William Herbert, 2nd Marquess of Powis facts for kids
William Herbert, 2nd Marquess of Powis (born around 1660, died 1745) was an English nobleman and a supporter of the Jacobite cause. This means he supported the return of King James II and his family to the throne after they were removed.
Contents
Early Life and Royal Connections
William Herbert was the son of William Herbert, the 1st Marquess of Powis, and Lady Elizabeth. For many years, until 1722, he was known as Viscount Montgomery. When King James II was crowned on April 23, 1685, William Herbert served as a special page of honour. He also held important roles, like being a colonel in a regiment of foot soldiers and a deputy-lieutenant in six Welsh counties.
Challenges and Loyalty
After the Glorious Revolution in 1688, when King James II lost his throne, William Herbert faced difficulties because of his support for the king. He was held in the Tower of London in 1689 but was later released on bail.
He was wanted by the authorities several times, with rewards offered for his capture. In 1696, he was suspected of being involved in a plot against the new king. He was declared an outlaw, but a mistake in the legal process allowed him to keep his family's estates. He later surrendered and was held in Newgate Prison. He was released on bail in 1697 during a prison sickness outbreak.
Later Years and Family Estate
William Herbert was never put on trial for the accusations against him. He traveled to Flanders (modern-day Belgium) and was allowed to visit London to manage his family's money and debts. He sold his house in London to help with his financial situation.
In 1715, during another time of Jacobite concern, he was arrested again but was considered harmless. Eventually, he regained his noble titles and his family's properties, including the historic Powis Castle. He was officially recognized as the Marquess of Powis in 1722. His supporters, the Jacobites, often called him the Duke of Powis, though this title was not officially recognized by the British government. He passed away on October 22, 1745.
Family Life
William Herbert married Mary Preston, who was the eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Preston. Mary passed away in 1724 and was buried in Hendon, where the Marquess owned property.
They had two sons and four daughters. Their eldest son, William, died in 1748 without marrying. Their younger son, Edward, died in 1734. Edward had married Henrietta Waldegrave, and they had one daughter named Barbara, who was born after her father's death. Barbara later married a relative, Henry Arthur Herbert. He was given the title Baron Herbert of Cherbury in 1743 and Earl of Powis in 1748, continuing the family's noble line.
