Earl of Essex (original) (raw)

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Title in the Peerage of England

Earldom of Essex
Arms of Capell, Earl of Essex: Gules, a lion rampant, between three cross crosslets fitcheeé or[1]
Creation date 1139 (first creation)1199 (second creation)1239 (third creation)1376 (fourth creation)1461 (fifth creation)1540 (sixth creation)1543 (forfeit 1553–59) (seventh creation) 1572 (eighth creation)1661 (ninth creation)
Created by Stephen (first creation)John (second creation)Henry III (third creation)Edward III (fourth creation)Edward IV (fifth creation)Henry VIII (sixth creation)Henry VIII (seventh creation)Elizabeth I (seventh creation, restoration) Elizabeth I (eighth creation)Charles II (ninth creation)
Peerage Peerage of England
First holder Geoffrey de Mandeville, 1st Earl of Essex
Present holder Paul Capell, 11th Earl of Essex (ninth creation)
Heir presumptive William Jennings Capell
Subsidiary titles Viscount MaldenBaron Capell of Hadham
Former seat(s) Cassiobury House
Motto Fide et fortitudine (By faith and fortitude)

Earl of Essex is a title in the Peerage of England which was first created in the 12th century by King Stephen of England. The title has been recreated eight times from its original inception, beginning with a new first Earl upon each new creation. The most well-known Earls of Essex were Thomas Cromwell (c. 1485 – 1540) (sixth creation), chief minister to King Henry VIII, Sir William Parr (1513-1571) who was brother to Queen Catherine Parr who was the sixth wife of King Henry VIII, and Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (1565–1601) (eighth creation), a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I who led Essex's Rebellion in 1601.

The current holder of the earldom is Paul Capell, 11th Earl of Essex (born 1944), a retired school teacher from Caton, Lancashire.[2]

The family seat was Cassiobury House, near Watford, Hertfordshire.

A miniature painting of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex by Nicholas Hilliard, c. 1588

The title was first created in the 12th century for Geoffrey de Mandeville, 1st Earl of Essex (died 1144).[3] Upon the death of the third earl in 1189, the title became dormant or extinct. Geoffrey Fitz Peter, who had married Beatrice de Say, granddaughter of the first earl's sister and eventual heir to the Mandeville honour, gained the earldom in 1199 at its second creation by King John. The Essex title passed to two of Fitz Peter's sons before again becoming extinct upon the death of the second son, William, the 3rd Earl of Essex, who had taken the surname de Mandeville.[4]

The third creation was for Humphrey de Bohun, 2nd Earl of Hereford in 1239, whose father Henry had married Maud, sister of the sixth earl. All three of the Earldoms of Hereford, Northampton and of Essex became extinct in 1373. There were several more creations, including one briefly for Thomas Cromwell, before the Devereux creation in 1572. Walter Devereux was the first earl of this creation; he was related to the Bourchier family who had held the honour earlier. This line continued to his son Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (1566–1601) a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I and his son Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex, the general who commanded the Parliamentary army at the Battle of Edge Hill, the first major battle of the English Civil War (for further history of the Devereux family, see the Viscount Hereford). Following its extinction in September 1646, the present creation was made in 1661.

Arthur Capell, 1st Baron Capell of Hadham, and his family

The Capell (or Capel) family descends from Sir Arthur Capell of Raines Hall in Essex and of Hadham in Hertfordshire. His grandson Arthur Capell represented Hertfordshire in both the Short and Long Parliaments. In 1641 he was raised to the Peerage of England as Baron Capell of Hadham, in the County of Hertford.[5] Capell later fought as a Royalist in the Civil War. He was tried and condemned to death by the Parliamentarians and beheaded in May 1649.[5] He was succeeded by his eldest son, the second Baron. In 1661 he was created Viscount Malden, in the County of Essex, and Earl of Essex, with remainder, failing heirs male of his own, to, firstly, his brother Henry Capell (later Baron Capell of Tewkesbury; see below), failing which to, secondly, his brother Edward Capell. These titles are also in the Peerage of England. Lord Essex later served as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland and as First Lord of the Treasury. On his death, the titles passed to his son, the second Earl. He was a lieutenant-general in the army and served as Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire. He was succeeded by his son, the third Earl. He served as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard from 1739 to 1743 and was also Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire. When he died the titles passed to his son, the fourth Earl. He also served as Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire.

He was succeeded by his eldest son from his first marriage, the fifth Earl. He sat in the House of Commons for many years and was Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire from 1801 to 1817. Lord Essex assumed the surname of Coningsby. In 1839, at the age of seventy-six, he married the vocalist and actress Catherine Stephens. He was succeeded by his nephew, the sixth Earl. He was the son of the Hon. John Thomas Capell, second son of the fourth Earl from his second marriage to Harriet Bladen. On his death, the titles passed to his grandson, the seventh Earl. He was the eldest son of Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur de Vere Capell, Viscount Malden, eldest son of the sixth Earl. The line of the sixth Earl failed on the death of the seventh Earl's grandson, the ninth Earl, in 1981. The succession was unclear and it was not until 1989 that the late Earl's third cousin once removed, Robert Edward de Vere Capell, managed to prove his claim, and became the tenth Earl. He was the great-grandson of the Hon. Algernon Henry Champagné Capell (younger brother of the sixth Earl), son of the aforementioned the Hon. John Thomas Capell (half-brother of the fifth Earl), son of the second marriage of the fourth Earl. As of 2017[update] the titles are held by his only son, the eleventh Earl, who succeeded in 2005.

Two other members of the Capell family have also gained distinction. The Hon. Henry Capell, second son of the first Baron, was a politician and was created Baron Capell of Tewkesbury in 1692. The Hon. Sir Thomas Bladen Capell (1776–1853), youngest son of the second marriage of the fourth Earl, was an admiral in the Royal Navy.

List of Earls of Essex

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Earls of Essex, first creation (c. 1139)

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Earls of Essex, second creation (1199)

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Earls of Essex, third creation (1239)

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Earls of Essex, fourth creation (1376)

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Earls of Essex, fifth creation (1461)

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Earls of Essex, sixth creation (1540)

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Earls of Essex, seventh creation (1543)

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Earls of Essex, eighth creation (1572)

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Barons Capell of Hadham (1641)

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Earls of Essex, ninth creation (1661)

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The heir presumptive is the present holder's fourth cousin once-removed William Jennings Capell (born 1952).
The heir presumptive's heir apparent is his only son Kevin Devereux Capell (born 1982)

vte Family tree of the Earls of Essex, Earls of Hereford, and Viscounts Hereford
Godwinc. 1001–1053Earl of Wessex Earl of Hereford (1st creation), 1043 Earl of Hereford (3rd creation), 1058 Earl of Hereford (2nd creation), 1052 Earl of Hereford (4th creation), 1067 Sweyn Godwinson1020–1052Earl of HerefordHarold Godwinson(c. 1022–1066)Earl of Hereford, King of the EnglishWilliam de Mandeville(d. before 1130)Ralph the Timidd. 1057Earl of HerefordWilliam FitzOsbern1011–10711st Earl of Hereford Earldom of Hereford (1st creation) forfeit, 1051 Earldom of Hereford (3rd creation) extinct, 1066 Earldom of Hereford (2nd creation) extinct, 1057 Earl of Essex (1st creation), 1140 Earl of Hereford (5th creation), 1141 William de Say IBeatrice ("Beatrix") de Sayd. 1197Geoffrey de Mandevilled. 11441st Earl of EssexRoger de Breteuil1058– after 10872nd Earl of HerefordMiles of Gloucesterd. 11431st Earl of Hereford Earldom of Hereford (4th creation) forfeit, 1074 William de Say IId. 1184Geoffrey de Saye Id. 1214Geoffrey de Mandevilled. 11662nd Earl of EssexWilliam de Mandevilled. 11893rd Earl of EssexMargaret of Hereford1122/1123–1197Roger Fitzmilesbefore 1125–11552nd Earl of Hereford Earldom of Essex (1st creation) extinct, 1189 Earldom of Hereford (5th creation) extinct, 1155 Earl of Essex (2nd creation), 1199 Geoffrey Fitz Peterc. 1162–12131st Earl of EssexBeatrice de SayGeoffrey de Saye II1155–1230Hawise ("Alice") de ClareHumphrey III de Bohunbefore 1144–1181 Earl of Hereford (6th creation), 1199 Geoffrey FitzGeoffrey de Mandevillec. 1191–12162nd Earl of EssexWilliam FitzGeoffrey de Mandevilled. 12273rd Earl of EssexMaud FitzGeoffreyMaud de MandevilleHenry de Bohun1176–12201st Earl of Hereford Earldom of Essex (2nd creation) extinct, 1227 Earl of Essex (3rd creation), 1239 Humphrey de Bohun1204–12751st Earl of Essex, 2nd Earl of Hereford Humphrey de Bohund. 1265 Edward I1239–1307King of EnglandHumphrey de Bohunc. 1249–12982nd Earl of Essex, 3rd Earl of Hereford Edward II1284–1327King of EnglandElizabeth of Rhuddlan1282–1316Humphrey de Bohun1276–13223rd Earl of Essex, 4th Earl of Hereford Edward III1312–1377King of EnglandJohn de Bohun1306–13364th Earl of Essex, 5th Earl of HerefordHumphrey de Bohun1309–13615th Earl of Essex, 6th Earl of HerefordWilliam de Bohunc. 1312–13601st Earl of Northampton Humphrey de Bohun1342–13736th Earl of Essex, 7th Earl of Hereford Earldom of Essex (3rd creation) and Earldom of Hereford (6th creation) extinct, 1373 Earl of Essex (4th creation), 1376 Thomas of Woodstock1355–1397Earl of EssexEleanor de Bohunc. 1366–1399Mary de Bohunc. 1369/1370–1394Henry IV1367–1413King of England Earldom of Essex (4th creation) forfeit, 1397 William Bourchier1374–1420Anne of Gloucester1383–1438 Earl of Essex (5th creation), 1461 Henry Bourchierc. 1404/1406–14831st Earl of Essex William Bourchierd. 1480Viscount BourchierAnne Woodville1438–1489Elizabeth Woodvillec. 1437–1492Edward IV1442–1483King of England John Devereuxc. 1464–15019th Baron Ferrers of ChartleyCecily Bourchier(died c. 1492/1493)Henry Bourchierc. 1467/80–15402nd Earl of EssexElizabeth of York1466–1503Thomas Parr1478–1517 Earldom of Essex (5th creation) forfeit 1540 Viscount Hereford Earl of Essex (6th creation), 1540 Walter Devereux1488–15581st Viscount Hereford, 10th Baron Ferrers of ChartleyThomas Cromwell1485–1540Earl of EssexHenry VIII1491–1547King of England Earldom of Essex (6th creation) forfeit, 1540 Earl of Essex (7th creation), 1543 Richard Devereuxc. 1513–1547Catherine Parr1512–1548William Parr1513–1571Marquess of Northampton, Earl of Essex Earldom of Essex (7th creation) forfeit 1553, restored 1559, extinct 1571 Earl of Essex (8th creation), 1572 Devereux Baronet of Castle Bromwich, 1611 Walter Devereux1541–15761st Earl of Essex, 2nd Viscount HerefordEdward Devereuxc. 1550–16221st Baronet Robert Devereux1565–16012nd Earl of Essex, 3rd Viscount HerefordWalter Devereux1578–16585th Viscount Hereford, 2nd BaronetGeorge Devereuxc. 1581–1665 Earldom of Essex forfeit, 1601 Earldom of Essex (8th creation) restored, 1604 Baron Capell of Hadham, 1641 Robert Devereux1591–16463rd Earl of Essex, 4th Viscount HerefordArthur Capell1604–16491st Baron Capell of HadhamLeicester Devereux1617–16766th Viscount Hereford, 3rd Baronet Earldom of Essex (8th creation) extinct, 1646 Earl of Essex (9th creation) and Viscount Malden, 1661 Baron Capell of Tewkesbury in the County of Gloucester, 1692 Arthur Capell1631–16832nd Baron Capell of Hadham1st Earl of Essex and Viscount MaldenHenry Capell1638–1696Baron Capell of TewkesburyPrice Devereuxc. 1637–1673Vaughan Devereuxd. 1700 Barony Capell of Tewkesbury extinct, 1696 Algernon Capell1670–17102nd Earl of Essex and Viscount MaldenLeicester Devereux1674–16837th Viscount Hereford, 4th BaronetEdward Devereux1675–17008th Viscount Hereford, 5th BaronetPrice Devereux1664–17409th Viscount Hereford, 6th BaronetArthur Devereuxd. 1711 William Capell1697–17433rd Earl of Essex and Viscount MaldenPrice Devereux1694–174810th Viscount Hereford, 7th BaronetEdward Devereuxc. 1710–176011th Viscount Hereford, 8th Baronet Frances Hanbury-Williamsc. 1735–1759William Capell1732–17994th Earl of Essex and Viscount MaldenHarriet Bladen1735–1821Edward Devereux1740–178312th Viscount Hereford, 9th BaronetGeorge Devereux1744–180413th Viscount Hereford, 10th Baronet George Capel-Coningsby1757–18395th Earl of Essex and Viscount MaldenJohn Thomas Capell1769–1819Henry Fleming Lea Devereux1777–184314th Viscount Hereford, 11th Baronet Arthur Algernon Capell1803–18926th Earl of Essex and Viscount MaldenAlgernon Capell1807–1886Adolphus Capell1813–1899Henry Devereux1807–1839Robert Devereux1809–185515th Viscount Hereford, 12th Baronet Arthur de Vere Capell1826–1879_styled Viscount Malden_Charles Capell1845–1924Horatio Bladen Capell1839–1933Robert Devereux1843–193016th Viscount Hereford, 13th Baronet George Devereux de Vere Capell1857–19167th Earl of Essex and Viscount MaldenArthur Algernon de Vere Capell1891–1950Horace Charles George Arthur Capell1868–1953Algernon Essex Capell1869–1952Henry Addison Devereux Capell 1873–1925Robert Charles Devereux1865–195217th Viscount Hereford, 14th Baronet Algernon George de Vere Capell1884–19668th Earl of Essex and Viscount MaldenBladen Ozro Capell1897–1959Algernon Arthur CapellRobert Capell_Sixth in line to the Earldom of Essex_Robert Devereux1894–1934 Earldom of Essex (9th creation) revived, 1989 Reginald George de Vere Capell1906–19819th Earl of Essex and Viscount MaldenRobert Edward de Vere Capell1920–200510th Earl of Essex and Viscount MaldenBladen Horace Capell1922–1978Colin CapellRobert Milo Leicester Devereux1932–200418th Viscount Hereford, 15th Baronet Earldom of Essex (9th creation) dormant, 1981 Frederick Paul de Vere Capellb. 194411th Earl of Essex and Viscount MaldenWilliam Jennings "Bill" Capellb. 1952_Heir presumptive to the Earldom of Essex_Clint Capell_Third in line to the Earldom of Essex_Craig Capell_Fourth in line to the Earldom of Essex_ Kevin Capellb. 1982_Second in line to the Earldom of Essex_Dylan Capell_Fifth in line to the Earldom of Essex_Charles Robin de Bohun Devereuxb. 197519th Viscount Hereford, 16th Baronet Henry Devereuxb. 2015 Heir apparent to the Hereford Viscountcy

Hadham Hall, Little Hadham

The Cassiobury Estate, Watford

At the time of the Capell creation, the Barons Hadham were based at the family seat at Hadham Hall in Little Hadham, Hertfordshire, which was originally purchased in the early 16th century by Sir William Capel, a wealthy draper and Lord Mayor of London. In 1627 his descendant Arthur Capell married Elizabeth Morrison, daughter and heir of Sir Charles Morrison of Cassiobury in Watford.[6] The turmoil of the Civil War took its toll on the Capell family, and Arthur, a Royalist, was executed in 1649.[7][5] Arthur Capell's eldest son, also called Arthur Capell, inherited both the Hadham and Cassiobury estates. After the Restoration, having been created Viscount Malden and 1st Earl of Essex,[8] the younger Capell became an ambitious courtier of Charles II. Now one of the wealthiest men in England, he embarked on an ambitious project to redecorate Cassiobury House in the style of the sumptuous state rooms of Windsor Castle, hoping to attract a visit from the King to Cassiobury. Although a royal visit was not forthcoming, the 1st Earl's favour for Cassiobury completed the family's move to Watford, and Hadham Hall fell into disuse.[9] The Capell family finally sold Hadham in 1900 and it is now a private residence; Cassiobury remained in the family until 1927 when, like many other British country houses in the period between the world wars, it was demolished.[10]

  1. ^ Montague-Smith, P.W. (ed.), Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage and Companionage, Kelly's Directories Ltd, Kingston-upon-Thames, 1968, p. 430
  2. ^ Bunyan, Nigel; Fenton, Ben (18 June 2005). "New Earl of Essex is ever so humble". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  3. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Essex, Earls of" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 9 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 781.
  4. ^ G. E. Cokayne, et al., The Complete Peerage, vol. 5, "Essex"
  5. ^ a b c Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Capel, Arthur Capel, Baron" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 248–249.
  6. ^ "'Watford: Manors', A History of the County of Hertford: volume 2 (1908), pp. 451–464". Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  7. ^ "A Brief History of Little Hadham". The Hadhams. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  8. ^ Osmond & Leslie 1887, pp. 12–17.
  9. ^ "Hadham Hall". Bishop's Stortford and Thorley History and Guide. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  10. ^ Robinson, John (2014). Felling the ancient oaks: how England lost its great country estates. [S.l.]: Aurum Pr Ltd. p. 55. ISBN 9781781313343.