Earls of Derby

Earls of Derby
source
Title	Earls of Derby
Peerage	Peerage of England
First holder	Robert de Ferrers, 1st Earl of Derby
Creation	1138

Earls of Derby. The title of Earl of Derby has been created several times in the Peerage of England, with the first creation dating back to 1138 when Robert de Ferrers, 1st Earl of Derby was appointed by King Stephen of England. The title has been associated with several prominent families, including the House of Lancaster and the Stanley family. The Dukes of Lancaster, such as John of Gaunt and Henry IV of England, have also held the title of Earl of Derby at various points in history, often in conjunction with their roles as Lords of the Manor of Bolton and Knowsley.

History of the Title

The title of Earl of Derby has a long and complex history, with multiple creations and extinctions. The first creation was made in 1138 for Robert de Ferrers, 1st Earl of Derby, a supporter of King Stephen of England during The Anarchy. The title passed through several generations of the Ferrers family before becoming extinct in 1266. The title was recreated in 1337 for Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a member of the House of Lancaster and a close advisor to King Edward III of England. The title has since been associated with several prominent families, including the Stanley family, who have held the title since 1485. Notable events in the history of the title include the Battle of Bosworth Field, where Henry Tudor defeated Richard III of England and became Henry VII of England, and the English Civil War, which saw the Stanley family divided in their loyalties between the Royalist and Parliamentarian causes.

List of Earls of Derby

The following is a list of Earls of Derby: * Robert de Ferrers, 1st Earl of Derby (1138-1162) * William de Ferrers, 2nd Earl of Derby (1162-1190) * William de Ferrers, 3rd Earl of Derby (1190-1247) * Robert de Ferrers, 4th Earl of Derby (1247-1266) * Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (1337-1361) * John of Gaunt (1361-1399) * Henry IV of England (1399-1413) * Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby (1485-1504) * Thomas Stanley, 2nd Earl of Derby (1504-1521) * Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby (1521-1572) * Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby (1572-1593) * Ferdinando Stanley, 5th Earl of Derby (1593-1594) * William Stanley, 6th Earl of Derby (1594-1642) * James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby (1642-1651) * Charles Stanley, 8th Earl of Derby (1651-1672) * William Stanley, 9th Earl of Derby (1672-1702) * James Stanley, 10th Earl of Derby (1702-1736) * Edward Stanley, 11th Earl of Derby (1736-1776) * Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (1776-1834) * Edward Smith-Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby (1834-1869) * Edward Henry Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby (1893-1948) * Edward John Stanley, 18th Earl of Derby (1972-present)

Family Tree

The Stanley family has held the title of Earl of Derby since 1485. The family tree includes notable figures such as Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, who played a crucial role in the Battle of Bosworth Field, and James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby, who was a prominent Royalist during the English Civil War. The family has also produced several notable politicians, including Edward Smith-Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1852 to 1855, and Edward Henry Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby, who served as Foreign Secretary from 1895 to 1900. Other notable members of the family include Lady Charlotte Stanley, who married Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Burlington, and Lady Elizabeth Stanley, who married John Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle.

Estates and Residences

The Earls of Derby have owned several estates and residences throughout history, including Knowsley Hall, which has been the family seat since 1485. Other notable residences include Lathom House, which was the family seat from 1180 to 1485, and Bolton Castle, which was owned by the family from 1372 to 1648. The family has also owned several other estates, including Holker Hall and Poulton Hall, which have been used as secondary residences or rented out to tenants. The Earls of Derby have also been associated with several other notable buildings, including Chester Cathedral and Liverpool Cathedral, which have been supported by the family through donations and other forms of patronage.

Notable Earls of Derby

Several Earls of Derby have played important roles in English history, including Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, who helped to secure the throne for Henry VII of England at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Other notable Earls of Derby include James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby, who was a prominent Royalist during the English Civil War, and Edward Smith-Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1852 to 1855. The Earls of Derby have also been associated with several other notable figures, including William Shakespeare, who is believed to have performed at Knowsley Hall on several occasions, and Charles Dickens, who visited the hall in 1855. The Earls of Derby have also been involved in several notable events, including the Glorious Revolution and the Industrial Revolution, which have helped to shape the course of English history. Category:Earls of Derby