Baron Cottesloe

Admiral Sir Thomas Fremantle, ancestor of the Barons Cottesloe

Baron Cottesloe, of Swanbourne and Hardwick in the County of Buckingham, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1874 for the Conservative politician and former Chief Secretary for Ireland, Sir Thomas Fremantle, 1st Baronet (1798–1890). He was the son of Admiral Sir Thomas Fremantle (1765–1819). Lord Cottesloe had already been created a Baronet, of Swanbourne in the County of Berkshire, in 1821, chiefly in recognition of his father's services, and with remainder to the latter's heirs. His father Sir Thomas Fremantle was created Baron Fremantle, of the Austrian Empire, which Lord Cottesloe inherited in 1819 with the death of his father. Subsequently, in 1822 he was given a Royal licence, which authorized him and his successors to use the title in Britain. However, a warrant issued on 27 April 1932 withdrew all the royal licences, only allowing the use of the title to the then current holders, their heir (if any was born) and their heir's heir (if any was born). Nowadays, John Fremantle, 5th Baron Cottesloe is the current holder of this title, and his son Hon. Thomas Henry Fremantle, heir to the Cottesloe Barony, will be the last future holder being allowed to use the Austrian title in the United Kingdom.

The 1st Baron Cottesloe was succeeded by his eldest son, Thomas Fremantle, 2nd Baron Cottesloe. He represented Buckinghamshire in the House of Commons as a Conservative. His son, the 3rd Baron, served as Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. As of 2010 the titles are held by the latter's grandson, the fifth Baron, who succeeded his father in 1994. Lord Cottesloe served as Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire between 1984 and 1997.

Several other members of the Fremantle family have also gained distinction. William Henry Fremantle, uncle of the first Baron, was a politician. John Fremantle, son of Colonel Stephen Fremantle, uncle of the first Baron, was a major-general in the army. He was the father of 1) General Sir Arthur Fremantle and of 2) FitzRoy William Fremantle, a major-general in the Coldstream Guards. Sir Charles Fremantle, brother of the first Baron, was a naval commander. The town of Fremantle, Western Australia, is named after him. The Very Reverend the Hon. William Robert Fremantle, brother of the first Baron, was Dean of Ripon. The Very Reverend the Hon. William Henry Fremantle, second son of the first Baron, was Dean of Ripon and Canon of Canterbury. His second son Sir Francis Edward Fremantle was a Conservative politician. The Hon. Sir Charles Fremantle (1834–1915), third son of the first Baron, was an administrator with the Suez Canal Company. The Hon. Sir Edmund Fremantle, fourth son of the first Baron, was an admiral in the Royal Navy. He was the father of 1) Admiral Sir Sydney Fremantle and 2) Sir Selwyn Fremantle, an administrator in India.

Baron Fremantle of the Austrian Empire (1816-present)

• Admiral Thomas Francis Fremantle, 1st Baron Fremantle (1765–1818)

Fremantle Baronets (1821-present)

• Sir Thomas Francis Fremantle, 1st Baronet, 2nd Baron Fremantle (1798–1890), created Baron Cottesloe in 1874

Barons Cottesloe (1874-present)

• Thomas Francis Fremantle, 1st Baron Cottesloe, 2nd Baron Fremantle (1798–1890)
• Thomas Francis Fremantle, 2nd Baron Cottesloe, 3rd Baron Fremantle (1830–1918)
• Thomas Francis Fremantle, 3rd Baron Cottesloe, 4th Baron Fremantle (1862–1956)
• John Walgrave Halford Fremantle, 4th Baron Cottesloe, 5th Baron Fremantle (1900–1994)
• John Tapling Fremantle, 5th Baron Cottesloe, 6th Baron Fremantle (born 1927)

The heir apparent is the present holder's eldest son Hon. Thomas Henry Fremantle (born 1966)

References

• Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990,
• Leigh Rayment's Peerage Pages