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Earl of Winchilsea is a title in the peerage of England, created in 1628. Other titles associated with the Earldom include Viscount Maidstone and the Earl of Nottingham. The title is sometimes written Winchelsea, the modern spelling of the town (and Cinque Port) in East Sussex. Sir Thomas Heneage ( 1533- 1595) served as Vice Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth I. His daughter, Elizabeth Heneage ( 1556- 1632/ 1633), married Moyle Finch (?- 1614) who was created a baronet in 1611Events November 1 At Whitehall Palace in London, William Shakespeare's romantic comedy The Tempest is presented for the first time. mo Gustavus Adolphus becomes king of Sweden Denmark attacks Sweden King James Version of the Bible first published in Engla. After Sir Moyle's death Elizabeth and her sons made considerable efforts to have the family's status elevated. On July 8July 8 is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 176 days remaining. Events 1099 First Crusade: 15,000 starving Christian soldiers march in religious procession around Jerusalem as its Muslim defenders mocked them., 1623Events August 6 Pope Urban VIII is elected to the Papacy. Change of emperor of the Ottoman Empire from Osman II (1618- 1622) to Murat IV ( 1623- 1640). The Safavids recapture Baghdad. England first colonizes Saint Kitts and Nevis. Wilhelm Schickard invent Elizabeth was created a peeress as Viscountess Maidstone. She was further elevated to Countess of Winchilsea on July 12July 12 is the 193rd day (194th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 172 days remaining. Events 1690 William of Orange's army wins the Battle of the Boyne as reckoned under Gregorian calendar. 1759 British cannon start firing on Fren, 1628; the titles devolving upon her male heirs.
Elizabeth Heneage's youngest son Sir Heneage Finch (bef. 1606Events January 27 The trial of Guy Fawkes and other conspirators begins ending in their execution on January 31 May 17 Supporters of Vasili Shusky invade the Kremlin and kill pretender Dmitri December 26 Shakespeare's King Lear performed in court Storm bu- 1631Events February 5 Roger Williams emigrates to Boston. May 10 During the Thirty Years' War imperial troops storm the German city of Magdeburg and commit a massacre. About 20,000 inhabitants are killed. May 18 In Dorchester, Massachusetts, John Winthrop tak) became Speaker of the House of CommonsIn the British House of Commons the Speaker of the House of Commons controls the day to day running of the house. It is he (or she) that decides who may speak and has the powers to discipline members who break the procedures of the house. Election The Spe ( 1626Events September 30 Nurhaci , chieftain of the Jurchens and founder of the Qing Dynasty dies and is succeeded by his son Hong Taiji. Spanish establish a trading colony on Taiwan. Peter Minuit, director of the New Netherland colony, begins a policy of "pur- 1631). His son Heneage ( 1621- 1682), served as Lord Chancellor and was created Earl of Nottingham in 1681 just a year before his death. The Earl's eldest son Daniel Finch ( 1647- 1730) succeeded him as the 2nd earl, whilst his fourth son Heneage Finch ( 1649- 1719) was created Earl of Aylesford in 1714.
Elizabeth Heneage's eldest son Thomas (?- 1639), became the 2nd Earl of Winchilsea (sometimes listed as the 1st Earl). His son, Heneage Finch, 3rd Earl of Winchilsea, outlived his own son William Finch, Viscount Maidstone (c. 1656- 1672) and he was succeeded by his grandson, the Viscount's son, Charles. When Charles died without issue of his own, he was succeeded as the 5th earl by his uncle Heneage ( 1673- 1726). He was the husband of the poet Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea ( 1661- 1720). Upon the 5th earl's death without issue the title passed to his half-brother John Finch.
John Finch, 6th Earl of Winchilsea died in 1729, without leaving a son to claim the tile and the earldoms of Winchilsea and Nottingham became united under his cousin 2nd Earl of Nottingham who became the Daniel Finch, 7th Earl of Winchilsea. The 7th earl's eldest son Daniel succeeded his father to both titles in 1730 but died without issue in 1769. The title passed to George Finch ( 1752- 1826), the son of the 8th earl's brother William ( 1731-1 766). The 9th earl died in 1826 without issue and his cousin George William Finch-Hatton succeeded to the titles, the additional surname of Hatton having been assumed by his father out of respect for the family of his grandmother Anne Hatton , wife of the 7th Earl and daughter of Christopher Hatton, Viscount Hatton ( 1632— 1706).
The 10th Earl of Winchilsea is famous for his duel with the Duke of Wellington, who was Prime Minister at the time. The duel, which was over the issue of Catholic emancipation and an alleged insulting remark made by the Earl, took place at Battersea fields on March 21 1829. Both men deliberately aimed wide.
The 11th Earl died on June 9 1887 outliving his son George William Heneage Finch-Hatton, Viscount Maidstone ( 1852- 1879), and the title passed to his half brother Murray ( 1851- 1898). When he died leaving only daughters his brother Henry ( 1852- 1927) succeeded him.
