Earldom of Branksea

Earldom of Branksea
Creation Date	1726
Created by	George I
Peerage	Great Britain
First Holder	Henry Lockhart
Current Holder	-
Heir Apparent	-
Subsidiary Titles	N/A
Country Seat	Branksea Castle
Associated County	Dorset

The Earldom of Branksea is an extinct title in the Peerage of Great Britain.

It was created in 1726 for the first Earl of Branksea, Henry Lockhart, who converted the fort on the island into a private residence. Upon his death it passed to his eldest son Henry who died only a year later, leaving behind just one infant daughter. It then passed to his second son Charles who knew that he would forever be childless due to an unspeakable war injury. Having married Eleanor Osgood, the Dowager Duchess of Pevensey for love rather than any expectation of children, he helped to raise her grandson Arthur Osgood after the death of her son. Being fond of the young duke, Charles broke the entail in order to be able to will the estate to him, knowing that the diligent young man would take good care of it. His fortunes were left to his wife.