A HUNDRED PEERAGES7

Shannon News, 6 July 1928, Page 2

A HUNDRED PEERAGES 7

IN DANGER OF EXTINCTION,

WAR RESPONSIBLE FOR LACK OF

HEIRS,

By the sad death, announced last month, at the early age of 18, of his only son, the Hon. Charles Stuart Anthony Rowland Abbott, Lord Tenterden loses the sole heir to his peerage, created a century ago. Thus one more is added to the evergrowing list of peerages which will, in all probability, become extinct with the death of their present holders. : These now number nearly 100, and include two marquisates; those of Carisbrooks and Crewe —Lord Crewe having lost his only son and heir, Lord Madeley, who died at school six years ago at the age of eleven. There is besides a large number of peers who are, without sons and have only heirs-presumptive to their honours. In all there are nearly 250 peers without sons.

In many instances the war has been responsible for this* gradual dwindling df the peerage; but on the other hand many of the heirless peers are only the first holders of their titles. It is a coincidence that the three peerages created in New Year Honours List this year are all without heirs. Nearly half of the baronets on the roll are in a similar position.