Baron Beresford
Encyclopedia
Baron Beresford is a title that was created three times, one in the Peerage of Ireland
and later also two in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
. In all instances it was created for men who were eminent politicians or soldiers. The first creation still exists as a subsidiary title
, but the latter two became extinct at the death of their original holder.
. In 1715, he entered the Irish House of Commons
, sitting for Coleraine
until 1720, when he was raised to the Peerage of Ireland
with the title Baron Beresford, of Beresford, in the County of Cavan, and further as Viscount Tyrone by King George I of Great Britain. A year later, he joined the Irish House of Lords
. In 1736, he became Grandmaster of the Grand Lodge of Ireland
, serving for the next two years. Beresford was further honoured in 1746, when he was created Earl of Tyrone
. With the death of the 1st Earl of Tyrone, all his titles where inherited by George Beresford
in 1763. He was Governor of Waterford
from 1766 and custos rotulorum of that county from 1769 to 1800, during which time he was made a Knight of St Patrick, created Baron Tyrone in the Peerage of Great Britain
in 1786 and elevated as a Marquess of Waterford
in 1789. The title Baron Beresford is still extant and held by the Marquesses of Waterford as a subsidiary title
. Since 1934, the current holder is John Beresford, 8th Marquess of Waterford (born 1933).
William Carr Beresford
, GCB
, GCH
, GCTE
(1768–1856) as Baron Beresford, of Albuera and Dungarvan in the County of Waterford, and was announced on 3 May 1814. He was an illegitimate son of the 1st Marquess of Waterford
. William Beresford entered the British Army in 1785 and the next year he was blinded
in one eye
in an accident. In 1807 he was sent on a mission to Portugal
. Later a general in the British Army and a marshal in the Portuguese army, he fought with the Duke of Wellington
in the Peninsular War
. For his services in Portugal he was created Count of Trancoso on 13 May 1811 and also Marquis of Campo Maior on 17 December 1812, both by decree of Prince Regent John
. In the UK, Beresford was Member of Parliament
for County Waterford from 1811 to 1814 until he was raised to the peerage
as Baron Beresford in 1814 and thus entered the House of Lords
. In 1823 he was further made Viscount Beresford, of Beresford in the County of Stafford. After his permanent return to Britain, he held the office of Master-General of the Ordnance
in 1828 in Wellington
's first ministry. In 1832 he married his first cousin Louisa, daughter of William Beresford, 1st Baron Decies
and Elizabeth Fitzgibbon. The marriage was childless. Lord Beresford died in 1854 at the age of 85, when his UK titles became extinct. He was also the last titular Governor of Jersey; since his death the Crown has been represented in Jersey
by the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey
.
The third creation was for Admiral
Lord Charles William Beresford
, GCB
, GCVO
(1846–1919) as Baron Beresford, of Metemmeh and Curraghmore in the County of Waterford, and was announced on 28 January 1916. As the second son of the 4th Marquess of Waterford
he was styled "Lord Charles William Beresford" between 1859 and 1916. He was the great-nephew of William Beresford (above)
. He combined careers in the Royal Navy
and as a Member of Parliament
, serving for many years in both capacities: He was MP for County Waterford from 1874
–1880
, for Marylebone East
from 1885
–1889, for Member of Parliament
for City of York
from 1898–1900
, for Woolwich
from 1902–1903 and for Portsmouth
from Jan. 1910–1916
. In the navy, he held the posts of Junior Naval Lord
from 1886–1888, Commander-in-Chief, Channel Fleet
from 1903–1905,Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet
from 1905–1907 and Commander-in-Chief, Channel Fleet
from 1907–1909. His later career was marked by a longstanding dispute with Admiral of the Fleet
Sir John Fisher, over reforms championed by Fisher introducing new technology and sweeping away traditional practices. Beresford retired from the navy in 1911 with the rank of Admiral and remained a Member of the House of Commons until 1916. In 1878 he married Mina Gardner, daughter of Richard Gardner and Lucy Mandesloh. They had two daughters. Lord Beresford died in 1919 at the age of 73, when his title became extinct.
Peerage of Ireland
The Peerage of Ireland is the term used for those titles of nobility created by the English and later British monarchs of Ireland in their capacity as Lord or King of Ireland. The creation of such titles came to an end in the 19th century. The ranks of the Irish peerage are Duke, Marquess, Earl,...
and later also two in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
Peerage of the United Kingdom
The Peerage of the United Kingdom comprises most peerages created in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland after the Act of Union in 1801, when it replaced the Peerage of Great Britain...
. In all instances it was created for men who were eminent politicians or soldiers. The first creation still exists as a subsidiary title
Subsidiary title
A subsidiary title is an hereditary title held by a royal or a noble but which is not regularly used to identify that person.For example, the Duke of Norfolk is also the Earl of Arundel, the Earl of Surrey, the Earl of Norfolk, the Baron Beaumont, the Baron Maltravers, the Baron FitzAlan, the Baron...
, but the latter two became extinct at the death of their original holder.
Baron Beresford, first creation (1720)
The first creation was for Sir Marcus Beresford, 4th BaronetMarcus Beresford, 1st Earl of Tyrone
Marcus Beresford, 1st Earl of Tyrone , known as Sir Marcus Beresford, 4th Baronet until 1720 and subsequently as The Viscount Tyrone until 1746, was an Irish peer, freemason and politician.-Background:...
. In 1715, he entered the Irish House of Commons
Irish House of Commons
The Irish House of Commons was the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland, that existed from 1297 until 1800. The upper house was the House of Lords...
, sitting for Coleraine
Coleraine (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Coleraine was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons from 1611 to 1800. Between 1725 and 1793 Catholics and those married to Catholics could not vote.-History:...
until 1720, when he was raised to the Peerage of Ireland
Peerage of Ireland
The Peerage of Ireland is the term used for those titles of nobility created by the English and later British monarchs of Ireland in their capacity as Lord or King of Ireland. The creation of such titles came to an end in the 19th century. The ranks of the Irish peerage are Duke, Marquess, Earl,...
with the title Baron Beresford, of Beresford, in the County of Cavan, and further as Viscount Tyrone by King George I of Great Britain. A year later, he joined the Irish House of Lords
Irish House of Lords
The Irish House of Lords was the upper house of the Parliament of Ireland that existed from mediaeval times until 1800. It was abolished along with the Irish House of Commons by the Act of Union.-Function:...
. In 1736, he became Grandmaster of the Grand Lodge of Ireland
Grand Lodge of Ireland
The Grand Lodge of Ireland is the second most senior Grand Lodge of Freemasons in the world, and the oldest in continuous existence. Since no specific record of its foundation exists, 1725 is the year celebrated in Grand Lodge anniversaries, as the oldest reference to Grand Lodge of Ireland comes...
, serving for the next two years. Beresford was further honoured in 1746, when he was created Earl of Tyrone
Earl of Tyrone
The Earl of Tyrone is a title created three times in the Peerage of Ireland.It was first created as part of the Tudor attempt to establish a uniform social structure in Ireland by converting the Gaelic kings and chiefs into hereditary nobles of the Kingdom of Ireland...
. With the death of the 1st Earl of Tyrone, all his titles where inherited by George Beresford
George Beresford, 1st Marquess of Waterford
George de la Poer Beresford, 1st Marquess of Waterford, KP, PC was an Irish politician, known as George Beresford, 2nd Earl of Tyrone from 1763 to 1789....
in 1763. He was Governor of Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
from 1766 and custos rotulorum of that county from 1769 to 1800, during which time he was made a Knight of St Patrick, created Baron Tyrone in the Peerage of Great Britain
Peerage of Great Britain
The Peerage of Great Britain comprises all extant peerages created in the Kingdom of Great Britain after the Act of Union 1707 but before the Act of Union 1800...
in 1786 and elevated as a Marquess of Waterford
Marquess of Waterford
Marquess of Waterford is a title in the Peerage of Ireland and the premier marquessate in that peerage. It was created in 1789 for George Beresford, 2nd Earl of Tyrone.-Family history:...
in 1789. The title Baron Beresford is still extant and held by the Marquesses of Waterford as a subsidiary title
Subsidiary title
A subsidiary title is an hereditary title held by a royal or a noble but which is not regularly used to identify that person.For example, the Duke of Norfolk is also the Earl of Arundel, the Earl of Surrey, the Earl of Norfolk, the Baron Beaumont, the Baron Maltravers, the Baron FitzAlan, the Baron...
. Since 1934, the current holder is John Beresford, 8th Marquess of Waterford (born 1933).
Baron Beresford, second creation (1814)
The second creation was for GeneralGeneral
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
William Carr Beresford
William Beresford, 1st Viscount Beresford
General William Carr Beresford, 1st Viscount Beresford, 1st Marquis of Campo Maior, GCB, GCH, GCTE, PC , was a British soldier and politician...
, GCB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, GCH
Royal Guelphic Order
The Royal Guelphic Order, sometimes also referred to as the Hanoverian Guelphic Order, is a Hanoverian order of chivalry instituted on 28 April 1815 by the Prince Regent . It has not been conferred by the British Crown since the death of King William IV in 1837, when the personal union of the...
, GCTE
Order of the Tower and Sword
The Military Order of the Tower and of the Sword, of Valour, Loyalty and Merit is a Portuguese order of knighthood and the pinnacle of the Portuguese honours system. It was created by King Afonso V in 1459....
(1768–1856) as Baron Beresford, of Albuera and Dungarvan in the County of Waterford, and was announced on 3 May 1814. He was an illegitimate son of the 1st Marquess of Waterford
George Beresford, 1st Marquess of Waterford
George de la Poer Beresford, 1st Marquess of Waterford, KP, PC was an Irish politician, known as George Beresford, 2nd Earl of Tyrone from 1763 to 1789....
. William Beresford entered the British Army in 1785 and the next year he was blinded
Blindness
Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
in one eye
Human eye
The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes. As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth...
in an accident. In 1807 he was sent on a mission to Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. Later a general in the British Army and a marshal in the Portuguese army, he fought with the Duke of Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
in the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
. For his services in Portugal he was created Count of Trancoso on 13 May 1811 and also Marquis of Campo Maior on 17 December 1812, both by decree of Prince Regent John
John VI of Portugal
John VI John VI John VI (full name: João Maria José Francisco Xavier de Paula Luís António Domingos Rafael; (13 May 1767 – 10 March 1826) was King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves (later changed to just King of Portugal and the Algarves, after Brazil was recognized...
. In the UK, Beresford was Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for County Waterford from 1811 to 1814 until he was raised to the peerage
Peerage of the United Kingdom
The Peerage of the United Kingdom comprises most peerages created in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland after the Act of Union in 1801, when it replaced the Peerage of Great Britain...
as Baron Beresford in 1814 and thus entered the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. In 1823 he was further made Viscount Beresford, of Beresford in the County of Stafford. After his permanent return to Britain, he held the office of Master-General of the Ordnance
Master-General of the Ordnance
The Master-General of the Ordnance was a very senior British military position before 1855, when the Board of Ordnance was abolished.-Responsibilities:...
in 1828 in Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
's first ministry. In 1832 he married his first cousin Louisa, daughter of William Beresford, 1st Baron Decies
William Beresford, 1st Baron Decies
William Beresford, 1st Baron Decies was an Anglo-Irish clergyman.Decies was the third son of Marcus Beresford, 1st Earl of Tyrone, and Catherine Poer, 1st Baroness de la Poer. George de la Poer Beresford, 1st Marquess of Waterford, was his elder brother...
and Elizabeth Fitzgibbon. The marriage was childless. Lord Beresford died in 1854 at the age of 85, when his UK titles became extinct. He was also the last titular Governor of Jersey; since his death the Crown has been represented in Jersey
Jersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
by the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey
Lieutenant Governor of Jersey
The Lieutenant Governor of Jersey is the representative of the British monarch in the Bailiwick of Jersey, a Crown dependency of the British Crown....
.
Baron Beresford, third creation (1916)
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Lord Charles William Beresford
Lord Charles Beresford
Charles William de la Poer Beresford, 1st Baron Beresford GCB GCVO , styled Lord Charles Beresford between 1859 and 1916, was a British Admiral and Member of Parliament....
, GCB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, GCVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(1846–1919) as Baron Beresford, of Metemmeh and Curraghmore in the County of Waterford, and was announced on 28 January 1916. As the second son of the 4th Marquess of Waterford
John Beresford, 4th Marquess of Waterford
Reverend John de la Poer Beresford, 4th Marquess of Waterford was an Irish peer and Church of Ireland minister.Beresford was the third son of the Henry Beresford, 2nd Marquess of Waterford and his wife, Susanna...
he was styled "Lord Charles William Beresford" between 1859 and 1916. He was the great-nephew of William Beresford (above)
William Beresford, 1st Viscount Beresford
General William Carr Beresford, 1st Viscount Beresford, 1st Marquis of Campo Maior, GCB, GCH, GCTE, PC , was a British soldier and politician...
. He combined careers in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and as a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
, serving for many years in both capacities: He was MP for County Waterford from 1874
United Kingdom general election, 1874
-Seats summary:-References:* F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987* British Electoral Facts 1832-1999, compiled and edited by Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher *...
–1880
United Kingdom general election, 1880
-Seats summary:-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987* British Electoral Facts 1832-1999, compiled and edited by Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher *...
, for Marylebone East
Marylebone East (UK Parliament constituency)
Marylebone East was a borough constituency located in the Metropolitan Borough of St Marylebone, in London. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post voting system....
from 1885
United Kingdom general election, 1885
-Seats summary:-See also:*List of MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1885*Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885–1918*Representation of the People Act 1884*Redistribution of Seats Act 1885-References:...
–1889, for Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for City of York
City of York (UK Parliament constituency)
The City of York was a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-Boundaries:...
from 1898–1900
United Kingdom general election, 1900
-Seats summary:-See also:*MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1900*The Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885-1918-External links:***-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987**...
, for Woolwich
Woolwich (UK Parliament constituency)
Woolwich was a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1885 to 1918 and from 1983 to 1997...
from 1902–1903 and for Portsmouth
Portsmouth (UK Parliament constituency)
Portsmouth was a borough constituency based upon the borough of Portsmouth in Hampshire. It returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the bloc vote system.- History :...
from Jan. 1910–1916
Portsmouth by-election, 1916
The Portsmouth by-election, 1916 was a parliamentary by-election held for the British House of Commons constituency of Portsmouth on 14 January 1916. The seat had become vacant when Lord Charles Beresford was elevated to peerage as Baron Beresford.The Conservative candidate, Hon...
. In the navy, he held the posts of Junior Naval Lord
Fourth Sea Lord
The Fourth Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Supplies was formerly one of the Naval Lords and members of the Board of Admiralty which controlled the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.-History:...
from 1886–1888, Commander-in-Chief, Channel Fleet
Channel Fleet
The Channel Fleet was the Royal Navy formation of warships that defended the waters of the English Channel from 1690 to 1909.-History:The Channel Fleet dates back at least to 1690 when its role was to defend England against the French threat under the leadership of Edward Russell, 1st Earl of...
from 1903–1905,Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet
Mediterranean Fleet
Several countries have or have had a Mediterranean Fleet in their navy. See:* Mediterranean Fleet * French Mediterranean Fleet* Mediterranean Squadron * United States Sixth Fleet...
from 1905–1907 and Commander-in-Chief, Channel Fleet
Channel Fleet
The Channel Fleet was the Royal Navy formation of warships that defended the waters of the English Channel from 1690 to 1909.-History:The Channel Fleet dates back at least to 1690 when its role was to defend England against the French threat under the leadership of Edward Russell, 1st Earl of...
from 1907–1909. His later career was marked by a longstanding dispute with Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral of the Fleet
An admiral of the fleet is a military naval officer of the highest rank. In many nations the rank is reserved for wartime or ceremonial appointments...
Sir John Fisher, over reforms championed by Fisher introducing new technology and sweeping away traditional practices. Beresford retired from the navy in 1911 with the rank of Admiral and remained a Member of the House of Commons until 1916. In 1878 he married Mina Gardner, daughter of Richard Gardner and Lucy Mandesloh. They had two daughters. Lord Beresford died in 1919 at the age of 73, when his title became extinct.