Francis Greville, 1st Earl of Warwick

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Francis Greville, Baron Brooke, later 1st Earl of Warwick (1719–1773) (Jean-Marc Nattier, 1741)

Francis Greville, 1st Earl of Warwick, KT (10 October 1719 – 8 July 1773), known as Lord Brooke from 1727 to 1746 and Earl Brooke from 1746, was a British nobleman.

He inherited Warwick Castle and the title of Baron Brooke from his father in 1727. His education included time as a gentleman commoner at Winchester College (around 1731).[1] He was created Earl Brooke of Warwick Castle on July 7th, 1746 and became Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire in 1749. He became a Knight of the Thistle in 1743.

In 1759, he petitioned George II for the title Earl of Warwick when the last Earl of Warwick from the Rich family died. Francis' petition was granted, and Warwick Castle was once again held by the Earls of Warwick.

Patronage[edit]

He was responsible for various renovations to the castle, including the construction of the State Dining Room and the private apartments. His early dalliances with the Neo-Gothic style even caught the attention of the infamous Horace Walpole, who referred to him once as "little Brooke". Lancelot "Capability" Brown was hired by the Earl to redesign the gardens and grounds surrounding the castle.[2]

Francis was a significant patron of artists, his account ledgers at Hoare's bank include references to artists such as Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough, Allan Ramsay, Angelica Kauffmann, Thomas Patch and George Stubbs.[3] Between 1748 and 1752 Giovanni Antonio Canal was commissioned to paint five celebrated views of the castle. His son George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick further improved the castle and bought many of its present furnishings.

Family[edit]

Elizabeth Hamilton, later Countess of Warwick (1720–1800), and her brother William (William Hoare)

He married Elizabeth Hamilton on 15 May 1742 at Park Place, Remenham, Berkshire, daughter of Lord Archibald Hamilton and Lady Jane Hamilton, by whom he had eight children:

After a cooling of their marriage, and after Elizabeth's love affair with General Robert Clerk, the Earl and his wife entered into a formal separation in September 1765.[4]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Giddlings, Tim (July 2019). "Gentlemen Commoners, 1730s". In Foster, Richard (ed.). 50 Treasures from Winchester College. SCALA. p. 104. ISBN 9781785512209.
  2. ^ "Warwick Castle". Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
  3. ^ D. Buttery, 'Canaletto's Patron: Portraits of Francis Greville, 1st Earl of Warwick', in Apollo, CXXXV, January 1992, p. 47.
  4. ^ "Separation Indenture". Warwickshire County Record Office, Greville of Warwick Castle. WCRO CR1886 432.
Honorary titles
Preceded by Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire
1749–1757 		Succeeded by
Peerage of Great Britain
New creation Earl of Warwick
4th creation
1759–1773 		Succeeded by
Earl Brooke
1746–1773
Preceded by Baron Brooke
1727–1773


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