Earl of Kimberley

Earldom of Kimberley
Arms: Sable a chevron or guttée de sang between three cinquefoils ermine
Creation date	1 June 1866
Created by	Queen Victoria
Peerage	Peerage of the United Kingdom
First holder	John Wodehouse, 3rd Baron Wodehouse
Present holder	John Wodehouse, 5th Earl of Kimberley
Heir apparent	David Wodehouse, Lord Wodehouse
Remainder to	the 1st Earl's heirs male of the body
Subsidiary titles	Baron Wodehouse
Motto	Over the Crest: Frappe fort ("Strike Hard") Beneath the Shield: Agincourt

Earl of Kimberley, of Kimberley in the County of Norfolk, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1866 for the prominent Liberal politician John Wodehouse, 3rd Baron Wodehouse. During his long political career, he notably held office as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Secretary of State for the Colonies, Secretary of State for India and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. He was succeeded by his son, the second Earl. At first a Liberal like his father, he later joined the Labour Party, becoming the first Labour member of the House of Lords. His eldest son, the third Earl, represented Norfolk Mid in the House of Commons as a Liberal. Since 2002, the titles are held by the latter's grandson, the fifth Earl.

Background

The title of Baron Wodehouse, of Kimberley in the County of Norfolk, was created in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1797 for Sir John Wodehouse, 6th Baronet, of Wilberhall. He had previously represented Norfolk in Parliament. His son, the second Baron, sat as Member of Parliament for Great Bedwyn and Marlborough. He was succeeded by his grandson, the aforementioned third Baron (son of the Hon. Henry Wodehouse), who was created Earl of Kimberley in 1866.

The Wodehouse baronetcy, of Wilberhall in the County of Norfolk, was created in the Baronetage of England in 1611 for Philip Wodehouse, previously Member of Parliament for Castle Rising. His son, the second Baronet, was Member of Parliament for Thetford. He was succeeded by his son, the third Baronet, who represented Thetford as well as Norfolk in the House of Commons. His grandson, the fourth Baronet, was also Member of Parliament for these constituencies. His son, the fifth Baronet, represented Norfolk in Parliament. He was succeeded by his son, the aforementioned sixth Baronet, who was elevated to the peerage in 1797.

Several other members of the Wodehouse family have also gained distinction. The author P. G. Wodehouse was the great-grandson of the Reverend Philip Wodehouse, second son of the fifth Baronet. The politician Edmond Wodehouse was the son of Thomas Wodehouse, third son of the fifth Baronet. His eldest son was the colonial administrator Sir Philip Wodehouse, Governor of Bombay from 1872 to 1877. Sir Philip Wodehouse's son Edmond Wodehouse represented Bath in the House of Commons as a Unionist. The Hon. Armine Wodehouse, younger son of the first Earl, was a civil servant and Liberal politician.

The family seat is Hailstone House, near Cricklade, Wiltshire.

Wodehouse baronets, of Wilberhall (1611)

• Sir Philip Wodehouse, 1st Baronet (d. 1623)
• Sir Thomas Wodehouse, 2nd Baronet (c. 1585 – 1658)
• Sir Philip Wodehouse, 3rd Baronet (1608–1681)
  • Sir Thomas Wodehouse (d. 1671)
• Sir John Wodehouse, 4th Baronet (1669–1754)
  • William Wodehouse (c. 1706–1737)
• Sir Armine Wodehouse, 5th Baronet (c. 1714 – 1777)
• Sir John Wodehouse, 6th Baronet (1741–1834) (created Baron Wodehouse in 1797)

Baron Wodehouse (1797)

John Wodehouse, 1st Baron Wodehouse, at age 23

• John Wodehouse, 1st Baron Wodehouse (1741–1834)
• John Wodehouse, 2nd Baron Wodehouse (1770–1846)
  • The Hon. Henry Wodehouse (1799–1834)
• John Wodehouse, 3rd Baron Wodehouse (1826–1902) (created Earl of Kimberley in 1866)

Earl of Kimberley (1866)

• John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley (1826–1902)
• John Wodehouse, 2nd Earl of Kimberley (1848–1932)
• John Wodehouse, 3rd Earl of Kimberley (1883–1941)
• John Wodehouse, 4th Earl of Kimberley (1924–2002)
• John Armine Wodehouse, 5th Earl of Kimberley (b. 1951)

The heir apparent is the present holder's only son, David Simon John Wodehouse, Lord Wodehouse (b. 1978), whose heir is his son Hon. Jasper John Wodehouse (b. 2017).

Male-line family tree

Male-line family tree

Male-line family tree, Wodehouse baronets, Barons Wodehouse, and Earls of Kimberley. Sir Philip Wodehouse 1st Baronet died 1623 Sir Thomas Wodehouse 2nd Baronet c. 1585 – 1658 Sir Philip Wodehouse 3rd Baronet 1608–1681 Sir Thomas Wodehouse died 1671 Sir John Wodehouse 4th Baronet 1669–1754 William Wodehouse c. 1706 – 1731 Sir Armine Wodehouse 5th Baronet c. 1714 – 1777 Baron Wodehouse Sir John Wodehouse 1st Baron Wodehouse 6th Baronet 1741–1834 Sir John Wodehouse 2nd Baron Wodehouse 1770–1846 Hon. Henry Wodehouse 1799–1834 Earl of Kimberley Sir John Wodehouse 1st Earl of Kimberley 3rd Baron Wodehouse 1826–1902 Sir John Wodehouse 2nd Earl of Kimberley 1848–1932 Sir John Wodehouse 3rd Earl of Kimberley 1883–1941 Sir John Wodehouse 4th Earl of Kimberley 1924–2002 Sir John Wodehouse 5th Earl of Kimberley born 1951 David Wodehouse Lord Wodehouse born 1978 Hon. Jasper Wodehouse born 2017

References

Cited books

• Hesilrige, Arthur G. M. (1921). Debrett's Peerage and Titles of courtesy. 160A, Fleet street, London, UK: Dean & Son. p. 519.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
• Cokayne, George Edward (1900). The Complete Peerage. Vol. 1. 39 & 40 North Street, Exeter: William Pollard & co Ltd. p. 74. 1611-1625{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
• Mosley, Charles (2003). Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knighthood (107 ed.). Burke's Peerage. pp. 2162–2167. ISBN 0-9711966-2-1.