PEERAGE
Last updated 18/07/2025
Date Rank Order Name Born Died  Age
BACH
27 Jul 1998 B[L] 1 William Stephen Goulden Bach 25 Dec 1946
Created Baron Bach for life 27 Jul 1998
BACON
14 Oct 1970 B[L] 1 Alice Martha Bacon 10 Sep 1909 24 Mar 1993 83
to     Created Baroness Bacon for life 14 Oct 1970
24 Mar 1993 MP for Leeds NE 1945-1955 and Leeds SE
1955-1970. Minister of State,Home Office
1964-1967. PC 1966
Peerage extinct on her death
BADELEY
21 Jun 1949 B 1 Sir Henry John Fanshawe Badeley 27 Jun 1874 27 Sep 1951 77
to     Created Baron Badeley 21 Jun 1949
27 Sep 1951 Peerage extinct on his death
BADENOCH
3 Nov 1684 B[S] 1 George Gordon,4th Marquess of Huntly c 1643 7 Dec 1716
Created Lord Badenoch,Lochaber,
Strathavon,Balmore,Auchindoun,
Garthie and Kincardine,Viscount of
Inverness,Earl of Huntly and Enzie,
Marquess of Huntly and Duke of
Gordon 3 Nov 1684
See "Gordon" - extinct 1836
BADEN-POWELL
17 Sep 1929 B 1 Sir Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell,1st
baronet 22 Feb 1857 8 Jan 1941 83
Created Baron Baden-Powell 17 Sep 1929
OM 1937
8 Jan 1941 2 Arthur Robert Peter Baden-Powell 30 Oct 1913 8 Dec 1962 49
8 Dec 1962 3 Robert Crause Baden-Powell 15 Oct 1936 28 Dec 2019 83
28 Dec 2019 4 David Michael Baden-Powell 11 Dec 1940 3 Jul 2023 82
3 Jul 2023 5 David Robert Baden-Powell 6 Jan 1971
BADLESMERE
26 Oct 1309 B 1 Bartholomew de Badlesmere 1275 1322 47
to     Summoned to Parliament as Lord
1322 Badlesmere 26 Oct 1309
He was attainted and executed when his
peerage was forfeited
1328 2 Giles de Badlesmere 18 Oct 1314 May 1338 23
to     He obtained a reversal of the attainder. On
May 1338 his death the peerage became extinct
BAGOT
17 Oct 1780 B 1 Sir William Bagot,6th baronet 28 Feb 1728 22 Oct 1798 70
Created Baron Bagot 17 Oct 1780
MP for Staffordshire 1754-1780
22 Oct 1798 2 William Bagot 11 Sep 1773 12 Feb 1856 82
12 Feb 1856 3 William Bagot 27 Mar 1811 19 Jan 1887 75
MP for Denbighshire 1835-1852
19 Jan 1887 4 William Bagot 19 Jan 1857 23 Dec 1932 75
23 Dec 1932 5 Gerald William Bagot 13 May 1866 5 Apr 1946 79
5 Apr 1946 6 Caryl Ernest Bagot 9 Mar 1877 5 Aug 1961 84
5 Aug 1961 7 Harry Eric Bagot 4 Feb 1894 20 Jun 1973 79
20 Jun 1973 8 Reginald Walter Bagot 24 Aug 1897 2 Oct 1979 82
2 Oct 1979 9 Heneage Charles Bagot 11 Jun 1914 19 Jan 2001 86
19 Jan 2001 10 Charles Hugh Shaun Bagot 23 Feb 1944
BAGRI
14 Feb 1997 B[L] 1 Raj Kumar Bagri 24 Aug 1930 26 Apr 2017 86
to     Created Baron Bagri for life 14 Feb 1997
26 Apr 2017 Peerage extinct on his death
BAILEY OF PADDINGTON
10 Jul 2023 B[L] 1 Shaun Sharif Bailey 30 May 1971
     Created Baron Bailey of Paddington for life
on 10 Jul 2023
BAILLIEU
13 Feb 1953 B 1 Sir Clive Latham Baillieu 24 Sep 1889 18 Jun 1967 77
Created Baron Baillieu 13 Feb 1953
18 Jun 1967 2 William Latham Baillieu 10 Dec 1915 18 Apr 1973 57
18 Apr 1973 3 James William Latham Baillieu 16 Nov 1950
BAKER
1 Feb 1977 B[L] 1 Sir John Fleetwood Baker 19 Mar 1901 9 Sep 1985 84
to     Created Baron Baker for life 1 Feb 1977
9 Sep 1985 Peerage extinct on his death
BAKER OF DORKING
16 Jun 1997 B[L] 1 Kenneth Wilfred Baker 3 Nov 1934
Created Baron Baker of Dorking  for life
16 Jun 1997
MP for Acton 1968-1970, St.Marylebone 
1970-1983 and Mole Valley 1983-1997.
Secretary of State for the Environment 
1985-1986. Secretary of State for Education
and Science 1986-1989. Chancellor of the
Duchy of Lancaster 1989-1990. Home 
Secretary 1990-1992. PC 1984  CH 1992
BAKEWELL
21 Jan 2011 B[L] 1 Dame Joan Dawson Bakewell 16 Apr 1933
Created Baroness Bakewell for life 21 Jan 2011
BAKEWELL OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE
9 Sep 2013 B[L] 1 Catherine Mary Bakewell 7 Mar 1949
Created Baroness Bakewell of Hardington
Mandeville for life 9 Sep 2013
BALCARRES
27 Jun 1633 B[S] 1 David Lindsay c 1586 Mar 1641
Created Lord Lindsay of Balcarres
27 Jun 1633
Mar 1641 2 Alexander Lindsay 6 Jul 1618 30 Aug 1659 41
9 Jan 1651 E[S] 1 Created Lord Lindsay and Balniel and
Earl of Balcarres 9 Jan 1651
30 Aug 1659 2 Charles Lindsay 1650 15 Oct 1662 12
15 Oct 1662 3 Colin Lindsay 1652 1722 70
1722 4 Alexander Lindsay 25 Jul 1736
25 Jul 1736 5 James Lindsay 14 Nov 1691 20 Feb 1768 76
20 Feb 1768 6 Alexander Lindsay 18 Jan 1752 27 Mar 1825 73
He succeeded to the Earldom of Crawford (qv) in 
1808 since when the peerages have been merged
BALDWIN OF BEWDLEY
8 Jun 1937 E 1 Stanley Baldwin 3 Aug 1867 14 Dec 1947 80
Created Viscount Corvedale and Earl 
Baldwin of Bewdley 8 Jun 1937
MP for Bewdley 1908-1937. President of the
Board of Trade 1921-1922, Chancellor of
the Exchequer 1922-1923, Prime Minister
1923-1924,1924-1929 and 1935-1937. Lord
President of the Council 1931-1935. Lord
Privy Seal 1932-1933. PC 1920, KG 1937
14 Dec 1947 2 Oliver Ridsdale Baldwin 1 Mar 1899 10 Aug 1958 59
MP for Dudley 1929-1931 and Paisley
1945-1947
10 Aug 1958 3 Arthur Windham Baldwin 22 Mar 1904 5 Jul 1976 72
5 Jul 1976 4 Edward Alfred Alexander Baldwin  [Elected 3 Jan 1938 16 Jun 2021  83
hereditary peer 1999-2018]
 
16 Jun 2021  5 Benendict Alexander Stanley Baldwin 28 Dec 1973
BALERNO
9 Jul 1963 B[L] 1 Sir Alick Drummond Buchanan-Smith 9 Oct 1898 28 Jul 1984 85
to     Created Baron Balerno for life 9 Jul 1963
28 Jul 1984 Peerage extinct on his death
BALFE
19 Sep 2013 B[L] 1 Richard Andrew Balfe 14 May 1944
Created Baron Balfe for life 19 Sep 2013
BALFOUR
8 Nov 1619 B[I] 1 Sir James Balfour 18 Oct 1634
Created Lord Balfour 8 Nov 1619
18 Oct 1634 2 James Balfour 26 Feb 1636
 
26 Feb 1636 3 Alexander Balfour 1636?
to     Peerage extinct on his death
1636?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
5 May 1922 E 1 Arthur James Balfour 25 Jul 1848 19 Mar 1930 81
Created Viscount Traprain and Earl of
Balfour 5 May 1922
For details of the special remainders included in the
creation of these peerages,see the note at the 
foot of this page
MP for Hertford 1874-1885, Manchester
East 1885-1906 and London 1906-1922.
President of the Local Government Board
Board 1885-1886, Secretary of State for 
Scotland 1886-1887, Chief Secretary for 
Ireland 1887-1891, First Lord of the 
Treasury 1891-1892 and 1895-1905. Prime 
Minister 1902-1905. Lord Privy Seal 1902-1903,
First Lord of the Admiralty 1915-1916, 
Foreign Secretary 1916-1919. Lord
President of the Council 1919-1922 and
1925-1929. PC 1885, PC [I] 1887. OM 1916
KG 1922
19 Mar 1930 2 Gerald William Balfour 9 Apr 1853 14 Jan 1945 91
MP for Leeds 1885-1906. Chief Secretary
for Ireland 1895-1900. President of the
Board of Trade 1900-1905. PC [I] 1895
PC 1900
14 Jan 1945 3 Robert Arthur Lytton Balfour 31 Dec 1902 27 Nov 1968 65
27 Nov 1968 4 Gerald Arthur James Balfour 23 Dec 1925 27 Jun 2003 77
27 Jun 2003 5 Roderick Francis Arthur Balfour 9 Dec 1948
BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH
16 Jul 1607 B[S] 1 Sir Michael Balfour 15 Mar 1619
Created Lord Balfour of Burleigh
16 Jul 1607
15 Mar 1619 2 Margaret Balfour Jun 1639
Jun 1639 3 John Balfour 1697
1697 4 Robert Balfour Jul 1713
Jul 1713 5 Robert Balfour 20 Mar 1757
to     For further information on this peer, see the 
1715 note at the foot of this page.
He was attainted and the peerage forfeited
in 1715
19 Mar 1869 6 Alexander Hugh Bruce 13 Jan 1849 6 Jul 1921 72
He obtained a reversal of the attainder
19 Mar 1869
Secretary of State for Scotland 1895-1903
PC 1892  KT 1901
6 Jul 1921 7 George John Gordon Bruce 18 Oct 1883 4 Jun 1967 83
4 Jun 1967 8 Robert Bruce 6 Jan 1927
BALFOUR OF INCHRYE
5 Jul 1945 B 1 Harold Harington Balfour 1 Nov 1897 21 Sep 1988 90
Created Baron Balfour of Inchrye
5 Jul 1945
MP for Isle of Thanet 1929-1945. PC 1941
21 Sep 1988 2 Ian Balfour 21 Dec 1924 14 Apr 1988 88
to     Peerage extinct on his death
14 Apr 2013  
BALGONIE
11 Oct 1641 B[S] 1 Alexander Leslie c 1580 4 Apr 1661
Created Lord Balgonie and Earl of
Leven 11 Oct 1641
See "Leven"
BALINHARD
7 Dec 1869 B 1 James Carnegie,9th Earl of Southesk 16 Nov 1827 21 Feb 1905 77
Created Baron Balinhard 7 Dec 1869
See "Southesk"
BALLANTRAE
10 Jul 1972 B[L] 1 Sir Bernard Edward Fergusson 6 May 1911 28 Nov 1980 69
to     Created Baron Ballantrae for life 10 Jul 1972
28 Nov 1980 Governor General of New Zealand 1962-
1967. KT 1974
Peerage extinct on his death
BALLINBRIECH
29 May 1680 M[S] 1 John Leslie,7th Earl of Rothes 1630 27 Jul 1681 51
to     Created Lord Auchmoutie and 
27 Jul 1681 Caskieberry,Viscount of Lugtoun,Earl
of Leslie,Marquess of Ballinbrieich
and Duke of Rothes 29 May 1680
Peerage extinct on his death
BALLIOL
26 Sep 1300 B 1 Alexander de Balliol by Jun 1311
to     Summoned to Parliament as Lord
by Jun 1311 Balliol 26 Sep 1300
Attainted by Edward II and peerage 
forfeited
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
10 Mar 1349 B 1 Edward de Balliol c 1283 c 1367
to     Summoned to Parliament as Lord
c 1367 Balliol 10 Mar 1349
Peerage extinct on his death
BALLYANE
8 Feb 1554 B[I] 1 Cahir McArt Kavanagh 1555
to     Created Baron of Ballyane 8 Feb 1554
1555 Peerage extinct on his death
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
17 May 1558 B[I] 1 Dermot McCahir Kavanagh after 1558
to     Created Baron of Ballyane 17 May 1558
after 1558 Peerage extinct on his death
BALLYEDMOND
18 Jun 2004 B[L] 1 Edward Enda Haughey 5 Jan 1944 13 Mar 2014 70
to     Created Baron Ballyedmond for life
13 Mar 2014 18 Jun 2004
Peerage extinct on his death
BALLYMOTE
1 Aug 1628 B[I] 1 John Taaffe Jan 1642
Created Baron Ballymote and Viscount
Taaffe 1 Aug 1628
See "Taaffe"
BALMERINOCH
11 Jul 1606 B[S] 1 Sir James Elphinstone 21 Jun 1612
Created Lord Balmerinoch 11 Jul 1606
21 Jun 1612 2 John Elphinstone 28 Feb 1649
28 Feb 1649 3 John Elphinstone 18 Feb 1623 10 Jun 1704 72
He succeeded as 2nd Lord Coupar (qv) in 1669
10 Jun 1704 4 John Elphinstone 26 Dec 1652 13 May 1736 83
13 May 1736 5 John Elphinstone 24 Nov 1675 5 Jan 1746 70
5 Jan 1746 6 Arthur Elphinstone 1688 18 Aug 1746 58
to     He was attainted and executed 1746 when
18 Aug 1746 the peerages were forfeited
For further information on this peer,see the note 
at the foot of the page containing details of
the peerage of Kilmarnock
BALMORE
3 Nov 1684 B[S] 1 George Gordon,4th Marquess of Huntly c 1643 7 Dec 1716
Created Lord Badenoch,Lochaber,
Strathavon,Balmore,Auchindoun,
Garthie and Kincardine,Viscount of
Inverness,Earl of Huntly and Enzie,
Marquess of Huntly and Duke of
Gordon 3 Nov 1684
See "Gordon" - extinct 1836
BALNIEL
24 Jan 1975 B[L] 1 Robert Alexander Lindsay 5 Mar 1927 18 Mar 2023 96
to Created Baron Balniel for life 24 Jan 1975
18 Mar 2023 MP for Hertford 1955-1974 and Welwyn &
Hatfield 1974. Minister of State for
Defence 1970-1972. Minister of State
Foreign Office 1972-1974
He succeeded to the Earldom of Crawford
1975 (qv)
20 Jan 1985 Peerage extinct on his death 
BALOGH
20 Jun 1968 B[L] 1 Thomas Balogh 2 Nov 1905 20 Jan 1985 79
to     Created Baron Balogh for life 20 Jun 1968
20 Jan 1985 Peerage extinct on his death 
BALQUHIDDER (or BALWIDDER)
17 Feb 1676 V[S] 1 John Murray,2nd Earl of Atholl     c 1635  7 May 1703
Created Lord Murray,Balvany and
Gask,Viscount of Balquhidder,Earl of
Tullibardin and Marquess of Atholl
17 Feb 1676
See "Atholl"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
30 Jun 1703 V[S] 1 John Murray,2nd Marquess of Atholl 24 Feb 1659 14 Nov 1724 65
Created Lord Murray,Viscount
Glenalmond and Earl of Tullibardine
for life 27 Jul 1696 and Lord Murray,
Balvenie and Gask,Viscount of
Balwhidder,Glenalmond and Glenlyon,
Earl of Strathtay and Strathardle,
Marquess of Tullibardine and Duke of
Atholl 30 Jun 1703
See "Atholl"
BALTIMORE
16 Feb 1625 B[I] 1 George Calvert c 1578 15 Apr 1632
Created Baron Baltimore 16 Feb 1625
MP for Oxford University. Secretary of
State 1618
15 Apr 1632 2 Cecil Calvert 2 Mar 1606 7 Dec 1675 69
7 Dec 1675 3 Charles Calvert 27 Aug 1637 21 Feb 1715 77
21 Feb 1715 4 Benedict Leonard Calvert 21 Mar 1679 16 Apr 1715 36
MP for Harwich 1714-1715
16 Apr 1715 5 Charles Calvert 29 Sep 1699 24 Apr 1751 51
MP for St.Germans 1734-1741 and Surrey
1741-1747
24 Apr 1751 6 Frederick Calvert 6 Feb 1732 4 Sep 1771 39
to     Peerage extinct on his death
4 Sep 1771 For further information on this peer, see the 
note at the foot of this page.
BALTINGLASS
29 Jun 1541 V[I] 1 Sir Thomas Eustace c 1480 31 Jul 1549
Created Baron Kilcullen Sep 1535 and
Viscount Baltinglass 29 Jun 1541
31 Jul 1549 2 Rowland Eustace 1505 31 Mar 1578 72
31 Mar 1578 3 James Eustace 25 Nov 1585
to     Peerage extinct on his death
25 Nov 1585
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
27 Jun 1627 V[I] 1 Thomas Roper 15 Feb 1637
Created Baron of Bantry and Viscount
Baltinglass 27 Jun 1627
15 Feb 1637 2 Thomas Roper c 1670
c 1670 3 Cary Roper Aug 1672
to     Peerage extinct on his death
Aug 1672
BALVAIRD
17 Nov 1641 B[S] 1 Sir Andrew Murray 24 Sep 1644
Created Lord Balvaird 17 Nov 1641
24 Nov 1644 2 David Murray 24 Jul 1668
He succeeded to the Viscountcy of Stormont (qv)
in 1658 into which title this peerage then merged.
The Barony remains a subsidiary title of the
Earldom of Mansfield
 
BALVANY
17 Feb 1676 B[S] 1 John Murray,2nd Earl of Atholl     c 1635  7 May 1703
Created Lord Murray,Balvany and
Gask,Viscount of Balquhidder,Earl of
Tullibardin and Marquess of Atholl
17 Feb 1676
See "Atholl"
BALVENIE
30 Jun 1703 B[S] 1 John Murray,2nd Marquess of Atholl 24 Feb 1660 14 Nov 1724 64
Created Lord Murray,Viscount
Glenalmond and Earl of Tullibardine
for life 27 Jul 1696 and Lord Murray,
Balvenie and Gask,Viscount of
Balwhidder,Glenalmond and Glenlyon,
Earl of Strathtay and Strathardle,
Marquess of Tullibardine and Duke of
Atholl 30 Jun 1703
See "Atholl"
BALWEARIE
8 Apr 1690 B[S] 1 George Melville,4th Lord Melville 1636 20 May 1707 70
Created Lord Raith,Monymaill and
Balwearie,Viscount of Kirkcaldy and
Earl of Melville 8 Apr 1690
See "Melville"
BAMFORD
3 Oct 2013 B[L] 1 Sir Anthony Paul Bamford 23 Oct 1945
Created Baron Bamford for life 3 Oct 2013
BANBURY
18 Aug 1626 E 1 William Knollys c 1547 25 May 1632
to     Created Baron Knollys 13 May 1603,
25 May 1632 Viscount Wallingford 7 Nov 1616 and
Earl of Banbury 18 Aug 1626
KG 1615
On his death the peerage was considered
to be extinct,although there were
legitimate heirs
For further information on subsequent attempts
to claim these peerages, see the note at the
foot of this page
BANBURY OF SOUTHAM
21 Jan 1924 B 1 Sir Frederick George Banbury,1st baronet 2 Dec 1850 13 Aug 1936 85
Created Baron Banbury of Southam
21 Jan 1924
MP for Peckham 1892-1906 and London
1906-1924.  PC 1916
13 Aug 1936 2 Charles William Banbury 18 May 1915 29 Apr 1981 65
29 Apr 1981 3 Charles William Banbury 29 Jul 1953
BANCROFT
10 Feb 1982 B[L] 1 Sir Ian Powell Bancroft 23 Dec 1922 19 Nov 1996 73
to     Created Baron Bancroft for life 10 Feb 1982
19 Nov 1996 Peerage extinct on his death
BANDON
6 Aug 1800 E[I] 1 Francis Bernard 26 Nov 1755 26 Nov 1830 75
Created Baron Bandon 30 Nov 1793,
Viscount Bandon 6 Oct 1795 and 
Viscount Bernard and Earl of Bandon
6 Aug 1800
26 Nov 1830 2 James Bernard 14 Jun 1785 31 Oct 1856 71
MP for Youghal 1806-1807 and 1818-1820 and
co.Cork 1807-1818. Lord Lieutenant Cork
1842-1856
31 Oct 1856 3 Francis Bernard 3 Jan 1810 17 Feb 1877 67
MP for Bandon 1831 and 1847-1856. Lord 
Lieutenant Cork 1874-1877
17 Feb 1877 4 James Francis Bernard 12 Sep 1850 18 May 1924 73
Lord Lieutenant Cork 1877-1922.  KP 1900
18 May 1924 5 Percy Ronald Gardner Bernard 30 Aug 1904 8 Feb 1979 74
to     Peerages extinct on his death
8 Feb 1979
BANDONBRIDGE
28 Feb 1628 B[I] 1 Lewis Boyle 28 May 1619 2 Sep 1642 23
Created Baron of Bandonbridge and
Viscount Boyle 28 Feb 1628
See "Boyle of Kinalmeaky"
BANFF
31 Aug 1642 B[S] 1 Sir George Ogilvy,1st baronet 11 Aug 1663
Created Lord of Banff 31 Aug 1642
11 Aug 1663 2 George Ogilvy Mar 1668
Mar 1668 3 George Ogilvy 9 Sep 1649 Nov 1713 64
Nov 1713 4 George Ogilvy 4 Aug 1670 1718 47
1718 5 John George Ogilvy 18 Feb 1717 29 Jul 1738 21
29 Jul 1738 6 Alexander Ogilvy 12 Jul 1718 Nov 1746 28
Nov 1746 7 Alexander Ogilvy 1 Sep 1771
1 Sep 1771 8 William Ogilvy 4 Jun 1803
to     Peerage either extinct or dormant on his
4 Jun 1803 death
BANGOR
3 Mar 1691 E[I] 1 Meinhardt Schomberg 16 Jul 1719
to     Created Baron Tara,Earl of Bangor
16 Jul 1719 and Duke of Leinster 3 Mar 1691
He succeeded to the Dukedom of Schomberg
(qv) in 1693
Peerage extinct on his death
--------------------------------------------
13 Jan 1781 V[I] 1 Bernard Ward Aug 1719 20 May 1781 61
Created Baron Bangor 30 May 1770
and Viscount Bangor 13 Jan 1781
20 May 1781 2 Nicholas Ward 5 Dec 1750 11 Sep 1827 76
11 Sep 1827 3 Edward Southwell Ward Mar 1790 1 Aug 1837 47
1 Aug 1837 4 Edward Ward 23 Feb 1827 14 Sep 1881 54
14 Sep 1881 5 Henry William Crosbie Ward 26 Jul 1828 23 Feb 1911 82
23 Feb 1911 6 Maxwell Richard Crosbie Ward 4 May 1868 17 Nov 1950 82
PC [NI] 1931
17 Nov 1950 7 Edward Henry Harold Ward 5 Nov 1905 8 May 1993 87
8 May 1993 8 William Maxwell David Ward 9 Aug 1948
BANKS
7 Jan 1975 B[L] 1 Desmond Anderson Harvie Banks 23 Oct 1918 15 Jun 1997 78
to     Created Baron Banks for life 7 Jan 1975
15 Jun 1997 Peerage extinct on his death
BANNER
6 Mar 2024 B[L] 1 Charles Edward Raymond Banner, KC 3 Jun 1980
     Created Baron Banner
for life 6 Mar 2024
BANNERMAN OF KILDONAN
5 Dec 1967 B[L] 1 John MacDonald Bannerman 1 Sep 1901 10 May 1969 67
to     Created Baron Bannerman of Kildonan
10 May 1969 for life 5 Dec 1967
Peerage extinct on his death
BANNSIDE
18 Jun 2010 B[L] 1 Ian Richard Kyle Paisley 6 Apr 1926 12 Sep 2014 88
to     Created Baron Bannside for life 18 Jun 2010
12 Sep 2014 MP for Antrim North 1970-2010.  PC 2005
Peerage extinct on his death
BANTRY
27 Jun 1627 B[I] 1 Thomas Roper 15 Feb 1637
Created Baron of Bantry and Viscount
Baltinglass 27 Jun 1627
See "Baltinglass"
--------------------------------------------
22 Jan 1816 E[I] 1 Richard White 6 Aug 1767 2 May 1851 83
Created Baron Bantry 24 Mar 1797,
Viscount Bantry 29 Dec 1800 and
Viscount Berehaven and Earl of
Bantry 22 Jan 1816
2 May 1851 2 Richard White 16 Nov 1800 16 Jul 1868 67
16 Jul 1868 3 William Henry Hare Hedges-White 10 Nov 1801 15 Jan 1884 82
15 Jan 1884 4 William Henry Hare Hedges-White 2 Jul 1854 30 Nov 1891 37
to     Peerages extinct on his death
30 Nov 1891
BANYARD
23 May 1313 B 1 Robert de Banyard 1331
to     Summoned to Parliament as Lord
1331 Banyard 23 May 1313
Peerage extinct on his death
BARBER
6 Jan 1975 B[L] 1 Anthony Perrinott Lysberg Barber 4 Jul 1920 16 Dec 2005 85
to     Created Baron Barber for life 6 Jan 1975
16 Dec 2005 MP for Doncaster 1951-1964 and
Altrincham and Sale 1965-1974. Financial
Secretary to the Treasury 1962-1963, 
Minister of Health 1963-1964, Chancellor
of the Duchy of Lancaster 1970,
Chancellor of the Exchequer 1970-1974
PC 1963
Peerage extinct on his death
BARBER OF AINSDALE
20 Jan 2025 B[L] 1 Brendan Barber 3 Apr 1951
Created Baron Barber of Ainsdale
for life 20 Jan 2025
BARBER OF TEWKESBURY
12 Aug 1992 B[L] 1 Sir Derek Coates Barber 17 Jun 1918 21 Nov 2017 99
Created Baron Barber of Tewkesbury
for life 12 Aug 1992
Peerage extinct on his death
BARD OF DROMBOY
18 Jul 1645 B[I] 1 Sir Henry Bard c 1616 20 Jun 1656
to     Created Baron Bard of Dromboy and
20 Jun 1656 Viscount Bellomont 18 Jul 1645
Peerage extinct on his death
BARDOLPH
6 Feb 1299 B 1 Sir Hugh Bardolph 29 Sep 1259 Sep 1304 44
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Bardolph 6 Feb 1299
Sep 1304 2 Thomas Bardolph 4 Oct 1282 15 Dec 1328 46
15 Dec 1328 3 John Bardolph 13 Jan 1311 5 Aug 1363 52
5 Aug 1363 4 William Bardolph 21 Oct 1349 29 Jan 1386 36
29 Jan 1386 5 Thomas Bardolph 22 Dec 1369 19 Feb 1408 38
to     He was attainted and the peerage forfeited
1406 in 1406
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
13 Nov 1437? B 1 Sir William Phelipp 1383 6 Jun 1441 57
to     Created Baron Bardolph 13 Nov 1437?
6 Jun 1441 KG c 1419
Peerage extinct on his death
BARFLEUR
7 May 1697 V 1 Edward Russell 1653 26 Nov 1727 74
to     Created Baron of Shingay,Viscount
26 Nov 1727 Barfleur and Earl of Orford 
7 May 1697
See "Orford"
BARGENY
22 Oct 1639 B[S] 1 Sir John Hamilton Apr 1658
Created Lord Bargeny 22 Oct 1639
Apr 1658 2 John Hamilton 25 May 1693
25 May 1693 3 William Hamilton c 1712
c 1712 4 James Hamilton 29 Nov 1710 28 Mar 1736 25
to     Peerage extinct on his death
28 Mar 1736
BARHAM
1 May 1805 B 1 Sir Charles Middleton,1st baronet 14 Oct 1726 17 Jun 1813 86
Created Baron Barham 1 May 1805
For details of the special remainder included in the
creation of this peerage,see the note at the 
foot of this page
MP for Rochester 1784. First Lord of
the Admiralty 1805.  PC 1805
17 Jun 1813 2 Diana Noel 18 Sep 1762 12 Apr 1823 60
12 Apr 1823 3 Charles Noel 2 Oct 1781 10 Jun 1866 84
He was created Earl of Gainsborough (qv)
1841,into which title this peerage then merged
BARING
10 Jun 1876 V 1 Thomas George Baring,2nd Baron Northbrook 22 Jan 1826 15 Nov 1904 78
Created Viscount Baring and Earl of
Northbrook 10 Jun 1876
See "Northbrook"
BARKER
31 Jul 1999 B[L] 1 Elizabeth Jean Barker 31 Jan 1961
Created Baroness Barker for life 31 Jul 1999
BARKER OF BATTLE
12 Oct 2015 B[L] 1 Gregory Leonard George Barker 8 Mar 1966
Created Baron Barker of Battle for life
12 Oct 2015
MP for Bexhill and Battle 2001-2015. PC 2012
BARNARD
25 Jul 1698 B 1 Sir Christopher Vane 21 May 1653 28 Oct 1723 70
Created Baron Barnard 25 Jul 1698
MP for Durham Co 1675-1679 and 
Boroughbridge 1689-1690. PC 1688
28 Oct 1723 2 Gilbert Vane 17 Apr 1678 27 Apr 1753 75
27 Apr 1753 3 Henry Vane c 1705 6 Mar 1758
3 Apr 1754 1 Created Viscount Barnard and
Earl of Darlington 3 Apr 1754
6 Mar 1758 4 Henry Vane,2nd Earl of Darlington 1726 8 Sep 1792 66
2
8 Sep 1792 5 William Henry Vane 27 Jul 1766 29 Jan 1842 75
3 Created Duke of Cleveland (qv) 
29 Jan 1833 
29 Jan 1842 6 Henry Vane,2nd Duke of Cleveland 6 Aug 1788 18 Jan 1864 75
4
18 Jan 1864 7 William John Frederick Vane,3rd Duke of
5 Cleveland 3 Apr 1792 6 Sep 1864 72
6 Sep 1864 8 Harry George Powlett,4th Duke of Cleveland 19 Apr 1803 21 Aug 1891 88
to     6 On his death the Viscountcy became extinct
21 Aug 1891 but the Barony passed to -
21 Aug 1891 9 Henry de Vere Vane 10 May 1854 28 Dec 1918 64
For further information on his successful claim
to this peerage,see the note at the foot of this
page
28 Dec 1918 10 Christopher William Vane 28 Oct 1888 19 Oct 1964 75
Lord Lieutenant Durham 1958-1964
19 Oct 1964 11 Harry John Neville Vane 21 Sep 1923 3 Apr 2016 92
Lord Lieutenant Durham 1970-1988
3 Apr 2016 12 Henry Francis Cecil Vane 11 Mar 1959
BARNBY
26 Jan 1922 B 1 Francis Willey 27 Feb 1841 16 Feb 1929 87
Created Baron Barnby 26 Jan 1922
16 Feb 1929 2 Francis Vernon Willey 29 Sep 1884 30 Apr 1982 97
to     MP for Bradford South 1918-1922
30 Apr 1982 Peerage extinct on his death
BARNETSON
14 Jul 1975 B[L] 1 Sir William Denholm Barnetson 21 Mar 1917 12 Mar 1981 63
to     Created Baron Barnetson for life 14 Jul 1975
12 Mar 1981 Peerage extinct on his death
BARNETT
30 Sep 1983 B[L] 1 Joel Barnett 14 Oct 1923 1 Nov 2014 91
to     Created Baron Barnett for life 30 Sep 1983
1 Nov 2014 MP for Heywood and Royton 1964-1983.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury 1974-1979
PC 1975
Peerage extinct on his death
BARNEWALL
29 Jun 1646 V[I] 1 Nicholas Barnewall 1592 20 Aug 1663 71
Created Baron Turvey and Viscount
Barnewall 29 Jun 1646
20 Aug 1663 2 Henry Barnewall 1 Jun 1688
1 Jun 1688 3 Nicholas Barnewall 15 Apr 1668 14 Jun 1725 57
14 Jun 1725 4 Henry Benedict Barnewall 1 Feb 1708 11 Mar 1774 66
11 Mar 1774 5 George Barnewall 12 Aug 1758 5 Apr 1800 41
to     Peerage became dormant on his death
5 Apr 1800
1814 6 Matthew Barnewall 15 Nov 1834
to     His claim to the peerage was allowed 1814.
15 Nov 1834 Peerage extinct on his death
For further information on this peer and his claim to
the peerage, see the note at the foot of this page
BARRAN
21 Jun 2018 B[L] 1 Diana Francesca Caroline Clare Barran Feb 1959
Created Baroness Barran for life 21 Jun 2018
BARRELLS
16 May 1763 V[I] 1 Robert Knight 17 Dec 1702 30 Mar 1772 69
to     Created Baron Luxborough 8 Aug 1745,
30 Mar 1772 Viscount Barrells and Earl of
Earl of Catherlough 16 May 1763
See "Catherlough"
BARRETT OF NEWBURGH
17 Oct 1627 B[S] 1 Sir Edward Barrett 21 Jun 1581 2 Jan 1645 63
to     Created Lord Barrett of Newburgh
2 Jan 1645 17 Oct 1627
Chancellor of the Exchequer 1628.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. PC
Peerage extinct on his death
BARRETTS COUNTY
2 Apr 1625 B[I] 1 Sir Dominick Sarsfield,1st baronet c 1570 Dec 1636
Created Baron of Barretts County and
Viscount Kingsale 2 Apr 1625
See "Sarsfield"
BARRINGTON
1 Jul 1720 V[I] 1 John Barrington 1678 14 Dec 1734 56
Created Viscount Barrington 1 Jul 1720
MP for Berwick upon Tweed 1715-1723
14 Dec 1734 2 William Wildman Barrington 15 Jan 1717 1 Feb 1793 76
MP for Berwick upon Tweed 1740 and
Plymouth 1754-1778. Secretary at War 
1755. Chancellor of the Exchequer 1761-
1762. Secretary at War 1765-1778. PC 1755
1 Feb 1793 3 William Barrington 13 Jul 1801
13 Jul 1801 4 Richard James Barrington    Jan 1814
Jan 1814 5 George Barrington 16 Jul 1761 4 Mar 1829 67
4 Mar 1829 6 William Keppel Barrington 1 Oct 1793 9 Feb 1867 73
MP for Berkshire 1837-1857
9 Feb 1867 7 George William Barrington 14 Feb 1824 7 Nov 1886 62
Created Baron Shute 17 Apr 1880
MP for Eye 1866-1880. PC 1874
For further information on this peer,see the
note at the foot of this page
7 Nov 1886 8 Percy Barrington 22 Apr 1825 29 Apr 1901 76
29 Apr 1901 9 Walter Bulkeley Barrington 20 Apr 1848 12 Sep 1933 85
12 Sep 1933 10 William Reginald Shute Barrington 23 Jul 1873 4 Oct 1960 87
4 Oct 1960 11 Patrick William Daines Barrington 29 Oct 1918 6 Apr 1990 71
to     Peerage extinct on his death
6 Apr 1990
BARROGILL
1 May 1866 B 1 James Sinclair,14th Earl of Caithness 16 Dec 1821 28 Mar 1881 59
Created Baron Barrogill 1 May 1866
28 Mar 1881 2 George Philips Alexander Sinclair,15th
to     Earl of Caithness 30 Nov 1858 25 May 1889 30
25 May 1889 Peerage extinct on his death
BARROW
18 Jul 2025 B[L] 1 Tim Earle Barrow 15 Feb 1964

Created Baron Barrow for life 18 Jul 2025

 
BARRY
c 1461 V[I] 1 William Barry c 1480
Created Viscount Barry c 1461
c 1480 2 John Barry 1485
1485 3 Thomas Barry c 1488
c 1488 4 William Barry 1499
1499 5 John Barry c 1520
c 1520 6 James Fitz-John Barry 20 Mar 1537
20 Mar 1537 7 James Fitz-Richard Barry-Roe 10 Apr 1581
10 Apr 1581 8 David Barry 10 Apr 1617
10 Apr 1617 9 David Barry 1604 29 Sep 1642 38
Created Earl of Barrymore 28 Feb 1628
See below for continuation
BARRY OF SANTRY
18 Feb 1661 B[I] 1 Sir James Barry 1603 9 Feb 1672 68
Created Baron Barry of Santry
18 Feb 1661
9 Feb 1672 2 Richard Barry 1637 Oct 1694 57
Oct 1694 3 Henry Barry 1680 27 Jan 1734 53
PC [I] 1714
27 Jan 1734 4 Henry Barry 3 Sep 1710 18 Mar 1751 40
to     Peerage extinct on his death
18 Mar 1751 For further information on this peer, see the
note at the foot of this page
BARRYMORE
28 Feb 1628 E[I] 1 David Barry,9th Viscount Barry 1604 29 Sep 1642 38
Created Earl of Barrymore 28 Feb 1628
29 Sep 1642 2 Richard Barry 4 Nov 1630 Nov 1694 64
Nov 1694 3 Laurence Barry 17 Apr 1699
17 Apr 1699 4 James Barry 1667 5 Jan 1748 80
MP for Stockbridge 1710-1713 and 1714-1715
and Wigan 1715-1727 and 1734-1747
PC [I] 1714
5 Jan 1748 5 James Barry 25 Apr 1717 19 Dec 1751 34
19 Dec 1751 6 Richard Barry Oct 1745 1 Aug 1773 27
1 Aug 1773 7 Richard Barry 14 Aug 1769 6 Mar 1793 23
MP for Heytesbury 1791-1793
For further information on this peer, see the note
at the foot of this page.
6 Mar 1793 8 Henry Barry 21 Oct 1770 20 Dec 1823 53
to     Peerage extinct on his death
20 Dec 1823
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
18 Jul 1902 B 1 Arthur Hugh Smith-Barry 17 Jan 1843 22 Feb 1925 82
to     Created Baron Barrymore 18 Jul 1902
22 Feb 1925 MP for Co.Cork 1867-1874 and Huntingdon
South 1886-1900.  PC [I] 1896

Peerage extinct on his death

 
BARWELL
07 Jul 2019 B[L] 1 Gavin Laurence Barwell 23 Jan 1972

Created Baron Barwell for life 07 Jul 2019

 
BASING
7 Jul 1887 B 1 George Sclater-Booth 19 May 1826 22 Oct 1894 68
Created Baron Basing 7 Jul 1887
MP for Hampshire North 1857-1885 and
Basingstoke 1885-1887. President of the
Local Government Board 1874-1880. 
PC 1874
22 Oct 1894 2 George Limbrey Sclater-Booth 1 Jan 1860 8 Apr 1919 59
8 Apr 1919 3 John Limbrey Robert Sclater-Booth 3 Dec 1890 2 Oct 1969 78
2 Oct 1969 4 George Lutley Sclater-Booth 7 Dec 1903 18 Sep 1983 79
18 Sep 1983 5 Neil Lutley Sclater-Booth 16 Jan 1939 24 Nov 2007 68
24 Nov 2007 6 Stuart Anthony Whitfield Sclater-Booth 18 Dec 1969
BASNETT
31 Mar 1987 B[L] 1 David Basnett 9 Feb 1924 25 Jan 1989 64
to     Created Baron Basnett for life 31 Mar 1987
25 Jan 1989 Peerage extinct on his death
BASSAM OF BRIGHTON
3 Nov 1997 B[L] 1 John Steven Bassam 11 Jun 1953
Created Baron Bassam of Brighton for life
3 Nov 1997
PC 2009
BASSET DE DRAYTON
24 Dec 1264 B 1 Ralph Basset 4 Aug 1265
Summoned to Parliament as Baron
Basset de Drayton 24 Dec 1264
4 Aug 1265 2 Ralph Basset 31 Dec 1299
31 Dec 1299 3 Ralph Basset 25 Feb 1344
25 Feb 1344 4 Ralph Basset 1335 10 May 1390 54
to     KG c 1368
10 May 1390 Peerage became dormant or fell into
abeyance on his death
The special remainder to the Viscountcy of Traprain and the Earldom of Balfour
From the "London Gazette" of 5 May 1922 (issue 32691, page 3512):-
"The King has been pleased, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date the 5th instant, to confer the dignities of Viscount and 
Earl of the said United Kingdom upon the Right Honourable Sir Arthur James Balfour, K.G., O.M., 
Lord President of the Council, and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the names,
styles and titles of Viscount Traprain, of Whittinghame, in the County of Haddington, and Earl
of Balfour; with remainder in default of such issue to the Right Honourable Gerald William Balfour
(a brother of the said Sir Arthur James Balfour) and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten;
with remainder to Francis Cecil Campbell Balfour, Esquire, Companion of the Most Eminent Order
of the Indian Empire, who has received the Decoration of the Military Cross (a nephew of the 
said Sir Arthur James Balfour), and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten and to be 
begotten; with remainder to Oswald Herbert Campbell Balfour, Esquire (another nephew of the
said Sir Arthur James Balfour), and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten and to be 
begotten."
Robert Balfour, 5th Lord Balfour of Burleigh
When Balfour was a young man, he fell in love with a girl of lower social rank. Unfortunately her
name does not appear to be recorded anywhere that I could discover. When his father, the 4th
Lord, learned of his infatuation, he sent his son to the Continent to travel in the hope that such
travel would cause a cooling of his passion.
Before he set off on his travels, Balfour forced the young girl to promise that she would not 
marry anyone during his absence. In turn, he swore a solemn oath that, if she did marry in his
absence, he would kill her husband as soon as he returned. However, the girl soon forgot about
Balfour and, in his absence, she married a man named Henry Stenhouse, who was a school-
master at Inverkeithing. 
In April 1707, when Balfour returned from his travels, he inquired after the girl and, learning that
she was now married, he rode immediately to Stenhouse's school. When Stenhouse answered 
Balfour's summons to the door of the school, Balfour shot him in the shoulder. Stenhouse died 
from the effects of the wound twelve days later.
Balfour was tried for murder in the High Court of Justiciary on 4 August 1709. His defence 
counsel argued that there was no malice aforethought, that the wound had not been made in a
mortal place but in the shoulder, which clearly showed that Balfour's intention was to frighten
Stenhouse rather than to kill him, and that it was not the wound that caused his death, but 
other causes entirely. The jury, however, rejected these arguments and he was sentenced on
29 November 1709 to be beheaded on 6 January 1710.
A few days before the date of his execution, his sister, Margaret, to whom he apparently bore
a striking resemblance, visited him in prison. In his cell, brother and sister exchanged their
clothing, and Balfour walked out a free man. For a similar occurrence, see the note under the
Earldom of Nithsdale.
Balfour hid out for some time in the neighbourhood of Burleigh Castle, where a hollow ash tree
was traditionally believed to be his hiding place. When his father died in 1713, Balfour became
5th Lord Balfour of Burleigh. He was involved in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, for which he
was attainted and his title and estates forfeited.
Frederick Calvert, 6th Baron Baltimore
On the death of his father in 1751, Baltimore inherited the 'proprietary governorship' of 
Maryland. Proprietary governors were individuals authorized to govern proprietary colonies.
Under this system, individuals or companies were granted commercial charters by the King
of England to establish colonies. The proprietors then selected the governors and other
officials. This system was used to establish several colonies, including Maryland.
Baltimore never set foot in Maryland during his lifetime. Instead, he preferred to travel and, as
a result of the inability of his nominees as governor to contact him, Maryland was, for the most
part governed without any input from its owner.
When he was travelling in Turkey, he assembled a small troupe of professional women, assisted
by two procuresses, Mrs Harvey and Madame Griffenburg. Unfortunately for Baltimore, he was
ordered to leave the country, because he was accused of keeping a private harem. When he
arrived in Vienna accompanied by two Negro eunuchs and eight of his harem, the chief of
police made the mistake of asking Baltimore which of the women was his wife. Baltimore replied
that it was not his custom to discuss his personal arrangements with foreigners and offered to
settle the matter with a fist fight - the chief of police backed down.
Back in London in 1768, Baltimore became attracted to Miss Sarah Woodcock, a young lady who
worked in a milliner's shop. He arranged to have her kidnapped and brought to his house. Here
she withstood his advances for a week before being forced into his bed, 'her handkerchief wet
with tears as if she had dipped it in water.' When brought to trial for this abduction, Baltimore
conducted his own defence and persuaded the jury to believe that Miss Woodcock had not
made serious efforts to escape, and, as a result, he was acquitted.
Baltimore left a number of illegitimate children, including Henry Harford, to whom he willed his
ownership of Maryland. The people of Maryland seem to have welcomed their new proprietor,
even naming the present-day Harford County after him. Shortly after, however, the American
Revolution broke out and the new State of Maryland seized all of Harford's property in 1781.
Harford attempted to recover his property after the Revolution but was unsuccessful. Even after
his death in 1834, his descendants continued in their efforts to regain ownership. The last 
attempt was made in 1899 by a descendant named Morris.
For a very lengthy summary of the 1899 attempt, see the following link
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?friend=nytimes&court=us&vol=174&invol=196
The Banbury Peerage Claims
The following account of the claim is taken from an anonymously written book titled "Celebrated
Claimants Ancient and Modern" published by Chatto and Windus, London, 1873.
'Since the reign of Edward III the family of Knollys has been distinguished in the annals of the
kingdom. In those days Sir Robert Knollys [pronounced 'Noles'], one of the companions of the
Black Prince, not only proved himself a gallant soldier, but fought to such good purpose that he
enriched himself with spoils, and was elevated to the distinction of the Blue Ribbon of the 
Garter. [This does not appear to be correct - the first Knollys to receive the Garter was Sir 
Francis Knollys in 1593]. His heirs continued to enjoy the royal favour throughout successive 
reigns; and Sir Francis Knollys, one of his descendants, who likewise was a garter-knight in the
earlier part [in reality, the latter part] of the sixteenth century, espoused Catherine Cary, a 
grand-daughter of the Earl of Wiltshire, and a grand-niece of Queen Anne Boleyn. Two sons 
were born of this marriage, and were named Henry and William respectively. Henry died before 
his father, and William, who was born in 1547, succeeded to the family honours in 1596. He had 
worn them for seven years, when King James created him Baron Knollys of Grays, in Oxfordshire,
in 1603. Sixteen [sic - thirteen] years afterwards, King James further showed his royal favour 
towards him by creating him Baron Wallingford, and King Charles made him Earl of Banbury in 
1626. He was married twice during his long life--first to Dorothy, widow of Lord Chandos, and 
daughter of Lord Bray, but by her he had no children; and secondly, and in the same year that 
his first wife died [1605], to Lady Elizabeth Howard, the eldest daughter of the Earl of Suffolk. 
The couple were not well-assorted, the earl verging on three-score years, while the lady had 
not seen her twentieth summer on the day of her nuptials. Still their married life was happy, and 
her youth gladdened the old man's heart, as is proved by his settlement upon her, in 1629, of 
Caversham, in Berkshire, and by his constituting her his sole executrix. In the settlement, 
moreover, he makes mention of "the love and affection which he beareth unto the said Lady 
Elizabeth his wife, having always been a good and loving wife;" and in the will he calls her his 
"dearly-beloved wife Elizabeth, Countess of Banbury." Lord Banbury died on the 25th of May, 
1632, having at least reached the age of eighty-five. 
 
'No inquiry was made immediately after his death as to the lands of which he died seised; but 
about eleven months afterwards, a commission was issued to the feodor and deputy-escheator
of Oxfordshire, pursuant to which an inquisition was taken on the 11th of April 1633, at Burford,
when the jury found that Elizabeth, his wife, survived him; that the earl had died without heirs-
male of his body, and that his heirs were certain persons who were specified. Notwithstanding
this decision there appears to have been little doubt that about the 10th of April 1627, the 
the countess had been delivered of a son, who was baptized as Edward, and that on the 3rd of
January 1631, she had given birth to another son, who received the name of Nicholas. Both of
these children were living when the inquisition was made. The first was born when the Earl of 
Banbury was in his eightieth year, and his wife between forty and forty-one years of age, and 
the second came into the world almost when his father was about to leave it, and when the
countess was between forty and forty-five. Within five weeks after the death of the earl, her
ladyship married Lord Vaux of Harrowden, who had been on terms of intimate friendship with the
family during the deceased nobleman's lifetime, and it was plainly said that the children of Lady
Banbury were the issue of Lord Vaux, and not of the earl.
 
'On the 9th of February 1640-41, a bill was filed in Chancery by Edward, the eldest son, 
described as "Edward, Earl of Banbury, an infant," by William, Earl of Salisbury, his guardian,
and brother-in-law of the Countess of Banbury. Witnesses were examined in the cause; but
after a century and a-half their evidence was rejected in 1809 by the House of Lords. There
was, however, a more rapid and satisfactory means of procedure. A writ was issued in 1641,
directing the escheator of Berkshire "to inquire after the death of William, Earl of Banbury;"
and the consequence was that a jury, which held an inquisition at Abingdon, found, with other
matters, "that Edward, now Earl of Banbury, is, and at the time of the earl's decease was, his
son and next heir." The young man, therefore, assumed the title, and set out on a foreign tour.
He was killed during the next year near Calais, while he was yet a minor. His brother Nicholas,
then about fifteen years of age, at once assumed the title. In the same year Lord Vaux settled
Harrowden and his other estates upon him. His mother, the Countess of Banbury, died on the 
17th of April 1658, at the age of seventy-three, and Lord Vaux departed this life on the 8th of
September 1661, aged seventy-four. Meantime Nicholas had taken his seat in the House of 
Lords, and occupied it without question for a couple of years. The Convention Parliament having
been dissolved however, he was not summoned to that which followed it, and in order to prove
his right to the peerage petitioned the Crown for his writ. This petition was heard by the 
Committee for Privileges, which ultimately decided that "Nicholas, Earl of Banbury, is a legitimate
person."
'At his death he left one son, Charles, who assumed the title of Earl of Banbury, and who 
petitioned the House of Lords to take his case into consideration. After thirty years' delay,
occasioned by the disturbed state of the times, the so-called Lord Banbury having accidentally
killed his brother-in-law in a duel, was indicted as "Charles Knollys, Esq.," to answer for the 
crime on the 7th of November 1692. He appealed to the House of Lords, and demanded a trial
by his peers: it was therefore necessary to re-open the whole case. After a patient 
investigation, his petition to the House of Lords was dismissed, and it was resolved that he had 
no right to the earldom of Banbury. He was consequently removed to Newgate.
'When he was placed before the judges, and was called upon to plead, he admitted that he was
the person indicted, but pleaded a misnomer in abatement--or, in other words, that he was the
Earl of Banbury. The pleas occupied, subsequently, more than a year, during which time the
prisoner was admitted to bail. At last the House of Lords interfered, and called upon the 
Attorney-General to produce "an account in writing of the proceedings in the Court of King's 
Bench against the person who claims the title of the Earl of Banbury." The Attorney-General
acted up to his instructions, and Lord Chief-Justice Holt was heard by the Lords on the subject.
Parliament, however, was prorogued soon afterwards, and no decision was arrived at in the
matter. Meantime, the Court of King's Bench proceeded to act as if no interference had been
made, and quashed the indictment on the ground that the prisoner was erroneously styled 
"Charles Knollys" instead of "The Earl of Banbury."
'When the Lords reassembled on the 27th of November 1694 they were very wroth, but, after
an angry debate, the affair was adjourned, and nothing more was heard of the Banbury Peerage
until the beginning of 1698, when Charles Knollys again petitioned the king, and the petition was
once more referred to the House of Lords. Lord Chief-Justice Holt was summoned before the
committee, and in answer to inquiries as to the motives which had actuated the judges of the 
King's Bench replied, "I acknowledge the thing; there was such a plea and such a replication.
I gave my judgment according to my conscience. We are trusted with the law. We are to be 
protected, not arraigned, and are not to give reasons for our judgment; therefore I desire to be
excused giving any." Mr. Justice Eyre maintained the same dignified tone, and at length the 
House of Lords abandoned its fruitless struggle with the common-law Judges. The petition of
Lord Banbury was subsequently laid before the Privy Council, when the sudden death of Queen
Anne once more put an end to the proceedings.
'When the Hanoverian princes came to the throne, Lord Banbury again tempted fate by a new
petition to the Crown. Sir Philip Yorke, the then Attorney-General, investigated the whole of the 
past proceedings from 1600 up to his time, and made a full report to the king, but no definite
decision was given. In 1740, the claimant Charles, so-called Earl of Banbury, died in France.
During his lifetime he had never ceased to bear the title; he had presented five petitions to the
Crown, demanding the acknowledgment of his rights, and neither he nor any of his family, during
the eighty years which had elapsed from the first preferment of the claim, had ever relinquished
an iota of their pretensions.
'At his death Charles, the third assumed Earl of Banbury, left a son called Charles, who adopted 
the title, and, dying in 1771, bequeathed it to his son William, who bore it until his decease in 
1776. He was, in turn, succeeded by his brother Thomas, at whose death, in 1793, it devolved
upon his eldest son, William Knollys, then called Viscount Wallingford, who immediately assumed
the title of Earl of Banbury, and in 1806 presented a formal petition to the Crown--a petition 
which was in due course referred to the Attorney-General, and was by his advice transferred to
the House of Lords.
'Until 1806, when the claim was renewed, the pretenders to the Banbury honours had not only
styled themselves earls in all legal documents, but they had been so described in the 
proceedings which had taken place, and in the commissions which they had held; and while 
their wives had been styled Countesses of Banbury, their children had borne those collateral
titles which would have been given by courtesy to the sons and daughters of the Earls of 
Banbury. But, although there had thus been an uninterrupted usage of the title for upwards
of 180 years, when William Knollys succeeded his father a new system was practised. His father,
the deceased earl, had held a commission in the third regiment of foot, and during his father's
lifetime he had been styled in his own major-general's commission, "William Knollys, commonly
called Viscount Wallingford." But on his father's decease, and the consequent descent of his 
father's claims, the title of earl was refused to him, and therefore it was that he presented
his petition.
'The case remained in the House of Lords for nearly six years. On the 30th of May, 1808, it
was brought on for hearing before the Committee for Privileges, when Sir Samuel Romilly, Mr.
Gaselee, and Mr. Hargrave, appeared for the petitioner, and the Crown was represented by the
Attorney-General and a junior counsel. A great mass of documentary and genealogical 
evidence was produced; but after a most painstaking investigation, Lords Erskine, Ellenborough,
Eldon, and Redesdale came to the conclusion that Nicholas Vaux, the petitioner [in the 1660s],
had not made out his claim to the Earldom of Banbury, and the House of Lords, on the 11th of
March, 1813, endorsed their decision.'
 
The special remainder to the Barony of Barham
From the "London Gazette" of 23 April 1805 (issue 15800, page 553):-
"The King has been pleased to grant the Dignity of a Baron of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland to Sir Charles Middleton, Baronet, Admiral of the White Squadron of His Majesty's
Fleet, and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten, by the Name, Style, and Title of Baron
Barham, of Barham-Court and Teston, in the County of Kent; and in Default of Issue Male, the
Dignity of a Baroness to Diana Noel, Wife of Gerard Noel Noel, of Exton-Park, in the County of
Rutland, Esq; only Daughter.of the said Sir Charles Middleton, Bart, and the Dignity of a Baron to
the Heirs Male of her Body lawfully begotten."
Henry de Vere Vane, 9th Baron Barnard and his claim to the peerage in 1892
When Harry George Powlett, 4th Duke of Cleveland, died in 1891, all of his titles died with him,
with the exception of the barony of Barnard which had been created in 1698. The late Duke's
will contained a clause which stated that Raby Castle, together with an income of around 
£30,000 a year, would be bequeathed "to any person living who shall within a period of five 
years from my death establish his title to the barony of Barnard." Failing this, Raby Castle and
the annual income would pass to the late Duke's kinsman, Captain Francis Forester, who had 
already been left the great majority of the Duke's estate. No mention was made in the will of a
Mr. Henry de Vere Vane, who was reported as being a clerk in the department of Charity
Commissioners.
Nevertheless, Henry de Vere Vane claimed to be the nearest male heir of the body of Morgan
Vane, second son of the second Baron Barnard, and that as such he was, following the death of
the Duke of Cleveland, the nearest male heir of Christopher, 1st Baron Barnard, and, as a result,
entitled to the barony of Barnard, together with the bequest contained in the 4th Duke's will.
Not surprisingly, his claim was contested by Captain Forester. 
The claim to the barony of Barnard was heard by the House of Lords Committee for Privileges
in May 1892. The following outline of the arguments for and against the claim are taken from
the Darlington 'Northern Echo' of 25 May 1892:-
'In opening the case, Sir Horace Davey [for Henry de Vere Vane] said it was easy, in the
circumstances, to see that Captain Forester had a large indirect interest in opposing the claim
of Mr. Vane as, if the claim was not sustained, the Raby estates, which were of considerable
value, would go to him and his issue. Counsel then traced the history of the Vane family. The
second son of Morgan Vane was articled in August, 1805, to a solicitor at Brigg in Lincolnshire,
and it was here that the case for Captain Forester sought to break down that of the claimant.
The solicitor, In whose house John Henry Vane lived, had two unmarried daughters, one of 
whom was named Elizabeth or Eliza, and was a year or two older than John Henry. 
Circumstances arose which rendered it necessary for Mr. Nicholson [the solicitor] to insist on a
marriage between John Henry and his daughter Elizabeth, and they were married by license on 
the 15th June, 1808, from the house of Elizabeth's married sister, Susannah. From that time the 
two lived together at Mr. Nicholson's house, and on the 29th November, 1808, Henry Morgan 
Vane, their eldest son [and the father of the current claimant], was born. Evidence would be 
given to show Henry Morgan Vane always kept the 29th November as his birthday, and that his 
uncle, the Rev. Robert Morgan Vane, kept a book of matters relating to the family, in which it 
was stated that Henry Morgan Vane was born on the 29th November, 1808…….It was quite clear 
from the evidence that he was always brought up and recognised by every branch of the family 
as the elder legitimate son of John Henry Vane; and there had never been any doubt in the 
family that he was in fact born in November, 1808……..Another matter adverted to in Captain 
Forester's statement was that as there was no evidence of consent to the marriage on the part 
of the parent or guardian the marriage was null and void in virtue of the Act of George II passed 
in 1754; but there was no evidence to the contrary, and that it was the understood practice of
the courts of this country to make very presumption in favour of a marriage and the legitimacy
of the offspring; and it would be by no means a violent presumption to ask their lordships
that as the parties lived together as man and wife and enjoyed the reputation amongst their
family and strangers as man and wife that the marriage was valid.
'[On the other hand] Captain Forester objects to the proposition……that John Henry Vane
married on the 15th June,1808, Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Nicholson, of Brigg, as his first
and only wife, and that Sir Henry Morgan Vane, born 29th November, 1808, was their eldest
son. Capt. Forester submits that there is not sufficient evidence to show that the said marriage
was a good and valid marriage, or that the issue of the parties to the said alleged marriage was
legitimate. The said marriage is alleged to have been solemnised by license at the time when the 
said John Henry Vane was still a minor, and after the death of his father [both true]. There is no
evidence, he says, that either Catherine Dore or John Dore, who are alleged to have consented
thereto, was the guardian lawfully appointed of the said John Henry Vane……By reason of the 
Act 26 George II, c.33, s.11, the said alleged marriage, if solemnised without the consents 
thereby required, was at the date thereof absolutely null and void to all intents and purposes
whatsoever……..'
In its judgment the Committee for Privileges stated that it felt that there was no real question
as to the claim, and expressed its surprise that the matter had been carried so far. The 
Committee stated that is was clear that the marriage had taken place in June, and that Henry
Morgan Vane had been born in November. As a result, Henry de Vere Vane had made out his
claim to the barony of Barnard.
Matthew Barnewall, 6th Viscount Barnewall
The following appeared in "The Vicissitudes of Families" (volume 2) by Sir Bernard Burke,
published by Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer, London 1869. The article always names the
peerage as "Viscount Kingsland," but the correct style is "Viscount Barnewall of Kingsland."
'The Barnewalls possessed in early times vast estates in the counties of Meath and Dublin, and
were among the greatest of the Anglo-Norman settlers. Their present [i.e.1862] chief, Sir 
Reginald Barnewall, 8th [10th?] baronet, of Crickstown Castle, is the head of the senior line of
this ancient house. The junior branches of Trimleston and Turvey were both ennobled - the 
former in 1461, when Sir Robert Barnewall (second son of Sir Christopher Barnewall, of 
Crickstown, Chief Justice of Ireland) was created Baron Trimleston; and the latter in 1646, 
when Nicholas Barnewall of Turvey was made Viscount Kingsland. His lordship's wife was the
daughter and co-heiress of Henry, Earl of Kildare, and widow of Rory O'Donnell, Earl of 
Tyrconnel; and the descendants of this marriage continued to be a family of high connection
and importance among the peers of Ireland until the severance of land from title left the last
heir dependant on the bounty of the Crown for his subsistence. The letter which I annex, from
the late Mr. R. Hitchcock, Master of the Exchequer in Ireland, tells graphically the Kingsland 
story:-
Dublin, 20 Sept. 1862
"My dear Sir Bernard, 
           "When the late Lord Kingsland established his claim to the peerage I was a mere boy;
but as my father was the solicitor, to whose enterprise, talent and pecuniary support he was
indebted for his success, he was very much at our house during the progress of the proceedings
and his extraordinary story became as familiar to the family as "household words." I am 
therefore enabled from recollection, although half a century has elapsed since the time of
which I speak, to give you an outline of his antecedents.
"He was born in some obscure part of Dublin, and 'educated' in the vicinity of Castle Market, 
where it was said he made his 'first appearance in public' in the 'onerous' part of a basket boy,
his success in which character led to his promotion in the course of time to the more elevated
position of under-waiter at a tavern in Dawson Street. It subsequently appeared, that although
in so lowly a sphere, he entertained a dreamy notion, derived from family tradition, that, as he
bore the name of the Kingsland family, he might, by some turn of the wheel of fortune, become
entitled to its honour and estates.
"The Lord Kingsland of that time was a lunatic, residing in an asylum in France, and was under 
the guardianship of his relative, Lord Trimleston. A false rumour of that Lord's death reached
Matthew Barnewall while he was officiating at the tavern in Dawson Street, and acting upon the
traditionary notion of heirship, under the advice of his then companions and friends, Matthew
mustered a strong force of the employees of the taverns and the market, which had been the
school of his early training, and with that formidable army, proceeded forthwith to Turvey, the
family mansion, of which he took instant possession. There he cut down timber, lighted bonfires,
and for some short time indulged in the exercise of rude hospitality to the companions who had
escorted him, and the rabble which he collected in the neighbourhood.
'His rejoicings were, however, but short-lived. Lord Trimleston, the guardian of the lunatic Peer,
applied to the Court of Chancery, and poor Matthew was committed to Newgate under an
attachment for contempt. While in the prison he was advised to apply to my father for his legal
advice and assistance, through which he was after some time set at liberty. At that period he
was quite unable to trace his pedigree, and being utterly illiterate - unable even to write his
name - he could give but little assistance to is legal adviser in testing the justice of the claim
which he still insisted upon to the right of succession to the Kingsland peerage.
'My father, however, being a man of sanguine temperament as well as superior talents, saw that
there was something in what the poor fellow said, and took up the case with such ardour that he
soon discovered a clue, which led him step by step through the difficulties which lay in the way
of tracing a pedigree amidst so much ignorance, until at length there was but one missing link in
the chain; and this was, after much research, supplied by the evidence of one Lucinda Ambridge,
a woman upwards of one hundred years old. 
"In the meantime the lunatic Peer actually died; and when Matthew's pedigree was completed, 
and the proofs forthcoming, the claim was brought before the House of Lords, and after due 
investigation by the Committee for Privileges, admitted.
"During the process of tracing the pedigree, and pending the decision of the House of Lords, the
expectant Peer was clothed and supported by my father, and was frequently at our house. He
was at first very modest, and could scarcely be enticed beyond the mat at the hall door, and 
when brought into a room he sat, as such men do, on the least possible edge of a chair. By
degrees, however, he grew in confidence, and being a good-humoured man, his conversation
was very amusing. 
"It would not be easy to do justice in description to his exultation and pride on being acknow-
ledged by the House of Lords. But his elevation was accompanied by a sad drawback. The 
property which should have gone with the title, consisting, I believe, chiefly of church advowsons
[the right to recommend a member of the Anglican clergy for a vacant benefice], had lapsed to
the Crown, owing to some want of conformity to the established church on the part of some of
the ancestors, and could not be recovered. A pension of five hundred pounds a year was granted
to the new Lord Viscount Kingsland and Baron of Turvey, but alas! my father was never paid any-
thing for his outlay and professional labour. All he ever got was the éclat, and the satisfaction of
having achieved so great a triumph.
"Lord Kingsland was married in early life to a woman in his then class, who died before his elevation
to the Peerage, leaving only one child, a son, who lived to be the Hon. Mr. Barnewall, and heir-
apparent to the Peerage, but died within a few years after his father had established his claim.
After some time, Lord Kingsland married a Miss Bradshaw, an English lady, but died without issue,
and consequently the title is extinct, although it is said, and probably with truth that an heir 
could be found amongst the poorest classes in Dublin."
George William Barrington, 7th Viscount Barrington
The Viscountcy of Barrington is an Irish peerage and the holder thereof was not therefore
guaranteed a place in the House of Lords, since only those peers elected as representative
peers could take their seats. However, in 1880, the 7th Viscount was created Baron Shute 
in the peerage of the United Kingdom, thus allowing him to sit in the House of Lords.
In the Wellington, New Zealand 'Evening Post' of 24 June 1899, an article states that "Mr. Lucy
reminds readers of the May Strand that when the late Lord Barrington was made a peer of the
United Kingdom people asked why. Members of the House of Commons, ransacking their 
memories for suggestions of reason, recalled how one night, whilst Dizzy [Benjamin Disraeli, later
Earl of Beaconsfield and Prime Minister at the time] was still with us in the Commons, he, 
awakening from profound reverie, could not find his eye-glass. He wanted to stick it in his
right eye and take his accustomed survey of the House. With a haste and perturbation foreign
to his impassive manner, he rooted about in the recesses of his waistcoat, tugged at his shirt
collar, peered on the ground at his feet, had given it up for a bad job, when Lord Barrington,
who was sitting near him, quietly put his hand between the Premier's shoulders and brought
round the errant glass. Dizzy, though not demonstrative, adds Mr. Lucy, never forgot a friend
or a favour. So it came about five years later, when the reins of power were slipping out of
his fingers, he held them for a moment longer to give Lord Barrington a seat in the House of
Lords and a place on the roll of the English peerage. At least, that was what was said at the 
time in the private conversation of Lord Barrington's friends."
Henry Barry, 4th Baron Barry of Santry
On 9 August 1738, Barry had been drinking for some time at a public house in Palmerstown (now
a suburb of Dublin) when he became involved in a argument with a man named Humphreys. 
Barry twice tried to draw his sword, but, failing to do so, he rushed out of the room into a
passage where he met with one of his servants, a footman named Laughlin Murphy. Barry
swore that he would kill the first man who spoke - Murphy ignored this warning and, upon
speaking, was run through by Barry's sword. He lingered for more than six weeks, before he
finally died of his wound on 25 September 1738.
Barry was charged with Murphy's murder and was tried by his peers on 27 April 1739. According
to the "London Evening Post" of 5 May 1739:-
'…..on Friday the 27th of April came on the Tryal of the Right. Hon. Henry Barry, Lord Baron of
Santry, for the Murder of Laughlin Murphy in August last at Palmerstown Fair. About six in the
morning a Regiment of Foot was drawn up before the Parliament House, and about seven the
Battle-Axes attended, and lin'd the Avenues to the House. Between seven and eight the Lord
Santry, accompanied by Sir Compton Domvile, and the two Sheriffs, went to the Parliament 
House (the Ax being carried by Mr. Smith, Keeper of Newgate). At ten, the Right Hon. the 
Lord Chancellor, Lord High Steward, attended by the Judges, went in State from his House at
St. Stephen's Green to the Parliament House; when his Grace alighted, he was preceded to the
House of Lords by six Gentlemen Ushers, the King at Arms, and the Gentleman Usher of the 
Black Rod, and received the Compliments of the Lords; from thence he went in Procession to
the House of Commons, the Place appointed for the Tryal, which began about Eleven o'Clock,
and continued until about six in the Evening, when the Lords, 23 in Number, unanimously
brought in their Verdict Guilty; after which Sentence was given that his Lordship should be
executed on the 23rd of June next. After Sentence was pronounced his Lordship was ordered
into close Confinement, and accordingly was guarded by a Company of Soldiers to Newgate.
'………the Right Hon. the Earl of Meath, the Right Hon. The Earl of Howth, the Right Hon. the 
Lady Dowager Santry, the Right Hon. the Lord Castle Durough, Sir Compton Domvile, Bart. and
several other Persons of Distinction, has embark'd for England to Petition in behalf of Lord
Santry.
'Several of the Lords who sate on the Trial of the Right Hon. the Lord Santry, have sign'd a
Memorial, and presented the same to their Excellencies the Lords Justices at the Castle, in 
Behalf of the said Lord, desiring it may be transmitted to his Majesty, in order to obtain a
Pardon for his Lordship.'
Barry was pardoned some months later. Some sources state that the pardon was due to the
intercession of Barry's fellow noblemen, in particular the Duke of Devonshire, then Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland. Another story, of far greater appeal to my tastes, is that Barry's pardon
was achieved through blackmail. The Sir Compton Domvile mentioned in the newspaper report
above was Barry's uncle. The channel which carried Dublin's water supplies happened to run 
through Sir Compton's estate, and he threatened to cut off the city's water supply if the 
sentence against his nephew was carried out.
Richard Barry, 7th Earl of Barrymore
The 7th Earl of Barrymore came from a noble and illustrious Irish family. All his brothers and
sisters were equally wild and notorious. As he was called 'Hellgate,' wits nicknamed his sister
Caroline 'Billingsgate', on account of her choice swearing.
When the 7th Earl was only 4 years old, his father died. He inherited the title, together with
140,000 acres. His mother died when he was 11. After that he knew no authority but his
indulgent grandmother, Lady Harrington. She died when he was 14, and the young Earl was
henceforth on his own.
He arrived at Eton College as a student in 1783, aged 14, but due to his habit of sneaking off
to Newmarket races where he placed 1000-guinea bets, he was kicked out of Eton at the age
of 17. While at Eton, he had spent little time in lessons. Instead, he was too busy switching the
signs of various inns around the district and breaking windows with a horse whip. Another
favourite pastime was to bribe coachmen to let him take the reins. Terrified passengers were
then treated to a dangerous ride at breakneck speed through ditches and across paddocks.
Barrymore duly acquired a team of racehorses and elaborate stables at Newmarket. Often
riding his own horses, in one week he collected £30,000 when he won four different match-
races on his horse Highlander against Sir John Lade, the Marquess of Queensberry, the Duke of
Bedford and Charles James Fox. He lost most of his winnings in a circus set up in competition
to the famous Astley's Circus. He then poured out more money on the erection of a town
house in Piccadilly. He also acquired a mansion at the village of Wargrave on the Thames.
At Wargrave he built an elaborate private theatre to stage his own amateur shows. The
building, which was known as the best-equipped small playhouse in England, cost £60,000.
Barrymore himself was an accomplished actor and his shows rivalled the best in London.
Admission was free and he paid professional actors stiff fees to take supporting roles. After
the completion of each performance, exotic food and drink were served to all attendees. The
Wargrave theatre was so successful that he soon bought another in London where, every week,
an average of three shows played to packed houses, at a cost to Barrymore of about £75,000
a year.
Barrymore had a mania for betting. He collected £5,000 from the Duke of Bedford when he
fulfilled a dare of walking up and down the main street of Wargrave in his shirt and nothing else.
The Duke of York lost a similar sum to him in a contest as to who could wade furthest out to
sea at Brighton. For £20,000 in bets with a crowd of noble spectators, Barrymore in 1790 raced
on foot a certain Captain Parkhurst on a horse. The course was 30 yards straight, then around
a tree, then 30 yards back. Barrymore won easily. A shrewd member of his circle was a fat
butcher named Bullock who offered to race Barrymore over 100 yards for £25,000 - provided 
he was given a start and allowed to choose the course. Barrymore agreed and lost the 
bet, since Bullock chose as the course Black Lion Lane in Brighton, one of the narrowest streets
in Britain - in places no more than 40 inches wide. Although Barrymore easily caught him, he was 
unable to get past the rotund butcher.
For some views of Black Lion Lane see 
http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__8436_path__.aspx
Barrymore was introduced by the Duke of Bedford to the Prince of Wales. Both were spoiled and
extravagant roues, devoted only to their own pleasures. Naturally, they soon became the best
of friends, while trying to outdo each other in practical jokes. Barrymore was more inventive in
this quest, but his ideas often backfired and landed him in trouble. One of his schemes was to 
put a footman into a coffin with orders to play dead. The coffin was placed on the doorstep of
a random house and Barrymore would ring the bell. A maidservant answered the door and, on
hearing her screaming, the master of the house came running with a gun and fired at the coffin,
wounding the footman in the head. Although he recovered, it cost Barrymore £10,000 to smooth
the matter over.
Barrymore's influence over the Prince of Wales was continually attacked by newspapers and in
the House of Commons. It was not that, however, which finally caused a rift between them, but
another Barrymore prank. Disguised as a woman, he talked his way into the bedroom of the 
Prince's mistress, Mrs Fitzherbert, but the Prince didn't see the joke and Barrymore returned 
home in disgrace. 
After gaining complete control of his inheritance when he reached 21, Barrymore decided that
he needed a wife. He chose Charlotte Goulding, daughter of a sedan chair operator.
Notwithstanding that Charlotte and her parents were more than happy for her to become
Countess of Barrymore, he insisted on playing a game that she was the most sought after 
heiress in England. The couple had to go through the motions of eloping, then they dashed by 
a relay of coaches to Gretna Green, where the wedding ceremony was performed.
By this time, Barrymore's spending was outstripping his income, so by judicious bribery, he
entered Parliament as member of Heytesbury. Once in Parliament he could not be arrested for
debt. His finances had become so bad that he had to sell his London house, his horses and
even his beloved theatres. Eventually he hit upon the novel idea of working to make some
money. After a spell as a chef in an inn, he joined the army.
In March 1793, he was on duty with his regiment at Rye. He was ordered to take a
detachment of men and escort a batch of French prisoners-of-war to Dover. The troops 
marched, while Barrymore brought up the rear in his open carriage. On the seat beside him
was a loaded rifle, with which he hoped to shoot some wild-fowl on the way. A sudden jolt of
the vehicle knocked the rifle onto the floor, where it went off, shooting Barrymore through the
eye. He died 40 minutes later at a nearby inn, aged only 23.
 
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