The English Peerage - Barons

SOUTHWEL CLIFFORD, LORD CLIFFORD OF APPLEBY.

EDWARD SOUTHWEL, baron Clifford of Appleby, baron Westmorland and baron Vesci.

This nobleman was born 20 June 1768, and succeeded to the title upon the death of his father 1 November 1777.

The family of Clifford is descended from William, younger son of Richard fourth duke of Normandy, who came over to England with his nephew William the conqueror. Walter, son of William, assumed the surname of Clifford from the castle of Clifford in the county of Hereford, and had issue,

1. Walter, grandfather of Roger, who married Isabella, daughter of Robert de Vipont baron of Westmorland, in whose right the title of Westmorland descended to the family of Clifford. Roger de Clifford was killed in the wars of king Edward the first against the principality of Wales 6 November 1283.
2. Rosamond, who was concubine to king Henry the second, and is much celebrated by the old writers of romance. She bore to that monarch William Longsword, who was created earl of Salisbury.

Robert, son of Roger, had summons to parliament by the title of baron Clifford of Appleby in the reign of king Edward the first, and was constituted by king Edward the second in the year 1307 earl marshal of England. He was killed in the battle of Bannockburn 25 June 1304, having issue Roger, second lord Clifford, who was one of the nobles that were beheaded with Thomas earl of Lancaster, grandson of king Henry the third, 23 March 1322.

Roger, fifth lord Clifford, great grandson of Robert was a nobleman of gallantry and merit, and had issue,

1. Thomas, sixth lord Clifford, grandfather of Thomas eighth lord Clifford, who adhered to the party of the house of Lancaster. in the civil wars, and lost his life in the first battle of Saint Albans 22 May 1455.
2. Lewis, ancestor of lord Clifford of Chudleigh.

John, ninth lord Clifford, was one of the principal leaders of the party of the house of Lancaster, and for his cruelty and inhumanity obtained the surname of the Butcher. He stabbed in cold blood, after the defeat of the Yorkists in the battle of Wakefield 24 December 1460, Edmund earl of Rutland, next brother to king Edward the fourth, who was at that time seventeen years of age, in pretended revenge of the death of his father. This nobleman married Margaret, daughter and heiress of Henry Bromflete baron Bromflete and baron Vesci; in consequence of which marriage the title of Vesci descended to the family of Clifford. He was killed at the battle of Towton 29 March 1461 in the twenty-sixth year of his age.

Henry, eleventh lord Clifford, his grandson was created by king Henry the eighth 18 June 1523 earl of the county of Cumberland, and had issue

1. Henry, second earl of Cumberland, who married Eleanor, daughter of Charles Brandon duke of Suffolk, and of Mary queen dowager of France, daughter of king Henry the seventh.

George, third earl of Cumberland, son of Henry second earl, had issue

1. Anne, heiress of the baronies of Clifford, Westmorland and Vesci, who married first Richard third earl of Dorset, and secondly Philip fourth earl of Pembroke. She has been much celebrated for her proud and independent spirit, which particularly appeared in her answer to sir Joseph Williamson, secretary of state to king Charles the second, who wrote to recommend to her a candidate for the borough of Appleby. " I have been bullied by an usurper, I have been neglected by a court, but I will not be dictated to by a subject: your man all not stand."

Upon the death of Henry sixth earl of Cumberland, grandson of Francis fourth earl, brother of George third earl, 4 February 1643, the title of Cumberland became extinct; and Richard Boyle, second earl of Cork of the kingdom of Ireland, afterwards created earl of Burlington in the county of York, who married Elizabeth his daughter and heiress, was by king Charles the first 1644 created in her right baron Clifford of Lanesborough in the county of York. This title became extinct in the year 1753.

Thomas, sixth earl of Thanet, grandson of Richard third earl of Dorset and of Anne Clifford, was admitted 12 December 1691 to the titles of baron Clifford, Westmorland and Vesci, and had issue,

1. Catherine, married to Edward lord viscount Sondes, son of Lewis Watson earl of Rockingham; by whom she had issue Catherine, married to Edward Southwel of King's Weston in the county of Gloucester esquire.
2. Margaret, married to Thomas Coke earl of Leicester, who was admitted 13 August 1734 to the titles of baroness Clifford, Westmorland and Veici. Upon her death 28 February 1775, the honours descended to the family of Southwel.

The family of Southwel has been traced back to the reign of king Henry the third; and John Southwel in the reign of king Henry the sixth had issue,

1. Robert, father of Francis, who had issue
   1. Richard,
   2. and Robert, appointed by king Henry the eighth 1 July 1541 to the office of master of the rolls. He died in the year 1549.
2. John, ancestor to Thomas Arthur Southwel, lord viscount Southwel of the kingdom of Ireland.

Sir Robert, third in descent from Richard, was appointed by king Charles the second to various foreign embassies, and by king William the third was constituted principal secretary of state for the kingdom of Ireland. He was five times elected president of the royal society, and died 11 September 1702. Edward, his son, succeeded him in the office of principal secretary of state for the kingdom of Ireland, and had issue

1. Edward, who married Catherine, daughter and heiress of Edward lord viscount Sondes, son of Lewis Watson earl of Rockingham.

Edward, the issue of this marriage, received summons to parliament in right of his mother -- May 1776 by the titles of baron Clifford, Westmorland and Vesci. He married Sophia, daughter of Samuel Campbel of Mount Campbel in the county of Leitrim in the kingdom of Ireland esquire; by which lady he had issue,

1. Mary, born 1 September 1766.
2. Edward, present lord Clifford of Appleby, being the eighteenth possessor of that title.
3. Catherine, born 19 September 1768.
4. Henry, born 30 March 1773.
5. Elizabeth, born 11 June 1776.
6. Henrietta, born 19 May 1777.

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STAPLETON, LORD LE DESPENCER.

THOMAS STAPLETON, baron Le Despencer and a baronet; doctor of laws.

This nobleman was born 10 November 1766, and succeeded to the baronetage upon the death of his father 1 January 1781, and to the barony 16 May 1788.

The family of Stapleton is in the list of those persons who passed over to Ireland with Richard de Clare earl of Pembroke, surnamed Strongbow, in the reign of king Henry the second. John Edmund Stapleton of Thorlesbeg in the county of Tipperary, lost his estate by adhering to king Charles the first in the civil wars. William his grandson, followed king Charles the second in his exile, and was soon after the restoration appointed captain general of the Leeward Islands in the West Indies. He was by that monarch created a baronet 20 December 1679, and died -- August 1686.

William, fourth baronet, his grandson, married Catherine, daughter and heiress of William Paul of Braywic in the county of Berks esquire, and of Catherine, daughter of Vere fifth earl of Westmorland; in consequence of which marriage the barony of Le Despencer has at length devolved upon the family of Stapleton.

Thomas, fifth baronet, his son, married 27 November 1765 Mary, daughter of Henry younger brother of Thomas eighth earl of Westmorland; by which lady he had issue,

1. Thomas lord Le Despencer.
2. Maria, born 13 January 1768.
3. Catherine, born 15 January 1769.

The barony of Le Despencer was originally bestowed upon Hugh Le Despencer the father, the favourite of king Edward the second, and after- wards descended in the female line to the Beauchamps lords Bergavenny, the Neviles lords Abergavenny, and the Fanes earls of Westmorland. Vere, fourth earl of Westmorland, had issue beside three sons, successively earls of Westmorland,

1. Mary, married to sir Francis Dashwood of the city of London baronet; by whom she had issue
   1. Francis, to whom the title of lord Le Despencer was confirmed 19 April 1763, and who died 11 December 1781;
   2. and Rachael, who succeeded to the title upon the death of her brother, and married sir Robert Austen of Bexley in the county of Kent baronet.
2. Catherine, married to William Paul of Braywic in the county of Berks esquire.

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THICKNESSE TOUCHET, LORD AUDLEY.

GEORGE THICKNESSE TOUCHET, baron Audley of Heleigh Castle.

This nobleman was born 4 February 1758, and succeeded to the title upon the death of his uncle 22 April 1777. He assumed the name of Touchet in right of his maternal ancestors 3 April 1784.

Lord Audley married 19 May 1781 Elizabeth, daughter of John Hussey Delaval lord Delaval; by which lady, who died 11 July 1785, He has issue,

1. Elizabeth Susannah, born 3 April 1782.
2. George John, born -- March 1783.

The family of Touchet is in the lift of those persons who came over to England with William the conqueror. William Touchet, in the reign of king Edward the first, had summons to parliament in the year 1299 by the title of lord Touchet of Lewenhales. William, his son, took part with the rebellious barons against king Edward the second, and was beheaded, together with Thomas earl of Lancaster, grandson of king Henry the third, 23 March 1322. Robert, the descendant of another branch, who also bore the style of the earl of Lancaster, but afterwards went over to king Edward the second. John, grandson of Robert, distinguished himself in the wars carried on by king Edward the third for the crown of France, and was killed in the battle of Rochelle 22 June 1370, in which the earl of Pembroke and his whole fleet were captured by the Spaniards. He married Joan, daughter of James Audley lord Audley of Heleigh, in whose right the title of Audley descended to the family of Touchet.

James, second lord Audley of the family of Touchet, served under king Henry the fifth in his wars for the crown of France; and adhering to the house of Lancaster in the contest of the two roses, commanded the royal army at the battle of Blore Heath, where he was defeated and slain 23 September 1459. He had issue,

1. John, third lord Audley.
2. Humphrey, who was killed in the battle of Tewkesbury 4 May 1471.
3. Edmund, elected in the year 1480 to be lord bishop of Rochester, translated 1493 to the fee of Hereford, and farther translated 1502 to the see of Salisbury. He died 23 August 1524.

John, third lord Audley, was taken prisoner in the year 1460; upon which occasion he became reconciled to the party of the house of York, and had a principal command in an expedition into the duchy of Bretagne, in which they reduced the town of Conquet and the isle of Rhe. He was constituted by king Richard the third in the year 1484 lord high treasurer of England, and died 26 September 1491.

James, fourth lord Audley, his son, put himself at the head of the Cornish rebels in the reign of king Henry the seventh, and, being taken prisoner at the battle of Blackheath, was beheaded 28 June 1597.

George, eighth lord Audley, fourth in descent from James, distinguished himself in the wars of the Netherlands, and was wounded at the battle of Kinsale in the kingdom of Ireland 24 December 1601. By king James the first he was created 6 September 1617 baron Orier and earl of Castlehaven of the kingdom of Ireland. Mervin, second earl of Castlehaven, his son, was tried for abetting a rape upon the person of his wife, and beheaded 14 May 1631. He had issue,

1. James, third earl of Castlehaven, who was constituted in the year 1649 commander in chief of the royal forces acting against Cromwel in the kingdom of Ireland.
2. Mervin, fourth earl of Castlehaven.

James, sixth earl of Castlehaven, grandson of Mervin, married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Henry fifth lord Arundel of Wardour; by which lady, who died -- July 1743, he had issue,

1. James, seventh earl of Castlehaven, who died 6 May 1769
2. John, eighth earl of Castlehaven, who married 1776 relict of Cracraft esquire.
3. Elizabeth, married 10 November 1749 to Philip Thicknesse esquire, late lieutenant governor of Landguard Fort in the county of Essex, and author of various publications; by whom she had issue
   1. Elizabeth, born 4 August 1750, who embraced the profession of a nun;
   2. Joyce, born 25 March 1753, who embraced the profession of a nun;
   3. George, present and seventeenth lord Audley of Heleigh;
   4. Philip, born 23 June 1760;
   5. and Charlotte, married 15 July 1786 to Wilder esquire. Lady Elizabeth Thicknesse died 1762; and earl James, her father, October 1740.

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MURRAY, BARONESS STRANGE

CHARLOTTE MURRAY, baroness Strange of Knockyn, and lady of Man and the Isles.

This lady succeeded to the title upon the death of her father 8 January 1764.

Baroness Strange married John, third duke of Athol of the kingdom of Scotland.

The barony of Strange has descended to its present possessor from the family of Strange, which is said to have derived its origin from Guy de Strange, younger son of the duke of Bretagne, who came over to England in the reign of king Henry the second. He is supposed to have had issue,

1. Hamon, ancestor of Fulke, who was created by king Edward the second in the year 1309 baron Strange of Blackmere in the county of Salop John lord Strange of Blackmere, his descendant, in the reign of king Richard the second, had issue
   1. Ankaret, married to Richard second lord Talbot of Goodrich Castle; in consequence of which marriage the barony descended to his posterity, in which it still remains.
2. John.

John, son of John, adhered to king Henry the third in his wars against the rebellious barons ; and John, his son, took part with the barons who extorted Magna Charta from king John. John, his son, had summons to parliament in the reign of king Edward the first by the title of baron Strange of Knockyn. He had issue,

1. John, second lord Strange of Knockyn.
2. Eubolo, who was created by king Edward the second in the year 1325 baron Strange. He married Alice, daughter and heiress of Henry Lacy earl of Lincoln, and relict of Thomas Plantagenet earl of Lancaster, in whose right he assumed the title of earl of Lincoln in the year 1330. His honours became extinct at his death.

John, lord Strange of Knockyn, fourth in descent from John second lord, had issue

1. Joan, married to George, son of Thomas first earl of Derby, who had summons to parliament in her right in the reign of king Edward the fourth 1482 by the title of lord Strange. The title continued in this family till the death of James tenth earl of Derby 1 February 1736, when it descended to James second duke of Athol of the kingdom of Scotland, in right of his grandmother Amelia Sophia, daughter of James seventh earl of Derby. The duke of Athol had issue
   1. Charlotte, present baroness Strange of Knockyn.

CREATION.

SOMERSET, BARONESS BOTTETOURT.

ELIZABETH SOMERSET, baroness Bottetourt of Weley Castle.

This lady was born, and succeeded to the title upon the death of her brother 1776.

Baroness Bottetourt married Charles Noel fourth duke of Beaufort. The barony of Bottetourt has descended to its present possessor from the family of Bottetourt, which has been traced back to the reign of king Henry the second. John de Bottetourt was created by king Edward the second in the year 1307 baron Bottetourt of Weley Castle. He was one of the confederates with the earls of Lancaster and Warwick, who seized upon the person of Gaveston the king's favourite, contrary to the faith of his capitulation, and struck off his head 1 July 1312. John, second lord Bottetourt, his grandson, had

1. Catherine, married to Maurice, grand-son of James sixth lord Berkeley.

Maurice, the descendant of this marriage, had issue,

1. Charles.
2. John, who was created by king Charles the second during his exile 19 May 1658 baron Berkeley of Stratton in the county of Cornwal which title became extinct in the year 1773.

Charles, son of Maurice, had issue,

1. Maurice, created a baronet by king Charles the second 2 July 1660.
2. Charles, who accompanied king Charles the second in his exile, and was by that monarch created baron Berkeley of Rathdown, and viscount Fitzharding of Bearhaven of the kingdom of Ireland, with remainder to his father; and in the year 1664 baron Bottetourt of Langport in the county of Somerset, and earl of Falmouth in the county of Cornwal. He was killed in the great sea-fight against the Dutch 3 June 1665, and upon his death his English honours became extinct, and his Irish titles descended first to his father and then to his elder brother.
3. John, fourth lord viscount Fitzharding.
4. William, who was killed at sea in the year 1666. The title of Fitzharding is now extinct.

John Sims Berkeley, the lineal representative of Maurice Berkeley and Catherine his wife, had issue,

1. Norborne, to whom the title of baron Bottetourt was adjudged in the year 1764, in consideration of his descent from the family of Bottetourt lord Bottetourt. He died 1776.
2. Elizabeth, present baroness Bottetourt.

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