Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Powis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Earl of Powis PC
Portrait of Henry Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Powis (2nd Creation) circa 1740
Comptroller of the Household
In office 1761–1761
Preceded by	The Lord Edgcumbe
Succeeded by	Lord George Cavendish
Personal details
Born	before 9 April 1703
Died	10 September 1772(1772-09-10) (aged 69) Bath, Somerset, England
Resting place	St Mary's Church, Welshpool
Spouse	Barbara Herbert ​ (m. 1751)​
Children	George Herbert, 2nd Earl of Powis Henrietta Clive, Countess of Powis
Parents	Francis Herbert Florence Herbert
Occupation	Politician, peer

Henry Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Powis (born before 9 April 1703 – died 10 September 1772), was an important British politician and nobleman. He was known by different names during his life, first as Henry Herbert, then as Lord Herbert of Chirbury, and finally as the Earl of Powis. He was also a member of the Privy Council, a group of advisors to the King.

Who Was Henry Herbert?

His Family Background

Henry Arthur Herbert was part of the well-known Herbert family. His father was Francis Herbert, who lived in a place called Oakly Park near Ludlow in Shropshire. His mother was Dorothy Oldbury. Henry was baptized in a church near his family home.

Starting His Political Journey

Henry Herbert began his political career in 1724. He was elected to Parliament as a member of the Whig party. He first represented the area of Bletchingley until 1727. After that, he represented Ludlow until 1743.

In 1735, he took on two important roles. He became the Custos Rotulorum for Montgomeryshire, which meant he was the keeper of the county's records. He also became the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire. This role meant he was the King's personal representative in the county. From 1737 to 1738, he worked for Frederick, Prince of Wales, who was the father of King George III.

Gaining Noble Titles

In 1743, Henry Herbert was given a special noble title. He became Baron Herbert of Chirbury. This title had been held by his family before, but it had ended. Five years later, in 1748, he received even more important titles. He was made Baron Powis, Viscount Ludlow, and Earl of Powis. These titles were also a revival of old family honors.

In 1749, he received another title, Baron Herbert of Chirbury and Ludlow. This title had a special rule: if he didn't have a son, it could pass to his brother or another relative.

Later Political Roles

In 1761, Lord Powis changed his role as Lord-Lieutenant. He left his position in Shropshire and became the Lord-Lieutenant of Montgomeryshire instead. However, he returned to his Shropshire role in 1764. He held both of these important positions until he passed away eight years later.

Also in 1761, he was appointed Comptroller of the Household. This was a role in the royal household. At the same time, he became a member of the Privy Council, a group of senior advisors to the King. Later that year, he was promoted to Treasurer of the Household, another important role in the royal household, which he held until 1765.

Military Service

During the Jacobite Rising

Lord Powis also had a military career. In 1745, a rebellion known as the Jacobite rising of 1745 took place. Prince Charles Edward Stuart led a Scottish army that was planning to invade England. To help stop this, Lord Powis was asked to create a regiment of soldiers in Shropshire. These soldiers were called fusiliers.

His regiment was ordered to march into Staffordshire. However, they were not fully trained or ready for battle. They fell back without fighting the Jacobite troops. The Jacobite army then changed direction, heading towards Derby instead of Wales.

Promotions in the Army

Even though he never fought in a major battle, Lord Powis continued to be promoted in the army. He became a Major-General in 1755. Then, he was promoted to Lieutenant-General in 1759. Finally, in 1772, the same year he died, he became a full General.

His Family Life

In 1751, Henry Arthur Herbert married Barbara Herbert. She was only fifteen years old at the time. Barbara was the daughter of Lord Edward Herbert, who was also from a noble family. Lord and Lady Powis had two children together:

• George Edward Henry Arthur Herbert, who became the 2nd Earl of Powis. He died in 1801 and never married.
• Lady Henrietta Antonia Herbert. She married Edward Clive, who later also became an Earl of Powis. They had children.

Later Years and Passing

For most of his life, Oakly Park was Henry Arthur Herbert's main home in the countryside. But in 1771, he sold it to Lord Clive, a famous figure known as "Clive of India." After selling Oakly Park, Lord Powis moved to Powis Castle. This castle was the main seat for his Earldom and was located near Welshpool in Montgomeryshire.

Lord Powis passed away in Bath, Somerset, in September 1772. He was 69 years old. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Welshpool. His son, George, inherited his titles. However, the Earldom of Powis ended when George died in 1801 without any children.

Later, Lord Powis's daughter, Lady Henrietta, married Edward Clive. He was the son of "Clive of India." In 1804, the title of Earl of Powis was brought back for Edward Clive. Barbara, Countess of Powis, died in March 1786 when she was 50 years old.