Hugh Fortescue, 1st Earl Clinton facts for kids
Hugh Fortescue, who lived from around 1696 to 1751, was an important English nobleman and a big landowner. He is famous for building Castle Hill, a beautiful country house that still stands today.
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Who Was Hugh Fortescue?
Hugh Fortescue was the oldest surviving son of Hugh Fortescue, a Member of Parliament (MP). His mother was Bridget Boscawen. Bridget's grandmother was Lady Margaret Clinton, who was related to Theophilus Clinton, the 4th Earl of Lincoln and 12th Baron Clinton. This family connection was very important for Hugh Fortescue later on.
Through his mother's family, the Boscawens, Hugh's family gained control of lands in Cornwall. These lands included mines and even the harbours at Port Gaverne and Port Isaac.
Becoming Baron Clinton
The title of Baron Clinton had a special history. When his mother's cousin, Edward Clinton, the 5th Earl of Lincoln, passed away without children in 1692, the Baron Clinton title became "dormant." This means no one held it for a while.
In 1721, the title was given to Hugh Fortescue. This made him the 14th Baron Clinton. He also inherited Tattershall Castle in Lincolnshire, which was a very old home of the Clinton family. The Fortescue family owned this castle until 1910.
His Public Life
Hugh Fortescue had an active career in public service:
- In 1721, he was called to the House of Lords, which is part of the British Parliament, as Baron Clinton.
- The same year, King George I appointed him as the Lord Lieutenant of Devon. This was an important role, like a representative of the King in the county of Devon.
- In 1723, he became a Gentleman of the Bedchamber to the Prince of Wales, who later became King George II. This meant he was a close attendant to the Prince.
- In 1725, King George I made him a Knight of the Bath, which is a special honour.
Hugh Fortescue first supported Prime Minister Robert Walpole. However, in 1733, he voted against Walpole's Excise Bill. This bill was very unpopular and did not pass. Because he voted against the Prime Minister, Hugh Fortescue lost his jobs as Gentleman of the Bedchamber and Lord Lieutenant of Devon. Many other important people who voted against Walpole also lost their positions.
After Walpole resigned in 1742, Hugh Fortescue's career improved. On July 5, 1746, he was given two new titles: Baron Fortescue of Castle Hill and Earl Clinton.
His Estates and Castle Hill
Hugh Fortescue made smart choices with his land. He sold most of his properties in Somerset and Wiltshire. He then used the money, about £22,000, to buy more land near his family's manor in Filleigh, North Devon.
He tore down the old family home there and built a grand new house in its place. This beautiful house, built in the Palladian style (a classical style of architecture), is what we know today as Castle Hill. It is still standing and is a famous landmark.
His Family Life
Hugh Fortescue never married. He passed away on May 3, 1751, when he was 55 years old. He did have a daughter with a woman who was not his wife. He built a house for his daughter on his Filleigh estate. His daughter later married one of his cousins.
Who Came Next?
Since Hugh Fortescue had no children who could legally inherit his titles, the Earldom of Clinton ended when he died. The title of Baron Fortescue went to his younger half-brother, Matthew Fortescue.
The very old title of Baron Clinton, which started in 1298, became "dormant" again. It stayed that way until 1760. Then, it was given to his second cousin, Margaret Rolle, who became the 15th Baroness Clinton.
