Earl of Halifax
Encyclopedia
Earl of Halifax is a title that has been created four times in British history, once in the Peerage of England
, twice in the Peerage of Great Britain
and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
. The name of the peerage refers to Halifax, West Yorkshire
.
The first creation, in the Peerage of England in 1677, was for William Savile, 1st Viscount Halifax
. He had already been made Baron Savile of Eland and Viscount Halifax in 1668 and was later made Marquess of Halifax
(this creation of the earldom became extinct in 1700; see Marquess of Halifax
for more information).
, First Lord of the Treasury
to George I
, along with the courtesy title of Viscount Sunbury. Both titles were created with remainder to heirs male. A member of the prominent Montagu family, he was the son of George Montagu, younger son of Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester
(see the Duke of Manchester
). Montagu had already been created Baron Halifax, of Halifax in the County of York, in 1700, with remainder, failing heirs male of his own, to his nephew George, son and heir of his brother Edward Montagu.
. Less than a month after his uncle's death, both titles were revived in his favour, making him Earl of Halifax and Viscount Sunbury. He was succeeded by his son, the second Earl
, who was a prominent statesman. However, on his death in 1771 all the titles became extinct.
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The title was created for a fourth time in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1944 for E. F. L. Wood, 3rd Viscount Halifax
, the former Foreign Secretary
and Viceroy of India. The Wood family descends from Francis Wood, of Barnsley
. His second son, Francis Wood, was created a Baronet, of Barnsley in the County of York, in 1784, with remainder to his elder brother the Reverend Henry Wood, and failing him to the sons of his younger brother Charles Wood. He was succeeded according to the special remainder by his nephew, the second Baronet (the son of Charles Wood).
His son, the third Baronet, was a prominent Liberal
politician and served as Chancellor of the Exchequer
from 1846 to 1852. In 1866 he was created Viscount Halifax, of Monk Bretton in the West Riding of the County of York, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. His aforementioned grandson, the third Viscount, was also a noted politician. In 1925, nine years before he succeeded his father, he was himself raised to the Peerage of the United Kingdom as Baron Irwin, of Kirby Underdale in the County of York. In 1944 he was further honoured when he was made Earl of Halifax. As of 2009 the titles are held by his grandson, the third Earl, who succeeded his father in 1980.
Another member of the Wood family was the Conservative
politician Richard Wood, Baron Holderness
. He was the second son of the first Earl of Halifax.
The heir apparent
is the present holder's son James Charles Wood, Lord Irwin (b. 1977).
The heir apparent's heir apparent is his son the Hon. Rex Patrick Wood (b. 2010).
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....
, twice 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...
and once 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...
. The name of the peerage refers to Halifax, West Yorkshire
Halifax, West Yorkshire
Halifax is a minster town, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England. It has an urban area population of 82,056 in the 2001 Census. It is well-known as a centre of England's woollen manufacture from the 15th century onward, originally dealing through the Halifax Piece...
.
1679 creation
George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax
George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax PC was an English statesman, writer, and politician.-Family and early life, 1633–1667:...
. He had already been made Baron Savile of Eland and Viscount Halifax in 1668 and was later made Marquess of Halifax
Marquess of Halifax
The title Marquess of Halifax was created in the Peerage of England in 1682 for the 1st Earl of Halifax.The 1st Marquess had previously been created Baron Savile, of Eland in the County of York, and Viscount Halifax in 1668 and Earl of Halifax in 1679, all also in the Peerage of England...
(this creation of the earldom became extinct in 1700; see Marquess of Halifax
Marquess of Halifax
The title Marquess of Halifax was created in the Peerage of England in 1682 for the 1st Earl of Halifax.The 1st Marquess had previously been created Baron Savile, of Eland in the County of York, and Viscount Halifax in 1668 and Earl of Halifax in 1679, all also in the Peerage of England...
for more information).
1714 creation
The title was recreated in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1714 for Charles Montagu, 1st Baron HalifaxCharles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax
Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, KG, PC, FRS was an English poet and statesman.-Early life:Charles Montagu was born in Horton, Northamptonshire, the son of George Montagu, fifth son of 1st Earl of Manchester...
, First Lord of the Treasury
First Lord of the Treasury
The First Lord of the Treasury is the head of the commission exercising the ancient office of Lord High Treasurer in the United Kingdom, and is now always also the Prime Minister...
to George I
George I of Great Britain
George I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698....
, along with the courtesy title of Viscount Sunbury. Both titles were created with remainder to heirs male. A member of the prominent Montagu family, he was the son of George Montagu, younger son of Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester
Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester
Sir Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester was an English judge, politician and peer.-Life:He was the grandson of Sir Edward Montagu, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1539 to 1545, who was named by King Henry VIII one of the executors of his will, and governor to his son, Edward VI.Born...
(see the Duke of Manchester
Duke of Manchester
Duke of Manchester is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1719 for the politician Charles Montagu, 4th Earl of Manchester, who notably served as Secretary of State for the Southern Department. The Duke of Manchester is styled His Grace.-Origin and descent:The Montagu family...
). Montagu had already been created Baron Halifax, of Halifax in the County of York, in 1700, with remainder, failing heirs male of his own, to his nephew George, son and heir of his brother Edward Montagu.
1715 creation
On Lord Halifax's death in 1715 the viscountcy and earldom became extinct. He was succeeded in the barony according to the special remainder by his nephew George MontaguGeorge Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax
George Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax PC was a British politician.Halifax was the son of Edward Montagu, grandson of Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester, and Elizabeth Pelham.Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, was his uncle....
. Less than a month after his uncle's death, both titles were revived in his favour, making him Earl of Halifax and Viscount Sunbury. He was succeeded by his son, the second Earl
George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax
George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax, KG, PC was a British statesman of the Georgian era.-Early life:...
, who was a prominent statesman. However, on his death in 1771 all the titles became extinct.
1944 creation
E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax
Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax, , known as The Lord Irwin from 1925 until 1934 and as The Viscount Halifax from 1934 until 1944, was one of the most senior British Conservative politicians of the 1930s, during which he held several senior ministerial posts, most notably as...
, the former Foreign Secretary
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, commonly referred to as the Foreign Secretary, is a senior member of Her Majesty's Government heading the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and regarded as one of the Great Offices of State...
and Viceroy of India. The Wood family descends from Francis Wood, of Barnsley
Barnsley
Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Dearne, north of the city of Sheffield, south of Leeds and west of Doncaster. Barnsley is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, of which Barnsley is the largest and...
. His second son, Francis Wood, was created a Baronet, of Barnsley in the County of York, in 1784, with remainder to his elder brother the Reverend Henry Wood, and failing him to the sons of his younger brother Charles Wood. He was succeeded according to the special remainder by his nephew, the second Baronet (the son of Charles Wood).
His son, the third Baronet, was a prominent Liberal
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
politician and served as 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...
from 1846 to 1852. In 1866 he was created Viscount Halifax, of Monk Bretton in the West Riding of the County of York, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. His aforementioned grandson, the third Viscount, was also a noted politician. In 1925, nine years before he succeeded his father, he was himself raised to the Peerage of the United Kingdom as Baron Irwin, of Kirby Underdale in the County of York. In 1944 he was further honoured when he was made Earl of Halifax. As of 2009 the titles are held by his grandson, the third Earl, who succeeded his father in 1980.
Another member of the Wood family was the 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...
politician Richard Wood, Baron Holderness
Richard Wood, Baron Holderness
Richard Frederick Wood, Baron Holderness PC, DL was a British Conservative politician who held numerous ministerial positions from 1955 to 1974...
. He was the second son of the first Earl of Halifax.
Barons Halifax (1701)
- Charles Montagu, 1st Baron HalifaxCharles Montagu, 1st Earl of HalifaxCharles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, KG, PC, FRS was an English poet and statesman.-Early life:Charles Montagu was born in Horton, Northamptonshire, the son of George Montagu, fifth son of 1st Earl of Manchester...
(1661–1715) (created Baron Halifax in 1701 and Earl of Halifax in 1714)
Barons Halifax (1701; Reverted)
- George Montagu, 2nd Baron HalifaxGeorge Montagu, 1st Earl of HalifaxGeorge Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax PC was a British politician.Halifax was the son of Edward Montagu, grandson of Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester, and Elizabeth Pelham.Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, was his uncle....
(1685–1739) (created Earl of Halifax in 1715)
Earls of Halifax; Third creation (1715)
- George Montagu, 1st Earl of HalifaxGeorge Montagu, 1st Earl of HalifaxGeorge Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax PC was a British politician.Halifax was the son of Edward Montagu, grandson of Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester, and Elizabeth Pelham.Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, was his uncle....
(1685–1739) - George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of HalifaxGeorge Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of HalifaxGeorge Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax, KG, PC was a British statesman of the Georgian era.-Early life:...
(1716–1771)
Wood Baronets, of Barnsley (1784)
- Sir Francis Wood, 1st Baronet (1728–1795)
- Sir Francis Lindley Wood, 2nd Baronet (1771–1846)
- Sir Charles Wood, 3rd BaronetCharles Wood, 1st Viscount HalifaxCharles Wood, 1st Viscount Halifax GCB PC , known as Sir Charles Wood, 3rd Bt between 1846 and 1866, was a British Whig politician and Member of Parliament. He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1846 to 1852....
(1800–1885) (created Viscount Halifax in 1866)
Viscounts Halifax; Second creation (1866)
- Charles Wood, 1st Viscount HalifaxCharles Wood, 1st Viscount HalifaxCharles Wood, 1st Viscount Halifax GCB PC , known as Sir Charles Wood, 3rd Bt between 1846 and 1866, was a British Whig politician and Member of Parliament. He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1846 to 1852....
(1800–1885) - Charles Wood, 2nd Viscount HalifaxCharles Wood, 2nd Viscount HalifaxCharles Lindley Wood, 2nd Viscount Halifax was a British ecumenist who served as president of the English Church Union from 1868 to 1919, and from 1927 to 1934.-Early life and education:...
(1839–1934) - Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 3rd Viscount HalifaxE. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of HalifaxEdward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax, , known as The Lord Irwin from 1925 until 1934 and as The Viscount Halifax from 1934 until 1944, was one of the most senior British Conservative politicians of the 1930s, during which he held several senior ministerial posts, most notably as...
(1881–1959) (created Earl of Halifax in 1944)
Earls of Halifax; Fourth creation (1944)
- Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st Earl of HalifaxE. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of HalifaxEdward Frederick Lindley Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax, , known as The Lord Irwin from 1925 until 1934 and as The Viscount Halifax from 1934 until 1944, was one of the most senior British Conservative politicians of the 1930s, during which he held several senior ministerial posts, most notably as...
(1881–1959) - Charles Ingram Courtenay Wood, 2nd Earl of HalifaxCharles Wood, 2nd Earl of HalifaxCharles Ingram Courtenay Wood, 2nd Earl of Halifax was a British politician and peer. He was styled Lord Irwin from 1934 until 1959.-Biography:...
(1912–1980) - Charles Edward Peter Neil Wood, 3rd Earl of HalifaxCharles Wood, 3rd Earl of HalifaxCharles Edward Peter Neil Wood, 3rd Earl of Halifax is a British Peer and a grandson of E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax, a former Viceroy of India and Foreign Secretary for the Commonwealth of Nations.-Life:...
(b. 1944)
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 James Charles Wood, Lord Irwin (b. 1977).
The heir apparent's heir apparent is his son the Hon. Rex Patrick Wood (b. 2010).