Charles Marsham, 1st Earl of Romney (28 September 1744 – 1 March 1811), known as The Lord Romney between 1793 and 1801, was a British politician who sat in the

House of Commons The House of Commons is the name for the elected lower house of the bicameral parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada. In both of these countries, the Commons holds much more legislative power than the nominally upper house of parliament. ...

from 1768 to 1790, inherited his peerage in 1793 and was created

Earl of Romney Earl () is a rank of the nobility in the United Kingdom. The title originates in the Old English word ''eorl'', meaning "a man of noble birth or rank". The word is cognate with the Scandinavian form ''jarl'', and meant "chieftain", particular ...

in 1801.

Biography

Romney was the son of

Robert Marsham, 2nd Baron Romney The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...

, and Priscilla, daughter and heiress of Charles Pym. He was educated at

Eton College Eton College () is a public school in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI under the name ''Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore'',Nevill, p. 3 ff. intended as a sister institution to King's College, C ...

(1753-63) and entered

Christ Church, Oxford Christ Church ( la, Ædes Christi, the temple or house, '' ædēs'', of Christ, and thus sometimes known as "The House") is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, the college is uniqu ...

, in 1763. He succeeded his father to the barony on 16 November 1793. In 1793 Charles inherited his grandfather's huge sugar plantations, jointly known as "Romney's", on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean. The property had been part of his father's marriage settlement to his mother in 1742.

Political career

Romney was returned to Parliament for

Maidstone Maidstone is the largest Town status in the United Kingdom, town in Kent, England, of which it is the county town. Maidstone is historically important and lies 32 miles (51 km) east-south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the c ...

in 1768, a seat he held until 1774, and then represented

Kent Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...

from 1774 to 1790. He was also

Lord Lieutenant of Kent This is a list of people who have served as Lord-Lieutenant of Kent. Since 1746, all Lords Lieutenant have also been Custos Rotulorum of Kent. Lords Lieutenant of Kent * Sir Thomas Cheney 1551–? *William Brooke, 10th Baron Cobham 3 July 1585 – ...

from 1797 to 1808. In 1799 he entertained

King George III George III (George William Frederick; 4 June 173829 January 1820) was King of Great Britain and of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of the two kingdoms on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Br ...

at his seat Moat House, when the King reviewed about six thousand of the Kentish Volunteers. A Doric-style temple was constructed in

Mote Park Mote Park is a multi-use public park in Maidstone, Kent. Previously a country estate it was converted to landscaped park land at the end of the 18th century before becoming a municipal park. It includes the former stately home Mote House toget ...

to commemorate the occasion.

Marriage & children

Lord Romney married Lady Frances Wyndham (born 9 July 1755, died 15 January 1795), daughter of Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont, on 30 August 1776. They had two surviving children:Te Peerage.com, entry for 1st Earl of Romney
/ref> *

Charles Marsham, 2nd Earl of Romney Charles Marsham, 2nd Earl of Romney (22 November 1777 – 29 March 1845), styled Viscount Marsham between 1801 and 1811, was a British peer and politician. Biography Romney was the son of Charles Marsham, 1st Earl of Romney, and Lady Fran ...

(born 22 November 1777, died 29 March 1845) * Lady Frances Marsham (born 25 October 1778, died 30 June 1868). Married Sir John Buchanan Riddell of that Ilk, 9th Bt on 17 August 1805 and had issue, including Sir Walter Riddell of that Ilk, 10th Bt. Lady Romney died in January 1795 at the age of 39. Lord Romney died in March 1811, aged 66, and was succeeded in the earldom and other titles by his son,

Charles Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English language, English and French language, French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic, Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*k ...

Honours

Romney was elected a

Fellow of the Royal Society Fellowship of the Royal Society (FRS, ForMemRS and HonFRS) is an award granted by the judges of the Royal Society of London to individuals who have made a "substantial contribution to the improvement of natural science, natural knowledge, incl ...

in 1766. In 1801 Romney was created Viscount Marsham, of the Mote in the County of Kent, and Earl of Romney.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Romney, Charles Marsham, 1st Earl Of 1744 births 1811 deaths People educated at Eton College Alumni of Christ Church, Oxford Marsham, Charles Marsham, Charles Marsham, Charles Marsham, Charles Marsham, Charles Earls in the Peerage of the United Kingdom Lord-Lieutenants of Kent Fellows of the Royal Society