Earl Spencer (title)

Earldom of Spencer
Creation date1 November 1765; 258 years ago (1 November 1765)
Created byGeorge III
PeeragePeerage of Great Britain
First holderJohn Spencer, 1st Viscount Spencer
Present holderCharles Spencer, 9th Earl
Heir apparentLouis Spencer, Viscount Althorp
Remainder to1st Earl's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten
Subsidiary titlesViscount Althorp
Viscount Spencer
Baron Spencer of Althorp
Seat(s)Althorp
Spencer House

Earl Spencer is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain that was created on 1 November 1765, along with the title Viscount Althorp, of Althorp in the County of Northampton, for John Spencer, 1st Viscount Spencer.[1][2] He was a member of the prominent Spencer family and a great-grandson of the 1st Duke of Marlborough. Previously, he had been created Viscount Spencer, of Althorp in the County of Northampton, and Baron Spencer of Althorp, of Althorp in the County of Northampton, on 3 April 1761.[3][2]

The future 6th Earl Spencer was created Viscount Althorp, of Great Brington in the County of Northampton, on 19 December 1905 in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.[4] Diana, Princess of Wales, was the youngest of three daughters of the 8th Earl Spencer. William, Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, are grandsons of the 8th Earl Spencer.

  1. ^ "No. 10562". The London Gazette. 5 October 1765. p. 1.
  2. ^ a b Burke, John (1833). A General and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage of the British Empire. London: H. Colburn and R. Bentley. p. 466.
  3. ^ "No. 10092". The London Gazette. 4 April 1761. p. 1.
  4. ^ "No. 27868". The London Gazette. 29 December 1905. p. 9319.