James assumed, in 1822, the additional surname and arms of BUNBURY.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

THE REV SIR JOHN RICHARDSON-BUNBURY, 3rd Baronet (1813-1909), who married, in 1838, Maria, daughter of William Anketell, of Anketell Grove, County Monaghan, and had issue,

Mervyn Matthew (1841-89), father of  4th Baronet;
Matilda Anne; Olivia Emma.

Sir John's eldest son predeceased him, and he was succeeded by his grandson,

SIR MERVYN WILLIAM RICHARDSON-BUNBURY, 4th Baronet (1874-1952), who died unmarried, when the baronetcy devolved upon his cousin,

SIR (RICHARD DAVID) MICHAEL RICHARDSON-BUNBURY, 5th Baronet (1927-2017), Lieutenant-Commander RN, who married, in 1961, Jane Louise, daughter of Colonel Alfred William Pulverman, and had issue,

Roger Michael (1962-94);
THOMAS WILLIAM.

Sir Michael was succeeded by his younger son,

SIR THOMAS WILLIAM RICHARDSON-BUNBURY, 6th and present Baronet (1965-), Solicitor, who wedded, in 2001, Sally Ann, daughter of Rex Lofts, and has issue,

HARRY WILLIAM (b 2002);
Archie Oliver;
Mollie Olivia; Lily Charlotte.

SPUR ROYAL, or Augher Castle, near Augher, County Tyrone, is a square, three-storey, plantation castle with an unusual triangular tower in the centre of each of its sides.

It was built ca 1615 by Sir Thomas Ridgeway, afterwards Earl of Londonderry.

Augher Castle was burnt in 1689; though it was restored about 1832 by Sir James Richardson-Bunbury, 2nd Baronet, who added two castellated wings; thus transforming the old castle into a late-Georgian mansion house.

The Gothic-Medieval-Revival style mansion is built onto the original tower house.

It comprises two storeys with corner bartizans, crenellated parapets and late medieval windows.

The central range is recessed with crenellated balconies over a central, tall, pointed, arch doorway.

The mansion house is set in it own grounds and perched at a height overlooking the Lake.

An estate stone wall abounds the village side, with two entrances to the estate.

On the north-east side of the lake sits the stable-yard with coach houses, a four bedroom cottage, and a large walled garden with hanger and further large storage barn.

The house commands a fine prospect over the garden and lake.

The estate manager’s house is accessed via a separate avenue and it sits amongst a copse of trees over looking the lake.

Spur Royal has passed through many hands in recent times and very little ground remains with the house.

During the Victorian era, the demesne comprised 635 acres.

A large portion of the present holding is taken up by the lake, which makes for a spectacular setting for the house.

It is surrounded by lawns and shelter trees.

Few mature trees remain of a once ‘tastefully wooded’ site.

The walled garden is concreted.

There is a gate lodge of ca 1840.

First published in May, 2012.

Seskinore House

THE McCLINTOCKS OWNED 4,553 ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY TYRONE

JAMES PERRY, of Welsh descent, had a free farm grant of the lands of Mullaghmore, County Tyrone, from Sir Audley Mervyn in 1662.

He had three sons, viz.

Francis, of Tattyreagh; m Francis, daughter of J Lowry, of Ahenis; dsp;
Samuel, m 1st Catherine, daughter of J Lowry, of Pomeroy;
GEORGE, of whom presently.

The third son,

GEORGE PERRY, of Mullaghmore, married Angel, daughter of the Rev James Sinclair, of Holyhill, near Strabane, County Tyrone, and had issue,

SAMUEL, of whom presently;
George;
Margaret; Letitia.

The eldest son,

SAMUEL PERRY, of Perrymount and Mullaghmore, wedded the daughter of _______ Olphert, of Ballyconnell House, County Donegal, and had issue,

GEORGE, of whom hereafter;
Mary, m A McClintock; mother of SAMUEL, heir to his uncle.

The only son,

GEORGE PERRY (1762-), of Perrymount and Mullaghmore, a cornet of horse, espoused Mary, daughter of John Burgess, and niece of Sir John Smith Burgess Bt.

He dsp, and was succeeded by his nephew, the second son of his only sister, Mary,

SAMUEL McCLINTOCK JP (1790-1852), of Newtown, County Louth, and Seskinore, County Tyrone, High Sheriff of County Louth, 1843, who married firstly, Jane (d 1837), daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Lane; and secondly, in 1839, Dorothea, fourth daughter of John Knox, by whom he had issue,

GEORGE PERRY, his heir;
Samuel John, d 1856.

The elder son,

GEORGE PERRY McCLINTOCK JP DL (1839-87), of Seskinore, Lieutenant-Colonel and Honorary Colonel, 4th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1865, ADC to the Duke of Abercorn and the Earl Spencer when Lords Lieutenant of Ireland, married, in 1860, Amelia Henrietta, daughter of the Rev Samuel Alexander, Rector of Termon, and had issue,

BERESFORD GEORGE PERRY, 1861-70;
JOHN KNOX, of whom we treat;
Harry Edward, 1865-6;
Augustus, DSO;
Leopold Arthur;
Hubert Victor;
Guy Reginald;
Dorothea Selina Navarra; Amelia Charlotte Olivia; Eleanor Harriette Woodrop;
Madeline Frances Edith; Florence Beatrice Hanna.

His eldest surviving son,


COLONEL JOHN KNOX McCLINTOCK CBE JP DL (1864-1936), of Seskinore, High Sheriff of County Tyrone, 1891, ADC to the Governor of Northern Ireland, married, in 1893, Amy Henrietta, eldest daughter of John Stuart Eccles DL, of Ecclesville, and had an only daughter,

AMELIA (Leila) ISOBEL McCLINTOCK (1898-1937), of Seskinore, who married twice.

By her second husband, Wilfred (Tony) Heyman Joynson-Wreford (1896-1940) she had an only daughter,

XENIA PENELOPE JOYNSON-WREFORD, born in 1935.

*****

A TRAGIC series of events befell the McClintocks and Seskinore in 1937: Leila McClintock died suddenly, aged 38, of Meningitis.

Her beloved husband Tony, already broken-hearted at his wife's death, died himself, three years later, aged 44, of Tuberculosis.

They are both buried beside each other at the family burial ground in Seskinore.

Xenia was left an orphan.

Amy (Amelia Henrietta) McClintock died in 1942 and was buried in Kent.

At this stage, the Seskinore estate comprised 129 acres.

*****

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE IS TAKEN FROM THE BELFAST NEWSLETTER NEWSPAPER OF 2008

THE lost heiress of an Ulster village has been found after 70 years – on the other side of the world.

Xenia Lewis, who has lived in Australia most of her life, has been crowned the rightful owner of the McClintock estate in Seskinore, just outside Omagh.

The 73-year-old, who was born in the tiny hamlet, only realised she was entitled to the inheritance when she joined a social networking site on the web.

Mrs Lewis, formerly Xenia Penelope Joynson-Wreford, made the connection to her true roots when she discovered an email on Friends Reunited – from a half-brother she never knew existed.

Pat Joynson-Wreford – a son from their father Pat’s first marriage – had posted the message in a bid to track down ancestors of the family.

While Pat never dreamed a living relative would be found, he found himself reunited with his long-lost sister.

Initially, Xenia thought someone was playing a joke on her when she first found the email earlier this year – but eventually replied and the pieces of her disjointed family history fell into place.

Xenia’s mother, Lila, died from meningitis when she was only 15 months old; and her father died from TB when she was four.

She was put in the custody of guardians who were friends of her parents – but they told her nothing of her family.

She was moved around the world, from France to India, before she settled "Down Under".

Her family estate, which once had 4,553 acres, a mansion house and mill, was sold to fund her privileged upbringing.

Xenia never knew trustees handling her parents’ money supported her through boarding and finishing school.

Even though her schooling turned her into a lady, she was kept in the dark over the title she had at home and her connections to the McClintock family.

Xenia, who paid a whirlwind visit to Northern Ireland a fortnight ago to pick up her father’s will, now knows she is the granddaughter of Colonel John Knox McClintock CBE.

Money from her estate is long-gone – only pictures tell of its statures – and there is no title to go with her birthright.

But Xenia is annoyed she cannot remember anything of her early life at Seskinore,

“I don’t know if I have just blocked it out because I was taken away from my family. I would dearly love to remember something of my father but I just can’t do it. I have not even got any memories of this house. I would dearly love to remember something.”

On discovering her parents graves in a garden on the estate, Xenia said,

“They are happy and where they would want to be – together. I just wish I did not live so far away where I can’t look after them. But I will be back again next year to come and see them. Like Pat said to me, they are probably sitting up there saying to each other at least you have now found us.”

SESKINORE HOUSE, near Fintona, County Tyrone, comprised two storeys and a mid-19th century aspect.

The entrance front had two bays on either side of a pedimented breakfront, with three narrow, round-headed windows above; and a balustraded Ionic portico below, the outside columns coupled. 

There was a curved end bow.

The house was remodelled and extended in 1862 to a design by Sir Charles Lanyon, and included five reception rooms and ten bedrooms plus staff quarters. 

Seskinore Forest Walk goes through Seskinore Forest and passes the courtyard and stable block, all that now remains of the McClintock Estate.

The forest is predominantly mixed or deciduous and therefore changes with the seasons.

It is thought that the estate was sold  to the Northern Ireland forest service in 1941, following Tony Joynson-Wreford's death.

Seskinore House was demolished by the forest service in 1952.

The small chapel of ease of 1873 remains, though. 

It was erected on the McClintock estate to designs of Robert A Ferguson, of Londonderry, and located to the north side of Seskinore Road.

The main body of the church is simply detailed and enlivened by the ornate plate tracery windows with carved label-stops.

The church has strong historical association with the McClintock Family who owned the estate prior to the erection of the church.

The family's private burial ground remains to the east of the church, a good example of a small rural chapel of fine workmanship in original condition. 

The McClintock of Seskinore website contains information and images of Seskinore House, the McClintocks and associated families.

I am grateful to Alex Watson.

First published in October, 2010.

Curraghmore

THE MARQUESSES OF WATERFORD WERE THE GREATEST LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY WATERFORD, WITH 39,883 ACRES 

The surname of BERESFORD was assumed from Beresford, in the parish of Alstonefield, Staffordshire, of which manor

JOHN DE BERESFORD  was possessed in 1087, during the reign of WILLIAM II, and was succeeded therein by his son,

HUGH DE BERESFORD, from whom lineally descended

JOHN BERESFORD, Lord of Beresford and Enson, who married Elizabeth, daughter of William Basset, of Blore, Staffordshire, and had, with other issue,

JOHN, his heir;
THOMAS, of whom hereafter.

Mr Beresford died in 1475, and was succeeded at Beresford by his eldest son; while the second,

THOMAS BERESFORD, seated himself at Newton Grange, Derbyshire, where he was resident in the reigns of HENRY VI and EDWARD IV; the former of whom he served in his French wars, and according to tradition, mustered a troop of horse at Chesterfield, consisting alone of his sons, and his own and their attendants.

Mr Beresford wedded Agnes, daughter and heiress of Robert Hassal, of Arclid, Cheshire, by whom he had sixteen sons and five daughters, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Aden; but we pass to the seventh,

HUMPHREY BERESFORD, who eventually became of Newton Grange.

This gentleman espoused Margery, daughter of Edmond Berdesey, or Beresley,  and was succeeded by his second son (the eldest having left a daughter only at his decease),

GEORGE BERESFORD, whose eldest son,

MICHAEL BERESFORD, was an officer in the Court of Wards, and was seated at Oxford, and The Squerries, in Kent.

Mr Beresford, who was living in 1574, married Rose, daughter of John Knevitt, and had seven sons and four daughters; of whom

TRISTRAM BERESFORD (c1574-1666), the third son, going into Ulster in the reign of JAMES I, as manager of the Corporation of London, known by the name of the Society of the New Plantation in Ulster, settled at Coleraine, County Londonderry, and was succeeded by his elder son,

SIR TRISTRAM BERESFORD (1595-1673), who was created a baronet in 1665, designated of Coleraine, County Londonderry.

He married firstly, Anne, eldest daughter of John Rowley, of Castleroe, County Londonderry, by whom he had one son, RANDAL, his heir, and two daughters; and secondly, Sarah Sackville, and had three sons and three daughters, viz.

Tristram;
Michael;
Sackville;
Susanna; Sarah; Anne.

Sir Tristram was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR RANDAL BERESFORD, 2nd Baronet (c1636-81), MP for Coleraine, 1661-68, who married Catherine, younger daughter of Francis, Viscount Valentia, and niece, maternally, of Philip, 1st Earl of Chesterfield; and dying in 1681, left issue,

TRISTRAM, his heir;
Jane; Catherine.

Sir Randal was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,

SIR TRISTRAM BERESFORD, 3rd Baronet (1669-1701), MP for Londonderry County, 1692-99, who commanded a foot regiment against JAMES II, and was attainted by the parliament of that monarch.

Sir Tristram wedded, in 1687, Nichola Sophia, youngest daughter and co-heiress of  Hugh Hamilton, 1st Viscount Glenawly, and had issue,

MARCUS, his heir;
Susanna Catherina; Arabella Maria; Jane; Aramintha.

He was succeeded by his son,

SIR MARCUS BERESFORD, 4th Baronet (1694-1763), MP for Coleraine, 1715-20, who espoused, in 1717, Catherine, BARONESS LE POER, daughter and heiress of James, 3rd Earl of Tyrone, and in consequence of that alliance, was elevated to the peerage, in 1720, in the dignity of Baron Beresford and Viscount Tyrone.

His lordship was further advanced to an earldom, in 1746, as EARL OF TYRONE.

He had surviving issue,

GEORGE DE LA POER, his successor;
John;
William (Most Rev), created BARON DECIES;
Anne; Jane; Catherine; Aramintha; Frances Maria; Elizabeth.

His lordship was succeeded by his eldest son,

GEORGE, 2nd Earl (1735-1800), KP, who married, in 1769, Elizabeth, only daughter and heiress of Henry Monck, of Charleville, and the Lady Isabella Bentinck, daughter of Henry, 1st Duke of Portland, and had issue,

GEORGE DE LA POER, his successor;
John George (Most Rev), Lord Archbishop of Armagh;
George Thomas (Rt Hon), Lt-Gen, GCH;
Isabella Anne; Catherine; Anne; Elizabeth Louisa.

He inherited the ancient Barony of de la Poer at the decease of his mother in 1769.

George, 1st Marquess of Waterford KP

His lordship was enrolled amongst the peers of Great Britain, in 1786, as Baron Tyrone; and created, in 1789, MARQUESS OF WATERFORD.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY, 2nd Marquess (1772-1826), who wedded, in 1805, Susanna, only daughter and heiress of George, 2nd Earl of Tyrconnell, and had issue,

HENRY, his successor;
William;
John;
James;
Sarah Elizabeth.

His lordship, who was a Knight of St Patrick, a Privy Counsellor in Ireland, Governor of County Waterford, and Colonel of the Waterford Militia, was succeeded by his eldest son,

HENRY, 3rd Marquess.

• Henry de La Poer Beresford, 3rd Marquess (1811–59)

• John de La Poer Beresford, 4th Marquess (1814–66)

• John Henry de La Poer Beresford, 5th Marquess (1844–95)

• Henry de La Poer Beresford, 6th Marquess (1875–1911)

• John Charles de La Poer Beresford, 7th Marquess (1901–34)

• John Hubert de La Poer Beresford, 8th Marquess (1933–2015)

• Henry Nicholas de la Poer Beresford, 9th Marquess (b 1958)

The heir apparent is the present holder's son, Richard John de la Poer Beresford, styled Earl of Tyrone, a polo professional who is known as Richard Le Poer.

*****

The Waterfords were a Patrick family, four members of whom were Knights of the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick.

CURRAGHMORE, near Portlaw, County Waterford, is the ancestral seat of the 9th and present Marquess of Waterford.

Some 2,500 acres of formal gardens, woodland and grazing fields make this one of the largest private demesnes in Ireland and one of the finest places to visit.

A Sitka Spruce planted on the estate in the 1830s is among the tallest tree in Ireland and stands guard over King John's Bridge.

Built in 1205, this stone-arched structure, spanning the Clodagh River, is the oldest bridge in Ireland.

Twelve miles of famine relief boundary wall and four sturdy wrought iron gates surround the estate.

Gnarled pink chestnut trees line the approach to the big house and original castle tower.

St Hubert's stag with crucifix between its antlers - genuine horns on the de la Poer family emblem - gazes across the large Courtyard from atop the old castle.

Today, the formal gardens surrounding Curraghmore House are open for the public to visit on Thursday afternoons from 2pm to 5pm between Easter and mid-October.

Group tours of the main reception rooms of Curraghmore House can be arranged by prior appointment.

This tour takes in some of the finest Neo-Classical rooms in Ireland which feature the magnificent plaster work of James Wyatt and grisaille panels by Peter de Gree.

Curraghmore, near Portlaw, meaning great bog, is the last of four castles built by the de la Poer family after their arrival in Ireland in 1167.

The Castle walls are about 12 feet thick and within one, a tight spiral stairway connects the lower ground floor with the roof above.

Of the many curious and interesting features of Curraghmore, the most striking is the courtyard front of the house, where the original castle is encased in a spectacular Victorian mansion with flanking Georgian ranges.

The combination of architectural features from several periods around the ancient core of the original castle produces a most striking composition; "immediately recognizable and undeniably moving", as it was described by Country Life magazine.

In more than 800 years the property has passed through the female line only once, and that was prior to Catherine de la Poer marrying Sir Marcus Beresford Bt in 1715, when she was a mere teenager.

Together with her husband, it was she who carried out much of the remodelling of the house and grounds and it was Catherine, Lady Beresford, who created the unique Shell-house herself.

The quality of the craftsmanship employed on the developments on Curraghmore through the ages, has secured the House's reputation as one of the most important country houses in Ireland.

In the late 18th century, the 2nd Earl, afterwards 1st Marquess of Waterford, secured the famous architect James Wyatt to design the next phase of modernisation of Curraghmore.

Here he created a series of rooms, with decoration considered by many to be among his most successful.

After Wyatt's Georgian developments, work at Curraghmore in the 19th century concentrated on the gardens and the Victorian refacing to the front of the house.

Formal parterre, tiered lawns, lake, arboretum and kitchen gardens were all developed during this time and survive to today.

At this time some of Ireland's most remarkable surviving trees were planted in the estate's arboretum.

Today these trees frame miles of beautiful river walks.

Developments in the gardens are still under-way and a Japanese garden has been laid out by the present Lady Waterford.

The present day Beresfords are country people by tradition.

Farming, hunting, breeding hounds and horses and an active social calendar continues as it did centuries ago.

Weekly game-shooting parties are held every season (November through to January); and in spring, calves, foals and lambs can be seen in abundance on Curraghmore's verdant fields.

Polo is still played on the estate in summer.

Throughout Ireland's turbulent history, this family have never been 'absentee landlords' and they still provide diverse employment for a number of local people.

Change comes slowly to Curraghmore - table linen, cutlery and dishes from the early 19th century are still in use.

Other former seat ~ Ford Castle, Northumberland.

I am grateful to Lord Waterford for the information provided from Curraghmore's website.

First published in July, 2011.  Waterford arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

House of de Ros

THE LORD DE ROS IS PREMIER BARON OF ENGLAND

The ancestor of this family, PETER, having, in the reign of HENRY I, assumed his surname from the lordship of Ros, in Holderness, where he then resided, became

PETER DE ROS, or ROOS. This feudal baron married Adeline, one of the sisters and co-heirs of the famous Walter Espec, and was succeeded at his decease by his son,

ROBERT DE ROS, who, during the reign of HENRY II, paid a thousand marks of silver to His Majesty for livery of the lands inherited by his mother from her brother, Walter Espec.

This Robert was a munificent benefactor to the knights templars.

His son,  

EVERARD DE ROS, a minor, and in ward to Ranulf de Glanvill. He married Rose Trusbut, of Wartre, in Holderness, and had two sons.

This gentleman must have been a very considerable personage at the period in which he lived, for we find him, in 1176, paying the then very large sum of £526 as a fine for his lands; and in four years subsequently £100 more to have possession of those which the Earl of Albemarle held.

This Everard died about 1186, and was succeeded by his son, 

SIR ROBERT DE ROS, or de Roos, called Furfan, who, in the reign of RICHARD I, paid a thousand marks fine to the crown for livery of his lands.

In the reign of KING JOHN, that monarch gave him the whole barony of his great-grandmother’s father, Walter Espec, to enjoy in as large and ample a manner as long as he ever held it.

Soon after which he was deputed, with the Bishop of Durham, and other great men, to escort the King of Scotland into England.

About the fourteenth year of KING JOHN’s reign, Robert de Ros assumed the habit of a monk, whereupon the custody of all his lands, viz. Wark Castle, Northumberland, with his whole barony, was committed to Philip de Ulcote; but he did not remain long as a recluse.

This feudal lord was the founder of  Helmsley Castle, otherwise Hamlake, in Yorkshire; and Wark Castle, in Northumberland.

He wedded Isabella, daughter of WILLIAM The Lion, King of Scotland, and had issue,

WILLIAM, of Helmsley, of whom presently;
Robert, of Wark;
Alexander;
Peter.

Having assumed the habit of the Knights Templars, Robert de Ros died in 1227, and was buried at London, at the Temple Church.

His eldest son's eldest son,

ROBERT DE ROS, taking an active part against the King, was one of the chief barons, who, after the battle of Lewes, in 1264, where HENRY III and his son Prince Edward became prisoners, was summoned to the parliament, which was called by the barons in the King's name, in 1264, as BARON DE ROS.

His lordship espoused Isabel, the great heiress of William d'Aubigny, Lord of Belvoir, in Leicestershire; and dying in 1285, was succeeded by his eldest son, 

WILLIAM, 1st Baron, who was an unsuccessful competitor for the crown of Scotland in 1292, through his grandmother Isabella, daughter of William the Lion, King of Scotland.

In 1296, he obtained from EDWARD I a grant of Wark Castle, upon its forfeiture by the treason of his kinsman, Robert de Ros.

His lordship wedded Maud, daughter and co-heir of John de Vaux, and was succeeded, in 1316, by his elder son, 

WILLIAM, 2nd Baron, who married Margery, eldest sister and co-heir of Giles, Lord Badlesmere, of Leeds Castle, in Kent.

This nobleman was, during the reign of  EDWARD II, one of the commissioners appointed to negotiate peace with Robert Bruce, King of Scotland.

His lordship died in 1343, and was succeeded by his elder son,

WILLIAM, 3rd Baron, had the glory of leading the 2nd Division of the English army at the celebrated battle of Crécy.

He married Margaret, daughter of Ralph Neville; and dying in the Holy Land without an heir in 1352, the family honours devolved upon his brother, 

THOMAS, 4th Baron, who wedded Beatrice, widow of Maurice Fitzmaurice, Earl of Desmond, and daughter of Ralph Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford.

His lordship died in 1383, was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN, 5th Baron, KB, who was in the naval expedition during the reign of RICHARD II, under Richard, Earl of Arundel.

Dying, during pilgrimage to Jerusalem, at Paphos, Cyprus, and leaving no issue, he was succeeded by his brother,

WILLIAM, 6th Baron, KG; who was constituted, by HENRY IV, LORD TREASURER OF ENGLAND.

This nobleman wedded Margaret, daughter of John, 1st Baron Arundel; and dying in 1414 was succeeded by his eldest son,

JOHN, 7th Baron, who espoused Margery, daughter and heiress of Philip, 2nd Baron le Despencer, but had no issue.

He was killed in France, where he served under the Duke of Clarence, in 1421, and was succeeded by his brother,

THOMAS, 8th Baron, who married Eleanor, daughter of Richard, 13th Earl of Warwick; and dying in 1431, was succeeded by his eldest son,

THOMAS, 9th Baron, was attainted in 1464 and died in the same year.

The barony of ROS lay under the attainder  till the complete triumph of the Lancastrians, by the accession of HENRY VII, when the elder son of the late lord,

EDMUND, 10th Baron, obtained an act of parliament, annulling and making entirely void, the act by which his father was attainted, and restoring to him all the estates and honours of the family.

His lordship died, in 1508, unmarried, when the barony of Ros fell into abeyance between his three sisters and co-heirs, which terminated in favour of

GEORGE MANNERS, as 11th Baron, the son and heir of Eleanor, the eldest sister, by her husband, Sir Robert Manners, knight (the two younger sisters having died without issue).

This nobleman was never summoned to parliament.

His lordship wedded Ann, only daughter and heir of Sir Thomas St Leger, knight, by Ann Plantagenet, sister of EDWARD IV.

He died in 1513, and was succeeded by his son,

THOMAS, 12th Baron, KG; who was summoned to parliament in 1515, and created EARL OF RUTLAND, in 1525, being also installed a Knight of the Garter.

His lordship died in 1543, and was succeeded by his son,

HENRY, 13th Baron and 2nd Earl of Rutland (1526-63), who was succeeded by his eldest son,

EDWARD, 14th Baron and 3rd Earl (1549-87), who died without male issue, when the earldom of Rutland reverted to his brother, and the barony of DE ROS descended to his only daughter and heir,

ELIZABETH MANNERS, 15th Baroness, who espoused William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Exeter.

Her ladyship died in 1591, and the barony was confirmed to her son and heir,

WILLIAM CECIL, 16th Baron (1590-1618); who died, however, two years later, without male issue (his father, Lord Exeter, still living), when the barony reverted to his cousin,

FRANCIS MANNERS, 6th Earl of Rutland, as 17th Baron de Ros (1578-1632).

This nobleman had previously contested, as heir-general, and obtained on the same day as it was confirmed to his cousin, 1616, a patent, creating himself, and his heirs male, Baron Ros of Hamlake.

His lordship died, however, in 1632, without male issue, when the new barony expired, but the old one devolved upon his only daughter and heir,

KATHERINE, as 19th Baroness de Ros, who wedded George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham; and was succeeded in the barony by her eldest son,

GEORGE, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and 20th Baron de Ros (1628-87).

His Grace died without male issue, when the barony fell into abeyance between the heirs of Bridget, wife of Sir Robert Tyrwhitt Bt, and Frances, wife of Willia, Lord Willoughby, sisters of Francis, 6th Earl of Rutland.

Thus continued the line until terminated in favour of the only daughter and heir of the Hon Robert Boyle Walsingham, youngest son of Henry, 1st Earl of Shannon,

CHARLOTTE FITZGERALD (1769-1831), wife of Lord Henry FitzGerald, 4th son of James, 1st Duke of Leinster, as 21ST BARONESS DE ROS.

Her ladyship had issue (by Lord Henry, who died in 1829), her eldest son,

HENRY WILLIAM, 22nd Baron.

• Henry William FitzGerald-de Ros, 22nd Baron (1793–1839);
• William Lennox Lascelles FitzGerald-de Ros, 23rd Baron (1797–1874);
• Dudley Charles FitzGerald-de Ros, 24th Baron (1827–1907);
• Mary Dawson, Countess of Dartrey, 25th Baroness;
• Una Mary Ross, 26th Baroness (1879–1956);
• Georgiana Angela Maxwell, 27th Baroness (1933–1983);
• Peter Trevor Maxwell, 28th Baron (b 1958).

The heir apparent is the present holder's son, the Hon Finbar James Maxwell (b 1988). 

Seat ~ Old Court, Strangford, County Down

Former residence ~ Boyle Farm, Kent.

First published in February, 2012.   De Ros arms courtesy of European Heraldry.

Coronation Day

HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY ELIZABETH THE SECOND, OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, AND OF HER OTHER REALMS AND TERRITORIES QUEEN, HEAD OF THE COMMONWEALTH, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, Sovereign of the Orders of the Garter, Thistle, St Patrick, Bath, St Michael and St George, Royal Victorian Order, and the British Empire

Today marks the sixty-seventh anniversary of the Coronation of Her Most Excellent Majesty The Queen, crowned on the 2nd June, 1953, at Westminster Abbey.