First Rockingham Ministry
Encyclopedia
The First Rockingham Ministry was a British
ministry headed by the Marquess of Rockingham
which served between 1765 and 1766 during the reign of George III. The government was made up mainly of his followers known as the Rockingham Whigs
. The most influential member of the government was the Duke of Newcastle, a former Prime Minister, who served as Lord Privy Seal
. It is often referred to as the only government ever to have been made up almost entirely of members of the Jockey Club
- Rockingham being a prominent patron and follower of the turf. Rockingham was noted for his ignorance of foreign affairs, and his Ministry failed to reverse the growing isolation of Britain within Europe.
The Ministry fell in 1766 and was replaced by one headed by the Duke of Grafton
but dominted by William Pitt
.
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
ministry headed by the Marquess of Rockingham
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, KG, PC , styled The Hon. Charles Watson-Wentworth before 1733, Viscount Higham between 1733 and 1746, Earl of Malton between 1746 and 1750 and The Earl Malton in 1750, was a British Whig statesman, most notable for his two terms as Prime...
which served between 1765 and 1766 during the reign of George III. The government was made up mainly of his followers known as the Rockingham Whigs
Rockingham Whigs
The Rockingham Whigs or Rockinghamite Whigs in 18th century British politics were a faction of the Whigs led by Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, when he was the opposition leader in the House of Lords during the government of Lord North from 1770 to 1782 and during the two...
. The most influential member of the government was the Duke of Newcastle, a former Prime Minister, who served as Lord Privy Seal
Lord Privy Seal
The Lord Privy Seal is the fifth of the Great Officers of State in the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord President of the Council and above the Lord Great Chamberlain. The office is one of the traditional sinecure offices of state...
. It is often referred to as the only government ever to have been made up almost entirely of members of the Jockey Club
Jockey Club
The Jockey Club is the largest commercial organisation in British horseracing. Although no longer responsible for the governance and regulation of the sport, it owns 14 of Britain's famous racecourses, including Aintree, Cheltenham and Newmarket, amongst other concerns such as the National Stud and...
- Rockingham being a prominent patron and follower of the turf. Rockingham was noted for his ignorance of foreign affairs, and his Ministry failed to reverse the growing isolation of Britain within Europe.
The Ministry fell in 1766 and was replaced by one headed by the Duke of Grafton
Duke of Grafton
Duke of Grafton is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1675 by Charles II of England for his 2nd illegitimate son by the Duchess of Cleveland, Henry FitzRoy...
but dominted by William Pitt
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham PC was a British Whig statesman who led Britain during the Seven Years' War...
.