PEERAGES
Last updated 02/12/2018 (23 Aug 2024)
Date Rank Order Name Born Died Age
HARDWICKE
23 Nov 1733
2 Apr 1754
B
E
1
1
Philip Yorke
Created Baron Hardwicke 23 Nov 1733 and Viscount Royston and Earl of Hardwicke 2 Apr 1754
MP for Lewes 1719‑1722 and Seaford 1722‑1733; Solicitor General 1720‑1724; Attorney General 1724‑1733; Lord Chancellor 1737‑1756; PC 1733
1 Dec 1690 6 Mar 1764 73
6 Mar 1764 2 Philip Yorke
MP for Reigate 1741‑1747 and Cambridgeshire 1747‑1764; Lord Lieutenant Cambridge 1757‑1790; PC 1760
9 Dec 1720 16 May 1790 69
16 May 1790 3 Philip Yorke
MP for Cambridgeshire 1780‑1790; Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1801‑1806; Lord Lieutenant Cambridge 1790‑1834; PC 1801; KG 1803
31 May 1757 18 Nov 1834 77
18 Nov 1834 4 Charles Philip Yorke
MP for Reigate 1831‑1832 and Cambridgeshire 1832‑1834; Postmaster General 1852; Lord Privy Seal 1858‑1859; Lord Lieutenant Cambridge 1834‑1873; PC 1852
2 Apr 1799 17 Sep 1873 74
17 Sep 1873 5 Charles Philip Yorke
MP for Cambridgeshire 1865‑1873; PC 1866
23 Apr 1836 18 May 1897 61
18 May 1897 6 Albert Edward Philip Henry Yorke 14 Mar 1867 29 Nov 1904 37
29 Nov 1904 7 John Manners Yorke 30 Oct 1840 13 Mar 1909 68
13 Mar 1909 8 Charles Alexander Yorke 11 Nov 1869 1 Feb 1936 66
1 Feb 1936 9 Philip Grantham Yorke 9 Apr 1906 31 Dec 1974 68
31 Dec 1974 10 Joseph Philip Sebastian Yorke 3 Feb 1971
HARDY OF WATH
27 Sep 1997
to    
16 Dec 2003
B[L] Peter Hardy
Created Baron Hardy of Wath for life 27 Sep 1997
MP for Rother Valley 1970‑1983 and Wentworth 1983‑1997
Peerage extinct on his death
16 Jul 1931 16 Dec 2003 72
HARE OF CONNAMORE
8 Dec 1869 B 1 William Hare, 3rd Earl of Listowel
Created Baron Hare of Connamore 8 Dec 1869
See "Listowel"
29 May 1833 5 Jun 1924 91
HAREWOOD
9 Jul 1790
to    
25 Jan 1795
B 1 Edwin Lascelles
Created Baron Harewood 9 Jul 1790
MP for Scarborough 1744‑1754, Northallerton 1754‑1761 and 1780‑1790 and Yorkshire 1761‑1780
Peerage extinct on his death
5 Feb 1713 25 Jan 1795 81

18 Jun 1796
7 Sep 1812
B
E
1
1
Edward Lascelles
Created Baron Harewood 18 Jun 1796 and Viscount Lascelles and Earl of Harewood 7 Sep 1812
MP for Northallerton 1761‑1774 and 1790‑1796
7 Jan 1740 3 Apr 1820 80
3 Apr 1820 2 Henry Lascelles
MP for Yorkshire 1796‑1806 and 1812‑1818, Westbury 1807‑1812 and Northallerton 1818‑1820; Lord Lieutenant West Riding Yorkshire 1819‑1841
25 Dec 1767 24 Nov 1841 73
24 Nov 1841 3 Henry Lascelles
MP for Northallerton 1826‑1831; Lord Lieutenant West Riding Yorkshire 1846‑1857
11 Jun 1797 22 Feb 1857 59
22 Feb 1857 4 Henry Thynne Lascelles
For information of the Earl's two youngest sons, see the note at the foot of this page
18 Jun 1824 24 Jun 1892 68
24 Jun 1892 5 Henry Ulick Lascelles
Lord Lieutenant West Riding Yorkshire 1904‑1927
21 Aug 1846 6 Oct 1929 83
6 Oct 1929 6 Henry George Charles Lascelles
Lord Lieutenant West Riding Yorkshire 1927‑1947; KG 1922
9 Sep 1882 24 May 1947 64
24 May 1947 7 George Henry Hubert Lascelles 7 Feb 1923 11 Jul 2011 88
11 Jul 2011 8 David Henry George Lascelles 21 Oct 1950
HARINGTON
30 Dec 1324 B 1 John Harington
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Harington 30 Dec 1324
Jul 1347
Jul 1347 2 John Harington 1328 7 Jun 1363 34
7 Jun 1363 3 Robert Harington 28 Mar 1357 May 1406 49
May 1406 4 John Harington 1384 11 Feb 1418 33
11 Feb 1418 5 William Harington
KG c 1416
c 1394 3 Mar 1458
3 Mar 1458 6 William Bonville 1442 31 Dec 1460 18
31 Dec 1460 7 Cecilia Grey c 1460 1530
1530 8 Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset 22 Jun 1477 10 Oct 1530 53
10 Oct 1530
to    
23 Feb 1554
9 Henry Grey, later [1551] 1st Duke of Suffolk
He was attainted and the peerages forfeited
23 Feb 1554
HARINGTON OF EXTON
21 Jul 1603 B 1 John Harington
Created Baron Harington of Exton 21 Jul 1603
23 Aug 1613
23 Aug 1613
to    
27 Feb 1614
2 John Harington
Peerage extinct on his death
3 May 1592 27 Feb 1614 21
HARLECH
14 Jan 1876 B 1 John Ralph Ormsby-Gore
Created Baron Harlech 14 Jan 1876
For details of the special remainder included in the creation of this peerage, see the note at the foot of this page
MP for Carnarvonshire 1837‑1841 and Shropshire North 1859‑1876
3 Jun 1816 15 Jun 1876 60
15 Jun 1876 2 William Richard Ormsby-Gore
MP for co. Sligo 1841‑1852 and Leitrim 1858‑1876; Lord Lieutenant Leitrim 1878‑1904
3 Mar 1819 26 Jun 1904 85
26 Jun 1904 3 George Ralph Charles Ormsby-Gore
MP for Oswestry 1901‑1904; Lord Lieutenant Leitrim 1904‑1922 and Merioneth 1927‑1938
21 Jan 1855 8 May 1938 83
8 May 1938 4 William George Arthur Ormsby-Gore
MP for Denbigh 1910‑1918 and Stafford 1918‑1938; Postmaster General 1931; First Commissioner of Works 1931‑1936; Secretary of State for Colonies 1936‑1938; Lord Lieutenant Merioneth 1938‑1957; PC 1927; KG 1948
11 Apr 1885 14 Feb 1964 78
14 Feb 1964 5 William David Ormsby-Gore
MP for Oswestry 1950‑1964; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs 1957‑1961; PC 1957
20 May 1918 26 Jan 1985 66
26 Jan 1985 6 Francis David Ormsby-Gore 13 Mar 1954 1 Feb 2016 61
1 Feb 2016 7 Jasset David Cody Ormsby-Gore 1 Jul 1986
HARLEY OF WIGMORE
23 May 1711 B 1 Robert Harley
Created Baron Harley of Wigmore and Earl of Oxford and Mortimer 23 May 1711
See "Oxford"
5 Dec 1661 21 May 1724 62
HARMAN
19 Aug 2024 B[L] Harriet Ruth Harman
Created Baroness Harman for life 19 Aug 2024
MP for Peckham 1982‑1997 and Camberwell & Peckham 1997‑2024; Secretary of State for Social Security 1997‑1998; Leader of the House of Commons 2007‑2010; PC 1997
30 Jul 1950
HARMAR-NICHOLLS
10 Jan 1975
to    
15 Sep 2000
B[L] Sir Harmar Harmar-Nicholls, 1st baronet
Created Baron Harmar-Nicholls for life 10 Jan 1975
MP for Peterborough 1950‑1974; MEP for Greater Manchester South 1979‑1984
Peerage extinct on his death
1 Nov 1912 15 Sep 2000 87
HARMSWORTH
4 Feb 1939 B 1 Cecil Bisshopp Harmsworth
Created Baron Harmsworth 4 Feb 1939
MP for Droitwich 1906‑1910 and Luton 1911‑1922
23 Sep 1869 13 Aug 1948 78
13 Aug 1948 2 Cecil Desmond Bernard Harmsworth 19 Aug 1903 2 Jun 1990 86
2 Jun 1990 3 Thomas Harold Raymond Harmsworth 20 Jul 1939
HAROLD
14 Nov 1706
to    
5 Jun 1740
E 1 Henry Grey
Created Viscount Goderich, Earl of Harold and Marquess of Kent 14 Nov 1706, Duke of Kent 28 Apr 1710 and Marquess Grey 19 May 1740
Peerages (except the Marquessate of Grey) extinct on his death
28 Sep 1671 5 Jun 1740 68
HARRIES OF PENTREGARTH
30 Jun 2006 B[L] Richard Douglas Harries
Created Baron Harries of Pentregarth for life 30 Jun 2006
Bishop of Oxford 1987‑2006
2 Jun 1936
HARRINGTON
6 Jan 1730
9 Feb 1742
B
E
1
1
William Stanhope
Created Baron Harrington 6 Jan 1730 and Viscount Petersham and Earl of Harrington 9 Feb 1742
MP for Derby 1715‑1725 and 1727‑1730 and Steyning 1727; Secretary of State 1730‑1742 and 1744‑1746; Lord President of the Council 1742‑1744; Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1746‑1751; PC 1727
c 1683 8 Dec 1756 66
8 Dec 1756 2 William Stanhope
MP for Aylesbury 1741‑1747 and Bury St. Edmunds 1747‑1756
18 Dec 1719 1 Apr 1779 59
1 Apr 1779 3 Charles Stanhope
MP for Thetford 1774‑1776 and Westminster 1776‑1779; PC 1798; PC [I] 1806
17 Mar 1753 5 Sep 1829 76
5 Sep 1829 4 Charles Stanhope
For further information on this peer and his wife, see the notes at the foot of this page
8 Apr 1780 3 Mar 1851 70
3 Mar 1851 5 Leicester Fitzgerald Charles Stanhope 2 Sep 1784 7 Sep 1862 78
7 Sep 1862 6 Seymour Sydney Hyde Stanhope 27 Sep 1845 22 Feb 1866 20
22 Feb 1866 7 Charles Wyndham Stanhope 16 Aug 1809 26 Jun 1881 71
26 Jun 1881 8 Charles Augustus Stanhope 9 Jan 1844 5 Feb 1917 73
5 Feb 1917 9 Dudley Henry Eden Stanhope 13 Jan 1859 13 Nov 1928 69
13 Nov 1928 10 Charles Joseph Leicester Stanhope
For information on his death, see the note at the foot of this page
9 Oct 1887 16 Nov 1929 42
16 Nov 1929 11 William Henry Leicester Stanhope
He succeeded to the Barony and Viscountcy of Stanhope in 1967
24 Aug 1922 12 Apr 2009 86
12 Apr 2009 12 Charles Henry Leicester Stanhope 20 Jul 1945
HARRINGTON OF WATFORD
15 Mar 2022 B[L] Richard Irwin Harrington
Created Baron Harrington of Watford for life 15 Mar 2022
MP for Watford 2010‑2019; Minister of State for Refugees 2022
4 Nov 1957
HARRIS
11 Aug 1815 B 1 George Harris
Created Baron Harris 11 Aug 1815
18 Mar 1746 19 May 1829 83
19 May 1829 2 William George Harris 19 Jan 1782 30 May 1845 63
30 May 1845 3 George Francis Robert Harris
Governor of Trinidad 1846‑1854 and Madras 1854‑1859
14 Aug 1810 23 Nov 1872 62
23 Nov 1872 4 Robert George Canning Harris
Governor of Bombay 1890‑1895
3 Feb 1851 24 Mar 1932 81
24 Mar 1932 5 George St. Vincent Harris 3 Sep 1889 16 Oct 1984 95
16 Oct 1984 6 George Robert John Harris 17 Apr 1920 17 Sep 1995 75
17 Sep 1995 7 Derek Marshall Harris 23 Jul 1916 30 Jun 1996 79
30 Jun 1996 8 Anthony Harris 8 Mar 1942 17 Mar 2023 81
17 Mar 2023 9 Michael George Temple Harris 5 Jul 1941
HARRIS OF GREENWICH
26 Mar 1974
to    
11 Apr 2001
B[L] John Henry Harris
Created Baron Harris of Greenwich for life 26 Mar 1974
Minister of State, Home Office 1974‑1979; PC 1998
Peerage extinct on his death
5 Apr 1930 11 Apr 2001 71
HARRIS OF HARINGEY
5 Aug 1998 B[L] Jonathan Toby Harris
Created Baron Harris of Haringey for life 5 Aug 1998
11 Oct 1953
HARRIS OF HIGH CROSS
19 Jul 1979
to    
19 Oct 2006
B[L] Ralph Harris
Created Baron Harris of High Cross for life 19 Jul 1979
Peerage extinct on his death
10 Dec 1924 19 Oct 2006 81
HARRIS OF PECKHAM
11 Jan 1996 B[L] Sir Philip Charles Harris
Created Baron Harris of Peckham for life 11 Jan 1996
15 Sep 1942
HARRIS OF RICHMOND
6 Aug 1999 B[L] Angela Felicity Harris
Created Baroness Harris of Richmond for life 6 Aug 1999
4 Jan 1944
HARRISON
28 Jul 1999 B[L] Lyndon Henry Arthur Harrison
Created Baron Harrison for life 28 Jul 1999
MEP for Cheshire West 1989‑1994 and Cheshire West and Wirral 1994‑1999
28 Sep 1947
HARROWBY
20 May 1776 B 1 Nathaniel Ryder
Created Baron Harrowby 20 May 1776
MP for Tiverton 1756‑1776
3 Jul 1735 20 Jun 1803 67
20 Jun 1803
19 Jul 1809
 
E
2
1
Dudley Ryder
Created Viscount Sandon and Earl of Harrowby 19 Jul 1809
MP for Tiverton 1784‑1803; Foreign Secretary 1804‑1805; Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1805‑1806; President of the India Board 1809; Lord President of the Council 1812‑1827; PC 1790
22 Dec 1762 26 Dec 1847 85
26 Dec 1847 2 Dudley Ryder
MP for Tiverton 1819‑1831 and Liverpool 1831‑1847; Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1855; Lord Privy Seal 1855‑1857; PC 1855; KG 1859
23 May 1798 18 Nov 1882 84
18 Nov 1882 3 Dudley Francis Stuart Ryder
MP for Lichfield 1856‑1859 and Liverpool 1868‑1882; President of the Board of Trade 1878‑1880; Lord Privy Seal 1885‑1886; PC 1874
16 Jan 1831 26 Mar 1900 69
26 Mar 1900 4 Henry Dudley Ryder 3 May 1836 11 Dec 1900 64
11 Dec 1900 5 John Herbert Dudley Ryder
MP for Gravesend 1898‑1900; Lord Lieutenant Staffordshire 1927‑1948
22 Aug 1864 30 Mar 1956 91
30 Mar 1956 6 Dudley Ryder
MP for Shrewsbury 1922‑1923 and 1924‑1929
11 Oct 1892 7 May 1987 94
7 May 1987 7 Dudley Danvers Granville Coutts Ryder 20 Dec 1922 9 Oct 2007 84
9 Oct 2007 8 Dudley Adrian Conroy Ryder 18 Mar 1951
HARROWDEN
19 Nov 1733 B 1 Thomas Watson-Wentworth
Created Baron Malton 28 May 1728, Baron Wath, Baron Harrowden, Viscount Higham and Earl of Malton 19 Nov 1733 and Marquess of Rockingham 19 Apr 1746
See "Rockingham"
13 Nov 1693 14 Dec 1750 57
HART OF CHILTON
4 Jun 2004
to    
3 Aug 2017
B[L] Garry Richard Rushby Hart
Created Baron Hart of Chilton for life 4 Jun 2004
Peerage extinct on his death
29 Jun 1940 3 Aug 2017 77
HART OF SOUTH LANARK
8 Feb 1988
to    
8 Dec 1991
B[L] Dame Judith Constance Mary Hart
Created Baroness Hart of South Lanark for life 8 Feb 1988
MP for Lanark 1959‑1983 and Clydesdale 1983‑1987; Minister of State, Commonwealth Office 1966‑1967; Minister of Social Security 1967‑1968; Paymaster General 1968‑1969; Minister for Overseas Development 1969‑1970, 1974‑1975 and 1977‑1979; PC 1967
Peerage extinct on her death
18 Sep 1924 8 Dec 1991 67
HARTFELL
20 Jun 1633
18 Mar 1643
B[S]
E[S]
1
1
James Johnston
Created Lord Johnston of Lochwood 20 Jun 1633, and Lord Johnston of Lochwood, Moffatdale and Evandale and Earl of Hartfell 18 Mar 1643
Mar 1653
Mar 1653
to    
1661
2 James Johnston
He was created Earl of Annandale & Hartfell in 1661 at which time he resigned this peerage
17 Jul 1672
HARTINGTON
12 May 1694 M 1 William Cavendish, 4th Earl of Devonshire
Created Marquess of Hartington and Duke of Devonshire 12 May 1694
See "Devonshire"
25 Jan 1641 18 Aug 1707 66
HARTISMERE
13 Jul 1866 B 1 John Henniker-Major, 4th Baron Henniker
Created Baron Hartismere 13 Jul 1866
See "Henniker" with which title this peerage remains united
3 Feb 1801 16 Apr 1870 69
HARTLAND
30 Jul 1800 B[I] 1 Maurice Mahon
Created Baron Hartland 30 Jul 1800
MP [I] for Roscommon County 1782‑1783
21 Jun 1738 4 Jan 1819 80
4 Jan 1819 2 Thomas Mahon
MP [I] for Roscommon County 1799‑1800; MP for Roscommon 1801‑1806
2 Aug 1766 8 Dec 1835 69
8 Dec 1835
to    
11 Nov 1845
3 Maurice Mahon
Peerage extinct on his death
6 Oct 1772 11 Nov 1845 73
HARTWELL
19 Jan 1968
to    
3 Apr 2001
B[L] William Michael Berry
Created Baron Hartwell for life 19 Jan 1968
He succeeded as 3rd Viscount Camrose in 1995, but quickly disclaimed the peerage for life
Peerage extinct on his death
18 May 1911 3 Apr 2001 89
HARVEY OF PRESTBURY
1 May 1971
to    
5 Apr 1994
B[L] Sir Arthur Vere Harvey
Created Baron Harvey of Prestbury for life 1 May 1971
MP for Macclesfield 1945‑1971
Peerage extinct on his death
31 Jan 1906 5 Apr 1994 88
HARVEY OF TASBURGH
3 Jul 1954 B 1 Sir Oliver Charles Harvey
Created Baron Harvey of Tasburgh 3 Jul 1954
26 Nov 1893 29 Nov 1968 75
29 Nov 1968 2 Peter Charles Oliver Harvey 28 Jan 1921 18 Apr 2010 89
18 Apr 2010 3 Charles John Giuseppe Harvey 4 Feb 1951
HARVINGTON
24 Jun 1974
to    
1 Jan 1997
B[L] Sir Robert Grant Grant-Ferris
Created Baron Harvington for life 24 Jun 1974
MP for St. Pancras North 1937‑1945 and Nantwich 1955‑1974; PC 1971
Peerage extinct on his death
30 Dec 1907 1 Jan 1997 89
HARWICH
10 Apr 1689 M 1 Frederic Armand de Schomberg
Created Baron Teyes, Earl of Brentford, Marquess of Harwich and Duke of Schomberg 10 Apr 1689
See "Schomberg"
6 Dec 1615 1 Jul 1690 74

14 May 1730
to    
29 Feb 1756
V 1 Benjamin Mildmay, 19th Baron Fitzwalter
Created Viscount Harwich and Earl Fitzwalter 14 May 1730
On his death the creations of 1730 became extinct and the Barony fell into abeyance
27 Dec 1672 29 Feb 1756 83

17 Nov 1756 B 1 Wills Hill
Created Viscount Kilwarlin and Earl of Hillsborough [I] 3 Oct 1751, Baron Harwich 17 Nov 1756 and Viscount Fairford and Earl of Hillsborough [GB] 28 Aug 1772
He was subsequently created Marquess of Downshire with which title these peerages then merged
HASELHURST
22 Jun 2018 B[L] Sir Alan Gordon Barraclough Haselhurst
Created Baron Haselhurst for life 22 Jun 2018
MP for Middleton & Prestwich 1970‑1974 and Saffron Walden 1977‑2017; PC 1999
23 Jun 1937
HASKEL
4 Oct 1993 B[L] Simon Haskel
Created Baron Haskel for life 4 Oct 1993
9 Oct 1934
HASKINS
25 Jul 1998 B[L] Christopher Robin Haskins
Created Baron Haskins for life 25 Jul 1998
30 May 1937
HASLAM
13 Aug 1990
to    
2 Nov 2002
B[L] Sir Robert Haslam
Created Baron Haslam for life 13 Aug 1990
Peerage extinct on his death
4 Feb 1923 2 Nov 2002 79
HASTANG
19 Dec 1311 B 1 Robert Hastang
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Hastang 19 Dec 1311
c 1320
c 1320 2 Thomas Hastang c 1350
c 1350
to    
1360
3 John de Hastang
On his death the peerage fell into abeyance
1360
HASTINGS
23 Jun 1295 B 1 John Hastings
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Hastings 23 Jun 1295
6 May 1262 28 Feb 1313 50
28 Feb 1313 2 John Hastings 29 Sep 1287 20 Jan 1325 37
20 Jan 1325 3 Lawrence Hastings, later [1339] 1st Earl of Pembroke 20 Mar 1318 30 Aug 1348 30
30 Aug 1348 4 John Hastings, 2nd Earl of Pembroke 29 Aug 1347 16 Apr 1375 27
16 Apr 1375 5 John Hastings, 3rd Earl of Pembroke 11 Nov 1372 31 Dec 1389 17
30 Dec 1389 6 John Hastings 1326 31 Aug 1393 67
31 Aug 1393 7 Hugh Hastings 1377 Nov 1396 19
Nov 1396 8 Edward Hastings 21 May 1382 6 Jan 1438 55
6 Jan 1438 9 John Hastings 1411 Apr 1477 65
Apr 1477 10 Hugh Hastings 1447 7 Jun 1488 40
7 Jun 1488 11 John Hastings 1466 12 Jul 1504 38
12 Jul 1504 12 George Hastings 1474 11 Jun 1512 37
11 Jun 1512 13 John Hastings 1498 10 Feb 1514 15
10 Feb 1514 14 Hugh Hastings 1505 9 Dec 1540 35
9 Dec 1540
to    
8 Jan 1542
15 John Hastings
On his death the peerage fell into abeyance
27 Jul 1531 8 Jan 1542 10
18 May 1841 16 Sir Jacob Astley, 6th baronet
MP for Norfolk West 1832‑1837
Abeyance terminated in his favour 1841
13 Nov 1797 27 Dec 1859 62
27 Dec 1859 17 Jacob Henry Delaval Astley 21 May 1822 8 Mar 1871 48
8 Mar 1871 18 Delaval Loftus Astley 24 Mar 1825 28 Sep 1872 47
28 Sep 1872 19 Bernard Edward Delaval Astley 9 Sep 1855 22 Dec 1875 20
22 Dec 1875 20 George Manners Astley 4 Apr 1857 18 Sep 1904 47
18 Sep 1904 21 Albert Edward Delaval Astley 24 Nov 1882 18 Jan 1956 73
18 Jan 1956 22 Edward Delaval Henry Astley 14 Apr 1912 25 Apr 2007 95
25 Apr 2007 23 Delaval Thomas Harold Astley 25 Apr 1960
HASTINGS
29 Dec 1299
to    
c 1314
B 1 Edmund Hastings
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Hastings 29 Dec 1299
Peerage extinct on his death
c 1265 c 1314

26 Jul 1461 B 1 William Hastings
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Hastings 26 Jul 1461
KG 1462
c 1430 13 Jun 1483
13 Jun 1483 2 Edward Hastings c 1464 8 Nov 1506
8 Nov 1506 3 George Hastings, 1st Earl of Huntingdon 1488 24 Mar 1545 56
24 Mar 1545 4 Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon c 1514 22 Jun 1560
23 Jan 1559
22 Jun 1560
 
5
Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of Acceleration as Baron Hastings 23 Jan 1559
c 1536 14 Dec 1595
14 Dec 1595 6 George Hastings, 4th Earl of Huntingdon c 1540 31 Dec 1604
31 Dec 1604 7 Henry Hastings, 5th Earl of Huntingdon 24 Apr 1586 14 Nov 1643 57
3 Nov 1640
14 Nov 1643
 
8
Ferdinando Hastings, 6th Earl of Huntingdon
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of Acceleration as Baron Hastings 3 Nov 1640
18 Jan 1609 13 Feb 1656 47
13 Feb 1656 9 Theophilus Hastings, 7th Earl of Huntingdon 10 Dec 1650 30 May 1701 50
30 May 1701 10 George Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntingdon 22 Mar 1679 22 Feb 1705 25
22 Feb 1705 11 Theophilus Hastings, 9th Earl of Huntingdon 12 Nov 1696 13 Oct 1746 49
13 Oct 1746 12 Francis Hastings, 10th Earl of Huntingdon 13 Mar 1729 2 Oct 1789 60
2 Oct 1789 13 Elizabeth Rawdon 23 Mar 1731 11 Apr 1808 77
11 Apr 1808
13 Feb 1817
 
M
14
1
Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 2nd Earl of Moira
Created Baron Rawdon 5 Mar 1783, and Viscount Loudoun, Earl of Rawdon and Marquess of Hastings 13 Feb 1817
MP [I] for Randalstown 1781‑1783; Governor General of India 1813‑1823; Governor of Malta 1824‑1826; PC 1806; KG 1812
9 Dec 1754 28 Nov 1826 71
28 Nov 1826 15
2
George Augustus Francis Rawdon‑Hastings 4 Feb 1808 13 Jan 1844 35
13 Jan 1844 16
3
Paulyn Reginald Serlo Rawdon‑Hastings 2 Jun 1832 17 Jan 1851 18
17 Jan 1851
to    
10 Nov 1868
17
4
Henry Weysford Charles Plantagenet Rawdon‑Hastings
He succeeded as 21st Lord Grey de Ruthyn in 1858.
On his death the Marquessate became extinct whilst the Barony fell into abeyance

For further information on this peer, see the note at the foot of this page
22 Jul 1842 10 Nov 1868 26
6 Nov 1871 18 Edith Mary Abney‑Hastings
Abeyance terminated in her favour
10 Dec 1833 23 Jan 1874 40
23 Jan 1874
to    
17 May 1920
19 Charles Edward Rawdon‑Hastings, 11th Earl of Loudoun
On his death the peerage again fell into abeyance
5 Jan 1855 17 May 1920 65
7 Mar 1921
to    
24 Feb 1960
20 Edith Maud Abney‑Hastings, Countess of Loudoun (12th in line)
Abeyance terminated in her favour, but the title again fell into abeyance upon her death
13 May 1883 24 Feb 1960 76
HASTINGS OF LOUGHBOROUGH
19 Jan 1558
to    
5 Mar 1572
B 1 Edward Hastings
Created Baron Hastings of Loughborough 19 Jan 1558
MP for Leicestershire 1547‑1554 and Middlesex 1554‑1555; KG 1554
Peerage extinct on his death
c 1520 5 Mar 1572
HASTINGS OF SCARISBRICK
12 Oct 2005 B[L] Michael John Hastings
Created Baron Hastings of Scarisbrick for life 12 Oct 2005
29 Jan 1958
HASTINGS DE WELLES
15 Nov 1482
to    
Sep 1503
B 1 Richard Hastings
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Hastings de Welles 15 Nov 1482
Peerage extinct on his death
c 1435 Sep 1503
HATCH OF LUSBY
5 May 1978
to    
11 Oct 1992
B[L] John Charles Hatch
Created Baron Hatch of Lusby for life 5 May 1978
Peerage extinct on his death
1 Nov 1917 11 Oct 1992 74
HATHERLEY
9 Dec 1868
to    
10 Jul 1881
B 1 William Page Wood
Created Baron Hatherley 9 Dec 1868
MP for Oxford 1847‑1852; Solicitor General 1851‑1852; Lord Chancellor 1868‑1872; PC 1868
Peerage extinct on his death
29 Nov 1801 10 Jul 1881 79
HATHERTON
11 May 1835 B 1 Edward John Littleton
Created Baron Hatherton 11 May 1835
MP for Staffordshire 1812‑1832 and Staffordshire South 1832‑1835; Chief Secretary for Ireland 1833‑1834; Lord Lieutenant Stafford 1854‑1863; PC 1833; PC [I] 1833
18 Mar 1791 4 May 1863 72
4 May 1863 2 Edward Richard Littleton
MP for Walsall 1847‑1852 and Staffordshire South 1853‑1857
31 Dec 1815 2 Apr 1888 72
2 Apr 1888 3 Edward George Littleton 15 Aug 1842 24 Aug 1930 88
24 Aug 1930 4 Edward Charles Rowley Littleton 6 Aug 1868 10 Nov 1944 76
10 Nov 1944 5 Edward Thomas Walhouse Littleton 13 Aug 1900 13 Nov 1969 69
13 Nov 1969 6 John Walter Stuart Littleton 9 Aug 1906 27 Jun 1973 66
27 Jun 1973 7 Thomas Charles Tasman Littleton 6 Oct 1907 28 Sep 1985 77
28 Sep 1985 8 Edward Charles Littleton 24 May 1950
HATTERSLEY
24 Nov 1997 B[L] Roy Sydney George Hattersley
Created Baron Hattersley for life 24 Nov 1997
MP for Sparkbrook 1964‑1997; Minister of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office 1974‑1976; Secretary of State for Prices & Consumer Protection 1976‑1979; PC 1975
28 Dec 1932
HATTON
29 Jul 1643 B 1 Christopher Hatton
Created Baron Hatton 29 Jul 1643
MP for Higham Ferrers 1640‑1643
11 Jul 1605 4 Jul 1670 64
4 Jul 1670
11 Dec 1683
 
V
2
1
Christopher Hatton
Created Viscount Hatton 11 Dec 1683
MP for Northampton 1663‑1679
6 Nov 1632 24 Sep 1706 73
24 Sep 1706 2 William Seton Hatton 7 Feb 1690 8 Sep 1760 70
8 Sep 1760
to    
15 Dec 1762
3 Henry Charles Hatton
Peerages extinct on his death
c 1700 15 Dec 1762
HAUGHEY
18 Sep 2013 B[L] Sir William Haughey
Created Baron Haughey for life 18 Sep 2013
2 Jul 1956
HAUGHTON
9 Jul 1616 B 1 John Holles
Created Baron Haughton 9 Jul 1616 and Earl of Clare 2 Nov 1624
See "Clare"
May 1564 4 Oct 1637 73

19 Oct 1714
to    
17 Nov 1768
V 1 Thomas Pelham-Holles, 2nd Baron Pelham of Laughton
Created Viscount Haughton and Earl of Clare 19 Oct 1714, Marquess of Clare and Duke of Newcastle upon Tyne 11 Aug 1715, Duke of Newcastle under Lyne 17 Nov 1756 and Baron Pelham of Stanmer 4 May 1762
See "Newcastle upon Tyne" - extinct 1768
1 Jul 1693 17 Nov 1768 75
HAUSTED
20 Jul 1332 B 1 John de Hausted
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Hausted 20 Jul 1332
c 1336
c 1336
to    
by 1346
2 William de Hausted
Peerage extinct on his death
1306 by 1346
HAVERING
6 Feb 1299
to    
after 1329
B 1 John de Havering
Summoned to Parliament as Lord Havering 6 Feb 1299
Peerage extinct on his death
after 1329
HAVERS
22 Jun 1987
to    
1 Apr 1992
B[L] Sir (Robert) Michael Oldfield Havers
Created Baron Havers for life 22 Jun 1987
MP for Wimbledon 1970‑1987; Solicitor General 1972‑1974; Attorney General 1979‑1987; Lord Chancellor Jun‑Oct 1987; PC 1974
Peerage extinct on his death
10 Mar 1923 1 Apr 1992 69
HAVERSHAM
4 May 1696 B 1 Sir John Thompson, 1st baronet
Created Baron Haversham 4 May 1696
MP for Gatton 1685‑1687 and 1689‑1696
31 Aug 1648 1 Nov 1710 62
1 Nov 1710
to    
11 Apr 1745
2 Maurice Thompson
MP for Bletchingley 1695‑1698 and Gatton 1698‑1705
Peerage extinct on his death
1675 11 Apr 1745 69

11 Jan 1906
to    
10 May 1917
B 1 Sir Arthur Divett Hayter, 2nd baronet
MP for Wells 1865‑1868, Bath 1873‑1885 and Walsall 1893‑1895 and 1900‑1906; Financial Secretary to the War Office 1882‑1885; PC 1894
Peerage extinct on his death
9 Aug 1835 10 May 1917 81
HAWARDEN
10 Jun 1791 V[I] 1 Sir Cornwallis Maude, 3rd baronet
Created Baron de Montalt 25 Jun 1785 and Viscount Hawarden 10 Jun 1791
MP [I] for Roscommon Borough 1783‑1785
19 Sep 1729 23 Aug 1803 73
23 Aug 1803 2 Thomas Ralph Maude 16 Apr 1767 26 Feb 1807 39
26 Feb 1807 3 Cornwallis Maude 28 Mar 1780 12 Oct 1856 76
12 Oct 1856 4 Cornwallis Maude, later [1886] 1st Earl de Montalt
Lord Lieutenant Tipperary
4 Apr 1817 9 Jan 1905 87
9 Jan 1905 5 Robert Henry Maude 24 Jun 1842 6 Sep 1908 66
6 Sep 1908 6 Robert Cornwallis Maude 6 Sep 1890 26 Aug 1914 23
26 Aug 1914 7 Eustace Wyndham Maude 20 Sep 1877 6 Apr 1958 80
6 Apr 1958 8 Robert Leslie Eustace Maude 26 Mar 1926 6 Sep 1991 65
6 Sep 1991 9 Robert Connan Wyndham Leslie Maude 23 May 1961
HAWKE
20 May 1776 B 1 Edward Hawke
Created Baron Hawke 20 May 1776
MP for Portsmouth 1747‑1776; First Lord of the Admiralty 1766‑1771; PC 1766
21 Feb 1710 17 Oct 1781 71
17 Oct 1781 2 Martin Bladen Hawke
MP for Saltash 1768‑1774
20 Apr 1744 27 Mar 1805 60
27 Mar 1805 3 Edward Harvey-Hawke 3 May 1774 29 Nov 1824 50
29 Nov 1824 4 Edward William Harvey-Hawke 15 Jul 1799 8 Jan 1869 69
8 Jan 1869 5 Stanhope Harvey-Hawke 18 Jan 1804 5 May 1870 66
5 May 1870 6 Edward Henry Julius Hawke 24 Dec 1815 5 Dec 1887 71
5 Dec 1887 7 Martin Bladen Hawke 16 Aug 1860 10 Oct 1938 78
10 Oct 1938 8 Edward Julian Hawke 16 Feb 1873 4 Sep 1939 66
4 Sep 1939 9 Bladen Wilmer Hawke 31 Dec 1901 5 Jul 1985 83
5 Jul 1985 10 Julian Stanhope Theodore Hawke 19 Oct 1904 19 Aug 1992 87
19 Aug 1992 11 Edward George Hawke 25 Jan 1950 2 Dec 2009 59
2 Dec 2009 12 William Martin Theodore Hawke 23 Jun 1995
HAWKESBURY
21 Aug 1786 B 1 Charles Jenkinson
Created Baron Hawkesbury 21 Aug 1786 and Earl of Liverpool 1 Jun 1796
See "Liverpool"
16 May 1727 17 Dec 1808 81

15 Nov 1803 Robert Banks Jenkinson
He was summoned to Parliament by a Writ of Acceleration as Baron Hawkesbury 15 Nov 1803
He succeeded as Earl of Liverpool in 1808
7 Jun 1770 4 Dec 1828 58

24 Jun 1893
22 Dec 1905
B
V
1
1
Cecil George Savile Foljambe
Created Baron Hawkesbury 24 Jun 1893, and Viscount Hawkesbury and Earl of Liverpool 22 Dec 1905
See "Liverpool"
7 Nov 1846 23 Mar 1907 60
HAWLEY
8 Jul 1646 B[I] 1 Sir Francis Hawley, 1st baronet
Created Baron Hawley 8 Jul 1646
MP for Mitchell 1665‑1679
14 Jan 1608 22 Dec 1684 76
22 Dec 1684 2 Francis Hawley
MP for Bramber 1713‑1715
c 1673 30 May 1743
30 May 1743 3 Francis Hawley 24 Aug 1772
24 Aug 1772
to    
19 Dec 1790
4 Samuel Hawley
Peerage extinct on his death
c 1719 19 Dec 1790
HAWORTH
28 Jun 2004
to    
28 Aug 2023
B[L] Alan Robert Haworth
Created Baron Haworth for life 28 Jun 2004
Peerage extinct on his death
26 Apr 1948 28 Aug 2023 75
HAY
by Mar 1430 B[S] 1 Sir William Hay
Created Lord Hay by Mar 1430
1437
1437 2 Sir William Hay
He was subsequently created Earl of Erroll in 1452
1462
HAY OF BALLYORE
16 Dec 2014 B[L] William Hay
Created Baron Hay of Ballyore for life 16 Dec 2014
16 Apr 1950
HAY OF KINFAUNS
4 May 1627
25 May 1633
B[S]
B[S]
1
1
George Hay
Created Lord Hay of Kinfauns and Viscount Dupplin 4 May 1627, and Lord Hay of Kinfauns, Viscount Dupplin and Earl of Kinnoull 25 May 1633
See "Kinnoull"
1572 16 Dec 1634 62
HAY OF PEDWARDINE
31 Dec 1711 B 1 George Hay, later [1719] 8th Earl of Kinnoull
Created Baron Hay of Pedwardine 31 Dec 1711
See "Kinnoull"
after 1683 29 Jul 1758
HAY OF SAWLEY
29 Jun 1615 B 1 James Hay
Created Baron Hay of Sawley 29 Jun 1615
He was subsequently created Viscount Doncaster in 1618 and Earl of Carlisle in 1622
c 1580 25 Apr 1636
HAY OF YESTER
29 Jan 1488 B[S] 1 John Hay
Created Lord Hay of Yester 29 Jan 1488
c 1450 c 1508
c 1508 2 John Hay 9 Sep 1513
9 Sep 1513 3 John Hay 1543
1543 4 John Hay 1557
1557 5 William Hay Aug 1586
Aug 1586 6 William Hay 10 Mar 1591
10 Mar 1591 7 James Hay 3 Feb 1609
3 Feb 1609 8 John Hay
He was created Earl of Tweeddale in 1646 with which title this peerage then merged
c 1595 25 May 1654
 

Francis John Lascelles (29 Dec 1871‑9 May 1925) and Eric James Lascelles (2 Mar 1873‑24 Jun 1901), the two youngest sons of the 4th Earl of Harewood
Francis John Lascelles
From the Chicago Daily Tribune of 4 June 1901:-
The Hon. Francis J. Lascelles, son of the fourth Earl of Harewood, and half brother to the present Earl, and also cousin of Sir Frank Lascelles, Ambassador to Germany, is the central figure in a tragedy which has cast a gloom over the town of Golden, B[ritish] C[olumbia]. Mr. Lascelles' servant is dead, shot by his master, and Lascelles himself has been committed to an asylum as a raving maniac, another victim to the loneliness and dreary monotony of an isolated existence among the mountains in the uninhabited interior of British Columbia.
Lascelles is a tall and distinguished looking Englishman with engaging manners. He inherited a fortune from his mother, and the present Earl, his [half-]brother, advised him to live the life of a country gentleman in far off British Columbia. Lascelles did not find ranching in this province the dream it was pictured to him, but being a man of means and enterprise he established many mining and transportation companies, putting up most of the cash to float them.
A few months ago Lascelles was summoned by the police magistrate of Golden for some trivial cause, and on returning expressed his extreme annoyance at being served with a writ. He called the act of the authorities an outrage, and this was the beginning of the end.
Always harping on this subject the man grew morose and surly. Lascelles lived along with two Canadian farmers and two servants, and this little family was isolated from the world. One of his companions was Fred Kimpton, the other John Lambert.
After dinner last night [2 June] Lascelles spoke to his companions of the lasting disgrace on his good name caused by his being dragged into a police court to give evidence, and, suddenly going into his sleeping-room, he seized his rifle and shouted to his companions: "I will count five, then I will shoot the first man I see".
Lambert and Kimpton rushed from the house, and as they fled from the room they heard the ominous counting in a loud voice: "One, two, three, four". The last number was lost in the report of the rifle, and Lascelles' servant dropped dead not far from where his companions were hiding.
Lambert and Kimpton fled on their horses, followed by Lascelles' other servant, and the three made a mad gallop for town. As they fled into the darkness they heard Lascelles denouncing his dead servant as a traitor and shouting that all his foes would perish thus.
At midnight Lascelles' companions returned with a posse of police. The house was surrounded, and with great nerve Lambert walked unarmed to Lascelles' room, sat down beside the maniac, and, engaging him in conversation, suddenly seized his rifle. The rest was easy. Lascelles was at once conveyed to an asylum as a dangerous lunatic.
Lascelles' detention in the asylum on this occasion cannot have been for too lengthy a period, since in 1905 he was married. However, he appears to have spent many years thereafter under the care of doctors for mental illnesses. Eventually, such illness culminated in his suicide in May 1925, as reported in The Scotsman of 12 May 1925:-
A verdict of "suicide while of unsound mind" was recorded by the Coroner at the inquest yesterday on the Hon. Francis John Lascelles, half-brother to Lord Harewood, and uncle of Princess Mary's husband, Viscount Lascelles, who was found shot at his residence, Lee House, Romsey, Hampshire, on Friday. The brief proceedings were conducted in the dining room of Lee House.
The Coroner, who had not a jury to assist him, sat an antique mahogany table, on which were arranged bunches of narcissi. Had it not been for the presence of the police and the fact that the double barrel gun which figured in the tragedy was noticed in the room, it would have been hard to believe that an inquest was taking place in the heavily carpeted room. The widow was in the house but was not called.
The Hon. William Horace Lascelles, a brother, identified the body. His brother, he said, was 54 years of age in December 1924, and the witness last saw him alive about ten years ago. His brother had suffered mentally for years, and had been in a mental home. As far as witness knew he had not threatened to commit suicide recently. The witness added that his brother was of no occupation, being a man of independent means.
Dr A.G. van Someren, of Romsey, said he had known the deceased about six years, and had attended him in 1922 for a mental breakdown. He was removed to an asylum and came out apparently cured. Since then the witness had not attended him, though he had seen him from time to time. He seemed to be well and to be able to take an interest in things, but he was very shy and retiring. Witness saw the body on Friday morning about eight o'clock. There was a gunshot  wound over the right eye. The gun was fixed on the table, and witness said from the position of it that the would was self-inflicted. Witness added that he had never known any suicidal tendencies in the deceased. The method of arranging the gun showed a certain amount of premeditation.
Are you satisfied his mind was unsound at the time? - Yes. He probably felt his mind was going again. He probably felt he was going to have more mental trouble, and knowing him as I do, I think he committed suicide to avoid it.
Annie Keamish deposed to finding the body. Deceased was lying on the floor. There was a pool of blood on the floor. She informed the other servants and went for assistance. There was no difficulty in opening the door. None of them heard any noise on the night before the body was found. Witness waited on the deceased at dinner. He dined alone. He then appeared in his usual health, and she did not see him again that evening.
The Coroner - What was his usual health? - He was always very quiet and, I think, nervous.
Sergeant Daw, of the Hampshire police, said he found the gun fixed to the leaf of a table. The barrels were resting on a wooden mallet and a piece of cloth. Tied to the right trigger was a rod. One barrel contained an empty cartridge case. It was quite possible for anyone seated in the chair to discharge the gun by pushing the rod. Witness searched the house, but could find no letter or message.
The Coroner said there was sufficient evidence of insanity to return a verdict that the deceased committed suicide while of unsound mind. He had no doubt that deceased felt the onset of further symptoms, but he (the Coroner) was sure that his mind must have been in such a state that he could not have been really responsible.
Eric James Lascelles
From the Cheltenham Chronicle and Gloucestershire Graphic of 29 June 1901 [edited]:-
On Wednesday was reported the death of a showman known as Eric Leith under such circumstances as to necessitate a coroner's inquiry, and inquiries which we at once made led us to believe that he was none other that the Hon. Eric James Lascelles, son of the late Earl of Harewood, a surmise which has since been proved correct. Deceased was extremely well connected, having as blood relations members of very many leaders in society. He was the youngest son of the late Earl by a second marriage, so that he is half-brother to the present Earl of Harewood.
Deceased was of aristocratic appearance, and could not hide from his youthful companion who drove the horses in his caravan that fact that "Eric Leith" was an assumed name, and that he was not a showman of the usual type. It now transpires that he only adopted this nomadic life as a hobby, for he was a man of independent means, receiving an allowance through the family solicitors of something like £25 a week, and with his two-horse van journeyed from village to village, giving picture exhibitions on village feast-days and at country fetes, with but occasional visits to his friends.
About this time deceased took once more to intemperate habits, with the result that after the van reached Willersey on Sunday, he became ill and called in medical advice. Dr. Standring found him suffering from the after-effects of drink and prescribed for him, but before the doctor could reach him after being sent for again death had taken place.
The inquest was held at Willersey on Thursday afternoon. Evidence of identification was given by a gentleman named Mr. Henry Stephens, who said the body was that of the Hon. Eric James Lascelles. He had no fixed place of abode, but during the winter he stayed at witness's house at Woking.
For the last two years he had been carrying on the business of a travelling showman, and was proprietor of a van and two horses, with which he went about the county. He was 28 years of age, and witness last saw him alive three weeks ago at Woking. He was then in his usual health, which was fairly good, but at times he gave way to intemperance. He had independent means, and travelled more as a hobby than of necessity. The last time witness saw him, deceased said he was staying at Kineton, in Warwickshire, under the assumed name of Eric Leith.
Harry Belcher, a youthful labourer, whose home is at Kidlington, an Oxfordshire village, said deceased came to the village while on tour with his show about six weeks ago and engaged him as driver. They journeyed together to Banbury and thence to Kineton, where they remained about a fortnight. They next went to Fenny Compton, and then returned to Kineton for three or four days, afterwards leaving for Shipston-on-Stour and went to Willersey to attend a village wake on the following day. Deceased seemed all right up to Monday morning, but he then complained of cramp in his legs, and vomited. He remained in the van all day and was attended by Dr. Standring, afterwards taking two doses of the medicine prescribed for him. He got worse during the day, and had several fits, so that in the evening Dr. Standring was again summoned, but before the doctor's arrival death had taken place.
Mr. Charles James Standring, a surgeon, said when he first saw the deceased on Monday morning he was vomiting, his eyes were bloodshot, his pulse was weak, and the skin cold and clammy. Deceased told him he had been drinking too much for about six weeks. Witness prescribed for him, and gave directions as to his treatment, and arranged to see ham again in the evening. Between seven and eight o'clock a messenger arrived from deceased with an urgent summons, and witness at once went to Willersey, but found death had just taken place. On Wednesday witness made a post-mortem examination of the body, which bore no signs of violence and was free from any symptom of poisoning, but the stomach and liver were diseased and the brain was softening. The cause of death was a succession of epileptic fits, accelerated by alcoholic intemperance. There was cirrhosis of the liver and gastritis, which accounted for the vomiting.
Police-Supt. Frederick Jones spoke of the steps he had taken to establish the identity of the deceased, which was done by means of letters found upon the body. The sum of £2 12s 3d was found in a drawer in the van.
The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.
The special remainder to the Barony of Harlech
From the London Gazette of 11 January 1876 (issue 24283, page 99):-
The Queen has … been pleased to direct Letters Patent to be passed under the … Great Seal granting the dignity of a Baron of the … United Kingdom to John Ralph Ormsby‑Gore, Esq., and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the name, style, and title of Baron Harlech, of Harlech, in the county of Merioneth, with remainder, in default of such issue male, to William Richard Ormsby‑Gore, Esq. (brother of the said John Ralph Ormsby‑Gore), and the heirs male of is body lawfully begotten.
Charles Stanhope, 4th Earl of Harrington
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).
One of the great Regency dandies and an intimate of the Prince Regent, Harrington [who was known under the courtesy title of Viscount Petersham until 1829] was in a position and of a disposition to set fashion rather than to follow it. He had a passion for brown, inspired, it is thought, by his love for a charming widow of that name; his entire equipage - horses, carriage inside and out, and liveries for driver and out-riders - was of that colour.
He lent his name to the Petersham greatcoat and the Harrington hat, which, with its tapering crown and square brim turned up at the sides, enjoyed a brief vogue before passing into well-deserved obscurity. When he was a neophyte in the world of fashion, Petersham took the trouble to cut out all his own clothes to ensure a proper fit. He also made his boot blacking to a secret recipe believed to contain champagne. As he grew older he dressed to accentuate what he thought was a strong resemblance to Henry IV.
Petersham never went out of his house before six in the evening. His days were occupied with his collections of teas, snuffs and snuff boxes, of which he was a connoisseur. Captain Gronow, that marvellous Regency gossip, described Petersham's sitting room as "more like a shop than a gentleman's sitting room. All around the walls were shelves, upon which were placed the canisters containing congou, pekoe, souchong, bohea, gunpowder, Russian, and many other teas, all the best of their kind; on the other side of the room were beautiful jars; with names in gilt letters, of innumerable kinds of snuff, and all the necessary apparatus for moistening and mixing." Petersham had a snuff box for every day of the year and firm ideas about how they ought to be used. Of one, a light-blue box of Sevres porcelain, he said, "Yes, it is a nice summer box, but it would not do for winter wear".
For information on his wife, see the following note.
Maria Foote, Countess of Harrington, wife of Charles Stanhope, 4th Earl of Harrington
The following biography of the Countess of Harrington appeared in the December 1968 issue of the Australian monthly magazine Parade:-
In May 1814 Miss Maria Foote made her first stage appearance at London's Covent Garden. It was a triumph, with the audience rising to its feet at the performance's end and cheering the lovely 17-year-old until the theatre shook. Next day one enraptured critic described her as a "a pure and innocent beauty, the most delicate hand-maiden of our comedy, the loveliest of sufferers in our tragedies". Having thus overnight fame the beautiful Maria went on a titled-husband safari with no holds barred. One lover followed another as she sought the man of her dreams. The result was that 10 years later the "pure and innocent beauty" had become the subject of pamphlets that besmirched her moral character and accused her of all kinds of sordid relationships. Most of the accusations were true and for that reason her reputation remained in tatters for years to come. Yet this notoriety did not stop her achieving the childhood ambition - the acquisition of a noble husband - and when she died at the age of 70, her contemporaries remembered the Countess of Harrington only as a woman of charming graciousness and dignity.
Maria Foote, the actress in search of a title, was born at Plymouth on July 24, 1797, the daughter of a spendthrift who had been an army officer but was then manager of a travelling theatre. At 13 the child possessed such precocious beauty and charm that at the end of each stage performance under her father's management she stayed in her dressing-room until Captain Foote had chased the stage-door-johnnies from outside the theatre. By 1814 the girl had gravitated to London consumed by the desire to first make her mark in the theatre, then use her fame and other obvious assets to catch a nobleman in marriage.
A year after her triumph at Covent Garden and when her name was on the lips of every London theatregoer she travelled to Cheltenham where she met Colonel William Berkeley, central figure in a long and sensational lawsuit. [For further information on this case, see the note under the Berkeley peerage.] When Maria learned that the colonel would probably inherit the earldom of his dead father despite a claim by his younger brother Thomas that he was illegitimate, the young actress at once smelt a title. She went into the affair enthusiastically and within days of her first meeting with Colonel Berkeley they had become lovers. Now all she had to do was await settlement of the title dispute and lead Berkeley to the altar.
But it did not turn out that way, for although the case had been going on for several years when Maria and Berkeley became lovers, it was destined to continue on for many years before the aging colonel abandoned his claim. Meanwhile, passionately in love with the fascinating actress, Berkeley organised a benefit performance for her in Cheltenham and insisted on playing one of the leading roles himself. After that Berkeley installed Maria in a villa on the Thames at Richmond and spent his time between the arms of his youthful lover and the London lawyers who were looking after his title claim interests.
Maria bore the colonel two children. She continually broached the matter of marriage but seemed to accept his excuse that wedding was out of the question until the earldom was his. By 1821 when Maria Foote was 24 it was obvious to her that she would never be the Countess of Berkeley. Already the House of Lords had decreed that William had been born illegitimately and had awarded the title to Thomas. But Thomas regarded the finding as a slight on his mother's honour and had refused the title. So the case had gone back to the Lords for more years of wrangling.
The loss of the title was only one reason why Maria decided to abandon Berkeley. Another was that the colonel was spending less time with his lawyers in London and more with the courtesans of the theatre. The end came finally when the pair fought bitterly over the colonel's unfaithfulness and Maria's almost irrational desire for social prestige.
In mid-1821 the dazzling beauty returned to the London stage where packed houses at Covent Garden and Drury Lane received her with thunderous applause. She was back in her element with a constant round of social activities and the ever present queues of young blades begging for the honour of escorting her to yet another wild function. But as far as Maria was concerned it was always the same - the blue-blooded admirers had no money while the wealthy had no titles. After a season in London she toured Edinburgh and Dublin giving her favours in return for gifts of money and jewellery. But none seemed willing to pay his debt by conferring a title on the lovely actress through marriage.
It was about this time that Maria fell head over heels in love with the notorious Joseph Haynes, who was known as Pea Green from the vivid colour of his splendid coat. Apart from being a rake, Haynes was London's leader of fashion, an amateur poet and a man of great personal attraction. And if he had no title at least he had a personal income of about £100,000 a year. In quick time Haynes had installed Maria Foote as his mistress and was boasting that he was "lord of the angel of the British stage".
By now Maria had decided to forgo a title in exchange for a husband with £100,000 a year. But when she put the proposal she got the shock of her life. Haynes was not interested. Apart from that he point blank refused to allow Maria's two children by Colonel Berkeley to visit them at his ancestral estate in Wiltshire. Realising that Haynes was treating her as little more than a common harlot, Maria flew into a rage and issued a writ for £10,000 against her former lover for breach of promise.
But Haynes was far from beaten. Calling all his male friends to his aid, Pea Green contacted pamphleteers and had them prepare booklets which his friends would distribute in London. The little publications shocked even the city which was accustomed to such literary outrages, for in them the writers accused the famous actress of all kinds of unsavoury indiscretions. Meantime, Maria Foote had not been inactive for she too had rallied her friends who also began distributing pamphlets listing many of Pea Green's moral failings. Most were hair-raising.
Now the battle intensified when the warring parties hired choirs of ballad singers to chant the indecent allegations outside the stage door where Maria was appearing and at the entrance to the West End club where Haynes was tippling. It was no wonder then that when the breach of promise suit came to court half of London (split into partisan groups) surrounded Westminster Hall cheering or jeering according to their inclinations. At one stage the Lord Chief Justice was on the point of sending for a company of Dragoons when Bow Street officials charged into the brawling mob with batons and drove it off the streets.
After a two-day hearing Maria was awarded £3000, but it did her little good for Haynes was a bitter man dedicated to vengeance. During her first reappearance at Drury Lane Hayne's supporters filled the pit and boxes spent the entire performance hissing and booing her. Following that fiasco Maria travelled to Bath to escape her former lover's hatred. Her premiere performance in that city was on the night of January 14, 1826, and was to develop into the most terrifying experience of her theatrical life. From the start to the end of the first act not a word could be heard from the stage as the Haynes group booed, shouted obscenities, stamped their feet and waved canes and hats in the air. Finally the lovely Maria broke down. She burst into tears and fled the stage leaving Pea Green to march in triumph from his box to his waiting carriage.
Nevertheless she still had her supporters who admired her courage if not her morals and accepted her as the most gifted Shakespearian actress in Britain. Apart from that she had an exceptionally fine singing voice, was a talented dancer and played the piano, harp and guitar with professional skill. When, she first appeared in Paris she became the city's idol overnight. From 1826 to 1830 Maria Foote travelled thousands of miles in Britain performing before admiring audiences. Suitors still begged for her favours but there remained a scarcity of titled lovers.
In 1830 she was 33 but perhaps more beautiful than ever. It was then that Charles Stanhope, Earl of Harrington, chanced to attend one of the notorious Miss Foote's Nottingham performances. One look at the ravishing creature on the stage and the earl was hopelessly in love. For six months he followed her from one British town to another as she continued her tour. Maria was in Birmingham when at last she won the earl's promise to marry her. Only then did she become his mistress. On March 11, 1831, she made her farewell stage appearance.
Just three weeks later she achieved her lifelong ambition - she became, as the Countess of Harrington, a member of the British nobility. Nor was the countess unduly concerned when she discovered her husband was a man of strange eccentricities. For instance in memory of Mary Browne, the mistress he had discarded to marry Maria, he insisted all his servants should wear brown livery. Even his coaches and the horses' harnesses were varnished brown, while the coachmen's top hats were glazed with the same colour. [For more information about his eccentricities, see the preceding note.]
Then in 1837 Queen Victoria ascended the throne. The gay, abandoned Regency era was over. Dissoluteness was no longer the mark of good breeding. For people with a past like the Countess of Harrington the royal court was closed. Almost overnight Maria found herself an outcast condemned to the isolation of her husband's estate while the rest of the nobility strutted like dignified peacocks before the Queen. Inwardly the Earl of Harrington seethed at this treatment of his countess and it was obvious to Victoria that the nobleman resented her sanctimonious attitude. He got the opportunity to express his feelings when the Queen once told him that she would like to visit his ancestral castle at Elvaston. Harrington did not mince words. He said the castle was closed to the public but if the Queen wished to put her request as a command he would have no alternative but to obey. Victoria had to accept the snub and she never did visit Elvaston.
The Earl of Harrington died in 1851 leaving his wife to survive him for 16 years. She died on December 27, 1867, a still-lovely and gracious old lady. Only a few of her contemporaries remembered her scandalous past. And those who could not remember revered her.
Charles Joseph Leicester Stanhope, 10th Earl of Harrington
The Earl died as a result of injuries received in a hunting accident. The inquest into his death was reported in the London Daily Telegraph of 19 November 1929:-
A verdict of death by misadventure was returned at the inquest yesterday on the Earl of Harrington, who met his death while hunting on Saturday with his own pack of hounds at Holbrook.
The inquest was conducted by Mr. A.N. Whiston in the library of Elvaston Castle.
William Bridges, licensee of the Cross Keys Inn, Turnditch, said that about 12.45 p.m. on Saturday he was near Holbrook Park, watching the hounds. They lost the scent, and then picked it up, and went on into another field near Holbrook Park Hall. As they did so a wall and gate separated Lord Harrington from the other members of the hunt.
"Then his lordship jumped the wall," said Bridges, "but his horse struck the top of the gate, which was seven yards beyond. The horse turned a somersault, and all three, rider, horse, and gate came down together. I rushed up to Lord Harrington. He recognised me, and said, "Oh, my God!"
Bridges added that the horse was not out of hand. "It took the wall splendidly," he said. "If he had not got too close to the gate he would have jumped it."
Dr. Robert Gordon Morrison, of Duffield, stated that he was following the Harrington hounds on foot, and saw the fall. "The horse and the rider crashed down, and the man was dragged about ten yards. His left foot was caught in the stirrup."
The coroner pointed out that a previous witness had said that Lord Harrington cleared the wall, but not the gate.
"I heard him," said Dr. Morrison, "but I thought his lordship came through the gate. I am certain about it."
Lady Harrington and others came up. Lord Harrington was unconscious. He was carried on a gate to a house. Lord Harrington had fractures of both clavicles and bruises to the front of his neck. About five minutes after he was taken to the house his breathing became worse and he died. The cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage, following a fracture of the base of the skull.
Dr. Morrison added, "My theory is that he was dragged along and that the horse stood on him or kicked him. That was the cause of his serious injuries. I do not see how they could have been caused by an ordinary fall, not even by a fall on the head. His injuries were consistent with the horse's hind foot having struck him on the chest and possibly on the jaw."
Bridges, recalled, said that he was on low ground when the accident happened, and Dr. Morrison's version of the affair might be correct.
The coroner, recording a verdict of death by misadventure, said that it was a very sad and distressing accident. He expressed sympathy with Lady Harrington in her grievous loss. "Lord Harrington," said Mr. Whiston, "was not only a great sportsman, but he was an English gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He will be mourned by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He was a skilful horseman, but this accident only shows that even the best of horsemen are not immune from dangers in the hunting field."
Henry Weysford Charles Plantagenet Rawdon-Hastings, 4th Marquess of Hastings
Hastings was only nine when he succeeded to the marquessate and the debt-encumbered estates of his ancestors. However, enough remained to preserve the 200-room Donington Hall in Leicestershire in splendour and provide a fitting education for a young aristocrat. At Eton, he was a wild and uncontrollable boy. At Oxford, he blossomed into a young dandy whose foppish dress and zest for the pleasures of low life created numerous scandals. His favourite cronies were bruisers, jockeys and loose women, but his bravado and exquisite manners also won him admirers among the university's youthful students, including one whose fate was to inextricably interwoven with his own.
Henry Chaplin had no ancient name or title, but he had just inherited 25,000 acres in Lincolnshire, and his boundless extravagance had earned him the nickname of 'the Magnifico'. He had captivated the young Prince of Wales [later King Edward VII], then a student at Oxford, and was to become a leading figure in the Prince's notorious Marlborough House set. Chaplin in turn was fascinated by what he called Hasting's 'aristocratic blackguardism' and by the time the pair left Oxford in 1863 they were close friends.
In the summer of 1863 Hastings and Chaplin entered London society. Also making her debut that season was Lady Florence Paget, youngest daughter of the Marquess of Anglesey. Although some people felt that Lady Florence was too small and fragile to be considered really beautiful, for the most part, the male habitués of the fashionable drawing-rooms of London thronged about 'the Pocket Venus' as she soon came to be called. Henry Chaplin was infatuated with her and, since Lady Florence appeared to encourage him, a brilliant match between wealth and nobility was confidently predicted.
Hastings, on the other hand, was considered to have no chance with Lady Florence, since his reputation was one of the lowest in society. He moved in the lowest of circles and it soon became common knowledge that night after night, Hastings, with a bodyguard of thugs, presided over orgies in the lowest London slums. One of his favourite diversions was rat-killing, when dogs were set onto hundreds of sewer-rats collected in a wooden enclosure surrounded by seats for the spectators. Other diversions included cock-fighting, bare-knuckle boxing and opium dens. Eventually, even the most ill-reputed venues barred his presence. When he was banned from Mott's Dance Hall, he took his revenge by ordering his slum cronies to round up 200 sewer rats, which he then carried in sacks to the dance hall where he disconnected the gas supply, plunging the hall into darkness, before liberating the rats. Two elderly toffs died of heart failure in the pandemonium of squeaking rats and screaming women that followed.
How and when he won the heart of Lady Florence Paget was a secret that both parties took to the grave. According to one rumour, Hastings had seduced her and made her his mistress soon after first meeting her. A more romantic story suggested that Lady Florence determined to reform the Marquess and simply drifted into a liaison that she did not have the strength or will to break. Whatever the truth, it was generally accepted that Lady Florence would marry Chaplin and on 20 June 1864, their engagement was officially announced.
On the morning of 16 July 1864, Chaplin drove his fiancée to Marshall and Snelgrove's fashionable shop on Oxford Street. Lady Florence entered the shop while Chaplin waited in his carriage. After an hour, there was no sign of Lady Florence, so Chaplin entered the shop to look for her, but she was nowhere to be seen. She had slipped out of a side entrance and joined Hastings, who immediately drove her to St. George's Church in Hanover Square where the two were married, before departing for Donnington Hall.
Outraged society immediately closed its doors on the couple and marvelled at the placidity of Chaplin, who appeared to take his humiliation in good humour. In other times, he and Hastings would have fought a duel, but Chaplin set out to destroy Hastings by other means. Both young men were members of the Jockey Club and both had built up strings of horses. Chaplin now set out to ruin Hastings by means of the turf, and during the next four years the clashes between Hastings' scarlet and white colours and Chaplin's pale blue provided society with wild excitement.
Hastings collected £75,000 when his horse, Ackworth, won the 1865 Cambridgeshire but then lost it all backing his entries against Chaplin's during the rest of the season. It was Chaplin's famous black gelding, Hermit, who finally ruined Hastings in the Epsom Derby run in blinding rain and sleet on 22 May 1867. Shortly before the race, Hermit became ill and drifted in the betting to 66/1 while Hastings frantically took the odds from every backer of the horse he could find. When Hermit won the race, the Marquess owed £120,000 - more than half of it to Chaplin. Hastings was forced to beg for time to pay, meanwhile selling all his Scottish estates to the Marquess of Bute and raising another mortgage on Donnington Hall.
By mid-1868, Hastings was all but bankrupt and so racked with pain from a kidney disease caused by his debaucheries that he could scarcely walk. Even Chaplin was moved to pity for the wreck of his rival. When Hastings died in November 1868, aged only 26, the title of Marquess of Hastings died with him. Eighteen months after his death, Lady Florence married Sir George Chetwynd, fourth baronet - she died in February 1907, aged 64. Chaplin entered Parliament in 1868 and remained there, with one short interval, until 1916. During this period he was on several occasions a cabinet minister and was created Viscount Chaplin in 1916, dying in 1923.