Earl of Sunderland

Earl of Sunderland is a title in the Peerage of England that was created in 1643 for the Spencer family. The title is most famously associated with the prominent Whig statesman Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland, a key advisor during the reigns of Charles II and James II. The earldom became subsidiary to the Dukedom of Marlborough in the 18th century before being revived separately for a junior branch of the family in the 20th century, with the current holder also being the Earl Spencer.

History of the title

The earldom was created by King Charles I in 1643 for Henry Spencer, 1st Earl of Sunderland, a loyal Cavalier who died at the Battle of Newbury the same year. The title passed to his infant son, Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland, who would become one of the most influential and controversial politicians of the Restoration period. Following the death of the 5th Earl in 1722, who had also been created Duke of Marlborough, the Sunderland title became a subsidiary title of the dukedom. The earldom was revived in 1905 for Charles Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer, a direct descendant of the 3rd Duke of Marlborough, and is now held by his great-grandson.

List of Earls of Sunderland

The Earls of Sunderland from the initial creation are: Henry Spencer, 1st Earl of Sunderland (1620–1643); Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland (1641–1702); Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland (1675–1722), who also became the 3rd Earl and was a leading minister under Queen Anne and George I; Robert Spencer, 4th Earl of Sunderland (1701–1729), who died young; and Charles Spencer, 5th Earl of Sunderland (1706–1758), who succeeded his aunt as 3rd Duke of Marlborough in 1733. After 1722, the title was subsumed until its 1905 revival for the Spencer family of Althorp, with subsequent holders including Albert Spencer, 7th Earl Spencer and the current holder, Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer.

Family seat and properties

The traditional and principal family seat associated with the Spencer family and the Earls of Sunderland is Althorp, a historic estate in Northamptonshire. The house, rebuilt in the 18th century, holds a renowned art collection and is the final resting place of Diana, Princess of Wales. Another significant property was Spencer House in London, an aristocratic palace noted as a masterpiece of Palladian architecture built for the 1st Earl Spencer. The family also held extensive lands across Northamptonshire and Warwickshire, with other estates including Wormleighton Manor.

Notable holders and achievements

The most notable holder was Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland, a master political tactician who served as Secretary of State for the Southern Department and Lord President of the Council. He played a crucial, often duplicitous, role during the Exclusion Crisis, the Glorious Revolution, and the subsequent Williamite War in Ireland. Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland was a powerful Whig leader, a principal figure in the Stanhope–Sunderland ministry, and a great bibliophile whose collection formed a core part of the Bodleian Library. In the modern era, John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer was a noted equestrian and film producer, while the current earl is a historian and author.

Subsidiary titles and precedence

The Earl of Sunderland holds several subsidiary titles. These include the titles of Viscount Althorp and Baron Spencer of Althorp, both in the Peerage of Great Britain. The viscountcy is used as a courtesy title for the earl's heir apparent. In terms of precedence, the earldom ranks above a viscount and below a marquess. When the title was held by the Duke of Marlborough, it was considered a secondary title, but since its 1905 revival, it has been the primary title of the senior Spencer line, distinct from the ducal line at Blenheim Palace.

Category:Earldoms in the Peerage of England Category:Spencer family