(Encyclopedia) Stair, John Dalrymple, 1st earl of, 1648–1707, Scottish statesman; son of Viscount Stair. He served under James II, but sponsored the accession (1688) of William III in the Scottish…
(Encyclopedia) Bigod, Hugh, 1st earl of NorfolkBigod, Hugh, 1st earl of Norfolkbīˈgŏd, nôrˈfək [key], d. 1177, English nobleman. He was instrumental in securing the throne for Stephen in 1135, but he…
(Encyclopedia) Buckingham, George Villiers, 1st duke ofBuckingham, George Villiers, 1st duke ofvĭlˈyərz, bŭkˈĭng-əm [key], 1592–1628, English courtier and royal favorite. He arrived (1614) at the…
(Encyclopedia) Bristol, John Digby, 1st earl of, 1580–1653, English diplomat. He spent most of the years 1611–24 at the Spanish court, where as ambassador he conducted the prolonged negotiations for…
(Encyclopedia) Breadalbane, John Campbell, 1st earl ofBreadalbane, John Campbell, 1st earl ofbrədôlˈbĭn, brĕd– [key], 1635?–1717, Scottish nobleman. He took part in the royalist rising of 1654 and…
(Encyclopedia) Carlisle, Charles Howard, 1st earl ofCarlisle, Charles Howard, 1st earl ofkärlīlˈ [key], 1629–85, English statesman. A member of the prominent Howard family, he held various offices…
(Encyclopedia) Westmorland, Ralph Neville, 1st earl of, 1364–1425, English nobleman. His family was one of the most powerful in England and shared domination of the northern counties with the Percy…
(Encyclopedia) Wharton, Thomas Wharton, 1st marquess of, 1648–1715, English politician. Before his entry into Parliament (1673) he had acquired the reputation as a rake and gambler that he retained…
(Encyclopedia) Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, 1st duke of, 1769–1852, British soldier and statesman.
Wellington, “the iron duke,” with the soldier's taste for discipline and order and the aristocrat…
