Dukedom of Rothbury

Dukedom of Rothbury
Creation Date
Created by
Peerage	English
First Holder	{{{first}}}
Current Holder	Gregory Colborne
Heir Apparent	Sebastian Colborne
Subsidiary Titles	Earldom of Falstone
Country Seat
Associated County	Nothumberland

The Dukedom of Rothbury, a hereditary title in the Peerage of England, is held by the Colborne family. Gregory Colborne is the eleventh Duke, inheriting the title in 1779. His eldest son Sebastian, the heir, uses the courtesy title of Earl of Falstone.

Players associated with this peerage are Sarah

History

The Dukedom of Rothbury was created in 1464 and awarded to the first Duke of Rothbury, William Colborne (formerly Baron Colborne) by King Edward IV in thanks for services rendered during what later became known as the Wars of the Roses. Baron Colborne had initially proved his loyalty by providing men, as well as supplies, helping ensure the York forces' victories both at St Albans and Mortimer's Cross, for which he was granted land in Northumberland. He then helped take back the castles of Alnwick and Bamburgh in 1462 after they were captured by Margaret of Anjou, and in 1464 provided both more men and tactical knowledge that played a significant role in putting down the Lancastrian revolt at Hexham. In recognition of his loyalty, the king created both the Dukedom and the subsidiary Earldom of Falstone which was bequeathed to William's heir, Philip, who at just fifteen had fought in his first battle at Hexham.

The title has since passed down in a direct line of descent from father to son, and was retained despite their Yorkist roots when Philip, discomfited by Richard III's claiming of the throne and the disappearance of the princes in the tower, changed loyalties and fought on the side of Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. He died in the battle, and perhaps because of that sacrifice the newly crowned Henry VII allowed his sixteen year old heir to retain the Dukedom after swearing to remain loyal to the Tudor dynasty.

Dukes of Rothbury

• William Colborne, First Duke of Rothbury
  • (b.1426, d.1478 aged 52, created Duke in 1464 aged 38)
• Philip Colborne, Second Duke of Rothbury
  • (b.1449, d.1485 aged 36, acceded to title in 1478 aged 29)
• Gregory Colborne, Third Duke of Rothbury
  • (b.1469, d.1523 aged 54, acceded to title in 1485 aged 16)
• Henry Colborne, Fourth Duke of Rothbury
  • (b.1486, d.1554 aged 68, acceded to title in 1523 aged 37)
• Sebastian Colborne, Fifth Duke of Rothbury
  • (b.1534, d.1594 aged 60, acceded to title in 1554 aged 20)
• Edward Colborne, Sixth Duke of Rothbury
  • (b.1562, d.1595 aged 33, acceded to title in 1594 aged 32)
• Henry Colborne, Seventh Duke of Rothbury
  • (b.1583, d.1648 aged 65, acceded to title in 1595 aged 12)
• Gregory Colborne, Eighth Duke of Rothbury
  • (b.1621, d.1708 aged 87, acceded to title in 1648 aged 40)
• James Colborne, Ninth Duke of Rothbury
  • (b.1678, d.1734 aged 56, acceded to title in 1708 aged 30)
• Thomas Colborne, Tenth Duke of Rothbury
  • (b.1713, d.1779 aged 66, acceded to title in 1734 aged 21)
• Gregory Montgomery, Eleventh Duke of Rothbury
  • (b.1753, acceded to title in 1779 aged 26)