PEERAGE
Last updated 18/07/2011
Date
Rank
Order
Name
Born
Died
Age
SANDYS DE VINE
27 Apr 1523
B
1
Sir William Sandys
c 1470
Dec 1540
Created Baron Sandys de Vine
27 Apr 1523
KG 1518
Dec 1540
2
Thomas Sandys
1560
1560
3
William Sandys
29 Sep 1623
29 Sep 1623
4
William Sandys
12 Nov 1629
12 Nov 1629
5
Elizabeth Sandys
c 1649
c 1649
6
William Sandys
c 1626
1668
1668
7
Henry Sandys
c 1680
c 1680
8
Edwin Sandys
c 1683
to
On his death the peerage fell into abeyance
c 1683
SANKEY
30 Jan 1932
V
1
John Sankey
26 Oct 1866
6 Feb 1948
81
to
Created Baron Sankey 21 Jun 1929
6 Feb 1948
and Viscount Sankey 30 Jan 1932
Lord Justice of Appeal 1928-1929. Lord
Chancellor 1929-1935.
PC 1928
Peerage extinct on his death
SANQUHAR
29 Jan 1488
B[S]
1
Sir Robert Crichton
c 1495
Created Lord Crichton of Sanquhar
29 Jan 1488
See "Crichton of Sanquhar"
--------------------------------------------------
2 Feb 1622
B[S]
1
William Crichton,Lord Crichton
1643
12 Jun 1633
B[S]
1
Created Lord of Sanquhar and
Viscount of Air 2 Feb 1622,and Lord
Crichton,Viscount of Air and Earl of
Dumfries 12 Jun 1633
See "Dumfries"
SARSFIELD OF KILMALLOCK
17 Sep 1627
V[I]
1
Sir Dominick Sarsfield,1st baronet
c 1570
Dec 1636
Created Baron of Barretts County and
Viscount Kingsale 2 Apr 1625
After his creation as Viscount Kingsale,the de
Courcy family,Barons Kingsale,complained that
the Kingsale title belonged to them,and the title
was therefore exchanged for that of Viscount
Sarsfield of Kilmallock 17 Sep 1627,with the
precedence of 2 Apr 1625
Dec 1636
2
William Sarsfield
1648
1648
3
David Sarsfield
1687
1687
4
Dominick Sarsfield
1 Sep 1701
to
He was attainted and the peerages forfeited
1691
SASSOON
29 May 2010
B[L]
1
Sir James Meyer Sassoon
11 Sep 1955
Created Baron Sassoon for life 29 May 2010
SAUNDERS
15 Aug 1758
B[I]
1
Sir Arthur Gore
17 Apr 1773
Created Baron Saunders and Viscount
Sudley 15 Aug 1758 and Earl of
Arran 12 Apr 1762
See "Arran"
SAUNDERSON
11 Jul 1627
B[I]
1
Nicholas Saunderson
c 1561
17 May 1630
Created Baron Saunderson and
Viscount Castleton 11 Jul 1627
See "Castleton"
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
19 Oct 1714
B[I]
1
James Saunderson,Viscount Castleton
23 May 1723
to
Created Baron Saunderson 19 Oct
23 May 1723
1714,Viscount Castleton 2 Jul 1716
and Earl Castleton 18 Jun 1720
MP for Newark 1698-1705 and 1708-1710
Peerages extinct on his death
SAVAGE
4 Nov 1626
V
1
Sir Thomas Savage,2nd baronet
c 1586
20 Nov 1635
Created Viscount Savage 4 Nov 1626
20 Nov 1635
2
John Savage
He succeeded to the Earldom of Rivers (qv)
in 1640 with which title this peerage then
merged
SAVERNAKE
17 Jul 1821
V
1
Charles Brudenell-Bruce,Earl of Ailesbury
12 Feb 1773
4 Jan 1856
82
Created Viscount Savernake,Earl Bruce
and Marquess of Ailesbury 17 Jul 1821
See "Ailesbury"
SAVILE
27 Oct 1888
B
1
John Savile
6 Jan 1818
28 Nov 1896
78
Created Baron Savile 27 Oct 1888
PC 1883
28 Nov 1896
2
John Savile Lumley-Savile
20 Sep 1853
3 Apr 1931
77
3 Apr 1931
3
George Halifax Lumley-Savile
24 Jan 1919
2 Jun 2008
89
2 Jun 2008
4
John Anthony Thornhill Lumley-Savile
10 Jan 1947
SAVILE OF POMFRET
21 Jul 1628
B
1
John Savile
1556
31 Aug 1630
74
Created Baron Savile of Pomfret
21 Jul 1628
31 Aug 1630
2
Thomas Savile
He was created Earl of Sussex (qv) in 1640
with which title this peerage then merged
SAVILLE OF ELAND
13 Jan 1668
B
1
George Saville
11 Nov 1633
5 Apr 1695
61
Created Baron Saville of Eland and
Viscount Halifax 13 Jan 1668,Earl of
Halifax 16 Jul 1679 and Marquess of
Halifax 17 Aug 1682
See "Halifax"
SAVILLE OF NEWDIGATE
28 Jul 1997
B[L]
1
Mark Oliver Saville
20 Mar 1936
Created Baron Saville of Newdigate for life
28 Jul 1997
Lord Justice of Appeal 1994-1997. Lord of
Appeal in Ordinary 1997-
PC 1994
SAWYER
4 Aug 1998
B[L]
1
Lawrence Tom Sawyer
12 May 1943
Created Baron Sawyer for life 4 Aug 1998
SAY
26 Jul 1313
B
1
Geoffrey de Say
1322
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Say 26 Jul 1313
1322
2
Geoffrey de Say
c 1305
26 Jun 1359
26 Jun 1359
3
William de Say
17 Jun 1340
1375
35
1375
4
John de Say
1373
27 Jul 1382
9
27 Jul 1382
5
Elizabeth Heron
8 Jul 1399
to
On her death the peerage fell into abeyance
8 Jul 1399
SAYE AND SELE
3 Mar 1447
B
1
John Fiennes
c 1395
4 Jul 1450
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Saye and Sele 3 Mar 1447
Lord Treasurer 1449-1450
4 Jul 1450
2
William Fiennes
c 1428
14 Apr 1471
14 Apr 1471
3
Henry Fiennes
c 1460
2 Aug 1476
2 Aug 1476
4
Richard Fiennes
1471
1 Oct 1501
30
1 Oct 1501
5
Edward Fiennes
c 1500
7 Mar 1528
7 Mar 1528
6
Richard Fiennes
c 1520
3 Aug 1573
3 Aug 1573
7
Richard Fiennes
c 1557
Feb 1613
Feb 1613
8
William Fiennes
28 May 1582
14 Apr 1662
79
7 Jul 1624
V
1
Created Viscount Saye and Sele
7 Jul 1624
14 Apr 1662
9
James Fiennes
c 1603
15 Mar 1674
to
2
MP for Banbury 1625, Oxfordshire
15 Mar 1674
1628-1628,1640-1649 and 1660. Lord
Lieutenant Oxford 1668-1674
On his death the Barony fell into abeyance
(but see below) whilst the Viscountcy
passed to -
15 Mar 1674
3
William Fiennes
c 1641
9 Dec 1698
9 Dec 1698
4
Nathaniel Fiennes
23 Oct 1676
2 Jan 1710
33
2 Jan 1710
5
Laurence Fiennes
c 1690
27 Dec 1742
27 Dec 1742
6
Richard Fiennes
8 Jul 1716
29 Jul 1781
65
to
Viscountcy extinct on his death
29 Jul 1781
--------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------
22 Jul 1715
B
10
Cecil Twisleton
1723
She became sole heir in 1715
1723
11
Fiennes Twisleton
1670
4 Sep 1730
60
4 Sep 1730
12
John Twisleton
16 Jan 1698
1763
65
1763
13
Thomas Twisleton
c 1735
1 Jul 1788
1 Jul 1788
14
Gregory William Eardley-Twisleton-Fiennes
14 Apr 1769
13 Nov 1844
75
13 Nov 1844
15
William Thomas Eardley-Twisleton-Fiennes
24 Apr 1798
31 Mar 1847
48
31 Mar 1847
16
Frederick Benjamin Twisleton-Wykeham-
4 Jul 1799
26 May 1887
87
Fiennes
26 May 1887
17
John Fiennes Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes
28 Feb 1830
8 Oct 1907
77
8 Oct 1907
18
Geoffrey Cecil Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes
3 Aug 1858
2 Feb 1937
78
2 Feb 1937
19
Geoffrey Rupert Cecil Twisleton-Wykeham-
Fiennes
27 Dec 1884
18 Feb 1949
64
18 Feb 1949
20
Ivo Murray Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes
15 Dec 1885
21 Oct 1968
82
21 Oct 1968
21
Nathaniel Thomas Allen Twisleton-Wykeham-
Fiennes
22 Sep 1920
SCALES
6 Feb 1299
B
1
Sir Robert de Scales
1305
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Scales 6 Feb 1299
1305
2
Robert de Scales
1324
1324
3
Robert de Scales
13 Aug 1369
13 Aug 1369
4
Roger de Scales
25 Dec 1386
25 Dec 1386
5
Robert de Scales
7 Dec 1402
7 Dec 1402
6
Robert de Scales
1 Jul 1419
1 Jul 1419
7
Thomas de Scales
25 Jul 1460
KG 1426
25 Jul 1460
8
Elizabeth Wydville
2 Sep 1473
to
She married Anthony Wydville who was
1483
summoned in her right. On his death in 1483
the peerage fell into abeyance
SCANLON
19 Feb 1979
B[L]
1
Hugh Parr Scanlon
26 Oct 1913
27 Jan 2004
90
to
Created Baron Scanlon for life 19 Feb 1979
27 Jan 2004
Peerage extinct on his death
SCARBROUGH
15 Apr 1690
E
1
Richard Lumley,Viscount Lumley [I]
Mar 1650
17 Dec 1721
71
Created Baron Lumley 31 May 1681,
Viscount Lumley 10 Apr 1689 and Earl
of Scarbrough 15 Apr 1690
Lord Lieutenant Northumberland 1689-1721
and Durham 1690-1712 and 1714-1721. Chancellor
of the Duchy of Lancaster 1716-1717
PC 1689
17 Dec 1721
2
Richard Lumley
30 Nov 1686
29 Jan 1740
53
MP for East Grinstead 1708-1710 and
Arundel 1710-1715. Lord Lieutenant
Northumberland 1722-1740.
KG 1724
PC 1727
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of
Acceleration as Baron Lumley 4 Mar 1715
29 Jan 1740
3
Thomas Lumley-Saunderson
c 1691
15 Mar 1752
MP for Arundel 1722-1727 and Lincolnshire
1727-1740
15 Mar 1752
4
Richard Lumley-Saunderson
May 1725
12 May 1782
57
PC 1765
12 May 1782
5
George Augusta Lumley-Saunderson
22 Sep 1753
5 Sep 1807
53
MP for Lincoln 1774-1780
5 Sep 1807
6
Richard Lumley-Saunderson
3 Apr 1757
17 Jun 1832
75
MP for Lincoln 1784-1790
17 Jun 1832
7
John Lumley-Savile
15 Jun 1760
21 Feb 1835
74
21 Feb 1835
8
John Lumley-Savile
18 Jul 1788
29 Oct 1856
68
MP for Nottinghamshire 1826-1832 and
Nottinghamshire North 1832-1835. Lord
Lieutenant Nottingham 1839-1856
29 Oct 1856
9
Richard George Lumley
7 May 1813
5 Dec 1884
71
5 Dec 1884
10
Alfred Frederick George Beresford Lumley
16 Nov 1857
4 Mar 1945
87
Lord Lieutenant W Riding Yorkshire
1892-1904.
KG 1929
4 Mar 1945
11
Lawrence Roger Lumley
27 Jul 1896
29 Jun 1969
72
MP for Hull East 1922-1929 and York
1931-1937. Governor of Bombay 1937-1943.
Lord Lieutenant W Riding Yorkshire 1948-69
KG 1948
PC 1952
29 Jun 1969
12
Richard Aldred Lumley
5 Dec 1932
23 Mar 2004
71
Lord Lieutenant South Yorkshire 1996-2004
23 Mar 2004
13
Richard Osbert Lumley
18 May 1973
SCARMAN
30 Sep 1977
B[L]
1
Leslie George Scarman
29 Jul 1911
8 Dec 2004
93
to
Created Baron Scarman for life 30 Sep 1977
8 Dec 2004
Lord Justice of Appeal 1973-1977. Lord of
Appeal in Ordinary 1977-1986.
PC 1973
Peerage extinct on his death
SCARSDALE
11 Nov 1645
E
1
Sir Francis Leke,1st baronet
by 1581
9 Apr 1655
Created Baron Deincourt of Sutton
26 Oct 1624 and Earl of Scarsdale
11 Nov 1645
9 Apr 1655
2
Nicholas Leke
1 Oct 1612
27 Jan 1681
68
27 Jan 1681
3
Robert Leke
9 Mar 1654
27 Dec 1707
53
MP for Newark 1679. Lord Lieutenant
Derbyshire 1685-1687
27 Dec 1707
4
Nicholas Leke
c 1682
17 Jul 1736
to
Lord Lieutenant Derbyshire 1711-1714.
17 Jul 1736
Peerages extinct on his death
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
9 Apr 1761
B
1
Sir Nathaniel Curzon,5th baronet
19 Jan 1727
5 Dec 1804
77
Created Baron Scarsdale 9 Apr 1761
MP for Clitheroe 1748-1754 and Derbyshire
1754-1761
5 Dec 1804
2
Nathaniel Curzon
27 Sep 1751
27 Jan 1837
75
MP for Derbyshire 1775-1784
27 Jan 1837
3
Nathaniel Curzon
3 Jan 1781
12 Nov 1856
75
12 Nov 1856
4
Alfred Nathaniel Holden Curzon
12 Jul 1831
23 Mar 1916
84
23 Mar 1916
5
George Nathaniel Curzon,Earl Curzon
2 Nov 1911
V
1
Created Viscount Scarsdale 2 Nov 1911
11 Jan 1859
20 Mar 1925
66
20 Mar 1925
2
Richard Nathaniel Curzon
3 Jul 1898
19 Oct 1977
79
19 Oct 1977
3
Francis John Nathaniel Curzon
28 Jul 1924
2 Aug 2000
76
2 Aug 2000
4
Peter Ghislain Nathaniel Curzon
6 Mar 1949
SCHOMBERG
10 Apr 1689
D
1
Frederic Armand de Schomberg
6 Dec 1615
1 Jul 1690
74
Created Baron Teyes,Earl of
Brentford,Marquess of Harwich and
Duke of Schomberg 10 Apr 1689
KG 1689
PC 1689
1 Jul 1690
2
Charles de Schomberg
5 Aug 1645
17 Oct 1693
48
17 Oct 1693
3
Meinhart de Schomberg
30 Jun 1641
5 Jul 1719
78
to
Created Duke of Leinster (qv) 1691.
5 Jul 1719
PC 1695 KG 1703
Peerage extinct on his death
SCHON
27 Jan 1976
B[L]
1
Frank Schon
18 May 1912
7 Jan 1995
82
to
Created Baron Schon for life 27 Jan 1976
7 Jan 1995
Peerage extinct on his death
SCHUSTER
26 Jun 1944
B
1
Claud Schuster
22 Aug 1869
28 Jun 1956
86
to
Created Baron Schuster 26 Jun 1944
28 Jun 1956
Peerage extinct on his death
SCONE
7 Apr 1605
B[S]
1
Sir David Murray
27 Aug 1631
Created Lord Scone 7 Apr 1605 and
Viscount of Stormont 16 Aug 1621
See "Stormont"
SCOTLAND OF ASTHAL
30 Oct 1997
B[L]
1
Patricia Janet Scotland
19 Aug 1955
Created Baroness Scotland of Asthal for life
30 Oct 1997
PC 2001
SCOTT OF BUCCLEUCH
18 Mar 1606
B[S]
1
Sir Walter Scott
1565
15 Dec 1611
46
Created Lord Scott of Buccleuch
18 Mar 1606
See "Buccleuch"
SCOTT OF FOSCOTE
17 Jul 2000
B[L]
1
Richard Rashleigh Folliott Scott
2 Oct 1934
Created Baron Scott of Foscote for life
17 Jul 2000
Lord Justice of Appeal 1991-1994. Lord of
Appeal in Ordinary 2000-2009
PC 1991
SCOTT OF GOLDIELANDS
29 Mar 1706
B[S]
1
Henry Scott
1676
25 Dec 1730
54
Created Lord Scott of Goldielands,
Viscount of Hermitage and Earl of
Deloraine 29 Mar 1706
See "Deloraine"
SCOTT OF NEEDHAM MARKET
11 May 2000
B[L]
1
Rosalind Carol Scott
10 Aug 1957
Created Baroness Scott of Needham Market
for life 11 May 2000
SCOTT OF TYNDALE
14 Feb 1663
B
1
James Scott
9 Apr 1649
15 Jul 1685
36
to
Created Baron Scott of Tyndale,Earl
15 Jul 1685
of Doncaster and Duke of Monmouth
14 Feb 1663
Illegitimate son of Charles II. Lord
Lieutenant E Riding Yorkshire 1673-1679 and
Staffordshire 1677-1679. KG 1663
PC 1670
He was attainted and the peerages forfeited
but on 21 Mar 1742 the Barony and Earldom
were restored to the second Duke of
Buccleuch (qv)
*****************
11 Apr 1807
Charles William Henry Montagu-Scott
24 May 1772
20 Apr 1819
46
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of
Acceleration as Baron Scott of Tyndale
11 Apr 1807
He succeeded as Duke of Buccleuch and
Queensberry (qv) in 1812
SCOTT OF WHITCHESTER & ESKDALE
16 Mar 1619
B[S]
1
Walter Scott,Lord Scott of Buccleuch
20 Nov 1633
Created Baron Scott of Whitchester
and Eskdale and Earl of Buccleuch
16 Mar 1619
See "Buccleuch"
SCRIMGEOUR
1641
B[S]
1
Sir John Scrimgeour
7 Mar 1643
Created Lord Scrimgeour and Viscount
of Dudhope 1641
See "Dudhope"
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
1661
B[S]
1
John Scrimgeour,Viscount Dudhope
23 Jun 1668
to
Created Lord Scrimgeour,Viscount of
23 Jun 1668
Dudhope and Earl of Dundee 1661
On his death the peerage became either
extinct or dormant
SCROPE OF BOLTON
8 Jan 1371
B
1
Sir Richard le Scrope
c 1327
30 May 1403
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Scrope 8 Jan 1371
30 May 1403
2
Roger le Scrope
3 Dec 1403
3 Dec 1403
3
Richard le Scrope
31 May 1393
29 Aug 1420
27
29 Aug 1420
4
Henry le Scrope
4 Jun 1418
14 Jan 1459
40
14 Jan 1459
5
John le Scrope
22 Jul 1435
27 Aug 1498
63
KG 1463
27 Aug 1498
6
Henry le Scrope
1506
1506
7
Henry le Scrope
c 1480
Dec 1533
Dec 1533
8
John le Scrope
22 Jun 1549
22 Jun 1549
9
Henry le Scrope
c 1534
10 May 1591
KG 1584
10 May 1591
10
Thomas Scrope
c 1567
8 Sep 1609
KG 1599
8 Sep 1609
11
Emanuel Scrope,Earl of Sunderland
1 Aug 1584
30 May 1630
45
to
Lord Lieutenant Yorkshire 1628
30 May 1630
Peerage extinct or dormant on his death
SCROPE OF MASHAM
25 Nov 1350
B
1
Henry le Scrope
29 Sep 1312
31 Jul 1391
78
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Scrope 25 Nov 1350
31 Jul 1391
2
Stephen le Scrope
c 1345
25 Jan 1406
25 Jan 1406
3
Henry le Scrope
c 1373
5 Aug 1415
to
Lord Treasurer 1409.
KG 1410
5 Aug 1415
He was attainted and the peerage forfeited
1426
4
John le Scrope
15 Nov 1455
He obtained a reversal of the attainder
in 1426
Lord Treasurer 1432
15 Nov 1455
5
Thomas le Scrope
c 1428
1475
1475
6
Thomas le Scrope
c 1459
23 Apr 1493
23 Apr 1493
7
Alice le Scrope
1502
1502
8
Elizabeth le Scrope
after 1502
after 1502
9
Henry le Scrope
c 1512
c 1512
10
Ralph le Scrope
17 Sep 1515
17 Sep 1515
11
Geoffrey le Scrope
1517
to
On his death the peerage fell into abeyance
1517
SCUDAMORE
1 Jul 1628
V[I]
1
Sir John Scudamore,1st baronet
22 Mar 1601
19 May 1671
70
Created Baron Dromore and Viscount
Scudamore 1 Jul 1628
MP for Herefordshire 1621-1625 and
Hereford 1625 and 1628-1629.
19 May 1671
2
John Scudamore
c 1650
22 Jul 1697
MP for Hereford 1673-1679 and
Herefordshire 1679-1681
Jul 1697
3
James Scudamore
15 Jul 1684
2 Dec 1716
32
to
MP for Herefordshire 1705-1715 and
2 Dec 1716
Hereford 1715-1716
Peerages extinct on his death
SEAFIELD
24 Jun 1701
E[S]
1
James Ogilvy
11 Jul 1663
19 Aug 1730
67
Created Lord Ogilvy of Cullen and
Viscount of Seafield 24 Jun 1698 and
Lord Ogilvy,Viscount of Reidhaven
and Earl of Seafield 24 Jun 1701
KT 1704
PC 1708
Succeeded to the Earldom of Findlater (qv)
in 1711
19 Aug 1730
2
James Ogilvy,Earl of Findlater
9 Jul 1764
9 Jul 1764
3
James Ogilvy,Earl of Findlater
3 Nov 1770
3 Nov 1770
4
James Ogilvy,Earl of Findlater
10 Apr 1750
5 Oct 1811
61
5 Oct 1811
5
Sir Lewis Alexander Grant-Ogilvy,9th baronet
22 Mar 1767
26 Oct 1840
73
MP for Elginshire 1790-1796
26 Oct 1840
6
Francis William Ogilvy-Grant
6 Mar 1778
30 Jul 1853
75
MP for Elgin Burghs 1802-1806, Inverness
Burghs 1806-1807, Elginshire 1807-1832 and
Elgin & Nairnshires 1832-1840. Lord
Lieutenant Inverness 1809-1853
30 Jul 1853
7
John Charles Ogilvy-Grant
4 Sep 1815
18 Feb 1881
65
Created Baron Strathspey 14 Aug 1858
KT 1879
18 Feb 1881
8
Ian Charles Ogilvy-Grant
7 Oct 1851
31 Mar 1884
32
31 Mar 1884
9
James Ogilvy-Grant
27 Dec 1817
5 Jun 1888
70
Created Baron Strathspey 17 Jun 1884
MP for Elgin and Nairn 1868-1874
5 Jun 1888
10
Francis William Ogilvy-Grant
9 Mar 1847
3 Dec 1888
41
For further information on this peer,
see the note at the foot of this page
3 Dec 1888
11
James Ogilvie-Grant
18 Apr 1876
12 Nov 1915
39
12 Nov 1915
12
Nina Caroline Studley-Herbert
17 Apr 1906
30 Sep 1969
63
For further information on a claim to this peerage
made in 1925/26 see the note at the foot of
this page
30 Sep 1969
13
Ian Derek Francis Ogilvie-Grant
20 Mar 1939
SEAFORD
15 Jul 1826
B
1
Charles Rose Ellis
19 Dec 1771
1 Jul 1845
73
Created Baron Seaford 15 Jul 1826
MP for Heytesbury 1793-1796, Seaford
1796-1806 and 1812-1826, and East
Grinstead 1807-1812
1 Jul 1845
2
Charles Augustus Ellis
5 Jun 1799
29 Aug 1868
69
He had previously succeeded to the Barony
of Howard de Walden (qv) in 1803
29 Aug 1868
3
Frederick George Ellis
9 Aug 1830
3 Nov 1899
69
3 Nov 1899
4
Thomas Evelyn Scott-Ellis
9 May 1880
5 Nov 1946
66
5 Nov 1946
5
John Osmael Scott-Ellis
27 Nov 1912
9 Jul 1999
86
9 Jul 1999
6
Colin Humphrey Felton Ellis
19 Apr 1946
SEAFORTH
3 Dec 1623
E[S]
1
Colin Mackenzie,Lord Mackenzie of Kintail
15 Mar 1633
Created Earl of Seaforth 3 Dec 1623
15 Mar 1633
2
George Mackenzie
Aug 1651
Aug 1651
3
Kenneth Mackenzie
16 Dec 1678
16 Dec 1678
4
Kenneth Mackenzie
8 Dec 1661
Jan 1701
39
KT 1687
Jan 1701
5
William Mackenzie
8 Jan 1740
to
He was attainted and the peerage forfeited
7 May 1716
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
3 Dec 1771
E[I]
1
Kenneth Mackenzie
15 Jan 1744
Aug 1781
37
to
Created Baron of Ardelve and
Aug 1781
Viscount Fortrose 18 Nov 1766, and
Earl of Seaforth 3 Dec 1771
MP for Buteshire & Caithness 1768-1774
Peerages extinct on his death
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
26 Oct 1797
B
1
Francis Humberston Mackenzie
9 Jun 1754
11 Jan 1815
60
to
Created Baron Seaforth 26 Oct 1797
11 Jan 1815
MP for Ross-shire 1784-1790 and 1794-1796
Lord Lieutenant Ross-shire
Peerage extinct on his death
For information on the 'Seaforth Curse', see the
note at the foot of this page.
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
19 Jan 1921
B
1
James Alexander Francis Humberston
to
Stewart-Mackenzie
9 Oct 1847
3 Mar 1923
75
3 Mar 1923
Created Baron Seaforth 19 Jan 1921
Peerage extinct on his death
SEAHAM
8 Jul 1823
V
1
Charles William Vane
18 May 1778
6 Mar 1854
75
Created Baron Stewart of Stewart's
Court 1 Jul 1814,and Viscount Seaham
and Earl Vane 8 Jul 1823
See "Londonderry"
SEATON
14 Dec 1839
B
1
John Colborne
16 Feb 1778
17 Apr 1863
85
Created Baron Seaton 14 Dec 1839
Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada 1828-
1838. Field Marshal 1860
PC [I] 1855
For information on his son John Colborne,see the
note at the foot of this page
17 Apr 1863
2
James Colborne
1816
11 Oct 1888
72
11 Oct 1888
3
John Reginald Upton Eliot-Drake-Colborne
4 Jul 1854
11 Aug 1933
79
11 Aug 1933
4
James Ulysses Graham Raymond Colborne-
to
Vivian
20 Apr 1863
12 Mar 1955
91
12 Mar 1955
Peerage extinct on his death
SECCOMBE
14 Feb 1991
B[L]
1
Joan Anna Dalziel Seccombe
3 May 1930
Created Baroness Seccombe for life
14 Feb 1991
SEEAR
18 May 1971
B[L]
1
Beatrice Nancy Seear
7 Aug 1913
23 Apr 1997
83
to
Created Baroness Seear for life 18 May 1971
23 Apr 1997
PC 1985
Peerage extinct on her death
SEEBOHM
28 Apr 1972
B[L]
1
Frederic Seebohm
18 Jan 1909
15 Sep 1990
81
to
Created Baron Seebohm for life 28 Apr 1972
15 Dec 1990
Peerage extinct on his death
SEFTON
30 Nov 1771
E[I]
1
Charles William Molyneux,Viscount
Molyneux
11 Oct 1748
25 Dec 1794
46
Created Earl of Sefton 30 Nov 1771
MP for Lancashire 1771-1774
25 Dec 1794
2
William Philip Molyneux
18 Sep 1772
20 Nov 1838
66
Created Baron Sefton [UK] 20 Jun 1831
MP for Droitwich 1816-1831.
20 Nov 1838
3
Charles William Molyneux
10 Jul 1796
2 Aug 1855
59
MP for Lancashire South 1832-1835. Lord
Lieutenant Lancashire 1851-1855
2 Aug 1855
4
William Philip Molyneux
14 Oct 1835
27 Jun 1897
61
Lord Lieutenant Lancashire 1858-1897
KG 1885
27 Jun 1897
5
Charles William Hylton Molyneux
25 Jun 1867
2 Dec 1901
34
2 Dec 1901
6
Osbert Cecil Molyneux
21 Feb 1871
16 Jun 1930
59
PC 1906
16 Jun 1930
7
Hugh William Osbert Molyneux
22 Dec 1898
13 Apr 1972
73
to
Peerage extinct on his death
13 Apr 1972
SEFTON OF GARSTON
3 May 1978
B[L]
1
William Henry Sefton
5 Aug 1915
9 Sep 2001
86
to
Created Baron Sefton of Garston for life
9 Sep 2001
3 May 1978
Peerage extinct on his death
SEGAL
18 Dec 1964
B[L]
1
Samuel Segal
2 Apr 1902
4 Jun 1985
83
to
Created Baron Segal for life 18 Dec 1964
4 Jun 1985
MP for Preston 1945-1950
Peerage extinct on his death
SEGRAVE
28 Jun 1283
B
1
Nicholas de Segrave
Nov 1295
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Segrave 28 Jun 1283
Nov 1295
2
John de Segrave
1256
1325
69
1325
3
Stephen de Segrave
1326
1326
4
John de Segrave
1315
1353
38
1353
5
Elizabeth de Mowbray
1375
1375
6
John de Mowbray
He had previously succeeded to the Barony
of Mowbray (qv) in 1368 with which title
this peerage then merged
SEGRAVE (of Barton Segrave)
24 Jun 1295
B
1
Nicholas de Segrave
25 Nov 1321
Summoned to Parliament as Lord
Segrave 24 Jun 1295
25 Nov 1321
2
Maud de Bohun
1335
to
Peerage extinct on her death
1335
SEGRAVE OF BERKELEY CASTLE
10 Sep 1831
B
1
William Fitzhardinge Berkeley
26 Dec 1786
10 Oct 1857
70
to
Created Baron Segrave of Berkeley
10 Oct 1857
Castle 10 Sep 1831 and Earl
Fitzhardinge 17 Aug 1841
MP for Gloucestershire 1810. Lord
Lieutenant Gloucester 1836
Peerages extinct on his death
SELBORNE
30 Dec 1882
E
1
Roundell Palmer
27 Nov 1812
4 May 1895
82
Created Baron Selborne 23 Oct 1872
and Viscount Wolmer and Earl of
Selborne 30 Dec 1882
MP for Plymouth 1847-1852 and 1853-1857,
and Richmond 1861-1872. Solicitor General
1861-1863. Attorney General 1863-1866.
Lord Chancellor 1872-1874 and 1880-1885.
PC 1872
4 May 1895
2
William Waldegrave Palmer
17 Oct 1859
26 Feb 1942
82
MP for Petersfield 1885-1892 and
Edinburgh West 1892-1895. First Lord of the
Admiralty 1900-1905. Governor of the
Transvaal 1905-1910. President of the
Board of Agriculture and Fisheries 1915-
1916.
PC 1900
KG 1909
26 Feb 1942
3
Roundell Cecil Palmer
15 Apr 1887
3 Sep 1971
84
MP for Newton 1910-1918 and Aldershot
1918-1940. Minister of Economic Warfare
1942-1945.
PC 1929
CH 1945
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of
Acceleration as Baron Selborne 9 Jan 1941
3 Sep 1971
4
John Roundell Palmer
24 Mar 1940
SELBY
6 Jul 1905
V
1
William Court Gully
29 Aug 1835
6 Nov 1909
74
Created Viscount Selby 6 Jul 1905
MP for Carlisle 1892-1905. Speaker of the
House of Commons 1895-1905.
PC 1895
6 Nov 1909
2
James William Herschell Gully
4 Oct 1867
2 Feb 1923
65
2 Feb 1923
3
Thomas Sutton Evelyn Gully
16 Feb 1911
18 Sep 1959
48
18 Sep 1959
4
Michael Guy John Gully
15 Aug 1942
10 Jan 1997
54
10 Jan 1997
5
Edward Thomas William Gully
21 Sep 1967
23 Jan 2001
33
23 Jan 2001
6
Christopher Rolf Thomas Gully
18 Oct 1993
SELKIRK
4 Aug 1646
E[S]
1
Lord William Douglas-Hamilton
24 Dec 1634
18 Apr 1694
59
Created Lord Daer and Shortcleugh
and Earl of Selkirk 4 Aug 1646
He was later created Duke of Hamilton (qv).
He resigned the peerage in favour of -
1688
2
Charles Douglas
3 Feb 1663
13 Mar 1739
76
PC 1733
13 Mar 1739
3
John Hamilton,1st Earl of Ruglen
26 Jan 1665
3 Dec 1744
79
3 Dec 1744
4
Dunbar Douglas
1 Dec 1722
24 May 1799
76
24 May 1799
5
Thomas Douglas
20 Jun 1771
8 Apr 1820
48
Lord Lieutenant Kirkcudbright 1807-1820
8 Apr 1820
6
Dunbar James Douglas
22 Apr 1809
11 Apr 1885
75
Lord Lieutenant Kircudbright 1845-1885
11 Apr 1885
7
Charles George Archibald Douglas-Hamilton
18 May 1847
2 May 1886
38
2 May 1886
8
William Alexander Louis Stephen Douglas-
Hamilton,12th Duke of Hamilton and Brandon
12 Mar 1845
16 May 1895
50
16 May 1895
9
Alfred Douglas Douglas-Hamilton,13th Duke of
Hamilton and Brandon
6 Mar 1862
16 Mar 1940
78
16 Mar 1940
10
George Nigel Douglas-Hamilton
4 Jan 1906
24 Nov 1994
88
Paymaster General 1953-1955. Chancellor
of the Duchy of Lancaster 1955-1957. First
Lord of the Admiralty 1957-1959. PC 1955
KT 1976
For information on the "shifting remainder" to the
Earldom of Selkirk,see the note at the foot of
this page
24 Nov 1994
11
James Alexander Douglas-Hamilton
31 Jul 1942
to
He disclaimed the peerage for life 1994,
1994
but see "Selkirk of Douglas"
SELKIRK OF DOUGLAS
29 Sep 1997
B[L]
1
Lord James Alexander Douglas-Hamilton
31 Jul 1942
Created Baron Selkirk of Douglas for life
29 Sep 1997
MP for Edinburgh West 1974-1997. Minister
of State,Scotland 1995-1997.
PC 1996
SELSDON
14 Jan 1932
B
1
Sir William Lowson Mitchell-Thompson,2nd
baronet
15 Apr 1877
24 Dec 1938
61
Created Baron Selsdon 14 Jan 1932
MP for Lanark NW 1906-1910, Down North
1910-1918, Maryhill 1918-1922 and Croydon
South 1922-1932.
PC 1924
24 Dec 1938
2
Patrick Mitchell-Thompson
28 May 1913
7 Feb 1963
49
7 Feb 1963
3
Malcolm McEacharn Mitchell-Thompson
27 Oct 1937
SELSEY
13 Aug 1794
B
1
Sir James Peachey,4th baronet
8 Mar 1723
1 Feb 1808
84
Created Baron Selsey 13 Aug 1794
MP for Seaford 1759-1768
1 Feb 1808
2
John Peachey
16 Mar 1749
27 Jun 1816
67
MP for St.Germans 1776 and Shoreham 1784
and 1790
27 Jun 1816
3
Henry John Peachey
4 Sep 1787
10 Mar 1838
50
to
Peerage extinct on his death
10 Mar 1838
SELWYN-LLOYD
8 Mar 1976
B[L]
1
John Selwyn Brooke Lloyd
28 Jul 1904
17 May 1978
73
to
Created Baron Selwyn-Lloyd for life
17 May 1978
8 Mar 1976
MP for Wirral 1945-1976. Minister of State
Foreign Office 1951-1954. Minister of
Supply 1954-1955. Minister of Defence 1955.
Foreign Secretary 1955-1960. Chancellor
of the Exchequer 1960-1962. Lord Privy
Seal 1963-1964. Speaker of the House of
Commons 1971-1976.
PC 1951
CH 1962
Peerage extinct on his death
SEMPILL
1489
B[S]
1
John Sempill
9 Sep 1513
Created Lord Sempill 1489
9 Sep 1513
2
William Sempill
3 Jun 1552
3 Jun 1552
3
Robert Sempill
c 1505
17 Jan 1576
17 Jan 1576
4
Robert Sempill
25 Mar 1611
25 Mar 1611
5
Hugh Sempill
19 Sep 1639
19 Sep 1639
6
Francis Sempill
c 1622
3 Nov 1644
3 Nov 1644
7
Robert Sempill
8 Sep 1675
8 Sep 1675
8
Francis Sempill
c 1660
4 Apr 1684
4 Apr 1684
9
Anne Abercromby
1695
1695
10
Francis Sempill
c 1685
2 Aug 1716
2 Aug 1716
11
John Sempill
17 Feb 1727
17 Feb 1727
12
Hugh Sempill
1688
25 Nov 1746
58
25 Nov 1746
13
John Sempill
15 Jan 1782
15 Jan 1782
14
Hugh Sempill
1 Jul 1758
25 Jan 1830
71
25 Jan 1830
15
Selkirk Sempill
12 Feb 1788
4 May 1835
47
4 May 1835
16
Maria Jane Sempill
1790
5 Sep 1884
94
5 Sep 1884
17
Sir William Forbes-Sempill,8th baronet
May 1836
21 Jul 1905
69
21 Jul 1905
18
John Forbes-Sempill
21 Aug 1863
28 Feb 1934
70
28 Feb 1934
19
William Francis Forbes-Sempill
24 Sep 1893
30 Dec 1965
72
30 Dec 1965
20
Ann Moira Sempill
19 Mar 1920
6 Jul 1995
75
6 Jul 1995
21
James William Stuart Whitemore Sempill
25 Feb 1949
SEROTA
20 Jan 1967
B[L]
1
Beatrice Serota
15 Oct 1919
21 Oct 2002
83
to
Created Baroness Serota for life 20 Jan 1967
21 Oct 2002
Peerage extinct on her death
SETON
1448
B[S]
1
George Seton
c 1479
Created Lord Seton 1448
c 1479
2
George Seton
1508
1508
3
George Seton
9 Sep 1513
9 Sep 1513
4
George Seton
17 Jul 1549
17 Jul 1549
5
George Seton
c 1529
8 Jan 1585
8 Jan 1585
6
Robert Seton
He was created Earl of Wintoun (qv) in 1600
with which title this peerage then merged
SETON & TRANENT
16 Nov 1600
B[S]
1
Robert Seton
c 1552
22 Mar 1603
Created Lord Seton and Tranent and
Earl of Winton 16 Nov 1600
See "Winton"
SETRINGTON
6 Oct 1613
2
Ludovic Stuart
29 Sep 1574
16 Feb 1624
49
to
Created Baron of Setrington and Earl
16 Feb 1624
of Richmond 6 Oct 1613, and Earl of
Newcastle upon Tyne and Duke of
Richmond 17 May 1623
Peerages extinct on his death
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
9 Aug 1675
B
1
Charles Lennox
29 Jul 1672
27 May 1723
50
Created Baron Setrington,Earl of
March and Duke of Richmond 9 Aug
1675 and Lord of Torboltoun,Earl of
Darnley and Duke of Lennox 9 Sep 1675
See "Richmond"
Francis William Ogilvy-Grant, 10th Earl of Seafield
The following (edited) article appeared in the 'Brisbane Courier' on 27 March 1889:-
'The late Earl of Seafield had a career seldom found outside of romance. Scotland may well drop
a tear with the thousands of New Zealand who lately gathered in the "White City by the Sea'
[presumably Auckland] to pay last honours to one of her noblest sons, who had a heart above
all his self inflicted misfortunes and under the hardest conditions made good a supreme title to
sterling worth.
'Upwards of twenty years ago, when he was a strong-boned lad of 18, he had in the West
Indies a remarkable misadventure. He was then a midshipman on board the Challenger, under
Captain Gordon. Permitted to go on shore at Jamaica, he and another found the air of the Blue
Mountains so pleasant and exhilarating that they unpardonably exceeded their leave, and found
on return to the ships their names struck off the books, and their effects sold to the highest
bidder among the crew. Grant was sent home in the Buzzard, which on its way touched at
Barbados, and here, being a free passenger, he left the protection of friends, and with only a
few shillings in his pocket, and totally inexperienced in any way of producing the means of
livelihood for the day, he plunged into the dark chances of an over-peopled land, too advanced
in civilisation to take notice of the needs of a stranger.
'Finding no rest in busy Barbados, he sailed westward in a drogher [a small craft used in the
West Indies] to one of those lovely Grenadines which, as emeralds, rising out of the soft blue
Caribbean Sea, more than rival the far-famed isles of Greece. Here, at Cariacou [now spelled
Carriacou and the largest island in the Grenadines which form part of Grenada], the Scottish
medical man, Dr. Lang, kindly gave him quarters; but here began his troubles, which caused
no small stir and talk in the colony, and form a most interesting illustration of the great wrong
that may come out of too ready a trust in untested circumstantial evidence. While Grant was
being hospitably entertained by the few families in Cariacou, Commander Franklin, of the
Constance, sent word to the authorities that his body-servant had run off with money and
dressing-case, and was believed to have gone to that outlying island and dependency.
'As the stipendiary magistrate and head of the police, Mr. Horne, was reading the missive, a
constable happened to come in from Cariacou, who was asked whether any stranger or white
sailor was there at that time. The answer was that there was one giving himself out as a naval
officer. Things fitting so neatly, Horne at once jumped to the conclusion that this must be
Commander Franklin's runaway servant, and nothing could rid the worthy and kind-hearted man
of this error until events covered him with confusion. At once he issued an order to bring him
to St. George's, the chief town and seat of Government. His host, Dr. Lang, impressed that he
was no imposter, resisted the execution of the warrant, and was subsequently reprimanded by
the Governor for so doing, while his neighbour, a major of Volunteers, was unnerved and
horrified by the thought that he had entertained at luncheon such a waif of the sea as
Commander Franklin's runaway servant………..
'After some incidents by the way which did not disabuse the constable of the idea of his
prisoner's guilt, Francis Grant was brought to town, and was next found in the guard-room of
Fort George, then used as a police station, deftly brushing his boots on his feet, and clothed
in a well-worm brown shooting suit. To a sympathising fellow-countryman he protested that
he was the victim of a mistake, and in corroboration showed photographs of his father and
stepmother and other members of his family; but as the theory was that the runaway as
reported was very cunning and plausible, it was conceived that he might have become
possessed of these likenesses in the capacity of a servant, so that the more poor Grant said
in vindication of himself the more were those most favourable to him constrained simply to
hold their judgment in suspense.
'Brought before the magistrate, and some members of the council who happened to be present,
Grant, in a self-possessed and dignified way, asked him to read the description which
Commander Franklin gave of his servant, and compare it with the person and features of
himself, the prisoner at the bar. "Look at my eyes," said Grant, "and see if there be any
resemblance." But so possessed was the magistrate by his first illusion, and so pleased was he
with the idea of being able to serve the commander, that he abruptly terminated the
proceedings. "It's no use going into these things, my man," said he, "I can bring a washerwoman
who is able to prove that you brought Commander Franklin's dirty clothes to her when his ship
was here six weeks ago."
'Forthwith Mr. Grant was taken to the common prison at the foot of Fort George to wait the
arrival of the first ship of war……For a companion through the day he had a coolie waiting his
trial for murder and a flipper-fin limbed negro, a notorious thief, who could not go out with the
penal gang. After three weeks the Admiralty surveying ship Gannet slipped into the harbour to
coal. Captain Chimme…..being communicated with, sent a sub-lieutenant and quartermaster
ashore to bring the prisoner on board, but what was the surprise of the sub-lieutenant and his
henchman when they found in him a friend with whom they had both formerly served. How
delighted were they both to be the means of his liberation!
'His first impulse on gaining freedom was to go and express thanks to the only one who had
sympathised with him in his troubles, and next to invest his last half-crown in a horsewhip
for the magistrate and all his other police tormentors, but on being persuaded by the Scottish
minister that all these functionaries were heartily grieved by what had happened, and would
be almost ready to undergo a horse-whipping if this would be any satisfaction for an outrage
on a scion of the noblest of the British aristocracy, he generously forgave them, and for three
months, during which he lived in the Scottish manse, he saw them with equanimity every day.'
The Seafield Peerage Claim of 1925-1926
In October 1925, a Mr. Alexander Grant, a 78-year old retired Army tutor, brought a claim
before the Court of Session in Edinburgh to the Earldom of Seafield.
Reference to the standard peerage works will show that the eldest surviving son of the 6th Earl
of Seafield, who was known by the courtesy title of Viscount Reidhaven, was married on 12
August 1850 to the Hon. Caroline Stuart, youngest daughter of the 11th Lord Blantyre.
The claimant's argument was that he was the eldest lawful son of Viscount Reidhaven and
Caroline Stuart. He stated that Reidhaven and Caroline first met in 1845 or 1846 at either
Dochfour or at Beaufort Castle. At that time, Caroline would have been 15 or 16. At the end of
October or the beginning of November 1846, Caroline, according to the claimant, sailed secretly
from the Clyde for Cullen, in the neighbourhood of the Seafield estate. Lord Reidhaven was also
on board, and the claimant alleged that he [Reidhaven] and Caroline entered into a marriage by
verbal declaration before witnesses on the ship. As a result of a violent storm, the ship put in
to Banff where the party landed, and, on the night of the landing, Caroline gave birth to a child,
whom the claimant alleged was himself.
The claimant further alleged that the whole affair was kept in obscurity, and that about a week
after his birth, he was taken by night into the care of one of the gardeners at Gordon Castle, a
Mr. Grant, who, together with his wife, then became his foster parents, and who received a
liberal allowance for his maintenance and education from Lord Reidhaven. Subsequently, Lord
Reidhaven and Caroline Stuart went through a public marriage ceremony in London in 1850.
Obviously, the key to the success of Grant's claim was his ability to provide evidence in support
of the supposed ship-board marriage and that he was the product of this alleged union. Bearing
in mind that the events had happened nearly 80 years previously, he faced an uphill battle. As a
result, he relied on an alleged resemblance to his parents in features, gait and mannerisms. Such
evidence, however, was found to be irrelevant and inadmissible under Scottish law.
In September 1926, Grant abandoned his claim and was required to pay the expenses of the
defendants. He died seven months later, on 19 April 1927.
*******************
While the claim to the peerage was still continuing, the Dowager Countess of Seafield, and her
daughter, the 20-year old Countess of Seafield in her own right, were also forced to battle
against a Mr. George Wilberforce Grant in a libel case. The Dowager Countess was the widow of
the 11th Earl of Seafield, who had died in 1915 from wounds received in the Great War.
She
had married him in June 1898, and, on the death of her husband, their daughter, who had been
born in 1906 and was therefore still a minor, had become Countess of Seafield in her own right.
George Wilberforce Grant was a friend of Alexander Grant, the claimant to the Seafield peerage.
Perhaps in an attempt to help Alexander, George wrote a letter to the editor of the 'Strathspey
Herald' in January 1925 in which he asked whether the editor was aware that "……the present
Countess is said not to be her [i.e. the Dowager Countess's] daughter" and that "she is drawing
money to which she is not entitled."
Not surprisingly, the Dowager Countess sued George Wilberforce Grant for libel. The plaintiffs'
case was that the words used in the letter inferred that the Countess was an illegitimate child,
that the Dowager Countess had fraudulently obtained for her daughter a rank and title to which
she was not entitled, and that this was done in order to obtain money to which she was not
entitled. As the defendant called no evidence, the jury had little difficulty in finding him guilty
of libel and awarded damages of £1,500 to the plaintiffs.
The Seaforth Curse
Kenneth Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Seaforth, was married to Isabella Mackenzie of Tarbat, sister
of the 1st Earl of Cromartie. She brought to the marriage, according to contemporary comment,
'neither beauty, parts, portion nor relation.'
Shortly after the Restoration, the Earl, apparently tired of Isabella's shrewishness, went on a
trip to Paris where he found ample reasons for postponing his return to Scotland. Isabella
became increasingly annoyed with her husband's behaviour and called in a well-known seer, by
coincidence also named Kenneth Mackenzie, but generally known as Coinneach Odhar or the
Brahan Seer. She demanded to know what her husband was up to. The seer replied that, as
far as he could tell, her husband was in excellent health. When she pressed him further,
however, the tactless seer declared that the Earl 'was in a handsome room, and with him were
two ladies, one sitting on his knee, the other playing with his curls.'
Isabella thereupon flew into a towering rage and ordered the seer to be taken there and then to
be hanged. Before he was executed, the seer made the following predictions:
'I see into the far future, and I read the doom of the race of my oppressor. The long-descended
line of Seaforth will, ere many generations have passed, end in extinction and in sorrow. I see a
chief, the last of his house, both deaf and dumb. He will be the father of four fair sons, all of
whom he will follow to the tomb……after lamenting over the last and most promising of his sons,
he himself shall sink into the grave, and the remnant of his possessions shall be inherited by a
white-hooded lassie from the East, and she is to kill her sister. And as a sign that these things
are coming to pass, there shall be four great lairds in the days of the last deaf and dumb
Seaforth - Gairloch, Chisholm, Grant and Raasay - of whom one shall be buck-toothed, another
hare-lipped, another half-witted and the fourth a stammerer. Chiefs distinguished by these
personal marks shall be allies and neighbours of the last Seaforth; and when he looks around
him and sees them, he may know that his sons are doomed to death, that his broad lands shall
pass away to the stranger, and that his race shall come to an end.'
The first Earldom of Seaforth was forfeited in 1716 following the 1715 Jacobite uprising.
The Earldom was revived in 1771, but again became extinct ten years later. Eventually, in
1797, Francis Humberstone Mackenzie, a cousin of the Earl of the second creation, was in
turn created Baron Seaforth.
The results of the seer's curse now began to emerge. When he was about 12 or 13, Francis
Humberstone Mackenzie was at a school where an outbreak of scarlet fever occurred. While on
his sickbed, he had a remarkable dream. In his dream, the door opposite his bed opened, and a
hideous old woman entered the room. She went from bed to bed, examining the boys in the
sick-room. After examining some of the boys, she took out a mallet and a peg, and placing the
peg on the boy's forehead, she hammered it into his skull with the mallet - other boys she
touched, and still others she left alone. The old woman, having completed a circuit of the room,
then disappeared. When young Mackenzie awoke, he reported the dream to the doctor, who
was so impressed with it that he wrote down the details. To the doctor's horror, he noticed that
those boys whom Mackenzie had described as having a peg driven into their foreheads, were
those who eventually died of the fever; those whom the old hag had touched all suffered from
the effects of the fever, and those she had ignored all recovered with no after-effects. In his
dream, the hag had touched Mackenzie's ears and when he finally left his sickbed Mackenzie
was almost stone deaf and, over the ensuing years, almost entirely ceased to speak.
One after another, his four sons (three of whom reached adulthood) died. His youngest son,
William Frederick Mackenzie, as foretold, was the most promising, being MP for Ross-shire in
1812 and dying in 1814, aged 23. At the same time, other elements of the curse were coming
to fruition - four lairds were afflicted in the various ways described in the prophecy. Sir Hector
Mackenzie of Gairloch was buck-toothed, Chisholm of Chisholm was hare-lipped, Grant of Grant
was half-witted and Macleod of Raasay stammered.
Within five months of the death of the last of his sons, Lord Seaforth died, the last male of his
race. But the curse still had two elements to be fulfilled - that a white-hooded lady from the
East would inherit the estates and that she would kill her sister. On Lord Seaforth's death, the
estates were inherited by his eldest surviving daughter, Mary Mackenzie. She had married a
British admiral who was stationed in the East Indies. She returned 'from the East' to inherit the
estates, and the name of her husband?……Sir Samuel Hood.
After Sir Samuel died , Mary remarried and became Mrs Stuart. Her husband added the name
Mackenzie to his own and she therefore became Mrs Stuart-Mackenzie. The husband, James
Alexander Stuart-Mackenzie was MP for Ross and Cromarty 1831-1837, when he was appointed
Governor of Ceylon.
One day Mary was out driving in a pony carriage with her younger sister, Caroline. Suddenly,
something spooked the ponies, which bolted and both ladies were thrown out of the carriage.
Mary was only bruised, but Caroline sustained fatal injuries. As Mary was driving the carriage at
the time of the accident, it could be argued that she was the innocent cause of her sister's
death, thus fulfilling the final portion of the seer's prophecy.
Lest it be thought that the seer's prophecy came to light only after it had been fulfilled, all the
references that I have found state that the prophecy was widely known well before the death
of the last of the Seaforths in 1815.
John Colborne, son of the 1st Baron Seaton (1830-13 February 1890)
Colborne was an army officer, who, due to a weakness for gambling and ladies of the stage,
found himself in financial hot water which caused him to fall into the hands of moneylenders.
Realising the trap into which he had fallen, he determined to warn others, and therefore wrote
and published a pamphlet denouncing moneylenders, for which he was prosecuted for criminal
libel. The following article appeared in the 'Cairns [Queensland] Post' on 14 June 1935. I hasten
to disassociate myself from the anti-Semitic extracts from Colborne's pamphlet which are quoted
in the article - they are certainly not views which I share.
'In April, 1865, Captain John Colborne, of the 60th Rifles, a younger son of Field-Marshal Lord
Seaton, a veteran of the Peninsula War, who commanded the 52nd Foot at Waterloo, and
subsequently was appointed Lieut.-Governor of Canada, was tried at [the] Old Bailey on a
criminal charge of publishing [a] defamatory libel, and was found guilty. At the time of the trial
Captain Colborne was 35 years of age.
'As a young military officer he had followed the example of others who had more money to
spend, and he soon got into debt. He developed a taste for cards and horses, and for the
societies of ladies connected with the stage. He had a set of luxurious chambers in London,
where he spent week ends when he was off duty while his regiment was stationed at Aldershot.
In order to escape from the importunities of duns and bailiffs, he went to a money lender, from
whom he had received an alluring letter, which declared that "a private gentleman having large
sums at his disposal will make advances of up to one thousand pounds (or more) on note of
hand at moderate interest and without preliminary fees or security of any description. Special
terms for army officers. Transactions completed at first interview. Write or call."
'Captain Colborne, on calling at the address given in Pall Mall, met Mr. Lazarus, who, after
obtaining particulars about his position and family connections, gave him £500 in bank notes, in
exchange for the captain's signature to a promissory note. When the note became due it was
not paid, and when, in response to repeated requests, Captain Colborne called on Mr. Lazarus
to explain that it was inconvenient for him to pay just then he was given further time on
signing a new note for a larger amount. He was also allowed to increase the capital debt. But if
the captain had any expectation of being able to wipe off his debt to Mr. Lazarus from profits
derived from cards and bookmakers he was disappointed. He had to borrow from other money
lenders to pay off Mr. Lazarus, and to borrow again to pay them.
'In taking stock of his position, some time later he found that he had borrowed £2000, and that
after deducting various payments made, he still owed the money lenders £4000. He was not
much of a hand at figures, but he felt that the money lenders had taken advantage of his
inexperience in financial matters. He decided to warn other young men from falling into their
clutches, by writing a pamphlet exposing their tactics. The pamphlet was entitled "The Vampires
of London: An Exposition of the Usurers of London and How They Snare Their Victims."
"As a detective takes the curious round the cribs and boozing dens, the haunts of the cracks-
men and the
swell mobsmen, let us conduct our readers to the den of the vampire and show
them his victims," wrote Captain Colborne, who modestly withheld his name as the author of the
pamphlet, and issued it under the nom de plume of "Aperitemos." "Officers of the army are the
prey which many of the vampires prefer," he continued. "They can be pounced upon more
easily than other game; when 'wanted' they can be found; they frequently live beyond their
means; and are often reckless as long as they have cash." He referred to the money lenders by
such names as "Ikey," "Moses" and "Abraham." and of one of them he wrote: "Incredible as it
may seem, this man, who has ruined a number of officers, has been allowed a commission for his
son, a major in a newly-raised regiment. We wonder if he touts for his respectable papa."
"It now remains only to briefly touch on the worst phase of the gang's villany [sic]," continued
the pamphlet. "So black is this that we shall only hint at it ......... In their dens are sometimes
to be met - accidentally, of course - dark-haired Rebeccas, black-eyed Rachels, and beautiful
but beaky Leahs. Perhaps they only glide through the dark office during the temporary absence
of the master, or ascend the stairs as a gentleman enters or exits. What these appearances
often end with may be imagined. How Delilah cuts the hair of Samson!
How sometimes these
beautiful daughters of Zion weep by the waters of modern Babylon, i.e. Greenwich, about their
troubles and expenses; and how he who has led them captive is ultimately inveigled into
giving a cheque, which 'Papa' will cash!"
The pamphlet contained a reference to the "Finny Tribe" and more particularly to the "Notorious
Arch Vampire, Finny Davis, off Bond-street, who has ruined no less that three hundred
gentlemen of property, and involved scores of estates in inevitable ruin." Mr Phineas Davis, of
Clifford-street, off Bond-street, who practised as a solicitor and carried on business as a money
lender, thought that the anonymous author referred to him as the "Notorious Arch Vampire,"
and the scandalous references to dark-haired Rebeccas, black-eyed Rachels and beautiful but
beaky Leahs" concerned his three daughters, whose maiden names were Rebecca, Rachel and
Leah. It came out in evidence that Captain Colborne's direct transactions with Mr Davis were
limited to a little legal business (the fee for which was never paid) and borrowing from him £5,
which was never returned.
'The pamphlet was distributed at various clubs and regimental messes. Mr Davis discovered that
Captain Colborne had written it, and he instituted criminal proceedings against him for
defamatory libel. After a preliminary hearing at the Guildhall, accused was committed to the
general sessions at Old Bailey. He was released on bail, and on the day his trial was to begin he
did not appear. It was ascertained that he had been arrested for debt and placed in Maidstone
prison. But means were found to enable him to come to Old Bailey.
'Public sympathy was entirely on the side of Captain Colborne. "Though he may have broken the
law in its strict interpretation," said his counsel, "yet he has not done anything which is the
least degree inconsistent with the honour of a gentleman, or which would bring a blush to the
cheek of those who know him best." Counsel went on to say that his client had been actuated
by a "laudable desire to purge the metropolis of individuals mixed up in a nefarious traffic." No
language was strong enough to condemn this traffic, for "as a result of its workings great
families have been reduced to nothing, the highest hopes of youth have been blasted, and the
promise held out to them by the possession of talent has been destroyed." Counsel condemned
the "vindictiveness" of the prosecutor in bringing an action for criminal libel instead of a civil
action; but counsel for the prosecution pointed out that the only result of a civil action would
have been a verdict for damages, "the recovery of which would have been somewhat
problematical." The captain's counsel withdrew the plea of justification, and all the statements
in the pamphlet reflecting on Mr Davis, and expressed regret that they had been made.
'The jury had no option but a verdict of guilty, but they added a strong recommendation to
mercy on the ground that civil, and not criminal, proceedings should have been taken. The judge
referred to the fact that the accused had abandoned his original plea of justification, and that
the jury had recommended him to mercy. He thought the ends of justice would be met by
imposing a fine of £20.'
William Waldegrave Palmer, 2nd Earl of Selborne
During his father's lifetime, the future 2nd Earl of Selborne was known by the courtesy title of
Viscount Wolmer. It was under this name that he sat in the House of Commons for Hampshire
East between 1885 and 1892 and for Edinburgh West between 1892 and 1895. The death of
his father in 1895 was the catalyst for a decision of an important point of peerage law relating
to the rights of peers to sit in the House of Commons.
The 1st Earl died on 4 May 1895. On 13 May 1895, the 2nd Earl entered the House of Commons
during Question Time and
took the seat which he formerly used to occupy as Viscount
Wolmer. His argument was that, even though he had succeeded to the Earldom, he had not yet
applied for a writ to be summoned to the House of Lords, and that as long as he continued to
fail to apply for such a writ, he was entitled to remain in the House of Commons. The matter
was referred to a Committee of the House, which reported that this argument could not be
sustained. This decision therefore established that a member's right to a seat in the House of
Commons became invalid at the moment that the member inherited a peerage, no matter
whether he had received a writ of summons to the House of Lords or not (always assuming that
the peerage was not an Irish peerage, which did not affect the right of a member to remain in
the House). This interpretation remained in force until 1963, when the Peerage Act of that year
allowed the disclaimer of peerages.
This decision is in stark contrast to the decision made in relation to the 2nd Baron Coleridge (qv)
less than a year earlier.
The Earldom of Selkirk and its "shifting remainder"
The Dukes of Hamilton and the Earls of Selkirk descend from the marriage in 1656 of Anne
Hamilton, Duchess of Hamilton in her own right, to William Douglas, 1st Earl of Selkirk. He
subsequently changed his name to Hamilton and, in 1660, was created Duke of Hamilton,
but for his life only.
In October 1688, the Duke surrendered his previous titles of Earl of Selkirk and Lord Daer and
Shortcleugh to the Crown and obtained a 'novodamus' or regranting of these titles, but with
a different remainder, one which is unique to the Scottish peerage.
This remainder provided that:-
(a) the titles would pass to the heirs male of the 1st Earl of Selkirk's
younger
sons before the
heirs male of his
eldest
son, who was heir apparent to his mother's Dukedom of Hamilton.
(b) if the person who would otherwise inherit the title of Earl of Selkirk was already Duke of
Hamilton, or would inherit the Dukedom at the same time as he would inherit the Earldom of
Selkirk, then the title of Earl of Selkirk would pass to that Duke's next oldest surviving
brother.
(c) if the titles were ever held by a Duke of Hamilton, either because an Earl of Selkirk
succeeded as a Duke of Hamilton, or because provision (b) above became inoperable
because the heir was a Duke of Hamilton who had no surviving younger brothers, the title
Earl of Selkirk would pass on that Duke's death to his
second
surviving son.
(d) if the titles had passed to a younger brother or younger son under (b) or (c) above, they
would then pass to his heirs male on his death,
BUT
(e) if such a younger son's or younger brother's heirs male died out, the title would not pass
to his own younger brothers and their heirs male, but would instead revert to the senior
male line with provisions (b) and (c) operating as before.
The effect of this remainder is that the dukedom of Hamilton descends as usual to heirs male,
but the earldom and its attendant baronies are diverted to the second son. Should this and
other cadet lines fail, the earldom of Selkirk reverts to the Duke of Hamilton at that time as
heir of the first Earl; but then the "special destination" of 1688 again diverts it to his younger
brother, if he has one: if not, it descends with the dukedom until such time as a qualified
younger son appears to carry on a new line of earls.
The contemplated situation has occurred twice - firstly in 1885, on the death of the 6th Earl
of Selkirk, who died without male issue, when the earldom thereupon reverted to the younger
brother of the 12th Duke of Hamilton.
When this younger brother (the 7th Earl of Selkirk)
died unmarried in the following year, the Earldom of Selkirk passed back to the dukedom, with
which it remained united until the death of the 13th Duke of Hamilton in 1940. When the 14th
Duke of Hamilton succeeded in 1940, he had a younger brother, Lord Nigel Douglas-Hamilton,
who under the provisions of the remainder, became the 10th Earl of Selkirk.
Similar devices to prevent the mergers of peerages also occurred on other occasions within
the Scottish peerage. In 1674, Margaret, Countess of Rothes in her own right, married the 5th
Earl of Haddington. The marriage contract stated that the Earl would resign his own peerage in
favour of their second and other younger sons, so as to keep it distinct from that of Rothes.
When the 5th Earl of Haddington died in 1685, he was succeeded in that peerage by his
younger son, whereas the eldest son had to wait until 1700 before he could succeed to the
earldom of Rothes.
Again, an attempt was made to keep separate the earldoms of Stair and Dumfries after the
next brother of the 2nd Earl of Stair married the Countess of Dumfries in her own right. The
second Earl obtained a novodamus in 1707 which had the effect of shifting the remainder to
the second and younger sons of his brother. In 1747, he executed a deed which nominated
the son of his youngest brother to succeed him in the titles, but this was struck down by
the House of Lords in 1748, presumably on the ground that such deed had been executed
after the Act of Union of 1707. The heir nominated, John Dalrymple, did, however, eventually
succeed to the earldom of Stair in 1768, but not to the earldom of Dumfries, which went to
a collateral line.
"Shifting remainders" are confined to peerages of Scotland created before the Act of Union
in 1707. The use of such remainders in the peerages of Great Britain and the United Kingdom
were held to be invalid by the decision of the House of Lords in the case of the Buckhurst
peerage in 1876 (qv).
Copyright @ 2003-2013
Leigh Rayment