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Douglas, Archibald, 8th earl of Angus

(Encyclopedia)Douglas, Archibald, 8th earl of Angus, 1555–88, Scottish nobleman; grandnephew of Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus. During the regency (1572–78) of his uncle, James Douglas, 4th earl of Morton...

Rivers, Richard Woodville, 1st Earl

(Encyclopedia)Rivers, Richard Woodville, 1st Earl, d. 1469, English nobleman. He was knighted (1426) by Henry VI and acquired wealth and power by marrying (c.1436) Jacquetta of Luxemburg, widow of John of Lancaster...

Essex, Robert Devereux, 3d earl of

(Encyclopedia)Essex, Robert Devereux, 3d earl of, 1591–1646, English parliamentary general; son of Robert Devereux, 2d earl of Essex. James I restored him (1604) to the estates of his father and arranged his marr...

Elgin, James Bruce, 8th earl of

(Encyclopedia)Elgin, James Bruce, 8th earl of ĕlˈgĭn [key], 1811–63, British statesman, son of the 7th earl. He served as governor of Jamaica (1842–46) and in 1847 was appointed governor-general of Canada. T...

Warwick, Guy de Beauchamp, earl of

(Encyclopedia)Warwick, Guy de Beauchamp, earl of bēˈchəm, wŏrˈĭk [key], d. 1315, English nobleman. He was active in Edward I's campaigns in Scotland. A leading opponent of Piers Gaveston, he became (1310) one...

Sunderland, Charles Spencer, 3d earl of

(Encyclopedia)Sunderland, Charles Spencer, 3d earl of, 1674–1722, English statesman; son of the 2d earl. His marriage (1700) to a daughter of the 1st duke of Marlborough brought him a secretaryship of state (1706...

Bristol, George Digby, 2d earl of

(Encyclopedia)Bristol, George Digby, 2d earl of, 1612–77, English courtier; son of John Digby, 1st earl of Bristol. At first a member of the parliamentary opposition to Charles I, he later fought for the king in ...

Desmond, Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th earl of

(Encyclopedia)Desmond, Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th earl of dĕzˈmənd [key], d. 1583, Irish nobleman. He spent his life fighting Thomas Butler, 10th earl of Ormonde, who represented English interests. He was twice imp...

Kildare, James Fitzgerald, 20th earl of

(Encyclopedia)Kildare, James Fitzgerald, 20th earl of kĭldârˈ [key], 1722–73, Irish nobleman. He sat in the Irish House of Commons from 1741 until 1744, when he succeeded as earl of Kildare. He was created Vis...

Carlisle, Charles Howard, 1st earl of

(Encyclopedia)Carlisle, Charles Howard, 1st earl of kärlīlˈ [key], 1629–85, English statesman. A member of the prominent Howard family, he held various offices under Oliver Cromwell and remained in favor after...