PEERAGES
Last updated 01/09/2018 (19 Jan 2024)
Date Rank Order Name Born Died Age
MASSEY OF DARWEN
26 Jul 1999 B[L] Doreen Elizabeth Massey
Created Baroness Massey of Darwen for life 26 Jul 1999
5 Sep 1938
MASSY
4 Aug 1776 B[I] 1 Hugh Massy
Created Baron Massy 4 Aug 1776
MP [I] for Limerick County 1759‑1776
1700 30 Jan 1788 87
30 Jan 1788 2 Hugh Massy
MP [I] for Askeaton 1776‑1783 and Limerick County 1783‑1788
14 Apr 1733 10 May 1790 57
10 May 1790 3 Hugh Massy 24 Oct 1761 20 Jun 1812 50
20 Jun 1812 4 Hugh Hamon Massy 13 Feb 1793 27 Sep 1836 43
27 Sep 1836 5 Hugh Hamon Ingoldsby Massy 14 Apr 1827 27 Feb 1874 46
27 Feb 1874 6 John Thomas William Massy 30 Aug 1835 28 Nov 1915 80
28 Nov 1915 7 Hugh Somerset John Massy 15 Feb 1864 20 Oct 1926 62
20 Oct 1926 8 Hugh Hamon Charles George Massy
For further information on this peer, see the note at the foot of this page
13 Jul 1894 20 Mar 1958 63
20 Mar 1958 9 Hugh Hamon John Somerset Massy 11 Jun 1921 5 Aug 1995 74
5 Aug 1995 10 David Hamon Somerset Massy 4 Mar 1947
MATHERS
30 Jan 1952
to    
26 Sep 1965
B 1 George Mathers
Created Baron Mathers 30 Jan 1952
MP for Edinburgh West 1929‑1931, Linlithgowshire 1935‑1945 and West Lothian 1945‑1951; PC 1947; KT 1956
Peerage extinct on his death
28 Feb 1886 26 Sep 1965 79
MATTHEWS
22 Jul 1980
to    
5 Dec 1995
B[L] Victor Collin Matthews
Created Baron Matthews for life 22 Jul 1980
Peerage extinct on his death
5 Dec 1919 5 Dec 1995 76
MAUDE OF HORSHAM
26 May 2015 B[L] Francis Anthony Aylmer Maude
Created Baron Maude of Horsham for life 26 May 2015
MP for Warwickshire North 1983‑1992 and Horsham 1997‑2015; Financial Secretary to the Treasury 1990‑1992; Paymaster General 2010‑2015; PC 1992
4 Jul 1953
MAUDE OF STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
19 Sep 1983
to    
9 Nov 1993
B[L] Sir Angus Edmund Upton Maude
Created Baron Maude of Stratford-upon-Avon for life 19 Sep 1983
MP for Ealing South 1950‑1958 and Stratford-upon-Avon 1963‑1983; Paymaster General 1979‑1981; PC 1979
Peerage extinct on his death
8 Sep 1912 9 Nov 1993 81
MAUGHAM
7 Oct 1935
22 Sep 1939
to    
23 Mar 1958
B[L]
V
 
1
Sir Frederick Herbert Maugham
Created Baron Maugham for life 7 Oct 1935 and Viscount Maugham 22 Sep 1939
Lord Justice of Appeal 1934‑1935; Lord of Appeal in Ordinary 1935‑1938 and 1939‑1941; Lord Chancellor 1938‑1939; PC 1934
On his death the barony became extinct, and the viscountcy passed to:-
20 Oct 1866 23 Mar 1958 91
23 Mar 1958
to    
13 Mar 1981
2 Robert Cecil Romer Maugham
Peerage extinct on his death
17 May 1916 13 Mar 1981 64
MAULE
3 Aug 1646 B[S] 1 Patrick Maule
Created Lord Maule, Brechin and Navar and Earl of Panmure 3 Aug 1646
See "Panmure"
29 May 1585 22 Dec 1661 76

6 Apr 1743
to    
4 Jan 1782
V[I] 1 William Maule
Created Baron and Viscount Maule and Earl of Panmure 6 Apr 1743
Peerages extinct on his death
1700 4 Jan 1782 81
MAULEY
23 Jun 1295 B 1 Piers de Mauley
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Mauley 23 Jun 1295
22 Jul 1249 6 Sep 1308 59
6 Sep 1308 2 Piers de Mauley 10 Mar 1281 c 1348
c 1348 3 Piers de Mauley c 1300 18 Jan 1355
18 Jan 1355 4 Piers de Mauley c 1330 19 Mar 1383
19 Mar 1383
to    
6 Sep 1415
5 Piers de Mauley
On his death the peerage fell into abeyance
c 1378 6 Sep 1415
MAUNY
See "MANNY"
MAWHINNEY
24 Jun 2005
to    
9 Nov 2019
B[L] Sir Brian Stanley Mawhinney
Created Baron Mawhinney for life 24 Jun 2005
MP for Peterborough 1979‑1997 and Cambridgeshire North West 1997‑2005; Minister of State for Northern Ireland 1990‑1992; Minister of State for Health 1992‑1994; Secretary of State for Transport 1994‑1995. Minister without Portfolio 1995‑1997; PC 1994
Peerage extinct on his death
26 Jul 1940 9 Nov 2019 79
MAWSON
29 Mar 2007 B[L] Andrew Mawson
Created Baron Mawson for life 29 Mar 2007
8 Nov 1954
MAXTON
17 Jun 2004 B[L] John Alston Maxton
Created Baron Maxton for life 17 Jun 2004
MP for Cathcart 1979‑2001
5 May 1936
MAXWELL
c 1443 B[S] 1 Herbert Maxwell
Created Lord Maxwell c 1443
c 1454
c 1454 2 Robert Maxwell c 1485
c 1485 3 John Maxwell 9 Sep 1513
9 Sep 1513 4 Robert Maxwell c 1493 9 Jul 1546
9 Jul 1546 5 Robert Maxwell 14 Sep 1552
14 Sep 1552 6 Robert Maxwell c 1554
c 1554 7 John Maxwell
Created Earl of Morton 5 Jun 1581
The attainder of the 4th Earl of Morton was reversed in 1586 when the Earldom reverted to its original line
1552 7 Dec 1593 41
7 Dec 1593 8 John Maxwell 21 May 1613
21 May 1613 9 Robert Maxwell
Created Lord Maxwell, Eskdale and Carleill and Earl of Nithsdale 20 Aug 1620
See "Nithsdale"
after 1586 May 1646
MAY
28 Jun 1935 B 1 Sir George Ernest May, 1st baronet
Created Baron May 28 Jun 1935
20 Jun 1871 10 Apr 1946 74
10 Apr 1946 2 John Lawrence May 15 Aug 1904 9 Mar 1950 45
9 Mar 1950 3 Michael St. John May 26 Sep 1931 22 Sep 2006 74
22 Sep 2006 4 Jasper Bertram St. John May 24 Oct 1965
MAY OF OXFORD
18 Jul 2001
to    
28 Apr 2020
B[L] Sir Robert McCredie May
Created Baron May of Oxford for life 18 Jul 2001
OM 2002
Peerage extinct on his death
8 Jan 1936 28 Apr 2020 84
MAYBRAY-KING
2 Mar 1971
to    
3 Sep 1986
B[L] Horace Maybray King
Created Baron Maybray-King for life 2 Mar 1971
MP for Test 1950‑1955 and Itchen 1955‑1970; Speaker of the House of Commons 1965‑1971; PC 1965
Peerage extinct on his death
25 May 1901 3 Sep 1986 85
MAYHEW
6 Jul 1981
to    
7 Jan 1997
B[L] Christopher Paget Mayhew
Created Baron Mayhew for life 6 Jul 1981
MP for Norfolk South 1945‑1950 and Woolwich East 1951‑1974; Minister of Defence for the Royal Navy 1964‑1966
Peerage extinct on his death
12 Jun 1915 7 Jan 1997 81
MAYHEW OF TWYSDEN
12 Jun 1997
to    
25 Jun 2016
B[L] Sir Patrick Barnabas Burke Mayhew
Created Baron Mayhew of Twysden for life 12 Jun 1997
MP for Royal Tunbridge Wells 1974‑1983 and Tunbridge Wells 1983‑1997; Minister of State, Home Office 1981‑1983; Solicitor General 1983‑1987; Attorney General 1987‑1992; Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 1992‑1997; PC 1986
Peerage extinct on his death
11 Sep 1929 25 Jun 2016 86
MAYNARD
30 May 1620
14 Mar 1628
B[I]
B
1
1
Sir William Maynard, 1st baronet
Created Baron Maynard [I] 30 May 1620 and Baron Maynard [E] 14 Mar 1628
MP for Penrhyn 1609‑1611 and Chippenham 1614; Lord Lieutenant Cambridge 1620 and Essex 1635
by 1589 17 Dec 1640
17 Dec 1640 2 William Maynard
Lord Lieutenant Cambridge 1640‑1642
1623 3 Feb 1699 75
3 Feb 1699 3 Banastre Maynard
MP for Essex 1663‑1678
1642 4 Mar 1718 75
4 Mar 1718 4 Henry Maynard c 1673 7 Dec 1742
7 Dec 1742 5 Grey Maynard 18 Dec 1679 27 Apr 1745 65
27 Apr 1745
28 Oct 1766
to    
30 Jun 1775
 
V
6
1
Charles Maynard
Created Baron Maynard and Viscount Maynard 28 Oct 1766
These creations contained a special remainder, failing heirs male of his body, to his third cousin Sir William Maynard, 4th baronet
Lord Lieutenant Suffolk 1763‑1769
On his death the Baronies of 1620 and 1628 became extinct, whilst the Barony and Viscountcy of 1766 passed to -
c 1690 30 Jun 1775
30 Jun 1775 2 Sir Charles Maynard, 5th baronet 9 Aug 1751 10 Mar 1824 72
10 Mar 1824
to    
19 May 1865
3 Henry Maynard
Lord Lieutenant Essex 1825‑1865
Peerage extinct on his death
13 Mar 1788 19 May 1865 77
MAYO
21 Jun 1627 V[I] 1 Theobald Bourke
Created Viscount Mayo 21 Jun 1627
18 Jun 1629
18 Jun 1629 2 Miles Bourke 1649
1649 3 Sir Theobald Bourke, 1st baronet 12 Jan 1653
12 Jan 1653 4 Theobald Bourke 5 Jun 1676
5 Jun 1676 5 Miles Bourke Mar 1681
Mar 1681 6 Theobald Bourke 6 Jan 1681 25 Jun 1741 60
25 Jun 1741 7 Theobald Bourke 7 Jan 1742
7 Jan 1742
to    
12 Jan 1767
8 John Bourke
On his death the peerage became either extinct or dormant
12 Jan 1767

13 Jan 1781
24 Jun 1785
V[I]
E[I]
1
1
John Bourke
Created Baron Naas 1 Aug 1776, Viscount Mayo 13 Jan 1781 and Earl of the County of Mayo 24 Jun 1785
MP [I] for Naas 1727‑1760 and 1768‑1777, and Old Leighlin 1761‑1768
c 1705 3 Dec 1790
3 Dec 1790 2 John Bourke
MP [I] for Naas 1763‑1790
1729 20 Apr 1792 62
20 Apr 1792 3 Joseph Deane Bourke
Archbishop of Tuam 1782‑1794
c 1740 20 Aug 1794
20 Aug 1794 4 John Bourke
MP [I] for Naas 1790‑1794; PC [I] 1810
18 Jun 1766 23 May 1849 82
23 May 1849 5 Robert Bourke 12 Jan 1797 12 Aug 1867 70
12 Aug 1867 6 Richard Southwell Bourke
MP for Kildare 1847‑1852, Coleraine 1852‑1857 and Cockermouth 1857‑1867; Chief Secretary for Ireland 1858‑1859 and 1866‑1868; Viceroy of India 1868‑1872; KP 1868; PC 1852; PC [I] 1852
For further information on this peer, see the note at the foot of this page
21 Feb 1822 8 Feb 1872 49
8 Feb 1872 7 Dermot Robert Wyndham Bourke
PC [I] 1900; KP 1904
2 Jul 1851 31 Dec 1927 76
31 Dec 1927 8 Walter Longley Bourke 28 Nov 1859 6 May 1939 79
6 May 1939 9 Ulick Henry Bourke 13 Mar 1890 17 Dec 1962 72
17 Dec 1962 10 Terence Patrick Bourke 26 Aug 1929 22 Sep 2006 77
22 Sep 2006 11 Charles Diarmuidh John Bourke 11 Jun 1953
MEACHER
16 Jun 2006 B[L] Molly Christine Meacher
Created Baroness Meacher for life 16 Jun 2006
15 May 1940
MEATH
16 Apr 1627 E[I] 1 William Brabazon, 2nd Baron Brabazon
Created Earl of Meath 16 Apr 1627
c 1580 19 Dec 1651
19 Dec 1651 2 Edward Brabazon
PC [I] 1660
c 1610 25 Mar 1675
25 Mar 1675 3 William Brabazon
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of Acceleration as Baron Brabazon 30 Oct 1665
PC [I] 1674
c 1635 1 Mar 1685
1 Mar 1685 4 Edward Brabazon
Lord Lieutenant Dublin and Kildare; PC [I] 1690
c 1638 22 Feb 1708
22 Feb 1708 5 Chambre Brabazon
MP [I] for Dublin County 1692‑1693; Lord Lieutenant Dublin 1709; PC [I] 1710
c 1645 1 Apr 1715
1 Apr 1715 6 Chaworth Brabazon
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of Acceleration as Baron Brabazon 9 Mar 1715
MP [I] for Dublin County 1713‑1715; Lord Lieutenant Dublin and Wicklow; PC [I] 1716
1686 14 May 1763 76
14 May 1763 7 Edward Brabazon
MP [I] for Dublin County 1715‑1760
24 Nov 1691 24 Nov 1772 81
24 Nov 1772 8 Anthony Brabazon
MP [I] for Wicklow County 1745‑1760 and Dublin County 1761‑1772
17 Feb 1721 4 Jan 1790 68
4 Jan 1790 9 William Brabazon
MP [I] for Dublin County 1789‑1790
6 Jul 1769 26 May 1797 27
26 May 1797 10 John Chambre Brabazon
Created Baron Chaworth of Eaton Hall 10 Sep 1831
Lord Lieutenant Dublin 1831‑1851; KP 1821; PC [I] 1831
9 Apr 1772 15 Mar 1851 78
15 Mar 1851 11 William Brabazon
MP for co. Dublin 1830‑1832 and 1837‑1841; Lord Lieutenant Wicklow 1869‑1887; PC [I] 1879
25 Oct 1803 26 May 1887 83
26 May 1887 12 Reginald Brabazon
Lord Lieutenant Dublin 1898‑1922; PC [I] 1887; KP 1905
31 Jul 1841 11 Oct 1929 88
11 Oct 1929 13 Reginald le Normand Brabazon 24 Nov 1869 10 Mar 1949 79
10 Mar 1949 14 Anthony Windham Norman Brabazon 3 Nov 1910 19 Dec 1998 88
19 Dec 1998 15 John Anthony Brabazon 11 May 1941
MEDINA
17 Jul 1917 M 1 Louis Alexander Mountbatten
Created Viscount Alderney, Earl of Medina and Marquess of Milford Haven 17 Jul 1917
See "Milford Haven"
14 May 1854 11 Sep 1921 67
MEDWAY
22 Aug 1892 B 1 Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, 1st Viscount Cranbrook
Created Baron Medway and Earl of Cranbrook 22 Aug 1892
See "Cranbrook"
1 Oct 1814 30 Oct 1906 92
MEINILL
23 Jun 1295 B 1 Nicholas Meinill
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Meinill 23 Jun 1295
1299
1299
to    
26 Apr 1322
2 Nicholas Meinill
On his death the peerage became dormant
1276 26 Apr 1322 45

22 Jan 1336 B 1 William de Meinill
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Meinill 22 Jan 1336
1342
1342 2 Elizabeth Darcy 1368
1368 3 Philip Darcy
He had previously succeeded to the Barony of Darcy de Knayth in 1362 with which title this peerage then merged until both peerages fell into abeyance in 1418
For information on an unsuccessful attempt to revive this peerage in 1903, see the note under the peerage of Fauconberg
1341 24 Apr 1399 56
MELBOURNE
8 Jun 1770
16 Dec 1781
11 Aug 1815
B[I]
V[I]
B
1
1
1
Sir Peniston Lamb, 2nd baronet
Created Baron Melbourne 8 Jun 1770, Viscount Melbourne 16 Dec 1781 and Baron Melbourne [UK] 11 Aug 1815
MP for Ludgershall 1768‑1784, Malmesbury 1784‑1790 and Newport (IOW) 1790‑1793
29 Jan 1745 22 Jul 1828 83
22 Jul 1828 2 William Lamb
MP for Leominster 1806, Haddington Burghs 1806‑1807, Portarlington 1807‑1816, Peterborough 1816‑1819, Hertfordshire 1819‑1826, Newport (IOW) 1827 and Bletchingley 1827‑1828; Chief Secretary for Ireland 1827‑1828; Home Secretary 1830‑1834; Prime Minister 1834 and 1835‑1841; PC 1827; PC [I] 1827
15 Mar 1779 24 Nov 1848 69
24 Nov 1848
to    
29 Jan 1853
3 Frederick James Lamb
Created Baron Beauvale 20 Apr 1839
PC 1822
Peerages extinct on his death
17 Apr 1782 29 Jan 1853 80
MELCHETT
15 Jun 1928 B 1 Sir Alfred Moritz Mond, 1st baronet
Created Baron Melchett 15 Jun 1928
MP for Chester 1906‑1910, Swansea 1910‑1918, Swansea West 1918‑1923 and Carmarthen 1924‑1928; First Commissioner of Works 1916‑1921; Minister of Health 1921‑1922; PC 1913
23 Oct 1868 27 Dec 1930 62
27 Dec 1930 2 Henry Ludwig Mond
MP for Isle of Ely 1923‑1924 and Toxteth East 1929‑1930
10 May 1898 22 Jan 1949 50
22 Jan 1949 3 Julian Edward Alfred Mond 9 Jan 1925 15 Jun 1973 48
15 Jun 1973
to    
29 Aug 2018
4 Peter Robert Henry Mond
Peerage extinct on his death
24 Feb 1948 29 Aug 2018 70
MELCOMBE
6 Apr 1761
to    
28 Jul 1762
B 1 George Bubb Dodington
Created Baron Melcombe 6 Apr 1761
MP for Winchelsea 1715‑1722, Bridgwater 1722‑1754 and Weymouth & Melcombe Regis 1754‑1761; Treasurer of the Navy 1746‑1749, 1755‑1756 and 1757; Lord Lieutenant Somerset 1720‑1744; PC 1745
Peerage extinct on his death
c 1691 28 Jul 1762
MELDRUM
11 Aug 1815 B 1 George Gordon, later [1836] 9th Marquess of Huntly
Created Baron Meldrum 11 Aug 1815
This peerage remains merged in the Marquessate of Huntly
28 Jun 1761 17 Jun 1853 91
MELFORT
14 Apr 1685
12 Aug 1686
to    
2 Jul 1695
V[S]
E[S]
1
1
John Drummond
Created Lord Drummond of Gilstoun and Viscount of Melfort 14 Apr 1685, and Lord Drummond of Riccartoun, Viscount of Forth and Earl of Melfort 12 Aug 1686
Secretary of State for Scotland 1684; PC 1685; KT 1687
He was attainted and the peerages forfeited
c 1650 25 Jan 1715
[25 Jan 1715] [2] John Drummond 26 May 1682 29 Jan 1754 71
[29 Jan 1754] [3] James Drummond 13 May 1708 25 Dec 1766 58
[25 Dec 1766] [4] James Lewis Drummond Sep 1800
[Sep 1800] [5] Charles Edward Drummond 1 Jan 1752 9 Apr 1840 88
[9 Apr 1840]
28 Jun 1853
to    
28 Feb 1902
6 George Drummond
Attainder reversed 28 Jun 1853
On his death the peerage became dormant
6 May 1807 28 Feb 1902 94
MELGUM
20 Oct 1627
to    
9 Oct 1630
V[S] 1 Lord John Gordon
Created Viscount of Melgum 20 Oct 1627
Peerage extinct on his death
9 Oct 1630
MELGUND
24 Feb 1813 V 1 Gilbert Elliot Murray‑Kynynmound
Created Baron Minto 20 Oct 1797 and Viscount Melgund and and Earl of Minto 24 Feb 1813
See "Minto"
23 Apr 1751 21 Jun 1814 63
MELLISH
12 Jul 1985
to    
9 May 1998
B[L] Robert Joseph Mellish
Created Baron Mellish for life 12 Jul 1985
MP for Rotherhithe 1946‑1950 and Bermondsey 1950‑1983; Minister of Public Building & Works 1967‑1969; Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury 1969‑1970 and 1974‑1976; PC 1967
Peerage extinct on his death
3 Mar 1913 9 May 1998 84
MELROS
24 Jul 1827
to    
B 1 Thomas Hamilton, 9th Earl of Haddington
Created Baron Melros 24 Jul 1827
Peerage extinct on his death
21 Jun 1780 1 Dec 1858 78
MELVILLE
30 Apr 1616 B[S] 1 Robert Melville
Created Lord Melville 30 Apr 1616
1547 Dec 1621 74
Dec 1621 2 Robert Melville 19 Mar 1635
19 Mar 1635 3 John Melville 22 May 1643
22 May 1643
8 Apr 1690
 
E[S]
4
1
George Melville
Created Lord Raith, Monymaill and Balwearie, Viscount of Kirkcaldy and Earl of Melville 8 Apr 1690
Secretary of State for Scotland 1690‑1691; Lord Privy Seal of Scotland 1691‑1696
1636 20 May 1707 70
20 May 1707 2 David Leslie
He had previously succeeded as 5th Earl of Leven in 1681 with which title this peerage then became united and so remains
5 May 1660 6 Jun 1728 68

24 Dec 1802 V 1 Henry Dundas
Created Baron Dunira and Viscount Melville 24 Dec 1802
MP for Midlothian 1774‑1790, Newtown 1782 and Edinburgh 1790‑1802; Solicitor General for Scotland 1766‑1775; Lord Advocate 1775‑1783; Home Secretary 1791‑1794; President of the Board of Control 1793‑1801; Secretary for War & Colonies 1794‑1801; First Lord of the Admiralty 1804‑1805; PC 1782
28 Apr 1742 28 May 1811 69
28 May 1811 2 Robert Saunders-Dundas
MP for Hastings 1794‑1796, Rye 1796‑1801 and Midlothian 1801‑1811; President of the Board of Control 1807‑1808 and 1809‑1812; Chief Secretary for Ireland 1809; First Lord of the Admiralty 1812‑1827 and 1828‑1830; PC 1807; PC [I] 1809; KT 1821
14 Mar 1771 10 Jun 1851 80
10 Jun 1851 3 Henry Dundas
MP for Rochester 1826‑1830 and Winchelsea 1830‑1831
25 Feb 1801 1 Feb 1876 74
1 Feb 1876 4 Robert Dundas 14 Sep 1803 18 Feb 1886 82
18 Feb 1886 5 Robert Dundas 8 Mar 1835 3 Nov 1904 69
3 Nov 1904 6 Charles Saunders Dundas 27 Jun 1843 21 Sep 1926 83
21 Sep 1926 7 Henry Charles Clement Dundas 25 Jun 1873 30 Jan 1935 61
30 Jan 1935 8 Henry Charles Patric Brouncker Dundas 5 Mar 1909 26 Mar 1971 62
26 Mar 1971 9 Robert David Ross Dundas 28 May 1937 21 Jul 2011 74
21 Jul 2011 10 Robert Henry Kirkpatrick Dundas 23 Apr 1984
MENDELSOHN
5 Sep 2013 B[L] Jonathan Neil Mendelsohn
Created Baron Mendelsohn for life 5 Sep 2013
30 Dec 1966
MENDIP
13 Aug 1794 B 1 Welbore Ellis
Created Baron Mendip 13 Aug 1794
For details of the special remainder included in the creation of this peerage, see the note at the foot of this page
MP for Cricklade 1741‑1747, Weymouth & Melcombe Regis 1747‑1754 and 1774‑1790, Aylesbury 1761‑1768 and Petersfield 1768‑1774 and 1791‑1794; Secretary at War 1762‑1765; Treasurer of the Navy 1777‑1782; Secretary of State 1782; PC 1760
15 Dec 1713 2 Feb 1802 88
2 Feb 1802 2 Henry Welbore Ellis
He had previously succeeded as 2nd Viscount Clifden in 1788
22 Jan 1761 13 Jul 1836 75
13 Jul 1836 3 Henry Agar-Ellis, 3rd Viscount Clifden
He had previously succeeded to the Barony of Dover in 1833
25 Feb 1825 20 Feb 1866 40
20 Feb 1866 4 Henry George Agar‑Ellis, 4th Viscount Clifden 3 Sep 1863 28 Mar 1895 31
28 Mar 1895 5 Leopold George Frederick Agar‑Ellis, 5th Viscount Clifden
MP for co. Kilkenny 1857‑1874
13 May 1829 10 Sep 1899 70
10 Sep 1899 6 Thomas Charles Agar‑Robartes, 6th Viscount Clifden
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, 7th Viscount Clifden 14 Apr 1883 15 Jul 1966 83
15 Jul 1966 8 Arthur Victor Agar-Robartes, 8th Viscount Clifden 9 Jun 1887 22 Dec 1974 87
22 Dec 1974 9 Shaun James Christian Welbore Ellis Agar
He had previously succeeded to the Earldom of Normanton in 1967
21 Aug 1945 13 Feb 2019 73
28 Jan 1967 10 James Shaun Christian Welbore Ellis Agar, also 7th Earl of Normanton 7 Sep 1982
MENDOZA
16 Sep 2020 B[L] Neil Francis Jeremy Mendoza
Created Baron Mendoza for life 16 Sep 2020
2 Nov 1959
MENTEITH
c 1164 E[S] 1 Gilchrist
Witness to a Charter as Earl of Menteith c 1164
c 1190
c 1190 2 Murdoch c 1210
c 1210 3 Maurice
He resigned the peerage in favour of -
after 1213
1213 4 Maurice c 1230
c 1230 5 Isabella
She married Walter Comyn who assumed the peerage in her right. She died between 1262 and 1272
1258 6 Walter Stewart c 1295
c 1295 7 Alexander Stewart c 1300
c 1300 8 Alan Stewart c 1308
c 1308 9 Murdoch Stewart 19 Jul 1333
19 Jul 1333 10 Mary
She married Sir John Graham who assumed the peerage in her right. He died Feb 1367
c 1360
c 1360 11 Margaret, Duchess of Albany c 1390
c 1390
to    
24 May 1425
12 Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany
He was executed and the peerages forfeited
24 May 1425

6 Sep 1427 E[S] 1 Malise Graham
Created Earl of Menteith 6 Sep 1427
c 1410 c 1490
c 1490 2 Alexander Graham c 1535
c 1535 3 William Graham c 1544
c 1544 4 John Graham 1564
1564 5 William Graham c 1580
c 1580 6 John Graham Dec 1598
Dec 1598 7 William Graham
Created Earl of Airth 21 Jan 1632
1589 c 1662
c 1662
to    
12 Sep 1694
8 William Graham
On his death the peerage became either extinct or dormant
12 Sep 1694
MENTMORE
3 Jul 1911 V 1 Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery
Created Baron Epsom, Viscount Mentmore and Earl of Midlothian 3 Jul 1911
The peerages remain united with the Earldom of Rosebery
7 May 1847 21 May 1929 82
MENUHIN
19 Jul 1993
to    
12 Mar 1999
B[L] Sir Yehudi Menuhin
Created Baron Menuhin for life 19 Jul 1993
OM 1987
Peerage extinct on his death
22 Apr 1916 12 Mar 1999 82
MEREDYTH
3 May 1866 B 1 Sir William Meredyth Somerville
Created Baron Athlumney [I] 14 Dec 1863 and Baron Meredyth [UK] 3 May 1866
See "Athlumney"
1802 7 Dec 1873 71
MEREWORTH
19 Jan 1926 B 1 Geoffrey Henry Browne, 3rd Baron Oranmore & Browne
Created Baron Mereworth 19 Jan 1926
See "Oranmore & Browne" with which title this peerage remains united
6 Jan 1861 30 Jun 1927 66
MERIONETH
20 Nov 1947 E 1 Philip Mountbatten
Created Baron Greenwich, Earl of Merioneth and Duke of Edinburgh 20 Nov 1947
See "Edinburgh"
10 Jun 1921 9 Apr 2021 99
MERLYN-REES
1 Jul 1992
to    
5 Jan 2006
B[L] Merlyn Merlyn-Rees
Created Baron Merlyn‑Rees for life 1 Jul 1992
MP for Leeds South 1963‑1983 and Morley & Leeds South 1983‑1992; Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 1974‑1976; Home Secretary 1976‑1979; PC 1974
Peerage extinct on his death
18 Dec 1920 5 Jan 2006 85
MERRIMAN
27 Jan 1941
to    
18 Jan 1962
B 1 Sir Frank Boyd Merriman
Created Baron Merriman 27 Jan 1941
MP for Rusholme 1924‑1933; Solicitor General 1928‑1929 and 1932‑1933; President of the Probate Divorce and Admiralty Court 1933‑1962; PC 1933
Peerage extinct on his death
28 Apr 1880 18 Jan 1962 81
MERRIVALE
19 Jan 1925 B 1 Sir Henry Edward Duke
Created Baron Merrivale 19 Jan 1925
MP for Plymouth 1900‑1906 and Exeter 1910 and 1911‑1918; Chief Secretary for Ireland 1916‑1918; Lord Justice of Appeal 1918‑1919; PC 1915; PC [I] 1916
5 Nov 1855 20 May 1939 83
20 May 1939 2 Edward Duke 22 May 1883 8 Jun 1951 68
8 Jun 1951 3 Jack Henry Edmond Duke 27 Jan 1917 1 Nov 2007 90
1 Nov 2007 4 Derek John Philip Duke 16 Mar 1948
MERRON
8 Feb 2021 B[L] Gillian Joanna Merron
Created Baroness Merron 8 Feb 2021
MP for Lincoln 1997‑2010; Minister of State for Public Health 2009‑2010
12 Apr 1959
MERSEY
16 Mar 1910
22 Jan 1916
B
V
1
1
Sir John Charles Bigham
Created Baron Mersey 16 Mar 1910 and Viscount Mersey 22 Jan 1916
MP for Liverpool Exchange 1895‑1897; PC 1909
For an amusing story regarding this peer's dogs, see the note at the foot of this page
3 Aug 1840 3 Sep 1929 89
3 Sep 1929 2 Charles Clive Bigham
PC 1946
18 Aug 1872 20 Nov 1956 84
20 Nov 1956 3 Edward Clive Bigham 5 Jun 1906 2 Aug 1979 73
2 Aug 1979 4 Richard Maurice Clive Bigham
He subsequently [1995] succeeded as 13th Lord Nairne
8 Jul 1934 5 Aug 2006 72
5 Aug 2006 5 Edward John Hallam Bigham 23 May 1966
MERTHYR
24 Jun 1911 B 1 Sir William Thomas Lewis, 1st baronet
Created Baron Merthyr 24 Jun 1911
For information on an incident which occurred in Feb 1910, see the note at the foot of this page
5 Aug 1837 27 Aug 1914 77
27 Aug 1914 2 Herbert Clark Lewis 3 Jul 1866 20 Mar 1932 65
20 Mar 1932 3 William Brereton Couchman Lewis
PC 1964
7 Jan 1901 5 Apr 1977 76
5 Apr 1977
to    
26 Apr 1977
4 Trevor Oswin Lewis
He disclaimed the peerage for life 26 Apr 1977
29 Nov 1935 5 Aug 2015 79
5 Aug 2015 5 David Trevor Lewis 21 Feb 1977
MERTON
20 Nov 1805 V 1 William Nelson, 2nd Baron Nelson
Created Viscount Merton and Earl Nelson 20 Nov 1805
See "Nelson"
20 Apr 1757 28 Feb 1835 77
MESTON
29 Nov 1919 B 1 Sir James Scorgie Meston
Created Baron Meston 29 Nov 1919
12 Jun 1865 7 Oct 1943 78
7 Oct 1943 2 Dougall Meston 17 Dec 1894 2 Jan 1984 89
2 Jan 1984 3 James Meston
[Elected hereditary peer 2023‑]
10 Feb 1950
METCALFE
25 Jan 1845
to    
5 Sep 1846
B 1 Charles Theophilus Metcalfe
Created Baron Metcalfe 25 Jan 1845
Governor of Jamaica 1839; Governor General of Canada 1843‑1845; PC 1839
Peerage extinct on his death
30 Jan 1785 5 Sep 1846 61
METHLICK
30 Nov 1682 B[S] 1 George Gordon, 3rd baronet
Created Lord Haddo, Methlick, Tarves and Kellie, Viscount of Formartine and Earl of Aberdeen 30 Nov 1682
See "Aberdeen"
3 Oct 1637 20 Apr 1720 82
METHUEN
13 Jul 1838 B 1 Paul Methuen
Created Baron Methuen 13 Jul 1838
MP for Wiltshire 1812‑1819 and Wiltshire North 1832‑1837
21 Jun 1779 14 Sep 1849 70
14 Sep 1849 2 Frederick Henry Paul Methuen 23 Feb 1818 26 Sep 1891 73
26 Sep 1891 3 Paul Sanford Methuen
Field Marshal 1911; Governor of Malta 1915‑1919
1 Sep 1845 30 Oct 1932 87
30 Oct 1932 4 Paul Ayshford Methuen 29 Sep 1886 7 Jan 1974 87
7 Jan 1974 5 Anthony Paul Methuen 26 Jun 1891 21 Jun 1975 83
21 Jun 1975 6 Anthony John Methuen 26 Oct 1925 24 Aug 1994 68
24 Aug 1994 7 Robert Alexander Holt Methuen
[Elected hereditary peer 1999‑2014]
22 Jul 1931 9 Jul 2014 82
9 Jul 2014 8 James Paul Archibald Methuen‑Campbell 25 Oct 1952
METHVEN
17 Jul 1528 B[S] 1 Henry Stewart
Created Lord Methven 17 Jul 1528
c 1497 c 1555
c 1555 2 Henry Methven 3 Mar 1572
3 Mar 1572
to    
c 1580
3 Henry Methven
Peerage extinct on his death
c 1580
MEXBOROUGH
11 Feb 1766 E[I] 1 John Savile
Created Baron Pollington 8 Nov 1753 and Viscount Pollington and Earl of Mexborough 11 Feb 1766
MP for Hedon 1747‑1754 and New Shoreham 1761‑1768
Dec 1719 17 Feb 1778 58
17 Feb 1778 2 John Savile
MP for Lincoln 1808‑1812
8 Apr 1761 3 Feb 1830 68
3 Feb 1830 3 John Savile
MP for Pontefract 1807‑1812, 1812‑1826 and 1831‑1832
3 Jul 1783 25 Dec 1860 77
25 Dec 1860 4 John Charles George Savile
MP for Gatton 1831‑1832 and Pontefract 1835‑1837 and 1841‑1847
He was the last surviving member of the unreformed House of Commons
4 Jun 1810 17 Aug 1899 89
17 Aug 1899 5 John Horace Savile
For further information on this peer, see the note at the foot of this page
17 Jun 1843 8 Jun 1916 72
8 Jun 1916 6 John Henry Savile 27 Sep 1868 16 Sep 1945 76
16 Sep 1945 7 John Raphael Wentworth Savile 11 Oct 1906 15 May 1980 73
15 May 1980 8 John Christopher George Savile 16 May 1931
MEYER
19 Jun 2018 B[L] Catherine Irene Jacqueline Meyer
Created Baroness Meyer for life 19 Jun 2018
26 Jan 1953
MICHELHAM
28 Dec 1905 B 1 Sir Herbert Stern, 1st baronet
Created Baron Michelham 28 Dec 1905
28 Sep 1851 7 Jan 1919 67
7 Jan 1919
to    
19 Mar 1984
2 Herman Alfred Stern
Peerage extinct on his death
5 Sep 1900 19 Mar 1984 83
MICHIE OF GALLANACH
14 Jul 2001
to    
6 May 2008
B[L] Janet Ray Michie
Created Baroness Michie of Gallanach for life 14 Jul 2001
MP for Argyll & Bute 1987‑2001
Peerage extinct on her death
4 Feb 1934 6 May 2008 74
MICKLETHWAITE
14 Aug 1724
6 Jun 1727
to    
16 Jan 1734
B[I]
V[I]
1
1
Joseph Micklethwaite
Created Baron Micklethwaite 14 Aug 1724 and Viscount Micklethwaite 6 Jun 1727
MP for Arundel 1718‑1727 and Hull 1727‑1734
Peerages extinct on his death
c 1680 16 Jan 1734
MIDDLESEX
16 Sep 1622 E 1 Lionel Cranfield, 1st Baron Cranfield
Created Earl of Middlesex 16 Sep 1622
MP for Hythe 1614 and Arundel 1621‑1622; Lord High Treasurer 1621‑1624
13 Mar 1575 6 Aug 1645 70
6 Aug 1645 2 James Cranfield 27 Dec 1621 13 Sep 1651 29
13 Sep 1651
to    
26 Oct 1674
3 Lionel Cranfield
Peerages extinct on his death
c 1625 26 Oct 1674

4 Apr 1675 B 1 Charles Sackville
Created Baron Cranfield and Earl of Middlesex 4 Apr 1675
He succeeded to the Earldom of Dorset in 1677 with which title this peerage then merged - extinct 1843
24 Jan 1638 29 Jan 1706 68
MIDDLETON
1 Jan 1712 B 1 Sir Thomas Willoughby, 2nd baronet
Created Baron Middleton 1 Jan 1712
MP for Nottinghamshire 1698‑1702 and 1705‑1710 and Newark 1710‑1712
9 Apr 1672 2 Apr 1729 56
2 Apr 1729 2 Francis Willoughby
MP for Nottinghamshire 1713‑1722 and Tamworth 1722‑1727
4 Oct 1692 31 Jul 1758 65
31 Jul 1758 3 Francis Willoughby 25 Jan 1726 16 Dec 1774 48
16 Dec 1774 4 Thomas Willoughby
MP for Nottinghamshire 1762‑1774
19 Dec 1728 19 Jan 1781 52
19 Jan 1781 5 Henry Willoughby 19 Dec 1726 14 Jun 1800 73
14 Jun 1800 6 Henry Willoughby 24 Apr 1761 19 Jun 1835 74
19 Jun 1835 7 Digby Willoughby 29 Nov 1769 5 Nov 1856 86
5 Nov 1856 8 Digby Willoughby 28 Aug 1817 20 Dec 1877 60
20 Dec 1877 9 Digby Wentworth Bayard Willoughby 24 Aug 1844 28 May 1922 77
28 May 1922 10 Godfrey Ernest Percival Willoughby 18 Jun 1847 11 Nov 1924 77
11 Nov 1924 11 Michael Guy Percival Willoughby
Lord Lieutenant East Riding Yorkshire 1936‑1968; KG 1957
21 Oct 1887 16 Nov 1970 83
16 Nov 1970 12 Digby Michael Godfrey John Willoughby 1 May 1921 27 May 2011 90
27 May 2011 13 Michael Charles James Willoughby 14 Jul 1948
MIDDLETON (Scotland)
1 Oct 1660 E[S] 1 John Middleton
Created Lord Clermont & Fettercairn and Earl of Middleton 1 Oct 1660
c 1617 1673
1673
to    
2 Jul 1695
2 Charles Middleton
MP for Winchelsea 1685; Secretary of State for Scotland 1682; PC 1684
The peerage was forfeited in 1695
c 1650 8 Aug 1719
 

Hugh Hamon Charles George Massy, 8th Baron Massy
Massy was the victim of a home invasion in 1922 during which the intruder was accidentally killed, as reported in the Manchester Guardian of 24 Jul 1922:-
An inquest was held in Dublin on Saturday on Anthony Walsh, who was shot dead by the Hon. Hamon Massy, son of Lord Massy, at Killakee House, county Dublin.
The Hon. Mrs. Massy said the house was four miles from the Dublin tram terminus, and was in a lonely place. On Thursday night she and her husband retired, and while undressing she heard footsteps on the gravel walk close to the hall door, and her husband opened the window, shouting, "Hello, who is there?" A man was heard to reply, "Is that you, Mr. Massy?" and said he wanted to see him. Her husband went down with a hand-lamp, and she heard the door open. Some time after her husband returned for the keys of the safe, telling her the man was demanding money. In the safe there was a very considerable sum of money in notes.
After her husband got the keys she heard him tell the man to get out, and on going downstairs she found her husband trying to get the man out. She asked the man to go, and her husband was pushing him away from the direction of the safe. The man was violent, and shouted that he would not go, He had his hand in his pocket, and she thought he had firearms.
He then rushed at her husband, who got a revolver from a drawer and warned the man to get out, but he made for her husband. One shot went off over the man's head, and when he caught her husband's legs and they struggled another shot went off, and the man fell. The doctor and the priest were at once sent for, and the witness and others prayed over the man while he was dying.
Neither the witness nor her husband knew the man. They had been raided two or three times recently. Their car was taken and the telephone wires cut the day before the occurrence.
Lieutenant Kinsella, of the C.I.D., stated that he found on the man a 5 pound note and an expert's skeleton key.
The jury returned a verdict that death was due to a bullet wound accidentally inflicted by Mr. Massy.
Richard Southwell Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo
Mayo was appointed Viceroy of India in 1868. Before succeeding to the Irish Earldom in 1867, he had, under the courtesy title of Lord Naas, been Chief Secretary for Ireland in 1858‑1859 and 1866‑1868. He was a big, good-looking, genial character, a tireless administrator and a celebrated sportsman.
As soon as he arrived at Government House in Calcutta, he flung himself with typical energy into every aspect of the government of India. During his viceroyalty, he travelled 20,000 miles throughout India, from the jungles of Burma to the wildest sections of the turbulent North-West Frontier. He horrified his staff by insisting on personally investigating districts torn by bloody religious riots and anti-British disturbances. He set up committees to reorganise the archaic and cumbersome Indian financial system and to promote railway building, irrigation schemes and other works.
One of Mayo's favourite projects was the reform of the penal system, which was still haunted by memories of the Indian Mutiny only 15 years earlier. After the mutiny, thousands of captives were exiled to South Andaman Island in the Bay of Bengal, forming the nucleus of India's most feared penal colony. The centre of the settlement was the squalid township of Hopetown, built mostly on a malarial swamp reclaimed from the jungle-fringed foreshore of Port Blair. Here, guarded by a native regiment, were the barracks of the more docile convicts who worked at timber-cutting, road-making and draining the swamps. Out in the bay was Viper Island, a mile long and half a mile wide, which housed the most dangerous prisoners as well as the condemned cells and gallows. On the nearby island of Ross were a sawmill, hospital, church, storehouses and the small fort which was the headquarters of the commandant, General Donald Stewart [later Field Marshal Sir Donald Stewart, Bt].
Ever since its foundation, the colony had been a cesspool of brutality and depravity in which sickness sometimes swept away a third of the wretched prisoners each year. Corrupt officials openly traded liquor for the convicts' meagre earnings. Murders, riots and drunkenness added to the high mortality rate caused by endemic malaria.
In 1871, a particularly nasty series of killings in the settlement convinced Lord Mayo that his most urgent task was a sweeping reform of the whole administration of the Andamans. His officials agreed, but they reacted with violent opposition when the Viceroy announced that he would visit Hopetown and investigate conditions on the spot. His secretary, Major Burne, and his two ADCs, Captains Lockwood and Gregory, begged him not to take his life in his hands among criminals who included a large number of anti-British fanatics. But Mayo swept aside every objection, and at daybreak on 8 February 1872, the cruiser Glasgow, carrying the vice-regal party, dropped anchor off Hopetown. General Stewart boarded the warship at once and asked Mayo not to go ashore until his security arrangements had been completed and the most dangerous prisoners safely locked up. Once more, Mayo ignored official fears, though he did agree to delay his visit to Viper Island until the afternoon, when the guard could be reinforced by native troops from Hopetown.
The tours of Ross and Viper Islands passed off without incident and the party then landed at Hopetown. After inspecting the facilities there, Mayo, to the horror of his accompanying party, suggested that they climb Mt. Harriet. It was pointed out that the only route was a narrow track winding through jungle and that it would be impossible to guarantee Mayo's safety from any unseen assassin lurking in the jungle. Mayo again brushed aside these objections and the party set off.
Mayo's arrival at Hopetown had been observed by convict number 15,557 - Shere Ali - a native of a village at the foot of the Khyber Pass, where his tribal people had been fighting the British for 50 years. Shere Ali had, however, served in the Punjabi Mounted Police until ancestral tradition had reasserted itself and he killed a fellow tribesman in a blood feud. He was condemned to hang, but because of his good service record, the sentence had been commuted to exile. Good behaviour soon won him a transfer from Viper Island to Hopetown, where he became the settlement's barber and enjoyed almost complete freedom. But Shere Ali had never forgotten the disgrace of being stripped of the Queen's uniform, an insult that could only be wiped out in blood, and now he had his chance.
For an hour, with a razor-sharp knife concealed beneath his robe, Shere Ali stalked Mayo's party through the jungle, but could not get close enough to strike. He had almost given up hope and night was now falling. As the party returned to the jetty at Hopetown, Shere Ali concealed himself in a pile of boulders at the landward end of the jetty, and, as Mayo passed, he flung himself at Mayo and stabbed him twice in the back. Mayo collapsed into the shallow water, and within seconds had been lifted into the launch and taken to the Glasgow, but he was dead before ship's surgeon could assist him.
In the meantime, Shere Ali, beaten unconscious by rifle butts, was also dragged aboard the launch and lashed by his wrists and ankles to a grating on the deck. Within 24 hours, he had been taken back to Hopetown and sentenced to death by General Stewart in his capacity as the colony's Chief Justice. The sentence was confirmed by the High Court of Bengal and Shere Ali was hanged on the gallows on Viper Island three weeks later.
Out of the violence came some good, however. The assassination stunned the British administration into hastening reforms of the penal system, and over the next 10 years, Hopetown was transformed into a model settlement.
The special remainder to the Barony of Mendip
From the London Gazette of 9 August 1794 (issue 13692, page 818):-
The King has been pleased to grant the Dignity of a Baron of the United Kingdom of Great Britain … and the Heirs Male of [his] Body lawfully begotten, to The Right Honorable Welbore Ellis, by the Name, Style and Title of Baron Mendip, of Mendip, in the County of Somerset, with Remainders severally and successively to the Right Honorable Henry Welbore Agar, Viscount Clifden of the Kingdom of Ireland, the Honorable and Reverend John Ellis Agar, Second Son, and the Honorable Charles Bagnal Agar, Third Son, of the Right Honorable James late Viscount Clifden, of the Kingdom of Ireland, deceased; Welbore Ellis Agar, Esquire, one of the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs; and the Most Reverend Father in God Doctor Charles Agar, Archbishop of Cashel in the Kingdom of Ireland; and the respective Heirs Male of their Bodies lawfully begotten.
John Charles Bigham, 1st Viscount Mersey
The following amusing sketch is taken from the Chicago Daily Tribune of 13 February 1901. Although the report is mainly concerned with Clive Bigham, who would succeed his father to become the 2nd Viscount Mersey, the report mentions the 1st Viscount's love of bulldogs, as follows:-
… Sir John Bigham, who is as noted for his acumen as a Judge as for his pedigree bulldogs, which rejoice in the names of Fee and Brief. Fee is in the habit of accompanying Sir John to the Courts of a morning when in town. Sometimes the dog remains all day with its master, while on other occasions it returns home, all the way to Palace Gate in South Kensington, on its own account. It must not, however, for one moment be thought that the dog walks. It drives, and generally hires a hansom for the purpose. That is to say, it jumps into any smart hansom that it happens to see empty, and, ensconcing itself on the cushions, absolutely refuses to budge, growling ominously and showing its teeth if any attempt is made to dislodge it. The driver, unless he happens to know Fee, usually appeals to the nearest policeman, who, however, is apt to pause, owing to the formidable appearance of the dog. Finally, however, Fee turns its head in such a way that the name and address of its master, engraved on the collar, can be deciphered in safety. On the advice of the policeman the dog is usually driven by the cabman in state to the address mentioned on the collar. On arrival the dog alights from the cab, waits beside the coachman until the latter has rung the bell and collected his fare, and then vanishes into the house with an air of the utmost dignity and importance.
Sir William Thomas Lewis, 1st baronet, later 1st Baron Merthyr
Sir William, as he then was, was the victim of desecration in February 1910, when someone broke into his mausoleum and opened his late wife's coffin. The details of this desecration were published in The Tasmanian News of 13 April 1910, reprinted from Lloyd's News of 20 February 1910. I have edited the report so as to eliminate some extraneous material.
Merthyr Cemetery, in the mountain village of Cefn, was the scene of a startling outrage on Saturday [19 February 1910], the mausoleum of Sir William Thomas Lewis being forced, and the coffin containing the body of Lady Lewis broken open.
Some mystery surrounds the affair, but it is surmised that the ghouls who broke in had designs on certain diamond rings which encircled the deceased lady's fingers, but as the body apparently had not been disturbed it is supposed the intruders became unnerved and fled. Sir William Lewis has offered a reward of £20 for information leading to the arrest of the desecrator.
The Lewis vault is a solid structure built into a rising piece of ground; at present it contains only the body of Lady Lewis, his wife, who died at Hean Castle, Pembrokeshire, the residence of Mr. Hubert C. Lewis, and was interred on October 6, 1902. The door is of solid oak, 1½ inches thick, and is protected by a massive outer gate of decorative gunmetal.
Between the part of the cemetery and the spot where the mausoleum stands there is a ravine, and the way to the mausoleum is over a bridge which crosses the river flowing through the ravine. There would be little chance of the sexton or anybody else hearing anything, especially in the noise of the gale.
The workmen who made the discovery that the mausoleum had been tampered with were on their way in the early morning, by permission, through the cemetery to the Brecon and Merthyr Railway. They found the gate ajar and part of the metal work twisted. They at once informed Mr. Meredith, the chief sexton, and Police-Sergeant Davies, who were soon on the scene.
What vwas revealed upon inspection was so astounding that Mr. A.P. Jones, of Aberdare, private secretary to Sir William, was immediately sent for, and deputy Chief Constable Hands, Breconshire police, also arrived in hot haste.
It was obvious that the desecrator prised the gate open, feeling secure from disturbance in the furious gale that was blowing, the shrieking of the wind being enough to drown any noise. Considerable violence had been exerted to force the gate, and the shutters both lay in pieces on the ground. An unsuccessful attempt had been made to smash in the lock of the oak door, which was very much battered about. Through an aperture through which the supposed robbers had made in the lower panel the party entered the vault.
Lady Lewis's coffin had been removed from the slab and lifted down to the floor of the chamber. The lid had been prised, the plate smashed, and the head and shoulders were exposed to view. The shroud did not seem to have been tampered with.
It is thought that the desecrator, becoming unnerved, departed suddenly. At any rate, the mattock pickaxe with which he had begun his ghoulish work was left on the floor near the coffin. He must have had an intimate knowledge of the cemetery, for he took the mattock, which belongs to the grave-diggers, from a shed some distance towards the railway, where the grave-diggers had left it.
Sir W[illiam] Lewis is a self-made man, and the age of seventy-two holds the premier position in the Welsh coal trade. At the age of twelve he was apprenticed as an engineer at the Plymouth works, and the next five years he spent in the ironworks and collieries. Then he went into the office of Mr. W. S. Clarke, chief mineral engineer of the Bute estate, and at the age of 27, when his chief died, he was given the appointment with a salary of £1,000 a year and a house.
Recently Sir William, who was created a baronet in 1896, retired from the general managership of the Cardiff Railway Company, which controls the Bute docks. At a farewell meeting it was recorded that when Sir William became assistant-engineer in 1855, the coal shipments at Cardiff were just over one million tons per annum, and the dock water space was nineteen acres, while last year the coal shipments were over nineteen millions, and the dock area was 163 acres.
Lady Lewis, to whom he was married in 1864, was the daughter of the late Mr. William Rees, of Hetty Shenken, Aberdare.
For information on a similar desecration of a mausoleum, see the note under the Earldom of Crawford and Balcarres.
John Horace Savile, 5th Earl of Mexborough
As far as I have been able to ascertain, the 5th Earl was the first member of the House of Lords who converted to the Buddhist faith.