Earl of Stradbroke

Earl of Stradbroke, in the County of Suffolk, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The title of the earldom, Stradbroke, is pronounced "Stradbrook". It was created in 1821 for Sir John Rous, 6th Baronet, who had earlier represented Suffolk in the House of Commons. He had already in 1796 been created Baron Rous, of Dennington in the County of Suffolk, in the Peerage of Great Britain, and was made Viscount Dunwich, in the County of Suffolk, at the same time he was given the earldom.

He was succeeded by his eldest son, the second Earl who notably served as Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk. His son, the third Earl, was Governor of Victoria from 1920 to 1926 as well as Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk. He was succeeded by his eldest son, the fourth Earl, who also served as Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk. As of 2007 the titles are held by the latter's nephew, the sixth Earl, who succeeded his father in 1983. Lord Stradbroke lives at Mount Fyans, Victoria, Australia.

The Third Earl ("ex. officio" the Chief Scout of Victoria as Governor) also sponsored the Victorian Scouting competion, the Stradbroke Cup. This event is still held every year and is immensly popular.

The Baronetcy, of Henham in the County of Sussex, was created in the Baronetage of England in 1660 for John Rous. He sat as Member of Parliament for Dunwich and Eye. His son, the second Baronet, represented Dunwich and Suffolk in Parliament. On his death the title passed to his son, the third Baronet. He was Member of Parliament for Dunwich. His nephew, the fifth Baronet, represented Suffolk in the House of Commons. He was succeeded by his son, the aforementioned sixth Baronet, who was later elevated to the peerage.

The Rous family seat is Henham Park near Blythburgh in Suffolk and is home to the Latitude Festival

Admiral the Hon. Henry John Rous, was the second son of the first Earl.

Rous Baronets, of Henham (1660)

*Sir John Rous, 1st Baronet (c. 1608-1670)
*Sir John Rous, 2nd Baronet (c. 1656-1730)
*Sir John Rous, 3rd Baronet (c. 1776-1731)
*Sir Robert Rous, 4th Baronet (c. 1687-1735)
*Sir John Rous, 5th Baronet (c. 1727-1771)
*Sir John Rous, 6th Baronet (1750-1827) (created Earl of Stradbroke in 1821)

Earls of Stradbroke (1821)

*John Rous, 1st Earl of Stradbroke (1750-1827)
*John Edward Cornwallis Rous, 2nd Earl of Stradbroke (1794-1886)
*George Edward John Mowbray Rous, 3rd Earl of Stradbroke (1862-1947)
*John Anthony Alexander Rous, 4th Earl of Stradbroke (1903-1983)
*William Keith Rous, 5th Earl of Stradbroke (1907-1983)
*Robert Keith Rous, 6th Earl of Stradbroke (b. 1937)

The Heir Apparent is the present holder's eldest son Robert Keith Rous, Viscount Dunwich (b. 1961)

References

*Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). "Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage" (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.
* [http://www.angeltowns.com/town/peerage/ Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page]
* [http://website.lineone.net/~david.beamish/index.htm David Beamish's Peerage Page]

External links

* [http://www.henhampark.co.uk/history.htm Henham Park Estate History]