Duke of Northumberland

Duke of Northumberland is a noble title that has been created three times in English and British history, twice in the Peerage of England and once in the Peerage of Great Britain. The current holder of this title is Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland.
==1551 creation==
The title was first created in the Peerage of England in 1551 for John Dudley, 1st Earl of Warwick. He had already been created Viscount Lisle in 1543 and Earl of Warwick in 1547, also in the Peerage of England. In 1553, Dudley advanced the claim of his daughter-in-law, Lady Jane Grey, to the English throne, but when she was deposed by Queen Mary I, Dudley was convicted of high treason and executed. An illegitimate son of one of his younger sons, Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, Sir Robert Dudley, claimed the dukedom when in exile in Italy. On 9 March 1620 the Emperor Ferdinand II officially recognised the title, an act which infuriated James I of England.
==1683 creation==
George FitzRoy, 1st Earl of Northumberland, an illegitimate son of king Charles II, was created Duke of Northumberland in the Peerage of England in 1683. He had already been created Baron of Pontefract, Viscount Falmouth and Earl of Northumberland in 1674, also in the Peerage of England. However, all the titles became extinct on his death in 1716 as he left no heirs.
==Jacobite creation==
In 1716 Philip Wharton, 1st Duke of Wharton, was created Duke of Northumberland, Marquess of Woburn, Earl of Malmesbury and Viscount Winchendon in the Jacobite Peerage, by the Old Pretender. The title had no legal validity in the Kingdom of Great Britain.
== 1766 creation ==
 
The title was created for the third time in 1766 for Hugh Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland (formerly Sir Hugh Smithson, 4th Baronet), who had assumed by Act of Parliament in 1750 for himself and his descendants the surname Percy, due to his having married in 1740 the daughter of Algernon Seymour, 7th Duke of Somerset (1684–1750), whose mother
Lady Elizabeth Percy (1667–1722) was the last of the senior blood line of the ancient House of Percy, being the only surviving child of Josceline Percy, 11th Earl of Northumberland (1644–1670). In 1749 King George II created Algernon (who had inherited the Dukedom of Somerset in 1748) Earl of Northumberland and Baron Warkworth, of Warkworth Castle in the County of Northumberland, with special remainder to his son-in-law Sir Hugh Smithson, 4th Baronet.Debrett's Peerage, 1968, p.1037
The above steps formed a deliberate move to allow ancient names and titles of the Percys to be revived in the male-heir exhausted senior branch of the Dukedom of Somerset, which at that time was about to see its largest removal – to another noble but very cadet branch (a fourth cousin) on Algernon's death. Algernon was also created Earl of Egremont at the same time, with a different remainder.Debrett's Peerage, 1968, p.851
In 1784 the 1st Duke was also granted the substantive title Lord Lovaine, Baron of Alnwick in the County of Northumberland, in the Peerage of Great Britain, with remainder to his second son Lord Algernon Percy, who succeeded and who was created Earl of Beverley in 1790, and thus it too became a courtesy title.
The 1st Duke was succeeded in the dukedom and associated titles by his eldest son, Hugh, the 2nd Duke, a lieutenant-general in the British Army. The 2nd Duke was in his turn succeeded by his eldest son, Hugh, the 3rd Duke, who in 1812, five years before he succeeded in the dukedom, had been summoned to the House of Lords through a writ of acceleration in his father's junior title of Baron Percy. The 3rd Duke later held office as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland from 1829 to 1830. He was childless and was succeeded by his younger brother, Algernon, 1st Baron Prudhoe, the 4th Duke, who in 1814 had been created Baron Prudhoe, of Prudhoe Castle in the County of Northumberland, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The 4th Duke was an admiral in the Royal Navy and notably served as First Lord of the Admiralty in 1852. He was also childless and on his death in 1865 the barony of Prudhoe became extinct while the barony of Percy (which could be passed on through the female line) was inherited by his great-nephew, John Stewart-Murray, 7th Duke of Atholl. The Admiral was succeeded in the dukedom and remaining titles by his first cousin, George, the 2nd Earl of Beverley, eldest son of the second son of the 1st Duke. The barony of Lovaine and earldom of Beverley have since been merged in the dukedom as courtesy titles.
The 5th Duke was succeeded by his eldest son, Algernon, the 6th Duke, who notably served as Lord Privy Seal between 1879 and 1880 under Lord Beaconsfield. The 6th Duke's eldest son, Henry, the 7th Duke, was summoned to the House of lords through a writ of acceleration in his father's junior title of Lord Lovaine in 1887. The 7th Duke's eldest son, Henry Percy, Earl Percy, predeceased him. He was succeeded by his fourth but eldest surviving son, Alan, the 8th Duke, whose eldest son, Henry, the 9th Duke, was killed during the retreat to Dunkirk during the Second World War. Henry was succeeded by his younger brother, Hugh, the 10th Duke. In 1957, on the death of his fourth cousin once removed, James Stewart-Murray, 9th Duke of Atholl, Hugh succeeded as 9th Baron Percy, the title thus re-merging with the Dukedom. As of 2012 the titles are held by his second son, Ralph, the 12th Duke, who succeeded on the death of his elder brother in 1995. 
Northumberland Estates manages : directly managing of forestry and of farmland, with approximately 100 tenant farmers managing the remaining bulk of the land.
==Other members of the Percy family==
Several other members of the Percy family have also gained distinction. Charlotte Percy, Duchess of Northumberland, wife of the third Duke, was governess of the future Queen Victoria. Lord Josceline Percy, second son of the fifth Duke, was a politician. Lord Henry Percy, third son of the fifth Duke, was a soldier. Lord Algernon Percy, second son of the sixth Duke, was a politician. Lord Eustace Percy, seventh son of the seventh Duke, was a politician who was raised to the peerage as Baron Percy of Newcastle in 1953. Jane Percy, Duchess of Northumberland, wife of the twelfth Duke, is Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland since 2009. See also Earl of Beverley for younger sons of the first Earl of Beverley. 
==Family residences==
The seat of the Dukes of Northumberland is Alnwick Castle, which is located in Alnwick, Northumberland. The family's London residence is Syon House in Brentford, which replaced, as their London residence, the demolished Northumberland House in the Strand. Warkworth and Prudhoe castles were the residences of the Earls of Northumberland in the Middle Ages, and ownership was retained by the later Dukes. Both are now in the custody of English Heritage. Albury Park is a former residence which has been converted into apartments, while the surrounding estate is still directly owned by the Duke. The traditional burial place of the Dukes is the Northumberland Vault in Westminster Abbey in London, the Percys thus being the last family to maintain such a privilege. Their family vault is however nearly full, and a new private graveyard has been created in Hulne Park near Alnwick. 
==List of titleholders==
===Dukes of Northumberland; First creation (1551)===
Created by Edward VI of England	Created by Edward VI of England 	Created by Edward VI of England	Created by Edward VI of England	Created by Edward VI of England 	Created by Edward VI of England
Image 	Name 	Period 	Duchess 	Notes 	Other titles
 	John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland(1504–1553)	1551–1553 	Jane Guildford 	Tudor courtier and general, regent for Edward VI, executed for high treason against Mary I	Earl of WarwickViscount LisleBaron Lisle
===Dukes of Northumberland; Second creation (1683)===
Created by Charles II of England	Created by Charles II of England 	Created by Charles II of England	Created by Charles II of England	Created by Charles II of England 	Created by Charles II of England
Image 	Name 	Period 	Duchess 	Notes 	Other titles
 	George FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Northumberland(1665–1716)	1683–1716 	Catherine WheatleyMary Dutton 	Illegitimate son of Charles II, died without heirs male	Earl of NorthumberlandViscount FalmouthBaron of Pontefract
===Earls of Northumberland; Third creation (1749)===
Created by George II of Great Britain	Created by George II of Great Britain 	Created by George II of Great Britain	Created by George II of Great Britain	Created by George II of Great Britain 	Created by George II of Great Britain
Image 	Name 	Period 	Countess 	Notes 	Other titles
 	Algernon Seymour, 7th Duke of Somerset, 1st Earl of Northumberland (1684–1750)	1749–1750 	Frances Thynne 	Grandson of Josceline Percy, 11th Earl of Northumberland 	Duke of Somerset etc. Baron Warkworth
 	Hugh Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland (1714–1786) 	1750–1786 	Elizabeth Percy,2nd Baroness Percy 	Son-in-law of Algernon Seymour, 1st Earl of Northumberland; created Duke of Northumberland in 1766	Baron Warkworth Baronet of Stanwick
===Dukes of Northumberland; Third creation (1766)===
Created by George III of Great Britain	Created by George III of Great Britain 	Created by George III of Great Britain	Created by George III of Great Britain	Created by George III of Great Britain 	Created by George III of Great Britain
Image 	Name 	Period 	Duchess 	Notes 	Other titles
 	Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland (1714–1786) 	1766–1786 	Elizabeth Percy,2nd Baroness Percy 	Created Lord Lovaine in 1784, with remainder to his second son Lord Algernon Percy, later 2nd Lord Lovaine and 1st Earl of Beverley. 	Earl of NorthumberlandEarl PercyBaron WarkworthBaron Lovaine Baronet of Stanwick
 	Hugh Percy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland (1742–1817) 	1786–1817 	Frances Burrell 	Son of the preceding 	Earl of NorthumberlandEarl PercyBaron PercyBaron Warkworth Baronet of Stanwick
 	Hugh Percy, 3rd Duke of Northumberland (1785–1847) 	1817–1847 	Lady Charlotte Clive 	Son of the preceding; had been summoned to the House of Lords as Baron Percy in 1812 	Earl of NorthumberlandEarl PercyBaron PercyBaron Warkworth Baronet of Stanwick
 	Algernon Percy, 4th Duke of Northumberland (1792–1865) 	1847–1865 	Lady Eleanor Grosvenor 	Brother of the preceding; had been created Baron Prudhoe in his own right in 1814 	Earl of NorthumberlandEarl PercyBaron PercyBaron WarkworthBaron Prudhoe Baronet of Stanwick
 	George Percy, 5th Duke of Northumberland (1778–1867) 	1865–1867 	widowed 	Cousin of the preceding; eldest son of Algernon Percy, 1st Earl of Beverley, second son of the 1st Duke of Northumberland – had succeeded in earldom in 1830	Earl of NorthumberlandEarl PercyEarl of BeverleyBaron WarkworthLord Lovaine Baronet of Stanwick
 	Algernon George Percy, 6th Duke of Northumberland (1810–1899) 	1867–1899 	Louisa Drummond 	Son of the preceding 	Earl of NorthumberlandEarl PercyEarl of BeverleyBaron WarkworthLord Lovaine Baronet of Stanwick
 	Henry George Percy, 7th Duke of Northumberland (1846–1918) 	1899–1918 	Lady Edith Campbell 	Son of the preceding; had been summoned to the House of Lords as Lord Lovaine in 1887 	Earl of NorthumberlandEarl PercyEarl of BeverleyBaron WarkworthLord Lovaine Baronet of Stanwick
 	Alan Ian Percy, 8th Duke of Northumberland (1880–1930) 	1918–1930 	Lady Helen Gordon-Lennox 	Son of the preceding 	Earl of NorthumberlandEarl PercyEarl of BeverleyBaron WarkworthLord Lovaine Baronet of Stanwick
 	Henry George Alan Percy, 9th Duke of Northumberland (1912–1940) 	1930–1940 	none 	Son of the preceding 	Earl of NorthumberlandEarl PercyEarl of BeverleyBaron WarkworthLord Lovaine Baronet of Stanwick
 	Hugh Algernon Percy, 10th Duke of Northumberland (1914–1988) 	1940–1988 	Lady Elizabeth Montagu Douglas Scott 	Brother of the preceding 	Earl of NorthumberlandEarl PercyEarl of BeverleyBaron Percy (from 1957)Baron WarkworthLord Lovaine Baronet of Stanwick
 	Henry Alan Walter Richard Percy, 11th Duke of Northumberland (1953–1995)	1988–1995 	none 	Son of the preceding 	Earl of NorthumberlandEarl PercyEarl of BeverleyBaron Percy (from 1957)Baron WarkworthLord Lovaine Baronet of Stanwick
 	Ralph George Algernon Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland (b. 1956) 	since 1995 	Jane Richard 	Brother of the preceding 	Earl of NorthumberlandEarl PercyEarl of BeverleyBaron Percy (from 1957)Baron WarkworthLord Lovaine Baronet of Stanwick
The heir apparent is the present holder's elder son George Percy, Earl Percy (b. 1984)
====Family tree and succession====
* Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland (c. 1714–1786)
** Algernon Percy, 1st Earl of Beverley (1750–1830)
*** George Percy, 5th Duke of Northumberland (1778–1867)
**** Algernon Percy, 6th Duke of Northumberland (1810–1899)
***** Henry Percy, 7th Duke of Northumberland (1846–1918)
****** Alan Percy, 8th Duke of Northumberland (1880–1930)
******* Hugh Percy, 10th Duke of Northumberland (1914–1988)
******** Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland (b. 1956)
*********(1). George Percy, Earl Percy (b. 1984)
*********(2). Lord Max Percy (b. 1990)
********(3). Lord James William Eustace Percy (b. 1965)
*********(4). Thomas Hugh Percy (b. 2001)
*********(5). Samuel James Edward Percy (b. 2008)
*******Lord Richard Charles Percy (1921–1989)
********(6). Algernon Alan Percy (b. 1969)
********(7). Josceline Richard Percy (b. 1971)
******Lord William Richard Percy (1882–1963)
*******Henry Edward Percy (1925–1985)
********male issue in remainder
*******Gerald Percy (1928–2005)
********male issue and descendants in remainder
***Hugh Percy (1784–1856)
****Algernon Charles Heber–Percy (1812–1901)
*****Algernon Heber-Percy (1845–1911)
******Algernon Hugh Heber-Percy (1869–1941)
*******Algernon George William Heber-Percy (1904–1961)
********male issue and descendants in remainder
*******Hugh Reginald Heber-Percy (1905–1989)
********William David Heber-Percy (1939–2020)
*********male issue in remainder
********other male issue in remainder
******Josceline Reginald Heber-Percy (1880–1964)
*******David Josceline Algernon Heber-Percy (1909–1971)
********male issue and descendants in remainder
*****Alan William Heber-Percy (1865–1946)
******Hugh Alan Heber-Percy (1897–1976)
*******male issue in remainder
******John Heber-Percy (1910–1975)
*******male issue and descendants in remainder
****Henry Percy (1813–1870)
*****Josceline Hugh Percy (1856–1910)
******Josceline Richard Percy (1894–1971)
*******male issue in remainder
==Coat of arms==
== Ducal pipers==
Since at least the mid 18th century, the family has maintained a Northumbrian piper; the earliest known of these was Joseph Turnbull, who was painted in 1756 playing his pipes; the portrait, entitled Joseph Turnbull, Piper to the Duchess of Northumberland is at Alnwick Castle. At this time, before the Third Creation of the Dukedom, he would actually have been piper to the Countess. A later piper, William Green stated that "Joe Turnbull was the first Piper at Alnwick Castle – that was ever!" A list of the Ducal Pipers is at.http://www.northumbrianpipes.com/DucalPipers.htm Ducal Pipers The Ducal Piper from 1982-2022 was Richard Butler and the position is currently held by Andrew Davison. The piper's main duty is to play at the Shrove Tuesday football match in Alnwick, but they are invited to a variety of other functions.
Other pipers have been associated less formally with the family – the notorious piper James Allan (1729–1810) was a favourite of the Countess; in the last century Tom Clough and Richard Mowat are known to have played together with the Duke's then piper, James Hall, for the Duke and his guests at Alnwick; one such guest was Edward VII, in 1905.The Clough Family of Newsham, edited by Chris Ormston and Julia Say, Northumbrian Pipers' Society, 
== Named in their honour ==
* Northumberland Islands, off Queensland, Australia
** Northumberland Islands National Park, a protected area in Queensland
* Percy Isles, off Queensland, Australia
** Percy Isles National Park, a protected area in Queensland
==In popular culture==
*Sir Henry Percy, popularly known as "Harry Hotspur", is portrayed as a dashing hero by William Shakespeare in his historical play Henry IV, Part One. Sir Henry was the eldest son and heir apparent of the 1st Earl of Northumberland and would have succeeded his father if not for his untimely death at the Battle of Shrewsbury.
*Lord Percy Percy, played by Tim McInnerny, is a major character in the first two series of the British sitcom Blackadder. In the first series, he is the Duke of Northumberland, while the Lord Percy in the second series is presumably his descendant and is heir to the dukedom. The first series was partly filmed at Alnwick Castle, the residence and seat of the real Dukes of Northumberland.
== See also ==
*Alnwick Castle – the family's main residence
*Alnwick Garden – adjacent to Alnwick Castle
*Northumberland House – the family's former residence in central London (demolished in 1874)
*Northumbrian tartan
*Royal National Lifeboat Institution, in which several dukes played a role in the 19th to 20th centuries
*Syon House – the family's Thames-side residence in west London
==References==
* 
==External links==
*Alnwick Castle website
*Alnwick Garden website
*European Heraldry page
*Northumberland Estates website
*Syon House website
*
Category:Dukedoms in the Peerage of Great Britain
Category:History of Northumberland
Category:Extinct dukedoms in the Peerage of Great Britain
Category:Forfeited dukedoms in the Peerage of England
Category:Extinct dukedoms in the Jacobite Peerage
Category:Noble titles created in 1551
Category:Noble titles created in 1683
Category:Noble titles created in 1716
Category:Noble titles created in 1766