Marquess of Rockingham

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The title Marquess of Rockingham in the peerage of Great Britain was created for Thomas Watson-Wentworth, 6th Baron Rockingham, in 1746.

The Watson-Wentworth family were descended from the Watsons of Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire who were given a barony in 1645. In 1714 the 3rd Baron was created Earl of Rockingham, Viscount Sondes and Baron Throwley. At the death of the 3rd Earl, all his titles became extinct, except the barony, which passed to his cousin, who had been created Baron Malton in 1728 and Earl of Malton, Viscount Higham, Baron Harrowden and Baron Wath in 1733. The 1st Earl of Malton adopted the name Wentworth when he inherited the estate of his maternal uncle, the 2nd Earl of Strafford, in 1695. He was created Marquess of Rockingham in 1746.

The second Marquess, son of the first, became Prime Minister of Great Britain. Before acceding to the marquessate he had been created Baron Malton (1750) and Earl Malton (1750) in the Peerage of Ireland. When he died in 1782 all of his titles became extinct. His estates passed to his nephew, the 4th Earl Fitzwilliam.

[edit] Barons Rockingham (1645-1782)

• Lewis Watson, 1st Baron Rockingham (1584-1653)
• Edward Watson, 2nd Baron Rockingham (1630-1689)
• Lewis Watson, 3rd Baron Rockingham (1655-1724) (created Earl of Rockingham in 1714)

[edit] Earls of Rockingham (1714-1746)

• Lewis Watson, 1st Earl of Rockingham (1655-1724)
• Lewis Watson, 2nd Earl of Rockingham (c. 1714-1745)
• Thomas Watson, 3rd Earl of Rockingham (1715-1746) (earldom extinct at his death)

[edit] Marquesses of Rockingham (1746-1782)

• Thomas Watson-Wentworth, 1st Marquess of Rockingham, 1st Earl of Malton, 6th Baron Rockingham (1693-1750)
• Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (1730-1782)

For the group of British session musicians see Lord Rockingham's XI