Earl of Wiltshire

The title Earl of Wiltshire is one of the oldest in the Peerage of England, going back to the 12th century. It is currently held by the Marquess of Winchester, and is used as a courtesy title for the eldest son of the marquess.

The earldom was first created for Harvey of Léon, who married Sybilla, an illegitimate daughter of King Stephen. The title lapsed after Hervey lost his English lands during the Anarchy, since at that time one could not be an earl without the territory to support the dignity.

William le Scrope was created Earl of Wiltshire in 1397. He was executed during the events leading to the deposition of Richard II by Henry IV. The charter which granted his earldom limited its inheritance to "heirs male", but not did not contain the usual additional limitation "of his body". Thus in 1859 a collateral descendant attempted to claim the earldom, but the claim was rejected by the House of Lords.

The next creation was for James Butler, eldest son of the 4th Earl of Ormond. He fought on the Lancastrian side at the Battle of Towton, and afterwards was executed and posthumously attainted.

The earldom was next held by three members of the Stafford family, beginning with John, a younger son of the 1st Duke of Buckingham.

Anne Boleyn's father Thomas was the recipient of the next creation, but after out living his son and with no other male heir's upon his death the title became vacant.

Finally, in 1549/50 William Paulet was created Earl of Wiltshire. He was made Marquess of Winchester the next year, and his descendants continue to hold both titles.

Earl of Wiltshire, First Creation (1139)

*Hervey le Breton, Earl of Wiltshire (forfeit 1141)

Earl of Wiltshire, Second Creation (1397)

*William le Scrope, 1st Earl of Wiltshire (1350–1399) (forfeit 1399) [Correction for 1st Earl of Wiltshire, 2nd creation: Patrick De Salisbury was created Earl of Wiltshire by the Empress Maud probably after July 1143, but he was usually styled Earl of Salisbury. He was the 2nd but first surviving son of William De Salisbury, and grand-son of Walter of Salisbury the founder of the Priory of Brandenstoke, Wiltshire. He was Sheriff of Wiltshire in October 1152, when he was addressed as "Earl Patrick, sheriff" in a writ of Stephen. (Cokayne's Complete Peerage, (Salisbury) Vol XI, page 376...note (e)) Patrick De Salisbury, Earl of Wiltshire, passed the title down to his great-grand-daughter Margaret Longespee. She married Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, they had a daughter who became suo jure Countess of Lincoln and Wiltshire upon her mother's death. She married three times, but the earldom of Wilshire seems to have reverted to the crown with her death in October 1348. ("Cokayne's Complete Peerage", Vol XII (Wiltshire), pages 727–730.)]

Earl of Wiltshire, Third Creation (1449)

*James Butler, 1st Earl of Wiltshire (1420–1461) (forfeit 1461)

Earl of Wiltshire, Fourth Creation (1470)

*John Stafford, 1st Earl of Wiltshire (d. 1473)
*Edward Stafford, 2nd Earl of Wiltshire (1469–1499) (extinct)

Earl of Wiltshire, Fifth Creation (1510)

*Henry Stafford, 1st Earl of Wiltshire (1479–1523) (extinct)

Earl of Wiltshire, Sixth Creation (1529)

*Thomas Boleyn, Earl of Wiltshire (1477–1539) (extinct)

Earl of Wiltshire, Seventh Creation

*"see Marquess of Winchester"

See also

*Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon, who was offered the title but declined it

Notes