Baron West
Encyclopedia
Baron West is a title created in the Peerage of England
in 1402. The title has been in abeyance
since 1554, although it is possible to argue that it has been merged.
The First Lord West was Sir Thomas West
, of Oakhanger, Northampton. He married the heiress Joan De la Warr, through whom his second son eventually became Baron De La Warr
. The two titles descended in tandem until the death of Thomas West, 6th Lord West and 9th Lord De la Warr
.
At this point, the precise legal situation becomes debatable. As Cokayne points out, abeyance is a modern rule that approximates medieval practice, rather than a period doctrine. Applying the modern rule, both titles descend to heirs general, which left them in abeyance between the daughters of Sir Owen West, and this situation persists to the present day with their respective heirs.
In 1572, the heir male and nephew
of the co-heirs general was created Baron De la Warr, but not Baron West, by letters patent
. Depending on one's view of the law, this can interpreted as either a settlement of the ancient Barony of De la Warr or a genuine new creation that extinguished the old barony. Cokayne argues that there is no reason to assume that this changed the status of the West title, but given the irregular practice used, it is just conceivable that a modern claimant to West would be refused on the basis that the title was merged into De la Warr along with the estates.
Some genealogical
sources claim that Sir Thomas West of Hampton Cantilupe (1251–1344) was summoned to Parliament and became Lord West in 1342, but this is not supported by Cokayne.
Peerage of England
The Peerage of England comprises all peerages created in the Kingdom of England before the Act of Union in 1707. In that year, the Peerages of England and Scotland were replaced by one Peerage of Great Britain....
in 1402. The title has been in abeyance
Abeyance
Abeyance is a state of expectancy in respect of property, titles or office, when the right to them is not vested in any one person, but awaits the appearance or determination of the true owner. In law, the term abeyance can only be applied to such future estates as have not yet vested or possibly...
since 1554, although it is possible to argue that it has been merged.
The First Lord West was Sir Thomas West
Thomas West, 1st Baron West
Thomas West, 1st Baron West was the only son of Sir Thomas West, of de Hampton Cantilupe , and Alice FitzHerbert the sister and heiress of Sir Edmund FitzHerbert. His father had fought in the Battle of Crécy and the subsequent siege of Calais under the command of Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of...
, of Oakhanger, Northampton. He married the heiress Joan De la Warr, through whom his second son eventually became Baron De La Warr
Earl De La Warr
Earl De La Warr is a title created in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1761.In the United States, Thomas West, 3rd baron is often named in history books simply as Lord Delaware. He served as governor of the Jamestown Colony, and the Delaware Bay was named after him...
. The two titles descended in tandem until the death of Thomas West, 6th Lord West and 9th Lord De la Warr
Thomas West, 9th Baron De La Warr
Thomas West, 9th Baron De La Warr and 6th Baron West, KG succeeded to his titles at the age of 50. He was the son of Thomas West, 8th Baron De La Warr and Lady Elizabeth Morton, daughter of Sir George Morton, of Lechlade....
.
At this point, the precise legal situation becomes debatable. As Cokayne points out, abeyance is a modern rule that approximates medieval practice, rather than a period doctrine. Applying the modern rule, both titles descend to heirs general, which left them in abeyance between the daughters of Sir Owen West, and this situation persists to the present day with their respective heirs.
In 1572, the heir male and nephew
William West, 1st Baron De La Warr
William West, 1st Baron De La Warr, of the second creation was nephew and adopted heir of Thomas West, 9th Baron De La Warr. William West was the eldest son of Sir George West, the third of four brothers, and of Elizabeth Morton, daughter of Sir George Morton of Lechlade...
of the co-heirs general was created Baron De la Warr, but not Baron West, by letters patent
Letters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
. Depending on one's view of the law, this can interpreted as either a settlement of the ancient Barony of De la Warr or a genuine new creation that extinguished the old barony. Cokayne argues that there is no reason to assume that this changed the status of the West title, but given the irregular practice used, it is just conceivable that a modern claimant to West would be refused on the basis that the title was merged into De la Warr along with the estates.
Some genealogical
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
sources claim that Sir Thomas West of Hampton Cantilupe (1251–1344) was summoned to Parliament and became Lord West in 1342, but this is not supported by Cokayne.
Barons West (1402)
- Thomas West, 1st Baron WestThomas West, 1st Baron WestThomas West, 1st Baron West was the only son of Sir Thomas West, of de Hampton Cantilupe , and Alice FitzHerbert the sister and heiress of Sir Edmund FitzHerbert. His father had fought in the Battle of Crécy and the subsequent siege of Calais under the command of Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of...
(1365–1405) - Thomas West, 2nd Baron WestThomas West, 2nd Baron WestThomas West, 2nd Baron West succeeded as Baron West at the age of 14. In less than a year, he married Ida de Saint Amand, younger daughter and coheiress of Amaury de Saint Amand, 3rd Baron Saint Amand . He was knighted on the eve of Henry V's coronation...
(c. 1391–1416) - Reginald West, 6th Baron De La Warr and 3rd Baron WestReginald West, 6th Baron De La WarrReginald West, 6th Baron De La Warr and 3rd Baron West was the second son of Thomas West, 1st Baron West and Joan La Warr, half-sister and heiress of Thomas la Warr, 5th Baron De La Warr...
(c. 1395–1450) - Richard West, 7th Baron De La Warr and 4th Baron WestRichard West, 7th Baron De La WarrRichard West, 7th Baron De La Warr and 4th Baron West . He was the son of Reginald West, 6th Baron De La Warr and Elizabeth Greyndour....
(c. 1430–1476) - Thomas West, 8th Baron De La Warr and 5th Baron WestThomas West, 8th Baron De La WarrThomas West, 8th Baron De La Warr and 5th Baron West, KB, KG was the oldest son of Richard West, 7th Baron De La Warr and 4th Baron of West and Catherine Hungerford.Thomas succeeded to his titles at the age of 19...
(c. 1457–1525) - Thomas West, 9th Baron De La Warr and 6th Baron WestThomas West, 9th Baron De La WarrThomas West, 9th Baron De La Warr and 6th Baron West, KG succeeded to his titles at the age of 50. He was the son of Thomas West, 8th Baron De La Warr and Lady Elizabeth Morton, daughter of Sir George Morton, of Lechlade....
(c. 1479–1554) (abeyant 1554)