Baron Sandys is a title that has been created three times, once in the Peerage of England, once in the Peerage of Great Britain and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.
The title of Baron Sandys, of The Vyne, was created in the Peerage of England in 1523 for William Sandys, the favourite of King Henry VIII. It descended through several generations of his descendants until it fell into abeyance in circa 1683 at the death of the eighth Baron, where it has remained since.
The title was created for a second time in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1743 when the former Chancellor of the Exchequer Samuel Sandys was made Lord Sandys, Baron of Ombersley, in the County of Worcester. This title became extinct on the death of his son Edwin, the second Baron, in 1797. The family estates were inherited by Edwin's niece Mary Hill, Marchioness of Downshire, wife, later widow, of Arthur Hill, 2nd Marquess of Downshire. In 1802 the barony of Sandys was revived in favour of her when she was created Baroness Sandys, of Ombersley in the County of Worcester, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The title was created with remainder to her younger sons Lord Arthur Moyses William Hill, Lord Marcus Hill, Lord Augustus Hill and Lord George Hill successively, and failing them to her eldest son Arthur Blundell, 3rd Marquess of Downshire.
She was succeeded according to the special remainder by her second son Lord Arthur Moyses William, the second Baron. He was a Lieutenant-General in the Army and also represented County Down in the House of Commons. He never married and was succeeded by his next brother, the third Baron. He sat as Member of Parliament for Newry and Evesham. In 1861 Lord Sandys assumed by Royal license the surname of Sandys in lieu of Hill. This line of the family failed on the death of his younger son, the fifth Baron, in 1904. The late Baron was succeeded by his second cousin once removed, the sixth Baron. He was the grandson of the Lord George Hill, fifth son of the first Baroness.
As of 2010 the title is held by his son, the seventh Baron, who succeeded in 1961. Lord Sandys notably served as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard between 1979 and 1983 in the Conservative administration of Margaret Thatcher. However, he lost his seat in the House of Lords after the passing of the House of Lords Act of 1999. As a descendant of the second Marquess of Downshire he is also in remainder to this peerage and its subsidiary titles.
The family seat is Ombersley Court near Droitwich in Worcestershire.
Read more about Baron Sandys: Barons Sandys, First Creation (1523), Barons Sandys, Second Creation (1743), Barons Sandys, Third Creation (1802)
Famous quotes containing the word baron:
“For age with stealing steps
Hath clawed me with his crutch,”
—Thomas Vaux, 2d Baron Vaux Of Harrowden (1510–1566)