\ I. ! HANDBOUND AT THE UNIVERSITY OF Toronto PRESS 1 £• (3 COLLINS'S ^3CZ _ 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. 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 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. 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 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. 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. 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. * -flic ccirCi-* *rf JZ*^rtr+> rf£*~ Z . ffosiJ*?' /fc**^y£^c_ ^ fti^t/e* *-*y U**sG> /^^ M} &/t*^Cxr') & M^ <*C<^*e^ y£^V /t^<^0~£> C&tmL-C^n.^ facY" ^^7^ 4*^*1^ ^cr * 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. 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 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 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. 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, quhn, 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^ ~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