Earl of Winton facts for kids

The title Earl of Winton was a special noble rank in Scotland and later in the United Kingdom. Today, this title is held by the Earl of Eglinton.

The Earl of Winton title was first given to Robert Seton, who was the 8th Lord Seton. His family held this title for many years. However, in 1716, George Seton, the 5th Earl of Winton, lost his title because of serious actions against the government. He was also sentenced to death, but he managed to escape from the Tower of London. He then went to Rome, where he later passed away. The Seton family lived in a grand home called Winton Castle.

In 1834, two different people claimed they should be the Earl of Winton. One was the Earl of Eglinton, and the other was George Seton, who was a descendant of another branch of the Seton family.

The title of Earl of Winton was created a second time in 1859. This time, it was given to the 13th Earl of Eglinton. He was a relative of the last Earl from the first creation.

Before the Earl of Winton title was created in 1600, the Seton family held the title of Lords Seton. They were very important noblemen in the Scottish Parliament. Historians say that Sir William Seton was the first person to be made a "Lord of Parliament" in Scotland by King Robert II in 1371. This meant he and his family had a special vote in Parliament. The Setons had been important "Knight-Barons" in Scotland's parliaments even before this time.

The Lords Seton: An Ancient Scottish Title

The title of Lord Seton was held by the Seton family for many years before they became Earls. This title was a very old and respected one in Scotland.

Important Lords Seton

• Sir William Seton, the first Lord Seton, was given this title around 1371.
• George Seton, the 3rd Lord Seton, became Lord when he was still young.
• George Seton, the 5th Lord Seton, sadly died in a famous battle called the Battle of Flodden in 1513.
• Robert Seton, the 8th Lord Seton, was the one who later became the first Earl of Winton in 1600.

List of Lords Seton (1371-1600)

• Sir William Seton, 1st Lord Seton (died around 1410)
• Sir John Seton, 2nd Lord Seton (died around 1441)
  • William Seton, Master of Seton (died 1424 at the Battle of Verneuil)
• George Seton, 3rd Lord Seton (died 1478 or 1479)
  • John Seton, Master of Seton (died 1476)
• George Seton, 4th Lord Seton (died 1507 or 1508)
• George Seton, 5th Lord Seton (died 1513)
• George Seton, 6th Lord Seton (died 1549)
• George Seton, 7th Lord Seton (died 1586)
• Robert Seton, 8th Lord Seton (died 1603) (became Earl of Winton in 1600)

List of Earls of Winton, First Creation (1600-1716)

• Robert Seton, 1st Earl of Winton (died 1603)
• Robert Seton, 2nd Earl of Winton (around 1583–1634)
• George Seton, 3rd Earl of Winton (1584–1650)
  • George Seton, Lord Seton, Master of Winton (1613–1648)
• George Seton, 4th Earl of Winton (1642–1704)
• George Seton, 5th Earl of Winton (died 1749) (lost his title in 1716)

List of Earls of Winton, Second Creation (1859)

To learn more, see Earl of Eglinton