Viscount Brookeborough
Encyclopedia
Viscount Brookeborough, of Colebrooke in the County of Fermanagh, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
. It was created in 1952 for the Ulster Unionist
politician and Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
, The Rt. Hon.
Sir Basil Brooke, 5th Baronet
.
, who was granted extensive lands in that county. His son, Sir Henry Brooke (d. 1671), was granted the lands of Brookeborough
in County Fermanagh. He was Governor of County Donegal and a Member of the Irish Parliament for Brookeborough. His son, Thomas Brooke (d. c. 1696), of Colebrooke, County Fermanagh, was a Member of the Irish Parliament and supporter of William
and Mary II
. His estates were forfeited by James II
. His son, Henry Brooke
(d. 1761), represented Dundalk
and Fermanagh
in the Irish Parliament. His younger son was Francis Brooke, of Colebrooke. His son, Henry Brooke, was created a Baronet, of Colebrooke in the County of Fermanagh, in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 7 January 1822. He was succeeded by his son, Arthur, the second Baronet. He was Conservative
Member of Parliament for County Fermanagh
. On his death in 1854 the title passed to his eldest son, Victor, the third Baronet. He was a Deputy Lieutenant
. His eldest son, Arthur, the fourth Baronet, was Sheriff of County Fermanagh in 1896 and a Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace for the county. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Basil, the aforementioned fifth Baronet, who was elevated to the peerage in 1952. His second but eldest surviving son, John, the second Viscount, was also a distinguished politician. the titles are held by the latter's eldest son, Alan, the third Viscount, who succeeded in 1987. He is one of the ninety elected hereditary peers that remain in the House of Lords
after the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999
, and sits as a cross-bencher.
Numerous other members of the Brooke family have also gained distinction. Arthur Brooke
, uncle of the first Baronet, was created a Baronet in 1764 (see Brooke Baronets
). Sir Arthur Brooke (d. 1843), brother of the first Baronet, was a Lieutenant-General in the British Army
. Richard Prittie Brooke (d. 1836), younger brother of the first Baronet, was a Major-General in the British Army
. George Brooke, grandson of George Frederick Brooke, brother of the first Baronet, was created a Baronet in 1903 (see Brooke Baronets). George Augustus Frederick Brooke, younger son of the first Baronet, was the father of 1) Arthur Thomas Brooke (d. 1893), a Captain
in the Royal Navy
, 2) Henry Francis Brooke (1836–1880), a Brigadier-General in the British Army, 3) Lionel Godolphin Brooke (1849–1931), a Brigadier-General in the Connaught Rangers, and 4) Frank Brooke
(1851–1920), a businessman and public servant. The latter was the grandfather of Frank Hastings Brooke (1909–1982), a Major-General in the Federation Army of Malaya, and Oliver George Brooke (b. 1911), a Brigadier
in the Welch Regiment. Sir Harry Vesey Brooke (1845–1921), younger son of the second Baronet, was a Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace. Arthur Basil Brooke (1847–1884), younger son of the second Baronet, was the father of Sir Basil Vernon Brooke (1876–1945), a Rear-Admiral in the Royal Navy, and of Sir Bertram Norman Sergison-Brooke
(b. 1880), a Lieutenant-General in the British Army. The noted military commander Field Marshal
Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke
, was the sixth son of the third Baronet (see the Viscount Alanbrooke
for further history of this branch of the family).
The family seat is Colebrooke Park, Brookeborough
, near Enniskillen
, County Fermanagh
.
The heir presumptive
is the present holder's younger brother The Hon.
Christopher Arthur Brooke (b. 1954)
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...
. It was created in 1952 for the Ulster Unionist
Ulster Unionist Party
The Ulster Unionist Party – sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or, in a historic sense, simply the Unionist Party – is the more moderate of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland...
politician and Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland was the de facto head of the Government of Northern Ireland. No such office was provided for in the Government of Ireland Act 1920. However the Lord Lieutenant, as with Governors-General in other Westminster Systems such as in Canada, chose to appoint someone...
, The Rt. Hon.
The Right Honourable
The Right Honourable is an honorific prefix that is traditionally applied to certain people in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Anglophone Caribbean and other Commonwealth Realms, and occasionally elsewhere...
Sir Basil Brooke, 5th Baronet
Basil Brooke, 1st Viscount Brookeborough
Basil Stanlake Brooke, 1st Viscount Brookeborough, Bt, KG, CBE, MC, PC, HML was an Ulster Unionist politician who became the third Prime Minister of Northern Ireland in 1943 and held office until 1963....
.
The Brooke family
The Brooke family descends from Sir Basil Brooke (b. 1567), a Captain in the English Army in Ireland and Governor of County DonegalCounty Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, who was granted extensive lands in that county. His son, Sir Henry Brooke (d. 1671), was granted the lands of Brookeborough
Brookeborough
Brookeborough is a village in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It lies between Enniskillen and Belfast just off the A4 trunk road, about five miles from the County Tyrone boundary....
in County Fermanagh. He was Governor of County Donegal and a Member of the Irish Parliament for Brookeborough. His son, Thomas Brooke (d. c. 1696), of Colebrooke, County Fermanagh, was a Member of the Irish Parliament and supporter of William
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
and Mary II
Mary II of England
Mary II was joint Sovereign of England, Scotland, and Ireland with her husband and first cousin, William III and II, from 1689 until her death. William and Mary, both Protestants, became king and queen regnant, respectively, following the Glorious Revolution, which resulted in the deposition of...
. His estates were forfeited by James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
. His son, Henry Brooke
Henry Brooke (Irish politician)
Henry Brooke was an Irish politician.He was the son of Thomas Brooke, grandson of Sir Basil Brooke, 1st Baronet, and his wife Catherine Cole, daughter of Sir John Cole, 1st Baronet. In 1709, he was appointed High Sheriff of Fermanagh and Governor of County Fermanagh. Between 1713 and 1727, he sat...
(d. 1761), represented Dundalk
Dundalk (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Dundalk was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons to 1801.-History:In the Patriot Parliament of 1689 summoned by King James II, Dundalk was represented with two members.-1689–1801:...
and Fermanagh
Fermanagh (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Fermanagh was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-History:In the Patriot Parliament of 1689 summoned by King James II, Fermanagh was not represented.-1689–1801:...
in the Irish Parliament. His younger son was Francis Brooke, of Colebrooke. His son, Henry Brooke, was created a Baronet, of Colebrooke in the County of Fermanagh, in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 7 January 1822. He was succeeded by his son, Arthur, the second Baronet. He was Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Member of Parliament for County Fermanagh
Fermanagh (UK Parliament constituency)
Fermanagh was a UK Parliament constituency in Northern Ireland, returning two Members of Parliament.-Boundaries:This constituency comprised the whole of County Fermanagh, except for the Borough of Enniskillen.-Members of Parliament:-References:...
. On his death in 1854 the title passed to his eldest son, Victor, the third Baronet. He was a Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
. His eldest son, Arthur, the fourth Baronet, was Sheriff of County Fermanagh in 1896 and a Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace for the county. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Basil, the aforementioned fifth Baronet, who was elevated to the peerage in 1952. His second but eldest surviving son, John, the second Viscount, was also a distinguished politician. the titles are held by the latter's eldest son, Alan, the third Viscount, who succeeded in 1987. He is one of the ninety elected hereditary peers that remain in 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....
after the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999
House of Lords Act 1999
The House of Lords Act 1999 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that was given Royal Assent on 11 November 1999. The Act reformed the House of Lords, one of the chambers of Parliament. For centuries, the House of Lords had included several hundred members who inherited their seats;...
, and sits as a cross-bencher.
Numerous other members of the Brooke family have also gained distinction. Arthur Brooke
Sir Arthur Brooke, 1st Baronet
Sir Arthur Brooke, 1st Baronet PC was an Irish baronet and politician.He was the son of Henry Brooke and his wife Lettice Burton, daughter of Benjamin Burton. Brooke was educated at Trinity College, Dublin and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1746. He was appointed High Sheriff of Fermanagh...
, uncle of the first Baronet, was created a Baronet in 1764 (see Brooke Baronets
Brooke Baronets
There have been six Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Brooke, one in the Baronetage of England, one in the Baronetage of Ireland and four in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom...
). Sir Arthur Brooke (d. 1843), brother of the first Baronet, was a Lieutenant-General in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. Richard Prittie Brooke (d. 1836), younger brother of the first Baronet, was a Major-General in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. George Brooke, grandson of George Frederick Brooke, brother of the first Baronet, was created a Baronet in 1903 (see Brooke Baronets). George Augustus Frederick Brooke, younger son of the first Baronet, was the father of 1) Arthur Thomas Brooke (d. 1893), a Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
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...
, 2) Henry Francis Brooke (1836–1880), a Brigadier-General in the British Army, 3) Lionel Godolphin Brooke (1849–1931), a Brigadier-General in the Connaught Rangers, and 4) Frank Brooke
Frank Brooke
Francis Theophilius "Frank" Brooke PC, JP, DL was an Anglo-Irish Director of Great Southern and Eastern Railways and a member of the Earl of Ypres' Advisory Council...
(1851–1920), a businessman and public servant. The latter was the grandfather of Frank Hastings Brooke (1909–1982), a Major-General in the Federation Army of Malaya, and Oliver George Brooke (b. 1911), a Brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
in the Welch Regiment. Sir Harry Vesey Brooke (1845–1921), younger son of the second Baronet, was a Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace. Arthur Basil Brooke (1847–1884), younger son of the second Baronet, was the father of Sir Basil Vernon Brooke (1876–1945), a Rear-Admiral in the Royal Navy, and of Sir Bertram Norman Sergison-Brooke
Bertram Sergison-Brooke
Lieutenant General Sir Bertram Norman Sergison-Brooke KCB KCVO CMG DSO was Major-General commanding the Brigade of Guards and General Officer Commanding London District. He was born Bertram Norman Brooke but changed his surname in 1915 following his marriage to his first wife.-Military...
(b. 1880), a Lieutenant-General in the British Army. The noted military commander Field Marshal
Field Marshal (UK)
Field Marshal is the highest military rank of the British Army. It ranks immediately above the rank of General and is the Army equivalent of an Admiral of the Fleet and a Marshal of the Royal Air Force....
Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke
Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke
Field Marshal The Rt. Hon. Alan Francis Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke, KG, GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO & Bar , was a senior commander in the British Army. He was the Chief of the Imperial General Staff during the Second World War, and was promoted to Field Marshal in 1944...
, was the sixth son of the third Baronet (see the Viscount Alanbrooke
Viscount Alanbrooke
Viscount Alanbrooke, of Brookeborough in the County of Fermanagh, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 29 January 1946 for Field Marshal Alan Brooke, 1st Baron Alanbrooke. He had already been created Baron Alanbrooke, of Brookeborough in the County of Fermanagh, on 18...
for further history of this branch of the family).
The family seat is Colebrooke Park, Brookeborough
Brookeborough
Brookeborough is a village in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It lies between Enniskillen and Belfast just off the A4 trunk road, about five miles from the County Tyrone boundary....
, near Enniskillen
Enniskillen
Enniskillen is a town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is located almost exactly in the centre of the county between the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. It had a population of 13,599 in the 2001 Census...
, County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh
Fermanagh District Council is the only one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland that contains all of the county it is named after. The district council also contains a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas....
.
Brooke Baronets, of Colebrooke (1822)
- Sir Henry Brooke, 1st Baronet (1770–1834)
- Sir Arthur Brinsley Brooke, 2nd BaronetSir Arthur Brooke, 2nd BaronetSir Arthur Brinsley Brooke, 2nd Baronet , was an Anglo-Irish Conservative politician.Brooke was the eldest son of Sir Henry Brooke, 1st Baronet, and his wife Harriet, daughter of The Hon...
(1797–1854) - Sir Victor Alexander Brooke, 3rd BaronetVictor BrookeSir Victor Alexander Brooke, 3rd Baronet , was an Anglo-Irish naturalist and baronet. He was the father of Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke, and grandfather of Sir Basil Brooke, 1st Viscount Brookeborough, third Prime Minister of Northern Ireland.Brooke, whose family were...
(1843–1891) - Sir Arthur Douglas Brooke, 4th Baronet (1865–1907)
- Sir Basil Stanlake Brooke, 5th BaronetBasil Brooke, 1st Viscount BrookeboroughBasil Stanlake Brooke, 1st Viscount Brookeborough, Bt, KG, CBE, MC, PC, HML was an Ulster Unionist politician who became the third Prime Minister of Northern Ireland in 1943 and held office until 1963....
(1888–1973) (created Viscount Brookeborough in 1952)
Viscounts Brookeborough (1952)
- Basil Stanlake Brooke, 1st Viscount BrookeboroughBasil Brooke, 1st Viscount BrookeboroughBasil Stanlake Brooke, 1st Viscount Brookeborough, Bt, KG, CBE, MC, PC, HML was an Ulster Unionist politician who became the third Prime Minister of Northern Ireland in 1943 and held office until 1963....
(1888–1973) - John Warden Brooke, 2nd Viscount BrookeboroughJohn Brooke, 2nd Viscount BrookeboroughJohn Warden Brooke, 2nd Viscount Brookeborough, Bt, PC was a Northern Irish politician, the son of Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, the 1st Viscount Brookeborough.-Early life:...
(1922–1987) - Alan Henry Brooke, 3rd Viscount Brookeborough (b. 1952)
The heir presumptive
Heir Presumptive
An heir presumptive or heiress presumptive is the person provisionally scheduled to inherit a throne, peerage, or other hereditary honour, but whose position can be displaced by the birth of an heir or heiress apparent or of a new heir presumptive with a better claim to the position in question...
is the present holder's younger brother The Hon.
The Honourable
The prefix The Honourable or The Honorable is a style used before the names of certain classes of persons. It is considered an honorific styling.-International diplomacy:...
Christopher Arthur Brooke (b. 1954)