Baron Kensington - Irish Title (1776)

Irish Title (1776)

The title Baron Kensington was created in the Peerage of Ireland in 1776 for William Edwardes, who represented Haverfordwest in the House of Commons for over fifty years. Edwardes was the son of Francis Edwardes, Member of Parliament for Haverfordwest from 1722 to 1725 and the member of a family which owned extensive lands in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire. His mother was Lady Elizabeth Rich, only daughter of Robert Rich, 5th Earl of Warwick and 2nd Earl of Holland, and Edwardes had earlier succeeded to the Rich family estates (including Holland House in Kensington) on the death of a cousin. The title of Baron Kensington had previously been held by the Earls of Warwick and Holland, and had become extinct along with the earldoms in 1759. The first Baron was succeeded by his son, the second Baron. He also represented Haverfordwest in Parliament. His son, the third Baron, served as Lord Lieutenant of Pembrokeshire. He was succeeded by his son, the fourth Baron.