View source for Earl of Huntingdon

{{Short description|Title in the Peerage of England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox hereditary title
| name              = Earl of Huntingdon 
| image             = [[File:Coronet of a British Earl.svg|130px]]<br/>[[File:Arms of the Earl of Huntingdon.svg|150px]] 
| caption           = Arms of Hastings: ''Argent, a [[maunch]] sable''
| creation_date     = 1065 {{Small|(first creation)}}<br/>1529 {{Small|(current creation)}}
| monarch           = [[Edward the Confessor]] {{Small|(first creation)}}<br/>[[Henry VIII]] {{Small|(current creation)}} 
| peerage           = [[Peerage of England]] 
| first_holder      = [[Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria]]
| present_holder    = [[William Hastings-Bass, 17th Earl of Huntingdon]]
| heir_presumptive  = The Hon. John Peter Robin Hood Hastings-Bass
| remainder_to      = heirs male of the body (lawfully begotten)
| subsidiary_titles = None, invented courtesy title "Viscount Hastings" used by heir apparent
| family_seat       = Hodcott House, [[Berkshire|Berks]]; [[Sharavogue]], [[King's County (Ireland)|King's Co]].
| motto             = ''In veritae victoria'' ("Victory is in truth")
}}
'''Earl of Huntingdon''' is a title which has been created several times in the [[Peerage of England]]. The medieval title (1065 creation) was associated with the ruling house of [[Scotland]] ([[David I of Scotland|David of Scotland]]).

The seventh and most recent creation dates to 1529. In this lineage, the current holder of the title is [[William Hastings-Bass, 17th Earl of Huntingdon]] (b. 1948).

In [[English folklore]], the title has been associated with [[Robin Hood]], whose true name is often given as [[Robert Fitzooth|"Robert of Huntingdon"]], though alternatively Robin is said to be from Locksley or Loxley.

==Early history==
{{Further|History of Huntingdonshire}}
[[Huntingdonshire]] was part of the [[Kingdom of East Anglia]], inhabited by a group known as the [[Gyrwas]] from about the 6th century.{{Citation needed|date=May 2018}} It fell to the [[Danelaw|Danes]] in the 9th century, but was re-conquered under [[Edward the Elder]] in 915. An [[earldom]] of Huntingdon was established shortly after, and it was one of the seven earldoms of [[Saxon England]] during the reign of king [[Edward the Confessor]].

It was created for [[Beorn Estrithson]], cousin to [[Harold Godwinson]] (later King Harold).{{Citation needed|date=August 2013}}
The earldom at that time carried extensive powers and covered a wide area of the [[East Midlands]], covering the counties of [[Northamptonshire]] and [[Bedfordshire]] as well as [[Huntingdonshire]].

==First creation (1065)==
In 1065 the earldom passed to [[Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria|Waltheof]], son of [[Siward, Earl of Northumbria]]. Waltheof kept his title following the [[Norman conquest of England|Conquest]] in 1066, and even after his rebellion in 1067, and married [[Judith of Lens|Judith]], [[William I of England|King William's]] niece. However, after the second rebellion in 1076, he was executed and the earldom was reduced in size and power.

The earldom was inherited by Waltheof's daughter [[Maud, Countess of Huntingdon|Maud]], countess of Huntingdon, and passed to her husbands in turn, first [[Simon I de Senlis, Earl of Huntingdon-Northampton|Simon de Senlis]] and then [[David I of Scotland|David]] King of [[Scotland]].

Following her death, and during the reigns of [[Empress Matilda|Matilda]] and [[Stephen of England|Stephen]] and the anarchy that ensued, the earldom was the subject of dispute between Maud's sons [[Simon II de Senlis, Earl of Huntingdon-Northampton|Simon II]] and [[Henry of Scotland|Henry the prince]], and was held by both at various times. In the reign of [[Henry II of England|Henry II]], following the death of Simon II, it was settled on the Scottish house, and the sons of Prince Henry: first [[Malcolm IV of Scotland|Malcolm]],<ref>{{Google book |first=David|last=Crouch|title=The Image of Aristocracy: In Britain, 1000-1300|id=CW2IAgAAQBAJ|year=2005|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-1349-7794-9|page=49}}</ref> then [[William I of Scotland|William]], then [[David of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon|David]]. With the death of David's childless son [[John of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon|John]] in 1237, the title was not passed on and became extinct.

* [[Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria|Waltheof]] (d. 1076)
* [[Judith of Lens]], Countess of Huntingdon (c.1055–after 1086)
* [[Maud, Countess of Huntingdon]] (c.1074–1130/31)
** m. [[Simon I de Senlis, Earl of Huntingdon-Northampton]] (died c.1111)
** m. [[David I of Scotland]] (c. 1084–1153)
* [[Henry of Scotland|Henry, Earl of Northumbria]] (1114–1152)
* [[Simon II de Senlis, Earl of Huntingdon-Northampton]] (4th Earl) (c.1098–1153)
* [[Malcolm IV of Scotland]] (1141–1165)
* [[William I of Scotland]] (c.1142–1214)
* [[Simon III de Senlis]] (succeeded in 1174, upon the forfeiture by William who had succeeded as king of Scotland.)
* [[David of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon]] (8th Earl) (1144–1219)
* [[John of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon]] (9th Earl) (1207–1237)

==Second creation (1337)==
* [[William de Clinton, Earl of Huntingdon]] (1304–1354)

==Third creation (1377)==
* [[Guichard d'Angle|Guichard d'Angle, Earl of Huntingdon]] (d. 1380) (Life Peerage)

==Fourth creation (1388)==
* [[John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter|John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter, 1st Earl of Huntingdon]] (c.1352–1400) (forfeit 1400)
* [[John Holland, 2nd Duke of Exeter|John Holland, 2nd Duke of Exeter, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon]] (1395–1447) (restored 1416)
* [[Henry Holland, 3rd Duke of Exeter|Henry Holland, 3rd Duke of Exeter, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon]] (1430–1475) (forfeit 1461)

==Fifth creation (1471)==
*see [[Marquess of Dorset#Marquesses of Dorset, third Creation (1475)|Marquess of Dorset, third creation (1475)]]

==Sixth creation (1479)==

* [[William Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke|William Herbert]] (1451–1491) (created Earl in compensation for surrendering the [[Earl of Pembroke|Earldom of Pembroke]] to [[Edward IV]].

==Seventh creation (1529)==
[[File:Blason fam uk Hastings (selon Gelre).svg|thumb|right|200px|Arms of the Hastings family, Earls of Huntingdon as recorded in the [[Gelre Armorial]]: ''Argent, a [[maunch]] sable'']]
[[File:Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon from NPG.jpg|right|thumb|Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon]]
The title was re-created for George Hastings,<ref name="EB1911"/> 3rd [[Baron Hastings]], 5th Baron Hungerford, 6th Baron Botreaux and 3rd Baron de Moleyns. He fought in the French Wars of [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]], and was part of the royalist suppression of the rebellion known as the [[Pilgrimage of Grace]].<ref name="EB1911"/> In 1529 the King created him '''Earl of Huntingdon''' in the Peerage of England. His eldest son, the [[Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon|second Earl]], was a [[lieutenant-general]] and served as Commander-in-Chief of the Army. Lord Huntingdon married [[Catherine Pole|Catherine]], daughter and co-heiress of [[Henry Pole, 1st Baron Montagu]], son of [[Sir Richard Pole]] and [[Margaret Pole, 8th Countess of Salisbury]], daughter and sole heiress of [[George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence|George, Duke of Clarence]], brother of [[Edward IV of England|King Edward IV]].<ref name="EB1911"/> On his death the titles passed to his son, the [[Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon|third Earl]]. He was a possible [[heir presumptive]] to the crown through his mother, though [[Elizabeth I]] never acknowledged his claim officially. Lord Huntingdon was one of the custodians of [[Mary, Queen of Scots]], and also served as President of the [[Council of the North]].<ref name="EB1911"/> He was succeeded by his younger brother, the [[George Hastings, 4th Earl of Huntingdon|fourth Earl]]. He represented [[Derbyshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Derbyshire]] and [[Leicestershire (UK Parliament constituency)|Leicestershire]] in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]] and served as [[Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland]] and [[Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire|Leicestershire]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

When he died the titles passed to his grandson, the [[Henry Hastings, 5th Earl of Huntingdon|fifth Earl]]. He was the son of [[Francis Hastings, Lord Hastings]] (d. 1595).<ref name="EB1911"/> Lord Huntingdon was also Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire and Rutland. He was succeeded by his eldest son, the [[Ferdinando Hastings, 6th Earl of Huntingdon|sixth Earl]].<ref name="EB1911"/> He sat as [[Member of Parliament]] for Leicestershire. His son, the [[Theophilus Hastings, 7th Earl of Huntingdon|seventh Earl]],<ref name="EB1911"/> and also served as Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire and [[Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire|Derbyshire]]. He was succeeded by his eldest son, the [[George Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntingdon|eighth Earl]]. He carried the [[Sceptre]] at the Coronation of [[Anne, Queen of Great Britain|Queen Anne]] but died at an early age.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} He was succeeded by his half-brother, the [[Theophilus Hastings, 9th Earl of Huntingdon|ninth Earl]].<ref name="EB1911"/> He carried the [[Sword of State]] at the Coronation of [[George II of Great Britain|King George II]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} His son, the [[Francis Hastings, 10th Earl of Huntingdon|tenth Earl]], was a courtier and notably served as [[Master of the Horse]]. He had no legitimate male issue and on his death in 1789 the earldom became dormant.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} He was succeeded in the baronies of Hastings, Hungerford, de Moleyns and Botreaux by his sister [[Elizabeth Rawdon, Countess of Moira|Lady Elizabeth]], wife of [[John Rawdon, 1st Earl of Moira|The 1st Earl of Moira]].<ref name="EB1911"/>

The earldom was assumed by the tenth Earl's distant relative (his fifth cousin once removed) Reverend Theophilus Henry Hastings. He was the great-great-great-grandson of Sir Edward Hastings (d. 1603), younger son of the second Earl.<ref name="EB1911"/> He is by some sources considered as the ''[[de jure]]'' eleventh Earl while some sources do not include him in the numbering of the Earls. On his death, the claim passed to his nephew Hans Francis Hastings, son of George Hastings. He was allowed to take his seat in the House of Lords as the Earl of Huntingdon in 1819.<ref name="EB1911"/> Depending on the sources he is numbered as the eleventh or twelfth Earl. Lord Huntingdon served as [[Governor of Jamaica]] from 1822 to 1824.<ref name="EB1911"/>

Hans' great-great-grandson, the sixteenth (or fifteenth Earl), was an artist, academic and [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] politician. He died without male issue in 1990 and was succeeded by his first cousin once removed, the seventeenth (or sixteenth) and ({{As of|2017}}) present holder of the title. He is the uncle of television presenter [[Clare Balding]] and eldest son of [[Peter Hastings-Bass|Captain Peter Robin Hood Hastings Bass]] (1920–1964) (who assumed the additional surname of Bass, which was that of his uncle by marriage, [[Sir William Bass, 2nd Baronet]], by [[deed poll]] in 1954), son of Aubrey Craven Theophilus Robin Hood Hastings (1878–1929), younger son of the fourteenth Earl.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

Several other members of the Hastings family may be mentioned. The Hon. [[Edward Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings of Loughborough|Edward Hastings]], third son of the first Earl, was created [[Baron Hastings of Loughborough]] in 1558. Richard Hastings, a grandson of Sir Edward Hastings, younger son of the second Earl, was created a baronet in 1667 (see [[Hastings baronets]]). The Hon. [[Henry Hastings, 1st Baron Loughborough|Henry Hastings]], second son of the fifth Earl, was created [[Baron Loughborough]] in 1643. [[Lucy Hastings|Lucy Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon]], wife of the sixth Earl, was a poet. [[Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon]], wife of the ninth Earl, was a [[Methodism|Methodist]] leader and the founder of the [[Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion]]. [[Sir Charles Hastings, 1st Baronet|Charles Hastings]], illegitimate son of the tenth Earl, was a distinguished soldier and was created a baronet in 1806 (see [[Abney-Hastings baronets]]). The Hon. George Fowler Hastings, second son of the twelfth (or eleventh) Earl, was a [[vice-admiral]] in the [[Royal Navy]]. Alexander Plantagenet Hastings (1843–1928), son of Captain the Hon. Edward Plantagenet Robin Hood Hastings (1818–1857), third son of the twelfth (or eleventh) Earl, was an [[admiral]] in the Royal Navy. His son Edward George Godolphin Hastings (1887–1973) was a [[Captain (naval)|captain]] in the Royal Navy.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

The Earl possesses no subsidiary titles, but his eldest son uses the invented [[courtesy title]] of ''Viscount Hastings'' to avoid confusion, there already being a [[Baron Hastings]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

The family seat of the present line is at [[Hodcott House]], near [[West Ilsley]], in [[Berkshire]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

* [[George Hastings, 1st Earl of Huntingdon]] (1488–1544)
* [[Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon]] (1514–1560)
* [[Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon]] (1536–1595)
* [[George Hastings, 4th Earl of Huntingdon]] (1540–1604)
* [[Henry Hastings, 5th Earl of Huntingdon]] (1586–1643)
* [[Ferdinando Hastings, 6th Earl of Huntingdon]] (1609–1656)
* [[Theophilus Hastings, 7th Earl of Huntingdon]] (1650–1701)
* [[George Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntingdon]] (1677–1705)
* [[Theophilus Hastings, 9th Earl of Huntingdon]] (1696–1746)
* [[Francis Hastings, 10th Earl of Huntingdon]] (1729–1789) (dormant)
*Theophilus Henry Hastings, ''de jure'' 11th Earl of Huntingdon (1728–1804)
* [[Hans Francis Hastings, 12th Earl of Huntingdon]] (1779–1828) (confirmed in title 1819)
*Francis Theophilus Henry Hastings, 13th Earl of Huntingdon (1808–1875)
*Francis Power Plantagenet Hastings, 14th Earl of Huntingdon (1841–1885)
* [[Warner Hastings, 15th Earl of Huntingdon|Warner Francis John Plantagenet Hastings, 15th Earl of Huntingdon]] (1868–1939)
* [[Francis Hastings, 16th Earl of Huntingdon|Francis John Clarence Westenra Plantagenet Hastings, 16th Earl of Huntingdon]] (1901–1990)
* [[William Hastings-Bass, 17th Earl of Huntingdon|William Edward Robin Hood Hastings-Bass, 17th Earl of Huntingdon]] (b. 1948)

The [[heir presumptive]] is the present holder's brother the Hon. John Peter Robin Hood Hastings-Bass (b. 1954).<br/>
The heir presumptive's heir is his cousin Adam Francis Hastings (b. 1977), a great-great-great-grandson of the 12th Earl.

===Line of succession===
{{Collapse top|title={{Small|Line of succession<ref>{{Cite book |title=Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage |publisher=Debrett's Ltd. |year=2019 |isbn=978-1-9997-6705-1 |editor-last=Morris |editor-first=Susan |edition=150th |volume=1 |location=London |pages=3098–3101 |chapter=Huntingdon, Earl of |editor-last2=Bosberry-Scott |editor-first2=Wendy |editor-last3=Belfield |editor-first3=Gervase}}</ref>}}}}
{{Tree list}}
* [[File:Coronet of a British Earl.svg|35px]] ''Hans Hastings, 12th Earl of Huntingdon (1779–1828)''
** [[File:Coronet of a British Earl.svg|35px]] ''Francis Hastings, 13th Earl of Huntingdon (1808–1875)''
*** [[File:Coronet of a British Earl.svg|35px]] ''Francis Hastings, 14th Earl of Huntingdon (1841–1885)''
****''Hon. Aubrey Craven Theophilus Robin Hood Hastings (1878–1929)''
*****''[[Peter Hastings-Bass|Peter Robin Hood Hastings-Bass]] (1920–1964)''
****** [[File:Coronet of a British Earl.svg|35px]] '''William Hastings-Bass, 17th Earl of Huntingdon''' (b. 1948)
******'''(1).''' Hon. John Peter Robin Hood Hastings-Bass (b. 1954)
**''Hon. [[George Fowler Hastings]] (1814–1876)''
***''Hans Francis Hastings (1865–1933)''
****'' George Godolphin Hastings (1905–1981)''
*****''Warren Francis Hastings (1938–2005)''
******'''(2).''' Adam Francis Hastings (b. 1977)
**'' Rev. Hon. Richard Godolphin Henry Hastings (1820–1865)''
***''Henry John Churchill Hastings (1856–1924)''
****'' Henry Theophilus James Hastings (1910–1977)''
*****'''(3).''' David Walter Theophilus Hastings (b. 1947)
******'''(4).''' Ian David Hastings (b. 1975)
{{Tree list/end}}

{{Collapse bottom}}

===Family tree of the earls of Huntingdon (seventh creation)===
{{Marquess of Northampton family tree}}

==See also==
{{Commons category|Earls of Huntingdon}}
* [[Baron Hastings]]
* [[Baron Hungerford]]
* [[Baron Botreaux]]
* [[Baron de Moleyns]]
* [[Hastings baronets]]
* [[Abney-Hastings baronets]]
*''[[Britain's Real Monarch]]'' – argues that 3rd–10th Earls should have been the monarchs of England
* [[Countess of Huntingdon (disambiguation)|Countess of Huntingdon]]
** [[Maud, Countess of Huntingdon]]
** [[Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon]]
* [[Huntington family]]

==Arms==
{{Emblem table|name=the Earl of Huntingdon
| image      =[[File:Coat of Arms of the Earl of Huntingdon.svg|250px|center]]
| crest      = A Bull's Head erased Sable armed and ducally gorged Or.
| escutcheon = Argent a Maunch Sable.
| supporters = On either side a Man Tiger (or Lion guardant with Human Face) Or the Faces proper.
| motto      = In Veritate Victoria (Victory is in Truth).
}}

== Popular culture ==
In [[English folklore]], the title has been associated with [[Robin Hood]], whose true name is often given as [[Robert Fitzooth|"Robert of Huntingdon"]], though alternatively Robin is said to be from Locksley or Loxley. It was used in the 1980s [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]] TV series ''[[Robin of Sherwood]]'' starring [[Jason Connery]] as Robert, who succeeds Robin of Loxley ([[Michael Praed]]) in the role of Robin Hood.

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=<ref name="EB1911">{{Harv|Chisholm|1911|page=949}}</ref>}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=October 2019}}

===Work cited===
* {{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Huntingdon, Earls of|page=949|year=1911|volume=13}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book |last=Hesilrige |first=Arthur G. M. |url=https://archive.org/details/debrettspeeraget00unse/page/491 |title=Debrett's Peerage and Titles of courtesy |date=1921 |publisher=[[Dean & Son]] |location=160A, [[Fleet street]], [[London]], UK |page=491}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100926173211/http://britannia.com/tours/rhood/kirklees.html Britannia]
* {{Cite book |last=Morris |first=Susan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=99tHEAAAQBAJ |title=Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage 2019 |date=April 20, 2020 |publisher=[[Debrett's]]; eBook Partnership |isbn=978-1-9997-6705-1 |quote=[[John Debrett]]}} {{Page needed |date=November 2021}}
* {{Rayment|external links=y|date=February 2012}}
* {{Hansard-contribs | mr-francis-hastings-1 | Francis Theophilus Henry Hastings, 13th Earl of Huntingdon }}
* {{Hansard-contribs | mr-francis-hastings-2 | Francis Power Plantagenet Hastings, 14th Earl of Huntingdon }}
* {{Hansard-contribs | mr-warner-hastings | Warner Francis John Plantagenet Hastings, 15th Earl of Huntingdon }}
* {{Hansard-contribs | mr-william-hastings-bass | William Edward Robin Hood Hastings-Bass, 17th Earl of Huntingdon }}

{{Extant British earldoms}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Huntingdon}}
[[Category:Earldoms in England before 1066]]
[[Category:Earldoms in the Peerage of England]]
[[Category:Extinct earldoms in the Peerage of England]]
[[Category:Noble titles created in 1337]]
[[Category:Noble titles created in 1377]]
[[Category:Noble titles created in 1388]]
[[Category:Noble titles created in 1471]]
[[Category:Noble titles created in 1479]]
[[Category:Noble titles created in 1529]]
[[Category:Robin Hood|Earl]]
[[Category:Forfeited earldoms in the Peerage of England]]
[[Category:Earls of Huntingdon|*]]