Spencer family
Encyclopedia
The Spencer family are a British noble family descended in the male line from Henry Spencer, claimed to be a descendant of the cadet branch
of the ancient House Le Despencer
(died c. 1478), male-line ancestor of the Earls of Sunderland
, the later Dukes of Marlborough, and the Earls Spencer
. Other prominent members of the family include Winston Churchill
(grandson of the 7th Duke of Marlborough
) and Diana, Princess of Wales
(daughter of the 8th Earl Spencer). The descent of the Spencer family from the Medieval Despencers has been challenged, especially by Horace Round in his essay on The Rise of the Spencers. The Spencers were granted a coat of arms in 1504 which bears no resemblance to that used by the family after c. 1595, which was derived from the Despencer arms. Round believed that the Despencer descent was fabricated by Richard Lee, a corrupt Clarencieux King of Arms.
Cadet branch
Cadet branch is a term in genealogy to describe the lineage of the descendants of the younger sons of a monarch or patriarch. In the ruling dynasties and noble families of much of Europe and Asia, the family's major assets – titles, realms, fiefs, property and income – have...
of the ancient House Le Despencer
Baron le Despencer
The title Baron le Despencer has been created several times by writ in the Peerage of England.-Creation:The first creation was in 1295, when Hugh the elder Despenser was summoned to the Model Parliament. He was the eldest son of the sometime Justiciar Hugh le Despenser , who was summoned in 1264 to...
(died c. 1478), male-line ancestor of the Earls of Sunderland
Earl of Sunderland
Earl of Sunderland is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of England. The first creation came in 1627 in favour of Emanuel Scrope, 12th Baron Scrope of Bolton. The earldom became extinct on his death in 1630 while the barony became either extinct or dormant...
, the later Dukes of Marlborough, and the Earls Spencer
Earl Spencer
Earl Spencer is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain that was created on 1 November 1765, along with the title Viscount Althorp, of Althorp in the County of Northamptonshire, for John Spencer, 1st Viscount Spencer, a great-grandson of the 1st Duke of Marlborough...
. Other prominent members of the family include Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
(grandson of the 7th Duke of Marlborough
John Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough
John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough, KG, PC , styled Earl of Sunderland from 1822 to 1840 and Marquess of Blandford from 1840 to 1857, was a British statesman and nobleman...
) and Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
(daughter of the 8th Earl Spencer). The descent of the Spencer family from the Medieval Despencers has been challenged, especially by Horace Round in his essay on The Rise of the Spencers. The Spencers were granted a coat of arms in 1504 which bears no resemblance to that used by the family after c. 1595, which was derived from the Despencer arms. Round believed that the Despencer descent was fabricated by Richard Lee, a corrupt Clarencieux King of Arms.
Spencer Knight
- Sir John Spencer, Kt. of Snitterfield & Wormleighton (1447-1552) married Isabel, daughter of Sir Walter Graunt, of Snitterfield
- Sir William Spencer, Kt. of Wormleighton & Althorp (1483-1532) married Susan, daughter of Sir Richard KnightleyRichard KnightleySir Richard Knightley , of Fawsley in Northamptonshire, was an English Member of Parliament and leading patron of the Puritans during the reign of Elizabeth I....
, of Fawsley, Northants - Sir John Spencer, Kt. of Wormleighton & Althorp (1517-1586) married Katherine, daughter of Sir Thomas Kiton, of Hengrove, Suffolk
- Sir John Spencer, Kt. (1546-1599) married Mary, daughter of Sir Robert CatlynRobert CatlynSir Robert Catlyn was an English judge and Chief Justice of the Queen’s Bench.-Origins and early career:The branch of the Catlyn family from which Robert Catlyn was descended was anciently seated at Raunds in Northamptonshire. He was born at Thrapstone in that county, and became a member of the...
, of Berne, Dorset
Barons Spencer
- Robert Spencer, 1st Baron Spencer of WormleightonRobert Spencer, 1st Baron Spencer of WormleightonSir Robert Spencer, 1st Baron Spencer of Wormleighton KG was an English peer.He was born in Althorp, Northamptonshire, England to Sir John Spencer and Mary Catlin.- Life :...
(1570-1627), married Margaret, daughter of Sir Francis Willoughby (1547-1596)Francis Willoughby (1547-1596)Sir Francis Willoughby was an industrialist and coalowner, who built Wollaton Hall in Nottinghamshire.He was the son of Henry Willoughby, a Dorset landowner and Anne, daughter of Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset. Henry had inherited Wollaton from his uncle John Willoughby on 10 January 1549, but...
, Kt. - William Spencer, 2nd Baron Spencer of Wormleighton (1591–1636), married Penelop, daughter of Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of SouthamptonHenry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of SouthamptonHenry Wriothesley , 3rd Earl of Southampton , was the second son of Henry Wriothesley, 2nd Earl of Southampton, and his wife Mary Browne, Countess of Southampton, daughter of the 1st Viscount Montagu...
Earls of Sunderland
- Henry Spencer, 1st Earl of SunderlandHenry Spencer, 1st Earl of SunderlandHenry Spencer, 1st Earl of Sunderland, 3rd Baron Spencer of Wormleighton , known as The Lord Spencer between 1636 and June 1643, was an English peer who fought and died in the English civil war on the side of the Cavaliers.Henry was born at Althorp to William Spencer, 2nd Baron Spencer and was...
(1620–1643), royalist in the English Civil War - Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of SunderlandRobert Spencer, 2nd Earl of SunderlandRobert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland KG, PC was an English statesman and nobleman.-Life:Born in Paris, son of Henry Spencer, 1st Earl of Sunderland, Spencer inherited his father's peerage dignities at the age of three, becoming Baron Spencer of Wormleighton and Earl of Sunderland...
(1640–1702), politician - Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of SunderlandCharles Spencer, 3rd Earl of SunderlandSir Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland KG PC , known as Lord Spencer from 1688 to 1702, was an English statesman...
(1675–1722), politician - Robert Spencer, 4th Earl of SunderlandRobert Spencer, 4th Earl of SunderlandRobert Spencer, 4th Earl of Sunderland was a British peer, the son of the Whig politician, Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland. His mother was Lady Anne Churchill, the daughter of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough and Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough...
(1701–1729) (elder brother of 3rd Duke)
Dukes of Marlborough
- Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of MarlboroughCharles Spencer, 3rd Duke of MarlboroughCharles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough KG, PC , known as The Earl of Sunderland between 1729 and 1733, was a British soldier and politician. He briefly served as Lord Privy Seal in 1755...
(1706–1758), general and politician, second son of the 3rd Earl of Sunderland - George Spencer, 4th Duke of MarlboroughGeorge Spencer, 4th Duke of MarlboroughGeorge Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough KG, PC, FRS , styled Marquess of Blandford until 1758, was a British courtier and politician...
(1739–1817), politician - George Spencer, 5th Duke of MarlboroughGeorge Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of MarlboroughGeorge Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough FSA , styled Marquess of Blandford until 1817, was a British peer and collector of antiquities and books.-Background and education:...
(1766–1840), changed his surname to "Spencer-Churchill". His Spencer-Churchill descendants include all later Dukes of Marlborough, and their descendants, including the politicians Lord Randolph ChurchillLord Randolph ChurchillLord Randolph Henry Spencer-Churchill MP was a British statesman. He was the third son of the 7th Duke of Marlborough and his wife Lady Frances Anne Emily Vane , daughter of the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry...
and Sir Winston ChurchillWinston ChurchillSir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
.
Earls Spencer
- John Spencer, 1st Earl SpencerJohn Spencer, 1st Earl SpencerJohn Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer was a British peer and politician.Spencer was born in 1734, at his family home, Althorp. He was the son of Hon. John Spencer and Georgiana Carolina Carteret , and a grandson of the 3rd Earl of Sunderland...
(1734–1783), a grandson of the 3rd Earl of Sunderland through his third and youngest son - George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758–1834), politician
- John Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer (1782–1845), better known as Lord Althorp, politician
- Frederick Spencer, 4th Earl SpencerFrederick Spencer, 4th Earl SpencerVice-Admiral Frederick Spencer, 4th Earl Spencer KG, CB, PC , styled The Honourable Frederick Spencer until 1845, was a British naval commander, courtier and Whig politician. He initially served in the Royal Navy and fought in the Napoleonic Wars and the Greek War of Independence, eventually rising...
(1798–1857) - John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer (1835–1910), politician
- Charles Robert Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer (1857–1922)
- Albert Edward John Spencer, 7th Earl Spencer (1892–1975), paternal grandfather of Diana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
- (Edward) John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer (1924–1992), father of Diana, Princess of Wales
- Charles Edward Maurice Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer (b.1964), younger brother of Diana, Princess of Wales
Other members
- Spencer BaronetsSpencer BaronetsThere have been two Baronetcies created for members of the Spencer family.The Baronetcy of Spencer of Yarnton was created on 29 June 1611 in the Baronetage of England for Thomas Spencer, Member of Parliament for Woodstock 1604-11, son of Sir William Spencer, the third son of Sir John Spencer of...
who descended from younger sons of Sir John Spencer, Kt. of Wormleighton & Althorp (1517-1586). - The Barons and Viscounts ChurchillViscount ChurchillViscount Churchill, of Rolleston in the County of Leicester, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1902 for the Conservative politician Victor Spencer, 3rd Baron Churchill...
, who descend from a younger son of the 4th Duke of Marlborough, including- Francis Spencer, 1st Baron ChurchillFrancis Spencer, 1st Baron ChurchillFrancis Almeric Spencer, 1st Baron Churchill DCL FRS was a British peer and Whig politician.Born Lord Francis Almeric Spencer, he was the second son of the 4th Duke of Marlborough. On 25 November 1800, he married Lady Frances FitzRoy, a younger daughter of the 3rd Duke of Grafton...
- Victor Spencer, 1st Viscount ChurchillVictor Spencer, 1st Viscount ChurchillMajor Victor Albert Francis Charles Spencer, 1st Viscount Churchill GCVO JP , known as The Lord Churchill between 1886 and 1902, was a British peer and courtier....
- Francis Spencer, 1st Baron Churchill
- George (Ignatius) SpencerIgnatius SpencerFather Ignatius of St Paul , born as Hon. George Spencer, was a son of the 2nd Earl Spencer. He converted from Anglicanism to the Roman Catholic Church and entered the Passionist Order in 1841 and spent his life working for the conversion of England to the Catholic faith.-Birth and Education:George...
(1799–1864)http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14214b.htm - Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (1757–1806)
- Winston ChurchillWinston ChurchillSir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
(1874–1965) - HRH The Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
(1961–1997) - HRH The Duke of Cambridge (b.1982), who is the future King of the United Kingdom and Princess of Wales's elder son. Primarily a member of the House of WindsorHouse of WindsorThe House of Windsor is the royal house of the Commonwealth realms. It was founded by King George V by royal proclamation on the 17 July 1917, when he changed the name of his family from the German Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the English Windsor, due to the anti-German sentiment in the United Kingdom...
. - HRH Prince Harry of WalesPrince Harry of WalesPrince Henry of Wales , commonly known as Prince Harry, is the younger son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and fourth grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
(b.1984), Princess of Wales's younger son. Primarily a member of the House of WindsorHouse of WindsorThe House of Windsor is the royal house of the Commonwealth realms. It was founded by King George V by royal proclamation on the 17 July 1917, when he changed the name of his family from the German Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the English Windsor, due to the anti-German sentiment in the United Kingdom...
.
Notable marriages into the family
- Sir Richard BrydgesRichard BrydgesRichard Brydges was an English politician.Sir Richard Brydges was the Member of Parliament for Berkshire from 1539 to 1540 and, at other times, for Ludgershall...
, Kt. married Lady Jane Spencer. - His Grace William Cavendish, 5th Duke of DevonshireWilliam Cavendish, 5th Duke of DevonshireWilliam Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, KG was a British aristocrat and politician. He was the eldest son of the William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire by his wife the heiress Lady Charlotte Boyle, suo jure Baroness Clifford of Lanesborough, who brought in considerable money and estates to...
married Lady Georgiana Spencer. - Sir Anthony EdenAnthony EdenRobert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG, MC, PC was a British Conservative politician, who was Prime Minister from 1955 to 1957...
married the niece of his prime ministerial predecessor, Winston ChurchillWinston ChurchillSir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
. - The Honourable Frances Ruth RocheFrances Shand KyddFrances Ruth Shand Kydd was the first wife of John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer and the mother of Diana, Princess of Wales...
, daughter of Maurice Roche, 4th Baron Fermoy, married John Spencer, Viscount Althorp in 1954, and later Peter Shand KyddPeter Shand KyddPeter Shand Kydd was the former stepfather of Diana, Princess of Wales and an heir to the wallpaper fortune built by his father Norman Shand Kydd. He was half-brother to the former champion amateur jockey William Shand Kydd....
in 1969. - HRH The Prince of WalesCharles, Prince of WalesPrince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
marriedWedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana SpencerThe wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Frances Spencer took place on Wednesday, 29 July 1981 at St Paul's Cathedral, London, United Kingdom. Their marriage was widely billed as a "fairytale wedding" and the "wedding of the century". It was watched by an estimated global TV...
Lady Diana Frances SpencerDiana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
on 29 July 1981. After her marriage, Diana became the Princess of WalesPrincess of WalesPrincess of Wales is a British courtesy title held by the wife of The Prince of Wales since the first "English" Prince of Wales in 1283.Although there have been considerably more than ten male heirs to the throne, there have been only ten Princesses of Wales. The majority of Princes of Wales...
. - Catherine Elizabeth Middleton married HRH Prince William of Wales on 29 April 2011. After their marriage, William and Catherine were styled as DukeDuke of CambridgeDuke of Cambridge is a title which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family several times. It was first used as a designation for Charles Stuart , the eldest son of James, Duke of York , though he was never formally created Duke of Cambridge...
and Duchess of Cambridge.
External links
- Spencer Family Tree, Althorp.com
- Origins of the Spencer family
- Family tree and information - Archived link
- http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~djmurphy/conn/washington.htm