The English Peerage - Viscounts

DEVEREUX, VISCOUNT HEREFORD

George Devereux, viscount Hereford and a baronet; premier viscount of England; a vice preside of the Welch Charity.

This nobleman was born 25 April 1744, and succeeded to the title upon the death of his brother 1 August 1783.

Lord viscount Hereford married 30 November 1768 Mary, daughter of George Devereux of Tregoyd in the county of Brecon esquire; by which lady he has issue,

1. A son, born 16 May 1772.
2. A daughter, born 1780.
3. A daughter, born 6 June 1785.
4. A daughter, born 10 December 1786.

The family of Devereux derives its surname from the town of Evreux in the duchy of Normandy, and the first of them who settled in England were Walter and Robert, sons of Walter earl of Rosmar in that duchy. Walter received from William the Conqueror, immediately after the battle of Hastings, the lordship of Salisbury in the county of Wilts; and Patrick his grandson, was constituted lord steward of the houshold to the empress Maud; and by that princess 1153 created earl of Salisbury. He was murdered by Guy de Lusignan in the year 1167; and William, second earl, his son, died 1196 leaving issue

1. Ela, who was married to William surnamed Longsword, natural son to king Henry the second. In consequence of this marriage the title of Salisbury passed into the family of Longsword, and became extinct in the year 1250.

William, fifth in descent from Robert, younger son of Walter earl of Rosmar, took part with the rebellious barons in the reign of king Henry the third, and was killed at the battle of Evesham 4 August 1265. Walter his great grandson, had issue,

1. John, father of John, who fought under Edward the Black Prince in the wars of Spain, and was installed knight of the garter in the year 1385. He was lord steward of the houshold to king Richard the second.
2. William.

Walter, fourth in descent from William, married Anne, daughter and heiress of William de Ferrars lord de Ferrars of Chartley; in consequence of which marriage he received summons to parliament 26 July 1461 by the title of baron de Ferrars. He was killed fighting for king Richard the third at the battle of Bosworth 22 August 1485. John, second lord de Ferrars of the family of Devereux, his son, married Cicely, daughter of Henry Bourchier earl of the county of Essex, early of Eu in the duchy of Normandy, viscount Bourchier and baron Bourchier and Lovaine, and descendant of Thomas of Woodstock duke of Gloucester, youngest son of king Edward the third. The family of Devereux is the only surviving representative of Thomas of Woodstock Walter, third lord de Ferrars, the issue of this marriage, was by king Edward the sixth created viscount Hereford; and from the particular form of the patent, the heirs of his dignity are entitled, according to the opinion of Sir Richard Saint George garter king at arms, to a seat in the parliament of Ireland as well as in that of England. He had issue,

1. Richard, father of Walter second lord viscount Hereford.
2. Edward.

Walter, second lord viscount Hereford, was admitted in right of his great grandmother 1571 to the titles of earl of Eu and baron Bourchier and Lovaine, and was created by queen Elizabeth 4 May in the following year earl of the county of Essex.

Robert, second earl of Essex, his son, is one of the most interesting characters in the history of England. He was a nobleman of an intrepid and impetuous spirit, generous, untractable, and precipitate; and an advantage was made of these qualities to effect his ruin. He was appointed master of the horse to queen Elizabeth in the year 1588, and commanded the land forces in the expedition against Cadiz in the year 1596. In the following year he was constituted earl marshal of England, and in the year 1599 lord deputy of the kingdom of Ireland. In this last employment he was unsuccessful; and, having returned abruptly without leave of the queen, soon after fell under her displeasure. In this situation he took the desperate resolution of endeavouring to induce the city of London to rise in his favour; but was taken prisoner, convicted of high treason, and beheaded 25 February 1601. Some circumstances relative to his unfortunate end are mentioned in the article of Howard earl of Effingham. He married Frances, daughter and heiress of sir Francis Walsingham secretary of state, and relict of sir Philip Sidney; by which lady he had issue,

1. Robert, third earl of Essex.
2. Dorothy, married to sir Henry Shirley of Stanton Harold in the county of Leicester baronet.

Robert, third earl of Essex, was soon restored in blood, and married Frances, daughter of Thomas first earl of Suffolk; from whom he was divorced, and who was afterwards the infamous contriver of the poisoning of fir Thomas Overbury. Upon the first insurrrections of the Scots in 1639 he was appointed lieutenant general of the forces that were sent against them, and in the year 1641 promoted to be lord chamberlain of the houshold to king Charles the first; but he resigned this post in the following year, and accepted of the office of commander in chief of the parliamentary forces in the civil war, in which station he continued till the passing of the self-denying ordinance in April 1645. Upon his death 14 September 1647 the titles of earl of Essex and Eu became extinct, and those of baron de Ferrars of Chartley, Bourchier and Lovaine came into the family of Shirley earl Ferrers.

Edward, younger son of Walter first lord viscount Hereford, was created a baronet by king James the first 25 November 1612, and had issue,

1. Walter, fifth lord viscount Hereford, who succeeded to the title upon the death of Robert third earl of Essex.
2. George, grandfather of Price ninth lord viscount Hereford; and of Vaughan, grandfather of Edward eleventh lord viscount Hereford.

Edward, eleventh lord viscount Hereford, married Catherine, daughter of Richard Mytton of Gartle in the county of Montgomery esquire; by which lady, who died 22 February 1748 he had issue,

1. Bridget, married to Price Jones of the county of Montgomery esquire. She died -- May 1781.
2. Edward, twelfth lord viscount Hereford, who married 2 June 1774 Henrietta Carlotta, daughter of Anthony Keck esquire.
3. Catherine, born 7 February 1743.
4. George, present and thirteenth lord viscount Hereford. Viscount Edward the father, died 21 August 1760.

BROWN, VISCOUNT MONTAGU.

GEORGE SAMUEL BROWN, viscount Montagu.

This nobleman was born 26 June 1769, and succeeded to the title upon the death of his father 9th April 1787.

The family of Brown is descended from sir Anthony Brown, who was one of the knights of the bath at the coronation of king Richard the second. Anthony, his great grandson, distinguished himself at the battle of Stoke 6 June 1487, and married Lucy, daughter of John Nevil marquis of Montagu. George, his brother, was apprehended in the reign of king Richard the third upon a charge of aiding the rebellion of Henry Stafford duke of Buckingham; and Ambrose, his descendant, was created a baronet by king Charles the first 7 July 1627, which title is now extinct.

Anthony, son of Anthony, was constituted in the year 1539 master of the horse to king Henry the eighth, and elected 23 April in the following year knight companion of the most noble order of the garter. By the will of king Henry he was declared one of the sixteen executors to whom the government of the kingdom was intrusted during the minority of king Edward the sixth. He died 6 May 1548.

Anthony, his son, was constituted 8 April 1554 master of the horse to queen Mary; and by that princess, by whom he was considerably trusted in her political transactions-, created viscount Montagu. Though a Catholic, he was chosen by queen Elizabeth in the year 1561 to be her ambassador to the court of Madrid, and died 19 October 1592. He had issue,

1. Anthony, father of Anthony second lord viscount Montagu.
2. George; three of whose grandsons were killed in the civil war, fighting on the party of king Charles the first. John, third in descent from George, was created a baronet by king Charles the second 10 May 1665.
3. Henry, father of Peter, who was killed at the battle of Naseby 14 June 1645,. fighting on the party .of king Charles the first. Henry, his son, was created a baronet by king Charles the second 1 July 1659, which title is now extinct.

Francis, third lord viscount Montagu, son of Anthony second lord Viscount Montagu, was a considerable sufferer in the civil war on the party of king Charles the first.

Anthony, seventh lord viscount Montagu, third in descent from Francis third lord viscount Montagu, married 2 July 1765 Frances, daughter of Herbert Mackworth of Gnol in the county of Glamorgan esquire, and relict of Alexander Falconer fifth lord Halkertoun of the kingdom of Scotland; by which lady he had issue,

1. Elizabeth Mary, born 5 February 1767.
2. George Samuel, present and eighth lord viscount Montagu.

THYNNE, VISCOUNT WEYMOUTH.

THOMAS THYNNE, viscount Weymouth, baron Thynne of Warminster, and a baronet; knight of the garter, one of his majesty's most honourable privy council; groom of the stole to his majesty, high steward of Tamworth in the county of Stafford, one of the elder brethren of the Trinity House, and a governor of the Charter House.

This nobleman was born 13 September 1734, and succeeded to the title upon the death of his father 12 January 1751. He was constituted 25 November 1760 one of the lords of the bedchamber, which office he exchanged 21 April 1763 for that of master of the horse to the queen. Having resigned this appointment, he was constituted 30 April 1765, under the administration of Mr. George Grenville, lord lieutenant of the kingdom of Ireland; in which post he continued till July following. He was declared 20 January 1768 one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state, which office he resigned in December 1770; and, being re-appointed 10 November 1775, held the seals till November 1779. He was constituted groom of the stole to his majesty 4 May 1782.

Lord viscount Weymouth married 22 May 1759 Elizabeth Cavendish, daughter of William second duke of Portland; by which lady, who was constituted 5 September 1761 one of the ladies of the bedchamber to the queen, he has issue,

1. Louisa, born 25 March 1760, and married to Heneage earl of Aylesford.
2. Henrietta, born 17 November 1762.
3. Sophia, born 18 December 1763, and married to George lord viscount Saint Asaph, son of John earl of Ashburnham.
4. Thomas, born January 1765.
5. Isabella, born 11 October 1768.
6. George, born 23 January 1770.
7. John, born 28 December 1772.
8. Mary, born 17 May 1778.
9. Caroline, born 31 August 1781.

The family of Thynne is descended from sir Geoffrey Boteville of Poictou in the kingdom of France, who was brought over to England by king John to assist him in the war against his rebellious barons. Adam, third in descent from sir Geoffrey, was attainted of high treason for taking part with Thomas earl of Lancaster at the battle of Boroughbridge 16 March 1322. John, seventh in descent from Walter brother of Adam, changed his name from Boteville to that of Thynne. He lived in the reign of king Edward the fourth. William, grandson of John, was master of the houshold to king Henry the eighth; and John, his grandson, was secretary to Edward first duke of Somerset. He distinguished himself by his zealous adherence to the reformed religion. Thomas, his grandson, had issue,

1. Thomas, the intimate friend of William first duke of Devonshire. He was a man of great wealth and magnificence, and married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Josceline Percy earl of Northumberland; on whose account he was assassinated by the contrivance of Charles count Koningsmark, a noble man of the kingdom of Poland, 12 February 1682.
2. Henry Frederic; who was created a baronet 15 July 1641.

Thomas, second baronet, his son, succeeded to the estate of his uncle, and was in the same year created by king Charles the second baron Thynne of Warminster and viscount Weymouth, with remainder to James, and Henry Frederic, his brothers.

Thomas, second lord viscount Weymouth, grandson of Henry Frederic, married Louisa, daughter of John Carteret earl Granville; by which lady, who died 25 December 1736, he had issue,

1. Thomas, present and third lord viscount Weymouth.
2. Henry Frederic, lord Carteret

SAINT JOHN, VISCOUNT BOLINGBROKE.

GEORGE RICHARD SAINT JOHN, viscount Bolingbroke and viscount Saint John, baron Saint John of Lydiard Tregofe, baron Saint John of Battersea and a baronet.

This nobleman was born 6 March 1761, and elected 1780 to represent the borough of Cricklade in the county of Wilts. He succeeded to the title upon the death of his father 5 May 1787.

Lord viscount Bolingbroke married -- --- 1783 Charlotte, daughter of the reverend ------- Collins of the city of Winchester.

Sir Oliver Saint John, in the reign of king Henry the sixth, married Margaret, sister and heiress to John Beauchamp lord Beauchamp of Bletshoe; by which lady, who afterwards married John Beaufort duke of Somerset, and was grandmother to king Henry the seventh, he had issue,

1. John, ancestor to the extinct earls of Bolingbroke, and to Henry Beau- champ lord Saint John of Bletshoe.
2. Oliver.

John, son of Oliver, was one of three executors of Margaret countess of Richmond, mother to king Henry' the seventh and foundress of Christ's College and Saint John's College in the university of Cambridge. He had issue,

1. John, who had issue,
   1. John; and
   2. Barbara, married to sir Edward brother of George Villiers first duke of Buckingham.
2. Oliver, who distinguished himself at the battle of Kinsale in the kingdom of Ireland in the year 1601. He was successively president of the province of Munster and master of the ordnance in that kingdom. He exchanged this office 3 April 1616 for that of lord deputy of the kingdom of Ireland, in which employment he continued till 3 June 1622, when he was created by king James the first viscount Grandison of Limeric in that kingdom, with remainder to the issue of sir Edward Villiers brother of George first duke of Buckingham, and of Barbara his wife, in which line the title still exists. He was constituted 13 June 1625 lord high treasurer of the kingdom of Ireland, and by king Charles the first 21 May 1626 created baron Tregofe of Highworth in the county of Wilts. Upon his death 30 December 1630 this title became extinct.

John, son of John brother to lord viscount Grandison, was created a baronet by king James the first 22 May 1611; and, embracing the party of king Charles the first, had three of his sons killed in the civil war. Sir Walter, third baronet, his son, married Joanna, daughter of Oliver saint John lord chief justice of the court of common pleas. Sir Henry, fourth baronet, the issue of this marriage, was created by king George the first baron Saint John of Battersea and viscount Saint John, and had issue Henry; and John, second lord viscount Saint John. He died -- April 1742.

Henry, the eldest Con, possessed all those accomplishments which characterise a superior genius. He was graceful in his person, and of an attractive eloquence. The style of his compositions is rich, nervous, full of the strongest reflections and the most lively imagination. He was equally skilled in philosophy and in politics, and cultivated the acquaintance of the first literary characters of his age. But with these excellencies he was occasionally proud, assuming and imperious; and the revenge he conceived against those who had injured him, repeatedly led him to an improper extreme. In his youth he was educated in the house of his great uncle, lord chief justice Saint John, a man of strong talents and flexible principles, and a rigid Presbyterian. When he broke loose from these unnatural shackles, he entered into all the riot and dissipation which were frequent to that age. Having afterwards applied to business, he was appointed 20 April 1704 secretary at war to queen Anne, which office he resigned in February 1708, at the same time that Harley, afterwards earl of Oxford resigned the office of secretary of state. Upon the dissmission of the Whig ministry in the year 1710 Mr. Saint John was constituted one of the principal secretaries of state, and two years after created baron Saint John of Lydiard Tregofe and viscount Bolingbroke, with remainder to lord viscount Saint John, his father. Upon the accession of king George the first he was dismissed from office. The chief measure of his administration was the peace of Utrecht; and at the close of the reign of queen Anne, a violent misunderstanding broke out between him and the earl of Oxford lord high treasurer. Upon the accession of king George the first, a resolution being taken to impeach himself, the earl of Oxford, and two more of queen Anne's ministers, he withdrew to the continent, and a bill of attainder passed against him. In France he entered into the service of the Pretender, with whom he soon after quarrelled. He was restored in blood 28 May 1723, but not admitted to his seat in the house of peers; and he soon after engaged in the opposition to sir Robert Walpole; upon which occasion he produced a series of papers in a publication called the Craftsman, which are among the first political writings of this country. His other works are principally, an Idea of a Patriot King; Letters on the Study of History; and a collection of Philosophical Essays, unfavourable to the Christian revelation. He died 15 December 1751, in the seventy-ninth year of his age.

John, second lord viscount Saint John, who succeeded to the title on account of the attainder of his elder brother, married Anne, daughter of sir Robert Furnese of Waldershare in the county of Kent baronet; by which lady, who died 11 July 1747, he had issue,

1. Frederic, third lord viscount Saint John.
2. Henry, who was constituted in the year 1772 one of the grooms of the bedchamber to king George the third, and elected 1774 and 1780 to represent the borough of Wotton Basset in the county of Wilts. Having embraced the profession of the army, he was appointed 27 November 1778 colonel of the thirty-sixth regiment of foot, and 28 September 1787 a lieutenant general in the army. He resigned the office of groom of the bedchamber in August 1784. He married 3 August 1771 Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Bladen of the county of Somerset esquire.
3. John, who was appointed ----- surveyor general of the crown lands, which office he resigned -- ---- ----. He was elected 1774 to represent the borough of Eye in the county of Suffolk, and 1780 to represent the boroughs of Newport in the county of Southampton, Midhurst in the county of Suss, and Lestwithiel in the county of Cornwal, and made his election for the former.
4. Louisa, married to William lord Bagot. Lord Saint John died -- February 1749.

Frederic, third lord viscount Saint John, succeeded upon the death of his uncle to the title of lord viscount Bolingbroke. He married 9 September 1757 Diana, daughter to Charles second Duke of Marlborough; by which lady, who was divorced by act of parliament in the year 1768, married secondly Topham, grandson of Charles first duke of Saint Albans, and died in the year 1780, he had issue,

1. George Richard, present and third lord viscount Bolingbroke.
2. Frederic, born 20 December 1763, who married 9 December 1788 Mary, daughter of William John marquis of Lothian.

BOSCAWEN, VISCOUNT FALMOUTH.

EVELYN GEORGE BOSCAWEN, viscount Falmouth and baron of Boscawen Rose; recorder of the borough of Truro in the county of Cornwal.

This nobleman was born 6 May 1758, and succeeded to the title upon the death of his uncle 4 February 1782. He served in the late war in America.

Lord viscount Boscawen married 26 June 1784 ----- -----, daughter of John Crewe of Crewe Hall in the county of Chester esquire; by which lady he has issue,

1. A daughter, born 19 May 1785.
2. A son, born 10 May 1787.

The family of Boscawen has been traced back to the reign of king John, and were from that time among the persons of consequence in the county of Cornwal. Nicholas Boscawen in the reign of king Charles the first raised a regiment of horse for the service of the parliament.

Edward, son of Hugh brother of Nicholas, married Jael, sister of Sidney Godolphin earl of Godolphin, lord high treasurer of Great Britain; and Hugh, the issue of this marriage, married Charlotte, daughter of Charles Godfrey esquire, and of Arabella, sister to John Churchil duke of Marlborough and mistress to king James the second. He did considerable service in the rebellion of 1715, and by king George the first was created baron of Boscawen Rose and viscount Falmouth. The issue of his marriage was,

1. Hugh, second lord viscount Falmouth.
2. Edward, who distinguished himself in the naval service of his country. He commanded a small vessel in the expedition of admiral Vernon in the year 1739, and commanded in chief at the siege of Pondicherry in 1748. In the subsequent war he was chosen to command the naval forces that reduced the island of Cape Breton in the year 1758 ; and in the year 1759 he fought a considerable battle with a French squadron off Cape Lagos, in which the enemy was nearly destroyed. He married -- December 1742 Frances, daughter of William Evelyn Glanville of Saint Clare in the county of Kent esquire; by which lady he had issue
   1. Frances, born 7 March 1746, and married to John Leveson son of John first earl Gower;
   2. Elizabeth, born 28 May 1747, and married to Henry duke of Beaufort; and
   3. George Evelyn, present and third lord viscount Falmouth. Admiral Boscawen died 10 January 1761.
3. George, who embraced the profession of the army, and served with distinction in the battles of Dettingen and Fontenoy. He married -- February 1743 Anne, daughter of John Morley Trevor of Glynd in the county of Sussex esquire; by which lady he had issue
   1. Anne, born 10 October 1744, one of the maids of honour to the queen;
   2. George, born 4 September 1745, an officer in the army, and elected 1774 to represent the borough of Truro in the county of Coruwal;
   3. Charlotte, born 1 May 1747; and
   4. William, born 17 August 1752. George, their father, died 3 May 1775.
4. John, who married Thomasina, daughter of Robert Sureman of Valentine House in the county of Essex esquire; by which lady, who died 17 January 1750, he had issue
   1. William Augustus Spencer, born 7 January 1750, appointed 1 February 1781 a lieutenant colonel in the army, and captain and lieutenant colonel in the Coldstream regiment of foot guards, and elected 1784 to represent the borough of Truro in the county of Cornwal. John, the father, died 30 April 1767.
5. Nicholas, born 16 August 1723, who embraced the profession of the church, and is dean of Saint Burien in the county of Cornwal, a prebendary of Westminster, one of the chaplains in ordinary to the king, and doctor in divinity. He married Jane, daughter of ----- Woodward of Stratford upon Avon in the county of Warwick esquire; by which lady he has issue
   1. Nicholas, born 25 March 1756, and appointed 21 April 1786 a lieutenant colonel in the army and captain lieutenant and lieutenant colonel in the Coldstream regiment of foot guards.

Hugh, second lord viscount Falmouth, was constituted 25 October 1747 captain of the yeomen of the guard to king George the second, and was continued ~n that office by his present majesty. He was at the head of an association in the county of Cornwal for defending the kingdom against the rebellion in the year 1745.

BYNG, VISCOUNT TORRINGTON.

GEORGE BYNG, viscount Torrington, baron Byng of Southil and a baronet; his majesty's envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the court of Brussels.

This nobleman was born -- ---- 1739, and succeeded to the title upon the death of his father 7 April 1750. He was constituted 19 April 1783 his majesty's envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the Court of Brussels.

Viscount Torrington married 10 July 1765 Lucy, daughter of John Boyle fifth earl of Cork of the kingdom of Ireland; by which lady he has issue,

1. Lucy Elizabeth, born 27 October 1766, and married 29 May 1788 to Orlando, son of sir Henry Bridgman of Weston in the county of Salop baronet.
2. Georgiana Elizabeth, born 24 February 1768.
3. Isabel Elizabeth, born 21 September 1773.
4. William Henry, born 7 May 1775.

The family of Byng has been traced back to the reign of king Henry the seventh. George Byng in the reign of king Charles the second embraced the maritime profession, and was particularly intrusted in the intrigues of admiral Russel, afterwards earl of Orford, and others, with the prince of Orange, afterwards king William the third, in the year 1688. He was second in command under sir Cloudesley Shovel at the period of his death, and was eminently instrumental in saving a considerable part of the fleet under the command of that officer. He was sent with a squadron in the year 1708 and 1715 to counteract the intended invasion of the Pretender, and was created a baronet by king George the first 15 November 1715. He was appointed commander in chief of the grand fleet in the Spanish war in that reign, and gained a considerable victory over the navy of that country 11 August 1718. In consequence of these services he was some time after created baron Byng of Southil and viscount Torrington, and was farther promoted by king George the second 2 August 1727 to be first lord commissioner of the admiralty He had issue,

1. Pattee, second lord viscount Torrington.
2. George, third lord viscount Torrington.
3. Robert, who was appointed in the year 1739 governor of the island of Barbados, and married 19 December 1734 Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Forward esquire; by which lady he had issue
   1. George, born 1735, and elected 1768 and 1774 to represent the borough of Wigan in the county of Lancaster, and 1780 to represent the county of Middlesex. He married 5 March 1761 Anne, daughter of the right honourable William Conolly of Castletown in the county of Kildare in the kingdom of Ireland; by which lady he has issue
      1. Anne Elizabeth, born 14 February 1762; and
      2. George, born 17 May 1764. Robert, the father, died in the year 1740.
4. John, who embraced the maritime profession, and was commissioned in the year 1756 to relieve the island of Minorca, in which service he did not succeed. For this failure he was tried and condemned by a court martial 27 January 1757, the court at the same time declaring that the precision of the articles of war had not left them an alternative, and that the misconduct of admiral Byng arose neither from cowardice nor disaffection. They accordingly recommended him to the royal clemency; but notwithstanding their representations; he was shot to death 14 March 1757, and his fate has usually been regarded as a sacrifice intended to divert the current of popular clamour. Lord Torrington died 17 January 1733

Pattee, second lord viscount Torrington, was constituted 22 February 1746 captain of the yeomen of the guard, and died 23 January 1747.

George, third lord viscount Torrington, married Elizabeth, granddaughter of sir Peter Daniel knight; by which lady, who died 17 March 1759, he had issue,

1. George, present and fourth lord viscount Torrington
2. John, born 11 October 1740, who married 3 March 1767, Bridget, daughter of Arthur Forest esquire, a captain in the navy; by which lady he has issue
   1. Elizabeth, born -- January 1768;
   2. Cecilia Anne, born 14 August 1770;
   3. Anna Maria Bridget, born 18 August 1771;
   4. Frances;
   5. George;
   6. Edmund;
   7. a son, born 22 September 1781 ;
   8. and a son, born 27 November l784.

FITZGERALD, VISCOUNT LEINSTER.

WILLIAM ROBERT FITZGERALD, duke of Leinster, marquis of Kildare, earl of Kildare, earl of Offaley and baron Offaley of the kingdom of Ireland, premier marquis, earl and baron of the kingdom of Ireland; viscount Leinster of Taplow in the kingdom of Great Britain; knight of Saint Patrick, one of his majesty's most honourable privy council of the kingdom of Ireland, master of the rolls and governor of the county of Kildare in that kingdom.

This nobleman was born 2 March 1749, and soon after he came of age elected to represent the city of Dublin, He succeeded to the title on the death of his father 19 November 1773, was elected knight of the illustrious order of Saint Patrick at its first institution 5 February 1783, and constituted 6 June 1788 master of the rolls. in the kingdom of Ireland.

The duke of Leinster married -- September 1775 Emilia Olivia, daughter of Usher Saint George, Lord Saint George of the kingdom of Ireland; by which lady he has issue,

1. Mary Rebecca, born 6 May 1777.
2. Emilia Elizabeth, born 13 May 1778.
3. A daughter, born 6 November 1780.
4. A daughter, born -- ----- 1734.
5. A daughter, born -- September 1787.

The family of Fitzgerald is descended from Maurice, who, together with his elder brother William, ancestor to the marquis of Lansdown, was among the adventurers that accompanied Richard, surnamed Strongbow, earl of Pembroke, in the conquest of Ireland. Gerald, his son, was created by king John in the year 1205 baron Offaley, and is said to have been chief justice of Ireland. Maurice, second lard Offaley, his son, was constituted by king Henry the third in the years 1229 and 1232 lord justice of the kingdom of Ireland. This nobleman, as well as his posterity, performed many eminent services far the preservation of the English authority, having killed in battle Richard Marshal earl of Pembroke, and taken prisoner Cormac Macarthy O'Melaghlin, a leader of the natives. He afterwards marched against the Odonnels and the ONeils, and assisted king Henry the third in the year 1244 in an expedition against the Welsh. At length he took upon him the habit of Saint Francis, and died 8 May 1257, having issue,

1. Thomas, third lord Offaley.
2. Maurice, who was constituted by king Henry the third 23 June 1272 lord justice of the kingdom of Ireland.

John, fourth lord Offaley, his son, and Maurice his brother, raised an army for the suppression of Macarthy More in the year 1261, and were killed in that expedition. Thomas, sixth lord Offaley, grandson of John, was carried while an infant in the cradle by an ape or baboon to the top of the steeple of the abbey of Trallee, and afterwards restored to his cradle; in memory of which his posterity have born a monkey for their crest, and two monkeys for the supporters of their armorial bearings. He was constituted by king Edward the first 3 April 1295 lord justice of the kingdom of Ireland, and had issue,

1. John, seventh lord Offaley. 2. Maurice, created by king Edward the third 27 August 1329 earl of Desmond. Lord Desmond was constituted 20 July 1355 lord justice of the kingdom of Ireland; but upon various occasions headed a party in opposition to the English government, and together with his posterity occasioned frequent insurrections in that island. The branch of Desmond disputed the point of seniority with the ancestors of the duke of Leinster, and the title became extinct in the year 1632

John, seventh lord Offaley, performed considerable services against Edward Bruce and the Scottish invaders in the year 1315, and was by king Edward the second 14 May 1316 created earl of Kildare. Thomas, second earl of Kildare, his son, was constituted by king Edward the second in the year 1320 and by king Edward the third in the year 1327 lord justice of the kingdom of Ireland. Maurice, fourth earl of Kildare, his son, served under king Edward the third at the siege of Calais, and was constituted 13 March 1360 lord justice of the kingdom of Ireland. Gerald, fifth earl of Kildare, his son, was appointed by king Henry the fourth 7 September 1405 lord justice of the kingdom of Ireland. Thomas, seventh earl of Kildare, his grandson, was constituted by king Henry the sixth in the year 1454 lord deputy of the kingdom of Ireland, which office he exchanged in the year 1463 for that of lord high chancellor of that kingdom for life. He was again appointed lord justice in the year 1468, and lord deputy in the year 1471.

Gerald, eighth earl of Kildare, his son, succeeded his father in the office of lord deputy of the kingdom of Ireland. With many other considerable personages of that kingdom he attached himself to the party of Lambert Simnel, the son of a baker, who was employed to personate the earl of Warwick, so of George duke of Clarence, who had been born in the kingdom of Ireland, and under pretence of this descent to claim the crown of England. The earl of Kildare assisted at his coronation at the city of Dublin; and his brother Thomas Fitzgerald lord high chancellor, having resigned that office, accompanied Simnel in his expedition into England, and was killed. at the battle of Stoke 6 June 1487. In consequence of this transaction the earl of Kildare was removed from the office of lord deputy in the following year. He acquired many enemies by the lawless manner in which he pursued his projects of personal revenge; and, being accused of favouring Perkin Warbec, a second pretender to the crown, and of other crimes, he was obliged to pass over to England for his defence. You see what a man he is," said his adversaries ; " all Ireland cannot rule yonder gentleman." 'If it be so," replied king Henry, " then he is meet to rule all Ireland;" and accordingly constituted him 6 August 1496 lord deputy of that kingdom. By this treatment his affections appear to have been won to the crown of England, and he acted with great zeal in opposition to Perkin Warbec and the rebel natives. After distinguishing himself by many considerable exploits, he died 16 October 1513.

Gerald, ninth earl of Kildare, his son, was constituted 18 February 1504 lord high treasurer of the kingdom of Ireland, which office he exchanged upon the decease of his father for that of lord deputy. He performed several considerable services to the crown; but a controversy arising between him and Piers Butler earl of Ormond, his brother in law, he was deprived of his government in the year 1519, and again restored 4 August 1524. Two years after, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London, and being restored to his office, was again summoned to make a personal defence to king Henry the eighth in the year 1534. During his absence he left Thomas lord Offaley, afterwards tenth earl of Kildare, his son, to command in his room. A report being propagated, that earl Gerald was beheaded in London, the young nobleman, together with his uncles James, Oliver, Richard, John and. Walter, set the English administration at open defiance, and committed various hostilities and barbarities. He was at length taken prisoner, and together with his five uncles sent to London and hanged at Tyburn 2 February 1536. Earl Gerald, his father, oppressed with grief at the inconsiderate conduct of his son, died in. confinement 12 December 1534. He had issue, among other children, Elizabeth, who was celebrated by the famous Henry earl of Surrey, son of Thomas third duke of Norfolk, under the appellation of the fair Geraldine. The family was attainted by act of parliament 15 July 1534.

Gerald, eleventh earl of Kildare, son of Gerald, was restored to his estate by king Edward the sixth, and to his title by queen Mary. Soon after the accession of queen Elizabeth, he conformed to the protestant religion, and did considerable service against the rebel natives. He had issue,

1. Gerald, lord Offaley, whose daughter Lettice married Robert Digby, ancestor to lord Digby. She was created by king James the first baroness of Offaley for life.
2. Henry, twelfth earl of Kildare.
3. William, thirteenth earl of Kildare.

Edward, younger son of Gerald ninth earl of Kildare, had issue,

1. Gerald, fourteenth. earl of Kildare.
2. Thomas, father of George sixteenth earl of Kildare.

George, sixteenth earl of Kildare, was educated in the protestant religion in which his family have ever since continued. He had issue,

1. Wentworth, seventeenth earl of Kildare.
2. Robert, who eminently contributed to the establishment of the royal authority in Ireland at the period of the restoration. Under the government of the earl of Tyrconnel, who was by king James the second appointed lord lieutenant of the kingdom of Ireland, he was thrown into Newgate, and continued in confinement till the period of the battle of the Boyne 1 July 1690, upon which occasion Mr. Robert Fitzgerald escaped from his guard, and exerted himself with great spirit and intrepidity to preserve the peace of the metropolis, preventing the violences both of papists and protestants. He was father of Robert, nineteenth earl of Kildare, who was the first mover of the bill for recognizing the title of the present royal family upon the death of queen Anne. Earl Robert had issue,
   1. James twentieth earl of Kildare; and
   2. Margaretta, married to Wills Hill earl of Hillsborough. She died 15 January 1766.

James, twentieth earl of Kildare, was by king George the second constituted -- March 1760 master general of the office of ordnance in the kingdom of Ireland, and created viscount Leinster of Taplow in the kingdom of Great Britain. He was by king George the third 3 March 1761 farther created earl of Offaley and marquis of Kildare in the kingdom of Ireland, and 26 November 1766 duke of the province of Leinster in that kingdom. He married 7 February 1747 Emilia, daughter of Charles second duke of Richmond; by which lady, who married secondly William Ogilvie esquire preceptor to the present duke of Leinster, he had issue,

1. William Robert, present and second duke of Leinster.
2. Emilia Maria Margaretta, born 15 March 1752, and married -- August 1774 to Charles Coote earl of Bellamont of the kingdom of Ireland.
3. Charles; born 30 June 1756, and elected in several parliaments to represent the county of Kildare in the kingdom of Ireland.
4. Charlotte Mary Gertrude, born 29 May 1758
5. Henry, born 30 July 1761, and elected in several parliaments to represent the borough of Kildare in the kingdom of Ireland.
6. Sophia Sarah Mary, born 26 September 1762
7. Edward, born 15 October 1763.
8. Robert, born 15 January 1765.
9. Gerald, born 15 March 1766.

Return to Peerage Index

This page is copyright. Do not copy any part of this page or website other than for personal use or as given in the conditions of use.
Web-page generated by "DB2html" data-base extraction software ©Colin Hinson 2016