Francis Hastings, 10th Earl of Huntingdon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francis Hastings
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| Earl of Huntingdon | |
Portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1754
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| Born | 13 March 1729 |
| Died | 2 October 1789 (aged 60) |
| Issue | Sir Charles Hastings, 1st Baronet |
| Father | 9th Earl of Huntingdon |
| Mother | Lady Selina Shirley |
Francis Hastings, 10th Earl of Huntingdon (born March 13, 1729 – died October 2, 1789) was an important British nobleman and politician. He held the title of Earl of Huntingdon. He was also a member of the Privy Council, a group of advisors to the British monarch.
Early Life and Travels
Francis Hastings was the oldest of seven children. His father was the 9th Earl of Huntingdon. His mother was Lady Selina, who was a leader in a religious movement called Methodism.
Francis became the Earl of Huntingdon when he was just eighteen years old, after his father passed away in 1746.
In 1747, he went on a "Grand Tour" of Europe. This was a long trip that young noblemen often took to learn about art, culture, and history. He visited cities like Paris and Madrid. During his travels, he also went to Gibraltar and Lisbon. He returned to England in July 1753.
He went on a second two-year tour of Europe the next year. In Italy, he studied old artifacts and history. He learned from experts like Antonio Cocchi and Joseph Wilton.
Life at Court
When Francis Hastings returned to England, he became very successful at the Royal Court. This was the group of people who advised and served the King. He was a descendant of George, Duke of Clarence. George was the brother of King Edward IV. This connection helped Francis gain favor.
In 1760, he was made Master of the Horse. This was an important role in the royal household. It meant he was in charge of the King's horses and stables.
A year later, in 1761, he had a special role at the King George III's coronation. A coronation is a ceremony where a new king or queen is officially crowned. Francis was supposed to carry the Sword of State. However, the sword was lost! So, he carried the Lord Mayor of London's special Pearl Sword instead.
Also in 1761, he became Groom of the Stole. This was a very close position to the King. It meant he helped the King with personal matters.
The Earl of Chesterfield, a famous statesman, guided Francis Hastings. Chesterfield praised him for being both smart and good at social events.
In 1762, Francis made a small mistake. He told the King that his first child was a girl. But it was actually a boy, Prince George. The King had hoped for a son. He had promised money to whoever brought the news. Francis did not receive any money because of the error.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1766, Francis Hastings tried to claim the royal Dukedom of Clarence. This was a special title for members of the royal family. This claim was very important to him for the rest of his life.
He passed away suddenly on October 2, 1789. He died at the London home of his nephew, Francis Rawdon.
When he died, the title of Earl of Huntingdon became "dormant." This means it was no longer active. However, his sister, Lady Elizabeth, inherited some of his other titles. These included the baronies of Hastings and Botreaux.
Francis Hastings was also a member of important learned societies. In 1758, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a group that promotes science. In 1768, he joined the Society of Antiquaries. This group studies history and old objects.
Images for kids
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Portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1754
