Earl of Darnley
Encyclopedia
Earl of Darnley is a title that has been created three times, twice in the Peerage of Scotland
and once in the Peerage of Ireland
. The first creation in the Peerage of Scotland came in 1580 in favour of Esme Stewart, 1st Earl of Lennox
. He was created Duke of Lennox
at the same time. See the latter title for more information on this creation of the earldom. The title of Lord Darnley had previously been held by John Stewart, head of the house of Stewart of Darnley
and first Earl of Lennox
(1488). The second creation in the Peerage of Scotland came in 1675 in favour of Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond
. He was made Duke of Lennox at the same time. For more information on this creation, see the Duke of Richmond
.
The only creation in the Peerage of Ireland came in 1725. John Bligh, the member of an old Devon and Cornwall family which had settled in County Meath
, Ireland
, he was the son of Rt Hon Thomas Bligh who was in turn the son of John Bligh of Plymouth a commissioner of customs and excise who went to Ireland as an agent for the forfeited estates, in turn his father was William Bligh a Plymouth Merchant.
John Bligh, 1st Earl of Darnley married Theodosia Hyde, 10th Baroness Clifton (of Leighton Bromswold), great-granddaughter of Lord George Stuart, younger son of Esmé Stewart, 3rd Duke of Lennox and 3rd Earl of Darnley
(see the Baron Clifton of Leighton Bromswold
and the Duke of Lennox
for earlier history of these titles). He represented Athboy
in the Irish House of Commons
from 1709 to 1721. In 1721 he was raised to the Peerage of Ireland as Baron Clifton of Rathmore, in the County of Meath. In 1723 the Darnley title held by his wife's ancestors (which had become extinct on the death of Charles Stewart, 6th Duke of Lennox and 6th Earl of Darnley
in 1672) was revived when he was made Viscount Darnley, of Athboy in the County of Meath, in the Peerage of Ireland. In 1725 Bligh was even further honoured when he was made Earl of Darnley, in the County of Meath, also in the Peerage of Ireland. He was succeeded by his eldest son, the second Earl. He had already succeeded his mother as eleventh Baron Clifton of Leighton Bromswold in 1722. Lord Darnley served as a Lord of the Bedchamber to Frederick, Prince of Wales
, but died unmarried at an early age.
He was succeeded by his younger brother, the third Earl. He had earlier represented Athboy in the Irish House of Commons and Maidstone
in the British House of Commons
. On his death the titles passed to his eldest son, the fourth Earl. In 1828 he claimed as heir-general the dukedom of Lennox, but the House of Lords did not come to any decision on the matter. He was succeeded by his second but eldest surviving son, the fifth Earl. He sat as Member of Parliament
for Canterbury
and served as Lord-Lieutenant of County Meath. On the death of his grandson, the seventh Earl (who had succeeded his father in 1896), the barony of Clifford of Leighton Bromswold separated from the Irish titles. The barony was passed on to the late Earl's daughter and only child, the ten-month-old Elizabeth Adeline Mary Bligh, who became the seventeenth holder of the title. Lord Darnley was succeeded in the Irish titles by his younger brother, the eighth Earl. He was a successful cricketer and also sat in the House of Lords as an Irish Representative Peer
from 1905 to 1927. On his death the titles passed to his only son, the ninth Earl. In 1937 he succeeded his first cousin the Baroness Clifton (who had died unmarried) as eighteenth Baron Clifton of Leighton Bromswold. As of 2009 the titles are held by his only son from his third marriage, the eleventh Earl, who succeeded his half-brother (the only son from the first marriage of the ninth Earl), in 1980.
Several other members of the Bligh family have also gained distinction. Thomas Bligh (1654–1710), father of the first Earl, represented County Meath in the Irish Parliament and was sworn of the Irish Privy Council. Thomas Bligh
, younger brother of the first Earl, was a General in the Army and represented Athboy in the Irish House of Commons for sixty years. The Very Reverend Robert Bligh (cir 1704-1778), another younger brother of the first Earl, was a clergyman and served as Dean of Elphin. The Hon. Edward Bligh
(1769–1840), second son of the third Earl, was a General in the Army. The Hon. William Bligh (1775–1845), third son of the third Earl, was a Colonel in the Army. The Hon. Sir John Duncan Bligh
(1798–1872), fourth son of the fourth Earl, was a diplomat and served as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Hanover
.
The heir apparent
is the present holder's only son Ivo Donald Bligh, Lord Clifton (b. 1968)
The heir apparent's heir apparent is his eldest son the Hon. Harry Robert Stuart Bligh (b. 1999)
Peerage of Scotland
The Peerage of Scotland is the division of the British Peerage for those peers created in the Kingdom of Scotland before 1707. With that year's Act of Union, the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England were combined into the Kingdom of Great Britain, and a new Peerage of Great Britain was...
and once in 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,...
. The first creation in the Peerage of Scotland came in 1580 in favour of Esme Stewart, 1st Earl of Lennox
Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox
Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox, 1st Earl of Lennox was the son of John Stewart, 5th Lord of Aubigny who was the younger brother of Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox...
. He was created Duke of Lennox
Duke of Lennox
The title Duke of Lennox has been created several times in the Peerage of Scotland, for Clan Stewart of Darnley. The Dukedom, named for the district of Lennox in Stirling, was first created in 1581, and had formerly been the Earldom of Lennox. The second Duke was made Duke of Richmond; at his...
at the same time. See the latter title for more information on this creation of the earldom. The title of Lord Darnley had previously been held by John Stewart, head of the house of Stewart of Darnley
Stewart of Darnley
Stewart of Darnley was a notable Scots family, a branch of the House of Stewart, who provided the English Stuart monarchs with their male-line Stuart descent, after the reunion of their branch with the royal Scottish branch, which led to the ultimate union of the two main kingdoms of Great Britain:...
and first Earl of Lennox
Earl of Lennox
The Mormaer of Lennox or Earl of Lennox was the ruler of the long-lasting provincial Mormaerdom/Earldom of Lennox in the Medieval Kingdom of the Scots. The first Mormaer is usually regarded as Ailin I , but the genealogy of the Mormaers gives earlier names...
(1488). The second creation in the Peerage of Scotland came in 1675 in favour of Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond
Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond
Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond, 1st Duke of Lennox, 1st Duke of Aubigny was the illegitimate son of Charles II of England and his mistress Louise de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth....
. He was made Duke of Lennox at the same time. For more information on this creation, see the Duke of Richmond
Duke of Richmond
The title Duke of Richmond is named after Richmond and its surrounding district of Richmondshire, and has been created several times in the Peerage of England for members of the royal Tudor and Stuart families...
.
The only creation in the Peerage of Ireland came in 1725. John Bligh, the member of an old Devon and Cornwall family which had settled in County Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, he was the son of Rt Hon Thomas Bligh who was in turn the son of John Bligh of Plymouth a commissioner of customs and excise who went to Ireland as an agent for the forfeited estates, in turn his father was William Bligh a Plymouth Merchant.
John Bligh, 1st Earl of Darnley married Theodosia Hyde, 10th Baroness Clifton (of Leighton Bromswold), great-granddaughter of Lord George Stuart, younger son of Esmé Stewart, 3rd Duke of Lennox and 3rd Earl of Darnley
Esmé Stewart, 3rd Duke of Lennox
Esmé Stewart, 3rd Duke of Lennox KG was the son of Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox. He was a patron of the playwright Ben Jonson, who lived in his household for five years.He married Katherine Clifton, 2nd Baroness Clifton, in 1609...
(see the Baron Clifton of Leighton Bromswold
Baron Clifton of Leighton Bromswold
Baron Clifton, of Leighton Bromswold in the County of Huntingdon, is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1608 for Sir Gervase Clifton. The peerage was created by writ, which means that it can descend through both male and female lines. Lord Clifton died without surviving male issue...
and the Duke of Lennox
Duke of Lennox
The title Duke of Lennox has been created several times in the Peerage of Scotland, for Clan Stewart of Darnley. The Dukedom, named for the district of Lennox in Stirling, was first created in 1581, and had formerly been the Earldom of Lennox. The second Duke was made Duke of Richmond; at his...
for earlier history of these titles). He represented Athboy
Athboy (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Athboy was a constituency in County Meath represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-History:In the Patriot Parliament of 1689 summoned by King James II, Athboy was represented with two members.-1689–1801:...
in 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...
from 1709 to 1721. In 1721 he was raised to the Peerage of Ireland as Baron Clifton of Rathmore, in the County of Meath. In 1723 the Darnley title held by his wife's ancestors (which had become extinct on the death of Charles Stewart, 6th Duke of Lennox and 6th Earl of Darnley
Charles Stewart, 3rd Duke of Richmond
Charles Stewart, 3rd Duke of Richmond, 6th Duke of Lennox KG was the only son of George Stewart, 9th Seigneur d'Aubigny and Katherine Howard, daughter of Theophilus Howard, 2nd Earl of Suffolk...
in 1672) was revived when he was made Viscount Darnley, of Athboy in the County of Meath, in the Peerage of Ireland. In 1725 Bligh was even further honoured when he was made Earl of Darnley, in the County of Meath, also in the Peerage of Ireland. He was succeeded by his eldest son, the second Earl. He had already succeeded his mother as eleventh Baron Clifton of Leighton Bromswold in 1722. Lord Darnley served as a Lord of the Bedchamber to Frederick, Prince of Wales
Frederick, Prince of Wales
Frederick, Prince of Wales was a member of the House of Hanover and therefore of the Hanoverian and later British Royal Family, the eldest son of George II and father of George III, as well as the great-grandfather of Queen Victoria...
, but died unmarried at an early age.
He was succeeded by his younger brother, the third Earl. He had earlier represented Athboy in the Irish House of Commons and Maidstone
Maidstone (UK Parliament constituency)
Maidstone was a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.The parliamentary borough of Maidstone returned two Members of Parliament from 1552 until 1885, when its representation was reduced to one member...
in the British House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
. On his death the titles passed to his eldest son, the fourth Earl. In 1828 he claimed as heir-general the dukedom of Lennox, but the House of Lords did not come to any decision on the matter. He was succeeded by his second but eldest surviving son, the fifth Earl. He sat as 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 Canterbury
Canterbury (UK Parliament constituency)
Canterbury is a county constituency which has been represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom since 1918. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election....
and served as Lord-Lieutenant of County Meath. On the death of his grandson, the seventh Earl (who had succeeded his father in 1896), the barony of Clifford of Leighton Bromswold separated from the Irish titles. The barony was passed on to the late Earl's daughter and only child, the ten-month-old Elizabeth Adeline Mary Bligh, who became the seventeenth holder of the title. Lord Darnley was succeeded in the Irish titles by his younger brother, the eighth Earl. He was a successful cricketer and also sat in the House of Lords as an Irish Representative Peer
Representative peer
In the United Kingdom, representative peers were those peers elected by the members of the Peerage of Scotland and the Peerage of Ireland to sit in the British House of Lords...
from 1905 to 1927. On his death the titles passed to his only son, the ninth Earl. In 1937 he succeeded his first cousin the Baroness Clifton (who had died unmarried) as eighteenth Baron Clifton of Leighton Bromswold. As of 2009 the titles are held by his only son from his third marriage, the eleventh Earl, who succeeded his half-brother (the only son from the first marriage of the ninth Earl), in 1980.
Several other members of the Bligh family have also gained distinction. Thomas Bligh (1654–1710), father of the first Earl, represented County Meath in the Irish Parliament and was sworn of the Irish Privy Council. Thomas Bligh
Thomas Bligh
Thomas Bligh was a British soldier, best known for his service during the Seven Years' War when he led a series of amphibious raids, known as "descents" on the French coastline...
, younger brother of the first Earl, was a General in the Army and represented Athboy in the Irish House of Commons for sixty years. The Very Reverend Robert Bligh (cir 1704-1778), another younger brother of the first Earl, was a clergyman and served as Dean of Elphin. The Hon. Edward Bligh
Edward Bligh
Edward Bligh , styled The Honourable from birth, was an Irish politician, a noted amateur cricketer and a prominent early member of the Marylebone Cricket Club....
(1769–1840), second son of the third Earl, was a General in the Army. The Hon. William Bligh (1775–1845), third son of the third Earl, was a Colonel in the Army. The Hon. Sir John Duncan Bligh
John Duncan Bligh
Sir John Duncan Bligh KCB, DL , styled The Honourable from birth, was a British diplomat.-Background:Born in London, he was the second son of John Bligh, 4th Earl of Darnley and his wife Elizabeth, the third daughter of William Brownlow...
(1798–1872), fourth son of the fourth Earl, was a diplomat and served as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Hanover
Kingdom of Hanover
The Kingdom of Hanover was established in October 1814 by the Congress of Vienna, with the restoration of George III to his Hanoverian territories after the Napoleonic era. It succeeded the former Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg , and joined with 38 other sovereign states in the German...
.
Earls of Darnley (1725)
- John Bligh, 1st Earl of Darnley (1687–1728)
- Edward Bligh, 2nd Earl of DarnleyEdward Bligh, 2nd Earl of DarnleyEdward Bligh, 2nd Earl of Darnley was an English peer.He was educated at Westminster and at Geneva. He succeeded his mother to become Baron Clifton in 1722 and, in 1728, succeeded his father as Earl of Darnley....
(1715–1747) - John Bligh, 3rd Earl of DarnleyJohn Bligh, 3rd Earl of DarnleyJohn Bligh, 3rd Earl of Darnley , styled The Honourable Robert Bligh between 1721 and 1747, was a British politician.-Background:Bligh was the son of John Bligh, 1st Earl of Darnley and Theodosia Hyde, Baroness Clifton....
(1719–1781) - John Bligh, 4th Earl of DarnleyJohn Bligh, 4th Earl of DarnleyJohn Bligh, 4th Earl of Darnley was a British peer and cricketer.He was the son of John Bligh, 3rd Earl of Darnley and succeeded his father as earl on the latter's death in 1781. He resided at Cobham Hall, near Gravesend in Kent....
(1767–1831)- John Bligh, Lord Clifton (1793–1793)
- Edward Bligh, 5th Earl of DarnleyEdward Bligh, 5th Earl of DarnleyEdward Bligh, 5th Earl of Darnley , styled Lord Clifton until 1831, was a British peer and politician.-Background:...
(1795–1835) - John Stuart Bligh, 6th Earl of Darnley (1827–1896)
- Edward Henry Stuart Bligh, 7th Earl of Darnley (1851–1900)
- Ivo Francis Walter Bligh, 8th Earl of DarnleyIvo Bligh, 8th Earl of DarnleyIvo Francis Walter Bligh, 8th Earl of Darnley DL, JP , styled The Honourable Ivo Bligh until 1900, was a British cricketer who captained the English team in the first ever Test series against Australia with the Ashes at stake in 1882/83...
(1859–1927) - Esme Ivo Bligh, 9th Earl of Darnley (1886–1955)
- Peter Stuart Bligh, 10th Earl of Darnley (1915–1980)
- Adam Ivo Stuart Bligh, 11th Earl of Darnley (b. 1941)
The heir apparent
Heir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
is the present holder's only son Ivo Donald Bligh, Lord Clifton (b. 1968)
The heir apparent's heir apparent is his eldest son the Hon. Harry Robert Stuart Bligh (b. 1999)