PEERAGE
Last updated 06/08/2010
Date Rank Order Name Born Died  Age
BASSET DE SAPCOTE
24 Dec 1264 B 1 Ralph Basset c 1282
Summoned to Parliament as Baron
Basset de Sapcote 24 Dec 1264
c 1282 2 Simon Basset c 1300
c 1300 3 Ralph Basset 1326
1326 4 Simon Basset c 1360
c 1360 5 Ralph Basset 1378
to     Peerage fell into abeyance on his death
1378
BASSET DE WELDON
6 Feb 1299 B 1 Richard Basset Jul 1314
to     Summoned to Parliament as Baron
Jul 1314 Basset de Weldon 6 Feb 1299
Peerage extinct on his death
BASSETT OF STRATTON
30 Nov 1797 B 1 Francis Bassett,1st Baron de Dunstanville 9 Aug 1757 14 Feb 1835 77
Created Baron Basset of Stratton
30 Nov 1797
MP for Penryn 1780-1796
14 Feb 1835 2 Frances Bassett 30 Apr 1781 22 Jan 1855 73
to     Peerage extinct on her death
22 Jan 1855
BATEMAN
12 Jul 1725 V[I] 1 William Bateman c 1695 Dec 1744
Created Baron Culmore and Viscount
Bateman 12 Jul 1725
MP for Leominster 1721-1722  and 1727-1734
Dec 1744 2 John Bateman Apr 1721 2 Mar 1802 80
to     MP for Orford 1746-1747,Woodstock 1747-1768
2 Mar 1802 and Leominster 1768-1784. Lord Lieutenant 
Hereford 1747-1802.  PC 1756
Peerage extinct on his death
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
30 Jan 1837 B 1 William Hanbury Bateman 24 Jun 1780 22 Jul 1845 65
Created Baron Bateman 30 Jan 1837
MP for Northampton 1810-1818. Lord
Lieutenant Hereford 1841-1845
22 Jul 1845 2 William Bateman Bateman-Hanbury 28 Jul 1826 30 Nov 1901 75
Lord Lieutenant Hereford 1852-1901
30 Nov 1901 3 William Spencer Bateman-Hanbury 30 Sep 1856 4 Nov 1931 75
to     Peerage extinct on his death
4 Nov 1931
BATES
30 Jun 2008 B[L] 1 Michael Walton Bates 26 May 1961
Created Baron Bates for life 30 Jun 2008
MP for Langbaurgh 1992-1997. Paymaster-General
1996-1997
BATH
6 Jan 1486 E 1 Philibert de Chandee after 1486
to     Created Earl of Bath 6 Jan 1486
after 1486 Peerage presumed to have become extinct
on his death
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
9 Jul 1536 E 1 John Bourchier c 1470 30 Apr 1539
Created Earl of Bath 9 Jul 1536
30 Apr 1539 2 John Bourchier 1499 10 Feb 1561 61
Lord Lieutenant Dorset,Devon and Cornwall
10 Feb 1561 3 William Bourchier before 1557 12 Jul 1623
Lord Lieutenant Devon 1587
12 Jul 1623 4 Edward Bourchier Feb 1590 2 Mar 1637 47
2 Mar 1637 5 Henry Bourchier c 1593 16 Aug 1654
to     Lord Privy Seal 1644
16 Aug 1654 Peerage extinct on his death
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
20 Apr 1661 E 1 John Granville 29 Aug 1628 22 Aug 1701 72
Created Baron Granville,Viscount
Granville of Lansdown and Earl of Bath 
20 Apr 1661
Lord Lieutenant Cornwall 1660-1696 and Devonshire
1670-1675 and 1685-1696  PC 1679
22 Aug 1701 2 Charles Granville 31 Aug 1661 4 Sep 1701 40
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of
Acceleration as Baron Granville 16 Jul 1689
MP for Launceston 1680-1681, Cornwall
1685-1689. Lord Lieutenant Cornwall and
Devon 1691-1693
4 Sep 1701 3 William Henry Granville 30 Jan 1692 17 May 1711 19
to     Peerage extinct on his death
17 May 1711
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
14 Jul 1742 E 1 William Pulteney 29 Mar 1684 8 Jul 1764 80
to     Created Baron Hedon,Viscount
8 Jul 1764 Pulteney and Earl of Bath 14 Jul 1742
MP for Hedon 1705-1734 and Middlesex
1734-1742. Secretary at War 1714-1717
Lord Lieutenant E Riding Yorkshire 1721-
1728 and Shropshire 1761-1764.  PC 1716
Peerage extinct on his death
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
26 Oct 1803 E 1 Henrietta Laura Pulteney 26 Dec 1766 14 Jul 1808 41
to     Created Baroness of Bath 26 Jul 1792
14 Jul 1808 and Countess of Bath 26 Oct 1803
Peerages extinct on her death
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
18 Aug 1789 M 1 Thomas Thynne,3rd Viscount Weymouth 13 Sep 1734 19 Nov 1796 62
Created Marquess of Bath 18 Aug 1789
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1765. 
Secretary of State 1768-1770 and 
1775-1779. PC 1765, KG 1778
19 Nov 1796 2 Thomas Thynne 25 Jan 1765 27 Mar 1837 72
MP for Weobley 1786-1790 and Bath
1790-1796. Lord Lieutenant Somerset 1819-1837
KG 1823
27 Mar 1837 3 Henry Frederick Thynne 22 May 1797 24 Jun 1837 40
MP for Weobley 1824-1826 and 1828-1832
24 Jun 1837 4 John Alexander Thynne 1 Mar 1831 20 Apr 1896 65
Lord Lieutenant Wiltshire 1889-1896
20 Apr 1896 5 Thomas Henry Thynne 15 Jul 1862 9 Jun 1946 83
MP for Frome 1886-1892 and 1895-1896. 
Lord Lieutenant Somerset 1904-1946
KG 1917  PC 1922
9 Jun 1946 6 Henry Frederick Thynne 26 Jan 1905 30 Jun 1992 87
MP for Frome 1931-1935
30 Jun 1992 7 Alexander George Thynne 6 May 1932
For further information on this peer, see the 
note at the foot of this page.
BATHURST
27 Aug 1772 E 1 Allen Bathurst 16 Nov 1684 16 Sep 1775 90
Created Baron Bathurst 1 Jan 1712 and
Earl  Bathurst 27 Aug 1772
MP for Cirencester 1705-1712. PC 1742
16 Sep 1775 2 Henry Bathurst 20 May 1714 6 Aug 1794 80
Created Baron Apsley 24 Jan 1771
MP for Cirencester 1735-1754. Lord
Chancellor 1771-1778. PC 1771
6 Aug 1794 3 Henry Bathurst 22 May 1762 27 Jul 1834 72
MP for Cirencester 1783-1786 and 1790-
1794. Commissioner for India 1793-1802.
Master of the Mint 1804-1806 and 1807-1812.
President of the Board of Trade 1807-1812.
Foreign Secretary 1809. Secretary of War 
and Colonies 1812-1827. Lord President of
the Council 1828-1830. PC 1793, KG 1817
27 Jul 1834 4 Henry George Bathurst 24 Feb 1790 25 May 1866 76
MP for Weobly 1812 and Cirencester
1812-1834
25 May 1866 5 William Lennox Bathurst 14 Feb 1791 24 Feb 1878 87
MP for Weobly 1812-1816
24 Feb 1878 6 Allen Alexander Bathurst 19 Oct 1832 2 Aug 1892 59
MP for Cirencester 1857-1878
2 Aug 1892 7 Seymour Henry Bathurst 21 Jul 1864 21 Sep 1943 79
21 Sep 1943 8 Henry Allen John Bathurst 1 May 1927
BATTERSEA
5 Sep 1892 B 1 Cyril Flower 30 Aug 1843 27 Nov 1907 64
to     Created Baron Battersea 5 Sep 1892
27 Nov 1907 MP for Brecknock 1880-1885 and Luton
1885-1892
Peerage extinct on his death
BAUER
10 Feb 1983 B[L] 1 Peter Thomas Bauer 6 Nov 1915 3 May 2002 86
to     Created Baron Bauer for life 10 Feb 1983
3 May 2002 Peerage extinct on his death
BAVENT
8 Jan 1313 B 1 Roger Bavent c 1335
to     Summoned to Parliament as Lord
c 1335 Bavent 8 Jan 1313
he was attainted 1322 but restored 1327
Peerage extinct on his death
BAYFORD
18 Jun 1929 B 1 Sir Robert Arthur Sanders,1st baronet 20 Jun 1867 24 Feb 1940 72
to     Created Baron Bayford 18 Jun 1929
24 Feb 1940 MP for Bridgewater 1910-1923 and Wells
1924-1929. Minister of Agriculture and
Fisheries 1922-1924. PC 1922
Peerage extinct on his death
BAYHAM
13 May 1786 V 1 Sir Charles Pratt 21 Mar 1714 18 Apr 1794 80
Created Viscount Bayham and Earl
Camden 13 May 1786
See "Camden"
BAYNING OF FOXLEY
17 Mar 1674 V[L] 1 Anne Murray 23 Apr 1619 Oct 1678 59
to     Created Viscountess Bayning of
Oct 1678 Foxley for life 17 Mar 1674
Peerage extinct on her death
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
20 Oct 1797 B 1 Charles Townshend 27 Aug 1728 19 May 1810 81
Created Baron Bayning 20 Oct 1797
MP for Yarmouth 1756-1784 and 1790-1796
Treasurer of the Navy 1783.  PC 1777
19 May 1810 2 Charles Frederick Powlett 26 Sep 1785 2 Aug 1823 37
MP for Truro 1808-1810
2 Aug 1823 3 Henry William Powlett 8 Jun 1797 5 Aug 1866 69
to     Peerage extinct on his death
5 Aug 1866
BAYNING OF HORKESLEY
27 Feb 1628 B 1 Sir Paul Bayning,1st baronet 28 Apr 1588 29 Jul 1629 41
Created Baron Bayning of Horkesley
27 Feb 1628 and Viscount Bayning of
Sudbury 8 Mar 1628
See "Bayning of Sudbury" below
BAYNING OF SUDBURY
8 Mar 1628 V 1 Sir Paul Bayning 28 Apr 1588 29 Jul 1629 41
Created Baron Bayning of Horkesley
27 Feb 1628 and Viscount Bayning of
Sudbury 8 Mar 1628
29 Jul 1629 2 Paul Bayning 4 Mar 1616 11 Jun 1638 22
to     Peerage extinct on his death
11 Jun 1638
BEACONSFIELD
30 Nov 1868 V 1 Mary Anne D'Israeli 15 Dec 1872
to     Created Viscountess Beaconsfield
15 Nov 1872 30 Nov 1868
Peerage extinct on her death
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
21 Aug 1876 E 1 Benjamin D'Israeli 21 Dec 1804 19 Apr 1881 76
to     Created Viscount Hughenden and
19 Apr 1881 Earl of Beaconsfield 21 Aug 1876
MP for Maidstone 1837-1841, Shrewsbury
1841-1847 and Buckinghamshire 1847-1876.
Chancellor of the Exchequer 1852, 1858-
1859 and 1866-1868. Prime Minister 1868
and 1874-1880. Lord Privy Seal 1876-1878
PC 1852, KG 1878
Peerage extinct on his death
BEARSTED
16 Jun 1925 V 1 Sir Marcus Samuel,1st baronet 5 Nov 1853 17 Jan 1927 73
Created Baron Bearsted 15 Jun 1921
and Viscount Bearsted 16 Jun 1925
17 Jan 1927 2 Walter Horace Samuel 13 Mar 1882 8 Nov 1948 66
8 Nov 1948 3 Marcus Richard Samuel 1 Jun 1909 15 Oct 1986 77
15 Oct 1986 4 Peter Montefiore Samuel 9 Dec 1911 9 Jun 1996 84
9 Jun 1996 5 Nicholas Alan Samuel 22 Jan 1950
BEATTY
27 Sep 1919 E 1 David Beatty 17 Jan 1871 11 Mar 1936 65
Created Baron Beatty,Viscount
Borodale and Earl Beatty 27 Sep 1919
Admiral of the Fleet 1919. OM 1919  PC 1927
11 Mar 1936 2 David Field Beatty 22 Feb 1905 10 Jun 1972 67
MP for Peckham 1931-1936
10 Jun 1972 3 David Beatty 21 Nov 1946
BEAUCHAMP
1 Dec 1815 E 1 William Lygon 25 Jul 1747 21 Oct 1816 69
Created Baron Beauchamp 26 Feb 1806,
and Viscount Elmley and Earl 
Beauchamp 1 Dec 1815
MP for Worcestershire 1775-1806
21 Oct 1816 2 William Beauchamp Lygon 1782 12 May 1823 40
MP for Worcestershire 1806-1816
12 May 1823 3 John Reginald Pindar Lygon 1784 22 Jan 1853 68
22 Jan 1853 4 Henry Beauchamp Lygon 5 Jan 1784 8 Sep 1863 79
MP for Worcestershire 1816-1831 and 
Worcestershire West 1832-1853
8 Sep 1863 5 Henry Lygon 13 Feb 1829 4 Mar 1866 37
MP for Worcestershire West 1853-1863
4 Mar 1866 6 Frederick Lygon 10 Nov 1830 19 Feb 1891 60
MP for Tewkesbury 1857-1863 and
Worcestershire West 1863-1866. Lord
Lieutenant Worcestershire 1876-1891
PC 1874
19 Feb 1891 7 William Lygon 20 Feb 1872 15 Nov 1938 66
Governor of NSW 1899-1902. First
Commissioner of Works 1910-1914. Lord
Warden of the Cinque Ports 1913-1934
Lord President of the Council 1910 and
1914-1915. Lord Lieutenant Gloucester
1911-1931. PC 1906, KG 1914
15 Nov 1938 8 William Lygon 3 Jul 1903 3 Jan 1979 75
to     MP for Norfolk East 1929-1938
3 Jan 1979 Peerages extinct on his death
BEAUCHAMP DE SOMERSET
29 Dec 1299 B 1 John Beauchamp 25 Jul 1274 Nov 1336 62
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Beauchamp de Somerset 29 Dec 1299
Nov 1336 2 John Beauchamp c 1305 19 May 1343
19 May 1343 3 John Beauchamp 20 Jan 1330 7 Oct 1361 31
to     On his death peerage fell into abeyance
7 Oct 1361
BEAUCHAMP DE WARWICK
25 Nov 1350 B 1 John Beauchamp 2 Dec 1360
to     Summoned to Parliament as Lord
2 Dec 1360 Beauchamp de Warwick 25 Nov 1350
KG 1348
Peerage extinct on his death
BEAUCHAMP OF BLETSOE
1 Jun 1363 B 1 Roger Beauchamp 3 Jan 1380
to     Summoned to Parliament as Lord
3 Jan 1380 Beauchamp 1 Jun 1363
Peerage extinct on his death
BEAUCHAMP OF HACHE
5 Jun 1536 V 1 Sir Edward Seymour c 1500 22 Jan 1552
to     Created Viscount Beauchamp of Hache
1552 5 Jun 1536
He was subsequently created Duke of
Somerset (qv) in 1547. Peerage forfeited
in 1552
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
13 Jan 1559 B 1 Edward Seymour 12 Oct 1537 6 Apr 1621 83
Created Baron Seymour of Hache and
Earl of Hertford 13 Jan 1559
See "Hertford"
                      *************
Feb 1621 William Seymour 1588 24 Oct 1660 72
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of
Acceleration as Baron Beauchamp in Feb 1621.
He succeeded as Earl of Hertford 6 Apr 1621, was
created Marquess of Hertford 3 Jun 1640 and was
restored to the Dukedom of Somerset 13 Sep 1660
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
3 Aug 1750 V 1 Francis Seymour-Conway,2nd Baron Conway 5 Jul 1718 14 Jun 1794 75
Created Viscount Beauchamp of Hache
and Earl of Hertford 3 Aug 1750
See "Hertford"
BEAUCHAMP OF KIDDERMINSTER
10 Oct 1387 B 1 Sir John de Beauchamp 1319 12 May 1388 68
to     Created Lord de Beauchamp,Baron 
12 May 1388 of Kidderminster 10 Oct 1387 (the
first instance of a creation by 
patent)
He was attainted and executed when
the peerage was forfeited
1398 2 John de Beauchamp 1378 Sep 1420 42
to     He obtained a reversal of the attainder in
1400 1398. However the attainder was confirmed 
in 1400 when the peerage was again
forfeited
BEAUCHAMP OF POWYK
2 May 1447 B 1 Sir John Beauchamp Apr 1475
Created Baron Beauchamp of Powyk
2 May 1447
KG 1441
Apr 1475 2 Richard Beauchamp 1435 19 Jan 1503 67
to     Peerage extinct on his death
19 Jan 1503
BEAUFORT
2 Dec 1682 D 1 Henry Somerset,3rd Marquess of Worcester 1629 21 Jan 1700 70
Created Duke of Beaufort 2 Dec 1682
MP for Monmouth 1654-1655 and 1660-1667.
Lord Lieutenant Gloucester,Hereford and
Monmouth 1660-1689.and Glamorgan 1672-1689
KG 1672  PC 1679
21 Jan 1699 2 Henry Somerset 2 Apr 1684 24 May 1714 30
Lord Lieutenant Hampshire 1710-1714 and
Gloucester 1712-1714. PC 1710, KG 1712
24 May 1714 3 Henry Scudamore 26 Mar 1707 24 Feb 1745 37
24 Feb 1745 4 Charles Noel Somerset 12 Sep 1709 28 Oct 1756 47
MP for Monmouthshire 1731-1734 and
Monmouth 1734-1745
28 Oct 1756 5 Henry Somerset 16 Oct 1744 11 Oct 1803 58
Lord Lieutenant Monmouth 1771-1803, Brecknock
1787-1803 and Leicester 1787-1799. KG 1786
11 Oct 1803 6 Henry Charles Somerset 22 Dec 1766 23 Nov 1835 68
MP for Monmouth 1788-1790, Bristol 1790-
1796 and Gloucestershire 1796-1803.
Lord Lieutenant Monmouth and Brecknockshire
1803-1835 and Gloucester 1810-1835. KG 1805
23 Nov 1835 7 Henry Somerset 5 Feb 1792 17 Nov 1853 61
MP for Monmouth 1813-1832 and 
Gloucestershire West 1835. KG 1842
17 Nov 1853 8 Henry Charles Fitzroy Somerset 1 Feb 1824 30 Apr 1899 75
MP for Gloucestershire East 1846-1853.
Lord Lieutenant Monmouth 1867-1899. PC 1858
KG 1867
30 Apr 1899 9 Henry Adelbert Wellington Fitzroy 
Somerset 19 May 1847 27 Nov 1924 77
27 Nov 1924 10 Henry Hugh Arthur Fitzroy Somerset 4 Apr 1900 5 Feb 1984 83
Lord Lieutenant Gloucester 1931-1984.  PC 1936
KG 1937
5 Feb 1984 11 David Robert Somerset 23 Feb 1928
BEAULIEU
8 Jul 1784 E 1 Sir Edward Hussey-Montagu 1721 25 Nov 1802 81
to     Created Baron Beaulieu 11 May 1762
25 Nov 1802 and Earl of Beaulieu 8 Jul 1784
MP for Tiverton 1758-1762
Peerages extinct on his death
BEAUMONT
4 Mar 1309 B 1 Henry Beaumont 10 Mar 1340
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Beaumont 4 Mar 1309
10 Mar 1340 2 John Beaumont 1318 May 1342 23
May 1342 3 Henry Beaumont 1340 17 Jun 1369 28
17 Jun 1369 4 John Beaumont 1361 9 Sep 1396 35
Warden of the Cinque Ports 1392  KG 1393
9 Sep 1396 5 Henry Beaumont 1380 Jun 1413 32
Jun 1413 6 John Beaumont 1409 19 Jul 1460 51
12 Feb 1440 1 Created Viscount Beaumont 12 Feb 1440
(the first creation of a viscountcy)
KG 1441
19 Jul 1460 7 William Beaumont 23 Apr 1438 19 Dec 1507 69
to     2 Attainted 1461 but restored 1470. Again
19 Dec 1507 attainted 1471 but again restored 1485.
Viscountcy became extinct on his death, and 
the Barony fell into abeyance
14 Oct 1840 8 Miles Thomas Stapleton 4 Jun 1805 16 Aug 1854 49
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Beaumont 14 Oct 1840 thus terminating
the abeyance
16 Aug 1854 9 Henry Stapleton 11 Aug 1848 23 Jan 1892 43
23 Jan 1892 10 Miles Stapleton 7 Jul 1850 16 Sep 1895 45
to     On his death peerage fell into abeyance
16 Sep 1895 For further information on the death of this
peer, see the note at the foot of this page.
1 Jun 1896 11 Mona Josephine Tempest Fitzalan-Howard 1 Aug 1894 31 Aug 1971 77
Abeyance terminated in her favour 
1 Jun 1896
31 Aug 1971 12 Miles Francis Fitzalan-Howard 21 Jul 1915 24 Jun 2002 86
He succeeded to the Dukedom of Norfolk
1975 into which title this peerage merged
BEAUMONT OF SWORDS
20 May 1622 V[I] 1 Sir Thomas Beaumont,1st baronet 22 May 1625
Created Viscount Beaumont of
Swords 20 May 1622
22 May 1625 2 Sapcote Beaumont 10 May 1614 1658 44
1658 3 Thomas Beaumont 10 Apr 1634 11 Jun 1702 68
to     Peerage extinct on his death
11 Jun 1702
BEAUMONT OF WHITLEY
6 Dec 1967 B[L] 1 Timothy Wentworth Beaumont 23 Nov 1928 9 Apr 2008 79
to     Created Baron Beaumont of Whitley for life
9 Apr 2008 6 Dec 1967
Peerage extinct on his death
BEAUVALE
20 Apr 1839 B 1 Frederick James Lamb 17 Apr 1782 29 Jan 1853 80
to     Created Baron Beauvale 20 Apr 1839
29 Jan 1853 He subsequently succeeded to the
Viscountcy of Melbourne (qv) in 1848.
Peerages extinct on his death
BEAVERBROOK
2 Jan 1917 B 1 Sir William Maxwell Aitken,1st baronet 25 May 1879 9 Jun 1964 85
Created Baron Beaverbrook 2 Jan 1917
MP for Ashton under Lyne 1910-1916.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
and Minister for Information 1918-1919
Minister for Aircraft Production 1940-1941
Minister of Supply 1941-1942. Lord Privy 
Seal 1943-1945.  PC 1918
9 Jun 1964 2 John William Maxwell Aitken 15 Feb 1910 30 Apr 1985 75
to     MP for Holborn 1945-1950
12 Jun 1964 He disclaimed the peerage for life
12 Jun 1964
30 Apr 1985 3 Maxwell William Humphrey Aitken 29 Dec 1951
BECTIVE
24 Oct 1766 E[I] 1 Thomas Taylour,1st Viscount Headfort 20 Oct 1724 14 Feb 1795 71
Created Earl of Bective 24 Oct 1766
KP 1783  PC [I] 1785
14 Dec 1795 2 Thomas Taylour 18 Nov 1757 24 Oct 1829 71
He was created Marquess of Headfort (qv)
29 Dec 1800 into which title this peerage
then merged
BEDFORD
1138 E 1 Hugh de Bello Monte after 1142
to     Created Earl of Bedford 1138
c 1142 He appears to have been degraded from his
peerage three or four years after creation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
11 May 1366 E 1 Enguerrand de Couci 1340 18 Feb 1397 56
to     Created Earl of Bedford 11 May 1366
1377 On the accession to the throne of Richard 
II,he resigned the peerage to the Crown
KG 1365
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
16 May 1414 D 1 John Plantagenet 20 Jun 1389 14 Sep 1435 46
to     Created Earl of Kendal and Duke of
14 Sep 1435 Bedford 16 May 1414, and Earl of
Richmond 24 Nov 1414
Third son of Henry IV. KG c 1400
Peerage extinct on his death
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
5 Jan 1470 D 1 George Nevill c 1457 4 May 1483
to     Created Duke of Bedford 5 Jan 1470
1477 He was degraded from his peerage 1477
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
27 Oct 1485 D 1 Jasper Tudor,1st Earl of Pembroke c 1430 21 Dec 1495
to     Created Duke of Bedford 27 Oct 1485
21 Dec 1495 Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1486-1494
KG 1459
Peerage extinct on his death
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
19 Jan 1550 E 1 John Russell,1st Baron Russell c 1485 14 Mar 1555  
Created Earl of Bedford 19 Jan 1550
MP for Buckinghamshire 1529-1536. Lord
Privy Seal 1543-1547 and 1547-1553. Lord
Lieutenant Devon,Cornwall,Somerset and
Dorset 1552. PC 1538, KG 1539
14 Mar 1555 2 Francis Russell 1527 28 Jul 1585 58
MP for Buckinghamshire 1547-1552,
Northumberland 1553. Lord Lieutenant
Devon,Dorset and Cornwall. PC KG 1564
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of 
Acceleration as Baron Russell 1 Mar 1553
28 Jul 1585 3 Edward Russell 20 Oct 1574 3 May 1627 52
3 May 1627 4 Francis Russell 1593 9 May 1641 57
PC 1641
9 May 1641 5 William Russell 1613 7 Sep 1700 87
11 May 1694 D 1 Created Marquess of Tavistock and
Duke of Bedford 11 May 1694,and
Baron Howland of Streatham 
13 Jun 1695
MP for Tavistock 1640. Lord Lieutenant
Devon and Somerset 1642, Bedford and
Cambridge 1689,and Middlesex 1692-1700.
KG 1672, PC 1689
7 Sep 1700 2 Wriothesley Russell 1 Nov 1680 26 May 1711 30
Lord Lieutenant Bedford,Cambridge and
Middlesex 1701-1711.  KG 1702
26 May 1711 3 Wriothesley Russell 25 May 1708 23 Oct 1732 24
23 Oct 1732 4 John Russell 30 Sep 1710 15 Jan 1771 60
First Lord of the Admiralty 1744. Lord
Lieutenant Bedford 1745-1771. Secretary of
State 1748-1751. Lord Lieutenant Devon 
1751-1771. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1756-1761.
Lord Privy Seal 1761-1763. Lord President
of the Council 1763-1765. PC 1744, KG 1749
14 Jan 1771 5 Francis Russell 23 Jul 1765 2 Mar 1802 36
2 Mar 1802 6 John Russell 6 Jul 1766 20 Oct 1839 73
MP for Tavistock 1788-1802. Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland 1806-1807. PC 1806
KG 1830
20 Oct 1839 7 Francis Russell 13 May 1788 14 May 1861 73
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of
Acceleration as Baron Howland of Streatham
15 Jan 1833
MP for Peterborough 1809-1812 and
Bedfordshire 1812-1832. PC 1846, KG 1847
Lord Lieutenant Bedford 1859-1861
14 May 1861 8 William Russell 1 Jul 1809 27 May 1872 62
MP for Tavistock 1830-1831 and 1832-1841
17 May 1872 9 Francis Charles Hastings Russell 16 Oct 1819 14 Jan 1891 71
MP for Bedfordshire 1847-1872. Lord
Lieutenant Huntingdon 1884-1891
KG 1880
14 Jan 1891 10 George William Francis Sackville Russell 16 Apr 1852 22 Mar 1893 40
MP for Bedfordshire 1875-1885
22 Mar 1893 11 Herbrand Arthur Russell 19 Feb 1858 27 Aug 1940 82
Lord Lieutenant Middlesex 1898-1926
KG 1902
27 Aug 1940 12 Hastings William Sackville Russell 21 Dec 1888 9 Oct 1953 64
For further information on this peer, see the note
at the foot of this page.
9 Oct 1953 13 John Robert Russell 24 May 1917 25 Oct 2002 85
25 Oct 2002 14 Henry Robin Ian Russell 21 Jan 1940 13 Jun 2003 63
13 Jun 2003 15 Andrew Ian Henry Russell 30 Mar 1962
BEECHAM
20 Jul 2010 B[L] 1 Sir Jeremy Hugh Beecham 1944
Created Baron Beecham for life 20 Jul 2010
BEECHING
7 Jul 1965 B[L] 1 Richard Beeching 21 Apr 1913 23 Mar 1985 71
to     Created Baron Beeching for life 7 Jul 1965
23 Mar 1985 Peerage extinct on his death
BEKE
23 Jun 1295 B 1 John Beke 1304
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Beke
23 Jun 1295
1304 2 Walter Beke 1310
to     On his death the peerage fell into abeyance
1310
BELASYSE OF OSGODBY
1 Apr 1674 B[L] 1 Susan Belasyse 6 Mar 1713
to     Created Baroness Belasyse for life 1 Apr 1674
6 Mar 1713 Peerage extinct on her death
BELASYSE OF WORLABY
27 Jan 1645 B 1 John Belasyse 24 Jul 1614 10 Sep 1689 75
Created Baron Belasyse 27 Jan 1645
Lord Lieutenant East Riding of Yorkshire 1660-1673
PC 1686
10 Sep 1689 2 Henry Belasyse 26 Aug 1691
to     Peerage extinct on his death
26 Aug 1691
BELFAST
27 Jun 1791 E[I] 1 Arthur Chichester,5th Earl of Donegall 13 Jun 1739 5 Jan 1799 59
Created Earl of Belfast and Marquess
of Donegall 27 Jun 1791
See "Donegall"
BELFIELD
5 Oct 1751 V[I] 1 Robert Rochfort 26 Mar 1708 Apr 1772 64
Created Baron Belfield 16 Mar 1738,
Viscount Belfield 5 Oct 1751 and
Earl of Belvidere 29 Nov 1756
See "Belvidere"
BELGRAVE
5 Jul 1784 V 1 Richard Grosvenor,1st Baron Grosvenor 18 Jun 1731 5 Aug 1802 71
Created Viscount Belgrave and Earl
Grosvenor 5 Jul 1784
See "Grosvenor"
BELHAVEN
24 Jun 1633 V[S] 1 Sir Robert Douglas 1573 14 Jan 1639 65
to     Created Viscount of Belhaven
14 Jan 1639 24 Jun 1633
Peerage extinct on his death
BELHAVEN AND STENTON
1647 B[S] 1 Sir John Hamilton,2nd baronet 17 Jun 1679
Created Lord Belhaven and Stenton 1647
17 Jun 1679 2 John Hamilton 5 Jul 1656 21 Jun 1708 52
21 Jun 1708 3 John Hamilton 27 Nov 1721
27 Nov 1721 4 John Hamilton 28 Aug 1764
28 Aug 1764 5 James Hamilton 25 Jan 1777
25 Jan 1777 6 Robert Hamilton 3 May 1731 27 Mar 1784 52
27 Mar 1784 7 William Hamilton 13 Jan 1765 29 Oct 1814 49
29 Oct 1814 8 Robert Montgomery Hamilton 1793 22 Dec 1868 75
Lord Lieutenant Lanarkshire 1863-1868. KT 1861
On his death the peerage became dormant
2 Aug 1875 9 James Hamilton 29 Aug 1822 6 Sep 1893 71
Peerage decided in his favour 2 Aug 1875
6 Sep 1893 10 Alexander Charles Hamilton 3 Jul 1840 31 Oct 1920 80
31 Oct 1920 11 Robert Edward Archibald Hamilton-Udny 8 Apr 1871 26 Oct 1950 79
26 Oct 1950 12 Robert Alexander Benjamin Hamilton 16 Sep 1903 10 Jul 1961 57
10 Jul 1961 13 Robert Anthony Carmichael Hamilton 27 Feb 1927
BELL
31 Jul 1998 B[L] 1 Timothy John Leigh Bell 18 Oct 1941
Created Baron Bell for life 31 Jul 1998
BELLAMONT
4 Sep 1767 E[I] 1 Charles Coote  6 Apr 1738 20 Oct 1800 62
to     Created Earl of Bellamont 4 Sep 1767
20 Oct 1800 Lord Lieutenant Cavan 1780-1800. 
PC [I] 1766
Peerage extinct on his death
BELLEISLE
25 Aug 1768 V[I] 1 Ralph Gore,1st Baron Gore 23 Nov 1725 1802 76
to     Created Viscount Belleisle 25 Aug 
1802 1768 and Earl of Ross 4 Jan 1772
See "Ross"
BELLENDEN
10 Jun 1661 B[S] 1 Sir William Bellenden c 1605 6 Sep 1671
Created Lord Bellenden 10 Jun 1661
He resigned the peerage in favour of -
14 Apr 1671 2 John Ker Mar 1707
Mar 1707 3 John Bellenden 1685 16 Mar 1741 55
16 Mar 1741 4 Ker Bellenden 22 Oct 1725 13 Mar 1754 28
13 Mar 1754 5 John Ker Bellenden 22 Aug 1751 20 Oct 1796 45
20 Oct 1796 6 Robert Bellenden 7 Apr 1734 18 Oct 1797 63
18 Oct 1797 7 William Bellenden 20 Oct 1728 22 Oct 1805 77
to     On his death the peerage became either
22 Oct 1805 extinct or dormant
BELLEW
17 Jul 1848 B[I] 1 Sir Patrick Bellew,7th baronet 29 Jan 1798 10 Dec 1866 68
Created Baron Bellew 17 Jul 1848
MP for Louth 1831-1832 and 1834-1837. Lord 
Lieutenant Louth 1831-1866. PC [I] 1838
10 Dec 1866 2 Edward Joseph Bellew 3 Jun 1830 28 Jul 1895 65
28 Jul 1895 3 Charles Bertram Bellew 19 Apr 1855 15 Jul 1911 56
Lord Lieutenant Louth 1898-1911
15 Jul 1911 4 George Leopold Bryan Bellew-Bryan 22 Jan 1857 15 Jun 1935 78
15 Jun 1935 5 Edward Henry Bellew 6 Feb 1889 8 Aug 1975 86
8 Aug 1975 6 Bryan Bertram Bellew 11 Jun 1890 7 Sep 1981 91
7 Sep 1981 7 James Bryan Bellew 5 Jan 1920 3 Aug 2010 90
3 Aug 2010 8 Bryan Edward Bellew 19 Mar 1943
BELLEW OF DULEEK
29 Oct 1686 B[I] 1 Sir John Bellew 12 Jan 1693
Created Baron Bellew of Duleek
29 Oct 1686
12 Jan 1693 2 Walter Bellew 1694
1694 3 Richard Bellew after 1664 22 Mar 1715
MP for Steyning 1712
22 Mar 1715 4 John Bellew 1702 18 Aug 1770 68
to     Peerage extinct on his death
18 Aug 1770
BELLOMONT
18 Jul 1645 V[I] 1 Sir Henry Bard,1st baronet 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
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
9 Dec 1680 E[I] 1 Charles Henry Kirkhaven 5 Jan 1683
to     Created Baron Wotton 31 Aug 1650
5 Jan 1683 and Earl of Bellomont 9 Dec 1680
Peerage extinct on his death
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
2 Nov 1689 E[I] 1 Richard Coote,2nd Baron Coote of Coloony c 1655 5 Mar 1701
Created Earl of Bellomont 2 Nov 1689
MP for Droitwich 1689-1695. Governor of 
New York 1695
5 Mar 1701 2 Nanfan Coote 1681 14 Jun 1708 26
14 Jun 1708 3 Richard Coote 1682 10 Feb 1766 83
to     Peerage extinct on his death
10 Feb 1766
BELLWIN
21 May 1979 B[L] 1 Irwin Norman Bellow 7 Feb 1923 11 Feb 2001 78
to     Created Baron Bellwin for life 21 May 1979
11 Feb 2001 Peerage extinct on his death
BELMORE
20 Nov 1797 E[I] 1 Armar Lowry-Corry 7 Apr 1740 2 Feb 1802 61
Created Baron Belmore 6 Jan 1781,
Viscount Belmore 6 Dec 1789 and
Earl of Belmore 20 Nov 1797
2 Feb 1802 2 Somerset Lowry-Corry 11 Jul 1774 18 Apr 1841 66
Governor of Jamaica
18 Apr 1841 3 Armar Lowry-Corry 28 Dec 1801 17 Dec 1845 43
MP for Fermanagh 1823-1831
17 Dec 1845 4 Somerset Lowry-Corry 9 Apr 1835 6 Apr 1913 77
Lord Lieutenant Tyrone 1892-1913. Governor
of NSW 1868-1872  PC [I] 1867
6 Apr 1913 5 Armar Lowry-Corry 5 May 1870 12 Feb 1948 77
12 Feb 1948 6 Cecil Lowry-Corry 20 Mar 1873 2 Mar 1949 75
2 Mar 1949 7 Galbraith Armar Lowry-Corry 14 Apr 1913 20 Jul 1960 47
20 Jul 1960 8 John Armar Lowry-Corry 4 Sep 1951
BELOFF
26 May 1981 B[L] 1 Max Beloff 2 Jul 1913 22 Mar 1999 85
to     Created Baron Beloff for life 26 May 1981
22 Mar 1999 Peerage extinct on his death
BELPER
29 Aug 1856 B 1 Edward Strutt 26 Oct 1801 30 Jun 1880 78
Created Baron Belper 29 Aug 1856
MP for Derby 1830-1848, Arundel 1851-1852
and Nottingham 1852-1856. Chancellor of
the Duchy of Lancaster 1852-1854. PC 1846
Lord Lieutenant Nottinghamshire 1864-1880
30 Jun 1880 2 Henry Strutt 20 May 1840 26 Jul 1914 74
MP for Derbyshire East 1868-1874 and
Berwick 1880  PC 1895
26 Jul 1914 3 Algernon Henry Strutt 6 May 1883 20 Mar 1956 72
20 Mar 1956 4 Alexander Ronald George Strutt 23 Apr 1912 23 Dec 1999 87
23 Dec 1999 5 Richard Henry Strutt 24 Oct 1941
BELSTEAD
27 Jan 1938 B 1 Sir Francis John Childs Ganzoni,1st baronet 19 Jan 1882 15 Aug 1958 76
Created Baron Belstead 27 Jan 1938
MP for Ipswich 1914-1923 and 1924-1938
15 Aug 1958 2 John Julian Ganzoni 30 Sep 1932 3 Dec 2005 73
to     Created Baron Ganzoni (qv) for life 
3 Dec 2005 17 Nov 1999
Lord Lieutenant Suffolk 1994-2003  PC 1983
Peerages extinct on his death
BELVIDERE
29 Nov 1756 E[I] 1 Robert Rochfort 26 Mar 1708 Apr 1774 66
Created Baron Belfield 16 Mar 1738,
Viscount Belfield 5 Oct 1751 and
Earl of Belvidere 29 Nov 1756
PC [I] 1749
For further information on this peer, see the note
at the foot of this page.
Apr 1774 2 George Rochford 12 Oct 1738 12 May 1814 75
to     Peerage extinct on his death
12 May 1814
BENEDERALOCH
13 Aug 1677 B[S] 1 John Campbell,Earl of Caithness 1635 28 Mar 1717 81
Created Lord Glenurchy,
Benederaloch,Ormelie and Weick,
Viscount of Tay and Paintland,and
Earl of Breadalbane and Holland
13 Aug 1681
See "Breadalbane and Holland"
BENHALE
3 Apr 1360 B 1 Sir Robert de Benhale after 1369
to     Summoned to Parliament as Lord
after 1369 Benhale 3 Apr 1360
On his death the peerage probably became
extinct
BENJAMIN
26 Jun 2010 B[L] 1 Floella Karen Yunies Benjamin 23 Sep 1949
Created Baroness Benjamin for life 26 Jun 2010
BENNETT
16 Jul 1941 V 1 Richard Bedford Bennett 3 Jul 1870 27 Jun 1947 76
to     Created Viscount Bennett 16 Jul 1941
27 Jun 1947 Prime Minister of Canada 1930-1935. PC 1930
Peerage extinct on his death
BENNETT OF EDGBASTON
1 Jul 1953 B 1 Peter Frederick Blaker Bennett 16 Apr 1880 27 Sep 1957 77
to     Created Baron Bennett of Edgbaston
27 Sep 1957 1 Jul 1953
MP for Edgbaston 1940-1953
Peerage extinct on his death
BENSON
2 Feb 1981 B[L] 1 Henry Alexander Benson 2 Aug 1909 5 Mar 1995 85
to     Created Baron Benson for life 2 Feb 1981
5 Mar 1995 Peerage extinct on his death
Alexander George Thynne, 7th Marquess of Bath
The 7th Marquess is known as "The Loins of Longleat' (the play on words deriving from Bath's
advocacy of free love, involving 'wifelets', and the wild animals in the grounds of his stately
home). He inherited the title in 1992 on the death of his father, a noted eccentric who had 
admired Hitler and who, with the assistance of circus proprietor, Jimmy Chipperfield, had built
Longleat's famous safari park.
After being educated at Eton and Oxford University and completing national service in the Life
Guards, Bath travelled extensively in South America in a Jaguar and in the company of a
Hungarian actress named Anna Gyarmathy (later to achieve some success in French films 
under the name Anna Gael). In 1966 he gained some notoriety by contracting what he called
an 'anti-marriage' with a girl from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). However, the match was unsuccessful
and she moved to Rome in 1968. In 1972, he married Anna Gyamarthy in order to legitimize the 
son and heir, Ceawlin, to whom she was about to give birth (Ceawlin is now known by the 
courtesy title Viscount Weymouth and will succeed to the Marquessate on the death of his
father). 
During this period, Bath was able to complete The Ages of History Mural, The Heaven and Hell
Mural and the Kama Sutra Mural at Longleat. In the February 1974 general election he stood 
as the candidate of the Wessex Regionalist Party on a platform of Home Rule for the Wessex
region.
In 1987, Bath started work on his autobiography, Strictly Private, an expurgated version of
which can be found on the Marquess's webpage at http://www.lordbath.co.uk/
Miles Stapleton, 10th Lord Beaumont
The following (in places somewhat gruesome) account of the death of the 10th Lord Beaumont
is taken from the "Leeds Mercury" of 17 September 1895:-
'The tenantry on the Carlton Towers estate, near Selby [in Yorkshire], have lost a kindly
landlord by the lamentable shooting accident which took place yesterday, almost within sight
of the Towers.
'Lord Beaumont, the tenth Peer of that name, and the son of the eighth bearer of the title,
succeeded to the Peerage within a comparatively recent period. He was married about two
years ago to the daughter of the late Sir Charles Tempest, of Broughton Hall, Skipton, and the
rejoicings on the estate were particularly animated, because of the fact that for some years
previously the Towers had been practically untenanted, with the exception of a brief period
during which the deceased Earl's [sic] immediate predecessor, having married the daughter of
Mr Wootton Isaacs, M.P., made the Towers his residence. It was only last week that Lord
Beauchamp took farewell of his old regiment, the 20th Hussars, on their embarkation at 
Portsmouth for India, he having previously relinquished the post of Colonel.
'As to how the lamentable accident occurred one can only rely on what may be inferred from
the position in which his Lordship's body was found. Our representative had an interview
with a workman who was near the spot where the accident took place, and from what he stated
it appears that his Lordship yesterday morning saw the head gamekeeper, and expressed to him
his intention of going out partridge shooting, at the same time requesting the man to provide
him with a retriever dog. This done, Lord Beaumont told the keeper that he should not require
his services, and went out alone. He was not again seen alive. About noon, Mr James Hensley,
a local farmer, was walking past Carlton Grange, some three-quarters of a mile away from the
Towers, when his attention was attracted by a man clinging to a gate. He went up to the gate,
and was horrified to find that it was the body of Lord Beaumont, and that life was quite extinct. 
The terrible nature of the injuries, which were noticeable some yards away, made this beyond 
doubt. As he afterwards described it, the top of the deceased's head was blown completely
off, and one eye had also been cut away by the shot. The position of the deceased and that
of his gun made it easy to infer how the sad occurrence came about. His Lordship's left foot
was fixed in the angle between one of the bars and the diagonal bar which runs from one corner
to the other of the gate. It was clear that he had been in the act of crossing into the
adjoining turnip field when he met his death. He had stepped onto the gate with his left foot,
and had put his right foot over to the other side, when he found his left inextricable, and had
then, in order to free himself, drawn his right foot back again. In doing so he had forgotten the
dangerous position in which he had left his gun. The gun, a double-barrelled one, with the 
trigger drawn, had been reared, muzzle upwards, against the gate, and, thinking he was
replacing his foot on one of the bars, he alighted instead on the trigger. The contents of one
of the barrels, a charge of small shot, were at once discharged, and they lodged in his brain.
'The dreadful character of the accident is evident from the fact that portions of the brains
were found at fifteen yards' distance from the scene. Mr Hensley at once proceeded to the
Towers for assistance, and it is one of the most pathetic incidents in this tragic story that the
faithful retriever, which had accompanied his Lordship, refused to move from his master's side,
moreover would not, until forcibly driven away, allow any one to approach him. The body,
remarkable to relate, was allowed to remain in the position in which it was found for fully two
hours, there being an indisposition on the part of the men about to interfere until a policeman
had arrived. Afterwards the body was conveyed to the Towers.'
At the subsequent inquest, the jury's verdict was one of accidental death, in accordance with
the medical evidence.
Hastings William Sackville Russell, 12th Duke of Bedford
During World War II, Bedford was accused of being a Fascist. In 1939 he became Chairman of
the British People's Party, the membership of which was primarily made up of ex-members of Sir
Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists. It is said that Bedford was placed on the list of those
to be interned in the event of a German invasion. After the war, however, he seems to have 
done an about-face and converted to socialism. In 1952 the Duke spoke in the House of Lords in 
defence of Dr Hewlett Johnson (known as the 'Red Dean' of Canterbury), who was an apologist 
for the Soviet Union. Bedford suggested to his fellow peers that 'if every man in the country
went to work for ten seconds a day he would produce the country's total requirements'. 
Alternatively, the country could abolish money and return to the barter system. Not surprisingly, 
neither suggestion was adopted.
Bedford was a respected naturalist and ornithologist. He inherited these interests from his 
father, with whom he was on poor terms. The 11th Duke became a recluse after World War I,
where he devoted himself to the study of rare animals and birds. Possibly due to his son's
pacifism, the 11th Duke quarrelled with his son and they did not speak, or communicate in any
way, for 20 years. The 13th Duke did not know of his grandfather's existence, or that he was
the eventual heir to the dukedom, until he was 16, when a servant accidentally let the
information slip.
The 12th Duke developed a strain of homing budgerigars and wrote a piece in Country Life on
the subject, illustrated by a photograph of himself surrounded by 3,000 birds. Birds eventually
caused his death: he shot himself when aiming at a hawk that was threatening one of his
budgerigars. According to Nancy Mitford in her book The English Aristocracy he also kept a 
pet spider to which he would regularly feed roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.
For further reading on the 12th Duke, and on the Dukes of Bedford in general, see "A Silver-
Plated Spoon" by John, (13th) Duke of Bedford (World Books, London 1959 and Doubleday, New
York 1959). This book includes a photograph of the 12th Duke with the caption "This is my 
father, the twelfth Duke (1888-1953), the loneliest man I ever knew, incapable of giving or
receiving love, utterly self-centred and opinionated. He loved birds, animals, peace, monetary
reform, the Park, and religion. He also had a wife and three children."
Robert Rochfort, 1st Earl of Belvidere
For the sake of simplicity, I have referred to this peer as 'Belvidere' throughout, notwithstanding
that his title was Baron Belfield between 1738 and 1751, and then Viscount Belfield between
1751 and 1756.
After his first wife had died of smallpox, Belvidere married Mary, the 16-year-old daughter of
Viscount Molesworth. At first, Belvidere's rages so frightened Mary that she escaped at night
to her father's house, only to be sent back by her father (by all accounts as big a brute as her
husband) in the morning. She settled down eventually and produced several children.
Around 1743, Belvidere, while visiting London, was sent anonymously an exchange of love letters
between his wife and his brother, Arthur Rochfort. When confronted, Lady Belvidere admitted
everything, including the fact Belvidere's youngest son was in fact his nephew. Belvidere sought
the advice of Lord Molesworth, who suggested that his daughter be transported to the West 
Indies as a vagabond, but Belvidere's choice of punishment proved to be even harsher - he
imprisoned his wife in the family home for the next 30 years. She was allowed servants, to whom
she could give orders, but they were not allowed to speak to her. She could walk in the grounds,
preceded by a footman who rang a bell to keep everyone away, but she was forbidden to leave
the estate. After being confined for 12 years, she managed to escape to her father's house in
Dublin. Her father refused to admit her, and the next day she was sent back to Belvidere's house
to resume her imprisonment.
Her lover, Arthur Rochfort, having heard that Belvidere had threatened to shoot him, escaped to
Yorkshire and then to France. Returning to Ireland 15 years later, he assumed that his brother 
would ignore him, but Belvidere immediately had him arrested and charged with £20,000 damages
for criminal conversation. When Arthur couldn't pay, Belvidere had him thrown into debtors'
prison, where he died.
While Mary remained imprisoned in the family home, her husband was living in luxury at his new
villa six miles away. Here he quarrelled with another of his brothers, George, who had established
his home within sight of Belvidere's villa. So offended by this action was Belvidere that he 
decided to block out the view by building a sham ruin between the two properties. At huge 
expense, he imported a number of Italian artists to design and build a ruined abbey, complete 
with Gothic windows, to stand between his house and his brother's.
When Belvidere died in 1774, Mary was at last released from her captivity, but her mind was 
gone. She apparently took to wandering the house and talking to portraits, as if they were real 
people, in a voice which had shrunk to a shrill whisper. She died shortly after her release.
Copyright @ 2003-2010  Leigh Rayment