Charles Brudenell-Bruce, 1st Marquess of Ailesbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Most Honourable
The Marquess of Ailesbury
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Charles Brudenell-Bruce, 1st Marquess of Ailesbury (William Beechey)
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| Member of Parliament for Marlborough |
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| In office 1801–1814 |
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| Succeeded by |
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| Member of the Great Britain Parliament for Marlborough |
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| In office 1796–1800 |
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| Preceded by |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Brudenell-Bruce
14 February 1773 |
| Died | 4 January 1856 (aged 82) Tottenham, Wiltshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 5, including George, Ernest, and Charles |
| Parents |
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| Education | University of Leyden |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Royal Berkshire Militia |
| Branch/service | Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry |
| Years of service | 1792–1827 |
| Rank | Colonel |
Charles Brudenell-Bruce, 1st Marquess of Ailesbury (born February 14, 1773 – died January 4, 1856) was an important British noble and politician. He was known by different titles throughout his life, starting as The Honourable Charles Brudenell-Bruce, then Lord Bruce, and later The Earl of Ailesbury. He eventually became the 1st Marquess of Ailesbury.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Charles Brudenell-Bruce was the only son of Thomas Brudenell-Bruce, 1st Earl of Ailesbury. His mother was Susanna Hoare. He grew up in a wealthy family.
Studying Abroad
When he was 10 years old, Charles went to Italy for his education. Later, he studied at the University of Leyden in the Netherlands. This was a common path for young men from noble families at the time.
Family Estate: Tottenham Park
His family lived at Tottenham Park in Wiltshire, England. His father had worked with a famous landscape designer, Lancelot "Capability" Brown, to create beautiful gardens there. The estate was very large and included parts of Savernake Forest. When Charles inherited the estate in 1814, he decided to make the house even bigger and grander.
Military Service
Charles Brudenell-Bruce also had a career in the military. He joined the Berkshire Militia in 1792 as an Ensign, which is a junior officer rank.
Rising Through the Ranks
In 1796, he became a Captain in the Marlborough Yeomanry. The next year, he was promoted to Colonel of the Wiltshire Yeomanry. From 1811 to 1827, he was the Colonel of the Royal Wiltshire Militia. This was mostly an honorary role, but he was known for his strong views against France.
Political Career
From a young age, Charles's father wanted him to be involved in politics. He became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Marlborough in 1796. He served in the House of Commons until 1814, when he inherited his father's titles.
Voting in Parliament
Lord Bruce, as he was known then, did not always attend debates in the House of Commons. He often voted against the government's plans. For example, in 1801, he supported a motion to investigate a failed military expedition. He also voted against the Peace of Amiens treaty in 1802, which aimed to bring peace with France.
He generally opposed many of the government's proposals. However, he did support some measures, like a bill for Irish Volunteers in 1804. He also supported efforts to create a Regency bill in 1811, which would allow Prince George to take over the King's duties.
Views on Important Issues
Charles Brudenell-Bruce was against ending the slave trade. He believed in traditional economic ideas that did not support government interference in trade. He was also a strong supporter of the Tory party, especially the "Ultras," who held very traditional and conservative views. He was against making it easier for more people to vote.
In 1814, he left the House of Commons when he inherited his father's titles. This meant he moved to the House of Lords.
Joining the House of Lords
On May 20, 1819, he was made a Knight of the Thistle, a special honor. In 1821, he received several new titles, including 1st Viscount Savernake, 1st Earl Bruce, and 1st Marquess of Ailesbury. These honors were given during the coronation of King George IV.
As a Marquess, he had a lot of influence in the borough of Marlborough. He was known for controlling many of the votes there. He voted against the Great Reform Bill of 1831, which aimed to change how Parliament worked and extend voting rights. He also voted against a bill in 1843 that would allow Jewish people to become members of Parliament.
Later Years in the Lords
Even though he was a Tory, Lord Ailesbury sometimes supported the Whig governments, which were more liberal. He was a strong supporter of Britain's foreign policy, especially when it involved using naval power to protect British interests. He believed that the army needed to be strong to defend the colonies.
He also spoke in favor of free trade. In 1849, he called for the repeal of the Navigation Laws, which controlled shipping and trade. He argued that these laws hurt the colonies and that allowing free trade would benefit everyone.
Family Life
On April 10, 1793, Charles Brudenell-Bruce married Henrietta Maria Hill in Florence, Italy. They had six children together.
Children of Charles and Henrietta
- Charlotte Henrietta (born 1794)
- Lady Maria Carolina Ann (born 1794)
- Lady Augusta Frederica (1795–1869)
- George William Frederick (1804–1878), who later became the 2nd Marquess of Ailesbury.
- Lady Elizabeth (1807–1847)
- Lord Ernest Augustus Charles (1811–1886), who later became the 3rd Marquess of Ailesbury.
Henrietta died in 1831. Two years later, in 1833, the Marquess married Maria Elizabeth Clarke. They had one son:
- Lord Charles William (1834–1897), who became a soldier and courtier.
Charles Brudenell-Bruce, 1st Marquess of Ailesbury, passed away in January 1856 at Tottenham Park. His eldest son, George, inherited his titles. He was buried at Great Bedwyn churchyard.
Images for kids
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Henrietta Maria Hill, Marchioness of Ailesbury, by Thomas Lawrence
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Maria Tollemache, later Marchioness of Ailesbury, by circle of Martin Archer Shee
_-_Henrietta_Maria_Hill_(c.1773%E2%80%931831),_Marchioness_of_Ailesbury_-_608955_-_National_Trust.jpg)
