PEERAGES
Last updated 28/03/2018 (20 Jan 2024)
Date Rank Order Name Born Died Age
CLEVELAND
5 Feb 1626 E 1 Thomas Wentworth, 4th Baron Wentworth
Created Earl of Cleveland 5 Feb 1626
See "Wentworth"
1591 25 Mar 1667 75

3 Aug 1670 D 1 Barbara Palmer
Created Baroness Nonsuch, Countess of Southampton and Duchess of Cleveland 3 Aug 1670
For information on this peeress, see the note at the foot of this page
27 Nov 1640 9 Oct 1709 68
9 Oct 1709 2 Charles Fitzroy
Created Baron of Newbury, Earl of Chichester and Duke of Southampton 10 Sep 1675
Illegitimate son of Charles II
18 Jun 1662 9 Sep 1730 68
9 Sep 1730
to    
18 May 1774
3 William Fitzroy
Peerages extinct on his death
19 Feb 1698 18 May 1774 76

5 Oct 1827
29 Jan 1833
M
D
1
1
William Harry Vane, 3rd Earl of Darlington
Created Marquess of Cleveland 5 Oct 1827 and Baron Raby and Duke of Cleveland 29 Jan 1833
MP for Totnes 1788‑1790 and Winchilsea 1790‑1792; Lord Lieutenant Durham 1792‑1842; KG 1839
27 Jul 1766 29 Jan 1842 75
29 Jan 1842 2 Henry Vane
MP for co. Durham 1812‑1815, Winchilsea 1816‑1818, Tregony 1818‑1826, Totnes 1826‑1830, Saltash 1830‑1831 and Shropshire South 1832‑1842; KG 1842
6 Aug 1788 18 Jan 1864 75
18 Jan 1864 3 William John Frederick Powlett (Vane from Mar 1864)
MP for Winchelsea 1812‑1815, co. Durham 1815‑1831, St. Ives 1846‑1852 and Ludlow 1852‑1857
3 Apr 1792 6 Sep 1864 72
6 Sep 1864
to    
21 Aug 1891
4 Harry George Powlett
MP for Durham South 1841‑1859 and Hastings 1859‑1864; KG 1865
Peerages extinct on his death
19 Apr 1803 21 Aug 1891 88
CLIFDEN
27 Jul 1776
12 Jan 1781
B[I]
V[I]
1
1
James Agar
Created Baron Clifden 27 Jul 1776 and Viscount Clifden 12 Jan 1781
MP [I] for Gowran 1753‑1761 and 1776‑1777, and Kilkenny County 1761‑1776; PC [I] 1784
25 Mar 1735 29 Dec 1788 53
29 Dec 1788 2 Henry Agar (Agar-Ellis from 4 Feb 1804)
MP [I] for Gowran 1783 and Kilkenny County 1783‑1789; MP for Heytesbury 1793‑1802
He subsequently succeeded to the Barony of Mendip in 1802
22 Jan 1761 13 Jul 1836 75
13 Jul 1836 3 Henry Agar‑Ellis
Succeeded to the Barony of Dover 1833
25 Feb 1825 20 Feb 1866 40
20 Feb 1866 4 Henry George Agar‑Ellis 3 Sep 1863 28 Mar 1895 31
28 Mar 1895 5 Leopold George Frederick Agar‑Ellis
MP for co. Kilkenny 1857‑1874
On his death the Barony of Dover became extinct
13 May 1829 10 Sep 1899 70
10 Sep 1899 6 Thomas Charles Agar‑Robartes2nd Baron Robartes
MP for Cornwall East 1880‑1882; Lord Lieutenant Cambridge 1906‑1915
1 Jan 1844 19 Jul 1930 86
19 Jul 1930 7 Francis Gerald Agar‑Robartes 14 Apr 1883 15 Jul 1966 83
15 Jul 1966
to    
22 Dec 1974
8 Arthur Victor Agar‑Robartes
The Barony and Viscountcy of Clifden became extinct on his death, while the Barony of Mendip passed to the 6th Earl of Normanton
9 Jun 1887 22 Dec 1974 87
CLIFFORD
17 Feb 1628 B 1 Henry Clifford
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Clifford 17 Feb 1628
Succeeded as 5th Earl of Cumberland in 1641
For further information on this peerage, which was created in error, see the note at the foot of this page
28 Feb 1591 11 Dec 1643 52
11 Dec 1643 2 Elizabeth Clifford 18 Sep 1618 6 Jan 1691 72
6 Jan 1691 3 Charles Boyle, Viscount Dungarvan [I] and Baron Clifford of Lanesborough
MP for Tamworth 1670‑1679 and Yorkshire 1679‑1689
17 Nov 1639 12 Oct 1694 54
12 Oct 1694 4 Charles Boyle, 2nd Earl of Burlington 30 Oct 1660 9 Feb 1704 43
9 Feb 1704 5 Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington 25 Apr 1694 3 Dec 1753 59
3 Dec 1753 6 Charlotte Elizabeth Cavendish 27 Oct 1731 24 Dec 1754 23
24 Dec 1754 7 William Cavendish, later [1764] 5th Duke of Devonshire 14 Dec 1748 29 Jul 1811 62
29 Jul 1811 8 William Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire
On his death the peerage fell into abeyance
21 May 1790 18 Jan 1858 67
CLIFFORD OF CHUDLEIGH
22 Apr 1672 B 1 Thomas Clifford
Created Baron Clifford of Chudleigh 22 Apr 1672
MP for Totnes 1660‑1661; Secretary of State 1672; Lord High Treasurer 1672‑1673
1 Aug 1630 17 Oct 1673 43
17 Oct 1673 2 Hugh Clifford 21 Dec 1663 12 Oct 1730 66
12 Oct 1730 3 Hugh Clifford 14 Apr 1700 26 Mar 1732 31
26 Mar 1732 4 Hugh Clifford 29 Sep 1726 1 Sep 1783 56
1 Sep 1783 5 Hugh Edward Henry Clifford 2 Jul 1756 15 Jan 1793 36
15 Jan 1793 6 Charles Clifford 28 Nov 1759 29 Apr 1831 71
29 Apr 1831 7 Hugh Charles Clifford 29 May 1790 28 Feb 1858 67
28 Feb 1858 8 Charles Hugh Clifford 27 Jul 1819 5 Aug 1880 61
5 Aug 1880 9 Lewis Henry Hugh Clifford 24 Aug 1851 19 Jul 1916 64
19 Jul 1916 10 William Hugh Clifford
For further information on this peer, see the note at the foot of this page
17 Dec 1858 5 Jul 1943 84
5 Jul 1943 11 Charles Oswald Hugh Clifford 24 Apr 1887 1 Feb 1962 74
1 Feb 1962 12 Lewis Joseph Hugh Clifford 7 Feb 1889 27 Aug 1964 75
27 Aug 1964 13 Lewis Hugh Clifford 13 Apr 1916 17 Mar 1988 71
17 Mar 1988 14 Thomas Hugh Clifford 17 Mar 1948
CLIFFORD OF LANESBOROUGH
4 Nov 1644 B 1 Richard Boyle, 2nd Earl of Cork
Created Baron Clifford of Lanesborough 4 Nov 1644 and Earl of Burlington 20 Mar 1664
See "Burlington" - peerage extinct 1753
20 Oct 1612 15 Jan 1698 85

16 Jul 1689 Charles Boyle
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of Acceleration as Viscount Dungarvan [I] 28 Jan 1663 and as Baron Clifford of Lanesborough 16 Jul 1689
He was the son and heir apparent of the 2nd Earl of Burlington, but died before he could succeed to that title
17 Nov 1639 12 Oct 1694 54

20 Nov 1694 Charles Boyle
He was summoned to Parliament as Baron Clifford of Lanesborough 20 Nov 1694
He succeeded as the 2nd Earl of Burlington in 1698 with which title this peerage the merged until its extinction in 1753
30 Oct 1660 9 Feb 1704 43
CLIFTON
1 Dec 1376 B 1 John de Clifton
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Clifton 1 Dec 1376
10 Aug 1388
10 Aug 1388 2 Constantine de Clifton 1372 1395 23
1395
to    
by Dec 1447
3 John de Clifton
On his death the peerage fell into abeyance
c 1394 by Dec 1447
CLIFTON OF LEIGHTON BROMSWOLD
9 Jul 1608 B 1 Sir Gervase Clifton
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Clifton de Layton Bromswold 9  Jul 1608
c 1579 Oct 1618
Oct 1618 2 Katherine Stuart, Duchess of Lennox c 1592 17 Sep 1637
17 Sep 1637 3 James Stuart, 4th Duke of Lennox & 1st Duke of Richmond 6 Apr 1612 30 Mar 1655 42
30 Mar 1655 4 Esme Stuart, 2nd Duke of Richmond 2 Nov 1649 10 Aug 1660 10
10 Aug 1660 5 Mary Butler, Countess of Arran 1649 4 Jul 1667 18
4 Jul 1667 6 Charles Stuart, 3rd Duke of Richmond 7 Mar 1640 12 Dec 1672 32
12 Dec 1672 7 Katherine O'Brien
Her right to the peerage was recognised by the House of Lords 7 Feb 1674
For information of her successful claim, see the note at the foot of this page
5 Dec 1640 11 Nov 1702 61
11 Nov 1702 8 Catherine Hyde 29 Jan 1673 11 Aug 1706 33
11 Aug 1706 9 Edward Hyde 6 Oct 1691 12 Feb 1713 21
12 Feb 1713 10 Theodosia Bligh 9 Nov 1695 30 Jul 1722 26
30 Jul 1722 11 Edward Bligh, later [1728] 2nd Earl of Darnley 9 Nov 1715 22 Jul 1747 31
22 Jul 1747 12 John Bligh, 3rd Earl of Darnley
MP [I] for Athboy 1739‑1748; MP for Maidstone 1741‑1747
1 Oct 1719 31 Jul 1781 61
31 Jul 1781 13 John Bligh, 4th Earl of Darnley 30 Jun 1767 17 Mar 1831 63
17 Mar 1831 14 Edward Bligh, 5th Earl of Darnley
MP for Canterbury 1818‑1830; Lord Lieutenant Meath 1831‑1835
For information on the death of this peer, see the note at the foot of the page containing details of the Darnley peerage
25 Feb 1795 11 Feb 1835 39
11 Feb 1835 15 John Stuart Bligh, 6th Earl of Darnley 16 Apr 1827 14 Dec 1896 69
14 Dec 1896 16 Edward Henry Stuart Bligh, 7th Earl of Darnley
For information on this peer, see the note at the foot of the page containing details of the Darnley peerage
21 Aug 1851 31 Oct 1900 49
31 Oct 1900 17 Elizabeth Adeline Mary Bligh 22 Jan 1900 8 Jul 1937 37
8 Jul 1937 18 Esme Ivo Bligh, 9th Earl of Darnley 11 Oct 1886 29 May 1955 68
29 May 1955 19 Peter Stuart Bligh, 10th Earl of Darnley 1 Oct 1915 15 Jun 1980 64
15 Jun 1980 20 Adam Ivo Stuart Bligh, 11th Earl of Darnley 8 Nov 1941
CLIFTON OF RATHMORE
14 Sep 1721 B[I] 1 John Bligh
Created Baron Clifton of Rathmore 14 Sep 1721, Viscount Darnley 7 Mar 1723 and Earl of Darnley 29 Jun 1725
See "Darnley"
28 Dec 1687 12 Sep 1728 41
CLINTON
6 Feb 1299 B 1 John de Clinton
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Clinton 6 Feb 1299
c 1312
c 1312 2 John Clinton 1303 c 1335
c 1335 3 John Clinton 1326 8 Sep 1398 72
8 Sep 1398 4 William Clinton 1379 30 Jul 1432 53
30 Jul 1432 5 John Clinton 1410 24 Sep 1464 54
24 Sep 1464 6 John Clinton 1434 29 Feb 1488 53
29 Feb 1488 7 John Clinton 4 Jun 1515
4 Jun 1515 8 Thomas Clinton 1490 7 Aug 1517 27
7 Aug 1517 9 Edward Clinton
Created Earl of Lincoln 4 May 1572
1512 16 Jan 1585 72
KG 1551
16 Jan 1585 10 Henry Clinton, 2nd Earl of Lincoln 1540 29 Sep 1616 76
29 Sep 1616 11 Thomas Clinton, 3rd Earl of Lincoln c 1568 15 Jan 1619
15 Jan 1619 12 Theophilus Clinton, 4th Earl of Lincoln 1600 21 May 1667 66
21 May 1667
to    
25 Nov 1692
13 Edward Clinton, 5th Earl of Lincoln
On his death the barony fell into abeyance
c 1650 25 Nov 1692
15 Mar 1721
5 Jul 1746
to    
2 May 1751
 
E
14
1
Hugh Fortescue
Lord Lieutenant Devon 1721‑1733
Abeyance terminated in his favour 15 Mar 1721
Created Baron Fortescue of Castle Hill and Earl Clinton 5 Jul 1746
On his death the Earldom became extinct, the barony of Fortescue devolved to his half-brother by a special remainder and the barony of Clinton again fell into abeyance
1696 2 May 1751 54
14 Mar 1760 15 Margaret Walpole
Abeyance terminated in her favour
13 Jan 1781
13 Jan 1781 16 George Walpole, 3rd Earl of Orford 2 Apr 1730 5 Dec 1791 61
5 Dec 1791 17 Robert George William Trefusis 5 Oct 1764 28 Aug 1797 32
28 Aug 1797 18 Robert Cotton St. John Trefusis 28 Apr 1787 Oct 1832 45
Oct 1832 19 Charles Rodolph Trefusis
MP for Callington 1813‑1818
9 Nov 1791 10 Apr 1866 74
10 Apr 1866 20 Charles Henry Rolle Hepburn-Stuart-Forbes-Trefusis
MP for Devon North 1857‑1866; Lord Lieutenant Devon 1887‑1904
2 Mar 1834 29 Mar 1904 70
29 Mar 1904
to    
5 Jul 1957
21 Charles John Robert Hepburn-Stuart-Forbes-Trefusis
PC 1926
On his death the barony fell into abeyance
18 Jan 1863 5 Jul 1957 94
1965 22 Gerard Neville Mark Fane‑Trefusis
Abeyance terminated in his favour
7 Oct 1934

6 Sep 1330
to    
31 Aug 1354
B 1 William de Clinton
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Clinton 6 Sep 1330
He was subsequently created Earl of Huntingdon in 1337 - peerage extinct 1354
c 1304 31 Aug 1354
CLINTON-DAVIS
8 May 1990
to    
11 Jun 2023
B[L] Stanley Clinton Clinton‑Davis
Created Baron Clinton‑Davis for life 8 May 1990
MP for Hackney Central 1970‑1983; PC 1998
Peerage extinct on his death
6 Dec 1928 11 Jun 2023 94
CLITHEROE
20 Jun 1955 B 1 Ralph Assheton
Created Baron Clitheroe 20 Jun 1955
MP for Rushcliffe 1934‑1945, London 1945‑1950 and Blackburn West 1950‑1955; Minister of Supply 1942; Financial Secretary to the Treasury 1942‑1944; Lord Lieutenant Lancashire 1971‑1976; PC 1944
24 Feb 1901 18 Sep 1984 83
18 Sep 1984 2 Ralph John Assheton 3 Nov 1929
CLIVE OF LUDLOW
14 May 1804 V 1 Edward Clive, 2nd Baron Clive of Plassey
Created Baron Clive of Walcot 13 Aug 1794 and Baron Powis, Baron Herbert of Chirbury, Viscount Clive of Ludlow and Earl of Powis 14 May 1804
See "Powis"
7 Mar 1754 16 May 1839 85
CLIVE OF PLASSEY
15 Mar 1762 B[I] 1 Robert Clive
Created Baron Clive of Plassey 15 Mar 1762
MP for Mitchell 1754‑1755 and Shrewsbury 1761‑1774; Lord Lieutenant Shropshire 1772‑1774 and Montgomery
29 Sep 1725 22 Nov 1774 49
22 Nov 1774 2 Edward Clive
Created Baron Clive of Walcot 13 Aug 1794 and Baron Powis, Baron Herbert of Chirbury, Viscount Clive of Ludlow and Earl of Powis 14 May 1804
7 Mar 1754 16 May 1839 85
CLIVE OF WALCOT
13 Aug 1794 B 1 Edward Clive, 2nd Baron Clive of Plassey
Created Baron Clive of Walcot 13 Aug 1794 and Baron Powis, Baron Herbert of Chirbury, Viscount Clive of Ludlow and Earl of Powis 14 May 1804
See "Powis"
7 Mar 1754 16 May 1839 85
CLOGHER
1578
to    
1595
B[I] 1 Terence Lenagh
Created Baron Clogher 1578 and Earl of Clanconnell May 1578
Nothing further appears to be known of these peerages which presumably became extinct on his death
1532 1595 63
CLONBROCK
3 Jun 1790 B[I] 1 Robert Dillon
Created Baron Clonbrock 3 Jun 1790
MP [I] for Lanesborough 1776‑1790; PC [I] 1795
27 Feb 1754 22 Jul 1795 41
22 Jul 1795 2 Luke Dillon 24 Apr 1780 13 Dec 1826 46
13 Dec 1826 3 Robert Dillon
Lord Lieutenant Galway 1874‑1892
29 Mar 1807 4 Dec 1893 86
4 Dec 1893 4 Luke Gerald Dillon
Lord Lieutenant Galway 1892‑1917; PC [I] 1898; KP 1900
10 Mar 1834 12 May 1917 83
12 May 1917
to    
1 Nov 1926
5 Robert Edward Dillon
Peerage extinct on his death
21 May 1869 1 Nov 1926 57
CLONCURRY
29 Sep 1789 B[I] 1 Sir Nicholas Lawless, 1st baronet
Created Baron Cloncurry 29 Sep 1789
MP [I] for Lifford 1776‑1789
For information of the 1st Baron's father, see the note at the foot of the page containing details of the baronetcy
30 Oct 1735 28 Aug 1799 63
28 Aug 1799
14 Sep 1831
 
B
2
1
Valentine Browne Lawless
Created Baron Cloncurry 14 Sep 1831
PC [I] 1831
19 Aug 1773 28 Oct 1853 80
28 Oct 1853 3
2
Edward Lawless
For information on the death of this peer, see the note at the foot of this page
13 Sep 1816 3 Apr 1869 52
3 Apr 1869 4
3
Valentine Lawless 2 Nov 1840 12 Feb 1928 87
12 Feb 1928
to    
18 Jul 1929
5
4
Frederick Lawless
Peerages extinct on his death
20 Apr 1847 18 Jul 1929 82
CLONEY
19 Jul 1675
to    
9 Sep 1679
B[I] 1 Sir William Ducie
Created Baron of Cloney and Viscount Downe 19 Jul 1675
Peerage extinct on his death
c 1612 9 Sep 1679
CLONMELL
18 Aug 1789
20 Dec 1793
V[I]
E[I]
1
1
John Scott
Created Baron Earlsfort 20 May 1784, Viscount Clonmell 18 Aug 1789 and Earl of Clonmell 6 Dec 1793
MP [I] for Mullingar 1769‑1783 and Portarlington 1783‑1784; Solicitor General [I] 1774; Attorney General [I] 1777‑1782; Chief Justice [I] 1784; PC [I] 1777
For further information on this peer, see the note at the foot of this page
8 Jun 1739 23 May 1798 58
23 May 1798 2 Thomas Scott
MP for New Romney 1807‑1812
15 Aug 1783 18 Jan 1838 54
18 Jan 1838 3 John Henry Scott 4 Jan 1817 7 Feb 1866 49
7 Feb 1866 4 John Henry Reginald Scott 2 Mar 1839 22 Jun 1891 52
22 Jun 1891 5 Thomas Charles Scott 18 Aug 1840 18 Jun 1896 55
18 Jun 1896 6 Beauchamp Henry John Scott 28 Dec 1847 1 Feb 1898 50
1 Feb 1898 7 Rupert Charles Scott 10 Nov 1877 18 Nov 1928 51
18 Nov 1928
to    
16 Jan 1935
8 Dudley Alexander Charles Scott
Peerages extinct on his death
26 May 1853 16 Jan 1935 81
CLONMORE
13 Apr 1676
to    
Aug 1677
V[I] 1 Lord John Butler
Created Baron of Aghrim, Viscount Clonmore and Earl of Gowran 13 Apr 1676
Peerages extinct on his death
1643 Aug 1677 34

21 Jul 1776 B[I] 1 Ralph Howard
Created Baron Clonmore 21 Jul 1776 and Viscount Wicklow 23 Jun 1785
See "Wicklow"
29 Aug 1727 26 Jun 1789 65
CLONTARFF
5 Nov 1541
to    
1560
V[I] 1 Sir John Rawson
Created Viscount Clontarff 5 Nov 1541
Peerage extinct on his death
1560
CLOUGHGRENAN
8 Mar 1693
to    
17 Dec 1758
B[I] 1 Charles Butler
Created Baron of Cloughgrenan, Viscount of Tullogh and Earl of Arran 8 Mar 1693,and Baron Butler of Weston 23 Jan 1694
Peerages extinct on his death
4 Sep 1671 17 Dec 1758 87
CLWYD
19 May 1919 B 1 Sir John Herbert Roberts, 1st baronet
Created Baron Clwyd 19 May 1919
MP for Denbighshire West 1892‑1918
8 Aug 1863 19 Dec 1955 92
19 Dec 1955 2 John Trevor Roberts 28 Nov 1900 30 Mar 1987 86
30 Mar 1987 3 John Anthony Roberts 2 Jan 1935 10 Oct 2006 71
10 Oct 2006 4 John Murray Roberts 27 Aug 1971
CLYDE
16 Aug 1858
to    
14 Aug 1863
B 1 Sir Colin Campbell
Created Baron Clyde 16 Aug 1858
Field Marshal 1862
Peerage extinct on his death
20 Oct 1792 14 Aug 1863 70

1 Oct 1996
to    
6 Mar 2009
B[L] James John Clyde
Created Baron Clyde for life 1 Oct 1996
Senator of the College of Justice in Scotland 1985‑1996; Lord of Appeal in Ordinary 1996‑2001; PC 1996
Peerage extinct on his death
29 Jan 1932 6 Mar 2009 77
CLYDESDALE
20 Sep 1660 M[S] 1 Lord William Hamilton
Created Marquess of Clydesdale and Hamilton 20 Sep 1660
See "Hamilton"
24 Dec 1635 18 Apr 1694 58
CLYDESMUIR
26 Feb 1948 B 1 Sir David John Colville
Created Baron Clydesmuir 26 Feb 1948
MP for Midlothian and Peebles North 1929‑1943; Financial Secretary to the Treasury 1936‑1938; Secretary of State for Scotland 1938‑1940; Governor of Bombay 1943‑1948; Lord Lieutenant Lanark 1952‑1954; PC 1936
13 Feb 1894 31 Oct 1954 60
31 Oct 1954 2 Ronald John Bilsland Colville
Lord Lieutenant Lanark 1963‑1992; KT 1972
21 May 1917 2 Oct 1996 79
2 Oct 1996 3 David Ronald Colville 8 Apr 1949
COAKER
3 Feb 2021 B[L] Vernon Rodney Coaker
Created Baron Coaker 23 Nov 1960
MP for Gedling 1997‑2019; Minister for Policing, Crime & Security 2008‑2009; Minister for Schools & Learners 2009‑2010
17 Jun 1953
COBBOLD
23 Nov 1960 B 1 Cameron Fromanteel Cobbold
Created Baron Cobbold 23 Nov 1960
Governor of the Bank of England 1949‑1961; PC 1959; KG 1970
14 Sep 1904 1 Nov 1987 82
1 Nov 1987 2 David Antony Fromanteel Lytton‑Cobbold
[Elected hereditary peer 2000‑2014]
14 Jul 1937 9 May 2022 84
9 May 2022 3 Henry Fromanteel Lytton‑Cobbold 12 May 1962
COBHAM
30 Dec 1324
to    
c 1325
B 1 Sir Ralph de Cobham
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Cobham 30 Dec 1324
Peerage extinct on his death
c 1325

3 Jan 1645
to    
20 May 1660
B 1 John Brooke
Created Baron Cobham 3 Jan 1645
Peerage extinct on his death
20 May 1660

19 Oct 1714
23 May 1718
B
V
1
1
Sir Richard Temple, 4th baronet
Created Baron Cobham 19 Oct 1714 and Baron and Viscount Cobham 23 May 1718
The creations of 1718 contained a special remainder failing the heirs male of his body, to his second sister, Hester Grenville, and the heirs male of her body, failing which to his third sister, Dame Christian Lyttelton, and the heirs male of her body
MP for Buckingham 1697‑1702 and 1708‑1713 and Buckinghamshire 1704‑1708; Lord Lieutenant Buckingham 1728‑1738; PC 1716
24 Oct 1675 14 Sep 1749 73
14 Sep 1749 2 Hester Grenville, Countess Temple (1st in line) c 1690 6 Oct 1752
6 Oct 1752 3 Richard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl Temple 26 Sep 1711 11 Sep 1779 67
11 Sep 1779 4 George Nugent-Temple-Grenville, 1st Marquess of Buckingham 17 Jun 1753 11 Feb 1813 59
11 Feb 1813 5 Richard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos 20 Mar 1776 17 Jan 1839 62
17 Jan 1839 6 Richard Plantagenet Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos 11 Feb 1797 29 Jul 1861 64
29 Jul 1861 7 Richard Plantagenet Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 3rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos 10 Sep 1823 26 Mar 1889 65
26 Mar 1889 8 Charles George Lyttelton, 5th Baron Lyttelton
MP for Worcestershire East 1868‑1874
27 Oct 1842 9 Jun 1922 79
9 Jun 1922 9 John Cavendish Lyttelton
MP for Droitwich 1910‑1916; Lord Lieutenant Worcestershire 1923‑1949
23 Oct 1881 31 Jul 1949 67
31 Jul 1949 10 Charles John Lyttelton
Governor General of New Zealand 1957‑1962; Lord Lieutenant Worcestershire 1963‑1974; KG 1964; PC 1967
8 Aug 1909 20 Mar 1977 67
20 Mar 1977 11 John William Leonard Lyttelton 5 Jun 1943 13 Jul 2006 63
13 Jul 2006 12 Christopher Charles Lyttelton 23 Oct 1947
COBHAM (co Kent)
8 Jan 1313 B 1 Henry de Cobham
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Cobham 8 Jan 1313
1260 25 Aug 1339 79
25 Aug 1339 2 John de Cobham 25 Feb 1355
25 Feb 1355 3 John de Cobham 10 Jan 1408
10 Jan 1408 4 Joan Oldcastell 13 May 1434
13 May 1434 5 Joan Brooke c 1442
c 1442 6 Edward Brooke 1464
1464 7 John Brooke 9 Mar 1512
9 Mar 1512 8 Thomas Brooke 19 Jul 1529
19 Jul 1529 9 George Brooke c 1497 29 Sep 1558
KG 1549
29 Sep 1558 10 William Brooke
Lord Lieutenant Kent 1558‑1596; KG 1584
1 Nov 1527 6 Mar 1597 69
6 Mar 1597
to    
1603
11 Henry Brooke
Lord Lieutenant Kent 1598; KG 1599
He was attainted and the peerage forfeited
22 Nov 1564 24 Jan 1619 54
24 Jan 1619
to    
20 Sep 1643
[12] William Brooke
MP for Rochester 1628‑1629
On his death, the Barony, though still under attainder, fell into abeyance
1 Dec 1601 20 Sep 1643 41
1747 [13] William Boothby
Subject to the attainder, he became heir to the peerage in 1747
4 May 1721 15 Apr 1787 65
15 Apr 1787
to    
14 Feb 1789
[14] Mary Disney
On her death, the Barony, though still under attainder, again fell into abeyance
25 Oct 1716 14 Feb 1789 72
8 Sep 1916
to    
10 Jun 1933
15 Gervase Disney Alexander
Attainder removed and abeyance terminated in his favour 8 Sep 1916. On his death the peerage again fell into abeyance
6 May 1880 10 Jun 1933 53
5 Dec 1933
to    
21 Feb 1951
16 Robert Disney Leith Alexander
Abeyance terminated in his favour 5 Dec 1933. On his death the peerage again fell into abeyance
23 Apr 1885 21 Feb 1951 65
COBHAM (of Rundale)
3 Dec 1326 B 1 Stephen de Cobham
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Cobham 3 Dec 1326
1332
1332 2 John de Cobham 1319 14 Sep 1362 43
14 Sep 1362 3 Thomas Cobham 1343 1394 51
1394 4 Reynold Cobham 31 Oct 1405
31 Oct 1405
to    
by 1429
5 Thomas Cobham
On his death the peerage fell into abeyance
by 1429
COBHAM (of Starborough)
15 Feb 1342 B 1 Reginald de Cobham
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Cobham 15 Feb 1342
KG 1352
c 1295 5 Oct 1361
5 Oct 1361
to    
6 Jul 1403
2 Reginald de Cobham
On his death the peerage appears to have become extinct
1348 6 Jul 1403 55
COCHRANE OF CULTS
16 May 1919 B 1 Thomas Horatio Arthur Ernest Cochrane
Created Baron Cochrane of Cults 16 May 1919
MP for Ayrshire North 1892‑1910
2 Apr 1857 17 Jan 1951 93
17 Jan 1951 2 Thomas George Frederick Cochrane 19 Mar 1883 8 Dec 1968 85
8 Dec 1968 3 Thomas Charles Anthony Cochrane 31 Oct 1922 15 Jun 1990 67
15 Jun 1990 4 Ralph Henry Vere Cochrane 20 Sep 1926 11 Sep 2017 90
11 Sep 2017 5 Thomas Hunter Vere Cochrane 7 Sep 1957
COCHRANE OF DUNDONALD
26 Dec 1647 B[S] 1 Sir William Cochrane
Created Lord Cochrane of Dundonald 26 Dec 1647, and Lord Cochrane of Paisley and Ochiltree and Earl of Dundonald 12 May 1669
See "Dundonald"
1686
COCHRANE OF PAISLEY AND OCHILTREE
12 May 1669 B[S] 1 William Cochrane, 1st Lord Cochrane of Dundonald
Created Lord Cochrane of Paisley and Ochiltree and Earl of Dundonald 12 May 1669
See "Dundonald"
1686
COCKERMOUTH
3 Oct 1749 B 1 Algernon Seymour, 7th Duke of Somerset
Created Baron Cockermouth and Earl of Egremont 3 Oct 1749
See "Egremont"
11 Nov 1684 7 Feb 1750 65
COCKFIELD
14 Apr 1978
to    
8 Jan 2007
B[L] Sir Francis Arthur Cockfield
Created Baron Cockfield for life 14 Apr 1978
Minister of State, Treasury 1979‑1982; Secretary of State for Trade 1982‑1983; Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1983‑1984; PC 1982
Peerage extinct on his death
28 Sep 1916 8 Jan 2007 90
COCKS OF HARTCLIFFE
6 Oct 1987
to    
26 Mar 2001
B[L] Michael Francis Lovell Cocks
Created Baron Cocks of Hartcliffe for life 6 Oct 1987
MP for Bristol South 1970‑1987; PC 1976
Peerage extinct on his death
19 Aug 1929 26 Mar 2001 71
COE
16 May 2000 B[L] Sebastian Newbold Coe
Created Baron Coe for life 16 May 2000
MP for Falmouth & Camborne 1992‑1997; CH 2012
29 Sep 1956
COGGAN
28 Jan 1980
to    
17 May 2000
B[L] Frederick Donald Coggan
Created Baron Coggan for life 28 Jan 1980
Bishop of Bradford 1956‑1961; Archbishop of York 1961‑1974; Archbishop of Canterbury 1974‑1980; PC 1961
Peerage extinct on his death
9 Oct 1909 17 May 2000 90
COHEN
12 Nov 1951
to    
9 May 1973
B[L] Sir Lionel Leonard Cohen
Created Baron Cohen for life 12 Nov 1951
Lord Justice of Appeal 1946‑1951; Lord of Appeal in Ordinary 1951‑1960; PC 1946
Peerage extinct on his death
1 Mar 1888 9 May 1973 85
COHEN OF BIRKENHEAD
16 Jul 1956
to    
7 Aug 1977
B 1 Sir Henry Cohen
Created Baron Cohen of Birkenhead 16 Jul 1956
CH 1974
Peerage extinct on his death
21 Feb 1900 7 Aug 1977 77
COHEN OF BRIGHTON
13 May 1965
to    
21 Oct 1966
B[L] Lewis Coleman Cohen
Created Baron Cohen of Brighton for life 13 May 1965
Peerage extinct on his death
28 Mar 1897 21 Oct 1966 69
COHEN OF PIMLICO
3 May 2000 B[L] Janet Neel Cohen
Created Baroness Cohen of Pimlico for life 3 May 2000
4 Jul 1940
COKE
9 May 1744
to    
20 Apr 1759
V 1 Thomas Coke, 1st Baron Lovell
Created Viscount Coke and Earl of Leicester 9 May 1744
Peerages extinct on his death
c 1695 20 Apr 1759

12 Aug 1837 V 1 Thomas William Coke
Created Viscount Coke and Earl of Leicester (of Holkham) 12 Aug 1837
See "Leicester (of Holkham)"
6 May 1754 30 Jun 1842 88
COLBORNE
15 May 1839
to    
3 May 1854
B 1 Nicholas William Ridley-Colborne
Created Baron Colborne 15 May 1839
MP for Bletchingley 1805‑1806, Malmesbury 1806‑1807, Appleby 1807‑1812, Thetford 1818‑1826, Horsham 1827‑1832 and Wells 1834‑1837
Peerage extinct on his death
14 Apr 1779 3 May 1854 75
COLCHESTER
5 Jul 1621 V 1 Thomas Darcy, 3rd Baron Darcy of Chiche
Created Viscount Colchester 5 Jul 1621 and Earl Rivers 4 Nov 1626
See "Rivers"
c 1565 21 Feb 1640

3 Jun 1817 B 1 Charles Abbot
Created Baron Colchester 3 Jun 1817
MP for Helston 1795‑1802, Woodstock 1802‑1806 and Oxford University 1806‑1817. Chief Secretary for Ireland 1801. Speaker of the House of Commons 1802‑1817. PC 1801, PC [I] 1801
14 Oct 1757 8 May 1829 71
8 May 1829 2 Charles Abbot
Vice President of the Board of Trade 1852; Postmaster General 1858‑1859; PC 1852
12 Mar 1798 18 Oct 1867 69
18 Oct 1867
to    
26 Feb 1919
3 Reginald Charles Edward Abbot
Peerage extinct on his death
13 Feb 1842 26 Feb 1919 77
COLE
24 Mar 1965
to    
29 Nov 1979
B[L] George James Cole
Created Baron Cole for life 24 Mar 1965
Peerage extinct on his death
3 Feb 1906 29 Nov 1979 73
COLEBROOKE
20 Feb 1906
to    
28 Feb 1939
B 1 Sir Edward Arthur Colebrooke, 5th baronet
Created Baron Colebrooke 20 Feb 1906
PC 1914
Peerage extinct on his death
12 Oct 1861 28 Feb 1939 77
COLEPEPER
21 Oct 1644 B 1 Sir John Colepeper
Created Baron Colepeper 21 Oct 1644
MP for Kent 1640; Chancellor of the Exchequer 1642
1600 11 Jul 1660 60
11 Jul 1660 2 Thomas Colepeper 21 Mar 1635 27 Jan 1689 53
27 Jan 1689 3 John Colepeper 16 Mar 1640 8 Jul 1719 79
8 Jul 1719
to    
25 Jun 1725
4 Cheney Colepeper
Peerage extinct on his death
6 Sep 1642 25 Jun 1725 82
COLERAINE
31 Aug 1625 B[I] 1 Hugh Hare
Created Baron Coleraine 31 Aug 1625
1606 19 Oct 1667 61
19 Oct 1667 2 Henry Hare
MP for Old Sarum 1679‑1681
21 Apr 1636 15 Jul 1708 72
15 Jul 1708
to    
10 Aug 1749
3 Henry Hare
MP for Boston 1730‑1734
Peerage extinct on his death
10 May 1693 10 Aug 1749 56

26 Feb 1762 B[I] 1 Gabriel Hanger
Created Baron Coleraine 26 Feb 1762
MP for Maidstone 1753‑1761 and Bridgwater 1763‑1768
9 Jan 1697 27 Jan 1773 76
27 Jan 1773 2 John Hanger 3 Apr 1743 4 Dec 1794 51
4 Dec 1794 3 William Hanger
MP for East Retford 1775-1778, Aldborough 1778‑1780 and St. Michaels 1780‑1784
6 Aug 1744 11 Dec 1814 70
11 Dec 1814
to    
31 Mar 1824
4 George Hanger
Peerage extinct on his death
For further information on this peer, see the note at the foot of this page
13 Oct 1751 31 Mar 1824 72

16 Feb 1954 B 1 Richard Kidston Law
Created Baron Coleraine 16 Feb 1954
MP for Kingston-upon-Hull South West 1931‑1945, Kensington South 1945‑1950 and Haltemprice 1950‑1954; Minister of State 1943‑1945; Minister of Education 1945; PC 1943
27 Feb 1901 15 Nov 1980 79
15 Nov 1980 2 James Martin Bonar Law 8 Aug 1931 4 Oct 2020 89
4 Oct 2020 3 James Peter Bonar Law 23 Feb 1975
COLERIDGE
10 Jan 1874 B 1 Sir John Duke Coleridge
Created Baron Coleridge 10 Jan 1874
MP for Exeter 1865‑1873; Solicitor General 1868‑1871; Attorney General 1871‑1873; Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas 1873‑1880; Lord Chief Justice 1880‑1894; PC 1873
3 Dec 1820 14 Jun 1894 73
14 Jun 1894 2 Bernard John Seymour Coleridge
MP for Attercliffe 1885‑1894
For further information on this peer, see the note at the foot of this page
19 Aug 1851 4 Sep 1927 76
4 Sep 1927 3 Geoffrey Duke Coleridge 23 Jul 1877 27 Mar 1955 77
27 Mar 1955 4 Richard Duke Coleridge 24 Sep 1905 20 May 1984 78
20 May 1984 5 William Duke Coleridge 18 Jun 1937
COLESHILL
1 Nov 1790 V 1 Henry Digby, 7th Baron Digby
Created Viscount Coleshill and Earl Digby 1 Nov 1790
See "Digby"
21 Jul 1731 25 Sep 1793 62
COLEVILLE
24 Dec 1264 B 1 Walter de Coleville
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Colvill 24 Dec 1264
by Sep 1277
by Sep 1277 2 Roger de Coleville c 1251 c Mar 1288
c Mar 1288 3 Edmund de Coleville 25 Jan 1288 by Mar 1316 28
by Mar 1316 4 Robert de Coleville 0 Oct 1304 by May 1368 63
by May 1368
to    
14 Jul 1369
5 Robert de Coleville c 1364 14 Jul 1369
COLGRAIN
28 Jan 1946 B 1 Colin Frederick Campbell
Created Baron Colgrain 28 Jan 1946
13 Jun 1866 3 Nov 1954 88
3 Nov 1954 2 Donald Swinton Campbell 6 Nov 1891 20 Oct 1973 81
20 Oct 1973 3 David Colin Campbell 24 Apr 1920 7 Feb 2008 87
7 Feb 2008 4 Alastair Colin Leckie Campbell
[Elected hereditary peer 2017-]
16 Sep 1951
COLLINGWOOD
20 Nov 1805
to    
7 Mar 1810
B 1 Cuthbert Collingwood
Created Baron Collingwood 20 Nov 1805
Peerage extinct on his death
26 Sep 1750 7 Mar 1810 59
COLLINS
6 Mar 1907
to    
3 Jan 1911
B[L] Richard Henn Collins
Created Baron Collins for life 6 Mar 1907
Lord Justice of Appeal 1897‑1901; Master of the Rolls 1901‑1907; Lord of Appeal in Ordinary 1907‑1911; PC 1897
Peerage extinct on his death
1 Jan 1842 3 Jan 1911 69
COLLINS OF HIGHBURY
20 Jan 2011 B[L] Raymond Edward Harry Collins
Created Baron Collins of Highbury for life 20 Jan 2011
21 Dec 1954
COLLINS OF MAPESBURY
21 Apr 2009 B[L] Sir Lawrence Antony Collins
Created Baron Collins of Mapesbury for life 21 Apr 2009
Lord Justice of Appeal 2007‑2009; Lord of Appeal in Ordinary 2009; Justice of the Supreme Court 2009‑2011; PC 2007
7 May 1941
COLLISON
14 Dec 1964
to    
29 Dec 1995
B[L] Harold Francis Collison
Created Baron Collison for life 14 Dec 1964
Peerage extinct on his death
10 May 1909 29 Dec 1995 86
COLNBROOK
16 Oct 1987
to    
4 Oct 1996
B[L] Sir Humphrey Edward Gregory Atkins
Created Baron Colnbrook for life 16 Oct 1987
MP for Merton & Morden 1955‑1970 and Spelthorne 1970‑1987; Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 1979‑1981; Lord Privy Seal 1981‑1982; PC 1973
Peerage extinct on his death
For information on the death of this peer's father, see the note at the foot of this page
12 Aug 1922 4 Oct 1996 74
COLONSAY
26 Feb 1867
to    
31 Jan 1874
B 1 Duncan McNeill
Created Baron Colonsay 26 Feb 1867
MP for Argyllshire 1843‑1851; Solicitor General for Scotland 1834‑1835 and 1841‑1842; PC 1853
Peerage extinct on his death
Aug 1793 31 Jan 1874 80
COLUMBERS
29 Jul 1314
to    
10 Feb 1342
B 1 Philip de Columbers
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Columbers 29 Jul 1314
Peerage extinct on his death
10 Feb 1342
 

Barbara Palmer, Duchess of Cleveland
The following biography of Barbara Palmer appeared in the July 1968 issue of the Australian monthly magazine Parade:-
King Charles II of England was deeply in love with his mistress, the beautiful Barbara Palmer. Yet that did not stop him showering his favours on other charmers who happened to catch his eye. For instance there was the serving maid of Queen Catherine (his wife), the actress Nell Gwyn, the dancer Moll Davis and the more youthful members of the notorious brothels in Nightingale Lane. Although the Queen Consort accepted her husband's infidelities philosophically, Barbara, inflamed with jealousy, decided to bring the philanderer to heel. Her plan was simple - she took a lover herself, a man described as having the "face of an African lemur, a hideously large head and wobbly little pipe-stem legs". When news of this incongruous love affair reached Charles he flew into a rage and then (as she had expected) settled down to win back the love of the fascinating wanton whose charms he could not resist.
Such incidents were part and parcel of the stormy yet enduring love match between the insatiable Charles and his equally insatiable mistress. If it was not Charles who was being unfaithful to the woman he was to create Duchess of Cleveland, it was Barbara who was cavorting with young bucks of the court who were willing to risk their necks for her love.
Barbara Palmer, Duchess of Cleveland, Countess of Castlemaine and Southampton, and Baroness Nonsuch and perhaps the most sensational woman of her age, was born in 1640, the daughter of William Villiers, Viscount Grandison. She was still a child when her father lost his life and fortune fighting for the Royalists during the Cromwellian Civil war, and she was only 14 when she begged the Earl of Chesterfield to elope with her. Chesterfield would probably have agreed to this request from the lovely Barbara had not Cromwell imprisoned him in the Tower for political crimes.
In April 1659 the now exquisitively beautiful girl was on the verge of despair. She was without funds and faced starvation. And that was when she met and married Roger Palmer, a rich merchant's son. Just a year later Mrs Palmer learned that Chesterfield had been released from the Tower and had fled to Holland to join the exiled King Charles. Deciding the Earl would make a better lover than her husband, she persuaded Palmer to take her to Holland on the pretext they could enjoy a second honeymoon.
A few weeks later Chesterfield's eyes fell on the dazzlingly lovely girl he had not seen since her childhood days - and so did Charles's. The result was that within a few days of that meeting members of the King's court in exile accepted the fact that Mrs Palmer was the exclusive property of the monarch. Chesterfield was delighted he was able to bring such happiness to his adored King, while Palmer was so over-awed by his wife's sudden rise in the social scale that he made no objection, although he fumed inwardly.
In 1660 came the news from England - the people wanted Charles back on the throne. When he arrived in London on May 29, 1660, one of the first to greet him was the pregnant Barbara Palmer. Although some historians attribute the paternity of Mrs Palmer's first child, Anne, to the King, others claim that the father was the Earl of Chesterfield.
Nevertheless, Charles accepted his mistress's word that the expected baby was his and, immediately after the Restoration, entered with Barbara into an orgy of pleasure-seeking and extravagance that shocked the English middle and lower classes. During royal balls in Whitehall, Barbara Palmer invariably sat beside the King and passionately responded to his embraces in full view of the noble guests.
Following the birth of Barbara's daughter in February 1661, Roger Palmer began to make trouble. The King's advisers suggested that Charles might for someone to pick a quarrel with his mistress's husband and then run him through with a sword. But the King had a better plan. He created Palmer Earl of Castlemaine, a title that carried large estates in Ireland. And as these estates required constant supervision the new Earl would be tied up in Ireland, leaving his countess to continue her royal social activities in London.
Then, with Barbara Palmer already dreaming of the day when one of her children would sit on England's throne, a marriage contract was signed between Charles and the Portuguese princess, Catherine of Braganza. It was no love match, but rather a political expedient by which England, apart from other privileges, secured Tangier and Bombay. Almost immediately after the couple were married in England in May 1662, Catherine was pushed into the background away from the debaucheries of the court and Barbara was appointed the Queen Consort's Lady of the Bedchamber.
Later, although Catherine remained barren, Barbara bore the King a son who was christened Charles Palmer. The advent of this child so delighted the monarch that he insisted his mistress should sit in the royal coach with him when he rode through the streets of London. Nevertheless, if Barbara, Countess of Castlemaine, gave all her attention to pleasing her lover she insisted on being repaid for her efforts. Charles gave her a yearly allowance of about £100,000 in addition to gifts of almost priceless jewellery. He also accepted her suggestion that he should pass on to her all the presents subjects seeking special favours pressed on him. Apart from that, she took a cut from post office revenue and was allowed to sell appointments to the army and civil service. But if money deluged into Lady Castlemaine's coffers it poured out just as quickly. She was an obsessive gambler and often lost as much as £20,000 at a sitting.
Then the day came when Barbara Palmer decided her lover was philandering outrageously and must be brought to heel. To arouse the King's jealousy the courtesan chose as a lover an ugly, untitled wastrel who hovered unobtrusively on the court's fringe. Overwhelmed by the advances of the lovely Lady Castlemaine, the man, Harry Jermyn, was soon strutting about the court like a peacock boasting of his conquest. When news of the match between the beauty and the beast reached Charles he ordered his mistress to his private apartments and thundered: "It is not consistent with my dignity that a mistress whom I have honoured with public distinction and who receives considerable support from me should appear chained to the chariot of the most ridiculous conqueror who ever lived".
Nonetheless Barbara was determined to continue her affair with Jermyn and arouse Charles to an even greater pitch of jealousy. But the plan collapsed when the ugly little courtier, realising his danger, fled to Scotland. Now the royal mistress decided to use the same strategy to draw Charles from the arms of Nell Gwyn. This time she chose as her lover a huge, muscled-bound tightrope-walker, Jacob Hall. But if he was physically unattractive his love-making was so expert that Lady Castlemaine found herself falling in love with him. Barbara Palmer had not bargained for such an eventuality. Nor did she appreciate the bawdy jokes about her and the tightrope-walker that circulated all over London. In the end she begged Charles to forgive her indiscretion and take her back. As usual the King, longing for her companionship, agreed but stipulated she must share him with "that pitiful strolling actress" Nell Gwyn. Barbara agreed.
All went peacefully enough between the lovers until one night in 1670 when Charles was told by a courtier that his mistress (now the Duchess of Cleveland) was locked in her rooms with a young officer of the Guards, John Churchill. Enraged by this latest example of infidelity, the King roared for his carriage and set off towards the great mansion in Westminster he had just given to the Duchess as a gift. Stepping smartly up the mansion's elaborately carved staircase, Charles bounded up to the bedchamber's door and turned the handle. It was locked. So he banged on the door demanding immediate admission. A full minute passed before it was opened by the gorgeous Duchess, dressed in a nightgown. Behind her a window lay open admitting the cold night air. The King hurried to the window just in time to see a male figure jump from the ivy on the wall and run off into the darkness. Charles shouted at him: "I know who you are, son. But I forgive you. I know you do it for your bread."
The monarch then turned to the trembling Duchess. He cried: "Madame, I hope to live to see you ugly. Then I won't care who you love." Within a week Lieutenant Churchill, later Duke of Marlborough, had been transferred to disease-ridden Tangier while Charles and his mistress resumed their interrupted love affair. A year later her fifth and last child was born. Charles insisted it was the result of his mistress's alliance with Churchill, but in the face of her protestations agreed to acknowledge its paternity.
As the years passed Barbara Palmer, Duchess of Cleveland, Baroness Nonsuch and Countess of Castlemaine and Southampton, continued dabbling in a variety of love affairs. Nevertheless, the aging Charles accepted her obsession and was quite ready to take her back when the current liaison had lost its attraction.
In 1685 Charles died, and although the Duchess had received several fortunes from him during his reign, she now had to rely on the generosity of her dead lover's brother, James II, to maintain her standard of living. And even when James fled the country in 1688 his successor, William of Orange, continued to make provision for the Duchess. Although she was now in her mid 40s she was still beautiful and able to attract wealthy and noble lovers. Sometimes, to bolster her income, she turned her mansion into a gambling saloon and personally attended her guests while her current lover, the actor Cardonell Goodman, acted as croupier.
In 1705, the Duchess, long since a widow and now 64, married Bob Fielding, who, until he announced he was already married and therefore not her legal husband, robbed her, abused her and even beat her. In a blaze of ridicule the Duchess of Cleveland sold all her London possessions and retired friendless to Chiswick. And there, grotesque with dropsy, she died on October 9, 1709.
The barony of Clifford created in 1628
This peerage is one of several created in error. For similar cases see the notes relating to the peerages of Strange and Percy.
The feudal barony of de Clifford, which dates from the reign of Henry II, was converted into a barony by writ in 1299. The peerage then descended in the male line to George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, who died in 1605.
On his death, the peerage of de Clifford was inherited by his daughter, Anne Herbert, and this peerage, notwithstanding it falling into abeyance on four occasions, continues to be extant to the present time. However, when the 3rd Earl of Cumberland died in 1605, it was mistakenly assumed that the barony of de Clifford had also passed to the 3rd Earl's brother, Francis Clifford, 4th Earl of Cumberland. His son, Henry Clifford, was summoned to the House of Lords in February 1628, but this writ, instead of being a writ of acceleration of an existing peerage, actually created a new peerage.
William Hugh Clifford, 10th Baron Clifford of Chudleigh
Like his contemporary, the 4th Earl of Ducie, William Clifford prior to his succession to the title of 10th Baron Clifford of Chudleigh, had spent many years as a resident of Australia. At the time he inherited the title the following article appeared in the Hobart Mercury on 21 July 1916:-
The Hon William Hugh Clifford, now tenth Baron Clifford of Chudleigh, is a brother of the deceased nobleman [i.e. the 9th Baron]. Born on December 17, 1858, he is now 58 years of age. When about 20 years of age he emigrated to New Zealand, and after 12 years' residence there came to Tasmania, where he has lived for the past 25 years. He took up farming, and for several years had a property at Forcett, in the Sorell district, and later, another at Colebrook [both near Hobart]. He had always taken a keen interest in political matters, and in 1903, at the second election for the [Australian] Federal Parliament, offered himself as a candidate for the Franklin electorate of the House of Representatives. He was defeated by the present member, Mr W[illiam] J[ames] McWilliams, and since then, though retaining his interests in local matters, has taken no active part in political life. He has done some literary work, and a few months ago published "A Forecast for the 20th Century", an essay in which the causes of war and peace, and the conditions which the author thinks will ensure a lasting settlement of international problems, are dealt with at some length.
The claim to the barony of Clifton of Leighton Bromswold made in 1673/74
The following is extracted from Proceedings, Precedents and Arguments on Claims and Controversies concerning Baronies by Writ, and other Honours by Arthur Collins [London 1734].
January 8, 1673 - The house of peers, upon reading the petition of CATHERINE, lady O BRIEN, on behalf of herself and DONATUS [Donough] O BRIEN, her son, claiming a right to the barony of Leighton Bromswold, in the county of Huntingdon; as also, his Majesty's reference thereof to this house, and of the report of his Majesty's later attorney general, now lord keeper of the great seal, concerning the said barony, annexed to the said petition: Ordered etc. to be referred to the committee of privileges.
January 11, 1673 - Report from the committee, that the said petition appearing to have a defect in it, it is their lordships desire, by the directions of this house, that the lady CATHERINE O BRIEN have leave to withdraw and amend the same.
January 16, 1673 - The committee report, that upon examination of the business referred to their lordships, concerning the claim made by CATHERINE, lady O BRIEN, on behalf of herself, and DONATUS O BRIEN, her son, to the barony of Leighton Bromswold, their lordships do find that JERVAS, lord Clifton, was summoned by writ to parliament, 6 Jac. 1, by the title of lord Clifton of Leighton Bromswold; so as the barony being a fee simple ought to descend from the said lord Clifton, upon his heirs, and that the lady CATHERINE O BRIEN, the petitioner, being the heir gradually and lineally descended from the said lord Clifton, the barony doth of right descend to her and her heirs. Hereupon the house made the following order.
"Upon report made this day by the earl of Berks[hire], from the lords committee for privileges, concerning the claim made by CATHERINE, lady O BRIEN etc., it was ordered etc., that this house will hear his Majesty's counsel learned in the laws, viz. Mr Serjeant MAYNARD, Mr attorney general, and Mr solicitor general, on Tuesday next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, upon the said claim, whereof the said lady O BRIEN is to cause timely notice to be given to his Majesty's said counsel, to the end that they may be ready accordingly; at which time she may likewise attend with her counsel."
January 20, 1673 - Upon the consideration had of what had been offered at the bar, by his Majesty's learned counsel, as also the counsel of the lady O BRIEN, etc. It is ordered etc. that the judges present this day, shall be attended by the lady O BRIEN"S agent, with her petition and claim, the writ of summons to parliament, and the report of his Majesty's late attorney general, now lord keeper, made in that case, whereon the said judges are to give their opinions.
February 7, 1673 - The lord chief justice of the King's bench, lord chief justice of the Common pleas, chief baron, baron TURNER, baron LITTLETON, justice ATKINS, justice ELLIS, and baron THURLAND, were unanimous in their opinions.
That taking the case in fact, to be as his Majesty's attorney general reported it to be, and as it stands transmitted to this house, they find it to be thus, as to this lady's claim of the said barony:
That sir JERVAS CLIFTON was summoned to parliament by the name of JERVAS CLIFTON, of Leighton Bromswold, by writ, dated July 9, 9 Jac. I etc.
That accordingly he did come and sit in parliament, as one of the peers of England.
That he died 16 Jac. I leaving issue behind him CATHERINE, his sole daughter and heir, who married to the lord Aubigny, afterwards duke of Lenox.
That the said duke, 17 Jac. I was, by letters patent, created baron Leighton of Leighton Bromswold in the county of Huntingdon, to him and the heirs male of his body, whereof none are now living.
That the petitioner is lineally descended from him, and is his heir (by the said report) and as such now claims the barony of Clifton.
All which being admitted to be true, they are of opinion,
First, That the said JERVAS, by virtue of the said writ or summons, and his sitting in parliament accordingly, was a peer and baron of this kingdom, and his blood thereby ennobled.
Secondly, That his said honour descended from him to CATHERINE, his sole daughter and heir, and successively after several descents to the petitioner as lineal heir to the said lord Clifton.
Thirdly, That therefore the petitioner is well entitled to the said dignity.
Upon consideration had by this house etc. It is resolved by the lords spiritual and temporal in parliament assembled, that the said CATHERINE, lady O BRIEN, hath right to the barony of Clifton.
Edward Lawless, 3rd Baron Cloncurry
The 3rd Baron Cloncurry committed suicide on 3 April 1869 by throwing himself from a third-floor window of his house. The following edited report of the subsequent inquest appeared in the Dublin Freeman's Journal of 6 April 1869:-
The jury, having viewed the body, the following evidence was given:-
W. F. Murray, of Lyons, examined - I am a surgeon, and have been the medical attendant of the late Baron Cloncurry for the last two months; it was in consequence of his being in an unsound state of mind that I was placed in charge of him; on Saturday, the 3rd of April, I asked his lordship to take a walk; I put on his hat and coat; he walked about the room, and did not seem inclined to go out; in about ten minutes he went out by himself, and I followed him; I overtook him at the corner of the house, as he was going into the shrubbery; I then asked him to walk to the garden, and he agreed; when he got to the stable-yard he hurriedly walked in, and I lost sight of him for a moment; I believed he went into the house by the back door, and not wishing to follow him too closely, I went around to the hall-door to meet him; on looking into the hall I could not see him; I then supposed that he had gone into the closet, just near the door he entered by; I returned into the stable-yard and saw two boys looking out of the stable-door; I asked them if they had seen his lordship going out of the passage, and they said he gone in; I then went round and entered the house by the hall-door, and was in the act of taking off my coat when one of the workmen ran in saying, "Where are you? He is dead". I then ran out after him to where his lordship lay; I found him lying on the grass supported by some of the servants, his head towards the window; I examined him, and found he was alive, but speechless and insensible, and in a state of collapse; I had him removed into the house, and he lived for about two hours and a half; I examined the body since death; there were no bones broken; I attribute the death to the shock to the system from falling from such a height, and from internal haemorrhage; for the last three weeks there was a second person in charge of him; on two occasions I saw indications of a desire to destroy himself - one was when he wanted a rifle from the gamekeeper, and another when he took up a gun and loaded it; his revolvers were removed, and the windows of his room were nailed down by order of Dr. Banks; the guns were all removed out of his reach after the occurrence of his loading the gun.
Further evidence was given by one of Lord Cloncurry's labourers, who witnessed Cloncurry throwing himself from the window, and by the consulting physician to the Richmond Lunatic Asylum, who confirmed that Lord Cloncurry was suffering mental illness. After retiring for only a few minutes, the jury found that Cloncurry had "met his death by falling from a window on the third storey of Lyons House, on the 3rd day of April, 1869, being at the time of unsound mind and unaccountable for his acts".
John Scott, 1st Earl of Clonmell
Clonmell was accused of making his fortune by unorthodox methods. He was suspected of holding land in trust on behalf of Catholics (who at that time were not allowed to own property) and then reneging on the agreements. He, like most wealthy Irishmen of the time, was an experienced duellist. At one time or another, he fought the Lord Chancellor, the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, the Master of the Rolls, Lord Tyrawley, his predecessor as Chief Justice and three privy counsellors.
Clonmell kept a diary in which he recorded many resolutions, few of which he was able to keep. Perhaps the most amusing was one which he made in 1790, six years after becoming Chief Justice of Ireland. He resolved to 'seriously set about learning my profession'. In another resolution, he had resolved to avoid 'snuff, sleep, swearing, gross eating, sloth, malt liquors, indulgence - and never to take anything after tea but water'. In spite of these resolutions, he became so obese that he became immobile and at night had to be carried to bed by his servants. Upon his death, the undertaker's men were unable to carry his body down the stairs and they were forced to lower it from the bedroom window by a system of ropes and pulleys into the waiting hearse.
George Hanger, 4th Baron Coleraine
The following is extracted from The Emperor of the United States of America and Other Magnificent British Eccentrics by Catherine Caufield (Routledge & Kegan Paul, London 1981)
Having fought three duels, married a gypsy, and been wounded in the American War of Independence, George Hanger retired from the army at the age of 22 and devoted himself to drinking, racing, gambling and whoring. Not surprisingly, he soon became a boon companion of the Prince of Wales. Like the Prince, Hanger was a man of fashion, the first person in England to wear a satin coat. Apart from his retirement half-pay, which barely covered his tailor's bill, Hanger had two sources of income; gambling and moneylenders. He would bet on anything and once laid a wager on the outcome of a ten-mile race between twenty geese and twenty turkeys, losing £500 when the turkeys dropped out after 3 miles.
In 1798, after fifteen years of living beyond his means, Hanger was made a prisoner of the King's Bench. He stayed there for 18 months and, unlike those debtors whose wealthy friends contrived to maintain them in style within their private cells, Hanger experienced the true degradation and squalor of life in a debtor's prison. He later wrote an eloquent condemnation of the soul-destroying conditions in such prisons. When some friends eventually procured his release by paying off his debts, this pillar of the beau monde immediately embarked on a new career. He became a coal merchant. Society was aghast, and a number of friends offered to set him up in a more acceptable line of business. But Hanger, far from finding his new position a humiliation, positively revelled in embarrassing his fashionable friends by drawing attention to his changed circumstances.
Hanger sold coal for 14 years. Then, on the death in 1814 of his brother, George acceded to the estates and title of Baron Coleraine. He despised inherited titles and corrected anyone who used his, saying, 'Plain George Hanger if you please'. This attitude and other unorthodox opinions finally put an end to friendly relations with his old companion, now King George IV.
Hanger was quite genuine about his democratic ideas. As his 14 years as a coal seller demonstrated, he had no desire to hold himself aloof from the lower orders. Shortly after he succeeded to the title, the artist J T Smith witnessed this scene between him and an old woman who sold apples in the Portland Road. Hanger saw her packing up her things in preparation for her tea break. 'Don't balk trade', he said, 'Leave your things on the table as they are; I will mind your shop till you come back'. Intrigued, Smith loitered and watched Hanger selling apples to passers-by. On the woman's return, Hanger handed over his takings. 'Well, mother, I have taken threepence half-penny for you. Did your daughter Nancy drink tea with you.'
By this time Hanger was quite well known, not so much for his past exploits as for the controversial views set forth in his highly readable autobiography The Life, Adventures and Opinions of Col. George Hanger. In it Hanger offers a good deal of advice to women. He insists that they should settle affairs of honour by duelling amongst themselves, instead of involving men. He recommends, when eloping, leaving through a window, rather than a door. 'It will impress your lover with a respect for your heroism, and ever establish you, in his opinion, as awoman of true spirit, courage and spunk'. He applauds the fashion for loose gowns, which he says are 'admirably suited either for a young girl to conceal a big belly, or for a shop-lifter to hide a bale of goods'.
He advised clergymen to supplement their income by hiring out the blind men in their parishes to beggar-women who find that a genuinely handicapped companion exerts a greater pull on the heart-strings and purse-strings of the contributing public than even a child or a dog. And he advocated a tax on Scotsmen who spent more than six months of the year south of the border.
Bernard John Seymour Coleridge, 2nd Baron Coleridge
The 2nd Baron Coleridge succeeded to the title on 14 June 1894. At that time he was a member of the House of Commons for the seat of Attercliffe in Sheffield.
On 25 June 1894, Coleridge applied to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir William Harcourt, for the Stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds. Technically, a member of the House of Commons is not permitted to resign his or her seat. To get around this restriction, members apply for the position of the Stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds or the Manor of Northstead. Both of these offices are considered to be offices of profit under the Crown, and, under the Act of Settlement, any member who is appointed to an office of profit must give up his or her seat.
The appointment was finalised on 26 June 1894, and a new writ issued by a by-election in the seat of Attercliffe. There was no doubt that the seat of Attercliffe had become vacant, but the question arose as to why it had become so - was it because Coleridge had been appointed to an office of profit on 26 June, or had it become vacant when Coleridge had succeeded his father in the peerage on 14 June? After lengthy debate, it was agreed that the cause was Coleridge's appointment to an office of profit, since he had not, at that time, received a writ summoning him to the House of Lords.
This interpretation was overturned less than a year later, in a similar case involving the 2nd Earl of Selborne.
Capt. Edward Davis Atkins, father of Humphrey Edward Gregory Atkins, Baron Colnbrook [L]
Lord Colnbrook's father was a Resident Magistrate in the United Provinces in India and subsequently a coffee planter in Kenya, where he was trampled to death by a wounded rhinoceros on 6 March 1925. The following report appeared in The Times of 11 March 1925:-
Two persons were killed by a rhinoceros in the Nanyuki district [of Kenya] on Saturday. The first was a Dublin woman, Mrs Green, who had completed a walk across Africa from the Belgian Congo, and was about to attempt to climb Mount Kenya [the second highest mountain in Africa, after Kilimanjaro]. Mrs Green, who was accompanied by one native and armed with a light rifle, encountered the rhinoceros between Nanyuki and Meru. She fired and wounded the animal eight times, but only slightly, and it charged and trampled her. Assistance was forthcoming from a neighbouring farm, but she died shortly after her removal there.
Later in the day Captain E. D. Atkins, a soldier settler in Nanyuki, and his wife were motoring to Meru when the car stuck in a dry donga [watercourse or gully]. Suddenly the same rhinoceros charged them from the bush. They were unarmed, and Captain Atkins told his wife to leave the car and run for her life. Meanwhile, he attempted to divert the charging rhinoceros with his coat, but was trampled to death. Mrs Atkins escaped and secured help, and the animal was shot later.