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 second surviving son,

JOHN FANE, of Southborough, Kent, wedded Joan, daughter and co-heir of Edward Haute, 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.