Baron Cromwell
Encyclopedia
Baron Cromwell is a title that has been created several times in the Peerage of England
. The first creation, which was by writ, was for John de Cromwell in 1308. On his death, the barony became extinct. The second creation came in 1375 when Ralph de Cromwell
was summoned by writ to Parliament as Lord Cromwell. His grandson, the third Baron, served as Lord High Treasurer
to King Henry VI
. However, on his death in 1455 the barony fell into abeyance
between his nieces Maude and Joan. On Joan's death in 1490 the abeyance was terminated in favour of Maude, the fourth holder. When she died childless in 1497 the peerage once again fell into abeyance, this time between the daughters of the first Baron. The title remained in abeyance for over 400 years. However, in 1922 the Committee for Privileges of the House of Lords
reported in favour of the petition for the termination of the abeyancy of Selina Frances Bewicke-Copley, wife of Brigadier-General Sir Charles Watson Bewicke-Copley. She was the daughter of Sir Charles Watson Copley, 3rd Baronet, and one of the co-heirs of Maud, daughter of the first Baron Cromwell. Selina died in 1923 and in July of the same year the abeyance was terminated in favour of her son Robert Godfrey Wolesley Bewicke-Copley, who became the fifth Baron. He notably served as Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire
. the ancient barony is held by his grandson, the seventh Baron, who succeeded his father in 1982.
The third creation of the title came in 1461 when Sir Humphrey Bourchier was summoned by writ to Parliament as Lord Cromwell. On his death the barony became extinct. The fourth creation of the title came in 1536 for the famous statesman Thomas Cromwell
, who served in many political offices, including Chancellor of the Exchequer
, Lord Chancellor
, and Lord Privy Seal
. In contrast to the three previous creations this peerage was created by letters patent
. In 1540, Lord Cromwell was made Earl of Essex (1540 creation)
, but later that year he was executed for treason, and all of his titles were forfeit. The final creation of the title came in 1540 for Cromwell's son, Gregory
, also by letters patent. His great-grandson, the fourth Baron, was made Earl of Ardglass
in 1645.
The heir apparent
is the present holder's son the Hon. David Godfrey Bewicke-Copley (b. 1998)
Peerage of England
The Peerage of England comprises all peerages created in the Kingdom of England before the Act of Union in 1707. In that year, the Peerages of England and Scotland were replaced by one Peerage of Great Britain....
. The first creation, which was by writ, was for John de Cromwell in 1308. On his death, the barony became extinct. The second creation came in 1375 when Ralph de Cromwell
Ralph de Cromwell, 1st Baron Cromwell
Ralph de Cromwell, 1st Baron Cromwell , Tattershall in Lincolnshire, was an English peer. He was summoned to the House of Lords as Lord Cromwell in 1375....
was summoned by writ to Parliament as Lord Cromwell. His grandson, the third Baron, served as Lord High Treasurer
Lord High Treasurer
The post of Lord High Treasurer or Lord Treasurer was an English government position and has been a British government position since the Act of Union of 1707. A holder of the post would be the third highest ranked Great Officer of State, below the Lord High Chancellor and above the Lord President...
to King Henry VI
Henry VI of England
Henry VI was King of England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471, and disputed King of France from 1422 to 1453. Until 1437, his realm was governed by regents. Contemporaneous accounts described him as peaceful and pious, not suited for the violent dynastic civil wars, known as the Wars...
. However, on his death in 1455 the barony fell into abeyance
Abeyance
Abeyance is a state of expectancy in respect of property, titles or office, when the right to them is not vested in any one person, but awaits the appearance or determination of the true owner. In law, the term abeyance can only be applied to such future estates as have not yet vested or possibly...
between his nieces Maude and Joan. On Joan's death in 1490 the abeyance was terminated in favour of Maude, the fourth holder. When she died childless in 1497 the peerage once again fell into abeyance, this time between the daughters of the first Baron. The title remained in abeyance for over 400 years. However, in 1922 the Committee for Privileges of 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....
reported in favour of the petition for the termination of the abeyancy of Selina Frances Bewicke-Copley, wife of Brigadier-General Sir Charles Watson Bewicke-Copley. She was the daughter of Sir Charles Watson Copley, 3rd Baronet, and one of the co-heirs of Maud, daughter of the first Baron Cromwell. Selina died in 1923 and in July of the same year the abeyance was terminated in favour of her son Robert Godfrey Wolesley Bewicke-Copley, who became the fifth Baron. He notably served as Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire
Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire
This is a list of people who have served as Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire. Since 1703, all Lord Lieutenants have also been Custos Rotulorum of Leicestershire.*Henry Grey, 3rd Marquess of Dorset 1549–1551*Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon 1551–1552...
. the ancient barony is held by his grandson, the seventh Baron, who succeeded his father in 1982.
The third creation of the title came in 1461 when Sir Humphrey Bourchier was summoned by writ to Parliament as Lord Cromwell. On his death the barony became extinct. The fourth creation of the title came in 1536 for the famous statesman Thomas Cromwell
Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex
Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex, , was an English statesman who served as chief minister of King Henry VIII of England from 1532 to 1540....
, who served in many political offices, including Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all economic and financial matters. Often simply called the Chancellor, the office-holder controls HM Treasury and plays a role akin to the posts of Minister of Finance or Secretary of the...
, Lord Chancellor
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
, and Lord Privy Seal
Lord Privy Seal
The Lord Privy Seal is the fifth of the Great Officers of State in the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord President of the Council and above the Lord Great Chamberlain. The office is one of the traditional sinecure offices of state...
. In contrast to the three previous creations this peerage was created by letters patent
Letters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
. In 1540, Lord Cromwell was made Earl of Essex (1540 creation)
Earl of Essex
Earl of Essex is a title that has been held by several families and individuals. The earldom was first created in the 12th century for Geoffrey II de Mandeville . Upon the death of the third earl in 1189, the title became dormant or extinct...
, but later that year he was executed for treason, and all of his titles were forfeit. The final creation of the title came in 1540 for Cromwell's son, Gregory
Gregory Cromwell, 1st Baron Cromwell
Gregory Cromwell, 1st Baron Cromwell, KB was an English peer.-Early life:Cromwell was born in Putney, then in Surrey, the first child and only son of Thomas Cromwell, later 1st Baron Cromwell and briefly 1st Earl of Essex, and his first wife, the former Elizabeth Wykys.He was tutored by Sir...
, also by letters patent. His great-grandson, the fourth Baron, was made Earl of Ardglass
Earl of Ardglass
The title Earl of Ardglass was created in the Peerage of Ireland on 15 April 1645. The Earl held the subsidiary titles of Baron Cromwell and Viscount Lecale...
in 1645.
Barons Cromwell, Second Creation (1375)
- Ralph de Cromwell, 1st Baron CromwellRalph de Cromwell, 1st Baron CromwellRalph de Cromwell, 1st Baron Cromwell , Tattershall in Lincolnshire, was an English peer. He was summoned to the House of Lords as Lord Cromwell in 1375....
(d. 1398) - Ralph de Cromwell, 2nd Baron Cromwell (1368–1417)
- Ralph de Cromwell, 3rd Baron CromwellRalph de Cromwell, 3rd Baron CromwellRalph de Cromwell, 3rd Baron Cromwell was an English politician and diplomat. A Privy Councillor from 1422, he served as Treasurer of England and twice as Chamberlain of the Household during the reign of Henry VI....
(1403–1455) (abeyant 1455) - Maud Stanhope, 4th Baroness Cromwell (d. 1497) (became sole heir 1490; abeyant 1497)
- Robert Godfrey Wolesley Bewicke-Copley, 5th Baron Cromwell (1893–1966) (abeyance terminated 1923)
- David Godfrey Bewicke-Copley, 6th Baron Cromwell (1929–1982)
- Godfrey John Bewicke-Copley, 7th Baron Cromwell (b. 1960)
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 son the Hon. David Godfrey Bewicke-Copley (b. 1998)
Barons Cromwell of Wimbledon, Fourth Creation (1536)
- Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of EssexThomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of EssexThomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex, , was an English statesman who served as chief minister of King Henry VIII of England from 1532 to 1540....
(forfeit 1540)
Barons Cromwell of Oakham, Fifth Creation (1540)
- Gregory Cromwell, 1st Baron CromwellGregory Cromwell, 1st Baron CromwellGregory Cromwell, 1st Baron Cromwell, KB was an English peer.-Early life:Cromwell was born in Putney, then in Surrey, the first child and only son of Thomas Cromwell, later 1st Baron Cromwell and briefly 1st Earl of Essex, and his first wife, the former Elizabeth Wykys.He was tutored by Sir...
(c. 1514–1551) - Henry Cromwell, 2nd Baron CromwellHenry Cromwell, 2nd Baron CromwellHenry Cromwell, 2nd Baron Cromwell of Oakham was an English peer.-Family and peerage:Cromwell was the eldest son of Gregory Cromwell, 1st Baron Cromwell of Oakham and Elizabeth Seymour, sister of Jane Seymour, the third wife of Henry VIII, King of England...
(1538–1592/1593) - Edward Cromwell, 3rd Baron CromwellEdward Cromwell, 3rd Baron CromwellEdward Cromwell, 3rd Baron Cromwell of Oakham was an English peer.-Life:Cromwell was the son of Henry Cromwell, 2nd Baron Cromwell of Oakham and Lady Mary Paulet....
(c. 1560–1607) - Thomas Cromwell, 4th Baron Cromwell (1594–1653) (created 1st Viscount Lecale in 1624 and 1st Earl of ArdglassEarl of ArdglassThe title Earl of Ardglass was created in the Peerage of Ireland on 15 April 1645. The Earl held the subsidiary titles of Baron Cromwell and Viscount Lecale...
in 1645) - Wingfield Cromwell, 5th Baron Cromwell (1624–1668)
- Thomas Cromwell, 6th Baron Cromwell (1653–1682)
- Vere Essex Cromwell, 7th Baron Cromwell (1625–1687)