Count de Salis-Soglio

Count de Salis-Soglio is a continental title of nobility that was recognized in the United Kingdom for a Swiss family which became British Subjects when Jerome, 2nd Count de Salis, was naturalized by private Act of Parliament (4 Geo. 2. c. 5) in 1741.

Emperor Francis I by a patent dated Vienna, 12 March 1748, had created his father, colonel and ambassador Peter de Salis, together with his descendants, Counts of the Holy Roman Empire.[1][2][3][4]: 331–356 [5][6][7][8][9]

London Gazette, April 8 to April 11, 1809, announces grant of Royal Licence to Jerome De Salis, and his descendants, to assume & use title of Count in UK.
Comital arms of De Salis.

On 4 April 1809 George III,[10] by royal licence,[11] granted and gave Jerome, 4th Count de Salis's descendants, of both sexes, those who were Subjects of Our Realm, the right to fully avail themselves of the title of Count of the Holy Roman Empire. The right to use the name of Fane before that of de Salis was granted, by Royal Licence and Authority as published in the London Gazette, on 11 December 1835.[12] In the same April 1809 licence the same Jerome de Salis-Soglio was granted assumption and use of the arms of Count, with the arms, crest and supporters of de Salis, with the quarterings of Fane, Neville, Beauchamp, and Le Despenser.[13] The de Salis are thus the oldest royal licence holders granted the Authority or Warrant to use their foreign titles in the United Kingdom; by 1930/1932 only 13 families of British Subjects were still using such hereditary authority.

  1. ^ Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Band 146, Gräfliche Häuser XIX, 2009, XXVIII + 619 Seiten, 50 Bilder davon 11 farbig, 37 Genealogien, ISBN 978-3-7980-0846-5, page 396-427.
  2. ^ In recognition of (translated): '...his famous integrity & prudence whilst in the beginning of this century he gave repeated specimens of his diplomatic skill in his embassies to London and to the Hague, and afterwards being devoted to the most august House of Austria and the public welfare in the year 1741 he rendered vain and fruitless the pernicious project of the French to persuade the Grisons to take their part, & furthermore during this whole time with the most faithful attachment gave himself up to the good cause; & furthermore that his son Jerome for several years minister of England in the Grisons was always attentive to cement the bond, of friendship between the Holy Roman Empire the House of Austria, & the King in whose service he was...' '...Being then fully confident that as well he the said Peter de Salis as well as his son Jerome will not omit an opportunity of distinguishing themselves and of deserving well of us, the Holy Roman Empire, and the most Serene House of Austria; we consider him worthy of giving him some testimony of Our special seal and favour, and of transmitting it to the latest posterity...' '...and to his descendants as above this privilege that in future they may be perpetually named called and distinguished by us, and by our successors in the Holy Roman Empire, Emperors and Kings, with the title of Illustrious and Magnificent, High and Well born,...'
  3. ^ John Burke (1852). A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage of the British Empire. Colburn & Company. p. 1096.
  4. ^ Gräfliche Hauser, Band XI [volume 11], Genealogisches Handbuch Des Adels, C. A. Starke Verlag, Limburg an der Lahn, 1983
  5. ^ Burke's Peerage, Foreign Noblemen / Foreign Titles sections: 1839, 1851, 1936, 1956, etc. and Debrett's Peerage, Foreign Titles of Nobility section, 1888, page 822; etc.
  6. ^ Fane de Salis MSS
  7. ^ De Salis Family : English Branch, by Rachel Fane De Salis, Henley-on-Thames, 1934.
  8. ^ From Home Office notes made 21 May 1930 by A. J. Eagleston: 'Count de Salis, Count of the Holy Roman Empire, created 12th March, 1748. Date of Licence.—4th April, 1809. Grantee.—Jerome de Salis. Limitation of Licence.—Limited to the grantee and those of his family being subjects of the Realm. Remarks.—By origin the de Salis are a Swiss noble family from the Grisons. In the early 18th century, Peter de Salis was Imperial Ambassador in England, and was given the Countship, presumably for his diplomatic services. His son was naturalized in England.'
  9. ^ Siegel und Wappen Der Familie Von Salis von Einem Mitglied Der Familie, (compiled by Nicolaus von Salis-Soglio), Basel : Birkhauser & Cie, 1928.
  10. ^ Whitehall, April 4, 1809. The King has been graciously pleased to give and grant unto Jerome De Salis, of Hillingdon, in the County of Middlesex, Esq; Count of the Holy Roman Empire, eldest Son and Heir of Peter De Salis, late of the same Place, Esq; also Count of the Holy Roman Empire, deceased, His Royal Licence and Authority, that in consideration of the Duties and Services performed by different Members of the ancient and distinguished Family of De Salis, he the said Jerome De Salis, and those of his Family, being Subjects of His Majesty, and on whom the Dignity of Count of the Holy Roman Empire shall have devolved, or shall devolve, in virtue of the Limitations in the Imperial Letters Patent, or Diploma, granted by Francis the First, Emperor of Germany, unto Peter De Salis, Great Grandfather of the said Jerome De Salis, bearing Date at Vienna , the 12th day of March 1748, may fully avail himself and themselves of the said Honour, assume and use the Title thereof in this Country, and bear the Arms annexed thereto : And also to order, that this His Majesty's Concession and especial Mark of His Royal Favour, together with the said Imperial Letters Patent or Diploma, may be registered in His College of Arms.
  11. ^ By 1930/1932 only 13 families of British Subjects were still using this hereditary authority (Royal Licences, Authority or Warrant to use their foreign titles); the De Salis having the oldest licence. (Listed in a Royal Warrant of April 27, 1932 on Foreign Titles), (see: 547,423/5, 21/7/30, HM The King (Private Secretary) gives HM's views on H.O. (Home Office) suggestions on Royal Licences for the use of Foreign Titles, to Sir Malcolm Delevingne).
  12. ^ Whitehall, December 11, 1835. The King has been pleased to give and grant unto Jerome Count De Salis, His Majesty's royal licence and authority that, in order to commemorate his inheritance of considerable estates in Ireland from his great uncle Charles the last Lord Viscount Fane, of the kingdom of Ireland, as well as his descent from, and co-representation of, Charles the first Viscount Fane, he, the said Jerome Count De Salis, and his issue may take and use the surname of Fane, in addition to and before that of De Salis, and that he and they may bear the arms of Fane quarterly, in the second quarter, with his and their own family arms; such arms being first duly exemplified according to the laws of arms, and recorded in the Heralds' Office, otherwise the said licence and permission to be void and of none effect: And also to command, that the said royal concession and declaration be registered in His Majesty's College of Arms.
  13. ^ London Gazette