George Coventry, 7th Earl of Coventry
Encyclopedia
George William Coventry, 7th Earl of Coventry (25 April 1758 – 26 March 1831) was a British peer
and Member of Parliament
, styled Viscount Deerhurst until 1809.
On 7 May 1776, he was commissioned an ensign in the 64th Regiment of Foot
. Forbi On 21 January 1777, he became a lieutenant in the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons
. In 1776 he had eloped to Gretna Green
with Catherine Henley, daughter of the Earl of Northington
, leading to a long-standing estrangement from his father, the 6th Earl. Forbidden to return home, he spent much time with his friend Sir Richard Worsley, 7th Baronet at Appuldurcombe House
, Isle of Wight
. He had an affair with Lady Worsley
and was later involved in her scandalalous elopment with George Bisset in 1781, and the subsequent trial. Deerhurst was later appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Worcestershire Militia on 10 May 1806.
He succeeded his father George Coventry, 6th Earl of Coventry
as Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire
in 1808 and as Earl of Coventry
in 1809. Upon his death in 1831, he was succeeded by his son George Coventry, 8th Earl of Coventry
.
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
and 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,...
, styled Viscount Deerhurst until 1809.
On 7 May 1776, he was commissioned an ensign in the 64th Regiment of Foot
64th (2nd Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot
The 64th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army. The regiment was created as the 2nd Battalion, 11th Regiment of Foot in 1756, redesignated as the 64th Regiment of Foot in 1758, and took a county title as the 64th Regiment of Foot in 1782...
. Forbi On 21 January 1777, he became a lieutenant in the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons
17th Lancers
The 17th Lancers was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, notable for its participation in the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War...
. In 1776 he had eloped to Gretna Green
Gretna Green
Gretna Green is a village in the south of Scotland famous for runaway weddings. It is in Dumfries and Galloway, near the mouth of the River Esk and was historically the first village in Scotland, following the old coaching route from London to Edinburgh. Gretna Green has a railway station serving...
with Catherine Henley, daughter of the Earl of Northington
Baron Henley
Baron Henley is a title that has been created twice: first in the Peerage of Great Britain and then in the Peerage of Ireland. The first creation came in 1760 in favour of Sir Robert Henley, Lord Chancellor of Great Britain. In 1764 he was further honoured when he was made Earl of Northington. On...
, leading to a long-standing estrangement from his father, the 6th Earl. Forbidden to return home, he spent much time with his friend Sir Richard Worsley, 7th Baronet at Appuldurcombe House
Appuldurcombe House
Appuldurcombe House is the shell of a large 18th-century baroque country house of the Worsley family. The house is situated near to Wroxall on the Isle of Wight....
, Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
. He had an affair with Lady Worsley
Seymour Dorothy Fleming
Seymour Dorothy Fleming was an 18th century British noblewoman, notable for her involvement in a separation scandal.-Life:...
and was later involved in her scandalalous elopment with George Bisset in 1781, and the subsequent trial. Deerhurst was later appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Worcestershire Militia on 10 May 1806.
He succeeded his father George Coventry, 6th Earl of Coventry
George Coventry, 6th Earl of Coventry
George William Coventry, 6th Earl of Coventry , known as Viscount Deerhurst from 1744 to 1751, was a British peer and Tory politician....
as Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire
Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire
This is a list of people who have served as Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire. Since 1719, all Lord Lieutenants have also been Custos Rotulorum of Worcestershire.-Lord Lieutenants of Worcestershire to 1974:...
in 1808 and as Earl of Coventry
Earl of Coventry
Earl of Coventry is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of England. It was created for the first time in 1623 in favour of George Villiers, 1st Marquess of Buckingham. He was made Duke of Buckingham at the same time. For more information on this creation of the earldom, see the...
in 1809. Upon his death in 1831, he was succeeded by his son George Coventry, 8th Earl of Coventry
George Coventry, 8th Earl of Coventry
George William Coventry, 8th Earl of Coventry , known as Viscount Deerhurst from 1809 to 1831, was a British peer and Tory Member of Parliament....
.