PEERAGE
Last updated 03/09/2009
Date Rank Order Name Born Died  Age
BRUCE
24 Jun 1295 B 1 Robert de Bruce 1304
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Bruce
24 Jun 1295
1304 2 Robert de Bruce,4th Earl of Carrick 11 Jul 1274 6 Jun 1329 54
He was crowned King of Scotland as
Robert I in 1306. On the death of his son
David II of Scotland in 1371,the peerage
fell into abeyance
BRUCE OF AMPTHILL
21 Dec 1663 V 1 Robert Bruce,2nd Earl of Elgin 20 Oct 1685
  Created Baron Bruce of Skelton,
Viscount Bruce of Ampthill and Earl of
Ailesbury 18 Mar 1664
See "Ailesbury" - extinct 1747
BRUCE OF DONINGTON
20 Jan 1975 B[L] 1 Donald William Trevor Bruce 3 Oct 1912 18 Apr 2005 92
to    Created Baron Bruce of Donington for life
18 Apr 2005 20 Jan 1975
MP for Portsmouth North 1945-1950
Peerage extinct on his death
BRUCE OF KINLOSS
8 Jul 1604 B[S] 1 Edward Bruce c 1549 14 Jan 1611
3 May 1608 Created Lord Bruce of Kinloss
8 Jul 1604 and 3 May 1608
14 Jan 1611 2 Edward Bruce Aug 1613
Aug 1613 3 Thomas Bruce 2 Dec 1599 21 Dec 1663 64
1 Created Lord Bruce of Kinloss
and Earl of Elgin 21 Jun 1633,and Baron
Bruce of Whorlton 30 Jul 1641
21 Dec 1663 4 Robert Bruce,2nd Earl of Elgin 20 Oct 1685
2 Created Baron Bruce of Skelton,
Viscount Bruce of Ampthill and Earl of
Ailesbury 18 Mar 1664
20 Oct 1685 5 Thomas Bruce,2nd Earl of Ailesbury 1656 16 Dec 1741 85
3
16 Dec 1741 6 Charles Bruce,3rd Earl of Ailesbury 29 May 1682 10 Feb 1747 64
4 On his death the creations of 1604 and 1633
passed to the Earl of Elgin (qv) and the
creation of 1608 passed to the Barons of
Kinloss (qv)
BRUCE OF MELBOURNE
18 Mar 1947 V 1 Stanley Melbourne Bruce 15 Apr 1883 25 Aug 1967 84
to    Created Viscount Bruce of Melbourne
25 Aug 1967 18 Mar 1947
Prime Minister of Australia 1923-1929
PC 1923, CH 1927
Peerage extinct on his death
BRUCE OF SKELTON
21 Dec 1663 B 1 Robert Bruce,2nd Earl of Elgin 20 Oct 1685
  Created Baron Bruce of Skelton,
Viscount Bruce of Ampthill and Earl of
Ailesbury 18 Mar 1664
See "Ailesbury" - extinct 1747
BRUCE OF TORRY
26 Dec 1647 B[S] 1 Edward Bruce 1662
Created Lord Bruce of Torry and Earl
of Kincardine 26 Dec 1647
See "Kincardine"
BRUCE OF TOTTENHAM
17 Apr 1746 B 1 Charles Bruce,3rd Earl of Ailesbury 29 May 1682 10 Feb 1747 64
Created Baron Bruce of Tottenham
17 Apr 1746
10 Feb 1747 2 Thomas Bruce Brudenell-Bruce
He was subsequently created Earl of
Ailesbury in 1776 (qv)
                         **************
10 Jul 1838 George Brudenell-Bruce 20 Nov 1804  6 Jan 1878 73
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of
Acceleraion as Baron Bruce of Tottenham
10 Jul 1838
He succeeded as Marquess of Ailesbury (qv) in 1856
BRUCE OF WHORLTON
30 Jul 1641 B 1 Thomas Bruce,1st Earl of Elgin 2 Dec 1599 21 Dec 1663 64
  Created Baron Bruce of Whorlton
30 Jul 1641
See "Elgin" - extinct 1747
                         **********
29 Dec 1711 Charles Bruce 1682 10 Feb 1747 64
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of
Acceleration as Baron Bruce of Whorlton
29 Dec 1711
He succeeded as 4th Earl of Elgin (qv) in 1741
BRUCE-GARDYNE
7 Oct 1983 B[L] 1 John Bruce-Gardyne 12 Apr 1930 15 Apr 1990 60
to    Created Baron Bruce-Gardyne for life
15 Apr 1990 7 Oct 1983
MP for Angus South 1964-1974 and
Knutsford 1979-1983
Peerage extinct on his death
BRUCE-LOCKHART
9 Jun 2006 B[L] 1 Sir Alexander John Bruce-Lockhart 4 May 1942 14 Aug 2008 66
to    Created Baron Bruce-Lockhart for life
14 Aug 2008 9 Jun 2006
Peerage extinct on his death
BRUDENELL OF DEENE
17 Oct 1780 B 1 James Brudenell 20 Apr 1725 24 Feb 1811 85
Created Baron Brudenell of Deene
17 Oct 1780
He subsequently succeeded to the Earldom
of Cardigan in 1790 (qv)
BRUDENELL OF STONTON
25 Feb 1628 B 1 Sir Thomas Brudenell,1st baronet 16 Sep 1663
Created Baron Brudenell of Stonton
25 Feb 1628
He was subsequently created Earl of
Cardigan in 1661 (qv)
BRUN
8 Jan 1313 B 1 Maurice le Brun c 1280 17 Mar 1355
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Brun 8 Jan 1313
17 Mar 1355 2 William le Brun c 1362
c 1362 3 Ingelram le Brun c 1400
c 1400 4 Maurice le Brun c 1462
to    On his death the peerage fell into abeyance
c 1462
BRUNTISFIELD
10 Mar 1942 B 1 Sir Victor Alexander George Anthony
Warrender,8th baronet 23 Jun 1899 14 Jan 1993 93
Created Baron Bruntisfield 10 Mar 1942
MP for Grantham 1923-1942
14 Jan 1993 2 John Robert Warrender 7 Feb 1921 14 Jul 2007 86
14 Jul 2007 3 Michael John Victor Warrender 9 Jan 1949
BRYAN
25 Nov 1350 B 1 Guy Bryan before 1319 17 Aug 1390
to    Summoned to Parliament as Lord
17 Aug 1390 Bryan 25 Nov 1350
KG c 1370
On his death the peerage fell into abeyance
BRYCE
28 Jan 1914 V 1 James Bryce 10 May 1838 22 Jan 1922 83
to    Created Viscount Bryce 28 Jan 1914
22 Jan 1922 MP for Tower Hamlets 1880-1885 and
Aberdeen South 1885-1907.  Chancellor of
the Duchy of Lancaster 1892-1894.
President of the Board of Trade 1894-1895.
PC 1892, PC [I] 1905. OM 1907
Peerage extinct on his death
BUCCLEUCH
18 Mar 1606 B[S] 1 Sir Walter Scott 1565 15 Dec 1611 46
Created Lord Scott of Buccleuch
18 Mar 1606
15 Dec 1611 2 Walter Scott 20 Nov 1633
16 Mar 1619 E[S] 1 Created Baron Scott of Whitchester
and Eskdale and Earl of Buccleuch
16 Mar 1619
20 Nov 1633 2 Francis Scott 21 Dec 1626 25 Nov 1651 24
25 Nov 1651 3 Mary Scott 31 Aug 1647 12 Mar 1661 13
12 Mar 1661 4 Anne Scott 11 Feb 1651 6 Feb 1732 80
20 Apr 1663 D[S] 1 Created Lady Scott of Whitchester,
Countess of Dalkeith and Duchess of
Buccleuch 20 Apr 1663
She married James Scott,Duke of
Monmouth,illegitimate son of Charles II
He was created Lord Scott of
Whitchester,Earl of Dalkeith and Duke
of Buccleuch 20 Apr 1663
He was attainted and his honours forfeited
in 1685
6 Feb 1732 2 Francis Scott 11 Jan 1695 22 Apr 1751 56
Restored to the peerages of Baron
Scott of Tindal and Earl of Doncaster
23 Mar 1743  -  see Monmouth
KT 1725
22 Apr 1751 3 Henry Scott 2 Sep 1746 11 Jan 1812 65
Lord Lieutenant Midlothian 1794-1812  and
Roxburgh 1804-1812. KT 1767. KG 1794
He succeeded to the Dukedom of
Queensberry (qv) in 1810
11 Jan 1812 4 Charles William Henry Montagu-Scott 24 May 1772 20 Apr 1819 46
MP for Marlborough 1793-1796,
Ludgershall 1796-1804, St.Michaels
1805-1806, Marlborough 1806-1807. Lord
Lieutenant Selkirk 1794-1797,Dumfries 1810-1819
and Midlothian 1812-1819. KT 1812
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of
Acceleration as Baron Scott of Tyndale
11 Apr 1807
20 Apr 1819 5 Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-Scott 25 Nov 1806 16 Apr 1884 77
Lord Privy Seal 1842-1846. Lord President
of the Council 1846. Lord Lieutenant
Midlothian 1828-1884 and Roxburgh 1841-
1884. KT 1830, KG 1835, PC 1842
16 Apr 1884 6 William Henry Walter Montagu-
Douglas-Scott 9 Sep 1831 5 Nov 1914 83
MP for Midlothian 1853-1868. Lord
Lieutenant Dumfries 1858-1914.  KT 1875,KG 1897
PC 1901
5 Nov 1914 7 John Charles Montagu-Douglas-Scott 30 Mar 1864 19 Oct 1935 71
Lord Lieutenant Dumfries 1915-1935
KT 1917
19 Oct 1935 8 Walter John Montagu-Douglas-Scott 30 Dec 1894 4 Oct 1973 78
MP for Roxburgh and Selkirk 1923-1935
Lord Lieutenant Roxburgh 1932-1973.
PC 1937  KT 1949
4 Oct 1973 9 Walter Francis John Montagu-
Douglas-Scott  [later Scott] 28 Sep 1923 4 Sep 2007 83
Lord Lieutenant Roxburgh 1974-1975, Selkirk 1975
and Roxburgh,Ettrick and Lauderdale 1975-
KT 1978. MP for Edinburgh North 1960-1973
4 Sep 2007 10 Richard John Walter Montagu Douglas Scott 14 Feb 1954
BUCHAN
1115 E[S] 1 Gartnach after 1132
Witness to the Charter of Scone in
1115 as Earl of Buchan
after 1132 2 Eva c 1150
she married Colban who became earl of
buchan in her right
c 1150 3 Roger c 1170
c 1170 4 Fergus before 1199
before 1199 5 Margaret c 1237
she married William Comyn who became Earl
of Buchan in her right
ca 1237 6 Alexander Comyn 1289
1289 7 John Comyn before 1259 1308
to    Peerage extinct on his death
1308
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22 Jan 1334 E[S] 1 Henry Beaumont 1340
to    Summoned to Parliament as Earl of
1340 Buchan 22 Jan 1334
Peerage extinct on his death
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c 1382 E[S] 1 Sir Alexander Stewart 24 Jul 1394
Created Earl of Buchan c 1382
4th son of Robert II of Scotland
24 Jul 1394 2 Robert Stewart c 1340 3 Sep 1420
He was created Duke of Albany 1398 (qv)
He resigned the peerage 1406 in favour of -
1406 3 John Stewart c 1380 17 Aug 1424
17 Aug 1424 4 Robert Stewart 1431
to    Peerage extinct on his death
1431
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1469 E[S] 1 Sir James Stewart c 1495
Created Lord Auchterhouse and Earl of
Buchan 1469
c 1495 2 Alexander Stewart 1505
1505 3 John Stewart c 1555
c 1555 4 Christian Stewart c 1580
She married Robert Douglas who became
Earl of Buchan in her right
c 1580 5 James Douglas 26 Aug 1601
26 Aug 1601 6 Mary Douglas Jan 1640
She married James Erskine who became
Earl of Buchan in her right
Jan 1640 7 James Erskine Oct 1664
Oct 1664 8 William Erskine 1695
1695 9 David Erskine,Lord Cardross 1672 14 Oct 1745 73
Lord Lieutenant Stirling and Clackmannan
PC 1697
14 Oct 1745 10 Henry David Erskine 17 Apr 1710 1 Dec 1767 57
1 Dec 1767 11 David Steuart Erskine 1 Jun 1742 19 Apr 1829 86
19 Apr 1829 12 Henry David Erskine Jul 1783 13 Sep 1857 74
13 Sep 1857 13 David Stuart Erskine 6 Nov 1815 3 Dec 1898 83
For further information on this peer, see the
note at the foot of this page.
3 Dec 1898 14 Shipley Gordon Stuart Erskine 27 Feb 1850 16 Apr 1934 84
16 Apr 1934 15 Ronald Douglas Stuart Mar Erskine 6 Apr 1878 18 Dec 1960 82
18 Dec 1960 16 Donald Cardross Flower Erskine 3 Jun 1899 26 Jul 1984 85
26 Jul 1984 17 Malcolm Harry Erskine 4 Jul 1930
BUCKHURST
8 Jun 1567 B 1 Thomas Sackville 1527 19 Apr 1608 80
Created Baron Buckhurst 8 Jun 1567
He was subsequently created Earl of
Dorset in 1604 (qv)
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27 Apr 1864 B 1 Elizabeth Sackville-West 11 Aug 1795 9 Jan 1870 74
Created Baroness Buckhurst
27 Apr 1864
For further information about the unusual remainder
of the this peerage, see the note at the foot of
this page.
9 Jan 1870 2 Reginald Windsor Sackville 21 Feb 1817 5 Jan 1896 78
He succeeded as Earl de la Warr in 1873
when the peerages were merged
BUCKINGHAM
c 1097 E 1 Walter Giffard 15 Jul 1102
Created Earl of Buckingham c 1097
15 Jul 1102 2 Walter Giffard 1164
to    Peerage extinct on his death
1164
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c 1164 E 1 Richard de Clare  ("Strongbow") 1176
to    Generally considered to have been
1176 Earl of Buckingham
Peerage,if such ever existed, extinct on
his death
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15 Jul 1377 E 1 Thomas Plantagenet 8 Sep 1397
Created Earl of Buckingham 15 Jul 1377
Youngest son of Edward III. Created Duke
of Gloucester 1385 (qv)
8 Sep 1397 2 Humphrey Plantagenet 1399
to    Peerage extinct on his death
1399
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14 Sep 1444 D 1 Humphrey Stafford 10 Jul 1460
Created Duke of Buckingham 14 Sep 1444
KG 1429
10 Jul 1460 2 Henry Stafford 4 Sep 1454 2 Nov 1483 29
to    KG c 1474
2 Nov 1483 He was attainted and executed 1483 when
the peerage was forfeited
1486 3 Edward Stafford 3 Feb 1478 17 May 1521 43
to    Restored to the peerage 1486. KG 1495
17 May 1521 He was attainted and executed 1521 when
the peerage was forfeited
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1 Jul 1618 E[L] 1 Dame Mary Compton 1570 19 Apr 1632 61
to    Created Countess of Buckingham for life
19 Apr 1632 1 Jul 1618
Peerage extinct on her death
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18 May 1623 D 1 George Villiers 28 Aug 1592 23 Aug 1628 35
Created Baron Whaddon and Viscount
Villiers 27 Aug 1616,Earl of
Buckingham 5 Jan 1617,Marquess of
Buckingham 1 Jan 1618 and Earl of
Coventry and Duke of Buckingham
18 May 1623
Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports 1618.
Lord Lieutenant Kent 1620 and Middlesex
1622. KG 1616
23 Aug 1628 2 George Villiers 30 Jan 1628 16 Apr 1687 59
to    Lord Lieutenant W Riding Yorkshire 1661-Mar 1667
16 Apr 1687 and Nov 1667-1674. KG 1649
Peerages extinct on his death
 
BUCKINGHAM & CHANDOS
4 Dec 1784 M 1 George Nugent-Temple-Grenville,3rd Earl Temple 17 Jun 1753 11 Feb 1813 59
Created Marquess of Buckingham
4 Dec 1784
MP for Buckinghamshire 1774-1779. Lord
Lieutenant Buckinghamshire 1782-1813. Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland 1782-1783 and 1787-
1789.  Secretary of State 1783. PC 1782
KG 1786
11 Feb 1813 2 Richard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-
4 Feb 1822 D 1 Grenville 20 Mar 1776 17 Jan 1839 62
Created Earl Temple of Stowe,Marquess
of Chandos and Duke of Buckingham
and Chandos 4 Feb 1822
MP for Buckinghamshire 1797-1813. Vice
President of the Board of Trade 1806-1807
Lord Lieutenant Buckinghamshire 1813-1839
PC 1806, KG 1820
17 Jan 1839 2 Richard Plantagenet Temple-Nugent-
Brydges-Chandos-Grenville 11 Feb 1797 29 Jul 1861 64
MP for Buckinghamshire 1818-1839. Lord
Privy Seal 1841-1842. PC 1841, KG 1842
29 Jul 1861 3 Richard Plantagenet Temple-Nugent-
to    Brydges-Chandos-Grenville 10 Sep 1823 26 Mar 1889 65
26 Mar 1889 MP for Buckinghamshire 1846-1857. Lord
President of the Council 1866-1867.
Secretary of State for Colonies 1867-1868
Lord Lieutenant Buckinghamshire 1868-1889
Governor of Madras 1875-1880. PC 1866
Peerages extinct on his death
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
23 Mar 1703 D 1 John Sheffield,1st Marquess of Normanby 8 Sep 1647 24 Feb 1721 73
Created Duke of the County of
Buckingham and of Normanby 23 Mar 1703
Lord Lieutenant E Riding Yorkshire 1679-
1682 and 1687-1688. Lord Lieutenant N
Riding of Yorkshire 1702-1705 and 1711-1714
and Middlesex 1711-1714. Lord Privy Seal
1702-1705. KG 1674, PC 1685
24 Feb 1721 2 Edmund Sheffield 3 Jan 1716 30 Oct 1735 19
to    Peerages extinct on his death
30 Oct 1735
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5 Sep 1746 E 1 Sir John Hobart,5th baronet 11 Oct 1693 22 Sep 1756 62
Created Baron Hobart 28 May 1728
and Earl of Buckinghamshire 5 Sep 1746
MP for St Ives 1715-1727 and Norfolk
1727-1728. Lord Lieutenant Norfolk 1739-1756
PC 1745
22 Sep 1756 2 John Hobart 17 Aug 1722 3 Aug 1793 70
MP for Norwich 1747-1756. Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland 1776-1780. PC 1756
3 Aug 1793 3 George Hobart 8 Sep 1729 14 Oct 1804 75
MP for St Ives 1754-1761 and Beeralston
1761-1780
14 Oct 1804 4 Robert Hobart 6 May 1760 4 Feb 1816 55
MP for Bramber 1788-1790 and Lincoln
1790-1796. Governor of Madras 1793-1797.
Secretary of State for War 1801-1804.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1805
and 1812. Postmaster General 1806-1807.
PC [I] 1789. PC 1793
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of
Acceleration as Baron Hobart 30 Nov 1798
4 Feb 1816 5 George Robert Hobart-Hampden 1 May 1789 1 Feb 1849 59
MP for St Michaels 1812-1813
1 Feb 1849 6 Augustus Edward Hobart-Hampden 1 Nov 1793 29 Oct 1885 91
29 Oct 1885 7 Sidney Carr Hobart-Hampden 14 Mar 1860 15 Jan 1930 69
15 Jan 1930 8 John Hampden Mercer-Henderson 16 Apr 1906 2 Jan 1963 56
2 Jan 1963 9 Vere Frederick Cecil Hobart-Hampden 17 May 1901 19 Apr 1983 81
19 Apr 1983 10 George Miles Hobart-Hampden 15 Dec 1944
BUCKLAND
16 Jul 1926 B 1 Henry Seymour Berry 17 Sep 1877 23 May 1928 50
to    Created Baron Buckland 16 Jul 1926
23 May 1928 Peerage extinct on his death
BUCKMASTER
24 Feb 1933 V 1 Stanley Owen Buckmaster 9 Jan 1861 5 Dec 1934 73
Created Baron Buckmaster 14 Jun 1915
and Viscount Buckmaster 24 Feb 1933
MP for Cambridge 1906-1910 and Keighley
1911-1915. Solicitor General 1913-1915,
Lord Chancellor 1915-1916. PC 1915
5 Dec 1934 2 Owen Stanley Buckmaster 24 Sep 1890 25 Nov 1974 84
25 Nov 1974 3 Martin Stanley Buckmaster 11 Apr 1921 8 Jun 2007 86
8 Jun 2007 4 Adrian Charles Buckmaster 2 Feb 1949
BUCKTON
16 Jun 1966 B[L] 1 Sir Samuel Storey,1st baronet 18 Jan 1896 17 Jan 1978 81
to    Created Baron Buckton for life 16 Jun 1966
17 Jan 1978 MP for Sunderland 1931-1945 and
Stratford 1950-1966
Peerage extinct on his death
BULKELEY
19 Jan 1644 V[I] 1 Thomas Bulkeley c 1659
Created Viscount Bulkeley 19 Jan 1644
c 1659 2 Robert Bulkeley c 1630 18 Oct 1688
MP for Anglesey 1660-1661 and 1685-1689
18 Oct 1688 3 Richard Bulkeley c 1658 9 Aug 1704  
MP for Beaumaris 1679 and Anglesey
1680-1704
9 Aug 1704 4 Richard Bulkeley 19 Sep 1682 4 Jun 1724 41
MP for Anglesey 1704-1715 and 1722-1724
4 Jun 1724 5 Richard Bulkeley 8 Apr 1707 15 Mar 1739 31
MP for Beaumaris 1730
15 Mar 1739 6 James Bulkeley 17 Feb 1717 23 Apr 1752 35
MP for Beaumaris 1739
12 Dec 1752 7 Thomas James Bulkeley 12 Dec 1752 3 Jun 1822 69
14 May 1784 1 Created Baron Bulkeley 14 May 1784
to    MP for Anglesey 1774-1784  Lord Lieutenant
3 Jun 1822 Caernarvon 1781-1822
Peerages extinct on his death
BULLOCK
30 Jan 1976 B[L] 1 Alan Louis Charles Bullock 13 Dec 1914 2 Feb 2004 89
to    Created Baron Bullock for life 30 Jan 1976
2 Feb 2004 Peerage extinct on his death
BULMER
25 Feb 1342 B 1 Ralph de Bulmer 1357
to    Summoned to Parliament as Lord
1357 Bulmer 25 Feb 1342
Peerage became dormant on his death
BURDEN
1 Feb 1950 B 1 Thomas William Burden 29 Jan 1885 27 May 1970 85
Created Baron Burden 1 Feb 1950
MP for Park 1942-1950
27 May 1970 2 Philip William Burden 21 Jun 1916 25 Jun 1995 79
25 Jun 1995 3 Andrew Philip Burden 20 Jul 1959 23 Apr 2000 40
23 Apr 2000 4 Fraser William Elsworth Burden 6 Nov 1964
BURDETT-COUTTS
9 Jun 1871 B 1 Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts 25 Apr 1814 30 Dec 1906 92
to    Created Baroness Burdett-Coutts
30 Dec 1906 9 Jun 1871
Peerage extinct on her death
For further information on this peeress, and in
particular her battle against her stalker, Richard
Dunn, see the note at the foot of this page.
BURFORD
27 Dec 1676 E 1 Charles Beauclerk 8 May 1670 10 May 1726 56
Created Baron Hedington and Earl of
Burford 27 Dec 1676,and Duke of
St.Albans 10 Jan 1684
See "St.Albans"
BURGH
10 Dec 1327 B 1 William de Burgh
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Burgh 10 Dec 1327
Nothing further is known of this peerage
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1 Sep 1487 B 1 Thomas Burgh 18 Mar 1496
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Burgh 1 Sep 1487
KG 1483
18 Mar 1496 2 Edward Burgh 20 Aug 1528
20 Aug 1528 3 Thomas Burgh 28 Feb 1550
2 Dec 1529 B 1 admitted to Parliament 2 Dec 1529
28 Feb 1550 2 William Burgh 1522 10 Sep 1584 62
10 Sep 1584 3 Thomas Burgh c 1555 14 Oct 1597
KG 1593
14 Oct 1597 4 Robert Burgh 1594 26 Feb 1602 7
to    On his death the peerage fell into abeyance
26 Feb 1602
5 May 1916 5 Alexander Henry Leith 27 Jul 1866 19 Aug 1926 60
Abeyance terminated in his favour
5 May 1916
19 Aug 1926 6 Alexander Leigh Henry Leith 16 May 1906 26 May 1959 53
26 May 1959 7 Alexander Peter Willoughby Leith 20 Mar 1935 14 Jul 2001 66
14 Jul 2001 8 Alexander Gregory Disney Leith 16 Mar 1958
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24 May 1784 B 1 James Lowther 5 Aug 1736 24 May 1802 65
Created Baron Lowther,Baron of the
Barony of Kendal,Baron of the Barony
of Burgh,Viscount of Lonsdale,
Viscount of Lowther and Earl of
Lonsdale 24 May 1784
Peerages extinct on his death
BURGHCLERE
3 Aug 1895 B 1 Herbert Coulston Gardner 9 Jun 1846 6 May 1921 74
to    Created Baron Burghclere 3 Aug 1895
6 May 1921 MP for Essex North 1885-1895. President
of the Board of Agriculture 1892-1895
PC 1892
Peerage extinct on his death
BURGHERSH
12 Nov 1303 B 1 Robert de Burghersh 1306
to    Summoned to Parliament as Lord
1306 Burghersh 12 Nov 1303
Peerage extinct on his death
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25 Jan 1330 B 1 Bartholomew de Burghersh before 1304 Aug 1355
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Burghersh 25 Jan 1330
Aug 1355 2 Bartholomew de Burghersh before 1329 5 Apr 1369
KG 1348
5 Apr 1369 3 Elizabeth Despencer 1342 Aug 1409 47
Aug 1409 4 Richard Despencer 1400 7 Oct 1414 14
7 Oct 1414 5 Isabel Beauchamp 26 Jul 1400 Jan 1440 39
Jan 1440 6 Henry Beauchamp,Earl of Warwick c 1423 11 Jun 1445
11 Jun 1445 7 Ann Beauchamp 3 Jun 1449
to    On her death the peerage fell into abeyance
3 Jun 1449
BURGHLEY
25 Feb 1571 B 1 Sir William Cecil 13 Sep 1521 4 Aug 1598 76
Created Baron Burghley 25 Feb 1571
Secretary of State 1548-1549,1551 and
1558-1598. Lord Treasurer 1572-1598
KG 1572
4 Aug 1598 2 Thomas Cecil
He was created Earl of Exeter (qv) in 1605
into which title this peerage then merged
BURLINGTON
20 Mar 1664 E 1 Richard Boyle,2nd Earl of Cork 20 Oct 1612 15 Jan 1698 85
Created Baron Clifford of
Lanesborough 4 Nov 1644 and Earl of
Burlington 20 Mar 1664
MP for Appleby 1640-1644. Lord Lieutenant
W Riding Yorkshire 1667 and 1679-1688
15 Jan 1698 2 Charles Boyle 30 Oct 1660 9 Feb 1704 43
He was summoned to Parliament as Baron
Clifford of Lanesborough 20 Nov 1694
MP for Appleby 1690-1694. Lord Lieutenant
W Riding Yorkshire 1699-1704. PC [I] 1695
PC 1702
9 Feb 1704 3 Richard Boyle 25 Apr 1694 3 Dec 1753 59
to    Lord Lieutenant W Riding Yorkshire
3 Dec 1753 1715-1733.  KG 1730
Peerage extinct on his death
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10 Sep 1831 E 1 George Augustus Henry Cavendish 21 Mar 1754 4 May 1834 80
Created Baron Cavendish of Keighley
and Earl of Burlington 10 Sep 1831
MP for Knaresborough 1775-1780, Derby
1780-1796 and Derbyshire 1797-1831
4 May 1834 2 William Cavendish 27 Apr 1808 21 Dec 1891 83
He succeeded to the Dukedom of Devonshire
in 1858 when the peerages were merged
BURLISON
21 Oct 1997 B[L] 1 Thomas Burlison 23 May 1936 20 May 2008 71
to    Created Baron Burlison for life 21 Oct 1997
20 May 2008 Peerage extinct on his death
BURNELL
19 Dec 1311 B 1 Edward Burnell 1315
to    Summoned to Parliament as Lord
1315 Burnell 19 Dec 1311
Peerage extinct on his death
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25 Nov 1350 B 1 Nicholas Burnell 19 Jan 1383
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Burnell 25 Nov 1350
19 Jan 1383 2 Hugh Burnell 1347 27 Nov 1420 73
to    KG 1406
27 Nov 1420 Peerage extinct on his death
BURNETT
31 May 2006 B[L] 1 John Patrick Aubone Burnett 19 Sep 1945
Created Baron Burnett for life 31 May 2006
MP for Devon West and Torridge 1997-2005
BURNHAM
31 Jul 1903 B 1 Sir Edward Levy-Lawson,1st baronet 28 Dec 1833 9 Jan 1916 82
Created Baron Burnham 31 Jul 1903
9 Jan 1916 2 Harry Lawson Webster Lawson 18 Dec 1862 20 Jul 1933 70
16 May 1919 V 1 Created Viscount Burnham 16 May 1919
to    MP for St Pancras West 1885-1892,
20 Jul 1933 Cirencester 1893-1895 and Tower Hamlets
1905-1906 and 1910-1916. CH 1917
On his death the Viscountcy became extinct
but the Barony passed to -
20 Jul 1933 3 William Arnold Webster Levy Lawson 19 Mar 1864 14 Jun 1943 79
14 Jun 1943 4 Edward Frederick Lawson 16 Jun 1890 4 Jul 1963 73
4 Jul 1963 5 William Edward Harry Lawson 20 Oct 1920 18 Jun 1993 72
18 Jun 1993 6 Hugh John Frederick Lawson 15 Aug 1931 1 Jan 2005 73
1 Jan 2005 7 Harry Frederick Alan Lawson 22 Feb 1968
BURNS
20 Jul 1998 B[L] 1 Terence Burns 13 Mar 1944
Created Baron Burns for life 20 Jul 1998
BURNTISLAND
15 Apr 1672 B[S] 1 Sir James Wemyss Dec 1685
to    [L] Created Lord Burntisland for life 15 Apr 1672
Dec 1685 Peerage extinct on his death
BURNTWOOD
21 Sep 1970 B[L] 1 Julian Ward Snow 24 Feb 1910 24 Jan 1982 71
to    Created Baron Burntwood for life
24 Jan 1982 21 Sep 1970
MP for Portsmouth Central 1945-1950
and Lichfield and Tamworth 1950-1970
Peerage extinct on his death
BURTON
1 Jan 1712 B 1 Henry Paget c 1665 30 Aug 1743
Created Baron Burton 1 Jan 1712
He was subsequently created Earl of
Uxbridge (qv)
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13 Aug 1886 B 1 Sir Michael Arthur Bass,1st baronet 12 Nov 1837 1 Feb 1909 71
to    Created Baron Burton 13 Aug 1886
1 Feb 1909 and again 29 Nov 1897
29 Nov 1897 B 1 MP for Stafford 1865-1868, Staffordshire
East 1868-1885 and Burton 1885-1886.
On his death the creation of 1886 became
extinct whilst the creation of 1897
passed to -
1 Feb 1909 2 Nellie Lisa Melles 27 Dec 1873 28 May 1962 88
28 May 1962 3 Michael Evan Victor Baillie 27 Jun 1924
BURTON OF COVENTRY
12 Apr 1962 B[L] 1 Elaine Frances Burton 2 Mar 1904 6 Oct 1991 87
to    Created Baroness Burton of
6 Oct 1991 Coventry for life 12 Apr 1962
MP for Coventry South 1950-1959
Peerage extinct on her death
BURY
10 Feb 1697 V 1 Arnold Joost van Keppel        1670 30 May 1718 47
Created Baron Ashford,Viscount Bury
and Earl of Albemarle 10 Feb 1697
See "Albemarle"
BUSCOMBE
23 Jul 1998 B[L] 1 Peta Jane Buscombe 12 Mar 1954
Created Baroness Buscombe for life
23 Jul 1998
BUTE
14 Apr 1703 E[S] 1 Sir James Stuart,4th baronet 4 Jun 1710
Created Lord Mount Stuart,Cumra and
Inchmarnock,Viscount of Kingarth and
Earl of Bute 14 Apr 1703
4 Jun 1710 2 James Stuart 1689 28 Jan 1723 33
28 Jan 1723 3 John Stuart 25 May 1713 10 Mar 1792 78
Secretary of State 1761-1762. Prime
Minister 1762-1763. KT 1738, KG 1762
10 Mar 1792 4 John Stuart 30 Jun 1744 16 Nov 1814 70
21 Mar 1796 M 1 Created Baron Cardiff of Cardiff
Castle 20 May 1776,and Viscount
Mountjoy,Earl of Windsor and Marquess
of the County of Bute 21 Mar 1796
MP for Bossiney 1766-1776. Lord
Lieutenant Glamorgan 1772-1793 and
1794-1814. Lord Lieutenant Bute 1794-1814
PC 1779
16 Nov 1814 2 John Crichton-Stuart 10 Aug 1793 18 Mar 1848 54
Lord Lieutenant Bute and Glamorgan 1815-1848
KT 1843
18 Mar 1848 3 John Patrick Crichton-Stuart 12 Sep 1847 9 Oct 1900 53
Lord Lieutenant Bute 1892-1900.  KT 1875
9 Oct 1900 4 John Crichton-Stuart 20 Jun 1881 25 Apr 1947 65
Lord Lieutenant Bute 1905-1920. KT 1922
25 Apr 1947 5 John Crichton-Stuart 4 Aug 1907 16 Aug 1956 49
16 Aug 1956 6 John Crichton-Stuart 27 Feb 1933 21 Jul 1993 60
Lord Lieutenant Bute 1967-1974 and Argyll and
Bute 1990-1993
21 Jul 1993 7 John Colum Crichton-Stuart 26 Apr 1958
BUTLER
c 1192 B 1 Theobald Fitz-Walter 1206
Created Baron Butler c 1192
1206 2 Theobald Butler 1200 1248
1248 3 Theobald Butler 1242 c 1265
c 1265 4 Theobald Butler 26 Sep 1285
26 Sep 1285 5 Theobald Butler 14 May 1290
14 May 1290 6 Edmund Butler 13 Sep 1321
13 Sep 1321 7 James Butler
He was created Earl of Ormonde (qv) in
1328 when the peerages merged
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8 Jul 1912 B 1 Charles Ernest Alfred French
Somerset Butler,7th Earl of Carrick 15 Nov 1873 2 Nov 1931 57
Created Baron Butler 8 Jul 1912
See "Carrick"
BUTLER OF BROCKWELL
12 Feb 1998 B[L] 1 Frederick Edward Robin Butler 3 Jan 1938
Created Baron Butler of Brockwell for life
12 Feb 1998
BUTLER OF CLOUGHGRENAN
13 May 1662 B[I] 1 Lord Richard Butler 15 Jun 1639 25 Jan 1686 46
to    Created Baron Butler of
25 Jan 1686 Cloughgrenan,Viscount Tullogh and
Earl of Arran 13 May 1662
Peerage extinct on his death
BUTLER OF LANTHONY
20 Jul 1660 B 1 James Butler,1st Marquess of Ormonde 19 Oct 1610 21 Jul 1688 77
      Created Baron Butler of Lanthony
      and Earl of Brecknock 20 Jul 1660
See "Ormonde" - peerage forfeited 1715
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
20 Jan 1801 B 1 Walter Butler,11th Earl of Ormonde 4 Feb 1770 10 Aug 1820 50
to        Created Baron Butler of Lanthony
10 Aug 1820 20 Jan 1801 and Marquess of Ormonde
Jan 1816
Peerage extinct on his death
BUTLER OF MOORE PARK
17 Sep 1666 B 1 Thomas Butler 30 Jul 1680
Summoned to Parliament as Baron
Butler of Moore Park 17 Sep 1666
30 Jul 1680 2 James Butler
to    He succeeded to the Dukedom of Ormonde
20 Aug 1715 (qv). He was attainted in 1715 and the
peerage forfeited.
31 Jul 1871 3 Francis Thomas de Grey Cowper,
to    7th Earl Cowper 11 Jun 1834 18 Jul 1905 71
18 Jul 1905 He obtained a reversal of the attainder
31 Jul 1871. The peerage fell into abeyance
on his death
BUTLER OF SAFFRON WALDEN
19 Feb 1965 B[L] 1 Richard Austen Butler 9 Dec 1902 8 Mar 1982 79
to    Created Baron Butler of Saffron
8 Mar 1982 Walden for life 19 Feb 1965
MP for Saffron Walden 1929-1965. Minister
for Education 1941-1945, Minister for
Labour 1945, Chancellor of the Exchequer
1951-1955, Lord Privy Seal 1955-1959, Home
Secretary 1957-1962, First Secretary of
State 1962-1963, Foreign Secretary 1963-
1964. PC 1939 CH 1954 KG 1971
Peerage extinct on his death
BUTLER OF TULLEOPHELIM
4 Aug 1603 V[I] 1 Theobald Butler Jan 1613
to    Created Viscount Butler of
Jan 1613 Tulleophelim 4 Aug 1603
Peerage extinct on his death
BUTLER OF WESTON
27 Aug 1673 B 1 Lord Richard Butler,1st Earl of Arran 15 Jun 1639 25 Jan 1686 46
to    Created Baron Butler of Weston
25 Jan 1686 27 Aug 1673
Peerage extinct on his death
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8 Mar 1693 E[I] 1 Charles Butler,1st Earl of Arran 4 Sep 1671 17 Dec 1758 87
to    Created Baron Butler of Weston
17 Dec1758 23 Jan 1694
Peerages extinct on his death
BUTLER-SLOSS
13 Jun 2006 B[L] 1 Dame Ann Elizabeth Oldfield Butler-Sloss 10 Aug 1933
Created Baroness Butler-Sloss for life
13 Jun 2006
Justice of the Court of Appeal 1988-1999.
President of the Family Division of the High Court
of Justice 1999-2005. PC 1988
BUTTERFIELD
10 Aug 1988 B[L] 1 William John Hughes Butterfield 28 Mar 1920 22 Jul 2000 80
to    Created Baron Butterfield for life
22 Jul 2000 10 Aug 1988
Peerage extinct on his death
BUTTERWORTH
15 May 1985 B[L] 1 John Blackstock Butterworth 13 Mar 1918 19 Jun 2003 85
to    Created Baron Butterworth for life
19 Jun 2003 15 May 1985
Peerage extinct on his death
BUXTON
8 Nov 1920 E 1 Sydney Charles Buxton 25 Oct 1853 15 Oct 1934 80
to    Created Viscount Buxton 11 May 1914
15 Oct 1934 and Earl Buxton 8 Nov 1920
MP for Peterborough 1883-1885 and
Tower Hamlets 1886-1914. Postmaster
General 1905-1910, President of the Board
of Trade 1910-1914. Governor General of
South Africa 1914-1920. PC 1905
Peerages extinct on his death
BUXTON OF ALSA
11 May 1978 B[L] 1 Aubrey Leland Oakes Buxton 15 Jul 1918 1 Sep 2009 91
to    Created Baron Buxton of Alsa for life
1 Sep 2009 11 May 1978
Peerage extinct on his death
BYERS
22 Dec 1964 B[L] 1 Charles Frank Byers 24 Jul 1915 6 Feb 1984 68
to    Created Baron Byers for life 22 Dec 1964
6 Feb 1984 MP for Dorset North 1945-1950
Peerage extinct on his death
BYFORD
15 Oct 1996 B[L] 1 Hazel Byford 14 Jan 1941
Created Baroness Byford for life 15 Oct 1996
BYNG OF SOUTHILL
21 Sep 1721 B 1 Sir George Byng 27 Jan 1664 17 Jan 1733 68
Created Baron Byng of Southill and
Viscount Torrington 21 Sep 1721
See "Torrington"
BYNG OF VIMY
12 Jan 1928 V 1 Julian Hedworth George Byng 11 Sep 1862 6 Jun 1935 72
to    Created Baron Byng of Vimy 7 Oct 1919
6 Jun 1935 and Viscount Byng of Vimy 12 Jan 1928
Governor General of Canada 1921-1926
Field Marshal 1932
Peerages extinct on his death
BYRON
24 Oct 1643 B 1 John Byron 1599 Aug 1652 53
Created Baron Byron 24 Oct 1643
MP for Nottingham 1623-1625 and 1627
Aug 1652 2 Richard Byron 1606 4 Oct 1679 73
4 Oct 1679 3 William Byron 1636 13 Nov 1695 59
13 Nov 1695 4 William Byron 4 Jan 1669 8 Aug 1736 67
8 Aug 1736 5 William Byron 5 Nov 1722 19 May 1798 75
For further information on this peer, see the
note at the foot of this page.
19 May 1798 6 George Gordon Byron 22 Jan 1788 19 Apr 1824 36
19 Apr 1824 7 George Anson Byron 8 Mar 1789 1 Mar 1868 78
1 Mar 1868 8 George Anson Byron 30 Jun 1818 28 Nov 1870 52
28 Nov 1870 9 George Frederick William Byron 27 Dec 1855 30 Mar 1917 61
30 Mar 1917 10 Frederick Ernest Charles Byron 26 Mar 1861 6 Jun 1949 88
6 Jun 1949 11 Rupert Frederick George Byron 13 Aug 1903 1 Nov 1983 80
1 Nov 1983 12 Richard Geoffrey Gordon Byron 3 Nov 1899 15 Jun 1989 89
15 Jun 1989 13 Robert James Byron 5 Apr 1950
David Stuart Erskine, 13th Earl of Buchan
The following article was published in 'The Washington Post' of 9 December 1898:-
''Some considerable time is likely to elapse before the eldest son of the old Earl of Buchan…..
is permitted to assume full-fledged possession of the peerage, or to take part in those elections
of Scotch representative Peers which take place in the Palace of Holyrood at Edinburgh at the
outset of each new Parliament. For the old Earl, who was a most eccentric and cranky
individual, distinguished himself some six or seven years ago by indicting a remarkable letter
to the London newspapers, announcing that he had appealed to the committee of
privileges of the House of Lords to take note of the fact that his first marriage to the mother
of his eldest son was not legal.
'The late Lord Buchan, there is every reason to believe, made these allegations from a feeling of
revenge, being exceedingly embittered against his son because of the latter having refused to
avert his bankruptcy a short time previously. The old Lord spent nearly his entire life in hot
water and in the early portion of his career earned a precarious livelihood as a professional
jockey. His first wife found life so unbearable that she left him, and died when her eldest boy
was twenty-five years of age. A few months afterward Lord Buchan married again, this time a
widow. But the match was not a happy one, and she soon parted from him. He likewise figured
as co-respondent in a couple of divorce cases, and what with these and ridiculous lawsuits
which he was constantly bringing against people he managed to keep his name pretty well
before the public.
'About twenty years ago [actually in 1872] he surrendered the whole of his heavily-mortgaged
estates to his eldest son, Lord Cardross, who had some money of his own by his mother and
through his wife, in consideration of Lord Cardross paying his debts and settling upon him an
annuity [of £500 p.a.]. Subsequently, oil was discovered on the estates which, consequently,
largely increased in value, whereupon the old Earl regretted his bargain, and tried to get them
back again. Failing in this, he went in for all sorts of extravagance, largely exceeding his annuity.
He not only went to the extent of indorsing other people's notes, but actually, in spite of his
age, got himself heavily mulcted in damages as a co-respondent in a divorce case, and then
borrowed money at extravagant interest from the notorious money-lender, Jay, in London, in
order to meet this liability.
'Small wonder if his eldest son, who had never forgotten or forgiven the manner in which his
mother had been maltreated by the old Earl, permitted his father to be made a bankrupt [in
1894] rather than to pay his debts [£388] afresh. It was in consequence of this that the Earl
wrote the letter….insisting that his first marriage to the mother of his eldest son was illegal, and 
that Lord Cardross was therefore illegitimate.
'The Lords of Buchan…..have always been eccentric. The eleventh Earl of Buchan, for instance,
when appointed by Prime Minister Pitt as Secretary to the British Embassy in Spain, calmly
declined to proceed to Madrid because the Ambassador, Sir James Gray, was a person of too
low social rank and too plebeian ancestry.'
The author of this article adds, as a delightful postscript, that 'the new Earl of Buchan, until
now known as Lord Cardross, is celebrated as possessing the smallest head in point of size of
any man in London.'
The Buckhurst Peerage remainder
In 1864, Lady Elizabeth Sackville, daughter of the 3rd Duke of Dorset and wife of the 5th Earl
de la Warr, was created Baroness Buckhurst. The patent which created this peerage, however,
included an unusual remainder, which stated that, after her death, the peerage would descend
to her second surviving son and the heirs male of his body, and contained a proviso that, in the
event of such second son becoming Earl de la Warr, the peerage would then devolve upon her
next youngest son. This remainder was designed so as to attempt to ensure that the barony of
Buckhurst would 'jump' to an heir who was not the direct heir to the earldom of de la Warr, but
what it failed to do was to take into account the possibility that the barony might jump from
one holder to another during the lifetime of the then current Earl de la Warr, with the result that
the earldom became inherited by persons nearer and nearer in blood to the holder of the barony.
At the time of the creation of this peerage, Baroness Buckhurst had five surviving sons. The
eldest surviving son, Charles, inherited the Earldom of de la Warr on the death of his father in
1869. On the death of his mother in January 1870, the Barony of Buckhurst was inherited by
Charles's next brother, Reginald, since he was the second surviving son of the Baroness.
When the 6th Earl de la Warr died in 1873, the earldom was inherited by his next brother,
Reginald, who had previously inherited the barony of Buckhurst. Under the remainder to the
peerage, it would seem that, when Reginald succeeded to the earldom, the barony should then
have passed to the next youngest son, Mortimer.
Mortimer claimed the barony of Buckhurst under the terms of the remainder, but Reginald argued
that the Crown did not have the power to divest him of an hereditary dignity he had once
enjoyed. The case was heard by the House of Lords Committee for Privileges in July 1876. It
was held that the proviso outlined above was incapable of operating so as to give the barony to
Mortimer. Reginald, having succeeded to the barony, could not have it taken away from him and
given to another. The Committee found that, if the object of the proviso was to prevent the
dignity of Earl de la Warr and Baron Buckhurst being held together by the same person, then the
Crown had no power to grant a dignity with such a shifting and transferrable quality. They were
therefore of the opinion that the barony of Buckhurst, having been inherited by Reginald, did not
transfer to Mortimer once Reginald had succeeded to the earldom of de la Warr. As a result, the
barony of Buckhurst has remained since that time as a subsidiary title of the Earls de la Warr.
Mortimer, however, did not have to endure his disappointment for very long, as less than three
months later, he was created Baron Sackville as a consolation prize.
For another example of a 'jumping' remainder, see the earldom of Selkirk.
Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, Baroness Burdett-Coutts
The activity commonly known as stalking first came to the attention of the general public during
the 1980s when a series of well-known celebrities suddenly found themselves the target of one
or more adoring, but obsessed, fans. In general terms, stalking involves one person's obsessive
behaviour toward another person, motivated by either intense affection or intense hatred.
Stalkers exhibit an irrational mania to pursue their quarry and, in extreme cases, the stalker's
behaviour may turn to violence, generally without warning or apparent reason. Stalking can be a
terrifying experience for victims, leading to psychological trauma and possible physical harm.
The subject of stalking has been the central theme of a number of famous films and books,
including 'The Phantom of the Opera', 'Fatal Attraction', 'Les Miserables' and 'The Cable Guy.'
In England, the act of stalking was criminalised in 1997 by the Protection from Harrassment Act.
Notwithstanding the apparent rise in stalking in recent years, stalking has been practised for
centuries, one of its earlier victims being Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, later Baroness
Burdett-Coutts.
In 1837, at the age of 23, Angela became the wealthiest woman in England when she inherited
the estate of her grandfather. Not surprisingly, she became a notable subject of public
curiousity, and received numerous offers of marriage. Unfortunately for Angela, one particular
man went further.
Richard Dunn was a lawyer who, around 1838, became infatuated with Angela who, at the time,
was single and had no knowledge of or interest in Dunn. He initially wrote to Angela a letter
in which the language used was later described in court as 'strange.' Angela simply threw the
letters out, on the basis that they appeared to have been written by someone who was
apparently insane. Over the next two years, Dunn escalated his campaign; he followed Angela
whenever she left her house, he attempted to commence conversations with her and continually
wrote letters to her. Finally, in June 1840, Angela took action against Dunn, charging him with
breach of the peace. Dunn was forced to enter into a £500 surety to keep the peace and stay
away from Angela.
However, Dunn continued unabashed. He wrote further letters and started to follow her again.
A second surety was sought and obtained, but this time Dunn became violent and had to be
restrained by court officials. He was sent to prison, but was later released because of a defect
in the commital warrant. Again, he harrassed Angela, accosting her while out walking. A servant
was summoned to protect her and Dunn followed her to the house where she had taken refuge.
The police were called in and Dunn was arrested, but to no avail, as Dunn immediately sought a
writ of habeas corpus.
In a most unjust decision, Dunn's application was successful. The court refused to draw any
inferences from the evidence presented to it. Their argument was that the evidence in the case
did not allege any threats against Angela and that it was not their role to infer such a threat.
This is equivalent to saying that, because Dunn had not physically threatened Angela, nothing
could be done until he did so, surely a remarkably short-sighted interpretation of the law.
In June 1846, Dunn was charged with perjury, based on an alleged false affidavit made in the
Court of Bankruptcy by Dunn which stated that Angela Burdett-Coutts owed Dunn £100,000.
In February 1847, Dunn was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
William Byron, 5th Baron Byron
Byron was known as 'the Wicked Lord' or 'Devil Byron.' In the mid-1760s, when aged in his early
40s, Byron began to spiral downwards into constant scandal and eventual madness.
On 26 January 1765, after an argument as to the best method to preserve game, Byron killed his
cousin, William Chaworth, in a duel which took place at the Star and Garter Tavern in Pall Mall
in London. Byron and Chaworth duelled with swords in an empty and dimly-lit room at the
tavern, where Byron ran his sword through Chaworth's stomach, causing Chaworth's death the
next day. Byron was subsequently tried by his peers on 16 and 17 April 1765 and found guilty of 
manslaughter 'and as, by an old statute, peers are, in all cases where [benefit of] clergy is
allowed, to be dismissed without burning in the hand, loss of inheritance, or corruption of blood,
his Lordship was immediately dismissed on paying his fees.' For a full account of the duel, see
'The Annual Register……for 1765' on pages 208-212.
After this let-off, Byron became increasingly eccentric. On one occasion, while out driving, he
is reported to have became embroiled in an argument with his coachman. The story goes that
Byron shot him and took over the reins himself.
The event which appears to have finally tipped Byron over the edge of insanity was the
elopement of his son, also William, with his cousin Juliana, daughter of Lord Byron's younger
brother, Admiral John Byron.  The 5th Baron felt that the marriage of the cousins would
produce insane children and, as a result, he strongly opposed the marriage. When his son
defied his wishes, the 5th Baron set out to ruin his son's inheritance; he laid waste to his
property, let his house fall into disrepair, cut down all the timber on the property and killed all
of the deer that grazed there. The death of the younger William in 1776 thwarted his plans
and when his grandson was killed in Corsica in 1794, the 5th Baron's legacy of poverty was
inherited by the eventual 6th Baron, the famous poet Lord Byron.
The Byron family lived at Newstead Abbey, near Nottingham. According to local tradition, the
owner of Newstead Abbey was cursed, in that he would never have a son to inherit the
property. The tradition states that the 5th Baron, while carrying out some building operations at 
Newstead Abbey, happened to come upon the remains of one of the former Abbots of the
Abbey. He permitted the Abbot's bones to be re-interred, apart from the skull, which he had
converted into a drinking-cup. As a result, a curse was passed upon him to the effect that he
would die without leaving any male issue to inherit the estate, and it was further added that, as
long as the skull remained unburied, there would never be any direct male heir to inherit
Newstead Abbey. The 5th Baron's son and grandson both predeceased him and Newstead Abbey
passed to the poet and distant relative, the 6th Baron Byron. In November 1817, the 6th Baron
sold Newstead Abbey to Thomas Wildman, who died childless in 1859. The property was then
sold to William Frederick Webb, who, shortly after taking possession of the property, found the
drinking-cup in a silversmith's shop in London. Being aware of the story of the curse, he
immediately purchased the cup and caused it to be reverently re-interred within the precincts
of the Abbey. It is interesting to note that, prior to purchasing the Abbey, Webb had become
the father of four daughters and that it was only after the cup had been re-interred that his
two sons were born.
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