Ford Grey, 1st Earl of Tankerville

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The 1st Earl of Tankerville.

Ford Grey, 1st Earl of Tankerville (July 20, 1655- June 24, 1701), 1st Viscount Glendale, and 3rd Baron Grey of Warke, was a British nobleman and statesman. He was the son of Ralph Grey, 2nd Baron Grey of Werke and Catherine Ford, daughter of Sir Edward Ford of Harting in West Sussex. He was baptized the day of his birth at Harting. His family seat was Chillingham Castle in Northumberland.

He married Lady Mary Berkeley, daughter of George Berkeley, 1st Earl of Berkeley and his wife, Elizabeth Massingberd. Their only surviving child, Lady Mary Grey, was born about 1678. In 1682 Grey achieved notoriety for being found guilty of seducing his wife's sister, Lady Henrietta Berkeley.

The following year he was arrested for involvement in the Rye House Plot but escaped from the Tower of London in July. He later became one of the leaders of the Monmouth Rebellion, landing with Monmouth at Lyme Regis in June 1685. Being in command of the cavalry, its defeat on two occasions was probably caused by his cowardice, possibly even by his treachery. He was taken prisoner and condemned for high treason, but he obtained a pardon by freely giving evidence against his former associates, and was restored to his honours in June 1686.

During the reign of William III he was made Privy Councillor on 11 May 1695 and, on 11 June 1695, created Viscount Glendale and Earl of Tankerville. From 1695 till his death he was a Commissioner of Greenwich Hospital; from November 1699 till November 1700, First Lord of the Treasury. During the absence of the King from June till October 1700, he was a Lord Justice of the Realm, and from November 1700 till his death, Lord Privy Seal. He died on June 24, 1701.