Duke of Bedford (named after

Bedford Bedford is a market town in Bedfordshire, England. At the 2011 Census, the population of the Bedford built-up area (including Biddenham and Kempston) was 106,940, making it the second-largest settlement in Bedfordshire, behind Luton, whilst t ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...

) is a title that has been created six times (for five distinct people) in the

Peerage of England The Peerage of England comprises all peerages created in the Kingdom of England before the Act of Union in 1707. In that year, the Peerages of England and Scotland were replaced by one Peerage of Great Britain. There are five peerages in th ...

. The first and second creations came in 1414 and 1433 respectively, in favour of Henry IV's third son,

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Secon ...

, who later served as regent of France. He was made Earl of Kendal at the same time and was made Earl of Richmond later the same year. The titles became extinct on his death in 1435. The third creation came in 1470 in favour of George Neville, nephew of

Warwick the Kingmaker Warwick ( ) is a market town, civil parish and the county town of Warwickshire in the Warwick District in England, adjacent to the River Avon. It is south of Coventry, and south-east of Birmingham. It is adjoined with Leamington Spa and ...

. He was deprived of the title by Act of Parliament in 1478. The fourth creation came in 1478 in favour of George, the third son of

Edward IV Edward IV (28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483) was King of England from 4 March 1461 to 3 October 1470, then again from 11 April 1471 until his death in 1483. He was a central figure in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars in Englan ...

. He died the following year at the age of two. The fifth creation came in 1485 in favour of Jasper Tudor, half-brother of Henry VI and uncle of Henry VII. He had already been created Earl of Pembroke in 1452. However, as he was a Lancastrian, his title was forfeited between 1461 and 1485 during the predominance of the

House of York The House of York was a cadet branch of the English royal House of Plantagenet. Three of its members became kings of England in the late 15th century. The House of York descended in the male line from Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of Yor ...

. He regained the earldom in 1485 when his nephew Henry VII came to the throne and was elevated to the dukedom the same year. He had no legitimate children and the titles became extinct on his death in 1495. The Russell family currently holds the titles of Earl and Duke of Bedford. John Russell, a close adviser of

Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disa ...

and

Edward VI Edward VI (12 October 1537 – 6 July 1553) was King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death in 1553. He was crowned on 20 February 1547 at the age of nine. Edward was the son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour and the first E ...

, was granted the title of Earl of Bedford in 1551, and his descendant William, 5th Earl, was created Duke in 1694, following the

Glorious Revolution The Glorious Revolution; gd, Rèabhlaid Ghlòrmhor; cy, Chwyldro Gogoneddus , also known as the ''Glorieuze Overtocht'' or ''Glorious Crossing'' in the Netherlands, is the sequence of events leading to the deposition of King James II and ...

. The subsidiary titles of the Duke of Bedford, all in the

, are Marquess of Tavistock (created 1694), Earl of Bedford (1550), Baron Russell, of Cheneys (1539), Baron Russell of Thornhaugh in the County of

Northampton Northampton () is a market town and civil parish in the East Midlands of England, on the River Nene, north-west of London and south-east of Birmingham. The county town of Northamptonshire, Northampton is one of the largest towns in England ...

(1603), and Baron Howland, of

Streatham Streatham ( ) is a district in south London, England. Centred south of Charing Cross, it lies mostly within the London Borough of Lambeth, with some parts extending into the neighbouring London Borough of Wandsworth. Streatham was in Surrey ...

in the County of

Surrey Surrey () is a ceremonial county, ceremonial and non-metropolitan county, non-metropolitan counties of England, county in South East England, bordering Greater London to the south west. Surrey has a large rural area, and several significant ur ...

(1695) (and possibly the

Barony of Bedford Barony of England, Bedford, England. First creation *Created for Paine de Beauchamp, by William Rufus * William de Beauchamp - forfeit for rebelling in the First Barons' War * Faukes de Brent - sent by King John of England to enforce Willi ...

, which was merged into it in 1138, 1366 or 1414). The

courtesy title A courtesy title is a title that does not have legal significance but rather is used through custom or courtesy, particularly, in the context of nobility, the titles used by children of members of the nobility (cf. substantive title). In some con ...

of the Duke of Bedford's eldest son and heir is ''Marquess of Tavistock''. Every Duke from the 5th Duke onwards is descended from

Charles II of England Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was King of Scotland from 1649 until 1651, and King of England, Scotland and Ireland from the 1660 Restoration of the monarchy until his death in 1685. Charles II was the eldest surviving child o ...

. The family seat is Woburn Abbey,

Bedfordshire Bedfordshire (; abbreviated Beds) is a ceremonial county in the East of England. The county has been administered by three unitary authorities, Borough of Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Borough of Luton, since Bedfordshire County Council ...

. The private mausoleum and chapel of the Russell Family and the Dukes of Bedford is at St. Michael's Church in Chenies,

Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire (), abbreviated Bucks, is a ceremonial county in South East England that borders Greater London to the south-east, Berkshire to the south, Oxfordshire to the west, Northamptonshire to the north, Bedfordshire to the north-e ...

photo
. The family owns The Bedford Estate in central London.

Dukes of Bedford, first Creation (1414)

:''Other titles: Earl of Kendal (1414) and Earl of Richmond (1414)'' *

John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford KG (20 June 138914 September 1435) was a medieval English prince, general and statesman who commanded England's armies in France during a critical phase of the Hundred Years' War. Bedford was the third son of ...

(1389–1435), third son of Henry IV

Dukes of Bedford, second Creation (1433)

:''Other titles: Earl of Kendal (1414) and Earl of Richmond (1414)'' *

(1389–1435), regranted his dukedom with the standard remainder, died without issue

Dukes of Bedford, third Creation (1470)

:''Other titles: Marquess of Montagu (1470) and Baron Montagu (1461)'' * George Neville, Duke of Bedford (1457–1483), nephew of

, succeeded as Marquess of Montagu and Baron Montagu in 1471, deprived of all of his honours in 1478

Dukes of Bedford, fourth Creation (1478)

George Plantagenet, Duke of Bedford George of York, Duke of Bedford (March 1477 – March 1479) was the eighth child and third son of Edward IV of England and Elizabeth Woodville. George was born in Windsor Castle in March 1477, and was created Duke of Bedford in infancy, probably ...

(1477–1479), third son of

, died in infancy

Dukes of Bedford, fifth Creation (1485)

:''Other titles: Earl of Pembroke (1452)'' *

Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford (November 143121/26 December 1495), was the uncle of King Henry VII of England and a leading architect of his nephew's successful accession to the throne in 1485. He was from the noble Tudor family of Penmynydd i ...

(1431–1495), uncle of Henry VII, regained his earldom a few months after his nephew's accession. He died without legitimate issue.

Earls of Bedford (1551)

:''Other titles: Baron Russell (1539)'' *

John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford (c. 1485 – 14 March 1555) was an English royal minister in the Tudor era. He served variously as Lord High Admiral and Lord Privy Seal. Among the lands and property he was given by Henry VIII after the D ...

(c. 1485–1555), a close advisor of

, was later created Earl of Bedford, by then a close advisor of Henry's son

, was further honoured by him *

Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, KG ( – 28 July 1585) of Chenies in Buckinghamshire and of Bedford House in Exeter, Devon, was an English nobleman, soldier, and politician. He was a godfather to the Devon-born sailor Sir Francis Drake ...

(1527–1585), son of the 1st Earl **Edward Russell, Lord Russell (1551–1572), eldest son of the 2nd Earl **John Russell, 3rd Baron Russell (c. 1553–1584), second son of the 2nd Earl, summoned to Parliament by writ of acceleration **Francis Russell, Lord Russell (c. 1554–1585), third son of the 2nd Earl **William Russell, 1st Baron Russell of Thornhaugh (c.1557–1613), fourth son of the 2nd Earl * Edward Russell, 3rd Earl of Bedford (1572–1627), son of Francis, Lord Russell :''Other titles (4th Earl onwards): Baron Russell of Thornhaugh (1603)'' * Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford (1593–1641), cousin of the 3rd Earl and son of Lord Russell of Thornhaugh (fourth son of the 2nd Earl) *

William Russell, 5th Earl of Bedford William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford KG PC (August 1616 – 7 September 1700) was an English nobleman and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 until 1641 when he inherited his Peerage as 5th Earl of Bedford and removed to the ...

(1616–1700), eldest son of the 4th Earl, was created Duke of Bedford in 1694 **Francis Russell, Lord Russell (1638–1679), eldest son of the 5th Earl, died unmarried ** Rt. Hon. William Russell, Lord Russell (1639–1683), second son of the 5th Earl, father of the 2nd Duke, was attainted and executed in 1683

Dukes of Bedford, sixth Creation (1694)

William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford :''Other titles: Marquess of Tavistock (1694), Baron Howland (1695), Earl of Bedford (1551), Baron Russell (1538) and Baron Russell of Thornhaugh (1603)'' *

William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford KG PC (August 1616 – 7 September 1700) was an English nobleman and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 until 1641 when he inherited his Peerage as 5th Earl of Bedford and removed to th ...

(1616–1700), was created Duke of Bedford in 1694, after the

**Francis Russell, Lord Russell (1638–1679), eldest son of the 1st Duke, died unmarried ** Rt. Hon. William Russell, Lord Russell (1639–1683), second son of the 1st Duke *

Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford KG (1 November 1680 – 26 May 1711) was an English nobleman and politician. He was the son of William Russell, Lord Russell, and his wife Lady Rachel Wriothesley. From 1683 until 1694, he was styled Lor ...

(1680–1711), only son of Rt. Hon. William Russell, Lord Russell (whose attainder had been reversed in 1688) **William Russell, Marquess of Tavistock (1703), eldest son of the 2nd Duke, died in infancy **William Russell, Marquess of Tavistock (1704–c. 1707), second son of the 2nd Duke, died young *

Wriothesley Russell, 3rd Duke of Bedford Wriothesley Russell, 3rd Duke of Bedford (25 May 1708 – 23 October 1732) was an English nobleman and peer. He was the son of Wriothesley Russell, 2nd Duke of Bedford. Russell married his sister's stepdaughter, Lady Anne Egerton, daughter of ...

(1708–1732), third son of the 2nd Duke, died without issue * John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford (1710–1771), fourth and youngest son of the 2nd Duke **John Russell, Marquess of Tavistock (1732–1732), eldest son of the 4th Duke, died in infancy ** Francis Russell, Marquess of Tavistock (1739–1767), second son of the 4th Duke and father of the 5th and 6th Dukes * Francis Russell, 5th Duke of Bedford (1765–1802), eldest son of Lord Tavistock, died without issue * John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford (1766–1839), second son of Lord Tavistock *

Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford Francis may refer to: People * Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State and Bishop of Rome * Francis (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters *Francis (surname) Places *Rural ...

(1788–1861), eldest son of the 6th Duke *

William Russell, 8th Duke of Bedford William Russell, 8th Duke of Bedford (1 July 1809 – 27 May 1872) was a British Whig politician. He was the son of Francis Russell, 7th Duke of Bedford and his wife Anna Maria Stanhope. Russell was educated at Eton College and Christ Churc ...

(1809–1872), only son of the 7th Duke, died unmarried * Francis Charles Hastings Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford (1819–1891), eldest son of Maj.-Gen. Lord George Russell, second son of the 6th Duke * George William Francis Sackville Russell, 10th Duke of Bedford (1852–1893), eldest son of the 9th Duke, died without issue * Herbrand Arthur Russell, 11th Duke of Bedford (1858–1940), second son of the 9th Duke * Hastings William Sackville Russell, 12th Duke of Bedford (1888–1953), only son of the 11th Duke * John Ian Robert Russell, 13th Duke of Bedford (1917–2002), eldest son of the 12th Duke *

Henry Robin Ian Russell, 14th Duke of Bedford (Henry) Robin Ian Russell, 14th Duke of Bedford (21 January 1940 – 13 June 2003), DL, of Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire, was a British peer, stockbroker and animal conservationist. He became well known to the public by appearing in three series ...

(1940–2003), eldest son of the 13th Duke * Andrew Ian Henry Russell, 15th Duke of Bedford (born 1962), eldest son of the 14th Duke The

heir apparent An heir apparent, often shortened to heir, is a person who is first in an order of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting by the birth of another person; a person who is first in the order of succession but can be displaced by the b ...

is the present holder's only son Henry Robin Charles Russell, Marquess of Tavistock (b. 2005).

Line of succession

'' Hastings William Sackville Russell, 12th Duke of Bedford (1888–1953)'' ** Coronet of a British Duke

'' John Ian Robert Russell, 13th Duke of Bedford (1917–2002)'' *** Coronet of a British Duke

(1940–2003)'' **** Coronet of a British Duke

Andrew Ian Henry Russell, 15th Duke of Bedford (born 1962) *****(1). Henry Robin Charles Russell, Marquess of Tavistock (b. 2005) ****(2). Lord Robin Loel Hastings Russell (b. 1963) ****(3). Lord James Edward Herbrand Russell (b. 1975) *****(4). Alexander Charles Robin Russell (b. 2010) *****(5). Leo William Caspar Russell (b. 2013) ***(6). Lord Rudolf Russell (b. 1944) ***(7). Lord Francis Hastings Russell (b. 1950) ****(8). John Francis Russell (b. 1997) ****(9). Harry Evelyn Terence Russell (b. 1999) **''Lord Hugh Hastings Russell (1923–2005)'' ***(10). Mark Hugh Russell (b. 1960) ****(11). Laurie Stewart Russell (b. 1990)

Family Tree

References

External links

*
Heraldry of the Russell Family
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bedford Dukedoms in the Peerage of England Bedford Estate Duke of Bedford Noble titles created in 1414 Noble titles created in 1433 Noble titles created in 1470 Noble titles created in 1478 Noble titles created in 1485 Noble titles created in 1694