Earl of Annandale and Hartfell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Earldom of Annandale and Hartfell |
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Argent a saltire Sable and on a chief Gules three cushions Or.
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| Creation date | 1661 |
| Monarch | Charles II |
| Peerage | Peerage of Scotland |
| First holder | James Johnstone, 1st |
| Present holder | Patrick Hope-Johnstone, 11th Earl of Annandale and Hartfell |
| Heir apparent | David Hope-Johnstone, Lord Johnstone |
| Subsidiary titles | Lord Johnstone |
The Earl of Annandale and Hartfell is a special title in Scotland. It's part of the Peerage of Scotland, which is a system of noble ranks. This title was first given to James Johnstone in 1661.
Before this, there was an earlier title, the Earl of Annandale, created in 1625 for John Murray. But this title ended when his son, James, passed away without any children to inherit it.
How the Title Began
The story of the Annandale and Hartfell title is a bit like a puzzle! James Johnstone, whose father was a important person called the Warden of the West Marches, first received the title of Lord Johnstone of Lochwood in 1633. This was a lower noble rank.
Later, in 1643, he was given an even higher title: Earl of Hartfell. His son, also named James, later gave up this earldom. But then, he got it back in a new way! In 1661, he was given the title Earl of Annandale and Hartfell.
The next year, in 1662, King Charles II made it even more official with a special document called a crown charter. This document said the title would pass down through his family, first to his sons, and if he had no sons, then to his daughters.
William, who was the second Earl of Annandale and Hartfell, received an even higher title in 1701: Marquess of Annandale. This meant he was a very important noble.
The Title's Journey and Revival
After the third Marquess of Annandale passed away, it became unclear who should inherit the titles. For a long time, no one could prove they were the rightful heir. This meant the earldoms became dormant, which is like being asleep. No one held the title.
The titles stayed dormant until 1985. That's when a person named Patrick Hope-Johnstone made a claim to the titles. A special group in the House of Lords (part of the British government) looked into his claim. They decided that King Charles II's special document from 1662 actually created a new title that could be passed down through the female family line.
Because of this decision, the title passed through Lady Henrietta Johnstone (who married Charles Hope, the First Earl of Hopetoun) all the way to Patrick Hope-Johnstone. This meant the title was "revived" or woken up!
The Current Earl
Today, the current Earl is Patrick Hope-Johnstone, 11th Earl of Annandale and Hartfell. He also holds a smaller title called Lord Johnstone, which was created in 1662.
The family home for the Earls of Annandale and Hartfell is called Raehills. It's located near Lockerbie in Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
The person who is expected to inherit the title next is the current Earl's son, David Patrick Wentworth Hope-Johnstone. He is known as Lord Johnstone. His son, Percy John Wentworth Hope Johnstone, is next in line after him.
See also
