Ten Lords-a-Leaping -- 2011

As we dim the lights on the holiday season and the year also draws to a close, let us take time to briefly celebrate our top Ten Lords-a-Leaping – peers who have all leapt into the realms of engagement, marriage, divorce, or fatherhood in 2011.

This year, we have several repeat honorees – how could we ignore them?  They have been very busy gentlemen, indeed…

# 1 HRH Prince William Arthur Philip Louis, Duke of Cambridge, 29, second in the line of succession to the throne of the United Kingdom and 15 other independent states.  He topped our 2010 list for his long-awaited engagement to the former Catherine Elizabeth “Kate” Middleton, also 29 (until next month), now HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.  The elder son of The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, tops our list yet again for his internationally celebrated marriage.  Just before the wedding on 29 April, 2011, Prince William was created Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus.

# 2 The Duke of Hamilton (16th) and Brandon (13th), Alexander Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 33.  This Scottish double-duke and the Premier Peer of Scotland was profiled previously for his engagement.  On 7 May, 2011, His Grace was married to Sophie Ann Rutherford, 35.

# 3 The Duke of Grafton (12th), Henry Oliver Charles Fitzroy, 33.  His Grace succeeded his 92-year-old grandfather to the dukedom on 7 April, 2011, since his father, The Earl of Euston, predeceased his grandfather in 2009.  His Grace, formerly known as Viscount Ipswich, was honoured in our listing last year for his engagement and marriage to Olivia Margaret M. Sladen, now The Duchess of Grafton, 33.

# 4 The Duke of Norfolk (18th), Edward William Fitzalan-Howard, 55.  His Grace, England’s Premier Duke (and Earl), is our first new addition to the Ten Lords-a-Leaping list.  He and his wife announced their separation in April 2011, after 24 years of marriage and five children.  Their separation is rumoured to be permanent, with their Catholic faith serving as an impediment to divorce.  There are purportedly no significant others impatiently pressing them towards a church annulment and/or action in the courts.  While we extend our condolences to them both during this difficult time, as a separated man, His Grace is now eligible and a “Single Peer.”

# 5 The Marquess of Bowmont & Cessford, Charles Robert George Innes-Ker, 30, heir to the 10th Duke of Roxburghe.  Lord Bowmont, listed previously for his 2010 engagement, was married on 22 July, 2011 to The Hon. Charlotte Susanna Aitken, 29, the elder daughter of Lord Beaverbrook.  The Marchioness of Bowmont & Cessford is the second of the 1st Baron Beaverbrook’s descendants to be slated as a future duchess, as Lady Bowmont’s cousin, The Countess of Mornington, should one day be The Duchess of Wellington.  She is married to the present duke’s grandson (heir of the heir).

# 6 The Earl of Cardigan, David Michael James Brudenell-Bruce, 59, heir to the 8th Marquess of Ailesbury.  Profiled in 2010 for his divorce from his wife of 25 years, Lord Cardigan remarried in May 2011.  Lady Cardigan, an American real estate developer, was the former Ms. Joanne Hill, 46, whom he met in therapy in Arizona.  She has a son from her previous marriage, and the earl has two from his, including his heir, Viscount Savernake (b. 11 February, 1982, single).  Lord Cardigan’s famous kinsman led the Charge of the Light Brigade, which would certainly have gotten him on our Ten Lords-a-Leaping List in 1854, had we been publishing at that time.

# 7 The Earl Spencer, Charles Edward Maurice Spencer, 47.  The 9th Earl Spencer made our list in 2010 for his engagement to Lady Bianca Eliot and for breaking off that same engagement later in the year.  This year, we celebrate Lord Spencer’s marriage to Canadian philanthropist, Karen Gordon, on 18 June 2011 at Althorp House.  The Countess Spencer, 39, is the earl’s third wife, and he is her second husband.

# 8 The Earl of Pembroke (18th) and Earl of Montgomery (15th), William Alexander Sidney Herbert, 33.  Lord Pembroke was celebrated last year for his marriage to his long-time girlfriend, Victoria "Tori" Bullough, 26.  On 3 April, 2011, he and The Countess of Pembroke welcomed their first child, Lady Alexandra Eloise Ekaterina Herbert.  As they have only the one daughter at present, Lord Pembroke’s heir presumptive remains The Earl of Carnarvon, who colourfully is the inheritor of “King Tut’s Curse,” uncle to royal insider Jakie James “Jake” Warren, and the real-life owner of the estate we know as Downton Abbey.

# 9 The Viscount Raynham, Thomas Charles Townshend, 34, heir to the 8th Marquess Townshend.  Lord Raynham, listed in 2010 for succeeding to his courtesy title and becoming engaged, married interior designer Octavia Legge, 31, of Kingsclere, Hampshire at St. Mary’s Church on 4 September, 2011.  Lord Raynham is reported to work for Knight Frank.

#10 The Viscount Lascelles, Alexander Edgar Lascelles, 31, heir apparent of the 8th Earl of Harewood.  On 11 July, 2011, Lord Lascelles succeeded to his courtesy title, his father having succeeded his paternal grandfather as the 8th Earl of Harewood.  The 7th Earl of Harewood was a son of Princess Mary, Princess Royal, and a first cousin to Queen Elizabeth II.  Lord Lascelles is approximately 52nd in line to the British throne, as a result of the family connection.

The Earl and Countess of Pembroke

The Viscount and Viscountess Raynham

Sources:

The Daily Mail - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1193774/Earl-Cardigans-messy-marriage-comes-end.html; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1380889/Royal-Wedding-Chelsy-Davy-follows-Kate-Middletons-footsteps-Kings-Road.html; http://www.dailymail.co. uk/femail/article-1313503/Earl-Spencer-calls-wedding-Bianca-Eliot-whirlwind-engagement.html; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1376614/Duke-wife-separate.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Herbert,_18th_Earl_of_Pembroke;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_FitzRoy,_12th_Duke_of_Grafton;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_William,_Duke_of_Cambridge;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Douglas-Hamilton,_16th_Duke_of_Hamilton;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine,_Duchess_of_Cambridge; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Fitzalan-Howard,_18th_Duke_of_Norfolk;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxwell_Aitken,_3rd_Baron_Beaverbrook;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Spencer,_9th_Earl_Spencer;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Gordon; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Pembroke; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Lascelles,_Viscount_Lascelles; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Lascelles,_8th_Earl_of_Harewood; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Lascelles,_7th_Earl_of_Harewood

The Single Peer - http://thesinglepeer.blogspot.com/2010/12/viscount-of-week-henry-oliver-charles.html; http://thesinglepeer.blogspot.com/2010/10/marquess-of-month-charles-robert-george.html; http://thesinglepeer.blogspot.com/2010/10/duke-of-day-alexander-douglas-douglas.html; http://thesinglepeer.blogspot.com/2011/02/perennial-prince-hrh-prince-william.html; http://www.thesinglepeer.blogspot.com/2011/07/duke-of-day-edward-william-fitzalan.html; http://thesinglepeer.blogspot.com/2011/08/offspring-of-hour-jakie-james-warren.html

Peerage News - https://groups.google.com/group/peerage-news/browse_thread/thread/434dd9b997b54789/d3dd3bc9a3511d94?hl=en&lnk=gst&q=sladen+fitzroy&pli=1; http://groups.google.com/group/peerage-news/browse_thread/thread/c28952ee4c5ddfe5

Kingsclere and Ashford Hill with Headley - http://www.clerewoodlands.org.uk/photos/gallery.php?gallery_id=4&pg=1;

ISOPIX - http://www.isopix.be/persfotos_photos-de-presse/viscountess-raynham-octavia-legge-14642927-pv.aspx

The Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7954264/Claudia-Winkleman-has-a-backup-plan-in-the-wings.html; http://www.telegraph.co.uk/relationships/8585150/Earl-of-Cardigan-speaks-of-marriage-to-woman-he-met-in-therapy.html

ThePeerage.com - http://thepeerage.com/p43671.htm#i436704; http://thepeerage.com/p231.htm#i2303

Salisbury Journal - http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/journalnewsindex/8954099.Baby_girl_for_Lord_and_Lady_Pembroke/?ref=rss; http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/4291458.Earl_of_Pembroke_engaged/

Wargs - http://www.wargs.com/essays/succession/2011.html

Earl of the Hour: Michael Bruce John Murray, Earl of Strathtay and Strathardle

                                                                                                               

Born in 1985 (5 March), this 25-year-old nobleman (no photo available) is the elder son and heir of The Marquess of Tullibardine, who is the heir apparent of The Duke of Atholl.  One day, Lord Strathtay will presumably inherit the dukedom and approximately ten titles and follow his grandfather and father as the Chief of the Murray Clan.  He also stands to one day inherit 140,000 acres of property with an almost 800 year history, including the 120-room Blair Castle.

Blair Castle is a five-star, world-class visitor attraction.  It is Scotland’s most visited private home, displaying unique treasures from the 16th century to the present day, including beautiful furniture, paintings, arms and armour, and china.

The present Duke of Atholl and his immediate family, including his grandson, Lord Strathtay, were born and raised in South Africa.  His Grace succeeded a distant cousin to the title in 1996.  Although His Grace still lives in South Africa, he has been able to visit Blair Castle regularly since he succeeded to the title and serves as Colonel of the Atholl Highlanders, who are the only remaining private army in Europe, having been granted the right to bear arms in the 1840s by Her Majesty Queen Victoria.  Like his father and uncle, Lord Strathtay and his brother, Lord David Nicholas George Murray (born 31 January, 1986; 25; presumed single), are also commissioned officers in the regiment.  Lord Strathtay joined the regiment in 2007. 

Lord Strathtay studied at Stanford College, spent two years in London, then studied sports science at the University of Pretoria, specializing in mountain climbing, rugby, squash, and cricket.  As of March 2010, he was working and living in London.  On 28 and 29 May, 2011, Lord Strathtay will likely take part in the Atholl Gathering, an annual event at Blair Castle that features the Atholl Highlanders.

Blair Castle

Lt. The Marquis of Tullibardine Lord Bruce Murray and the Marchioness (far left) and friends

Address:

Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Pitlochry, Perthshire  PH18 5TL

PO Box 1522, Louis Trichardt, 0920 S. Africa (The Marquess of Tullibardine)

Sources:

VisitScotland Perthshire - http://www.perthshire.co.uk/index.asp?pg=318

Burke’s Peerage, 107^th Edition - http://www.burkespeerage.com/Search/FullRecord.aspx?ID=491

Cracroft’s Peerage - http://www.cracroftpeerage.co.uk/online/

Murray Clan Society - http://www.clanmurray.org/septs.html

Blair Castle -  http://www.blairatholl.org.uk/index.html; http://www.blair-castle.co.uk/

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Murray,_11th_Duke_of_Atholl

The Sunday Times - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article7069639.ece

ThePeerage.com - http://www.thepeerage.com/p4282.htm

AllExperts - http://www.associatepublisher.com/e/d/du/duke_of_atholl.htm

The Transvaal Scottish Regiment http://www.hygitek.com/Transvaal%20Scottish%20-%20Friendly%20Red%20Hackle/04-2010%20Friendly%20Red%20Hackle%204.htm

2010 Peer of the Year: Arthur Valerian Wellesley, 8th Duke of Wellington

We could think of no better way to celebrate New Year's Eve than to proclaim the availability of a great man, great hero, and great benefactor: the 8th Duke of Wellington and our 2010 Peer of the Year!!!

Born in 1915 (2 July), this 95-year-old nobleman (pictured below) is the oldest living duke in the realm.  If the fates smile upon him, His Grace will pass the 97-year age record of the late 7th Duke of Grafton and would then be poised to become the first centenarian duke.

His Grace is ranked 5th in his seniority of succession to the ducal title (January 1972) and holds approximately a dozen other domestic and foreign titles.  Additionally, he owns a 7,000-acre Hampshire estate, a purported 20,000 acres in Belgium and Spain, and is estimated to be worth as much as ₤50 million.  His Grace is a veteran of World War II and had a long and decorated Army career, winning the Military Cross and attaining the rank of Brigadier.

His Grace was recently widowed, having regrettably lost his wife of almost 67 years on 1 November, 2010.  His Grace and Her Grace were the longest married ducal couple (from length of marriage, as opposed to from when he succeeded to the dukedom).  Together they had five children, including His Grace’s heir, The Marquess of Douro; 10 grandchildren, including Lord Douro’s heir, The Earl of Mornington; and an estimated 4 great-grandchildren, including Lord Mornington’s heir, Viscount Wellesley and his twin sister.

The Duke of Wellington holds many records in the ducal world.  Not only is he the oldest and, until recently, the longest married, but he also ties for the most children (five) and has the most sons (four).  His noble family is also the only one to have three direct heirs in the line of succession.  Lastly, he is the premier duke in the peerage of the United Kingdom.

As a widower of advanced age, it is unknown whether or not His Grace would welcome a romantic entanglement; however, His Grace is reported to be of robust health, and it would not be the first time that such has happened.  For example, The Duke of Beaufort married for the second time in 2000 at the age of 71, The Duke of Marlborough married for the fourth time in 2008 at the age of 82, and The Marquess of Queensbury married for the third time in 2000 as a recent father at approximately age 70.

What competition would the Duke of Wellington face, should he take up a romantic campaign?  Suitors of such high esteem are the favored few: HRH The Prince Andrew, Duke of York (50, divorced) and The Duke of Fife (81, divorced).

His Grace The Duke of Wellington

 

Addresses:

Park Corner House, Heckfield, Hook, Hampshire RG27 0LJ

Stratfield Saye House, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG27 0AS

Tel:  01256 882218

Apsley House, 149 Piccadilly, London W1V 9FA

Sources:

Peerage News – http://groups.google.com/group/peerage-news/browse_thread/thread/37b6856c95000f23#; http://groups.google.com/group/peerage-news/browse_thread/thread/9ed3601ba3d0e286/eb181ff538be9b1e?lnk=gst&q=duke+of+wellington#eb181ff538be9b1e; http://groups.google.com/group/peerage-news/browse_thread/thread/b415a76a37f4a158/e17fef1c8487f898?lnk=gst&q=bowmont#e17fef1c8487f898

The Daily Mail – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1218628/Ten-dukes-dining-Gathered-lunch-unique-picture-grandees-2bn-340-000-acres-them.html

Wikimedia – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:8thDoW%28RLH%29b.JPG

World News – http://wn.com/Arthur_Wellesley,_8th_Duke_of_Wellington

Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerian_Wellesley,_8th_Duke_of_Wellington  

Cracroft's Peerage - http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/

Ten Lords-a-Leaping

As we celebrate the holiday season and the year also draws to a close, let us take time to briefly celebrate our top Ten Lords-a-Leaping – peers who have all leapt into the realms of engagement, marriage, divorce, or fatherhood in 2010.

# 1 HRH Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, 28, second in the line of succession to the throne of the United Kingdom and 15 other independent states.  First in any elite listing and at the top of our Lords-a-Leaping is the elder son of The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales.  Prince William announced his long-awaited engagement to girlfriend Catherine Elizabeth “Kate” Middleton, 28, on 23 November, 2010.  The much-publicized royal wedding will be held on 29 April, 2011.

# 2 The Duke of Hamilton (16th) and Brandon (13th), Alexander Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 32.  This Scottish double-duke announced his engagement to Sophie Ann Rutherford, 34, in March 2010.

#3 The Viscount Ipswich, Henry Oliver Charles Fitzroy, 32, heir of his grandfather, the 11th Duke of Grafton, since the death of Lord Ipswich’s father, The Earl of Euston.  Lord Ipswich was married to Olivia Margaret M. Sladen, 32, on 14 August, 2010 at Snowshill, Gloucestershire.

# 4 The Marquess of Bowmont & Cessford, Charles Robert George Innes-Ker, 29, heir to the 10th Duke of Roxburghe.  Lord Bowmont became engaged on 1 December, 2010 to The Hon. Charlotte Susanna Aitken.

# 5 The Earl of Cardigan, David Michael James Brudenell-Bruce, 58, heir to the 8th Marquess of Ailesbury.  After 18 bitter months, the Earl and Countess of Cardigan have this month finalized their divorce and ended their 28-year marriage.  Lord Cardigan is expected to become engaged to his American girlfriend, Ms. Joanne Hill, 44, at some time in the future.

# 6 The Earl Spencer, Charles Edward Maurice Spencer, 46.  The 9th Earl Spencer recently broke off his engagement to Bianca, Lady Eliot.  Lady Eliot, a 34-year-old widow, would have been his third wife.  Instead, his attention may turn to the wedding of his nephew, Prince William (see #1 above).

# 7 The Earl of Pembroke (18th), William Alexander Sidney Herbert, 32.  On 29 May, 2010, Lord Pembroke, who is also the 15th Earl of Montgomery and is worth over ₤150 million, married his long-time girlfriend Victoria “Tori” Bullough, 24.  The couple is already expecting their first child, a “honeymoon baby.”

# 8 The Viscount Raynham, Thomas Charles Townshend, 33, heir to the 8th Marquess Townshend.  Lord Raynham succeeded to his courtesy title earlier this year, upon his grandfather’s death and his father’s succession to the marquessate.  A busy year, in August 2010 the young viscount also became engaged to Miss Octavia Legge of Kingsclere, Hampshire.

# 9 The Earl of Mornington, Arthur Gerald Wellesley, 32, grandson and heir of the heir apparent of the 8th Duke of Wellington.  Lord Mornington and the Countess of Mornington welcomed twins in 2010, Lady Mae Madeleine Wellesley and Arthur Darcy Wellesley, Viscount Wellesley, who should one day also become The Duke of Wellington.

#10 The Earl of Mount Charles, Alexander Burton Conyngham, 35, heir apparent of the 8th Marquess Conyngham.  Lord Mount Charles and the Countess of Mount Charles welcomed a son in 2010, Rory Conyngham, Viscount Slane, who should one day also become The Marquess Conyngham.

The Daily Mail - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1193774/Earl-Cardigans-messy-marriage-comes-end.html; http://www.dailymail.co. uk/femail/article-1313503/Earl-Spencer-calls-wedding-Bianca-Eliot-whirlwind-engagement.html

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Herbert,_18th_Earl_of_Pembroke; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Wellesley,_Earl_of_Mornington; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Conyngham,_8th_Marquess_Conyngham; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_William_of_Wales; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Middleton

The Single Peer - http://thesinglepeer.blogspot.com/2010/12/viscount-of-week-henry-oliver-charles.html; http://thesinglepeer.blogspot.com/2010/10/marquess-of-month-charles-robert-george.html; http://thesinglepeer.blogspot.com/2010/10/duke-of-day-alexander-douglas-douglas.html

Earl of the Hour: Robert Somerset, Earl of Glamorgan

Born in 1989 (20 January), this 21-year-old nobleman (no photo available) is the grandson of the Duke of Beaufort and the elder son of his heir, Henry John Fitzroy Somerset, Earl of Worcester.

The present Duke of Beaufort (11th) and his progeny are among the dwindling descendants in the male line of the House of Lancaster from the House Plantagenet.  The Earl of Worcester is a musician, farmer, and surveyor and is married to environmentalist and former actress Tracy-Louise Ward (sister of actress Rachel Ward), with whom he has three children.

As the elder son of The Lord Worcester, The Lord Glamorgan stands to one day inherit up to ₤200 million of property and investments, including the magnificent Badminton Estate, home of the world-famous Badminton Horse Trials and the site where the game of badminton was invented.

Little is publicized about the young earl, who is known as “Bobby Worcester” and is presumably finishing his education.  One day soon, he will be considered one of England’s most eligible bachelors.  He has one brother, The Lord Alexander “Xan” Somerset, who is approximately 15 and therefore also single.

Badminton House

Badminton House, West Front

Address:

Badminton House, Badminton, Gloucestershire GL9 1DB

Sources:

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Somerset,_11th_Duke_of_Beaufort &                 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Badminton_House.jpg

ThePeerage.com - http://www.thepeerage.com/p1018.htm#i10173

Burke’s Peerage, 107^th Edition - http://www.burkespeerage.com/Search/FullRecord.aspx?ID=912

Cracroft's Peerage - http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/

VisiWiki - http://viswiki.com/en/Tracy_Louise_Ward

World Lingo - http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/David_Somerset,_11th_Duke_of_Beaufort

The Badminton Estate - http://www.badmintonestate.co.uk/About_us.html

The DiCamillo Companion - http://www.dicamillocompanion.com/houses_detail.asp?ID=121

Marquess of the Month: Charles Robert George Innes-Ker, Marquess of Bowmont and Cessford

Born in 1981 (18 February), this 29-year-old Scottish nobleman (3rd from the left in photo below) is the eldest son and heir apparent to the 10th Duke of Roxburghe, from whom he will inherit 10 other titles and a ₤80 million fortune, including the 60,000-acre Floors Castle estate.  In December 2009, The Duke of Roxburghe announced he is battling throat cancer.  The Lord Bowmont is often remembered for a 2003 incident, whereby he was caught travelling without having purchased a ₤1 metro ticket, causing much embarrassment.  He has since served with the Blues and Royals in Windsor and Iraq and appears to have restored his reputation.

Clarles Innes-Ker was educated at Eton College and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and dated Lord Beaverbrook’s daughter, Charlotte Aitken, 28 (born 15 February, 1982), for many years.  It is unknown whether or not he is still in this relationship.  As he has no wife or children at present, the presumptive succession would be his younger brother, The Lord Edward “Ted” Arthur Gerald Innes-Ker, 26 (born 2 February, 1984; former flatmate of Pippa Middleton), followed by his younger half-brother, The Lord George Alastair Innes-Ker, 14 (born 20 November, 1996), both of whom are single (the second for obvious reasons).

Address:

Floors Castle, Kelso, Roxburghshire TD5 7RW

Tel:  01573 224288   Office:  01573 223333

Sources:

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Innes-Ker,_Marquess_of_Bowmont_and_Cessford

FaceBook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charles-Innes-Ker-Marquess-of-Bowmont-and-Cessford/135682809798401?ref=ts&v=wall

Floors Castle - http://www.roxburghe.net/floorscastle_dukeofroxburghe.html

The Observer - http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2000/mar/12/rich.life11
ThePeerage.com - http://www.thepeerage.com/p245.htm#i2448

Burke’s Peerage, 107^th Edition - http://www.burkespeerage.com/Search/FullRecord.aspx?ID=12033

Cracroft's Peerage - http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/

Ask.com - http://www.ask.com/wiki/Charles_Innes-Ker,_Marquess_of_Bowmont_and_Cessford?qsrc=3044

Scotsman.com - http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Top-Scots-landowner-hit-by.5936772.jp

The Internet Forum - http://theinternetforum.net/royalforum/index.php?topic=34240.0

Welcome to The Single Peer

Whether it was for romantic interest or just plain curiosity, have you ever tried to look up a distinguished member of the peerage?  Were you frustrated by the links to long-dead ancestors and the lack of pertinent information about the person in question?  Did you go from site to site, hunting down information about heirs and estates, pulling your hair out in the process?  If so, I am hoping this site will be for you.  I have linked the search engine to the most pertinent sites for research of this nature.  Additionally, I hope you will enjoy regular features wherein I share my research, such as Duke of the Day, Marquess of the Month, Earl of the Hour, Viscount of the Week, and Bi-Weekly Baron.  Feel free to comment, post links, and share tid-bits of your own!