Baron Methuen

Summary

Baron Methuen, of Corsham in the County of Wiltshire, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.[1] It was created in 1838 for the former Member of Parliament for Wiltshire and Wiltshire North, Paul Methuen. His grandson, the third Baron (who succeeded his father), was a distinguished soldier who became Field marshal.[2] His son, the fourth Baron, was a professional artist and Royal Academician. On his death, the title passed to his younger brother, the fifth Baron. The seventh Baron, who succeeded his elder brother in 1994, was one of the ninety hereditary peers elected to the House of Lords after the passage of the House of Lords Act 1999, and sat on the Liberal Democrat benches. As of 2014, the title is held by his first cousin once removed, the eighth baron, who succeeded to the title in that year.

Paul Methuen, 3rd Baron Methuen

The first Baron's grandfather, Paul Methuen, was the cousin and heir of the wealthy Sir Paul Methuen, a well-known politician, courtier, diplomat and patron of art and literature, who was the son of John Methuen (c. 1650 – 1706), Lord Chancellor of Ireland between 1697 and 1703 and ambassador to Portugal. It was the last-named who in 1703 negotiated the famous Methuen Treaty, which, in return for the admission of English woollens into Portugal, granted differential duty favouring the importation of Portuguese wines into England to the disadvantage of French wines, and thus contributed to the replacement of the drinking of burgundy by that of port.[3]

The family seat is Corsham Court, in Corsham, Wiltshire.

Barons Methuen (1838) edit

 
Corsham Court

The heir presumptive is the present holder's half-brother, Thomas Rice Mansel Methuen-Campbell (born 1977).

Title succession chart edit

Title succession chart, Barons Methuen.
Paul Methuen
1st Baron Methuen

1779–1849
Paul Methuen
1814–1837
Frederick Methuen
2nd Baron Methuen

1818–1891
Field Marshal
Paul Methuen
3rd Baron Methuen

1845–1932
Paul Methuen
4th Baron Methuen

1886–1974
Anthony Methuen
5th Baron Methuen

1891–1975
Hon.
Laurence Methuen
1898–1970
Anthony Methuen
1923–1934
John Methuen
6th Baron Methuen

1925–1994
Robert Methuen
7th Baron Methuen

1931–2014
Christopher Methuen-Campbell
1928–1998
James Methuen-Campbell
8th Baron Methuen

born 1952
Thomas Methuen-Campbell
born 1977

Arms edit

Coat of arms of Baron Methuen
 
 
Escutcheon
Argent three wolves' heads erased Proper on the breast of an eagle with two heads displayed Sable.
Supporters
On either side two fiery lynxes reguardant Proper collared having a line passing between their forelegs reflexed over their backs Or.
Motto
Virtus Invidiae Scopus [4]

Notes edit

  • Kidd, Charles, ed. (1903). Debrett's peerage, baronetage, knightage, and companionage. London: Dean and son. p. 618.
  1. ^ "No. 19629". The London Gazette. 26 June 1838. p. 1445.
  2. ^ Chisholm 1911.
  3. ^   One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Methuen, Barony of". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 18 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 298.
  4. ^ Burke's Peerage. 1959.

References edit

  • Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990,[page needed]
  • Leigh Rayment's Peerage Pages [self-published source][better source needed]