Thursday 29 October 2009

The Bangor Succession


Might the Bangor viscountcy become extinct? Lord and Lady Bangor have no offspring, only a half-brother who is five years younger and living in London.

The half-brother, the Hon Nicholas Ward, has two daughters.

I am no expert on these matters; but, unless some obscure cousin, several times removed, pops up, is the likely scenario that the viscountcy becomes extinct eventually?

7 comments :

Anonymous said...

Insofar as all peerages will become extinct sooner or later, perhaps Peter de Ros' barony's old enough to be safe. Our Dukes are under threat, if one believes the D. Telegraph!

Timothy Belmont said...

Peter Maxwell - Lord de Ros - has a huge advantage in so far as his barony can survive through the female line, too.

Ironically, he doesn't seem to use the title.

As you say, it is inevitable that peerages will become extinct; and because we have a mere few dozen, some will become extinct eventually.

Timothy Belmont said...

Correction: a mere few dozen dukedoms, that should have read!

Anonymous said...

And there won't ever be any more created (for better or worse - I'm inclined to think any new hereditary creations would be a bit silly, given it wouldn't entitle the holder to anything). It's quite sad to think the traditional infrastructure for success is being dismantled though.

Yes, P. Maxwell doesn't seem to go in for it too much, but I suppose there's a touch of, "like being a lady...if you have to tell people you are...!!"

Timothy Belmont said...

The Great Lady did revive hereditary peerages - albeit briefly - during the 80s when a couple of former Speakers and Harold MacMillan was given an earldom as 1st Earl of Stockton.

Whilst it is not impossible, I agree that it is somewhat unlikely given the current trends.

Tim

Timothy Belmont said...

Oh, and I almost forgot Willie Whitelaw - 1st and last Viscount Whitelaw!

Anonymous said...

...and George Tonypandy, plus the odd Bart. Ne'r again though.