Baron Dudley

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The title Baron Dudley was created by writ in the Peerage of England for Sir John Sutton, who served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. At the eleventh Baron's death, the barony fell into abeyance. In 1916, after almost 160 years, the Sovereign terminated the abeyance in favour of Ferdinando Smith.

The holders of the title (until 1740) were the owners of Dudley Castle and an extensive estate around it, including the manors of Dudley, Sedgley, Kingswinford and Rowley Somery in Rowley Regis. By the 16th century, their main home was Himley Hall. In 1740, the title passed to a nephew, whereas the main estates were entailed to follow the barony of Ward and passed to a cousin. However, certain estates that had recently been purchased passed with the title Lord Dudley to Ferdinando Dudley Lea, 11th Baron Dudley.

The family surname of the first five barons was formally 'Sutton', but in practice they seem always to have been called 'Dudley'. In title deeds and other formal documents, the surname often appears as 'Sutton otherwise Dudley'.

[edit] Barons Dudley (1440)

[edit] See also

[edit] Further reading

  • Wilson, Derek A. The Uncrowned Kings of England: The Black History of the Dudleys and the Tudor Throne. Carroll & Graf, 2005.
  • Grazebrooke, H. S. 'The Barons of Dudley' Staffs. Hist. Coll. IX(2).