Earl of Melfort facts for kids
The Viscount of Melfort and Lord Drummond of Gillestoun were special titles created in Scotland on April 14, 1685. These titles were given to a man named John Drummond, who was the second son of the Earl of Perth. The titles were meant to be passed down to his male children from his second marriage.
Later, on August 12, 1686, John Drummond received even more titles: Earl of Melfort, Viscount of Forth, and Lord Drummond of Riccartoun, Castlemains and Gilstoun. These were also Scottish titles and would be passed down in a similar way.
Contents
The Melfort Titles: A Royal Story
A King's Supporter and Exile
John Drummond was a strong supporter of King James II and VII. When the "Glorious Revolution" happened in 1688, King James lost his throne. William of Orange and Mary II became the new rulers of England and Scotland. Because of this, John Drummond had to escape to France on December 16, 1688.
While in France, the exiled King James II gave Drummond even more titles. These were part of the "Jacobite Peerage" – titles given by the exiled king, not officially recognized by the new government in England. On August 7, 1689, he became Baron Cleworth. Then, on April 17, 1692, he was made Duke of Melfort, Marquess of Forth, Earl of Isla and Burntisland, Viscount of Rickerton, and Lord Castlemains and Galston.
Losing and Gaining Titles
The government in England did not recognize John Drummond's new titles. On July 23, 1694, he was declared an outlaw. This meant he lost his rights and titles. On July 2, 1695, an Act of Parliament officially took away all his Scottish honors.
After King James II died in 1701, the King of France, Louis XIV, gave the Duke of Melfort special honors and a high rank in France. He and his family used the title "Duc de Melfort" in France. However, this was just a French way of saying "Duke of Melfort" from his Jacobite title; it wasn't a new French dukedom. The governments of England and later Great Britain never officially recognized this dukedom.
Bringing the Titles Back
Many years later, on July 2, 1800, the 4th Duke of Melfort (who held the title only in the Jacobite line) also became the heir to the old Earldom of Perth. This title had also been taken away from his family.
In 1841, the 6th Duke of Melfort proved his right to some French titles, like Duc de Melfort, in French courts. Then, in 1848, he showed the British authorities that he was a direct descendant of the 1st Earl of Melfort. Because of this, on June 28, 1853, the government reversed the old decision that took away his family's titles. He officially became the 5th Earl of Perth and also got back the Melfort titles, including Earl of Melfort and Viscount of Melfort.
He passed away on February 28, 1902. After his death, the Melfort titles either became inactive or ended. The Perth titles then passed to the Viscount of Strathallan.
Who Held the Melfort Titles?
- John Drummond, 1st Duke of Melfort (1650–1714) - He lost his titles in 1695.
- John Drummond, 2nd Duke of Melfort (1682–1754)
- James Drummond, 3rd Duke of Melfort (1708–1766)
- James Louis Drummond, 4th Duke of Melfort (1750–1800)
- Charles Edouard Drummond, 5th Duke of Melfort (1752–1840)
- George Drummond, 5th Earl of Perth (1807–1902) - His titles were restored in 1853.
