Earl of Lauderdale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Earldom of Lauderdale |
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| Creation date | 1624 |
| Monarch | James VI and I |
| Peerage | Peerage of Scotland |
| First holder | John Maitland, 2nd Lord Maitland of Thirlestane |
| Present holder | Ian Maitland, 18th Earl of Lauderdale |
| Heir apparent | John Douglas Maitland, Master of Lauderdale, Viscount Maitland |
| Subsidiary titles | Viscount of Lauderdale Viscount Maitland Lord Maitland of Thirlestane Lord Thirlestane and Boulton |
| Former seat(s) | Thirlestane Castle |
The Earl of Lauderdale is a special title in the Peerage of Scotland. This means it's a very old and important title given by the King or Queen of Scotland. The person who holds this title today is Ian Maitland, 18th Earl of Lauderdale.
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What is an Earl?
An Earl is a noble rank, which is like a high social position. It's one of the oldest titles in the United Kingdom. People with these titles often have a long family history connected to important events.
History of the Lauderdale Earldom
The title of Earl of Lauderdale was first created in 1624. It was given to John Maitland, who was already the 2nd Lord Maitland of Thirlestane. Thirlestane is a place in Berwickshire, Scotland.
The second Earl of Lauderdale became even more important. He was given the title Duke of Lauderdale. He was part of a group of important government advisors called the "Cabal ministry." This group was one of the first times a king shared power with a cabinet of advisors. When the Duke died without any sons, his dukedom ended. However, the earldom passed to his brother, Charles, who became the 3rd Earl.
Charles Maitland married Elizabeth Lauder in 1652. Through this marriage, the family gained large estates from the Lauder family, including Haltoun House.
Other Titles and Family Connections
The Earl of Lauderdale also holds several other old titles. These include:
- Viscount of Lauderdale (created in 1616)
- Viscount of Maitland (created in 1624)
- Lord Maitland of Thirlestane (created in 1590)
- Lord Thirlestane and Boulton (created in 1624)
All these titles are part of the Peerage of Scotland. The Earl of Lauderdale is also the traditional chief of Clan Maitland. This means he is the leader of the Maitland family and clan. The oldest son of the Earl is known as the Master of Lauderdale. Sometimes, the title Viscount Maitland is used as a special name for the Earl's oldest son and future heir.
Special Role: Flag Bearer
The Earl of Lauderdale has a very special job in Scotland. He is the official Bearer for the Sovereign of the Sovereign's National Flag for Scotland. This means he has the right to carry the saltire (Scotland's national flag) for the King or Queen. This is a role within the Royal Household in Scotland.
Family Home: Thirlestane Castle
The historic family home of the Earls of Lauderdale is Thirlestane Castle. It's located near a town called Lauder in Scotland. Today, the castle is home to Captain Gerald Maitland-Carew and his family. He is the eldest son of Lady Sylvia Maitland. Lady Sylvia was the older of two children of the 15th Earl of Lauderdale. Her brother, the only son, sadly died in battle in North Africa when he was 27. Because he had no sons, the earldom went to a different branch of the family. However, the castle passed down through the female line to Lady Sylvia's family.
Important Family Members
Over the years, many interesting people have been part of the Maitland family:
- Elizabeth Tollemache was the second wife of the Duke of Lauderdale. She was also the Countess of Dysart in her own right. Her titles and her estate, Ham House in London, went to her son from a previous marriage. Ham House is famous for being a very complete example of 17th-century style and power.
- Lieutenant-Colonel John Maitland (1732-1779) was a son of the sixth Earl. He was a military officer who fought in important battles like the Battle of Stono Ferry and the Siege of Savannah.
- Lady Olga Maitland (born 1944) is the first daughter of the seventeenth Earl. She was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Sutton and Cheam for five years starting in 1992. She is also a journalist.
Earls of Lauderdale (since 1624)
The title of Earl of Lauderdale has been passed down through many generations.
- The first Earl was John Maitland, who received the title in 1624.
- His son, also named John Maitland, became the 2nd Earl. He was later made the Duke of Lauderdale.
- When the Duke died without sons, the earldom went to his brother, Charles Maitland, who became the 3rd Earl.
- The title has continued through the Maitland family line.
- The current Earl is Ian Maitland, 18th Earl of Lauderdale, who was born in 1937.
- The person expected to inherit the title next is his son, John Douglas Maitland, who is known as Viscount Maitland.
Arms of the Earls of Lauderdale
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The Coat of Arms for the Earls of Lauderdale is a special design that represents their family.
- The main shield has a red lion on a gold background. This lion is "canting," which means it's a visual pun on the name Maitland (Mait sounds a bit like Mighty or Lion).
- The shield also has a blue border with lilies, and a special corner section with the Scottish flag (a blue cross on white).
- Above the shield, there's a crest: a lion sitting with a crown, holding a sword and a blue lily.
- On either side of the shield, there are two eagles, which are called "supporters."
- The family motto is Consilio Et Animis, which means "By wisdom and courage."
- Because the Earl is the official flag bearer for Scotland, their coat of arms also shows two Scottish flags behind the shield.
Images for kids
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A coronet worn by an Earl.
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The Red Hand of Ulster, a symbol used in some Baronet titles.
