Edith Abney-Hastings, 12th Countess of Loudoun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Countess of Loudoun
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| Countess of Loudoun | |
| In office 17 May 1920 – 24 February 1960 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Clifton |
| Succeeded by | Barbara Abney-Hastings |
| Baroness Botreaux Baroness Hastings Baroness Hastings |
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| In office 23 February 1921 – 24 February 1960 |
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| Preceded by | Vacant Abeyant since 1920 Title last held by Charles Clifton |
| Succeeded by | Vacant Abeyant |
| Baroness Stanley | |
| In office 1921 – 24 February 1960 |
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| Preceded by | Vacant Abeyant since 1594 Title last held by Ferdinando Stanley |
| Succeeded by | Vacant Abeyant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 May 1883 |
| Died | 24 February 1960 (aged 76) |
| Spouse |
Reginald Huddleston
(m. 1916; div. 1947) |
| Children | Ian Abney-Hastings, Lord Mauchline Barbara Abney-Hastings, 13th Countess of Loudoun Lady Jean Abney-Hastings, Campbell of Loudoun Lady Iona French Fiona de Fresnes, Baroness de Fresnes Lady Edith Maclaren |
| Parents | Hon. Paulyn Abney-Hastings Lady Maud Grimston |
| Relatives | Elizabeth Philipps, Viscountess St Davids (sister) Norrie MacLaren (grandson) |
Edith Maud Abney-Hastings (born May 13, 1883 – died February 24, 1960) was a British noblewoman. She held several important titles, including the Countess of Loudoun. A "peeress" is a woman who holds noble titles in her own right.
About Her Family
Edith was the first daughter of Paulyn Abney-Hastings. Her mother was Lady Maud Grimston.
In 1916, Edith married Captain Reginald Huddleston. He took her family name, Abney-Hastings. They had six children together. Their marriage ended in 1947.
- Captain Ian Huddleston Abney-Hastings (1918–1944) was their oldest son. He sadly died in Italy during World War II.
- Lady Barbara Huddleston Abney-Hastings (1919–2002) later became the 13th Countess of Loudoun.
- Lady Jean Huddleston Abney-Hastings (1920–1981) married twice.
- Lady Iona Mary Huddleston Abney-Hastings (1922–1990) married Robert French.
- Lady Fiona Huddleston Abney-Hastings (1923–1993) married Robert Conroy-Robertson.
- Lady Edith Huddleston Abney-Hastings (1925–2006) married David Maclaren. They had two sons.
Her Noble Titles
On May 17, 1920, Edith inherited the title of Countess of Loudoun. She received this title from her uncle, Charles Clifton, 11th Earl of Loudoun, who had no children.
Later, in 1920, Edith and her sister, Elizabeth Philipps, Viscountess St Davids, asked for other noble titles. These titles, called "baronies," were shared between them and their other sister, Lady Flora. They were "abeyant," meaning no one officially held them at the time.
They also asked for the baronies of Strange and Stanley. These titles had not been held by anyone since 1594. Edith and her sister were descendants of the last person to hold them.
On February 23, 1921, Edith's sister was granted some of these baronies. On March 7, 1921, Edith was granted the baronies of Botreaux, Stanley, and Hastings.
When Lady Loudoun passed away in 1960, her main title, the earldom, went to her oldest living child, Lady Barbara. Her other English baronies became "abeyant" again. This meant they were shared among her five daughters.
The Great Fire at Loudoun Castle
On December 1, 1941, a big fire broke out at Loudoun Castle. Lady Loudoun, her daughters, and her baby granddaughter were sleeping there. Their rooms were below the first-floor library.
The castle was heated by coal and log fires. It is believed that burning resin from the chimney fell onto the wooden library floor, starting the fire. The fire destroyed most of the building, leaving only the stone walls.
No one from the family has lived in the castle since that night. In 1995, the castle grounds were turned into a fun amusement park.
