Earl of Kimberley, of Kimberley in the County of Norfolk, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1866 for the prominent Liberal politician John Wodehouse, 3rd Baron Wodehouse.[1] During his long political career, he notably held office as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Secretary of State for the Colonies, Secretary of State for India and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. He was succeeded by his son, the second Earl. At first a Liberal like his father, he later joined the Labour Party, becoming the first Labour member of the House of Lords. His eldest son, the third Earl, represented Norfolk Mid in the House of Commons as a Liberal. Since 2002, the titles are held by the latter's grandson, the fifth Earl.[2]

Earldom of Kimberley
Arms of the Earl of Kimberley
Arms: Sable a chevron or guttée de sang between three cinquefoils ermine
Creation date1 June 1866
Created byQueen Victoria
PeeragePeerage of the United Kingdom
First holderJohn Wodehouse, 3rd Baron Wodehouse
Present holderJohn Wodehouse, 5th Earl of Kimberley
Heir apparentDavid Wodehouse, Lord Wodehouse
Remainder tothe 1st Earl's heirs male of the body
Subsidiary titlesBaron Wodehouse
MottoOver the Crest: Frappe fort ("Strike Hard")
Beneath the Shield: Agincourt

Background

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The title of Baron Wodehouse, of Kimberley in the County of Norfolk, was created in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1797 for Sir John Wodehouse, 6th Baronet, of Wilberhall.[3] He had previously represented Norfolk in Parliament. His son, the second Baron, sat as Member of Parliament for Great Bedwyn and Marlborough. He was succeeded by his grandson, the aforementioned third Baron (son of the Hon. Henry Wodehouse), who was created Earl of Kimberley in 1866.[2]

The Wodehouse baronetcy, of Wilberhall in the County of Norfolk, was created in the Baronetage of England in 1611 for Philip Wodehouse, previously Member of Parliament for Castle Rising. His son, the second Baronet, was Member of Parliament for Thetford. He was succeeded by his son, the third Baronet, who represented Thetford as well as Norfolk in the House of Commons. His grandson, the fourth Baronet, was also Member of Parliament for these constituencies. His son, the fifth Baronet, represented Norfolk in Parliament. He was succeeded by his son, the aforementioned sixth Baronet, who was elevated to the peerage in 1797.[4]

Several other members of the Wodehouse family have also gained distinction. The author P. G. Wodehouse was the great-grandson of the Reverend Philip Wodehouse, second son of the fifth Baronet. The politician Edmond Wodehouse was the son of Thomas Wodehouse, third son of the fifth Baronet. His eldest son was the colonial administrator Sir Philip Wodehouse, Governor of Bombay from 1872 to 1877. Sir Philip Wodehouse's son Edmond Wodehouse represented Bath in the House of Commons as a Unionist. The Hon. Armine Wodehouse, younger son of the first Earl, was a civil servant and Liberal politician.[2]

The family seat is Hailstone House, near Cricklade, Wiltshire.

Wodehouse baronets, of Wilberhall (1611)

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Baron Wodehouse (1797)

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John Wodehouse, 1st Baron Wodehouse, at age 23

Earl of Kimberley (1866)

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The heir apparent is the present holder's only son, David Simon John Wodehouse, Lord Wodehouse (b. 1978), whose heir is his son Hon. Jasper John Wodehouse (b. 2017).[5]

Male-line family tree

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Male-line family tree
Male-line family tree, Wodehouse baronets, Barons Wodehouse, and Earls of Kimberley.
Sir Philip Wodehouse
1st Baronet

died 1623
Sir Thomas Wodehouse
2nd Baronet

c. 1585 – 1658
Sir Philip Wodehouse
3rd Baronet

1608–1681
Sir Thomas Wodehouse
died 1671
Sir John Wodehouse
4th Baronet

1669–1754
William Wodehouse
c. 1706 – 1731
Sir Armine Wodehouse
5th Baronet

c. 1714 – 1777
Baron Wodehouse
Sir John Wodehouse
1st Baron Wodehouse

6th Baronet
1741–1834
Sir John Wodehouse
2nd Baron Wodehouse

1770–1846
Hon.
Henry Wodehouse
1799–1834
Earl of Kimberley
Sir John Wodehouse
1st Earl of Kimberley

3rd Baron Wodehouse

1826–1902
Sir John Wodehouse
2nd Earl of Kimberley

1848–1932
Sir John Wodehouse
3rd Earl of Kimberley

1883–1941
Sir John Wodehouse
4th Earl of Kimberley

1924–2002
Sir John Wodehouse
5th Earl of Kimberley

born 1951
David Wodehouse
Lord Wodehouse
born 1978
Hon.
Jasper Wodehouse
born 2017

References

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  1. ^ "No. 23121". The London Gazette. 29 May 1866. p. 3195.
  2. ^ a b c (Mosley 2003)
  3. ^ "No. 14052". The London Gazette. 7 October 1797. p. 968.
  4. ^ Cokayne 1900.
  5. ^ Morris, Susan; Bosberry-Scott, Wendy; Belfield, Gervase, eds. (2019). "Kimberley, Earl of". Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage. Vol. 1 (150th ed.). London: Debrett's Ltd. pp. 2041–2048. ISBN 978-1-999767-0-5-1.

Cited books

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Baronetage of England
Preceded by Wodehouse baronets
29 June 1611
Succeeded by